Chapter 6

August's POV

I packed my clothes. We are temporarily not accepting assignments right now due to the training that will happen in Batanes. Yes, you read it right. The location of our training is in Batanes. Heck, there are many nearby places to train, even in areas that seem to be out of the Philippines. This city is already near china and japan. Just a little tumbling. But what is my right to complain? It was the admin who chose the location so that foreigners can also visit the Philippines.

I left the condo. We picked up a service van because we were going to Clark International Airport. Our departure airport is there and we still have to travel there. There is a private plane waiting for us there. They said they could not risk buying tickets and putting our identities. So we have a private jet, courtesy of the CIA United States. It's just wealth, isn't it? I have never known anyone who owns a private jet. Even the rich people I hear about use the airline, not a private jet. I think only the filthy rich can have those private jets after all.

"It's only three o'clock. The departure can be at NAIA, why is it so far away?" Misha complained. This is because sleep is affected. Just like me, I love to sleep so much.

"That's for security purposes. You know that the Alpha Team is with us. There is a possibility that they will be targeted." I answered like I know about it.

"That's right." Misha just answered me.

We got off and immediately saw the service van that was our car on the road. It was already open and I saw Reed waiting and smiling while looking at me.

I smiled too. Somehow, I felt relief because there was no trace of sadness on her face, unlike the last time we talked. They immediately met us and took my suitcase.

"Wow, only August? What about me?" Misha complained.

"I'm over there." Ryujin grabbed Misha's suitcase and walked towards the service van.

"Halaka, what did that eat and help me?" Misha asked in surprise. How about it, Ryujin is the type of guy who doesn't care and is not helpful when it comes to carrying something. We don't know maybe that is their culture since he is Japanese.

I shrugged. I don't want to assume because I don't assume like this Misha. "Don't assume Misha, maybe that's just rushing because we're slow." I just said it because that's all I could think of.

"Haha. That's right, it's been impatient for a while. It almost rushed to your condo earlier." Reed laughed as he promised.

Misha snorted. "Tss. Anytime really, those afternoons." Misha just said.

Ryujin is very particular with time. When it said three o'clock, that was exactly right. He's a time-conscious freak. It's not like Misha and me who are always late.

"Let's go inside. It's cold in here." Reed said and he started walking first and went to the back to put my suitcase in there.

Misha and I immediately went inside. And he sat in the window seat first. I didn't complain anymore so I sat next to him. A few moments later, Reed entered and sat next to me. He immediately closed the door of the van and started running. The surroundings are still dark and we only see city lights, but the good thing about traveling at this hour is no traffic going to NLEX.

The van was running fast and I didn't even realize that I fell asleep. Traveling to Clark is not a close distance because we are from Metro Manila. It may take about 3 hours to travel there. I just realized that I was leaning on Reed's shoulder but I didn't mind. We are used to it, sometimes he also falls asleep leaning on me.

I just forgot when I felt a soft tap on my hand.

"Hmm?" I still growled. I'm still sleepy! 😪

"We're here August." Reed weakly promised me.

I sat up and yawned. I still stretched. It's not very light yet but the light and darkness are already competing. I looked at my watch. It's past five o'clock in the morning. Looks like we're too early. Maybe there's no traffic so the trip continues. We got out of the service van and took our suitcases but Reed got ahead of me and carried my suitcase. I couldn't wait any longer so I followed them. We did not enter the kiosk or check-in area. We went straight to the runway. I can already see planes and we are right here on the runway of the plane. We just followed the previous one. We are heading to a small plane compared to a normal plane like Philippine Airlines. But because this is a private jet, not a regular public air transportation.

The door of the plane was already open and the stairs were also out. I also see a stewardess standing there with a smile on her face. I feel like I'm the one singing when he smiles.

"We'll wait here." Our guide from HQ said.

There was nothing we could do but wait there. I just opened my cell phone and put on my earphones. I'll just listen to music first. I just chose a random playlist on Deezer. I just nodded my head as I heard the song. It was the new songs that I couldn't relate to. It became clear forever. The sun is rising. The familiar music played. I think this is a Korean song.

I turned around when Misha shook me. It taught something so I followed what it taught. The music is playing and a saw five people walking toward us. I could not see them clearly because I was dazzled by the light of the rising sun. Their pace is not that fast like they are walking on a catwalk.

Until they reach us but I almost stopped breathing. Like my world did stop spinning. All I can hear right now is the song and the beating of my heart. I am staring at the man who is the tallest of them all. He has clean-cut hair and wearing a white v-neck shirt and faded jeans. He is wearing an aviator and he took it off and I almost dropped my bag. I swallowed. How come? How come Cayden is here? I turned to his companion and I saw one familiar face and he is smiling at everyone. Lucas is here.

"Welcome to the Philippines, we are the Delta Team. Reed Montero, The Captain." Reed introduced them.

"Draco Sylveria. The Captain of Alpha Team." This recognition surprised me even more. He's not Cayden? Does that mean he is just a person who happens to have the same face as him? But why do I feel this way? But he said he is Draco Sylveria.

"I'm Marcus Sol Wylium." The face of Lucas is familiar.

My heart didn't stop pounding. I wanted to run and hug Cayden, but I couldn't. A fact kept on hitting my head that he is not Cayden, that he just looks like him. But how come his voice as well and physique? Only the name is different.

"Scarlet Green." Introducing the woman who smiled but she looks like she is looking down at us. I can feel it and see it in her eyes.

"Frank Thompson." Introduce the canoe that is with them.

"Ivan Scott." Another brunette guy introduced me but still, he looks like a foreigner to me.

My eyes were trained on the man who looks exactly like Cayden. I was a little surprised when our eyes met. I felt like a thief caught in the act and immediately looked away. I don't know but I suddenly feel ashamed. I can feel eyes that are staring at me I just wish it is not from him. I don't want to hope because hope hurts.

I bowed down. I trained my eyes on my shoes. Not because I'm shy but because I am thinking. I don't want to stare like an idiot. I always saw that in every movie and the female characters look stupid so I promised myself not to do that. But I'm confused. How come to Cayden and Lucas look alike here on earth? Do they look like me? Like me who has a doppelgänger in Pandora? Probably, that is not impossible. Earth is Pandora's Alternate Universe, right? That might be the case.

Suddenly I came to my senses with the thought of someone shaking me again. I looked up at Misha because I knew he was the one shaking me.

"Introduce yourself." It said and signaled for me to introduce myself to the Alpha Team.

I slowly looked at the Alpha Team and swallowed. Why am I so affected? They are not them for Christ's sake. So I cooled myself down. I decided to act like I don't know them.

"I'm August...... August White." I introduce them.

I saw Draco Sylveria's eyes twinkle in front of me. The corner of his lips went up as something good happened. I didn't understand that but I suddenly got nervous. What if? It's like my chest suddenly hit when I remember the events. The mystery man I meet has the same smell and voice... what if it's him? Oh my god, no, it can't be. There are many possibilities that it was not him, and I was drunk that night. I might be just imagining things. Yeah, that's right it's not him. That smirk has no meaning! I convinced myself but I was still nervous which caused my eyes to roll.

"Alright, let's be friends since we will be together in a while," Marcus promised with a smile.

I almost winced. His personality looks like the actual Lucas. It's almost scary.

"Then let's go. I can't bear the humidity here." The woman who introduced herself as scarlet promised.

He walked first and climbed the stairs to enter the private jet. I couldn't move right away. I only came to my senses when Reed called me.

"Come on August!" Call me this.

I couldn't follow it myself. I went up the stairs and I noticed a hand gripping the railing behind me. I turned to see who it was and I almost choked with my saliva when I saw Draco who was behind me. It's too scary because he's frowning like he's thinking of something and because of that, it's even more like Cayden!

Draco suddenly looked at me so I immediately looked away. I wanted to reprimand myself. I shouldn't act like this but I can't help it. I feel like I'm going to melt at any moment. But I'm just so thankful because I got into the private jet. I immediately looked for Misha who was now waving at me.

I immediately came to it and sat next to it. The jet has two seaters per row. This is not a regular luxury plane because luxury jet seats are not like this, but what did I expect? This is owned by CIA US.

"I'm so excited." The behavior of the person next to me.

I looked at it and it was smiling. I raised my eyebrows. I know this smile. "I know that smile, Misha," I said here and didn't look away from him.

His grin grew wider. It approached me and whispered. "I have a crush hehe." He promised me that he was thrilled.

I frowned. "Who?" I whispered back.

"Hhmmm... the newcomer." He said that it seemed like he was dreaming.

Huh? who is there "Who?" I ask here.

"Draco." This is the answer.

"What?!" But I feel like slapping myself. I blurted out again! And why did I even do that? I'm really stupid sometimes.

Misha grinned. "Hahaha, joke. He's not, even though he's very handsome, but I'm not the type who looks grumpy. Marcus is my crush." This is a weak promise.

I wonder if anyone can hear. If it's Cayden and Lucas, they can probably hear Misha now because their hearing levels are different. But I know it's not.

"I'm happy for you," I promise here. Crush immediately, not even fully known.

"Tss, be happy for me. I don't just have crushes." Misha promised me with a smile and she took out her phone and she sneaked to take a photo of someone. It was still giggling after doing that. "He is so handsome." He said that now he almost worships his cell phone.

I just shook my head because of the craziness of it. Fortunately, this girl is not as strong as I thought. I'm going crazy here. It's different if you have a crush. I am ashamed of what he does.

"This is the captain speaking. Please fasten your seatbelts. We will take off now." Said the speaker. Even the captain speaks naturally. It's not like public air transportation where it's still long and there are safety instructions.

The stewardess checked the safety gears that were on our heads and after she checked everything, she went to the back and sat down, and put on her seat belt. I felt the slow progress of the plane. First, it is like a car or a bus moving from slow and slowly the speed is getting faster. It ran fast until the plane inclined and started to fly. It feels like we are riding a rocket and bolted to the sky. Private jets are fast, not as impactful as large planes. It was also a few minutes before the jet was running normally. I can already see the clouds beneath us.

I turned my attention and just took the magazine there and looked at it. The magazine speaks about Batanes. I have never been there and this is my first time. But according to the reviews, it's like New Zealand. The journey will only take 35 minutes. Somehow, I am excited to set foot in Batanes, where greenery and pasture are abundant.