Should I be flattered or worried?

After their parting, Rika reminisced about her meetings with Gavin. Despite being just a client and a host, Gavin always provided the warmth and support she needed.

Rika felt a mix of sadness for their final meeting but also relief for having found the courage to let go of an unhealthy relationship.

She pondered over Gavin's empowering words. She couldn't be afraid to take the next step forward and pursue true happiness.

She started to believe that she could find someone who would truly love her, without treating her as mere property.

With a lighter heart, Rika took a deep breath.

She was ready to embark on a new chapter in her life, chasing her dreams and finding the genuine love she deserved.

*

One afternoon in The Azari Host Club group chat:

Ryder: Someone's calling for me, but it's still during class. The package they want to take is really expensive. Come on, I really want to take this job!

Gavin: Taking a job during school hours is prohibited, Ryder, remember, you're not suffering from amnesia, right?

Ryder: Come on, just this once! Please please please @Alaric, approve his request on the website!

Dhimas: Wow, I want in on this too then!

Ryder: @Alaric!!! Answer me!!! Come on, the meeting is in one hour! Stay quiet, Dhimas, don't follow along! The money you won from the Judo competition is still fresh, buddy!

Ryder: Come on! @Alaric!!! ALLLLL!!!

Aiden: Hahaha, you're getting ignored...

Ryder: Bro, you're an ass! Come on, respond quickly. My credit card bills are piling up, bro!!! Don't be so selfish! Have a little understanding of my situation! You know how much credit card debt I have, come on, cut me some slack!

Alaric: That's not my concern. As long as you're part of my Host Club, you have to follow the rules. If you dare to take a job without approval, I will suspend your profile.

After finishing typing, Alaric switched off his phone with a heavy sigh, slipping it back into his pocket.

"Such a trouble maker," he muttered under his breath,

Once again, Ryder had managed to stir up trouble.

Alaric's eyes drifted to the vacant seat where Raven usually sat, a pang of worry gnawing at him.

The absence of Raven over the past two days had cast an unsettling silence over their usual routine. Despite the growing concern among their classmates, a group of girls, captivated by Raven's enigmatic allure, had assembled to hatch a plan.

"We need to do something about Raven," one of the girls declared.

Their resolve to visit Raven's house and unravel the mystery of his abrupt disappearance was clear and unwavering.

However, their efforts were consistently blocked by the school authorities, who stubbornly refused to divulge any information about Raven's whereabouts.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing," another girl insisted, her frustration evident.

With each passing moment, Alaric's anxiety deepened. Retrieving his phone once more, he anxiously checked for any messages from Ryder, but there was no response.

With a sense of urgency, he scrolled through his contacts until he found Raven's number, obtained through discreet channels within the school administration.

"Guess I have to find out where he is," Alaric muttered to himself, his fingers dialed Raven's number.

Although Alaric was privy to Raven's address, he hesitated to disclose it to the eager girls who idolized Raven.

"Let them be puzzled about whether they'll catch up with Raven or not, what do I care?" Alaric shrugged, indifferent to the situation.

It turned out that Raven's family had made a special request for their personal data not to be disclosed at all. Such requests were not uncommon but were rarely made, usually by families of students with troubled pasts like Raven's.

"Where are you, you rascal?" Alaric typed out a message, a mixture of frustration and concern evident in his words, even though he anticipated no reply.

Minutes later, Alaric's phone vibrated with an incoming call, the caller ID showing Raven's number.

Surprised, he quickly excused himself to the restroom, claiming an urgent need.

Once alone, he answered the call with a mixture of jest and worry.

"Should I be flattered or worried that you're reaching out first, huh?!" he joked.

"This is... Alaric... Alaric Harper?" The voice on the other end was a woman's, cutting through his light-hearted tone.

Alaric's pulse quickened. "Um, yes, that's me. Who is this, please? Isn't this Raven's phone?"

"You dialed the right number. This is Raven's mother," the voice replied, clear and unexpected.

Alaric paused, his mind racing. "Oh, I apologize for the intrusion, Ma'am. I'm just concerned because Raven has been missing from school for a couple of days now. He hasn't gotten into any trouble, has he?" he asked, attempting to keep the conversation light but his voice betrayed his nervousness.

A heavy silence fell, punctuating the gravity of the conversation and snuffing out Alaric's forced laughter.

Switching to a more serious tone, Alaric pressed on, "I'm really sorry to bother you, but we're all quite worried. Could you possibly explain what's going on? Is there anything I can do to help?"

As the silence stretched, Alaric felt his heart pounding against his chest, the weight of his concern growing heavier with each passing second.

Finally, Raven's mother spoke, her voice tinged with a mixture of weariness and apprehension.

"Raven... he's not well. He's been struggling with his health for some time now, and these past few days have been particularly difficult."

Alaric felt a chill run down his spine at her words. The jovial facade he had maintained crumbled, replaced by a deep sense of dread.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

There was a brief pause before Raven's mother replied, her tone softer now.

"I appreciate your concern, Alaric. Right now, all we can do is wait and hope for the best."

"Alright, I'll come over, Ma'am," Alaric vowed firmly.

*