The After Kingdom: UnOrdinary (Arlo x John)

Chapter 9

Two weeks have passed since Arlo saw John. He asked Seraphina if John ever came to her, but she told him he didn't. Arlo thought that it's best if he stop trying to help John, because clearly, the man doesn't want his help, and he've been selling his body before he've seen him again anyway.

Still, he couldn't help it. Whenever he remembered that look on his face, he knew that John isn't fine.

Arlo thought he hated John, but maybe, he doesn't hate him as much as he seemed to think.

If he hated him that much, he wouldn't be looking around on different bars during the night in hopes of finding the dark haired man.

"Do you know someone named John Doe?" Arlo asked the bartender serving his drink.

"That's an uncommon name, I don't think I know any John. Mind describing how he looks like?"

"Black hair, golden eyes, quite tall, and fit." the blond described.

"Hmm... His looks are uncommon too. I think I saw someone with a black hair the other day, but I couldn't be sure. Do you have any photos of him?" the bartender  asked.

Arlo took out his phone, browsing through his gallery. He was sure he had two pictures of John. He snapped the first one when John was with Seraphina, while the other photo was taken when John was asleep on his bed.

When he found the photos, he showed it to the male bartender.

"Yup, he's the one that I saw. " the bartender confirmed, "I saw him making out with a red haired man. The man looks way older too?"

Red haired man... Keon?!

Arlo didn't understand, but he was annoyed. John looked scared when he was with him, why put up with that old man who couldn't even treat him right? Just... How badly does John needed money?

"Sir? You look mad, could 'John' perhaps be your boyfriend?"

"No, he isn't. Please contact me if you saw him again." Arlo handed his written number, "I'll pay you in return.

"No need to do that sir, take it as a help."

Arlo left once he've finished his drink, heading down to other nearby bars to do the same. The blond searched for him every other night, shifting his focus between dealing with files and finding John.

When they received the results from the lab, some drinks really were infused with drugs. Not all drinks, but the most expensive ones that are sold secretly. They were mixed with ability amplifiers, and are only bought by those who had a knowledge about it.

As for the owner of 'The Bar' , he was currently in the hiding. The owner, 'Lucis', have already left his properties when the police raided his home. The NXGen founder and their employees were punished, and the authorities took all of the data they had.

For now, Arlo was dealing with smaller cases like theft, and attacks between mid-tiers. His life was back on the usual, except that he searches for John every other night.

This weekend however, he had a reunion scheduled with the royals in a five star restaurant, including Seraphina, along with his trusted man and workmate Isen.

The whole week that passed, no one dialed his number to inform if they've seen John, and Arlo was starting to get tired of searching. When weekends came, they noticed something off about him.

"Are you okay Arlo?" Elaine asked, "You keep on overworking yourself..."

"I just didn't get enough sleep." Arlo reasoned.

Elaine confessed to him five years ago, and Arlo rejected her, making it clear that he doesn't feel the same towards her. They were friends after that, but he still sometimes notice Elaine being concerned for him.

"Seraphina, you're so successful now! I see you on magazines." Remi exclaimed, "How do you walk around in public? Don't they flock on you?"

"Not really, but I get stares though. They were too shy to approach me I think? How are you and Blyke doing?" Seraphina smiled.

"We're doing good! Blyke actually planned a trip for the two of us next week."

After the year Arlo graduated from Wellston, Remi and Blyke have started dating. He even remember Isen being upset for months, but eventually, he moved on.

"Shh! It's supposed to be a secret remember?" Blyke reminded her, "I ain't buying souvenirs."

"How mean!" Isen insulted.

"By the way Arlo, why didn't you invited John? You saw him last month right? He strips--" Isen asked, interrupted when Arlo glared at him.

Couldn't Isen keep his mouth shut?

Seraphina glanced at Arlo, giving him a questioning look, as if she was asking if he found John again.

"Seraphina, aren't you close with John? Where is he now?" Blyke questioned, "I remember trying to befriend him but he doesn't really trust me. I was mad at him for some time but maybe he really had reasons..."

Seraphina didn't answered, and Arlo remained silent. Elaine seemed to have noticed it and decided to speak up.

"G-guys! I have an idea," Elaine changed the topic, "What do you think of meeting up atleast once a month? We could plan some trips too. I actually miss you all..."

"Aww! That's so sweet of you Elaine." Isen smiled at her.

The group talk about different things, and Arlo spoke whenever he needed too. At some point, he actually had forgotten his problem and was having a nice time. They ate while discussing about each other's life, and Arlo was glad that no one brought John up again. He thought that the day would end with him feeling at ease, but his mood suddenly changed when he saw something.

From a table not far from them, he saw Keon, sitting in front of a mint haired girl and a blue haired man younger than him.

The urge of wanting to attack the older man was great, but somehow, he managed to remain calm. Arlo kept watching the man on his table, glaring at him. Seraphina noticed him too, and Arlo got the feeling that Seraphina recognized him.

When they finished eating, Arlo told them that he had to be somewhere else, telling them to go on without him. The blond looked for an opportunity to approach him, and when Keon headed to the restroom, Arlo confronted him.

"John Doe. Seems familiar to you?"

"Who might you be?" Keon grinned, "Are you one of John's 'clients' as well?"

"It doesn't matter. Give his number to me." Arlo demanded.

I'll make sure you'll never meet him again.

"And why should I do that? It's not my fault if that slut is running away from you."

"You should give it to me, because I can ruin your name, Keon." Arlo bluffed, "What if I told you I have evidences? Pictures of you taking advantage of John at the bar. What would they say? You would lose not only your reputation, but also your position. "

Keon was red from rage. Afraid of the blond ruining his name, he took out a notepad from his pocket, writing John's number on the paper.

Arlo immediately left after getting what he needed. As soon as he got home, he texted  John anonymously, telling him to meet up with him at a specific coffee shop tomorrow. He didn't know if John would come, but Arlo was hoping that the other man would.