RENZO
"You have to come over. The little devils at it again." I heard Maximus sigh through the phone as he kept on complaining about the Devils Tower ruining his drug transportations around Manila and Hong Kong. This is what? The sixth time they got caught transporting goods.
"Man, I need your help. Alaric was shot last night, the transport was postponed and Manila is hungry for drugs."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Let's trade. I'll give you my Business in Manila and give me Isla. I heard she's in Manila and I heard you're good at looking for people."
"Deal."
Maximus and I have been friends since birth. It's funny how our life's alike, our parents even died at the same time, got broken hearted at the same time, and did everything together. We separated ways when he stayed in the Philippines, Bohol, to conquer the Chocolate Hills as a revenge. While I fell in love with the Pillars of China.
In this world, the mountains of Earth have secrets. Since times are changing, the drug lord's business will never be found in the city. They relocated in nature and worked beneath the soils.
There are four big names in the underworld. First, is the unknown mountain in the United States. No one knows what mountains they are in but we know they're all women and they sell rocks.
Second, Mt. Everest. They are the biggest ones who conquered five countries. Maximus and I hate them. They have always sabotaged our transportations and they sell the rich soils of Mt. Everest.
Third, Chocolate Hills, ruled by Maximus. They sell chocolates. Maximus and I are business partners and we thrive together.
Fourth is Zhangjiajie Pillars of China. Underneath the Pillars is my estate, my kingdom, and my home. We sell logs.
There are a lot of mountains ruled by drug lords but the four of us thrived better.
As soon as I sat on the office chair, I called Leif. The right hand of this estate. "I need my plane tonight."
"Yes sir."
I opened my laptop and within an hour, I found Isla. I have no idea who she is but I met her twice, in a party and in the dark alley kissing Maximus. Ew…
CALISTA
"I heard there's a storm coming tonight." The beautiful cunning girl in front of me twirled her dark red hair with her finger. We've been sitting in the hospital hall for quite a while now and I'm losing my patience.
"What time is she going to call your name?"
"Patience, my love-"
"Miss. Isla? The doctor is ready. Please come in."
"There we go."
The sliding door opened and the nurse came out to assist Isla. She's 2 months pregnant. We're always in the hospital once a month. I'm not really supposed to be here but she's my only friend in Manila.
I am here for a personal assignment.
"... Well, the baby's good. I have to leave before it rains. Are you going to be okay alone?" I found myself sitting across from her in the Manila Red Moon Restaurant. I've been zoning out lately. I guess I'm still mourning.
"Hey, are you okay? You don't look well. Is it the place?"
It is the place.
"It's fine, It's been a while so, It's fine. I'm over it. I swear."
"You know we missed you. You've been away for years and now you're back. What's your plan?" I looked at her.
She's right, I decided to disappear for four years after my brother died here… here, at the exact place where Isla is sitting. I couldn't focus because of it. I remember the time when my brother Mac and I always had dinner here, we would order their bubble gum ice scream, the Red Moon wine, and their best beef stew. But, it doesn't taste the same anymore.
"Nothing really, just live life. I guess?" I said with my normal tone. The calm and boring one.
That's not really my plan. I came here for something I know will help me release the anger in my heart.
"As you should!" She cheerfully said. We ordered what we wanted and later on, Isla had to leave as the rain started to pour in Manila.
I stayed behind for a little while because my brain and body told me to. Until this day, I could still hear Macs' voice. I could still imagine his messy hair and his doctor coat.
For some reason, I felt as if I was being watched. I slowly looked around me, I had forgotten I wasn't alone in the restaurant. My mind just misses Mac so much that it only focused on his image sitting across me.
I found the dark blue pair of eyes intently looking at me as if he knows who I am.
I smirked and looked away minding my own business.
I guess the devil has arrived.