Rachel's POV...
"Oh my, it really is you," says Jack as he forms a big smile while staring into my eyes."Jack," I say as I stare into his blue eyes. I couldn't believe that I'm really standing in front of Jack right now. My childhood friend, my old best friend. After all these years, we've finally meet again, after I thought that it was impossible since I've never told him that I've moved to New York City. I'm beyond happy to see him again. He's still the same Jack knew with his youthful smile.I couldn't help but feel tears slowly starting to fill my eyes. I've missed him so much, and looking at him right now just makes me feel like I want to make up for the lost time. Without any hesitation, I pull him into a tight hug as I bury my face in his chest, slowly letting the tears run down my face."It's you..." I say in a soft tone as the tears continue to run.Jack hugs me tightly as I got lost in his embrace. "Rachel," he says with a soft tone. "I miss you..""I miss you too, Jack," I say while still hugging him tightly. "Damn it. I missed you so much. Did you knew that I was here?""Yes," he says. "I'll tell you all about it.""Ok," I say as we part away from our embrace. We walk out of the kitchen together as we got greet by Nate, Alex, and Liam."Wohoo, I sense that the flame of love is alive," says Nate with a sarcastic tone."Not funny, Man!" Jack says with an annoyed tone. "Take a seat, Rachel."I sit down on the long couch in the living room. Jack decides to sit on my right side, while Alex sits on my left side. Meanwhile, Liam and Mate takes a seat on the two single couch in front of us."Ok, so who's gonna start first?" Alex ask."How about me since I'm obviously the one who needs to give the most explantation here?" Jack says."Fair enough," Alex says."Ok, so 2 years ago I went back to Minnesota from Paris. I tried looking for you but you were no where to be found," Jack says."Jack, I'm so sorry. I wished I could have told you that I've moved to New York a few years after you went to Paris," I say. I feel guilty for losing contact with him after all these years."Hey, don't be sorry. You didn't see it coming," says Jack as he gives me a small comforting smile."So after that, I continue to look for you. I eventually asked Liam to help me find where you are, since I was starting to worry about you," Jack says."And how did you guys knew I was in New York?" I ask with curiousity.Jack scratch the back of his head with an awkward look on his face. Liam could tell the young boy is having a hard time thinking about what to say to me. I wonder why."We have our ways," says Nate casually."Like, how?" I ask with confusion."Ok, confession time," Nate says while putting his hands in the air. He knew at this moment that there's no other way to explain to Rachel about them."We are a gang. So yeah, we eventually found our way to find you," Liam says.My eyes grew wide hearing what Liam just said. "A gang? As in, a group of gangsters?" I ask."Well, we could describe it that way. But we don't kidnap people though," says Liam."Or do we end their lifes unnecessarily," Nate says with a cheeky smirk.My eyes grew wider as my body starts to shiver. What the hell? I didn't expect them to be a part of a gang. This is all too sudden, in fear I hope I am in a dream right now. Knowing that I'm sitting with a bunch of gangsters in one room, I wish that this was actually a dream. I could slowly feel my palms getting sweaty as I try my best to act normal in front of these guys."Don't worry. We won't hurt you, Rachel." Jack puts one of his arm around my shoulder. "In fact, there's something else I would like to say.""What is it?" I ask Jack."Actually, I thought that now I've finally found you, I thought you could use some protection from us," Jack says."Protection? Why would I need that? I can protect myself," I say. Man, does this guy actually thinks that I'm a kid? I mean, I used to take cardio boxing back in my high school days. He doesn't need to worry about me protecting myself.Alex glance at me. "Well, you look like you really needed protection when I found you last night," Alex says as he stares at me. "She was being followed by a mysterious man last night.""What the hell? Who was he?" ask Jack as he almost jump out of his seat hearing Alex's words."Did you see his face?" Liam ask."The man was wearing a black mask and sunglasses. I didn't see his face," Jack says."Do you know him? How long had he been following you?" Jack ask me with curiousity."I don't know him. He had been following me for 3 weeks now. He always managed to find out where I work, that's why I always moved to another work place. Sometimes he's with a friend. I've been trying to get away from him, but somehow he always managed to find out where I work," I say as I feel fear starting to fill my body just by the flashback of the mysterious stalker."Did he ever stalk you while you were in college or home?" Jack ask."No. I don't think he knows where I live, but he always knew where I work after college," I say."Maybe he's been following you after college," says Liam."Chances are, someone is after you," Nate says with a nervous tone.My fear grew bigger after hearing Nate's words. "But why?" I ask. "Why would they be after me? What do they want?""We don't know," says Liam. "And sadly...sometimes those people don't need a reason to do what they want."Jack turns his head to look at me who is still in fear after hearing that someone is after me. All my life, I never imagine something as crazy as this to happen. I never imagine to get involve with a gang, and never have I ever thought about being the target of a creepy stalker. This is all too sudden."I promise, we are here to protect you. We're gonna find out who that man is," Jack says as he hold my hand gently.I look at Jack in the eyes. His eyes are filled with hopes and honesty. As I get lost starting at his eyes, I know my friend wasn't lying."You can even stay here with us," says Alex."Yes. That would be a great idea," says Jack."Yes," says Nate, while Liam gives a nod as he looks at me with a small smile.I look at all these guys one by one. They are all so nice to me, though I've just met them and I'm not even sure if I can trust them. Yet, looking at how caring they are starts to make me feel warm up to them little by little. I'm slowly feeling a little more comfortable with them, though I haven't trust them 100%, I guess it won't hurt to get closer with these guys. Maybe they're not really as bad as I imagined. Maybe they're actually the good gangsters."Guys, thank you for the offer. But I can't stay here. I have to go home. My mom's gonna be worry if I don't go back home," I say as I look at them one by one."We understand, Rachel. Just remember that we're still here for you," Liam says."Yeah. And besides, I'll be going to college with you. I can be your guardian angel," Alex says as he gives me a small smile. I shyly turn my head, not wanting him to see that I was blushing."That's actually a good idea, Alex," Nate says."Well, that's why I'm here, right?" Alex says with a small laugh."Bro, I trust you in protecting my best friend in college. In the meantime, the rest of us will investigate who the mystery stalker is," says Jack."These days, a lot of women are getting kidnapped for some gangs own selfish reasons," Liam says. "You have to be careful, Rachel."Again I can feel myself in fear. Jack pulls me closer to his side as he puts one arm around my shoulder trying to call me down."Don't worry, Rach. We won't let anyone touch you," says Jack.I look at Jack and nod after hearing his words. Somehow his words actually made me feel safe. I rub my eyes as I still feel tired after last night's hangover."Rachel, you look sleepy. You should get some rest upstairs," says Alex as he looks at me with concern.I rub my eyes. "Yeah, I'm gonna take a short nap before going back. My mom's gonna have a lot of questions if she sees me coming back after a hangover," I say as the thought of my mom getting stressed out already worries me."Yeah. Get some rest and I'll drive you home after," says Alex."Ok. Thanks, Alex," I say before I get up from my seat. "And thank you guys for your concern.""Hey, no worries, Rachel," says Nate."We're happy to help a friend," says Liam."Ok, I'm gonna take a nap now. Bye guys!" I say as I walk upstairs to take a nap in Alex's room.Meanwhile, in the living room..."So how's the mission?" Liam ask as he walks out of the kitchen with a teapot."Good. We got that jerk begging for mercy," says Jack before he takes a sip of his cup of tea. "Before his last breath...""Nice," says Nate as he keeps his vision on his phone."Well, we're not done yet," says Jack. "We still have to take down whoever is after Rachel.""Yeah," says Alex.A few hours later...Rachel had woked up from her nap and Alex insisted to drive her home for safety reasons, in which Rachel agreed."So, how's your head?" ask Alex as he keeps his vision on the road."Better," says Rachel."I'm gonna pick you up for college tomorrow morning," says Alex."What? No, it's ok. I can ride my bike, or take the bus," says Rachel with a surprised tone. "I can go to college myself.""It's for safety reasons. Besides I promised Jack to look after you in college, and that includes picking you up and driving you back," says Alex.Rachel feels overwhelmed by the amount of kindness she's receiving from the guys, especially Alex. A random guy she just met who had saved her from a stalker and agreed to protect her in college. She still finds it hard to believe."Alex, I appreciate it, but I can protect myself," says Rachel. "You don't have to look after me in college. I'm an adult, not a baby."Alex takes a glance at Rachel who has her vision on the road, completely avoiding any eye contact with him. Though he only glanced at her for a second, he could tell she was just feeling overwhelmed by all the attention she's receiving from him and his friends. He could tell from her eyes that she really loved the attention they gave her, but deep down maybe she was just uncomfortable in receiving too much since she didn't want to trouble them. Alex could tell that Rachel is an independent and strong girl, in which he finds attractive."I promised Jack that I'll take care of you. Besides, it's the least I can do to a new friend of mine," says Alex. "We are friends, right?""Of course we are," says Rachel as she looks at Alex. "I just didn't want to trouble you by having to protect me." Rachel then looks away with a frown. She didn't want Alex to think that she didn't consider him as friend because she didn't want him to look after her. She just didn't want to be protected because she didn't want to trouble anyone at this point.Alex takes another glance at Rachel who now has a frowning expression all over her face. He couldn't help but thought how cute she looks even when she frowns."Hey! I understand. Of course we are friends," says Alex. "I was just teasing you.""Not funny," says Rachel with an annoyed tone.Alex lets out a small laugh before stopping in front of Rachel's home. "We're here," says Alex."Ok. I'll be going now. Thanks!" says Rachel as she opens the car door."You're welcome. See you tomorrow morning!" says Alex with a sassy wink."Yeah right. Ok," says Rachel before she walks to enter her house.She's so cute. Alex thought as he drives to exit the neighborhood.To be continue...The next day...Rachel's POV....After having breakfast with my mom, I start to do the dirty dishes since I still have some spare time before Alex arrives.After I finished with dishes, I was about to check my bag and when I hear a loud honk coming from outside. "Who is that?" ask my mom.The thought of Alex suddenly came across my mind. I let out a sigh. "Just my friend who promised to pick me up." "Ah ok," says mom. "Is he your boyfriend?""No. We literally just met at college," I say. "I gotta go now. Bye mom!"I grab my blue bag from the living room and walk out of the door to see a black car parked in front of my house. The car window slolwy opens as Alex gives me a sassy wink."Good morning, Gorgeous!" says Alex with a bright smile.I roll my eyes at his cheesy greeting. "Yeah, good morning," I say as I open the car door to enter and sit next to him. "So did you sleep well last night?" Alex ask as he keeps his vision on the road as he drives."Yes," I say. "How about you?" I
A few hours later...At the boys' house..."Chicken omelette is served," says Liam after he finished cooking some dishes for dinner along with Nate."The smell is already alluring me," says Nate as he puts a plate of stir fried vegetables on the dining table.Just then, the door bell rang and Nate decides to walk and open the door. Alex walks in with bags full of groeceries in his hands."Bro, you're back," Nate says. "Yeah, these are the groceries," says Alex as he walks to the kitchen area to put down the groceries.Alex puts down the groceries in the kitchen as he starts to sort them out. He had put aside a bag of vegetables since he knew Liam wanted to cook stir fry vegetables as well for tonight. After putting the groceries away, Alex wash his hands and walks back to the living room. He notice that Jack is not in sight, though it's almost dinner time."Where's Jack?" ask Alex with curiousity."Oh, he went out to pick up Rachel," says Liam as he starts preparing the plates."What
"Jack," I say, fear starting to take over my voice. "Someone's here..."Jack pulls away with a puzzled look. "Who's here?" he ask with confusion."There's a man behind you. He's wearing a black cap and a mask," I say in a low tone, fearing that if I talk too loud, the man could hear us. "I think he's a friend of the stalker..."Jack turns his head to observe the beach and notice the guy is standing not far from them. He looks like he's smoking as he watches the waves."Hold my hand. Let's get out of here before he starts trouble," says Jack as he holds my hand tightly. "Yes," I say.The two of us starts walking out of the beach. Just when we almost reach our car, the man from the beach suddenly walks in front of us covering our way along with his friend, who is none other than the creepy stalker I saw a few days ago."Well, well, look at the kid," says the man with a wicked tone."Rachel, hide behind me," Jack says in a whisper tone. I slowly hide behind his back.I could feel footst
At the boys' house...Alex and Rachel arrives at the house. The two of them starts walking to the kitchen to make dinner, which Rachel insisted that she wants to help Alex with cooking."What are you cooking?" Rachel ask as she watches Alex mixing up some vegetables and chopped chickens."I'm trying to stir fry vegetables with seasoned chickens," says Alex as he continues to stir fry the vegetables and chickens."Looks good," says Rachel as she continue to stir some eggs on a bowl, since she's planning to make a sponge cake for dessert."Well, not as good as you," Alex says as he turns his head for a moment to give Xiali a wink.This guy is such a flirt. Rachel thought as she roll her eyes. "You always know how to smooth talk, even when you're cooking," Rachel says while continueing to stir the eggs in the bowl."I'm not smooth talking though. I'm just saying what's in my heart," Alex says with a sassy tone."Yeah right," says Rachel as she puts a spoon of sugar to the bowl. "And you
8 AM...Las Vegas...At Skylight Hotel...Sebastian stretches his arms out as his eyes flutters open. He puts his hand on his head as he slowly sits up and observe his surroundings. Though he still has a bit of a headache, he remembered well how did he eventually got to this place in the first. It's a good thing he is pretty strong with drinks, otherwise he could have forgotten about last night. Suddenly he hears the bathroom door open, revealing Olivia walking out of the bathroom while wearing a bathrobe."Rise and shine," says Olivia with a smile as she walks over to the bed to sit next to Sebastian. "Do you still have a headache?""A little, but it'll get better," says Sebastian. "What about you?""I'm way better now. I didn't drink too much last night," says Olivia as she rest her head on Sebastian's shoulder. "I wouldn't wanna get too drunk. I have to control myself." Sebastian smiles at Olivia. "That's good. You wouldn't wanna end up like me in a way. Hangover sucks.""Haha, th
Los Angeles...At Chad and Crystal's wedding..."Now let us welcome our lovely newlyweds, Chad Johnson and Crystal Parker!" the host of the says through the mic as the guest starts clapping their hands for the beautiful couple.Chad and Crystal walks down the aisle as all the guests starts cheering for them. The happy couple stops in their steps as they reach the middle of the dance floor. A classical music starts playing as Chad and Crystal shares their first dance together as a married couple. They couldn't stop smiling at each other through out the whole dance, as everyone watch them in awe. "Yeah," says Nate who's eyes are fill with happy tears at the sight of his friend now married."Man, calm your tears! You can't worry Chad on his wedding day with your immature tears," Liam says, sounding insesitive to the dirty blonde hair boy."I'm crying happy tears, just so you know," Nate says with an attitude as he starts wiping his tears.Jack smiles at the sight of Nate's funny attitud
Rachel's POV...."Rachel," says Alex. "You're drunk.""And so are you," I say as I pull him closer to me. He starts staring at my lips as I could feel the desire in his eyes. I pull him closer and we continue our kiss, not caring about what's gonna happen next.The next day...9 AM...At the boys' house...Rachel flutters her eyes open as she stretches her arms out. She sits up from the bed with her head still feeling a bit dizzy from last night. She starts to observe her surroundings and realize that Alex is still asleep beside her. She start to recall everything that happened between them last night, which somehow made her feel a bit happy inside.Rachel stretches her arms out to grab her phone from the small table beside the bed. She wants to check if she's got any notifications, in which she did. She's got 1 missed call from her mom, and 3 missed calls and 3 messages from Jack. Rachel forms a frown as Jack's name appear on her phone screen. Remembering what happened between them l
Alex's POV..."She's over there," I say as I gaze at Sebastian."Ok. Thanks," Sebastian says before he walks away from us, and making his way to Rachel.I watch Sebastian approaching Rachel. He starts talking with her, and even though I couldn't hear what they're talking about, it already bothers me to know that this guy keeps trying to get into Rachel's life in every aspect. As they continue to talk, Alfredo walks in while also holding a bouquet of white roses."Who are they?" Nate ask as he starts to stare at Sebastian who is talking with Rachel."The new students at college who smells like trouble," I say."Where are they from?" Nate ask."Las Vegas," I say.Liam starts glancing at Sebastian and Alfredo as we watch them talk with Rachel and Mark. "How long have they known each other?""A few days. But damn, they've been trying to get into her life too fast," I say with an annoyed tone."So Rachel literally has only known them for a few days?" Jack ask."Yeah," I say.Liam starts to