Chapter Seven

“UNNIE!” Narae shouted and waved her hand when they saw Wynter walking out of the hospital building.

Wynter turned in their direction and saw them standing against a red Ferrari Portofino. At the same time, the three removed their shades. Wynter shook her head and smiled as she walked closer to them. “Show-offs,” she said. 

Narae automatically wrapped her arms around Wynter’s body to give her a warm hug. “We missed you so much!”

“I missed you, too. How are you?” Wynter softly tapped Narae’s back to loosen the hug and faced Anurak and Charles. “How are you two?” she asked but first gave Charles a knowing look.

“We’re great. As usual, still trying to find victims,” Anurak answered.

“And I’m leading.” Narae grinned. 

Anurak frowned. “No one’s leading. We have the same score.” 

Narae just made faces again before she quickly went to Anurak’s side and gave him a side hug. “By the way, A. I’m driving, okay?” Narae's hand was quick and immediately grabbed the car key from Anurak.

Anurak immediately looked at Wynter and shook his head. “Let’s all wish that this won’t be our last day on Earth—”

“Hey! I heard that!” Narae shouted as she sat down in the driver’s seat.

“You were meant to hear it!” Anurak shouted back before he gave Wyn a smile. “Come on. Let’s go. We will still buy our stuff.”

Wynter just shook her head because of the nonsense of the two. Charles and she were the last to get in the car so they were both in the backseat. Once seated, Wynter glanced at Dom and raised an eyebrow. The latter rolled his eyes before he widened his eyes. Wynter just shook her head.

“What’s up, guys?” Narae suddenly shouted which grabbed the attention of the two.

“So this vlog is about understanding Wyn and Dom’s body languages,” Anurak immediately followed, holding a phone in his right hand.

Those in the backseat rolled their eyes once more which caused Anurak and Narae’s laughs. The four of them were silent for a while until Narae spoke. “Ay Ate! Where are Autumn and Kuya Angelo?”

Wynter kept her stoic face and Charles acted as if he was not interested in the topic. “They’re both at home,” Wynter's simple answer.

“Oh my! I’m excited! Autumn and I will go shopping again,” Narae said.

“Ah, I'm here for free food at Heaven Taste. By the way, Angelo is watching over it now, isn't he, Wyn?” Anurak asked.

Wynter frowned. “As of now, no. He’s checking something else.”

“Ahh… So, where is he?” Anurak asked again.

Wynter’s voice became cold. “Who did you wanna visit? My older brother or me?”

The two laughed softly. “Of course you, Noona. But we're already with you so... Of course, we’ll change the topic.” Narae's laughing excuse was agreed by Anurak.

Wynter rolled her eyes. The two in the front just talked and both those in the backseat were silent. “Ay Wyn! Who has a duplicate key to your condo?” Anurak suddenly asked.

“Why’re you asking?” 

Anurak grinned. “Of course, Narae and I will make the most of our days here in the Philippines. But we can’t just bring men into your family’s house and it’s embarrassing if we’ll both go home in the middle of the night very drunk.”

Wynter got his point so her body and mind relaxed. “Hermano has the duplicate, but I could lend you my key.”

Anurak and Narae cheered. Wynter just shook her head because of the attitude of the two. Wyn glanced at Charles who was currently quiet and had his eyes closed. He looked worn out. Probably because of his wound.

Minutes later, they stopped in front of the mall. Wynter thought they were going to enter the mall together but Charles immediately took the car key from Narae. Wynter automatically furrowed her forehead.

“Emergency. Nzurz,” Charles’s simple words before looking at his best friend like he’s asking for her permission. 

“Seven or Five?” Wynter asked which caused the two to frown.

Charles gave a reassuring smile. “Just seven.”

Wynter nodded and let Charles go. She turned to his two other friends. But instead of asking, both of them just shrugged. It was as if they were not yet used to those two who had a world of their own.

The three of them entered the mall at the same time and bought the necessary items for Narae and Anurak.

CHARLES kept on cursing himself for lying to his best friend. He used the Nzurz code even if his reason for leaving was purely personal.

His phone beeped again and he saw the blue dot moving. He couldn’t thank Narae for helping him track someone. Unfortunately what he’s doing might cause a feud between him and Wynter. The blue dot stopped so Charles stepped on the gas. 

“I need your help.” Charles caught his friends’ attention. They still had a long time before they arrived in the Philippines and Wynter was not out yet so he still had time if he would speed up his action. Charles once again stared at his friends, more seriously this time. “I’m a bit desperate.”

Hearing those words, Anurak and Narae lost their smiles. “What do you need?” they asked at the same time.

“I need to track someone.”

Anurak suddenly turned away. “Oh, I’m not needed. Talk to Nar.”

“I’ll be needing your talkativeness,” Charles pointed out.

Anurak grinned and faced him. “I’m all ears.”

Charles let out a deep sigh. This is embarrassing. “I… I need you to track Angelo Cortez.” 

Instead of being serious, Anurak and Narae smiled which turned to a grin and then laughter. “OMG! I knew it! You like him!” Narae shrieked.

Charles literally facepalmed. “This is a serious matter.” 

“Reason?” Anurak teased him.

Charles' face became serious. “He stole something from me.”

Anurak and Narae exchanged looks before staring back at Charles. “What? Your heart?” Both of them laughed.

Charles rolled his eyes. “Are you gonna help me or not?”

“Oh! He did not deny it!” Narae teased.

“What’s the sense of denying it if you two won’t believe me?” Charles coldly said.

“Okay okay. Fine. We won’t tease,” Anurak assured him.

Charles didn’t believe him. “And please be reminded that Wynter shouldn’t know about this.”

“Why?” both of them asked.

Charles took a deep breath. “Just trust me.”

The two agreed and they all began planning.

Gab, how dare you steal something from me? How dare you take my sanity? I’ll find you and you’ll pay for it. I swear.