The shop was brimming with customers, and amidst the frenzy, Brother Chris caught sight of White and gestured urgently.
Walking toward his part-time job, White's thoughts lingered on Luna and the troubling encounter with the vice president.
Scoring 100 on that test has become more of a headache than an achievement. I hope people forget about it soon, he mused.
Finally, White reached the shop. Opening the door, he was surprised to see the place overflowing with customers. As he headed to the staff room to change into his uniform, Chris's eyes caught him.
"Good timing, White. This may be sudden, but could you help me with the deliveries?" Chris asked.
"Deliveries…?" White was confused—he usually worked at the counter.
"Well, it's a long story. Our delivery boy isn't feeling well today, and I couldn't find anyone to fill his shoes. Don't worry, I'll pay you extra. Just for today, could you help me?"
"Well… okay, if you say so."
White changed into his uniform and returned to the counter, where Chris handed him a pile of pizza boxes.
"Here. I've messaged you the addresses," Chris said.
"That… is a lot," White muttered, staring at the stack. "Are you sure I can handle all this?" He glanced behind Chris, noticing the staff was short-handed.
"Don't worry. Just go."
"Okay."
White sighed as he loaded the boxes. "This will take ages… I just hope it ends soon."
Mounting his bicycle, he carefully packed the deliveries into the bag and set off.
---
Around 6:30 PM, the shop was still bustling with customers. Aris entered, equally surprised by the crowd. She slipped into the staff room, changed into her uniform, and walked out, expecting to see White. Instead, she found Chris managing the counter.
"Manager…? Why are you here? Where's White—I mean, Senior White?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Chris turned, handing her a list. "Perfect timing. Help me and give this to the kitchen—it's customer orders."
"Okay, but…" Aris began, only to be interrupted by another customer. Chris turned away to assist them, leaving her question unanswered.
Despite being outnumbered, Chris and the team managed the crowd. Meanwhile, White was still out on deliveries, with no sign of returning.
---
Later, as the shop prepared to close, Aris wiped sweat from her forehead in the staff room. Chris entered.
"Aris! Thanks a lot for your hard work… here," he said, handing her an envelope.
"This is?" she asked, confused.
"Extra pay. You earned it—you really helped a lot today."
"Ah… thank you!" Aris bowed, overjoyed.
"Good, keep it up." Chris turned to leave, but Aris stopped him.
"About White… I didn't see him today. Is he on leave or something?"
"We were short-handed, so I sent him for deliveries," Chris explained.
"I see. Thanks," she said quietly as he walked away.
---
Around 9:30 PM, Aris changed out of her uniform. She lingered near the entrance, glancing at the clock.
Chris noticed her. "Aris? You're still here? I thought you left long ago."
"Ah… well," she admitted, glancing at the door. "I was waiting for White. He often drops me at my friend's house."
"Ah… sorry. Maybe it's my fault. If you want, I can drop you—"
She waved her hands quickly. "No, it's alright. I'll wait."
But White never came. She tried calling him, but his number was unreachable.
'Where are you, White? If Brother Zen reaches my friend's house before me, I'll be doomed.'
She tapped her foot nervously, checking the time—it was already 9:45.
'I can't wait any longer. It takes around ten minutes if I go now—I'll just leave him a message. White will understand.'
She grabbed her bag and left the store.
---
The path to her friend's house was isolated. Aris ran, hoping to reach on time, but soon collided with a figure at the corner. She fell back, startled.
"Hey! What are you doing? Running on the street can be dangerous," the man scolded.
Aris quickly stood and bowed to apologize.
The man smirked, amused by her beauty. "Oh my… never mind. It could be really bad if something happened to this face," he said, reaching to touch her cheek.
Aris slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me! Back off, or I'll scream."
"Your scream? May I hear it?" he sneered.
She opened her mouth to scream, but the man covered it with his hand.
Aris struggled, kicking desperately, tears streaming as she fought to breathe. But he overpowered her, dragging her toward a dark alley.
As her vision blurred, she thought she saw another shadow approaching from the darkness… but she couldn't tell if it was real.
After minutes of resistance, exhaustion overtook her. Her struggles slowed, and she collapsed unconscious.
---
Meanwhile…
"Ah… I'm going to be late, so very late!" White muttered, pedaling furiously. The clock had already struck 9:50, and he had to reach the shop. Aris must be anxiously waiting.
The cool night air whipped against his face as he raced through the streets. In minutes, he arrived at the shop, where Chris was closing up.
Chris smiled gratefully. "Ah, White, you're back! I'm sorry to burden you with so much work. I truly appreciate everything you did today."
"Don't mention it, Brother Chris," White replied, scanning the area. Aris was nowhere to be seen. Concerned, he turned back. "Is Aris on leave? I don't see her."
"She waited for you, but you didn't show up, so she left. I offered to drop her, but she refused," Chris explained.
"She left alone? At night?" White frowned, recalling his stern advice to her never to do so. He reached for his phone, but before he could dial, it rang—it was Zen.
White's stomach knotted. *Zen calling me… that means she must be caught. He'll be furious if he learns I let her go alone.*
He answered nervously. "Hello, Zen?"
"White! Have you seen Aris?" Zen's voice was laced with panic, his footsteps echoing as if he was running.
"No… what's happened?" White asked, though dread already filled him.
"She was supposed to study at her friend's house, but when I got there, they told me she never arrived. I've tried calling her, but her phone is switched off," Zen said, his voice trembling.
White's blood ran cold. *Her phone is off… but why?*
A chill gripped him as he thought of the perilous route to her friend's house. "What? Don't worry, Zen. We'll find her. I'll let you know if I hear anything. Please call me immediately if you do," he said firmly before ending the call.
Chris's voice broke the silence. "Is something wrong?"
"It's Aris… her phone is off, and she's missing. Zen just called me," White explained hastily. "Brother Chris, I need to go—I'm taking the bicycle, okay?"
"This is bad. Don't worry, I'll help too," Chris offered.
"Thanks, Brother Chris."