The D-Tribe & the Mighty Hurricanes

Chapter 5: Vikings Luxury Buffet

Six days passed since then. Although, lives were well and as normal as usual, both Ray and Rhea had some difficulties after receiving the message from their friends in Los Angeles. Ray even taught Rhea more ways of Miyagi-Do Karate to help her defend herself against her opponents. Additionally, Rhea asked Robby a few questions like "Do you have any updates?" through the text message. The lack of responses left Rhea into even more concern and worry. Sure, she knew about the last message telling her that he's still alive, but what's gonna happen to him after that? What if he gets in trouble?

Right now, the Daniels travelled to SM Pampanga where the concert was held. They had arrived there in the morning at about 10am. Inside, the Daniels found themselves walking around the mall for some exercise. They even met up with their friends, Johnnie, Jenny, Jayden, Eli, Nicholas and of course, Celia and her parents.

Right now, they were having lunch in the buffet they sometimes ate. Vikings Luxury Buffet. The gang went up to the counter and asked for their reservation somewhere inside the restaurant. The female cashier told them to wait by the seats outside.

And so, the cashier handed them the recept for the reservation. Rhea couldn't make out what their number is because the receipt was in the hands of Johnnie.

The whole gang took their seats outside. Nearby Vikings Luxury Buffet.

Ralpha seemed to be busy with his phone. Almost all the others were making a fun conversation. Although, Ray had a difficult time trying not to reveal the secret Daniel told him to keep. As for Rhea, she was seen leaning back on her chair. Her mind was dull and full of boredom when she pulled out her tablet. Once she turned it on, she first checked in on Robby through the messaging app.

No updates. None of them were received.

Seeing no update in hers and Robby's conversation led to a pang of worry punching through her. Rhea sighed and her eyes were closed. Her eyes were half-opened as she tapped their conversation.

And so, she made another text. The last text before she waited for him. For real. With no spamming.

If you're okay, please update me.

And send, she thought, tapping the "send" button.

This was all she had left to do. Her mind was all dull and no idea of entertainment ran through her head.

Nothing else occured in her until an arm was wrapped around her. Judging by the voice that just joined in, she recognized it as Celia.

"Come on, Rhea! Lighten up! This is the perfect time to spend time together as best friends forever." Her voice then, turned to concern. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Rhea's eyes shifted towards Celia. She could see the concerned expression on her face. After a few moments, she asked her another question.

"Is it about Robby?"

Celia had heard of Robby through the moment Rhea texted him the day after Ray's birthday. It was during their time when they ate dinner with the whole gang in one of the Korean restaurants. Rhea couldn't remember the name, but she knew it was located in Cru Point. One time, Celia teased Rhea about her interaction with Robby,but she denied.

To answer Celia's question, Rhea nodded.

"Have you talked to him lately?" Celia asked Rhea.

"Not since I received a message from him a few days ago. He said something about being on the run because he did something wrong. He also said he loves me. As a sister."

Upon hearing this, Celia's eyes widened in surprise. For once, she didn't even know how much they got along so well like brother and sister.

"I asked him what happened and if he's okay, but I haven't received any updates. I even asked him for at least one update, but still... no response. Today, I texted him saying that if he's okay, he would update me. This is the last message I sent to him before I waited for his response. For real. And although, in my mind, it's the right thing to do, having no single update from him makes me worried and concerned," Rhea continued.

Sympathy washed over Celia's eyes. Hearing this also sent a pang of hurt and pain inside of her. At once, tears almost filled her eyes.

"Guess he had a rough life again now, huh?"

Rhea nodded. "Yeah," she said in a low, gloomy expression.

A few seconds later, the whole gang was called to go inside the restaurant. The table they were sitting around was somewhere on the northwest corner of the entrance. It was one step closer to the farthest. A rounded-shaped table with twelve seats.

After knowing which spot to seat, the whole gang began to retrieve the food they like as long as they fit in the plate. In the end, they all gathered around the table with different kinds of food.

Rhea's was cheese pizza with five pieces of sushi, Bolognese, soy sauce and of course, a glass of water. Ralpha's was cheese pizza with fried chicken and rice. Not only he has a glass of water, but the also has a glass of Coca-Cola. Celia's has the same with Ralpha, except that she has three pieces of siomai. She also has a glass of water.

Prayers were said to God before the whole gang ate dinner.

Rhea ate her dinner in silence while letting the conversation flow naturally. She could hear the conversation about their favorite moments in the Battle of the Bands Competition and warning Nicholas when it comes to looking for girls. Not only that, but also the information about Johnnie and Jenny's wedding. Of course, Rhea's gonna come. If she and her family had time, of course. It's obvious that Jenny and Rhea were best friends apart from Celia, Sam and Robby.

As the conversation went on, a curious idea popped into Celia's head. She then, turned to her best friend. "Hey, Rhea! Seems like boys got a crush on you since you performed onstage in the Battle of the Bands Competition! Who's your crush and what's your type of guy?"

Everyone turned to Rhea, their eyes full of curiosity. Some were even smirking as they knew — or so they thought — that she had a crush (they figured it out, but did not know the name).

As soon as Rhea heard Celia's question and all eyes are on her, she placed the spoon and fork down while finishing jer mouth full. After that, her hands waved in front of her in declination. "Oh. No-no. I'm too young for crushes. Sure, crushing is normal, but I don't have one at the moment. As for my type of guy..." She then lowered her tone into a voice only the whole gang could hear. "I think it's best if we talk about it in private."

"Wow. That's a very nice answer," Johnnie said.

"Yeah, I agree. You're not ready for that yet," Ralpha said.

"Says the guy who likes Silvia," Celia said with a teasing smirk on her face.

Laughter and snickers escaped everyone's mouths. As soon as Ralpha heard this, his head snapped towards Celia. "Hey!" He then, turned to the others. From left to right. "Wh... What did I tell you about my 'thing'—" He used his quotation signs with his hands. "—for Silvia?! We're not dating or anything more! We're just friends! Besides, I'm too young for a relationship!"

"I know. But maybe someday, you'll have one," Nicholas said.

Laughter escaped their mouths. This time, a real laugh.

With that, they continued eating lunch with freestyle conversation still running. At that moment, both Ray and Rhea forgot about the difficulties they were facing six days ago. It was overtaken by fun and motivation.

After lunch, it was Johnnie who payed the bill before exiting Vikings Luxury Buffet.

And from the moment they exited this buffet, Rhea's head turned to her right naturally. Her fun and bright expression was turned into serious mode.

There he was. Right before her. The same black-hooded person she and Ray faced six days ago.

Rhea shook her head and continued going her way with the others.

But while she was walking around, a funny feeling started building up inside of her. But this funny feeling was not in a good way. Again. It felt like someone was stalking her for some reason. Rhea's head turned around for any sign of stalker, but it was nowhere to be seen.

Rhea's hands clenched into fists and her mind was put into self-awareness just in case someone tries to attack her.

It went on and on until they got to the middle of the department store to browse some clothes and bags.

Justas Rhea was about to ask Ray about the funny feeling that's building up insideof her, a kick was delivered to her on the back.