Chapter 11

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 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, I’ll pay,” Angelo answered. There's still time before his client arrives, might as well get this woman a drink and finish the conversation.

The woman sat closer and then whispered, "But what if I want you?"

“Well—”

Angelo suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. “Remove your dirty hands or I’ll cut them off,” a man said with a hint of danger in his tone as he removed his hand from his shoulder.

Angelo and the woman immediately looked at that person. The woman’s jaw dropped when she saw the gorgeous man in front of her. He looks like a god.

It was as if the woman was deaf and then held out her hand to the newcomer. “Hi, I’m Claire, but you can call me yours.”

“Move. Away. From. Him.” With every word that came out of Charles’ mouth, his face got darker and darker.

The woman was suddenly nervous. This man is scary. She quickly took her purse and left her seat.

When the woman left, Charles turned his attention to him. He thought that man we’ll get confused with how he acted but how wrong he was. Angelo was shamelessly grinning.

“What the fvck’s with that face?” Charles couldn't help but ask.

“I saw something surprising,” the man replied.

Charles sat down in the chair the woman had left earlier. “Don’t put meaning to it. I’m just doing this for Wynter.” Charles ordered a drink. For Wynter huh? I’m pretty sure if Wynter knows about this, she would not be thankful at all.

“So… What brought you here? What happened to you these past few days?” Angelo casually asked.

“It’s none of your godd*mn business.” Charles got his drink and finished it straight. Why am I here again?

Angelo was staring at the person next to him. What is he doing here? Did he come here for me? Should I get my hopes up? A few moments later, his phone rang and he immediately answered it when he saw his client's name.

“Mr. Chua, are you in the meeting room now?” Angelo immediately asked on the other line.

(Yes. You may now come in.)

“Yes, sir. I’m coming.” When Angelo ended the call, he turned to look at the person next to him, who was shamelessly staring at him. He instantly smiled. “What? You like me so much, ey? Do I look so handsome?”

Charles rolled his eyes. “What a clown.” He devoured the contents of the glass he was holding again. Don’t ask, Charles. Don’t ask. “Who was that?” I hate you, self.

Angelo's smile widened. Looks like he really changed. “Just a client. Don’t get jealous, okay?”

Charles tsked and faced the bar. “Assh*le.”

Charles said softly but the person next to him heard it, and he laughed. “I’ll go ahead now. See you later—”

“As if.”

“—in my dreams. Let me finish first,” Angelo laughed as he teased him.

“Shut up and get out of my face already.”

“Don't miss me too much, will you?”

Charles immediately faced the teaser and was about to throw him with the glass he was holding but Angelo hurried away while laughing his ass off. Charles just shook his head. Wynter will surely kill me after this.

But you’re just talking to him. His conscience reasoned out.

Yeah, right. As if that’s the only plan I have right now. He replied. Charles just sighed at his madness.

ANGELO GRIMACED at the sight of Mr. Chua. He knows for a fact how much he wants to be accepted in this job, but from the old man's words and movements, it looks like he would gladly burn in hell first before he accepts the offer.

“So what do you think, Mr. Cortez? All you have to do is sign the contract and everything’s fine,” the old Chinese man said.

“This wasn’t part of the first talk, Mr. Chua. Since when did you add that condition? It’s not what I agree with,” Angelo was pissed as he replied.

“It’s still part of your job description—”

“I work legally, Mr. Chua. I don’t deal with anything illegal,” Angelo finished what the old man had to say.

“You can’t say no, Mr. Cortez. You are a great asset to our group. You will earn a lot—”

“My answer stays the same. I’m rejecting your offer, Mr. Chua.” Angelo stood up. “Have a great day.”

He was about to walk closer to the door when the old man spoke again, “You think you could easily leave this room, Mr. Cortez? You already know what we do. This would’ve been easier if you accepted my offer.”

Angelo turned to the Chinese and saw the disciples standing beside him moving. His eyes widened when he saw the guns. “W-What’s the meaning of this?”

“This is the outcome of your reckless decision, Mr. Cortez. Pleasure doing business with you.”

The two bodyguards pointed their guns at Angelo and were about to shoot him when the light suddenly went out. He heard the forced opening of the door to the room where they were and someone suddenly covered his mouth and pulled him out of the room.

He heard multiple faint gunshots as he was being pulled by the person behind him. He could hear his heartbeat racing like lightning. Am I going to die?

Angelo finally saw a light after minutes of running. He immediately struggled to get out of the person's grip but he felt him tightened his hold of him.

“Calm down, Gab,” Charles told him.

Angelo seemed to breathe a sigh of relief because of the presence in front of him. His body was still shaking a bit because of the incident but he calmed down more when he saw Charles who saved him.

“You’re not safe here. Let’s get you away from here.” Charles grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards a car. “Get in.”

Angelo immediately followed. Then he spotted Charles' handgun. "W-Why do you have a gun?" he asked when Charles got inside of the car.

Charles started the engine. “All four of us have a licensed gun because of our business.”

Angelo just nodded. Right, Emy has one too. Angelo felt worn out because of the encounter so he ended up losing his consciousness.