SHADOWS OF BETRAYAL

ONE WEEK LATER

"Hey, let's meet," Sea said over the phone to Micheal and Charlie.

"Ok, let's meet at my place in an hour," Charlie suggested.

"Ok," Micheal agreed, and the call ended.

AN HOUR LATER

"What's the update?" Micheal asked.

"Well, I managed to get Favor's blood after that incident during the mission one week ago," Sea started.

"What's the result?" Charlie asked impatiently.

"A blood group that rules out Favor, leaving us with Jake and Micheal as the only suspects," Sea concluded.

"Just these two remaining. After we find out, we'll look into your brother's death and find evidence against them," Charlie said.

"Okay, thank you guys. It means a lot to me," Sea said emotionally.

"No need. We're all benefiting from it. After all, you're helping us solve Charlie's case," Micheal said.

"Okay, then I'm off. Bye," Sea said, leaving Charlie and Micheal behind.

"When was the last time we talked, friend to friend?" Micheal asked.

"Before we entered Saint Ambrose High School," Charlie replied.

"I miss you. I miss us. Hope this mission won't affect our friendship," Micheal said.

"No, not at all. As soon as we get to know the other two people's blood groups and I repay the favor and help Favor, we can go back to our normal lives," Charlie said.

"Oh... Hope everything will be the same," Micheal said.

"Yeah," Charlie agreed.

"I hope you're not hiding anything from me," Micheal said.

"Why did you ask?" Charlie replied.

"You're behaving weirdly," Micheal observed.

"Nothing. It's just my parents going on a business trip," Charlie said.

"Okay," Micheal said.

"You too. You can always tell me everything, right?" Charlie asked.

"I know," Micheal replied.

"Also, Charlie," Micheal added.

"Yes?" Charlie responded.

"No falling in love," Micheal joked.

"You too," Charlie laughed.

After minutes of silence, they shared an awkward laugh and a pretentious smile, each lost in their thoughts.

"See you," Micheal said, leaving.

"Yeah, you too," Charlie replied, watching Micheal walk away.

DRINK DOWN CLUB

Charlie entered the club, dressed in flashy clothes and carrying a fake ID.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked.

"Your strongest combination," Charlie replied.

After a few shots, Charlie was already drunk. He stumbled onto the dance floor, dancing wildly. Someone approached him from behind, and they started dancing seductively. Jake, who had just entered the club, witnessed the scene and stormed onto the dance floor, anger etched on his face.

"What are you doing? Are you that desperate?" Jake asked, his voice laced with anger.

"Who are you?" Charlie asked, pretending not to know.

"It's Jake," he replied.

"I know. I mean, who are you to stop me?" Charlie asked defiantly.

"If you want to... you know, I can satisfy you," Jake offered.

"No!" Charlie declined.

"Oh, come on, Charlie. Are you scared you'll fall in love with me?" Jake teased.

"Please, as if..." Charlie rolled his eyes.

"Good. So, we can make this a friends-with-benefits thing. What do you say?" Jake suggested.

"Whatever. Let's get a room and get this over with. I'm in the mood," Charlie agreed.

"I have a room here," Jake said.

"Do you frequent this club?" Charlie asked.

"Are you jealous?" Jake asked, smirking.

"You wish. I know you can't get enough of me," Charlie said confidently.

"Let's see who gets tired first," Jake challenged.

"No one can know about this," Charlie warned.

"Okay," Jake agreed.

They entered the room, locked the door, and their passion took over.

TWO DAYS LATER

FIVE FLOWERS GANG MEETING ROOM

"Let's congratulate everyone on completing the last mission," Jake said, and everyone applauded.

"The boss wants us to fill out a form, and I want you all to submit it to Charles after completing it," Jake instructed.

"He's given us until tomorrow to fill it out and submit it. Once we do, our names will be registered, and we'll move on to more challenging missions," Jake explained.

"That's great," Sunny commented, and everyone agreed.

"The meeting is adjourned for today," Jake concluded.

Favor approached Sea.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Favor asked.

"Okay, sure. Guys, excuse me for a bit," Sea said, walking away with Favor.

"What's up?" Sea asked.

"Want to go on a date with me this weekend?" Favor asked.

"No," Sea declined.

Here is the continuation of the edited text:

"Then you have to tell me what you did with the handkerchief with my blood," Favor said.

"You... how did you know?" Sea looked shocked.

"Not everyone is foolish, especially Five Flowers Gang members. So, be careful," Favor warned.

"Okay, thanks. Are you not going to ask what I did with it?" Sea asked.

"Nah, I'll deal with it later. After all, I never saw you with any handkerchief. Or did you?" Favor asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No!" Sea cooperated.

"Good. But do I have a choice?" Favor asked.

"No," Sea replied firmly.

"Okay, then. See you on that day," Favor said, and Sea nodded before walking back to their friends.

"What did he say?" Charlie asked curiously.

"Nothing, just casual chat," Sea replied.

"If you say so," Charlie added, and they walked out of the room together.

Halfway to the school gate, Charlie's phone buzzed with a notification. He pulled it out and saw a text from Jake:

"Meet me at our usual room. The key is in your bag. I'll be there in 20 minutes."

Charlie smiled to himself, and Micheal noticed.

"What's on your phone that's got you smiling?" Micheal asked.

"Nothing, just some memes," Charlie replied, putting his phone back in his pocket.

"Are you sure?" Sea asked teasingly.

"Yeah, I'll talk to you guys later. I have an appointment to meet with," Charlie said.

"Even me, I'm going to Charles' place. I told him I want to learn hacking skills, and he agreed. So, I'll have access to his laptop and see if I can find any information," Micheal added.

"Okay, then. Let's meet later," Sea said, and everyone went their separate ways.

DRINK DOWN CLUB

Charlie entered the club, dressed in a fancy outfit. He looked around, then walked towards the room.

When he arrived, he opened the door with the key and found Jake lying on the bed.

"You're here already?" Charlie asked, feigning surprise.

"Yes," Jake replied.

"How did you sneak the key into my bag without me knowing?" Charlie asked.

"When you were talking to your friends, and I passed you, I dropped it at the corner," Jake explained.

"You can pickpocket as a side job," Charlie joked.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Jake smiled.

"Whatever pleases you. But how come you have a room here?" Charlie asked.

"The owner of the club is a family friend, so I have special privileges," Jake replied.

"So, your parents know you come to the club and are cool with it?" Charlie asked.

"They don't know. He covers for me," Jake said.

"I see," Charlie said.

"Are you done or do you want to turn this into a Q&A session?" Jake asked.

"No more questions. But are you sure you don't like me? I mean, I know I'm a handsome specimen. Anyone who passes me must take a second glance," Charlie said, smirking.

"You're narcissistic. I just desire some company," Jake replied.

"Just say you're desiring sex. We're fuck buddies, after all. I get it," Charlie said.

"Where are you expecting anything?" Jake asked.

"Just shut up and get this done with," Jake said, pushing Charlie gently onto the bed.

As they kissed, moans and breathless sounds filled the air. They pulled off their clothes, and their passion took over.

CHARLES' HOME

Micheal sat down on the bed, exhausted after hours of sex.

"Babe, can I use your laptop?" Micheal asked.

"Yes, but don't stress yourself out. I know you're exhausted," Charles replied.

"You're the cause of it," Micheal joked.

"I know, baby. It's my fault. But you know I love you, right?" Charles asked.

"I know, and I love you too," Micheal replied.

Micheal pecked Charles on the cheek, then stood up and walked to the laptop table.

As Micheal used the laptop, Charles sat behind him, watching.

The moment the information Micheal needed loaded, he became shocked and looked dazed. After a few moments, he composed himself, took out his phone, and sent messages to Sea and Micheal.

Then, he went to bed to sleep.

"Babe, are you done?" Charles asked.

"Yes," Micheal replied.

"But you looked pale," Charles observed.

"I just need enough rest. I'll be fine by morning, I promise," Micheal said.

"Okay, then. Let's sleep. Good night," Charles said.

"Good night," they chimed in unison, drifting off to sleep.