98 Chapter 7 (1/2)

Reading the papers in his hands, Alvaro's shoulders trembled from controlling his laughter. As he thought, Evangeline wasn't in Frizkiel like what she wanted to portray. She did take a flight going to Frizkiel, but his intelligence sent him pictures of her appearing in a different country.

He requested to searched Evangeline's real whereabouts using her pictures. Though it took some time to complete, they found a match in the country of Everland. She must have made an unregistered, and if he might add, illegal flight to Everland to masked her trail.

Little girl . . . you still have much to learn.

He smirked and was about to call his brothers when his phone rang. Glancing at his phone, he saw that the number was unfamiliar. Nevertheless, he picked it and answered in a casual voice.

”h.e.l.lo?”

”. . .”

The other side didn't reply until some seconds pa.s.sed.

”Is this Alvaro Cole?”

”Yes. May I know who the gentleman is?”

Alvaro heard a sharp intake of air followed by an onslaught of words.

”This is Daniel Richardson calling from Everland. I want to let you know that Evangeline Heart is here staying at Royal Condominium and she's a little . . . depress. She's planning to climb Evermountain tomorrow in the freakin' month of winter. Kindly retrieve her before I use force to deport her out from here. And . . . bring Eric Phelps with you. I think he's the only person she would listen to.”

Alvaro's droopy smile grew more prominent, and before he could answer the bombardment of information, he heard the familiar, Tut . . . Tut . . . signaling the call had ended.

He typed something on his laptop, and minutes later, he was connected to Eric's telephone line.

”Hi, I'm not home at the moment, please leave a message after the beep.”

Alvaro didn't mind it was the answering machine and said, ”Hi, Eric. This is Alvaro, by the way. I want to inform you that Evangeline is in danger, and if you don't go to her, you might not see her anymore.” He swiveled his chair while his voice didn't sound panic whatsoever, it even sounded playful and teasing as he added, ”She's in the country were the land meets the sky.”

Alvaro hanged up, laughter threatening to escape from his mouth. I found her first. As if I'll let you all steal my thunder.

He dialed another number before clearing his throat. He opened his mouth and the smooth voice he always had croaked in panic and urgency. ”Alexis, come to my study, quick!”

Alvaro then hung up and waited. He arranged his expression to one of concern and agitation in time the door of his study opened and came in Alexis with his long untidy red hair.

”Bro, what's up? What's the panic? Where's the fire?” Alexis said the moment he opened the door.

He was busy helping Asher in looking for Evangeline on the other side of the room. His search was almost completed and only minutes away, his computer would have found Evangeline's whereabouts. But his older brother had to call at the right moment.

”I found Evangeline. My sources told me she is planning to climb Taiga Monastery in southern Lapilli, wanting to enter the life of solitude,” Alvaro seriously said without moments paused.

”What?!” Alexis screamed in panic, shouting, ”W-Why? Evangeline wanted to be a nun? A monk? Is it even possible?! What happened?! Why?!” He was drowning in anxiety and worry for his darling cousin. The image of her with a shining bald head and in monk's clothing flooded his mind. His face contorted in desperation as he pulled his hair.

”Bro! We have to stop her!”

Alvaro leaned, propping his chin against his crossing fingers, elbow resting on the table, a pained look took over his handsome face. ”I can't go. If we both disappeared, grandfather might suspect something, and it will spell trouble for both of us since we concealed Evangeline's disappearance. That's why, this time . . . I can only rely on you to bring Evangeline back safely to us.”

Alvaro stared at Alexis, voice full of hope and worry. ”I believe in you, little brother. Bring back Evangeline, and don't let her enter the monastery.”

Alexis felt something like pride rose in his heart amidst the panic and worry. It was rare for his older brother to rely on him. His face turned serious, and his voice sounded deeper, more mature. ”Don't worry. I'll bring Evangeline back without fail!”

Alexis then hurriedly left, shouting in the corridor, ”Sebastian! Ready my jet! Quick! We'll be flying to Lapilli right now!”

Sebastian, who was minding his own business as a butler, shift his head left and right. ”Eh? Lapilli? Why?”

. . .

. . .

Alvaro's serious face didn't diminish while his lips that were concealed beneath his crossing hands didn't stop grinning from ear to ear.

Ahh . . . My naïve little brother is . . . still the same.

Chuckling, he straightened his back against his chair, swiveling it leisurely, waiting for something and that something finally appeared.

Asher barged inside the room. ”Hoi, have you seen that d.a.m.nable squirt?” he barked, not even a greeting.

That d.a.m.n brat, Alexis. He just went for a leak, and when he returned, he found the squirt gone. The mountains of high-tech computers in the room displayed a 100% completed loading sign on the screen. Since he wasn't into computers, he was afraid with one wrong click, he might delete all his and Alexis's hard work. Now that finding Evangeline was within one click away, that d.a.m.nable brat disappeared.