Dangerous Kisser [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

WHEN CHARLES entered the Vazquez household, warm hugs welcomed him and Wynter. Naabutan pa sila ng ama ni Wyn bago ito um-attend ng emergency meeting.

All three of them even had a small talk about their last mission in the meantime. Once na matapos ang mahaba-haba nilang misyon ay magkakaroon sila ng break time bago ulit bigyan ng panibagong set ng mga misyon.

"Whatever you do, make Angelo's safety your priority," maotoridad na salita ni Mr. Vazquez.

"May I ask why is he our mission?" hindi napigilan ni Charles ang sariling bibig.

The man glanced at his daughter before he looked at him. "Angelo's presence made the enemies' blood boil in excitement. Ever since they knew something about Angelo's little to no knowledge about the Mafia, he seemed like an easy target. The enemies couldn't touch both Wynter and Autumn since they knew how capable my daughters are when it comes to blowing up their heads, but Angelo... He doesn't know a thing about it."

Charles was oblivious to it but both Wynter and her dad noticed his sudden rage. Nang dahil sa nalaman ay mas ginusto niyang protektahan ang binata. I thought making him forget me would keep him safe but I guessed wrong. His fists clenched as well as his jaw.

Mr. Vazquez let out a sigh before he continued speaking. "Anyways, I'm trusting both of you." He looked at his daughter. "Alam ko namang hindi mo pababayaan ang kuya mo."

"As if I'll let them hurt him again, Dad."

Tumango ang matanda. "That's good enough for me." Tumingin ito sa kanya. "Mr. Williams, I believe that you'll be doing your best to keep my son safe, am I right?"

Charles was even more determined as he nodded his head. "I would not let anyone hurt him in any way, Sir."

Bahagya siya nitong tinitigan saka tumingin sa anak nito. The two shared a look but Charles didn't give them any of his attention. He was focused on thinking of ways to make Gab safe.

Nang matapos ang usapan nila ay nauna nang lumabas ang matanda sa opisina nito at sumunod naman sila. Mr. Vazquez was still going to attend a meeting kaya naman mabilis nilang tinapos ang usapan. It was related to their organization but both of them aren't part of the discussion and since they have a mission of their own, Charles and Wynter are excused from the meetings.

"Hey, kain na kayong dalawa. You two need rest at aalis din kayo bukas," bungad ni Tita Summer nang makasalubong nila ito sa hagdanan.

"Thanks, Mom."

Summer just gave her daughter a smile. Sabay-sabay naman silang naglakad papunta sa dining area para kumain ng hapunan. At dahil wala si Mr. Vazquez, si Tita Summer ang nasa gitnang upuan, magkatabi naman sila Autumn at Angelo, habang sila naman ni Wynter ang magkatabi.

"Let's dive in," masayang sabi ni Tita Summer pagkatapos nilang magdasal. "How have you been lately, Charles?" pagbubukas nito ng mapag-uusapan.

He politely smiled at her. "I'm doing fine, Tita. How about you?"

"Just a bit busy with the business, but other than that, everything's fine." Napatango na lang si Charles at akmang babalik sa pagkain nang muling magsalita ang ginang, "Kumusta naman kayo ni Wynter?"

Napansin ni Charles ang saglit na pagtigil ni Gab sa paggalaw bago ito umaktong parang walang nangyari. "We're fine, Tita. Wynter is still a troublemaker as usual."

His best friend frowned. "I am not."

He couldn't help but roll his eyes at her. "Yes, you are. There's no sense denying it, Wyn," pang-aasar niya.

Sinamaan naman siya ng tingin ng dalaga. "'Wag mo 'kong simulan, Williams."

Charles let out a chuckle saka tumingin kay Tita Summer na nakamasid sa anak niyang lakake. "Tita oh! Si Wynter, pikon."

Mahinang natawa ang ginang sa tono ng pananalita niya at plano sanang asarin ang dalawa nang mapansin ang tingin ni Angelo kay Charles.

Summer had her hunches before but actually seeing her son look at someone with pain and jealousy in his eyes almost confirms it. So what I heard from Autumn and Wynter's previous conversation about Angelo and Charles was true after all.

Summer just smiled back at Charles before she continued eating her dinner.

Sa kabilang dako naman, ayaw man niyang aminin pero ramdam ni Charles ang titig ni Gab. Kung bakit pa nga naman sila magkatapat ng upuan eh. Charles tried to focus on his plate and would only talk when asked.

Naramdaman naman ni Summer ang nangyayari kaya naman hindi na lang siya nagsalita at tinapos na lang nila ng mabilis ang hapunan para makabalik na sa kanya-kanyang kwarto at nang makapagpahinga na silang lahat.

"That'll be your room tonight." Tinuro ni Wynter ang pinakadulong pinto.

"You already said that this afternoon," Charles grunted.

The lady teasingly smirked at him. "Gabby's room is that one."

He couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Whatever, Wyn. I'll go ahead and rest."

"Pagod ka na nga ba talaga o magpapapagod pa lang?" makahulugang asar ng dalaga sa kanya. Sinamaan niya lang naman ito ng tingin na ikinatawa nito. "Fine, fine. I'll let you do your business, whatever it may be." Tuloy pa rin ito sa pang-aasar bago biglang hininaan ang boses. "Fair warning, your room isn't soundproofed, but Kuya's room is." Ngumisi ito sa kanya bago tumalikod saka nagpaalam. "Buenas noches, mejor amigo. Divertirse."

Napailing na lang si Charles sa inaasal ng kaibigan. He went inside his room and threw himself on the bed. He wanted to rest his body but Wynter's words won't just leave his mind.

"Aish! Wynter, you freaking teaser!" Charles frustratedly messed up his hair and sat up. He was planning to take a cold shower when his phone suddenly rang. Seeing Angelo's name, he quickly answered the call. "Uhh... Gab?"

(Hey... Matutulog ka na?)

Umiling naman si Charles na para bang nasa harap niya lang ang kausap. "Not yet. Though I was about to take a shower."

(Oh... Is that so?)

"Mmm-hmm... need anything?"

(Ah? H-Hindi naman.)

Ilang araw na silang magkausap sa telepono pero hindi pa rin mawala-wala ang pagkaasiwa nila sa isa't isa.

(Nick?)

Biglang natigilan si Charles dahil sa narinig. "Wh-What did you just call me?"

There was a short deafening silence at the other line. (Nick... I don't know. But I just feel like calling you Nick.)

Napatikhim naman si Charles. "Are you in your room right now?"

(Yeah, why?)

"Are you going to sleep any time soon?"

Charles heard him chuckle. (I'm not sure kung makakatulog ako kaagad. Bakit?)

"Nothing. I'll just take a shower then let's have a short chat."

Napansin na naman niya ang pananahimik ng nasa kabilang linya bago ito muling magsalita. (Okay then. Adíos.)

"Mmm-hmm. Bye."

When Charles ended the call, he grabbed his things and moved to take a shower. Perhaps, Wynter's notes and warnings weren't a waste after all.