Chapter 5: Regrouping

Andrew: Davin organized a dinner meeting with Victor and I tonight to brainstorm on what we have so far with our individual search in finding Vlad. He booked a rooftop cafe for the three of us. I found it a bit odd because why would he book the floor just for us? But regardless, I agree with that idea because I think it is time for me to share what I got from Philip.

It’s been weeks since I had the weird interaction with Philip. I was expecting to at least get something that I can use out of what he gave me but I really don’t want to be selfish. That was a great lead but It would sacrifice his family’s finances.

Half past seven, I was on my way to the venue when I noticed a guy standing across our house. He was wearing a blue coat with the hood up, arms crossed over and he seemed anxious. I didn’t pay close attention to him since I was backing up my car and was closing the gate with the remote when I noticed that the guy was no longer where he was standing. I thought, It must have been a delivery person of some sort and I really didn’t want to be late for our dinner meeting.

When the gate was fully closed and locked. I was about to hit the gas when the guy suddenly appeared at my right side window. He startled me, I slightly opened the window because he might be a mugger or something but that’s kind of impossible since this is a fully secured village.

“Who are you and why are you startling me?”

“Shut up Andrew! Let me in and drive fast!”

When my eyes adjusted to the darkness outside the car. I realized that It was Philip!

“Let me in already! Hurry up!”

“Fine. Fine!”

I unlocked the car door and drove fast.

“Can you explain to me what the hell you’re doing Philip?!”

“Not here yet Andrew”

He was ducking since he got in the car.

“You do know my car’s fully tinted right?”

“Oh, right! Sorry, my car’s not tinted. Ha!”

“Can you start explaining what you just did back there?”

“I assumed you’re going to a search party or something. I was just starting my night jog when I saw you backing up your car”

“And so If I am? You made it clear that you didn’t want to help and I actually get that!”

“Well I never said I didn’t want to. I just said I can’t but I think I can help very, very discreetly.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, emphasize on the very, VERY DISCREET”

“Thank you! And yes! You were right. I’m on my way to meet Davin and Victor to regroup. We had separate investigations and we’ll be tying up what we have so far.”

“Well, I told you everything I know but who knows? Maybe something might come up with Davin’s investigation that I can add up to”

“That’s something that we’re looking forward to”

We arrived at the venue after ten minutes. I was about to pull up at the valet area when a huge guy gestured to us not to get out of the car. We just stared at the guy from inside the car for a while, waiting on what’s going to happen next. When my phone rang. It was Davin.

“Hey Davin! Do you know this yeti?!”

“Hey! Don’t be rude! Antoine’s my bodyguard.”

“So why is he stopping us from getting out?”

“Drive to the back of the building. You’ll see a carport. Get in there and head on up.”

“I really don’t get why this is necessary. I’m with Philip by the way. He’s here to hel-“

“DISCREETLY HELP!”

“Okay! Whatever! He’s here to discreetly help us brainstorm”

“That’s good news. Now hurry up will you! The food’s getting cold!”

I followed Davin’s instructions. I was impressed with the high tech facility of this building. When I got us in the carport. The gate automatically closed and the floor started to move up. We got in a car elevator that brought us three floors up. I parked the car but noticed that the area only fit one car and an elevator was waiting for us to come in and ride it. We got out of the car and rode the elevator headed to the rooftop.

“Geeze! I didn’t even know that this kind of facility exists in our area. Do you know who owns this Andrew?”

“No. I didn’t even know this building existed until tonight”

“I don’t know if this terrifies or excited me”

“Ha! Me too!”

After a minute or two the elevator door stopped. It took awhile for the elevator door to open but given that we were in a high tech building. It was no surprise that the elevator door opened on the other side.

When we got in the room, the lights were dimmed and it looked like we’re in a hallway in the back of the cafe. We saw a door and opened it. I was right, it was a door at the back of the kitchen area. We were on our way to the dining area when Vic popped out of nowhere with a chef’s hat and apron.

“Oh there you are! Hey Davin! Andrew is here!”

“Finally! What took you guys so long?”

“Well you didn’t explain that we’ll be passing by some weird areas”

“I apologize for that. We just really have to keep a low profile when speaking about this in public. Well now all that’s settled, I’ll grab us some drinks while Vic is finishing up our dinner. I hope you like lamb chops!”

“Ha! I can eat anything after all that happened tonight!”

Victor served the three course meal he prepared and served for all of use. After getting a bottle of wine, he sat beside Davin and we started eating

“So Davin, what is this place? How come I’ve never seen this before? Even Philip haven’t noticed this before”

“Well that’s because I bought the building two weeks ago, well I was supposed to have in my name right there and then but the owner was abroad so the papers took some time plus I had to have the tech installed”

“That’s a bit extra of you Davin. Buying a building on the spot like this and you said this was an existing cafe or something?”

“This is my anniversary gift for Victor. He’s very passionate about creating delicious home cooked meals and baked goods so why not share it to the world right?”

“Now that you mentioned that. It’s a very sweet gesture.”

“But Davin, didn’t you say that Vlad wanted this kind of business as well?”

“What? He never mentioned anything to me”

“Ha! It was us talking as kids. We never really talked about it as adults”

We talked some more about the building while eating. When we finished the three course meal, Victor stood up to get our dessert.

He brought out a plate of samplers like set up. Each plate had a big fat chocolate chip cookie, a ball shaped cheesecake and a huge slice of mango with a sundae in the middle.

“Oh wow Victor! This is amazing!” Andrew said looking like his eyes are sparkling like an anime character.

“I don’t usually give food comments but I’m curious and excited to try each of these” Philip looked at each of the desserts when Victor placed the plate in front of him.

“That’s the first time I heard words coming out of your mouth Philip.” Davin teased.

“Well don’t just stare at it. Dig in and I hope you’d like it and give your honest opinion” Victor said with half confidence in his voice.

We all enjoyed each type of dessert that Victor said and we were all just speechless. He definitely deserves to have this cafe. It's been more than an hour since we got here and I think it’s time for us to start talking about our agenda.

“So what do you have so far Davin?”

“Well, we went knocking door to door but nothing. All of them said the same thing. They value their privacy more over helping”

All eyes starting to gaze at Philip.

“Okay. So, I think we’ve established that this is a very secure place so I guess I have to start explaining myself to the both you”

“You mean the three of us?” Davin sarcastically responded.

“He means the two of you”

“What the hell Andrew! You know what he’s talking about?” Davin raised his voice a bit.

“That’s actually what my lead was. Philip and I had a secret conversation about a lead. But unfortunately, It’s a bit of a dead end as well”

“I’d like to know more about this right now. We’re talking about Vlad here. My best friend! Your husband!” Davin replied shakingly.

“And my brother! Okay!” Philip blurted out.

“What are you talking about?” Davin responded in shock.

“Vlad and Philip are half brothers! But they’re in a very complicated situation.” I responded firmly.

“Look Davin. I empathize with you on this. I really do. However, my hands are tied as well. My mother’s sick and we can’t afford to be cut off by Vlad’s mother when we break their contract on nothing interfering with each other’s lives.” Philip’s voice was starting to crack up and he was getting teary eyed.

“Okay everyone, please calm down. Davin and Andrew. Let’s give Philip a moment, I’m sure he’ll be able to explain this to us.”

Victor cutoff everyone from talking and started pouring the wine that he brought before dinner.

I guess we got nothing out of this meeting. We decided to call it a night. Philip still wanted to explain himself but Davin was still too clouded and mad at him and even me for not telling him what he know.