ELIZ'S POV
“Oh no, Nathan just texted me. He said they’re at Blue Bar.”
Wow, really? The school just closed and they’re already drinking. What a move, and he still has the guts to womanize.
“It’s a shame I won’t be able to see Ruhan. I really need to leave already,” Danica said sadly. “I just stopped to the Philippines because of some projects I had to attend to.”
“I wish you could stay longer, but alright, I’ll just send you off with some cupcakes I made just now,” Ruhan's mother said, so Danica left.
It’s kind of touching that even though Danica is the daughter of Dark with another woman, Light still treats her like her own child.
Right? Others would usually be mad or something.
As I watched Light head to the kitchen, I felt Danica staring at me, so I looked at her.
I was about to ask her something, but she beat me to it.
“Eliz, Ruhan once told me that... the first girl he’ll love will also be the last girl in his life,” Danica suddenly said, which made me look at her again.
The first girl he’ll love?
“...so if he ever confesses to you… don’t hurt him.”
I don’t know why Danica is telling me this.
Is it because I’m Ruhan’s friend? Because I’m close to Ruhan's mother, auntie Light?
“W-what are you talking about?” I asked her. Is this girl going crazy?
“Nothing!” she said quickly with a smile. I was about to ask more questions when auntie Light came back.
Okay fine, I won’t pretend to be clueless. Danica’s message was clear, but…
…it hurts to hope.
You know that feeling, right? When you think someone likes you, but it turns out you were just assuming. Hoping can really hurt.
Danica didn’t ask anyone to take her to the airport since she had her own car.
And me? Light asked me to stay over for now.
I didn’t really have anything to do, and besides, I preferred being here over home.
“Where’s Yohan?” I asked. Why? Because I miss him, okay~?
“Oh, Yohan? He’s at school and stays in the dorm there. He only comes home once a month,” she said.
Oh, so I won’t see Yohan? That’s sad, but it’s true.
One reason why staying here is such a great idea is that auntie Light always prepares special desserts for me.
She’s really good at cooking, and they taste amazing! Yum yum!
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, so I took it out. A message—from Ruhan.
From: Ruhan
We’re going on a mission, wanna come? Meet us in front of the Starbucks near the mall.
Oh? He’s serious—he really wants me to come? Last time I even had to force my way into joining them. But whatever! Let’s go!
“Uh, auntie? I’m heading out. I’m going to meet Ruhan and the others,” I said.
“Oh really? Do you want me to send—”
“No need. See you next time,” I said and gave her a goodbye cheek kiss.
As soon as I stepped out, a taxi was conveniently approaching, so I flagged it down.
“Starbucks, please,” I said, and the driver nodded.
The Starbucks isn’t far from here—maybe around 10 minutes?
What kind of mission do they have this time? Maybe they’re picking up some weapons again? Or maybe another gang fight?
I wasn’t wrong. I was already at the Starbucks entrance. I paid the driver and got out.
I looked around—no sign of them yet? Hmm, maybe they’re picking something up?
I sat down on a bench outside the store. While waiting, I glanced down at my leg—ugh, a mosquito bite! It’s not too red but it’s really itchy!
Last night, the power went out for a bit. I opened the window, and boom, that stupid mosquito got in! I hate mosquitoes!
I smiled when I saw a pair of feet in front of me.
“Ruhan, you’re late—w-who are you?” I suddenly asked because it wasn’t Ruhan at all.
“Get her.”
A man behind him commanded, and two guys grabbed my arms on both sides.
“What the hell?! Let me go! Help!” I screamed, but why did it feel like there was no one around?
It was too late—they already got me into a car.
Fvck!
“Let go of me, you sons of b*tches!” I shouted, but they were too strong.
I couldn’t see their faces because of the masks, but I couldn’t help staring at the guy in front. He looked familiar, and I could tell he was more handsome than the others even with the mask—
What the hell, you’re being kidnapped and you’re still thinking like that?!
“She’ll be the key to taking down the Cortejo family and that damn Ruhan too,” said the man who, no matter how much I deny it, felt so familiar!
Dear God, Ruhan. I can’t take it if he gets dragged into this because of me.
“What do you want from Ruhan?! Leave him out of this!” I shouted, but they didn’t seem to hear me.
“Silence her first,” one guy said, and I panicked. I tried to break free from these idiots, but why are they so strong?!
“I said let me g—Mmmm!! Mmm…”
The world started spinning as they pressed a handkerchief to my nose.
My vision blurred, and soon enough, darkness swallowed me.
RUHAN’S POV
“Hey Kean! You’re drunk already huh? HAHAHA!”
“Me? Drunk? Over my dead body!”
“Cut it out, guys. You’re gonna kill each other. HAHAH—oh Ruhan? Did you find your phone?” Nathan asked when I reached our table.
“No.” I answered shortly and sat next to Shin. Where could I have dropped it?
While we were heading inside the bar, I couldn’t feel my phone in my pocket. Maybe it fell somewhere near the mall.
Fvck! This is like the 10th time I’ve lost a phone this year.
“Don’t worry about it, Ruhan. Just buy a new one. With how rich you are, you could probably buy the whole phone company.”
True? But still, I lost a bunch of pics of—never mind.
I’ll just ask Danica to buy me one. You all know how much my sister loves me.
“So what now? No school, are we doing a gang fight?” Kean asked.
“Tss, I’m out. Not in the mood,” Shin said and downed his drink.
Actually, Nathan’s just drinking juice.
You see, Nathan’s the weakest among us when it comes to alcohol.
The three of us can go through 20 bottles easy.
“Hello, auntie Light? Oh?”
We looked at Nathan who was on the phone. Light, I guess?
“What? She’s not with us... Okay.”
“What’s that, Nath?” Shin asked, munching on fries.
“Ruhan's mother is asking where Eliz is,” Nathan said.
“She said Eliz went to your house with someone,” Nathan said, looking at me.
To our house?
“Wait, I’ll call mom.”
I paused when I remembered—I don’t have my phone.
I looked at Nathan, and he showed me his phone, already dialing mom’s number. He put it on speaker.
“Hello, Nathan?”
“Uh, auntie, is Eliz there?”
“Isn’t she with you?”--Light
“What? No, we’re here at the bar. ”
“Huh? But Ruhan texted that they’d meet—where is Ruhan?”--Light
“What?” I asked in confusion, trying to process what Mom said—texted? texted who? Eliz?
Didn’t I lose my phone—don’t tell me...
“Mom, I lost my phone—how long ago did Eliz leave?” I asked.
“Two hours ago...”
I got nervous because I had a bad feeling about this.
It’s been 3 hours since I lost my phone.
Don’t tell me someone got it and—fvck!
I ran out of the bar immediately.
“Where are you going?! Ruhan!” Shin shouted after me, but I didn’t look back.
I didn’t waste a second and got into the car.
Fvck! Fvck them!