Forth never thought about other people he just met, more than he should. Moreover, he also does not like to start introductions with new people if there is no particular interest related to his business or company.
Even his business or company affairs can be represented by his trusted people, so he prefers to be behind the scenes.
However, this time was different. Javin Ziander was definitely different. Forth found himself giving in to wanting to see the young man again.
He drove his motorbike unhurriedly, giving himself time to think about the reasons why he couldn't forget his first meeting with Javin, five nights ago.
Is that because Javin's friendly smile? His bright and lively eyes? His impressive hard work? The soft vanilla scent of his body?
Forth tapped his own helmet to stop him from thinking any further. The mini market was in sight and Forth's heartbeat suddenly became faster than normal. Its weird, Forth said mentally.
He parked his motorbike next to the convenience store and stepped to the glass door.
Javin was behind the counter, reading something in front of him and looking up when the wind chimes rang as the door opened and Forth entered.
"Oh? Hi, Phi," said Javin with a big smile. He immediately recognized Forth, from his masculine appearance in a leather jacket, jeans, and boots, all black, his body proportions above the average man because he was very tall and athletic, and the unique smell of cinnamon and sea brezee.
Forth approached the counter while taking off his mask and smiling faintly. "Hi, Javin. Do you have ramen with sausage and cheese?"
"Sure, Phi," said Javin kindly. He came out of the counter and walked to the corner of the mini market room where the special fast food counter was.
He took two cups of instant ramen, one sausages, and three pieces of cheese. He pointed to the table near the fast food counter.
"Sit down, Phi, I'll make the ramen for you. Would you like some coffee too?" Javin asked while moving swiftly to make ramen.
"You have an americano?" asked Forth. His eyes moved to follow Javin's moves.
"Definitely not as good as the Americano in expensive cafes, but, yes, we do sell Americano by minimarket standards," Javin said with a laugh.
Forth smiled at the sound of the young man's laughter, sounding like the tinkling of a piano in a quiet night. So clear and sweet.
"Make me one," replied Forth. "How was tonight? Crowded?"
"Just as usual, Phi. Girls from the academy and night school, and a few shoppers who happened to be passing by," Javin replied in a light tone.
He brought ramen, a bottle of mineral water, and Americano for Forth. "Please, Phi. Call me if you need anything. I'll be at the counter."
Forth's brow furrowed. "You made your own ramen too, right?" asked Forth, eyeing the cup ramen on the ready-to-eat counter.
"Yes, Phi. I haven't had dinner yet
because I read quite a lot today. There's a quiz tomorrow."
"Then why don't you bring that ramen over here and eat with me?"
Javin was surprised to hear Forth's sharp voice. He wanted to eat with Forth at the table, but he didn't want to be seen as friendly or disrespectful, because after all this man in front of him was definitely not a random person.
Five nights ago they had been in the same situation as now and after Forth had left, suddenly Javin realized that he might have been presumptuous of Forth.
He waited until the man came again to apologize, but Forth never came again. That's why, Javin felt his heart jump when he saw the figure he was waiting for through the glass door earlier.
He wanted to wait until Forth finished eating and he would apologize before Forth left.
"I... uh, I didn't want to bother you, Phi," Javin replied nervously. "I'm afraid you'll find me disrespectful and inappropriate, like five days ago."
Forth was surprised to hear Javin's words. What part of his attitude made Javin think he was bothered? Was he being too formal and rigid?
Forth stood up and walked to the fast food counter, took Javin's cup of ramen, a sausage, and brought everything to the table.
He opened the chair across from his and gently pressed Javin's shoulder, sitting on it, before he returned to his own chair.
"I usually eat alone, but I came back here because I think it's more fun to eat with you," Forth said as he opened the sausage and placed it on Javin's plain cup of ramen.
Javin was stunned and then his white face turned pink and he smiled shyly. "I'm sorry, Phi. I thought you--"
"--just being polite, that five days ago?" asked Forth, cutting off Javin's words.
"No, no," Javin quickly denied. "I was afraid I was rude and disturbed you, so you never come again."
Forth smiled faintly. "I have a lot of proposals I need to review and a few meetings I can't delegate, so it's really hard to leave the place lately."
"You work late into the night?"
"I work better at night."
"And you do all the work yourself?"
"No one can keep up with my hours, so, yeah, I mostly do everything myself."
Javin put down his chopsticks and took something from his vest pocket. A bottle of supplements, bought by Forth and given to Javin five nights ago.
Forth raised an eyebrow and took the supplement bottle. "You haven't drunk it yet?"
"There were two bottles you bought that time, Phi. I took one and after I've been trying to drink it for a few days, it tastes really good to my body. You work harder than me, so you should drink it too. After all, you bought it."
Forth looked at the young man in front of him. He couldn't understand how a man could look so charming, with full red lips that always smiled, almond-like eyes that shone with kindness, and a warm and pleasant demeanor?
Forth took the supplement bottle and pocketed it. "Okay, Javin, I'll drink it too like you said."
Javin smiled happily and opened the bottle cap of mineral water in front of Forth. "I don't know your name, Phi. Would you think I'd be rude if I asked your name, Phi?" Javin asked doubtfully.
Forth looked at the bottle of mineral water that Javin opened the lid. Why did that feel so familiar to Forth?
Forth suddenly thought of his mother. She was the only person who always did such a thing for Forth, his brothers, and his father. What Javin did, reminded Forth of his home.
"My name is Forth," replied Forth as he took the bottle of mineral water and took a sip of its contents.
Javin smiled widely and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Phi Forth."
***