Arlan jumped out of the helicopter and grinned at his Uncle. "Hello, Uncle Jomar! How have you been?"
His Uncle was too flabbergasted to reply. His brain almost malfunctioned when he realized that it was indeed his nephew. "Arlan, this... What's going on?"
Arlan chuckled while looking at him. "Before I answer your questions, can you please put away that machete first?"
Jomar laughed in embarrassment upon hearing this. "I thought someone trespassed on our land so I- ays nevermind. Let's go inside the house first."
Arlan nodded his head.
Winter also jumped out of the helicopter and when Jomar saw her, he couldn't help but stare at her in admiration. She was just too beautiful!
"Arlan, this is?"
"This is Winter. She is a friend of mine. She is a shy person so she doesn't speak much to strangers. Please don't mind her, Uncle." Arlan whispered in reply.
"Is that so?" His Uncle stared at him suspiciously.
"Wow! Arlan is that your helicopter?"
"Arlan, who is that lady behind you? Is she your girlfriend?"
Their curious neighbors had so many questions for him. Arlan halfheartedly answered them before he fled towards their house together with his Uncle. Meanwhile, Winter walked slowly and Arlan's neighbors created a path for her.
"What a beautiful girl! She must be Arlan's girlfriend!"
"It seems like Arlan struck the jackpot in the city! He could even ride in a helicopter now."
Inside their old home, Arlan and Winter sat side by side while his Uncle closely observed the two of them.
"Arlan, tell me the truth. What is going on?"
Arlan knew that he had to expose some of his secrets this time. There was no use in hiding it since everyone had already seen him riding a helicopter. And so, he told his Uncle that he had become an important figure in Pegasus Hotel. Arlan told him the same lies he told his parents.
His Uncle had to process the information for quite some time.
Winter was silent the entire time so only Arlan and his Uncle chatted. They talked for almost an hour before Arlan excused himself. "Uncle, I still have to visit Aldrin. We'll take our leave first. I'll leave the helicopter in your care."
"That brat..." Jomar stared at Arlan's receding figure with a smile on his face.
Aldrin was the person who messaged him on Instagram. He was one of Arlan's childhood best friends. They grew up together and developed a brotherly bond.
Like his family, Aldrin was also born into a family of farmers. However, Aldrin's family had a larger plot of land so their income was much higher compared to his family.
When Arlan's family had nothing to eat, Aldrin's family would give them something. Because of this, Arlan always felt gratitude towards Aldrin.
They soon arrived in front of a house that was built using a mixture of dried nipa grass, bamboo, and cheap cement.
"Arlan, you really came!" A brown-skinned man who looked to be in his mid-twenties came out of the house and bumped fists with Arlan. This guy was Aldrin.
Aldrin was a typical Filipino male with a height of 5 feet and seven inches. He was pretty fit and tanned because of doing farm work over the years.
"You've grown so tall. Back then, you were just as tall as me." Aldrin clicked his tongue while looking at the towering Arlan.
At this moment, he finally took notice of the person standing behind Arlan. It was a beautiful woman dressed in men's clothes. Her expression was cold and indifferent.
Looking at her curiously, he whispered to Arlan. "Hey, buddy. Is this your girlfriend?"
Arlan immediately shook his head. "Nah. This is my friend, Winter. I brought her here to have some fun." He explained perfunctorily.
Aldrin noticed his unnatural expression and thought that he had hit the nail. He elbowed Arlan while looking at him with a knowing gaze. "Come inside. I'll make coffee for you two."
"Thanks." Arlan followed him inside the house.
It was a tradition in their village to offer coffee to their guests. Even though the weather was hot for them most of the time, this didn't stop them from following this tradition.
"Arlan, I won't beat around the bush with you. I really need your help this time." Aldrin said as he handed them their cups filled with coffee.
Arlan smiled at him. "Speak freely. You don't have to be embarrassed in front of Winter. She won't judge you."
Aldrin took a deep breath before he spoke. "You see, our biggest client didn't buy our crops so we are having it rough financially. I was trying to see if you could introduce me to your company. It shouldn't be difficult for me to work as a construction worker. I'm quite experienced in this area."
Arlan sighed in his heart. If he didn't have the mysterious app, his life would have been the same as Aldrin's. "Buddy, I'm no longer working for that company, but I can introduce you to a more trustworthy place."
Hearing this, Aldrin's eyes lit up in anticipation. "Really?"
"Of course! Just send me a photo of your documents so that I can give them your information." He only needed to say a word to solve this matter.
"Sure! I already have them. Wait, I'll send them to you now!" Aldrin grabbed his phone and sent the soft copy of his documents to Arlan.
Arlan then sent his documents to Zed and told her to arrange a job for Aldrin. "I've already notified the company. Someone will call you soon."
"That fast?" Aldrin was shocked by how quickly he dealt with the matter.
Arlan chuckled and patted Aldrin's shoulder. "Buddy, we won't be staying here for long since we still have something to do. Please send my regards to Uncle and Auntie."
Arlan and Winter left after bidding him farewell.
Aldrin was still feeling a bit doubtful about Arlan's words, but he suddenly received a call.
"Hello, this is Aldrin Arellano speaking. What?! I'm already hired and you want me to work tomorrow?" He couldn't help but recall the image of his best friend. Arlan's identity became mysterious in his heart.
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