Chapter 7

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, 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 on 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 on 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.”