ANGELO couldn’t remember how many times Charles tried to avoid his ways and conversations. Charles wouldn’t even stay for a minute in front or beside him, that's how much he wanted to avoid him. But do I give up? Nah.
Laughing at his thoughts, Angelo continued to serve his customers. After he woke up this morning, he tried pissing Charles first before he decided to go to Wynter’s condo unit, take a bath, and change clothes. When nightfall came, he went back to LUST DAWN and wore his uniform.
“Hey, Oppa.”
Angelo shook his head and turned to see Narae leaning on the bar counter. “Hey, miss seducer.”
Narae slightly chuckled. “How was last night? Did something great happen?”
Angelo suddenly remembered his dream, and he smiled. “Yep! It was surreal.”
Narae looked at the person in confusion. “What exactly happened?”
“Too private to share.” Angelo winked at her.
Narae just laughed at his answer before saying goodbye to look for victims again. Angelo continued serving drinks to his customers. He suddenly remembered the dream and his teasing of Charles earlier, so he looked like a fool smiling alone. Speaking of that guy, where is he?
Angelo’s eyes searched the people around the dance floor. Even at the tables as far as he could reach he was looking for the young man. Where could he be? Earlier when I entered, I did not notice him. He let out a sigh. He might be in a VIP room with someone already. Anyways, I don’t really care. We live in separate ways anyway.
Angelo just focused on his work, until he finally stopped fooling himself. I hate you, self.
“Jason, I’ll go see the DAWN if they need any help or orders,” Angelo told his co-worker.
Jason just nodded knowing that he was the brother of one of their bosses. Besides, there were only a few people still going to the bar, and there were three of them.
When Angelo finally reached the DAWN’s Lair, he immediately let his eyes search, but he wasn't there either. Now, where could he be?
“Looking for someone?” Anurak popped out of nowhere and asked him.
Angelo smiled. “Yeah, I just wanna ask you guys if you need any drink?” he reasoned.
“Liar.” Anurak chuckled. “But nah. We’re fine here. We know where to find you if we need anything unless you go searching for we-obviously-know-who,” Anurak teased.
Angelo scratched his nape and then smiled. “Okay fine. Ahm… Do you have any idea where he is?”
Anuraka playfully grinned at him. “Exactly, who are we talking about?”
Angelo laughed. “Charles. Do you know where he is?” He could feel the heat on his cheek for no apparent reason.
Because of the lights, Anurak was able to see Angelo blush for a moment, which caused him to let out a laugh. “Well, he went out. He said he has important matters to deal with. I think Narae tried to be nosy and asked him where.”
Angelo slowly nodded. “What did he say?”
“Why do you wanna know?” a woman suddenly asked from behind him.
“Done flirting around?” Anurak asked Narae with a laugh, who sat on her single sofa.
“Just taking a short break,” she answered and took a sip on her cocktail before looking back at Angelo. “Anyways, why do you wanna know D’s location?” Narae was now grinning at him as she waited for his answer.
“I think you already know why,” Angelo shot back.
Narae’s grin widened even more before she slowly shook her head. “Hay! You both are weird.” Narae laughed softly. “Anyways, he didn’t answer my question so nobody knows where he is but it’s just probably business. He’s a workaholic, just like Unnie.”
Angelo just laughed at what he heard. Anurak, on the other hand, asked him to sit on the sofa. “Would it be okay if we’ll have a short chat?” Anurak asked him.
“Of course. About what?” Angelo asked, smiling.
“Something, something.” There is something strange in Narae's smile that sends shivers to Angelo.
“Nar,” Anurak laughed. “Calm down, S̄eụ̄x.” Tigress.
“I am calm.” Narae let out a chuckle before she looked at Angelo. “So, warm-up?” Narae smiled. “What’s your work, Oppa?”
Angelo straightened his back. “I’m a system analyst and I do have investments here and there. I mostly invest in Emy’s businesses.”
“Same here. That woman doesn’t get tired of doing another business,” Anurak commented.
“Let's just benefit from it.” Narae laughed. The two immediately agreed. “How are you in your household? All three of us knew the Vasquez story.”
Angelo let out a small smile. “I stay with the Vasquez', once or twice a month. Thrice if my sisters force me to. But I have my own apartment here and in the Philippines. Wynter and Autumn also visit me often so I don’t usually feel lonely.”
Narae and Anurak seemed sad, so the latter talked about another topic. “How about your bartending skills? Wynter said you studied in the U.S. for that.”
This time, Angelo showed a real smile. “Yeah. I just loved the idea of mixing drinking, flirting with the customers, and of course, showing off.”
The three of them laughed and then Anurak asked again. “Have you ever joined a bartending contest?”
Angelo nodded. “Just a couple though. One in Los Angeles and one in NYC.”
Both listeners were amazed. All three of them continued talking mainly about Angelo’s life until Narae asked a bit about the love side question. “Moving on, when did you meet D?”
Angelo took a deep breath. When it comes to his Nick, he always becomes weak. “Like I said before, college days. We were second-year students at that time.” He laughed softly. “I could still remember his cold exterior and how I worked hard to melt that.” He shook his head as he smiled. “He looks so cute every time he gets annoyed by me. Then when I make him smile, I don't know, it feels great. Then—” Angelo stopped talking when both the people he was talking to laughed while looking at him. “Why are you laughing like that?”
Narae was the first one to talk. “Because you're crazy, Oppa.”
“She was just asking you when you two met and then you began storytelling.” Anurak smiled.
“Do you like our Dom?” Narae playfully asked. Both Anurak and her assumed that he would deny it, but to their shock, Angelo relaxed his body on the sofa and smiled before nodding.
“I like him. So much. Or better yet say, I love him.”
IT has been a week since Charles went MIA in LUST DAWN. Angelo also asked Narae and Anurak several times about him but the answers stayed the same. They do not know.Now, Angelo isn't sure if he should worry about the condition of the man he likes or if he should calm down first because maybe he's just really busy at work. Whatever it is, I still want to know where he is.Angelo was about to call his sister to ask a question when his phone suddenly rang. Wynter was the caller so he answered immediately.“Hola, hermanita.”(Buenos dias, hermano. How are you at LD? Are you busy?)“Estas bien, hermanita. We get so busy sometimes, especially since you guys have a lot of potential members.”(Mmm-hmm. That's good but at the same time disappointing.)“Why is that?”(I was gonna ask a favor. About handling Heaven Taste in the meantime? My schedule got busy—)“Sure, I'll fly there tomorrow morning.”(Oh god! Thank you so much! I'm really sorry for disturbing you—)Angelo chuckled. “Hey, it's f
CHARLES walked towards their living room before he dialed Wynter’s number. He left his friends in the dining room, finishing their breakfast and most likely talking about him. Charles became impatient after failing to reach Wynter for the second time.“Where is he?” Charles asked his best friend right after she picked up.(Am I a lost and found officer?) Wynter sounded sarcastic.Charles let out a sigh. “Come on, Wyn. Tell me where he is,” Charles pleaded.(No.)Just one word and Charles became even more pissed. He calmed himself, he knows Wynter’s reason but
“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 immed
ANGELO made sure that everything he needs is in his briefcase. He needs to make sure that his client will choose him as their system analyst. It was a big company, and if he gets hired, his salary will get higher, and he would be better known.He wanted to be independent. To make his father see that he is not just an outsider and that he is worth it to be a Vazquez.When he entered the club that was their meeting place, he immediately looked at the phone for the time. I’m still a little bit early. He sat down on a barstool and ordered a drink. Just one glass to get rid of his nervousness. Minutes later, a woman sat beside him. “Hey, alone?” she asked.Angelo flashed his infamous flirty smile at her. “Yeah, how ‘bout you?” “Not anymore.” The woman placed her hand on his thigh and seductively caressed it. “Want to buy me a drink?”“Sure. Order anything you want, and I’ll pay,” Angelo answered. There's still time before his client arrives, might as well get this woman a drink and finis
ANGELO felt as if he was shaking so he opened his eyes, only to see Charles' face inches away from his. “Wake up, we’re here,” said Charles.“N-Nick?”Charles was obviously stunned. "W-What did you say?"Angelo slowly blinked his eyes. “N-Nick… M-Move closer…” he whispered.Surprised as he is, Charles still followed. “Are you okay—”Angelo quickly gave Charles a peck on his lips before he let out a sly smile. “Awesome—”The faster Angelo kissed Charles, the faster Charles punched Angelo's face. The kiss thief then fell asleep.Charles suddenly panicked because of what he had done. “Oh, sh*t! Oh, sh*t! Why did you do that, Charles? You are definitely an idi*t,” he scolded himself.Charles quickly went out of the car and walked towards Angelo’s side. He just did a piggyback ride with the man. Angelo has always been slimmer than him, so he's also lighter than him.Charles moves quickly to go to Wynter's unit. When they were right in front of its door he reached for Wynter's key in Angel
ANGELO woke up feeling lifeless. After what happened last night he even forced himself to sleep. I can’t believe he just left me like that.He is sure now that it is not a dream. For the first time in real life, he saw him in pleasure, and Angelo knows he wants more. More of his Nick.“Where is he? And what is he doing in the Philippines? ” he asked himself.What happened last night suddenly entered his mind. That Mr. Chua is obviously bad news. For the first time, he encountered people in such a state, and truth to be told, he felt scared, really scared. Fortunately, Nick was there. Speaking of that man, was he there for him? Or was it just plain coincidence?Angelo was in the middle of his thoughts when his phone suddenly rang. Random number?“Hello?”(Oppa!) Angelo’s brow furrowed. Oppa? “Who is this?”(Ouch! You forgot me? You're so mean! Anyways, are you with D?)“D? Oh!” Realization dawned on him. “Narae?”(That’s me! The prettiest friend of your KJ sister.)Angelo laughed sof
ANGELO woke up feeling lifeless. After what happened last night he even forced himself to sleep. I can’t believe he just left me like that.He is sure now that it is not a dream. For the first time in real life, he saw him in pleasure, and Angelo knows he wants more. More of his Nick.“Where is he? And what is he doing in the Philippines? ” he asked himself.What happened last night suddenly entered his mind. That Mr. Chua is obviously bad news. For the first time, he encountered people in such a state, and truth to be told, he felt scared, really scared. Fortunately, Nick was there. Speaking of that man, was he there for him? Or was it just plain coincidence?Angelo was in the middle of his thoughts when his phone suddenly rang. Random number?“Hello?”(Oppa!) Angelo’s brow furrowed. Oppa? “Who is this?”(Ouch! You forgot me? You're so mean! Anyways, are you with D?)“D? Oh!” Realization dawned on him. “Narae?”(That’s me! The prettiest friend of your KJ sister.)Angelo laughed sof
ANOTHER day without his presence. Angelo can't understand if Narae and Anurak have a lot of confidence in Charles' safety or if they just don't care.“You worry too much, I’m sure he’s fine.” Angelo just shook his head when he remembered what Narae always said.How am I not supposed to worry if it has been months since I last saw him? Even his sister, Wynter, had no news of the man.“Merry Christmas, Oppa!” Narae greeted him with a tight hug before letting him go. He let out a low chuckle. “That's still next week, Narae.” The lady pouted. “But I’m excited. It's our first time celebrating together, plus Dom called An this morning. He’s finally done with his work.” She slowly walked away.Angelo stared at nothing. He’s coming back? Finally! He couldn't remove the smile on his face. For sure they will meet tomorrow for the Christmas Party.ANGELO woke up early like he did not sleep late last night. He was so excited to be able to attend DAWN's Christmas Party. Well, that’s one of the r