After a long day of preparations, the team finally decided to relax and grab dinner. The tension in the headquarters had eased, and a break was much needed.
"Let's get something to eat, I'm starving," someone suggested, and the idea quickly spread.
However, not everyone was up for it.
"I'll pass," Rene said, stretching his arms.
"I'm heading back to the hotel. I need the rest."
Jobert casually glanced at his phone.
"I've got something else planned tonight," he said with a grin.
"You guys go ahead."
Ericson, who already had his evening mapped out, nodded.
"Same here. Got some things to take care of."
He gave a quick smile before heading off.
With that, Rene, Jobert, and Ericson parted ways, each going to their own destinations.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team in the Philippines made their way to Lamp Quarters in Marikina, a popular food bazaar known for its vibrant street food and lively ambiance, perfect for unwinding after a day like this.
San Francisco Safehouse – The On-Field Team
While the team in the Philippines enjoyed their night out, the on-field team in San Francisco—Samantha, Bobby, Rommel, Jerry, and Christy—retreated to their rooms in the safehouse, each unwinding in their own way after a long day of work.
Samantha was curled up on the couch in her room, watching her favorite Korean drama on Netflix, Queen of Tears. The series followed the story of Hong Hae In (played by Kim Ji-won) and Baek Hyun-woo (played by Kim Soo-hyun), a powerful couple who faced the emotional struggles of their high-profile marriage and the challenges they encountered in their complex lives. Samantha was fully engrossed in the unfolding drama. As Hong Hae In's tearful confession played out on screen, Samantha felt her chest tighten, a wave of sadness washing over her.
"Why can't they just be happy?" she muttered, clutching a pillow to her chest.
A few moments later, a sudden comedic twist in the plot had her laughing out loud.
"This show is such a rollercoaster," she whispered, her emotions caught between the heartfelt moments and the absurd humor of the series.
For Samantha, this was her way to escape—losing herself in the drama and emotions of another world.
Bobby lay on his bed, fully absorbed in his phone. He was playing on Scatter, an online casino app where players could choose from various games. Tonight, Bobby had opted for the slot machine, and the virtual reels spun rapidly on his screen.
"Come on, come on," he muttered, watching the icons flash by.
His heart raced with each spin, the familiar thrill of chance pulling him deeper into the game. With a sudden ping, the reels aligned in a winning combination, and Bobby grinned.
"Jackpot," he said under his breath, satisfied with his small victory.
Scatter had become a favorite pastime, offering him a break from the intensity of his work without having to leave his bed.
In their shared room, Rommel and Jerry were sitting cross-legged on the floor, completely engrossed in a game of Tong-its. Cards lay scattered between them, and the tension of the game was palpable as each tried to outmaneuver the other.
"I know you're holding onto something good," Jerry said, glancing at Rommel's expression.
Rommel smirked, casually tossing another card onto the pile.
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not," he teased, keeping his hand close to his chest.
The banter between them was light, and despite the stakes of their real-world work, in this moment, it was just two friends enjoying a simple card game.
Christy lay on her bed with her iPhone—the latest model—plugged into her ears. The latest K-pop hits played through her headphones, the familiar beats and catchy melodies transporting her away from the stress of the day. Her favorite track,
"Super Shy" by NewJeans, came on, and she mouthed the lyrics softly, tapping her foot to the rhythm.
She scrolled through her playlist, enjoying the upbeat tracks from BLACKPINK, LE SSERAFIM, and other popular groups.
For Christy, music was her escape, allowing her to decompress and recharge.
"This is exactly what I need," she thought, a small smile on her lips as she hummed along with the chorus.
Though they each had their own way of unwinding, the on-field team remained connected by the knowledge that the mission was just around the corner. For now, they took solace in these brief moments of peace, fully aware that the days ahead would demand their complete focus.
Rene's Hotel Room – Philippines
Back at Rene's hotel, he lay on the bed, tired from the day's work but looking forward to catching up with his family. He opened Messenger and started a video call to his son. After a moment, his son's bright, smiling face appeared on the screen.
"Hey, champ! How's my little man doing?" Rene greeted, his smile softening the fatigue he felt.
"Papa! I'm good! What about you?" his son replied eagerly, his voice filled with excitement.
"I'm alright. Been busy, but I'm doing good," Rene said, his voice calm.
"You're helping your mom out, right? Listening to her?"
His son nodded eagerly.
"Yes, Papa! I'm helping and listening to Mom. I promise!"
Rene chuckled softly.
"Good boy. And don't forget to eat, okay? No skipping meals. Finish everything on your plate."
"Yes, Papa!" his son answered with a cheerful grin.
"Can I talk to your mom?" Rene asked.
The boy nodded and called for his mother, handing her the phone.
Rene's wife came into view, her expression brightening when she saw him.
"Hi, hon. How are you?" she asked.
"I'm good, just tired," Rene replied.
"How's everything going at home?"
She sighed softly, her tone gentle.
"We're doing fine. I just wish you were home sooner. When are you coming back from this company business trip?"
Rene smiled softly, his heart aching a bit.
"After this deal, my love. I'll be home, and we'll take our son for his monthly check-up."
He paused for a moment, a playful smile appearing on his face.
"And maybe after that, we could take a trip to Enchanted Kingdom."
His wife's eyes lit up with joy.
"That sounds like a wonderful plan. He'd love that!"
Rene turned the phone back toward his son.
"What do you think, champ? Would you like that?"
"Yes, Papa!" his son shouted excitedly, his face lighting up.
Rene chuckled again, his heart feeling lighter despite the distance.
"Alright, it's a promise. I'll be home soon. Love you both."
After saying their goodbyes, Rene ended the call and lay back on the bed, a soft smile still on his face.
"All for them," he thought, his family giving him the strength to keep pushing forward.
Jobert's Night Out – Philippines
Jobert sat in the back of a taxi, his phone buzzing in his hand as he exchanged messages. His contact, someone he had been chatting with for the past few days, was especially eager tonight.
"I'm on my way," Jobert typed, a smirk forming on his face.
"I can't wait," the reply came back quickly.
"I'm so horny right now. Hurry up."
Jobert chuckled softly, leaning back in the seat as the taxi navigated the bustling streets of BGC (Bonifacio Global City). His destination: The Revel, a high-end bar known for its exclusive parties, dimly lit ambiance, and upscale clientele. It wasn't his first time there, and it wouldn't be his last.
As the taxi pulled up outside the sleek entrance of The Revel, Jobert adjusted his jacket and stepped out, his confidence growing as he approached the entrance. The vibrant sounds of music and conversation spilled out from the bar, setting the tone for the night ahead.
When he entered, his eyes scanned the room, landing on the woman waiting for him at the bar. She was tall, with long dark hair cascading down her back, her features sharp and striking. Her confidence was palpable, and her presence commanded attention. The way she sat—relaxed but with an air of anticipation—immediately drew Jobert in.
He approached her, and she turned, flashing a teasing smile.
"You're late," she said, her tone playful but sultry.
"I like to make an entrance," Jobert replied with a grin, sliding into the seat next to her.
They exchanged no more words at first, instead signaling for drinks. As the bartender brought over two glasses of whiskey, Jobert raised his glass to hers, their eyes locking as they took a sip. The night was just beginning.
As the drinks flowed and the music pulsed around them, Jobert and the woman grew more comfortable. The two started mingling with others in the bar, meeting new people, and letting loose. The energy in The Revel was electric—bodies moving on the dance floor, laughter echoing around them, and the clinking of glasses creating a backdrop to the evening.
At one point, they found themselves dancing in a group with a few other women they had met that night. One of the women, her eyes gleaming mischievously, leaned in close to Jobert and his companion.
"How about we make this night more interesting?" she asked, her voice low and suggestive.
"What do you think about a threesome?"
Jobert glanced at the woman he had arrived with, raising an eyebrow. To his surprise, she smiled, a daring look in her eyes.
"Why not?" she said with a laugh, her hand slipping down to lightly touch Jobert's thigh.
Jobert smirked, feeling the thrill of the night take over.
"Let's see where this goes," he thought, as they made their way to a more secluded corner of the bar, the intensity of the evening ramping up.
Ericson's Stream – Philippines
Ericson, known online as Lorkan, had a different plan for his evening. After returning to his hotel room, he quickly set up his gaming rig. The glow from his monitors filled the room as he started his stream on Facebook Gaming.
"What's up, everyone? It's Lorkan here, back with some Ran Online!" he greeted his viewers, adjusting his mic and settling into his chair.
The chat quickly filled with excited messages from his regular audience, eager to follow along with his latest adventures.
As Lorkan, Ericson led his character through the sprawling landscapes of Ran Online, a fantasy MMORPG filled with martial arts and adventure. His stream focused on his exploration of the map, battling enemies, and completing quests.
"Alright, we're heading into Sacred Gate next," he said, guiding his viewers through a dungeon crawl, the excitement building with every step.
"Let's see what we find in this map," he said with a grin as his character encountered a group of enemies.
The in-game tension heightened, but Ericson, ever the skilled gamer, made quick work of the challenges.
"Easy," he chuckled, responding to the barrage of praise from his viewers in the chat.
For the next few hours, Ericson was fully immersed in the game, enjoying the thrill of the adventure. His viewers loved the action, and Ericson, in his element, forgot the stress of his real-world mission.
"This is exactly what I needed tonight," he thought, as his character ventured deeper into the world of Ran Online.
Lamp Quarters – Marikina
Meanwhile, back in Lamp Quarters, the team in the Philippines settled into the vibrant energy of the food bazaar. The place was buzzing with activity—families, friends, and couples gathered under the warm glow of string lights, enjoying a night out. The smell of grilled meats, sizzling sisig, and freshly cooked street food filled the air, creating the perfect backdrop for a well-deserved break.
The team ordered an assortment of dishes—grilled skewers, ramen bowls, and local street food favorites. Laughter echoed from their table as Jojo kept the jokes coming, always quick with a quip or a story that had everyone chuckling. For a while, it was as though the weight of their work was forgotten, replaced by the simple joy of good food and even better company.
As the night went on, the banter flowed as freely as the food. Lawrence, with his usual dry humor, chimed in, causing another round of laughter.
"Jojo, you and your stories, man. Where do you come up with this stuff?"
Jojo grinned, leaning back in his chair.
"What can I say? I've got talent."
"Talent for causing trouble, maybe," Julia teased, tossing a napkin at him as the group laughed again.
As their plates began to empty, Zark stood up, stretching.
"How about we grab another round of drinks?" he suggested with a grin.
"I'm not ready to call it a night yet."
The group agreed, standing up and moving to a quieter corner of the bazaar. They weren't ready for the night to end—not yet. The atmosphere remained relaxed, and it was clear they weren't in the mood for serious talk. Instead, the conversation drifted to lighter topics: favorite movies, crazy stories from the past, and friendly teasing that kept the mood upbeat.
Jojo, ever the entertainer, raised his glass.
"To a night off and no thinking about tomorrow!"
The others raised their glasses in agreement, laughing as they settled into their seats, ready for another round of drinks and more laid-back conversation. The worries of the job, the pressure of what lay ahead—it could all wait. Tonight was about enjoying the moment, the company, and the laughter.
As they clinked their glasses together, the night stretched on, full of fun, laughter, and the kind of stories they'd look back on and laugh about for years to come.