Vincent

Eight - Witch Hazel

I felt my heart almost came out of my chest.

"I was in Tennessee yesterday." Cari glanced at Kris. "The station called me instead of Kris because he was out of reach."

I flinched, and resisted the urge to look at the blonde.

The events that happened last night flashed to my mind.

Kris was out of reach because of me.

He was out of reach because he was with me.

And we almost hooked up.

If I didn't get to my senses right away, we'd probably do it until the end.

Shit.

I almost betrayed my friend.

I almost betrayed my lover.

Just the thought of betrayal chilled me.

"Sandy."

Kris's voice startled me from my thoughts.

"Listen carefully." He told me without looking at me. He intertwined his fingers on the table.

I felt my face blush. He must've notice that I was thinking about what happened last night.

"Kris told me about your case. A Japanese "owner", right?" Cari asked.

I nodded.

"And also the recent case about your friend, a Japanese "staff"."

I nodded again.

She sighed and looked at me in the eye. "This is the problem, Mr. White." She paused. "The person who went missing was a Japanese boy."

Upon hearing what she said, my eyes widened in shock. My lips parted and my stomach started to feel funny.

"A Japanese boy." I put emphasis on the "boy."

"A Japanese boy." Kris answered.

"Age?"

"Thirteen years old." Cari.

"Goodness." I let out a big sigh and shook my head once. "I can't believe it." I almost whispered. My hands started to shake. "What is it this time?"

"It's quite complicated." Cari said.

"No, Cari." Kris. "It's very complicated."

I waited for him to go on.

"According to the mother, the boy always went out every Saturday afternoon, around 3 o'clock. She always asked him where he's going, but the boy always answered "A place perfect for chilling." She asked him what's the place, but the boy never told her."

"Is the boy an introvert or...?"

"He's both, according to his mom." Cari said. "It depends on the situation."

"Okay." I answered and looked at Kris.

"A classmate saw him enter a café."

Once I heard that, my heart started to beat louder.

Kris looked at me sternly. "You want to know the name of the café?"

A wooden signpost with a text carved on it came into my mind.

I shook my head. "Don't tell me..."

His jaws moved, his eyes not looking away from mine.