Chapter 28 - Uneasy Feeling

Chapter 28

He was at his usual ideal hanging spot, which is in front of Mr. Ping Convenient Store. Ethan carries a small drawing booklet and a pen to do some sketching anywhere, anytime. Mr. Ping's convenient store tables and chairs were always available for him to use because most of the customers preferred to buy food and eat it at their workplace. Only a handful, like Ethan, used the commercial furniture to hang out and just relax, as the area was perfectly situated where the port sea breeze would occasionally blow in, providing a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ethan found this spot to be his creative sanctuary, where he could let his imagination flow freely while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Ethan was watching the street as the area was peaceful and hardly any vehicles used this road, allowing him to fully immerse himself in his thoughts without any distractions. The occasional sound of birds flying overhead added to the tranquil atmosphere, making it the perfect place for Ethan to unwind and find inspiration.

The logistic warehouse he is now managing after Mr. Ross resigned from the position is demanding and stressful, but Ethan always finds solace in this quiet corner of the city. Were the backdrops of the industrial structures congruent with the open port sea and the wind gently blowing through his hair, Ethan would have felt like he was in a completely different world. The contrast between the bustling warehouse and the serene surroundings provided a sense of balance that he cherished.

The people casually walking were unfazed and had this certain stillness within them, as they were mild mannered and quiet. Casual gestures were given if they saw him quietly sitting and keeping the conversation short , giving off a sense of contentment.

Most of the people are workers from a food processing factory named Gourmet Food Industries, or GFI for short, which is located to the left of the Mr. Pings convenience store, while on the right side is a narrow alley leading toward an enclosed two-acre open land converted into a small garden park that is managed and protected by the family members that own Gourmet Food Industries and that is coincidentally surrounded by industrial-style houses with different privately owned shops and stores.

were locals who had grown accustomed to the peaceful atmosphere of the area. These people were using their day off to meet and socialize. Because it is a few meters from where the convenience store is, there is a small, narrow alley on its left side that is directly connected to an open park that is being maintained by the family and owners of GFI.

This district has a surreal charm to it, with the combination of industrial and residential spaces creating a unique ambiance. The park provides a serene escape from the bustling city life, making it a favorite spot for residents and visitors alike. location, a combination of industrialization mixed in with a sense of community and nature. The hideaway park provided a tranquil escape from the bustling city life, making it a popular spot for residents to unwind and connect with each other.

Ethan wasn't aware of this because the alleyway leading toward the hidden park was often overlooked by passersby, its entrance camouflaged by overgrown vines and graffiti-covered walls. So this was the very first time he saw people entering the narrow alleyway. Just thinking that was a short cut toward the main road bound to the main city, where most hangouts and social gatherings take place, Ethan decided to ignore this and gave a smile to those who passed him by as they went on their way.

On his mind, why take the risk and explore the area, knowing it's an industrial district and not a typical place for leisurely strolls? Ethan just remained where he was sitting and stared at the blue sky behind the logistics warehouse he was working in. A familiar person came up to Ethan and greeted him with a gentle tap of his shoulders as he was staring blankly at the sky.

Nicole Herrnandez was the one. Since they hadn't seen her yesterday, Ethan was taken aback to see her. With a kind grin, she asked if he would like to get coffee and catch up. Ethan was hesitant because he had just returned from an unplanned meeting with Katarine earlier in the day. In a short while, he asked Nicole if he might decline her invitation because he simply needed some alone time. With a sympathetic nod, Nicole instructed him to notify her as soon as he was free. After expressing his gratitude, Ethan watched her go.

She walked away and casually looked back as she waved at Ethan. She was wearing make up and her hair was perfectly styled, making Ethan realize how much effort she had put into that day. Ethan couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for accepting her invitation to grab some coffee and have a casual conversation. He made a mental note to make it up to her next time by putting in more effort and attention to spontaneous and coincidental meetings during his free time.

Nicole walked toward the alleyways and vanished from Ethan's sight. He just assumed she was fine and planned to catch up with her later to make sure she was okay. Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that he had let Nicole down, and he vowed to be more present and attentive in the future.

While Nicole stood at the alleyway corner, the damp chill of the city seeped into her bones, mirroring the chill that had settled in her heart.

Her frustration was a tangible thing—a heavy weight in her chest that intensified with each passing moment. Biting her lip, she tried to quell the rising tide of hurt, but it was an insurmountable wave. Why wasn't Ethan giving her the attention she craved? The thought, a constant undercurrent in her life, felt like a sharp pang this time, a renewed ache that threatened to consume her. She longed for his gaze, for his laughter, for a single, genuine moment where he saw her, truly saw her, beyond the façade of their casual acquaintanceship.

Taking a deep breath, she desperately tried to compose herself to wrestle her emotions back into a semblance of control. Her fingers, trembling slightly, reached for her phone, the familiar cool surface a strange comfort in the turmoil. She scrolled through the gallery, stopping at a photo of Ethan, a carefully edited image—the one she'd spent hours perfecting—attempting to capture a glimmer of the man she saw in her mind's eye. The photo, with its muted colors and soft lighting, served as a silent reminder of her unrequited feelings, a constant reminder of the chasm between their lives and the unattainable dream she held in her heart.

Ethan was obvious about these things and somewhat unconsciously continued to treat her as just a friend, unaware of the depth of her emotions. She knew she needed to find a way. She needed to find a way to bridge the gap between them, to make him see her in a different light, and to turn their friendship into something more meaningful. Perhaps she would muster the courage to finally confess her feelings and take a chance on love.

In her mind, she had already accumulated enough connection to him, but in reality, she only knew him for a few days; their casual encounters were not enough to justify her intense emotions. But she knew she needed to create more opportunities for them to spend time together and truly get him to show his love for her.

Some may call her delusional, but for people like her, it's called taking a leap of faith. She was willing to risk it all for the possibility of a deeper connection with him, even if others didn't understand her actions. Love had a way of making people do crazy things, and she was willing to embrace the madness for a chance at happiness.

"His is just shy."

"That is why I truly love Ethan; he has been like this for many years."

"Maybe if I can show him how much I care, he will open up to me."

She was determined to make their so called relationship stronger. She decided to plan a special date where they could talk openly and honestly about their feelings for each other. Ethan suddenly sneezed and felt somebody was talking about him. He took out his phone and saw there was no text, not even a hello. He was hoping his conversation with Katarine would finally lead her to forget those awkward moments. Because until this very day, he hasn't told her that there might be a possibility they slept together.

He was waiting for the right moment to mention this while they were talking at the coffee shop, thinking this was the big opportunity he got; seeing her there alone was a rare occurrence. He knew he had to find the courage to address the situation before it became even more complicated. But he could never bring himself to ruin the moment by revealing this lingering possibility. On the upside, he was able to get her number; her mood before Leaving was light and flirty, giving him hope for a future opportunity to discuss the matter. He left the coffee shop feeling optimistic about the potential for their relationship to progress.

He was expecting a small hint of interest from her, but he never expected her to be so receptive. The encounter left him feeling excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. But Ethan seemed to be overly confident in his interpretation of her signals, failing to consider that she may have just been subtle to him. As he replayed the interaction in his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that he may have misread the situation.

A familiar face was operating the red van, which Ethan noticed as it passed him slowly. Curious, he wondered if it was just a coincidence or if someone was intentionally following him. The feeling of unease began to creep in as he tried to brush off the thought. But the person driving the van was the same guy who was trying to pick up Katarine at the coffee shop. Seeing him driving an old van while he looked all tense and nervous only heightened Ethan's suspicions.

Etan recalled that all his interactions with Katarine weren't exactly pleasant. Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right and decided to keep an eye on the red van. As the road only leads in one direction, it was at the old textile factory.

"Getting into trouble seems to be a fate; how can I forget that Katarine is a magnet for danger?"

Ethan thought to himself as he called her number and asked if she was doing fine. As the van passed, he was a few feet away from her. The same ring tone could be heard inside the van, this time with a sense of urgency. Ethan's heart raced as he watched the van pull away, leaving him with a sinking feeling in his gut. He knew he had to follow it and find out what was going on.

He was sure the sound of the ring tone came from Katarine's phone because he heard it just this morning when her driver came to pick her up. The ringing sound of her phone was Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro, K. 492—Overture, which looked like her favorite piece. Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

"Dang! This isn't a coincidence; the chance that Katarine's phone is ringing right now, at this moment, is too slim," Ethan thought to himself. The urgency of the situation made him break into a run towards the logistic warehouse and grab what appeared to be a two-foot, 1 inch thick galvanized metal pipe. And I took out an electrical tape and warped it around the pipe to create a makeshift weapon. Ethan knew he had to act fast if he wanted to save Katarine from whatever danger she was facing.

Ethan was already assuming the worst., his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared himself for a potential confrontation. With each step towards the warehouse, he mentally rehearsed different scenarios and how he would protect Katarine at all costs if she was truly in danger.

You don't need to be a detective to see that something is not right. Ethan's instincts were on high alert; he went out, and just with his strong will and firm belief that she is caught up in another dangerous situation, he ran toward the location, and after a few minutes he was able to locate the old Abandon factory that was supposed to be empty, but seeing many people sneaking in and out of the building raised his suspicions even more.

He wasn't that naïve and innocent, as he was well aware of the criminal acts of some individuals, even in his own hometown. Violence, drugs, and prostitution are not exclusive to big cities. As he cautiously approached the factory, he could hear hushed conversations and see shadows moving inside, confirming his suspicions of illegal activity taking place within.

As he approached, he could hear muffled voices and see shadows moving inside, confirming his fears that Katarine was indeed in danger. Ethan knew he had to act quickly to rescue her before it was too late.

As he was able to see what was happening inside the old factory building, there were numerous semi-transparent, thick, isolated plastic tents inside with people inside them. The light that was illuminating these tents was casting a silhouette of the occupants inside, and sadly, their actions and movements were perverted and disturbing. Ethan's heart raced as he realized the extent of the illegal activity taking place within, and he knew he had to find a way to locate Katarine if she was even there.