Losing You's a Thing That I Dread

Chapter 8: Archie

A/N: Undertow is a collab between Timbaland and The Fray. It's a really good song, so please listen to it. :)

Edit: Hindi ko kinayaaaaa! Ayan maglagay tayo ng image.

***

Saturday, 9:17 PM

He finally figured out what he wanted for Christmas.

"You did not!"

"Of course, Nix, pumayag pa rin ako. But I told myself, 'This is the last time, Nell.' Kailangan sa susunod wala ka ng kahati."

A damn remote control - preferably one that works on people.

It was past 9 PM, and the private investigator that Gino recommended was more than 15 minutes late. Archie was never a fan of tardiness, but lucky for that nameless PI, his hands were tied. He could not be careless and run the risk of hiring someone working under his mom's paramour. Although that would be less terrifying than his Lolo catching wind of this meeting.

He checked his phone and frowned at the lack of new messages.

Guess she didn't care if I was upset. Or worried.

The most recent one was still from his sister. He read it about an hour ago before he got inside his car and headed to Undertow.

Z: Took my meds na, Kuya. You're worse than Lolo.

He snorted.

Dunno about that, Z. Lolo's shady as fuck.

But he couldn't let her know his suspicions - his plan. His baby sister just started getting better and this recent turn of events might just weigh on her and drag her back to square one.

He downed his drink in one go, and called the bartender's attention. "Another scotch. Neat," he ordered.

He looked around, taking the place in, but not too long lest he be accused of staring like a creep. Despite the severe lack of company, he didn't mind staying a little bit longer in the club. It was a great place and could easily earn a spot in his Top 3 hangouts.

The thumping bass was reverberating downstairs, but it was not as bad in the VIP area, which he had access to thanks to Gino. They also had a wide drink selection, and the bartenders were attentive. But what he really liked was the fact that it was more exclusive than Abyss. Most of the guests seemed well-mannered and sophisticated. The charging prices were quite high - but he wasn't complaining. He wouldn't mind paying more if it would mean keeping the riff-raff out.

"Gaga ka, Sis! Sa'yo pa nanggaling yan, eh ikaw talaga yung kabit."

"Lakasan mo pa. Hindi pa nila rinig sa dance floor."

Too bad, sometimes you just couldn't buy class. Fucking cheaters.

But instead of thinking about his parents, his mind led him back to the clusterfuck in the music room last Thursday afternoon.

Everything leads back to her these days.

She didn't even bother replying on Thursday night when he asked if she made it home okay. Though to be fair, he could track it on the app. Still, he was worried, and he didn't like the feeling.

He barely saw her on Friday. Classes were dismissed before lunch because of the series of road shows scheduled for Career (Half) Day. And all council members and volunteers got to skip their morning classes.

I helped carry that huge box of prints one time.

He wondered where she was, but after she ignored his two texts early Friday morning, he made himself stop, thinking that pining is not in his vocabulary.