She could see how terrified Kelly was.
"Joel… I'm worried about Kelly," she whispered.
Joel looked at her intently before pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "It will be fine," he said softly. "Okay?"
She nodded faintly, though the unease refused to fade. Even Melissa—silent as she was—carried the same anxious weight for her sister.
Suddenly, Julia slipped an arm around both of them.
"Even if I'm not Julie," she whispered, voice steady, "I need to be strong. And I know this is exactly what Julie would do for you too."
That made her smile.
"Yeah," she murmured, nodding.
She may be shy… but she has such a big heart.That's why I chose to befriend this girl.
They nodded together, and Julia winked at them—a silent reminder of what still needed to be done.
Brother… please take care of Kelly for now.
Her gaze drifted to her brother, who stood with Steph, Dawn, and Claire.
Moments later, Dawn approached with a few friends, drinks in hand. She couldn't help but stare.
"Here, drink this," Paulene urged, handing her a can.
She sniffed it.
Is this… beer?
"Is that alcohol?" Melissa asked carefully.
"Oh? Don't worry," Airah smiled. "It's low-alcohol."
"No, sorry—we don't drink," Nicole declined politely.
"Eh?" Airah tilted her head. "Did Joel tell you not to drink?"
Her ears burned at the implication.
"Oh, it's not like that, Nicky," Airah added smugly. "When Joel and I were still together, we used to drink until we were wasted."
Really?Joel once told me you were the one dragging him to drink until you passed out.
She shook her head lightly, trying to steady herself.
Then she noticed her older brother accepting a can of beer.
She frowned.
He only drank at home—with family, or with people he deeply trusted.
"You really don't like it?" Airah teased.
Nicole sighed. "Let me," she finally said, taking the can.
Joel's eyes immediately locked onto her, concern clear in his gaze. But when she accepted it, he merely sighed.
He trusted her.
And she never doubted him.
Melissa was offered a drink too, though she wasn't used to alcohol at all. Julia accepted one as well, and Nicole worried—especially since Julia was supposed to sing later.
"Don't worry about Julia, Nick," Gabriel's voice murmured through her earpiece. "She can handle that beer. It won't make her drunk. Julie has a strong tolerance too."
Nicole chose not to reply.
Even Kelly was drinking now. The crowd grew livelier as the music intensified, Kenneth and Julie taking the stage.
Still, Nicole remained on edge—especially when she noticed Charles' eyes never leaving Kelly, his gaze roaming shamelessly over her body.
Fear stirred inside her.
She knew that look.
Julia pulled her into a tight hug, patting her back gently. Julia wasn't drunk either—but she understood.
"Come on, Nicky," Airah suddenly said, hyped by the moment. "Let's buy some drinks."
Joel immediately pulled Nicole back.
"Aw, Joel, you're so mean," Airah laughed. "We just need a little time."
"No," Joel said firmly, not letting go.
"It's okay, Airah," Claire interjected smoothly. "Kelly will go with us. Angie, wait here."
"Oh, that's sweet," Airah chirped.
Nicole's ears burned again. Unease crept into her chest.
What if something happens to Kelly?
"It's okay, Nick," Gabriel reassured through her earpiece.
Her brother glanced at her and subtly signaled.
Nicole exhaled deeply as Melissa, Julie, and other guests were called to the stage. Cielo was among them.
"Oh gosh," Airah giggled. "Cielo's going to sing."
Stay calm.I trust the plan.
*****
"Gab, take care of them," Kevin's voice came through.
"Sure," Gabriel replied.
He followed the three girls discreetly.
And his suspicion proved right.
They led Kelly to a deserted area.
The other two were silenced almost instantly.
"Oh, it's nice to see you again, Kelly," Charles' voice oozed mockery.
"What did you do to my friends?" Kelly demanded. "What is this, Claire?"
Claire sneered. "You're so easy to trust. This is just repayment for what you did to me."
"Well," she added cruelly, "we should celebrate too… like the night you lose your virginity."
"Oops," Charles chuckled. "Are you still a virgin? Didn't Kevin do anything to you?"
Kelly stood her ground. "Yes—I'm still a virgin. Because Kevin isn't a bastard like you!"
Gabriel observed silently.
She's brave… even now.
Kevin truly respected her. He loved her. Unlike men like Charles, Kevin never saw women as toys.
"That's sweet," Charles sneered. "But maybe we're more compatible. If I were your boyfriend, I would've made love to you countless times already."
His eyes darkened. "You're a great dancer. Can you grind the same way in bed?"
"Let me go!" Kelly struggled.
"Enjoy yourself, Charles," Claire laughed cruelly. "We'll make a new alibi, right, girls?"
They left her behind.
Steph froze. "What the hell?! Let Kelly go!"
But another man restrained her, dragging her away.
"Hey, Kelly," Charles murmured. "Let's play a game."
His smile twisted."Do you want your friends to suffer… or will you sacrifice yourself for them?"
There he goes again, Gabriel thought grimly.Always trapping his victims.
"N-No! Don't drag my friends into this!" Kelly cried.
"Or maybe," Charles mused, "I'll play with Melissa instead. She's beautiful—your smaller version."
Fear ripped through Kelly.
"N-No! Don't touch my sister!"
"I'm easy to deal with," he smirked. "If you don't fight, this will be quick. A quickie."
His smile widened. "But maybe not. I want to savor you. Your lips. Your body."
"Why hasn't Kevin touched you yet?" he whispered. "Maybe he didn't appreciate you. Be mine, Kelly—I'll appreciate everything."
Kelly turned her face away, resisting, fighting back.
Gabriel sighed.
Then—
A drumstick flew through the air, landing near them.
Both froze.
Charles scowled. "What the hell—"
He didn't notice it was Kean's signal.
Gabriel stepped out of the shadows.
"Whoa," he said casually, hands raised.
Charles released Kelly instantly.
"It's been a while, Charles," Gabriel greeted coolly.
Silence stretched.
"What? Not even going to greet me?" Gabriel teased.
"What are you doing here?" Charles spat.
"Why not?" Gabriel chuckled. "Am I not allowed to attend a mini-event?"
He smirked. "Or are you afraid of me?"
"I'm not council president anymore," he added lightly.
"But maybe this little evidence would be useful… if something happened to those poor girls."
"You'll have your day," Charles snarled, signaling his men.
"You know I'm not president anymore," Gabriel pressed. "Or are you scared of the current one?"
His smile sharpened. "Maybe you're hiding something."
"Don't interfere," Charles hissed before storming off—throwing Kelly one last sinister smile.
The moment he disappeared, Kelly collapsed into trembling sobs. Her entire body shook—so did her friends'.
Kevin rushed in.
"Kelly."
"K-Kevin—"
Her words broke as Kevin pulled her into a kiss, holding her tightly.
"I know," he whispered. "I know."
Gabriel exhaled slowly, relief washing over him.
"He really is scared of you, huh?" Kenneth's voice came through the earpiece.
"Are you finished?" Gabriel asked.
"Yeah."
No, Gabriel thought grimly.He's not scared of me.He's scared of his filth being exposed.
As vice president, Charles knew Gabriel used to blackmail men like him back when he was council president. And now—the current president was Julia's boyfriend.
He can't hide forever.
Gabriel picked up the drumstick.
"Time to return this to Kean," he sighed.