Evo's POV
Andrew and I hung out at the mall to have my phone repaired at the service center. We are waiting for a technician to fix my phone. While Andrew was busy examining the new items, I stood outside the store, observing the passersby. While walking through the mall, I watched the boy and his mother. I felt that Andrew was beside me.
"I don't remember Mom and me being like that when I was young," I said without taking my eyes off the store. "When my father is present, she is only kind to me; however, when he is absent, she allows me to pursue my interests."
"That's okay. Auntie is unlike your friends' parents, who are strict with their children. Just think of Zoey."
"Well, you're right."
After several hours of waiting, they finally fixed my phone. Before leaving the store, I put on my cap and a facemask.
"Today's movie is good. Let's watch it," Andrew suggested.
I looked at my wristwatch. "Okay," I said.
While Andrew was queuing at the ticket booth, I waited on one side and sent a message to my group chat. As expected, Laurie was the first to concur, except for Bella.
Pres. @vp needs your response as soon as possible.
Lau: @pres, I will take care of @vp.
President: @lau, thanks. Guys, thank you for confirming. Dad will surely be pleased to bond with us.
Art: @pres, Sir Tomas is hosting a free dinner, so let's go! It only happens once—for dinner with the billionaire.
Dan: @pres, shall I dress up? Ha ha ha!
Pres: @den, you can wear anything where you feel comfortable. Just don't go naked. @Lau, you look after Sebastian. Can you promise me?
Lau: @pres, sure thing. See you later, guys. I'll still be at the salon.
The conversation continued with our GC, but Bella still had no response. I tried to call her, but her phone kept ringing, and she didn't answer. I tried to call Kaycee, too.
"Seriously? Sure. Why not?" Kaycee said this after I told her about the dinner my father was asking for.
"So, see you later, Kaycee," I said.
"Sure."
When Andrew approached me, I ended the conversation with Kaycee. He also bought drinks and popcorn. I immediately put the phone in my pocket. I took the bottle of soda that Andrew had brought.
"It feels good to have a famous band vocalist as your servant," I said.
"It's just today, cousin. I'm just making the most of my vacation." Andrew said, laughing.
I frowned as they entered the house. I turned back around. There was no one else in the theater except us. When they saw the seat number, we immediately sat down.
"Are you kidding me, bro? You say the movie is exquisite. You say it's popular. Why isn't anyone watching? Don't tell me you occupied the entire movie theater." I asked.
"Silly! Why would I do that?" Andrew said it with a laugh. "It's still early because no one is watching yet. We also heard that at the ticket booth earlier."
Later, the lights went out, and the advertisement started. Two women entered the room and took seats at the opposite end of us. We stared at the newcomer. They took off the cap they were wearing, causing their hair to spread out, and removed their face mask. Then they sat down and relaxed.
"Dating, huh?" said Andrew. "They are friends, or maybe in a relationship."
I turned to my cousin. "I thought we were going to watch an action movie."
"It's an action movie. Some women like the action genre more than romance or love stories." Andrew said.
I turned to the woman again. After a few seconds of staring at her, I was stunned.
'Bella, Kaycee!'
At the end of the movie, I don't understand anything. I simply observed the two women as they sat in the distance. They were talking, but I could only hear Kaycee's thoughts. She's convincing Bella to trust me.
"It looks like you enjoyed what you watched, didn't you?" Andrew asked me. Naturally, Andrew is aware that I didn't watch the movie and instead spent two and a half hours gazing at the two women.
I glanced at the big screen and noticed that the movie was over. I looked at the two women again, but they were gone.
"Where are they?"
"They left. What do you expect?" Andrew said, chuckling. "They'll stay here because it's cold."
"Shit, hurry up and let's chase her," I said as she hurriedly walked away. I was in a hurry to get out of the theater.
"Hey, hold on... oh!" In Andrew's haste, his knee collided with a chair.
-
When I left the cinema, I looked left and right but couldn't see them. I ran right out of the theater and peered down from the railings.
Why did they disappear so quickly?" I complained.
"Why are you so interested in them? Do you know them?"
"I'm just going to use the washroom. Wait for me here." After saying this, I turned my back to my cousin.
"Hey, wait, I'll come..." Andrew said.
After a few minutes, I came out of the bathroom first. My phone rang, and I saw the message on their GC, which was from Bella.
VP: Sorry, I can't make it—next time.
Lau: Are you serious, @vp? It only happens once.
I scowled as I perused the comments on their group chat. Everyone is forcing Bella to join, but she hasn't responded to the group's comments.
"This girl is annoying," I said, putting my phone back in my pocket. I glanced at Andrew. "It's lunchtime. Let's eat before the restaurant becomes full."
We started walking towards the escalator. We went around all the stores in the mall and bought new shoes. It took us nearly a day to go on a food trip and explore the mall's stores.
"What time did you and Uncle meet up?"
Because of traffic and darkness, we left the mall.
"He said he made a reservation at the restaurant around 7 p.m."
"Have you talked to your friends?"
"Yeah, everyone will go except one."
"Who can't go?"
"The one I'm interested in."
"She will leave. No woman has ever turned down Evo Montenegro." Andrew said it with a laugh. I chuckled. "Can I join you for dinner?"
"Of course, if they find out that Drew from The Sweet Bandits is with us, just prepare yourself." I chuckled.
Andrew just chuckled, and we entered the elevator to the parking lot.
—
When Andrew and I approached the car, some men suddenly appeared. I believe they are kidnappers rather than thieves. Both of the people who held them had guns. It wasn't the first time someone attempted to take my life, and Andrew got involved.
We don't understand why the kidnappers still recognize us despite being disguised. That only meant one thing. They were stalkers and knew our every move.
The man punched me and repeatedly pointed the gun at my head. A car stopped in front of us. The two kidnappers were surprised because, when the car door opened, the van's four men fell out. Even the driver in front was sleeping on the steering wheel.
"What happened?" a kidnapper asked his companion.
"I don't know. We're here together," said a kidnapper.
Andrew and I were surprised to see what came out of the van. My eyes widened because I recognized the two girls who had gone out of the truck.
"Five.....Zero!"
Zero emerged from the van and directed his gaze toward me. And then, five waves hit me. "Hi, Evo!"
"You're here," I said with a smile.
"We can't protect you, Misses. They have guns." Andrew said.
The two men holding Andrew and I looked at each other. As soon as the two men released me and Andrew, gunshots rang out. We immediately hid behind the car.
Zero grabbed a man and immediately twisted his hand until he released the gun. Five kicked the gun away, then turned back with a kick, and her foot hit the man's hand, causing his weapon to go off. As the man prepared to pursue it, Zero instinctively bent her knee, swiftly spun around, and struck his side with the tip of her foot, causing him to fall. Another one rushed in next. Five immediately sat up. She grabbed one of his legs and punched his lower abdomen, which caused him to step back and fall to the ground. The other man rushed again, about to strike her, but she swiftly kicked him in the groin instead. The man fell to the floor and seemed to be unconscious. When the man realized what had happened to his companion, the kidnapper immediately fled, but Andrew intervened and stopped him. He hit the man's neck with the wood he saw, fell to the floor, and lost consciousness.
When the fight was over, Evo walked up to Zero and Five. "You don't know how to be careful. You're too complacent to be a normal teenager who goes to the mall." Zero said.
"Thank you for being here," I said.
"We're here because we followed you," said Five.
I frowned. "Why are you following us?"
"We got a tip that someone will try to kidnap you."
"So you know Evo?" Andrew asked.
"He's famous. Why can't we meet him?" Zero spoke briefly, glancing at Andrew.
"Wait, you're Drew from The Sweet Bandits, right?" asked Five.
"Yes, he is," I said. "He's my cousin."
"Oh my god, seriously? Five said it with excitement."
"I'm having dinner with my father. You can go to this place." I showed the cell phone to both of them.
"No, I'm busy."
"No, you're not," I said.
Zero started approaching me. I stepped back. Andrew just watched us. Later, I leaned against my car, which produced a loud noise. I immediately pushed her until she leaned against the other vehicle, which also made a noise.
"You're beautiful; do you know that?" I whispered.
Before Zero could answer, Andrew opened the door, and I accidentally kissed her, which surprised us. Everything happened quickly, but for me, it was in slow motion. I could feel the softness of Bella's lips and the sweet scent of her perfume. I immediately pulled out of the kiss and got into the car.
"I will wait for you at the restaurant." I winked.
Our car quickly left, and Kaycee and Bella were in the parking lot.