First Chapter - He is Missing

From: simonalvarez@email.com

Subject: URGENT BUDS

Just confirmed a while ago, Renz is missing! The police is still waiting for that freaking 48 hours to announce he is really missing but we all know he will not disappear with no notice!

Again, Renz is missing! Meet in my condo in an hour!

I almost roll my eyes if the situation isn't that serious. Renz is missing? Did something happened or he just ran away? I deeply sigh, looking back on my latest encounters with him.

He looked contented, but then again, he is also good at deceiving people of his real emotions. I don't remember any alarming sign that he has an urge to run away because things are being difficult. We even had a bonding day just a week ago in the amusement park.

But, that one time when he suddenly pops out in our door and asked to stay with me and Dad for the night might be a good start. What happened that day? It had been a month ago.

I continue recalling all the time with Renz as I drive. Then, I just realized I am already entering Simon's condo with the owner walking back and forth as Kristen sits prettily in the couch. Her red-rimmed eyes suddenly found me and then the next thing I know, she is already in my arms, sobbing.

I gave Si a questioning look.

"He left a note," he croaked out, seems to be in verge of his own emotions as well. "He wants us to not search for him! He didn't even said that he will be back then he expects us to not do something about it and wait?!"

He continues shouting his emotions, showing his frustations of what Renz's note confirmed.

He ran away. But why? There seems to be no reason for him to run away. He is contented, that's what he said. He always told me whenever he feels to be in his own abyss. What makes this time different than before?

"Did he say his reason?" I asked, my mind running of endless possibilities.

He will never run away out of nowhere, my mind supplied. It seems random too, so there must be something that happened that we aren't aware of.

Kristen spoke, she seems calm already but still in tears, "He said he needed to do something alone, on what I understand. In his dictionary, that means he doesn't wants us interfering whatever it is."

My eyes turned to the paper Kristen put in my lap. I take it and read it quickly. I gasp.

Simon's frustations turned into anger. He suddenly punches the wall, creating a small crater on it. "Then so be it!"

He walks out of the living room, slamming the door as he sulks in his bedroom.

"Did they fight before he gone missing?" I asked Kristen, who is also looking at where Simon was as I am. He always been understanding of Renz, being his longest and childhood friend.

She nodded. "I heard it was a totally disaster, as there had been a strong disagreement in Si's part. What I do not know is why he so strongly disagrees with Renz about it. He acts like a prick. I don't even know what they disagreed about! I never manage to coax more from Si or ask Renz about it as this happened."

Surprised, I turn at her. "When did this happened?"

"I learned from it two days ago because Si is in bad mood at that mood, in rampage," then she shrugs. "But it isn't enough for Renz to run away as they had worse fights before. It wasn't even that bad compared to when we were in college."

I was about to answer when the phone buzzed.

From: Daddy <3

Hey, princess. I will be home late. I learned of Renz's disappearance, so I know you are either in Simon's condo or Elaine's apartment. Stay there as there had been a new case given to me. A murder case, though it was suspected a serial killer was behind it.

Take care, princess.

"It had been a while," I commented as I put down my phone. Kristen still hiccups, trying to stop her tears. She has always been a crybaby so that is actually not surprising. "So, what should we do? Renz ran away, he left a note saying he doesn't wants us to search for him, and Simon is sulking angry at him."

"We will find him," she said in determination.

I roll my eyes. Willpower isn't enough, and yes, I am mad at Renz, but not respecting his wishes won't do something.

Unless...

"He said he doesn't wans us to search for him, right?" Why I never thought of that loophole? He might even left that in purpose. "But he never said that others shouldn't to. It was only addressed to the three of us, after all. We can search for clues with his family searching for him, we can contact his sisters later, and then ask someone to search him for us."

Her eyes brightened as she understood what I am saying. "Yes! We can ask others doing it. I talked with Lauren earlier and she never mentioned a letter or note left for them, so that means he only wants us to stop searching for him." Then she looks at me confusedly, "But who will we ask for help?"

I look down, thinking of people acquianted with Renz. The three of us are the only best friends he has, he didn't seems close to his coworkers in his part-time job, I don't think he is that close with our high school friends and in his family's business...that's it!

"He seems close with that famous businessman, Francis Wang, right? He will never anticipate us asking for his help."

She tilts her head. "They are close, sure, but that is professionally. How could we know he will actually help us?"

"Franz might be a good suggestion, though."

I and Kristen startled as Simon sits in between us, munching his favorite Pop Tarts. "That's quick time for you to calm down," I commented.

He shrugs. "Like girlfriend, like boyfriend. She calmed down quickly too, right? It's not like this is the first time we had been this emotional in a stressful situation and at some point, we saw this coming. It was just unexpected, and leaving us despite us not being in good terms? Totally suspicious to me, so we need to work something out in here. Did Lauren told the cops about the note he left to you, Kris?"

"Uhm, that's why I was puzzled after we talked. She wants us to keep it secret."

"She's a lawyer, maybe she wants to make sure that there will be a nationwide, or worse, worldwide search for him."

I just stare at them. Crazy couple. They eventually went serious like it is just business. Why did I ended up with them, by the way?

"Anyway," I interrupted, "why Francis Wang is a good idea? And, Franz? You are close to that famous CEO?"

He deeply exhales. "We never told you, but we already knew him since we were kids."

My eyebrows went up. "Because of business? You know, typical scenario of business partners letting their children meet?"

He bitterly chuckles. "I hope it was like that, but that is actually the reason why we crossed paths again and managed to reconnect with each other after years." His eyes darkens. "But no, it is not how we first met. And please don't pry, I cannot tell you, okay?"

Kristen and I exchanged looks.

He clears his throat. "Anyway, we are close. He is also a genius, just like Renz, in his own right. So if we wants to find him, he might even has some clues as he knew how Renz's mind works. He also has friends he relies on, which is a bonus. And..." he trailed off, looking at me.

"What?" I exclaimed.

He looks away. Fishy. "He can make sure that searching of him will not be known except to people involved. He is pretty good in working in shadows."

I glare at him. He still looks away.

"Uhuh," Kristen agreed. "Then why you act like you are reluctant to share that information with us? You even kept us in the dark that the two of you are actually close with that famous businessman! I could have meet him personally a long time ago!"

Simon glares daggers as Kristen tells her adoration of one Francis Wang, who made a successful career in a very young age. Though, I know she is only distracting him for me.

Working in shadows? Like working illegally and secretly? So...Simon is aware of whatever dark past I and Dad suspected Renz has?

"I will just contact one of his friends, okay! Then shut your mouth! I am your boyfriend, not him!" Simon stands up and stomps loudly as he walks out of the living room again. "Fuck you, Franz..." we heard he murmurs.

Kristen stares at his boyfriend's retreating figure. "Fishy," she commented. "Obviously, it is about their past, whatever happened in the past." Then her eyes widened. "What if it has actually to do with their past as to why Renz left suddenly?"

"Then we can interrogate Francis and his sisters. I don't believe Lauren will tell us everything, and she might lie without us knowing it. She is a lawyer, after all. I am not sure with Flor as she is an actress but she is more truthful that Lauren."