The Unexpected Romance

Chapter Twenty Four

“Where did you go?” Ace asked when he saw Mason entering their private studio. Ace looked at him shortly after asking and his eyes went back to his phone. 

James started strumming his guitar while Liam was preparing their food. This house is their own private area inside the campus. They sometimes spend the night here so they all have their own rooms, a kitchen, a dining area, living room and a music room. 

“Just nearby,” he answered and sat on the sofa across Ace.

“Are you still looking for a girl vocalist?” Mason suddenly asked and Ace looked at him. 

“Yes, may prospect ka na ba?” Liam said as he entered the living room and placed the food he prepared in the mini table. He heard Mason so he answered him.

James immediately put down his guitar and sat on the sofa. Kumuha ito ng sandwich at agad na kumain. 

“Maganda ba? Kapag maganda go na agad,” wika nito and Mason threw a pillow at him. 

“Stop spouting nonsense,” Mason said and glared at him.

James pouted and continued eating.

“So did you find someone?”

“Yeah, and you knew her.” Mason said. Napatigil naman ang tatlo at tila nag iisip kung sino ang kakilala nila na magaling kumanta. 

“I don’t think I know someone with a good voice,” Liam said. 

“Tell us, who is it?” Ace said impatiently and Mason looked at him. His lips curled up. 

“It’s Athena Garcia, the Chemical Engineering Student” he said and they all gaped at him, except Ace, of course. 

“Are you sure?” Ace asked. He’s thinking about how Mason knew that Athena has a good voice. 

‘Are they close already?’ Ace frowned at the thought.

“Paano mo nasabi na pwedeng maging vocalist natin si Miss Pretty?” tanong ni James.

“Obviously I heard her sing,” Mason said and took a bite on his sandwich.

“The question is, is Athena willing to join our band?” Liam asked. They actually have a reason for looking for a girl vocalist. 

They wanted to enter a competition but they know that their band lacks something. If it’s a normal school program or something, wala silang insecurities. But ibang usapan kapag malakihang competition. 

They need to do something for them to showcase their potential and skills as a band, not just relying on their attractive faces. And also, they also need to attract male audience, not just the girls. 

“If she is qualified enough, we have to recruit her” Ace said and looked at Liam. Liam understood what Ace was thinking. It’s for him anyway. 

Liam nodded his head and thought about how he would make Athena agree. 

"Ako na lang kakausap kay Miss pretty" James suggested and Ace threw a pillow at him again.

"Stop calling her Miss Pretty" Ace said and glared at James. 

"Bakit? Maganda naman talaga siya ah. Bagay nga kaming dalawa diba Liam?" James said at nagpogi pose pa. He didn't notice that Ace is already giving him a death glare.

Liam and Mason shook their heads.

'Someone will meet his death today' they thought and looked at James with sympathy. 

-----

"Celeste" agad na bati ni Bullet. She logged in because they agreed to do a high level quest today.

Celeste looked at them. Kumpleto na sila at siya na lang ang hinihintay. 

Late na siya nakapag online dahil dumating si Jared at agad siyang pinuntahan. She didn't even notice the time. 

"Sorry. I had a visitor kaya hindi ako agad nakapag online"

Emp frowned at her. He really looks so scary today, "Next time don't be late. You are wasting our time"

Nagpanting ang tenga ni Celeste sa narinig. She was only here to help them finish their quest dahil kulang sila ng party member but Emp is being rude to her.

Celeste smiled bitterly and crossed her arms.

"I have life outside this game. Kung nasayang ang oras mo eh di sana naghanap ka ng ibang kagrupo at sinimulan nyo na yung quest habang wala pa ako!" She said and glared at Emp.

Akala niya ay okay na sila dahil sa huling quest na magkasama silang dalawa but Emp returned to being an Ice prince. 

"Chill lang kayong dalawa. Relax. Inhale Exhale. Nakakasama yan sa team" awat ni Bullet at pumagitna sa kanilang dalawa.

Emp looked at Celeste coldly. He's wondering who visited her that made her forget the time. 

'Is it her boy best friend?'

Celeste also glared at him. Of course, hindi siya magpapatinag.

Tumalikod na si Emp at nagsimulang maglakad. Sumunod naman dito si Phantom.

Thunder tapped Celeste's back. He also can't understand Emp's behavior towards Celeste. 

"Don't mind him." He said. 

"Don't worry. Sanay na ako sa attitude nyang leader nyo" nagsimula na din silang maglakad. Kasabay ni Celeste si Bullet at Thunder.

Tumigil sila sa portal malapit sa gubat.

'Thunder is asking you to join his party

Accept    Decline'

Sabay sabay silang nag accept at nagteleport na sila sa lugar kung saan gagawin ang quest.

Madilim sa paligid and they were teleported in a cemetery. Napalunok si Celeste 

She has a bad feeling about this quest. She should have asked first.

"Teka, ano bang quest ito?" Tanong ni Celeste kay Bullet na katabi niya 

Ngunit bago pa ito makasagot ay nag pop ang screen nila.

'Dead bodies are being summoned back to life. You need to find the Dark Summoner before it's too late and save the civilians in the Kingdom of Fantasia'

Celeste suddenly felt goosebumps all over her body. One thing she hates the most is zombies.

'Would you like to take the quest?

Yes    No'

Napatingin si Emp kay Celeste at tinaasan siya ng kilay nang mapansing hindi nito tinatanggap ang quest.

"What's wrong Celeste?" Tanong ni Thunder.

Celeste shook her head.

"Wala naman"

"Perhaps you're afraid of dead bodies coming to life?" Emp's lips curled up. 

"Who told you that? This is an easy quest" agad na tinap ni Celeste ang Accept at nagsilabasan ang mga zombies. Naglakad ang mga ito papunta sa kanilang pwesto. 

Agad na kinilabutan si Celeste.

'Mamaaaa!!!! Get me out of here!' She screamed mentally.