Pandora Box 3

Anthony decided to take me to the bar I saw earlier. I saw him greeting the old gentlemen who were elegantly wiping a cocktail glass. I felt so stupid as I watched him with gaping eyes as he gracefully mixed the cocktail shaker.

"So, what do you want to order?" Anthony asked.

Anthony insisted he'd buy me a drink like a gentleman, but I really don't have any idea what kind of drinks to choose. I really don't have my phone right now, so I can't search on the internet. Maybe I should leave this to someone who was experienced.

I mostly drink beer alone or with someone. Well, I used to drink with that person before they left, so I'm drinking alone like a depressed person.

"..Suprise me..?" I don't know why I said that, but I hear Anthony whispering to the bartender as he starts making his concoction. It's definitely my first time in an expensive bar! Dammit, I should have bought my phone.

"..Um, Anthony, I have a few questions..." I glanced at Anthony, who was quietly sipping on his whisky. His posture was relaxed. He is wearing a leather jacket that shows his masculinity. His rosé hair was tied into a high ponytail when I saw him, but now they flowed past his shoulder like a river. His bangs covered his left eye, making him look mysterious and alluring.

"Sure, asked away Ryan." He smiled while looking attentively at me, expressing tenderness.

"Well, I wanna start about this money bag you gave" I hold the pouch of coins at his face. "Why did you give it to me? I don't know if this is the compensation for what your friend did, but you don't need to give me this amount of money."

I watched as his face flickered in fear and nervousness as he smiled mirthlessly. He glanced at his whisky glass and started playing on it like it was a toy, trying not to look at my face.

"Well. I hope this bag is enough to buy your silence about the incident. This should be enough for you and Pete to leave the city and live peacefully somewhere."

"What are you talking about, Anthony? You must be kidding. I want an explanation of what happened to those people and...Why are you telling me to leave this city? I'm not really in the mood for your jokes right now, Anthony."

"It's just better if we don't see each other that often, or even better if you leave this city. You already gave me a hard time. I hope this situation won't happen again."

I hate this feeling. I hate when I feel like I'm dragging someone down. I hated my pathetic self for clinging to someone to protect me. As I looked at Anthony's ink-black eyes, I felt like I was picking a dusty book that was full of my regrets and mistakes.

"𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐚 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞,"

"Then tell me the reason!" I slammed my fist into the counter. I could feel tears starting to pool at the corner of my eyes as I glared at Anthony. I was scared, confused, and angry about everything. I don't know why...But I feel like I've been betrayed all over again. The moment I open my trust to someone, only for them to leave me again.

"𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥...𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭...𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨."

"Even if I tell you everything, you wouldn't want this. Please...Just leave this city and never return here."

"𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐈'𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧.."

"Why do you keep saying to leave this city without telling me anything! Do you think I would understand that, Anthony? I'm not some puppet you can play with! Tell me, Tell me, you 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥!" I grabbed him by his collar and jerked his face closer to mine. My vision gets blurry as my knuckles whiten as I tighten the hold of the shirt.

"𝐈'𝐦 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐂𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞?"

I grit my teeth as my voice got lower and weaker. "I thought you were a good guy Anthony, maybe because I never met someone in the city who said they would protect me...That.. kinda made me feel happy, but...I guess you aren't different from your members in the mafia, right? Killing people like it's your daily routine...I bet you didn't care about how others die because of 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 like you! Thanks a lot, asshole." I shakily let go of this shirt and walked away. Far away from here. Somewhere I could clear my head off. I'm so stupid. I'm so 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 stupid.

· - -

"Anthony, you 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 up, you really messed up big time." Anthony groaned to himself, thinking he should explain the situation better, but he really couldn't say anything without putting Ryan's life in danger.

"Where's your precious friend Anthony?"

"Ah...Mr. Vincent." Anthony relaxed and greeted the old gentleman.

"My friend already went somewhere...He must have something to do. Haha."

"You seem a bit down now. I hope there's nothing terrible that happened during your job, no?

"No..." Anthony denied it, but Vincent knew that something in Anthony's smile felt forced and fake.

"I'm just a bit tired..." Anthony hoped Ryan would take his advice. He'll have to get rid of the pieces of evidence before his boss knows about them. He couldn't let another innocent person die ever again.

"Too bad you order this special drink for him. You don't mind drinking this on your own, right?" Vincent set down the glass at the counter. It was rum mixed with lime juice, cinnamon syrup, and grape juice. The drink was called Zombie. Anthony thought Ryan would like this drink.

"Can you make another 3 of this, Vincent?" Anthony down his whiskey before partying himself in another drink.

It might as well get wasted then.

· - -

After crying in the public bathroom and drinking a few draft beers., I returned to the van where Pete was waiting. Since I'm exhausted about what happened today. I should probably book a hotel for tonight. Ugh, since I have a lot of money that Anthony gave me today, I should probably buy the most expensive one. Pssht, leave the city, my ass. He can't tell me what to do!

I thought of crashing at Victor's place, but I really don't want to explain what happened last time, and he also got kicked by Shion. Yikes.

When I got outside, I was shocked to see that everyone had formed a crowd in the van. What exactly is going on? Why is everyone cheering? Is there a celebrity in that specific black van in that particular parking spot? I should probably check it first just to be sure.

"Excuse me! I'm coming through!" I shouted as I tried to squish and squirm my way through the crowd. After reaching the van, I found the source of the loud group coming from. It was Pete! I watched as Pete and Buttercup fought against enemy groups before the screen displayed a Victory sign.

"Pete! What the hell is going on here?!"

"Mr. Ryan! I just defeated the number one player on Battle of Retribution! so I and Buttercup and a few of his friends formed a guild! I'm kinda doing guild wars right now, so please don't bother me."

"No, We're leaving. Now." I snapped before turning to the crowd. "The show is over, people! Get out! Move along with your lives." The crowd booed at me.

"You all think that can scare me? I can boo to you know! BOOOO!!" I gave everyone a thumb-down sign with both of my hands.

"Maybe we should stop playing Buttercup. I think Mr. Ryan is drunk." Buttercup nods before dragging me to the van before everyone throws tomatoes at me.

Buttercup lay me down as my body took up the entire seat. I look at Candy and Cuddles. "Tsk, Where the fuck is your boss, guys? I wanna--" I burped loudly. "I wanna-wanna- Give him! a piece of ma-mind!"

"Sir. Envy is doing his work right, so Mr. Wrath will be the one to escort you to the nearest hotel." Candy answered as Cuddles grunted in agreement.

"Who the fuck is Wrath...Ugh...Stop making the seven deadly sin references. I don't understand everyone here" Everyone watched as I started weeping my eyes. I hugged Pete because he had been a great boy. Ugh, why do I feel so emotional?

"I love you, Pete.." I cried and clung to him like a child. "You have always been such a responsible son." I sniffed while trying to wipe my tears and turned to look at my next victim, but I ended up making eye contact with china-blue eyes. I slowly let go of Pete before pointing my fingers at him.

"Why are you here?" I could feel myself slowly going sober as I caught Winter scowl at me with his thick brows.

"Not like I want to be here." He responded as he jammed his hands in his front pocket. The man is sporting a yellow-black checkered polo with a black hoodie paired with ripped black jeans and a set of black boots. Do I have to see this guy just to remind myself that I will never look as handsome as he is?

"I'm babysitting your ass." He said with a sigh of irritation.

"What? Who told you to do that?"

He ranked his fingers through his carmine-colored hair and forced himself to sit next to me on the left while Pete was on my right. When everyone is already at their seats. The driver started the van as we headed our way out.

"Isn't it tiring to be such an asshole?"

𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.

"I mean, you could at least say what you hate about me?"

𝘐𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥.

"You know what, I've been a good person, and you always been rude to me! Is it even true when Anthony said you were the one who cooked me breakfast and bought those groceries??" I felt everyone's ear peeked and looked at us like they were watching a soap opera. Especially the scary suit fellas in the back because they seem more dumbfounded than I am?

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Stop lying! don't deny you have a soft spot on me!"

The driver suddenly hit the brake as everyone jerked in their seats. I pulled Pete close to me so he won't get hit by the impact. Winter was not happy...Oh, Winter was 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 not happy when he had a bruise forming on his forehead.

"Watch where you fucking going!" Winter lashed out. His facial muscles became rigid as veins pulsing in his neck. I was afraid he might hold his baseball bat and murder the innocent driver. Uh-oh. I better do something to calm him down.

"Winter calmed down!" I shouted as he tightened his fist. When I thought he was about to hit someone, his clenched hands landed on the window, causing it to crack.

Holy Shit! What kind of hunk strength is that??!

"Wait? Are you okay, Winter??" In fact, I was more worried about Winter's bruised hands. Would he have broken bones instead? No sane person would be okay after punching a car window with their bare hands!

"If this happens again, I'll happily break your neck in front of everyone." Winter glowered at the driver as he leaned back in his seat like he didn't threaten to kill someone.

"Winter..let me see your hands first.." I trembled, fearing that he would hit me, but instead, he unclenched his fist. His hands were veiny and warm. As I gently touched his fingers, I looked closely at his knuckles. They were not broken! It might have some reddening on it, but it would be good now with a cold compress.

"How...?" I faltered before letting go of his hand. He must have some werewolf healing powers to have a not broke knuckles!

"Should we at least stop at a gas station to buy some ice?" I said in a quiet empathy as I looked at Winter.

As usual, he didn't say anything. But as a doctor, I really didn't want to do something like that. I told the driver to stop at the nearest gas station. I asked Pete and everyone what they wanted me to buy at the store, they all agreed on ice cream. Except for Winter, because he was busy fiddling with his phone, I should buy him water if he gets thirsty.

I entered the store as I observed the place. Few customers, bored teenager as a cashier and a donut stand. I grabbed a basket and immediately went to the ice cream aisle. While I was holding any flavors of ice cream, I started thinking that what if he rejected the water I gave him? I mean, I did say I was just gonna buy him ice! Wait, why do I care if he didn't accept my generosity! Fuck that guy! I don't care about him at all!

My basket is almost full of ice cream. I already grabbed an ice pack, a pink compress that I managed to snag, and a bottle of cold water. I went to the cashier and paid for the goods. I returned to the van. As I opened the door, I was greeted with a few cheers and applause from the suit fellas. Awee, I already bought their trust with ice cream, hehe, they're so easy.

"I want chocolate flavor," Pete said as his attention was focused on the phone screen. At least look at it when you're talking to me... But since I love my adorable son, I gave him his favorite chocolate ice cream.

I passed the bag of ice cream at everyone in the back and gave the driver his own share (maybe because I feel bad about what happened, he seems flattered). It seems everyone was peacefully eating.

I poked the bottle of water at Winter's cheeks. His skin made contact with the cold water causing him to jerk towards me. He frowned before grabbing the bottle from my hand and sipping the cold drink. He accepted it. Something about it makes me happy.

I poured the ice onto the cold compressed, and I gently pressed it into his redden knuckles. I peek at Winter, who was sipping at his water bottle while looking at the window.

"𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶..." He whispered gently, like a bird humming in the midnight as I felt an inkling of joy inside of me.

· - -

The sun has already gone down when we arrive at the destination.

I told Winter that Pete and I would be sleeping in a hotel today, and with my outstanding bullshitting skills, I managed to come up with an excuse saying our house was renovated. He dropped us at this expensive hotel here in Lotus Town. He also said that the hotel fees have already been booked under his name, so the only I have to do is to grab the keys from the front desk.

Pete said goodbye to his new friends. I wanted to thank Winter, but he seemed angry. He was aggressively typing in his phone. It must have been a work problem. I didn't even get to say anything as I watched them drive away and disappear on our sight..

What a bummer, but There's also the main problem.

I looked down at Pete with a poker face. "What did you bring in the duffel bag?"

"The gallon of milk," He said while smiling innocently.

𝘎𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵, Pete.