Serena

Chapter 33

Koen's POV

The silent buzz of my phone wakes me up from bed. I try to ignore whoever the fuck is calling me so late at night and go back to sleep, but it constantly buzzes like crazy making it drop to the floor. Frustratedly, I kick the blanket off, wobbling to fetch my phone.

First, I read that it's Josh. Second, I check the current time; 2:47 am. Then, I accept the call bringing it up to my ear.
"This better be fucking important."

A wave of violent coughing and slurs burst from the other side before he clears his throat, "dude," he weakly starts, "I'm dying."

God, his fucking sick. "And?" You go interrupt my sleep? I nearly added.

Disgusting sound escapes loudly again before a deep breath, "help me. I need you to do ... a favour."

"Goodnight."

"No! *horse cough* No! Please, this one time." He coughs even more, "it's the job I told you about. It's really really important to me... please." He pauses, waiting for my answer.

"What is it?" I take a seat on my bed.

"I-I can't go in this state, dude. But I absolutely cannot miss this round or else I will lose the position forever." He panics at first, "I ask that you go in my stead." His voice softens.

I think for a while, skimming my eyes around the dark room like there would be an answer for me. Bodyguard-ing for 2 days in a secret society or some shit.
Can't be out the ordinary? Nothing like super villains blowing the whole building down, right?
I sigh at my own idiocy, "alright, just this favour. What's the plan?"

"Thanks, dude *monstrous sneeze*. It's 9am at the Hotel of ********. Two days. A formal event of some Art Charity shit. Protect the art pieces and people. Simple." He rambles on, "come by, and get my uniform and tags."

"Alright, send me the address... be there at 7." I quickly hang up. Locking in my alarm and dozing back to sleep.

——

"Dudeee, my suit was loose on me." Josh stands at the crack off his opened bedroom door, stunned by his own outfit on me. His eyes nearly popping right out.

"Get well soon." I say before leaving out his front door where his mother had held the door ajar for my exist.

I stride towards my parked motorcycle, strapping on my gloves and tightening my backpack before pulling my helmet down. Kicking back the leg rest, I speed down the road hoping to beat traffic.

Luckily, mother was quick to understand and happily accept the situation for the weekend while I'm away. Canceling work was pretty easy as well. Thought Rina was definitely upset, throwing a massive morning tantrum, refusing to let go of my neck by the door. I'll remember to bring home a present for bribery.

———

"You're Josh Seavan? Huh?" The organizing manager steps closer into my space, examining me from head to toes. "You, look a little.... different."

"In a bad way?" I say forgetting I meant to unnoticed until Josh's return. I try to smile it off but he squints, not taking his eyes off.