Chapter 18
CHARLES’ SECOND-year college wasn't so bad after all. His expectations about having a nosy roommate were completely erased by the guy beside him.
“So, what are your plans this summer?” Angelo asked him, who was currently putting his belongings in the backpack.
Charles shrugged. “Not sure but most likely spending my time in New Jersey.”
The person he was talking to nodded. “Will you only hang out at your house the whole break? That's just boring,” he laughed at him.
Charles handed the closest item to him then threw it at his friend. "Shut the hell up, Gab." Angelo just laughed. “How about you? What are your plans? ”
Angelo grinned. “Summer class, bartending.”
Charles grunted. “Hope all.” It was one of the common expressions that he got from Narae and Anurak.
Angelo laughed and then approached him and wrapped his arm around Charles' shoulders. “You know, you can come with me. We'll go wander like that. Maybe you'll get to enjoy being a bartender too. You might want to do it too. ”
Charles let out a small smile. “I’ll try to ask dad.”
“There we go!” Angelo tapped his shoulder before going back to his bed and finishing packing.
Charles couldn't help but smile as he also arranged his belongings. He knew that he was getting really comfortable with his roommate so he wasn't surprised when he liked it.
He was easy to admire. Angelo Cortez has everything a person would like. The god-like body built, the hypnotizing brown eyes, the playful and flirty attitude, caring, thoughtful, and great humor. I don't even wanna start with the hobbies and IQ this guy has.
Charles laughed softly as he shook his head. It looks like there will be no problem even if he admits it. He knew Angelo was single and he had no other close friends in that school other than him. So, maybe I do have a chance? Charles smiled at the thought. Maybe I'll confess after the summer break.
“Hey!” Angelo's sudden shout startled Charles.
When he looked up, he saw his friend in front of him and intently looking—staring at him.
“I’ve been trying to steal your attention but you seem to be on cloud nine. A penny for your thoughts?” he said as he smiled
Charles was immediately taken aback and shamelessly stared at his friend. Seconds later, Angelo grinned widely at him.
“Am I shining in your eyes?” Angelo was grinning at him.
Their faces were only inches away from each other so it was easy for Charles to flick his forehead. “Hurricane Gab in your area. Signal number ten.”
Angelo remained with a grin on his face. “Pfft. You're still gonna deny it. You have a crush on me, ey?”
Charles just rolled his eyes. “You wish!” He hid the smile that wanted to come out because of the romantic excitement he felt.
Angelo just laughed. “Just kidding. You really never failed to make me laugh.”
He glared at him. “So what am I to you? A clown?” he sarcastically reacted.
"You're special to me," Angelo replied immediately which caused him to stop moving. The guy was looking at him seriously but then he suddenly grinned. "But yeah, you also look like a clown."
If looks could kill, Angelo is already buried six feet underground. Charles reached for his pillow to hit Angelo, but the idiot ran out of their room. He just shook his head by the antics of the two of them.
After packing his stuff, Charles took out his phone, which suddenly rang. His father was calling and so he quickly answered. “Dad? I’m coming home today. Need anything?”
(Just making sure that today’s the day. Light will pick you up at the airport.)
That made him smile. “Right. It’s their summer vacation as well.”
(Yes. Now, come home safely. We have important matters to discuss.)
“Got it, dad. Anything else?” Charles picked up his bag and walked to the door.
(Would you mind picking up Ms. Wynter Vazquez on your way here?)
He frowned. “May I ask why?”
(No, son. Just be here before dinner. Both of you.)
Reluctant at first but Charles managed to stop overthinking. “Okay, dad. I’ll get her.”
(Thank you, son. Have a safe trip.)
“Thanks, dad. Bye.” Charles ended the call and finally opened the door only to meet his best friend up close. “Gab.”
Angelo hummed. “So… are you going home now?” He nodded. "Hmm… Who's with you?"
“Just me.”
Angelo was still staring at him and asked, "Who are you going to fetch?"
Charles was confused but he still answered. “My best friend. It looks like dad invited her to have dinner with us at home.”
Angelo slowly nodded his head and hummed again. “Okay then.” His friend immediately smiled. "Maybe once you come back here, you're already in a relationship, hmm?" he teased.
Charles jokingly punched his arm. “That's impossible.” Unless you ask me to be yours.
Charles was smiling while shaking his head which caused Angelo's darkened mood but was able to hide it fast.
“Anyways, I’ll go ahead, hmm? Be careful when you go home.” Charles tapped his friend’s shoulder before leaving the room.
After many hours, Charles finally made a stop at Madrid. He thought he was going to stay at the Vazquez family's house so he was shocked when he saw Wynter approaching his plane, carrying one of her backpacks.
“So, I'm literally just going to pick you up here? You could’ve ridden a plane to New Jersey, you know?” Charles immediately complained when his friend got on the plane.
“Talk to the air, Dom. My head hurts,” she complained as she sat down.
He decided to sit beside her and then heard that their plane was going to take off again. “What happened to you?”
Wynter covered her eyes and looked like she planned to sleep for the entire flight. “Nada. Nada.”
Charles just let her be and also positioned himself to take another nap. He thinks of his father's reason for having Wynter come to dinner with him. He and Wynter’s family are close friends so they were also close then.
When they got home they were just right in getting ready for dinner. What surprised both of them was when they saw Wynter's family eating with them.
“You’re here and yet you didn’t even wait for a few hours for me,” Wynter instantly complained.
Wyn's father laughed softly. “You’re with Caleb’s son, so what’s the fuss?”
“What’s the fuss? Well, you just left your daughter who would’ve been with you during the flight. Plus, you disturbed Mr. Prince’s flight here.” Wynter pointed out to him that caused him to immediately glare at her before he looked at his father.
“So what’s the occasion?” he flatly asked.
“Take a seat, both of you,” his father's orders, which they both obeyed. When he sat down properly his father spoke again, “We are all gathered here to plan for the union of two families, Vazquez and Williams.”
They were both stunned, but Wynter recovered first. “Hang on! Tell me what I’m thinking is wrong.”
“After you graduate, you two are to marry one another,” Mr. Vazquez cleared out.
“What the actual fvck?!”
“Wynter, language!” Tita Summer shouted.
“With all due respect, who the fvck told you we want to get married?!” Wyn's voice filled the room.
“Wynter Emerald Vazquez!” Wynter's father shouted, louder than her voice, which caused his friend to shut up. “As I’ve said you are bound to get married. A Vazquez-Williams is a must. But before we proceed to the matrimony, Caleb has something to tell you.”
Charles' father drank first before speaking, “Since you’re both at the right age, you should know about our family history.” As if on cue, heavily armed men entered the dining area. “The Vazquez and Williams are descendants of the previous mafia—”
“Hold it right there.” Charles, on the other hand, dared to answer for his father. “Mafia? Dad, we’re descendants of criminals?”
“There are law-abiding mafia groups, son and we’re part of that.” Somehow Charles and Wynter breathed a sigh of relief. “As I was saying, we’re descendants.” Mr. Williams gestured to the two friends. “Both of you are the first-born of both families involved, and this is where the matrimony comes in.”
Mr. Vazquez suddenly spoke. “In order for both families to stay powerful, we need a union.”
“And this is where the sacrifice comes in,” Wynter sarcastically commented. “The good mafia seems exciting and I might accept whatever responsibility that’ll give me but not the matrimony.” She looked at his father seriously. “Forgive me, Mr. Williams but I can’t do that part of the plan.” Wyn looked at her father. “Dad, you know that I have a lot of dreams so why bother yourselves with this stupid idea?”
The atmosphere was serious but Charles' father suddenly laughed and everyone stopped. “That’s the main reason why I want you to be my son’s wife. A strong and honest personality.” He laughed again before becoming serious. “But I can’t agree with your statement, Ms. Vazquez. We’ll let you finish your studies first, you’ll be attending a medical school after you finish your BS in Psychology, am I right?" Wyn nodded. “You’ll be free as the wind while you’re studying, both of you. Do whatever you want. Be with whoever you want. But after you graduate, you’ll be tied to each other.”
“That’s unfair!” Wyn complained again.
“Life is unfair, Ms. Vazquez. That’s the only deal I can give you two,” Charles' father ended the conversation with it.
They were speechless again and the next thing he knew was he was spending his summer break training non-stop to be the mafia leader.
How many times did it enter his mind what his father had said about the time limit he had given to the two of them. And while in the midst of thinking about it, Angelo returned to his life. That’s where all the sh*t began. He didn’t want to burden both of them. It was clear to Charles that Angelo could only be with him for a short time so instead of hurting them in the end, he did it sooner.
But one day, I hope everything will be okay for the both of us, Gab.
