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CHAPTER 2

I could do nothing but jump out of the car. I don’t care anymore if I get soaked in the rain. I checked my car and found out that I ran out of gas. How unfortunate I am. There is no gasoline station near here.

Even though I couldn’t clearly see the road because of the pouring rain, I roamed my eyes around the place. I was wondering if I could find a shelter. Good thing I noticed a house near where I was standing. I took my baggage from the compartment before I ran towards that house. It wasn’t as big as our house but it had a second floor, and it looked spacious inside so I decided to knock. Maybe I can stay here until the sun rises.

I knocked several times but no one answered nor opened the door for me. I thought that maybe no one was there. I was set to leave, but then, the door suddenly unclasped. A man appeared in front of me.

“Do you need anything, miss?”

I was about to speak when I turned to the others behind him. There are seven in total and they are all men. I swallowed the lump in my throat in nervousness.

“U-Uh… N-Nothing! I’m sorry if I woke you up. I-I’m leaving!” I stammered and smiled raw.

It was embarrassing that I even woke them all up with the loudness of my knock. I would have turned my back on them when the rain got heavier to the point that I could no longer see anything in the street. I closed my eyes tightly and heaved a deep breath before facing them again.

I have no other choice…

“C-Can I stay here?” I asked, cutting to the chase.

“What?”

“C-Can I stay here first even until tomorrow?”

I scratched my nape and averted my gaze in embarrassment. They all looked at each other before turning their eyes to me again.

“We are all men here, miss,” said the fierce-looking man.

I was engrossed in twitter and examined them one by one. I think they are good people so I will thicken my face. I have no other place to go.

“Well, uh… It’s okay! I mean, I need a place to stay for now because as you can see, I’m soaking wet because of the weather. So please!” I desperately begged.

Let me in, please! I have consumed all my remaining pride. I have nothing left of my dignity.

“Come inside,” he agreed. I sighed in relief and smiled.

“Thank you!”

They made me sit on the sofa. I looked around every corner of their house. It’s spacious and the interior design is jaw dropping. In fairness, the house is also clean.

They sat in front of me while the guy whom I talked to earlier excused himself to heat some water for my bath.

“May I know your name, Ms. beautiful?” the melodious tone of the question of one of them to me.

Not judging him but he already seems like a playboy to me at first sight. I eyed him thoroughly. He’s handsome and a hottie, but I think he’s the type of jerk that should be avoided or else girls will end up crying their tears out because of him dumping them.

“Shut up, Axle,” a cold restraint of one of them. The Axle he called just laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m Ezra Jin Medina,” I introduced myself.

“Axle Corpuz by the way, no way, highway. Don’t forget my name.” The man who asked my name earlier introduced himself and winked at me.

“I’m Clarence Samson,” said one and stretched out his hand to me. I accepted it and we shook hands.

Based on my opinion, I think he is the youngest among them. Although he doesn’t really look young, he has a baby face.

“Jeremy Mariano at your service,” said one who also looks like a womanizer.

“Joaquin Sison,” introduction of the good boy and silent type.

“Iñigo Salazar, present!” joke of the fierce-looking man when he returned. I barely laughed.

“Xavier Vergara,” said the one opposite me with a smile.

We all turned and looked forward to the remaining one of them who had not yet presented himself. The cold type.

“Hyde,” he said sparingly.

I winced because of how boring he is. Among the seven men, he was the only one snobbish. He must be an introvert.

When the hot water Iñigo boiled, which I think is his name if I’m not mistaken, I headed to the bathroom and showered immediately..

While taking a bath, I memorized their names so that I wouldn’t be confused if I called them. I don’t think they are planning to do anything bad to me. I don’t know why I feel comfortable staying here as well, but still, I can’t let my guards down.

After I dressed up, I immediately came out of the bathroom. I went back to the living room but they were no longer there. I walked around the whole house to look for them. I almost got lost along the way, but then I found them in the dining room. They glanced at my direction when they noticed me standing behind them.

“Sit down. Have breakfast, too,” Clarence offered me a seat.

My forehead furrowed slightly in astonishment as I peeked at the clock hanging on the wall. It’s only four o’clock in the morning.

“Isn’t it too early to eat breakfast?”

“We can’t go back to sleep when we wake up,” Joaquin replied. I bowed my head at the guilt I felt.

“Sorry…” I apologized shyly.

“You don’t have to be sorry. It wasn’t your fault,” Axle clarified. “Come here. Sit down.”

He motioned me to sit on the chair next to him. I could do nothing but just sit there. We were enveloped in silence for a few minutes. It’s awkward because I’m the only woman here. I’m not used to being surrounded by men.

“Are the seven of you the only one living here?” I broke the deafening silence. “I mean, don’t you have anyone else with you? Even your parents?”

“Yes,” Iñigo replied.

“Why? Where are your parents?” I asked more in curiosity.

“At our house.”

My eyebrows met in confusion. “Huh? I don’t get it. Isn’t this your house—”

I was unable to continue what I was about to ask when Joaquin spoke to explain it to me.

“This is our house as well. Our parents wanted us to be independent, so they bought a house for us without them.”

“So, you all aren’t brothers?” I ejaculated in shock.

“Who said we are? We’re not,” Hyde replied coldly.

“But we treat each other like we share each other’s blood,” Jeremy added.

I nodded. I thought at first that they were brothers because they somehow look alike but now it’s clear that they are not.

“Ezra, right?” Xavier talked to me. “Do you mind if I ask you what you were doing in the middle of the street when the rain was pouring? I mean, why were you outside? Did your car stop in front of our house? Or did your tires become flat?”

“The truth is…” I paused for a second. “I ran away.”

“Why?” they asked, interested to know except for Hyde.

“My wedding is about to take place tomorrow…” I mentioned along with the series of deep sighs. “I mean, an arranged marriage for our company. I don’t want to get married because apart from the fact that I don’t love the person I’m going to marry, I also don’t want to because I don’t think I’m ready to settle down yet. That’s why I ran away. I don’t want the marriage to proceed. Then, while I was driving, it rained hard and my car happened to run out of gas near your house, so this is where I ended up going. I sincerely apologize that I disturbed your sleep earlier. I just can’t find any place to spend the night.”

“Don’t think about it, Ezra. We understand, and you can stay here as long as you want,” Jeremy’s generous offer.

I smiled at him in gratitude. “Thank you.”

“But won’t your parents look for you?” Iñigo suddenly asked me with a hint of fear on his face.

My smile faded in an instant. Concern immediately led me and occupied my whole-being. I hope Kiana won’t speak a word to my parents or else the two of us will be at the peak of danger.

“They will search for me,” I stated the fact. “I’m sure of it. So, I should be able to find a permanent place to hide tomorrow–”

“No.”

I was surprised to turn to Hyde when he suddenly interrupted my speech and spoke. His eyes were looking straight at me.

“You better stay here…”


Kiana’s Point Of View.

A loud shout I heard from outside of Ezra’s bedroom caused me to wake up and dash downstairs right away. I didn’t bother to look at my appearance in the mirror and quickly descend into the living room.

“What happened, Auntie? Why are you shouting?” I asked Ezra’s Mom.

I don’t know if my heart is pounding because I rushed here or because I knew the reason why she’s in a bad mood this early in the morning.

“Ezra is missing!” she shouted. I swallowed hard in nervousness. “She can’t be lost! Today is her wedding! She had to attend because otherwise, the Tans’ investment would not continue and our company’s sales would collapse! I badly need her! She’s our last hope. She’s our last resort!”

Uh-oh. Looks like I need to call Ezra later. This is a whole mess.

“M-Maybe she went somewhere or walked around the subdivision, Auntie,” I said, trying not to show apprehension despite my voice shaking. “You know her, she’s a morning person. She’ll be back here soon.”

“Then, where did she go?!” Auntie blurted angrily and then she stared at me. “Do you know where the hell is Ezra? Answer me, Kiana. Do you know where she is?! You slept with her in one room. It’s impossible for you to not notice her leaving. She’s not even answering her phone!”

“I-I don’t know where she went, Auntie.” I answered and bit my lower lip as I looked down at the floor and thought of a lie to cover it up. “I was sleeping the whole time and didn’t even hear her opening the door.”

She sat down on the couch and massaged her temple. I supported her and calmed her down. I handed her a glass of water and fanned her.

“Calm down, Auntie.”

I honestly don’t know where Ezra is now. I haven’t talked to her again since the last time I called her last night. I wonder where she is right now.

“Guard! Find Ezra! I don’t care where else you’re going to search for her, as long as you find her!” she commanded.

I was engulfed in extreme nervousness. I wiped the sweat that dripped from my forehead. Gosh! No one can notice that I’m uneasy or else I’m done for.

“Got it, Madame,” the guard politely replied then bowed to Auntie before they left.

“Leave me alone for the moment, Kiana. Go back to Ezra’s room. I’ll contact your Mommy later to pick you up.” Auntie’s voice is a bit calmer now than earlier. I only responded with a short nod.

I headed straight back to Ezra’s room. I immediately locked the bedroom door then I tried to reach out to her. It rang a few seconds and it didn’t take long before she answered the call as well.

“Hello, Kiana?”

“Ezra…” I called her name anxiously. “I think we have a problem.”

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