Can't - Mark Tuan Fan fic

13 - UGH! Mark Is So Annoyingly Persistent

Days pass by and Mark and I have become a bit distant. Maybe because I really wanted to avoid him for now. Every single time I see him, I remember that night when we kissed. No matter how hard I laugh it off and joke about it, it has a different effect on me deep inside. Also, I remember Lara and Sean. Why she did that is still a puzzle to me. 

What is really bothering me, though, is Trey. It's been five days. The last message was the picture. Her online accounts have been offline, if not deleted. Her phone, too. I contact our other friends in LA, but they all haven't seen her. 

I have no choice, but to call dad. 

"What is it, my little bear?" He looks really handsome in his usual suit as he fixes it in front of the camera. 

"You look good, dad." I smile, giving him two thumbs up. "But, you seem tired." I notice more wrinkles on his face, compared to the last time I saw him. His cheeks got deeper and eye bags bigger. "Is it a bad time to call?" 

"Of course not." He smiles. I know he's hiding something behind it. "Tell me. What's this urgent thing you want me to work on."

My worries on him quickly disappear and I'm flooded with worries on Trey. "Dad. It's Trey. I don't know where she is. I sent her on this..."

"You did what?" He doesn't hide his anger though. 

I pout, acting cute, just to ease a bit of his tense aura. "Sorry?"

He just sighs. "Where did you send her?" Then he looks straight into the camera. "Cristina, dear. You know you can't be doing this, right? I was wondering where you've been sending the money from my bank account."

"Sorry, dad. It's just...Lara....and..." I can't even complete my sentence. I'm just scared now. But...I have to tell him, whatever my punishment in the future...or right after the call. It's my own doing, I have to accept it. So, I take a deep breath and start again. "Ok. Just listen dad. I was worried about Lara and so I sent Trey to check on her and she sent me a message five days ago and ...."

"Wait." He interrupts again. "Lara? What about her? I told you not to worry, didn't I? Just....Honey. YOU listen to me. I will look for Trey for you. But....You have to promise me one thing."

"What is it? Anything." I promise, knowing he'd keep his side of the deal of looking for Trey. 

"If there are things you want to know about Lara, you ask me. If you want to see her, tell me. Don't you ever send someone else to do your dirty work, Cristina. This is not what I taught you." He starts with his sermon. "When did you start snooping on others like that, huh? You leave that to PI's, sweetie. And you send a friend? Don't you know how dangerous these kinds of missions are?"

"But, dad...it's just in Michigan...and Lara..." I try to reason. 

"There are no buts....no justs....However small or big it is...You just don't do this. This is foul. What would your friend think if she knew you were spying on her? What if Lara saw her? Don't you know how dangerous that is?"

My fear earlier escalates. But, I persuade myself that Lara isn't that kind of person anymore. 

_____

Monday morning and I'm still filled with thoughts of Lara, Trey, my dad, and Mark. I almost forgot I have an evaluation today. 

I quickly scan my phone for the lyrics of the song I am going to sing, getting in front of the piano as soon as I enter the practice room. 

FUCK! If I fail today, would I go back to LA just like that? 

I close my eyes and erase everything that's bothering me for the moment. Mark's annoyed face appears and I start to relax. I can't fuckin' explain why...it just does. Don't ask me damn questions yet because I won't be able to give you answers now.