I simply took off the sunglasses I was wearing. I focused at the door, looking for Cormac Carter’s parents, who have just arrived from their scheduled flight. That’s the only door they can go out to, so I can’t take my eyes off it.
    “Cindy, are you okay?” I immediately turned to one of the staff who was with me. I know this might be a lame plan, but this is the first thing that came to mind. 
    “Are you sure, Miss Avery? What if I’ll be called to the police station after this?” Cindy said in a low voice.
    I just laughed at the woman” reaction and then shook my head. Of course, I will not go to war without a shield and knowledge. 
    Before coming, I got to know a little bit of information about his parents. Both of them love to facilitate outreach programs here in the Philippines, and I can only say that Cormac did not inherit from them because they are definitely kind.
    If that’s the case, I also won’t have a hard time convincing them. I’m sure they will understand my situation.
    I turned again to the door there, but I could see no shadow of hope. Over time, I became more restless. 
    Our lame plan should be better. We carry nothing now but inferences about Cormac’s parents.
    Not long after, I saw that the faces were very similar to the picture given by Ma’am Cassandra. I quickly prompted Cindy to start with what was planned, so I promptly took my place as well.
    Cindy pretended to hit Mrs. Carter and pour the frappes the woman ordered at the coffee shop based on what we’ve discussed.
    That’s where I’m going to enter, I’ll offer them help, and they’ll immediately pay attention to me. From that time, it’s up to me to hang out and talk to them until we get what we want from them—consent.
    “I’m really sorry, Ma’am. I didn’t mean to. I’m really in a hurry–” I almost laughed at Cindy’s acting. She really can’t be in front of the camera. She needs to be hidden. I almost choke at my words.
    “It’s alright, Iha−”
    “Mrs. Carter?” My entrance was quick. I glanced at Cindy, who had already exited, and apologized. Mrs. Carter turned too easily and glared at me as if she was wondering if we have met.
    “Oh, hello. You are?” she answered quickly, then smiled. The articles we read about her were really true.
    I also slightly bowed in front of Mr. Carter. “Mrs. Carter, did you already forgot about me? I’m Avery Taylor, C.C’s friend from EMU. Did you just arrived in the Philippines?”
    “You know, Avery, I’m not really good at remembering C’s friends, but since you’re a woman, it might be easier to remember you.” She winked at me. Bingo! 
    “Should we continue to talk somewhere else?”
    “Sure. Anyways, I have some spare clothes you could wear. You need to change your clothes first because you might get sick from the cold.” I handed over the paper bag I was carrying. 
   “I brought that for my mom earlier but, your situation is a bit emergency now, so feel free to use that.”
    She opened the paper bag, smiling. “It must be your mom’s birthday. She is very lucky for you. I have some Ralph Lauren clothes in the house. They are really good!”
    I obviously got that information in some of her interviews. She loves to wear Ralph Lauren clothes, so that has become the apple of my eye now.
    I even went with the lady to get dressed and then we looked for a restaurant to go to. They are very cool as well. I suddenly remembered my own parents again. 
    They look good together. It’s just amazing that they are the happiest people, but their son seems to be a daily burden to the whole world.
    “Are you still seeing C.C after your graduation?”
    I quickly blinked at the lady while still thinking of an answer. I need to be very careful. Just one wrong answer can make them doubt me.
    “Yes, we see each other in a few conferences. Last time, I brought a car and C.C’s as a gift for my older brother.” I smiled broadly at the couple, praying that they would take a bite of what I am saying.
    “You must be a great woman. No wonder you became friends with C.C,” Mr. Carter baffled. The two laughed and stared at each other as if their eyes were talking.
    “Are you really just friends?”
No matter how much I want to smile, I can’t. Me. . . to that rude?
    I tried to laugh at the two, “Of course, we are just friends–” I stopped talking when my cellphone rang loudly.
    It happened to be on the table so the couple could easily read the name on the screen, “Stoney.”
    “That’s Cormac. I am sure!”
This time, I wanted to immerse myself in the ground for so much embarrassment. 
    “You should answer his call. He will be ruder.” 
    “I will. Please, excuse me.”
    I forced myself to walk away from them and burst out, answering the man’s call. “What?”
    “Where are you?”
    I can no longer count how much my eyes rotated. The call only lasted a few seconds. “Does that matter?”
    I was about to turn off the call when I almost let go of my cellphone in shock when a voice suddenly appeared behind me. “Why are you here?”
    I automatically addressed the man. Now I can see his huge smirk from here. His parents are looking at the two of us with a smile.
    “Hey, C.C! What’s up?”
    The plan is going well now, so I don’t know why this guy even needs to show up.
    Now, I have to pretend to be kind even though I’m very annoyed even with this man’s face.
    “What are you doing here?”
    I almost ran my way out of the extreme embarrassment I felt when I saw Cormac’s father still smiling at me.
    “Why are you asking me? I just bumped into them here. I just said hello to Mrs. Carter–”
    “This is a warning, Avery. One wrong move and I will tell them what happened.”
    I quickly crossed my arms across my chest. Did he just blackmail the hell out of me?