"It's a bit infelicitous you're busy these days."
"It can't be helped, my dear Ari. What's more unfortunate is you not being able to recognize the sacrifice I'm making. I've equally lost a lot of money postponing my trip to help you promote your new start-up, but I'll gladly do it repeatedly."
Ari smiled. He didn't like how Ned was generous with him; however, despite his attempts to make him leave, Ned seemed somewhat convinced he couldn't handle it alone. "Does it still worry you that Lia's fiancé is suspicious of me?"
"Forget about him." Ned replied, buttoning up his coat and then whisking a strand of hair that fell at the tip of his nose. "Don't let him preoccupy your mind. At this rate, you'll burst an artery worrying over inconsequential matters."
Ari laughed, then stood up from the bed and dressed up too. "I'll escort you out. I think I was too rough on you last night since you kept bleating about your back in a feeble quarrelsome manner."
"Cheap tease coming from you my dear. Just you wait until it's my turn and I'll teach you a lovely gruesome lesson." Ned teased, then reached to stroke one of Ari's checks. "You know, you should consider that girl's request. I'd rather you call her and cancel the appointment than keep her case pending; better yet, I can have one of my secretaries do it before we lift off."
"She is Rey's sister."
"So? Doesn't it look suspicious to turn her down despite her qualifications? Lia's fiancé did a background check on her, and she seems fine, apart from her past gambling tendencies among other things..."
"I'll take you to the airport."
Ned chuckled. "I get that you don't wish to delve into the matter. It's your company. Therefore, you must do what you deem fit. On a lighter note, I appreciate that you've been exclusive with me for the past three months. It makes me feel confident that you no longer labour under feelings for Rey."
Afterwards, Ari had held onto Ned's hand throughout their journey to the airport, and as soon as they'd stopped at the red light, they both looked at each other, smiling reassuringly. This is all Ari had wished for; someone mature, loving and accepting. They may have started on the wrong foot, Ned letting him have his way but he offered a lifetime commitment. No flings, no cheap hookups or uncertainty. Theirs was a real relationship.
'He is still jealous, and I can no longer allow him to shelter that feeling. Despite knowing his unrequited affections, I agreed to settle. Mun might think me shutting my eyes to the reality, but what am I supposed to do when Ned has been gentle with me?'
"We aren't going to the apartment. Drop me off at a different location." Ari had requested Ned's driver as soon as they had parted ways. "I have something to take care of."
"From the map, it's not that far from here, sir."
"Yes. We should be there in a few minutes without traffic."
"Yes, sir."
Ari leaned back on the seat and shut his eyes briefly. He pondered over Ned's advice to stop avoiding Rey. The three months of not seeing him had proved productive; however, he wasn't sure if his confidence might waver.
'Perhaps I should have informed Ned that I already made plans with Rey's sister.'
"We are here, sir."
"That was fast." Ari's eyes flew wide open. "Thank you, and you needn't wait up. I'll be going to my office afterwards on my own."
"I shall pick you up in the evening then."
Ari stood by and waited until the car disappeared from his sight. He hadn't realized he was holding his breath until the moment he let out a loud sigh. 'Perhaps I'm doubting my resolve, or this was an arbitrary decision to rush here without a plan.'
"Manager Ari...?"
Ari froze but didn't turn to look to where the voice came from. 'There is only one person insistent on calling me that.'
"Good morning Rey." Ari turned to face his nemesis. "I didn't expect to meet you here but your sister."
"She requested me to tag along since it's her first one on one interview."
"Right." Ari nodded, walked past Rey, and added, "Let's go inside. I haven't had my morning coffee yet."
"Wait..." Rey grabbed onto Ari's hand. He was shaking and he seemed nervous. "I'm glad I saw you... I'm also glad to have come a little early too. My sister is inside one of the cafes going through some of my past interview notes; so, if you don't mind, may I have a word with you before going inside?"
"What's this about?" Ari inquired nonchalantly, struggling to free his hand, which Rey had been holding onto for too long than necessary.
"Ah! Sorry..."
'The last time I heard him stutter was while in college, and if I'm not wrong, he appears fidgety.' "If you are worried about me hiring your sister, I might as well just tell you my decision now."
"Th-Thats not why I want to talk to you privately...but I don't mind you telling me of your decision."
"I can recommend someone else to take her on apprenticeship."
"Oh..." Rey's face dropped. It was then that he noticed the cold expression coming from Ari. "She will be devastated. Perhaps it's my mistake for hyping her up for this."
Feeling impatient, Ari asked, "What did you want to talk about?"
Rey let out a low chuckle, his eyes drifting to the floor. "You must be wondering why I'm laughing."
"I wasn't."
"Yea, sorry. The truth is, I don't think I can pretend any longer after seeing you this morning."
"What is this about?" Ari asked impatiently.
Covering his eyes, Rey swore under his breath. He could feel his legs shaking from excitement and anxiety mixed together. "I'm so nervous I could die, but if I don't do this, my sister will beat me to it."
"Is...everything alright?" Ari was beginning to feel concerned, his resolve slowly fading away. Despite promising himself not to care, he felt guilty that perhaps he'd taken his act too far. 'Come to think of it, his grip was firm, but his hand was shaking... Is this about Mun?'
"I don't know when it started; perhaps during that trip we took with Sir Ned, or when you lashed out at me not to quit. You somewhat caught my attention that day. Presently, if you asked me to measure this affection and respect I feel towards you, I don't think I can put my finger on a definite number, neither I'm I shameless enough to promise to treat you better than someone who deserves you, but, from today onwards, if there is ever a moment you doubt my respect for you, you are free to put me to test."
'Wh-What is going on here? Is this some confession?' Ari wondered, his eyes wide from bewilderment.
"I'm sorry for judging you wrongly. I was ignorant and immature, but I don't think I can keep taking lightly the stolen times we've spent together, especially after having shifted my life in ways I can no longer go back to. Please understand that I've lived my entire life confidently as a straight man, and not once did I think I'll be getting turned on by you."
"Agh! Stop talking!" Ari shouted, feeling completely embarrassed. " Why would you say something like that out of the blue?" 'What the heck?! What is this warm feeling all of a sudden? No, this can't be happiness; it's pathetic!'
Seeing that Ari had let his guard down, Rey reached for his hand again, holding on tightly even when faced with resistance. "Finally, your expression has changed. I almost believed you hated me."
"Let go, you halfwit! You are causing a scene..." Ari whispered. He felt defeated once more and began scanning around for onlookers.
"You've been back at avoiding me again. Three months and eighteen days to be exact. You are avoiding Manager Mun as well."
"My life does not revolve around you."
"Are you asking me out or something? This was supposed to be your sister's interview..."
"Manager Ari," Rey interrupted. "I've become addictively aware of you."
"You shameless trickster!" Ari whispered, infuriated and embarrassed simultaneously. "Your sister is not here, is she?"
"I can neither deny nor confirm that statement. Besides, what does it matter? You mentioned you are not going to hire her."
Seeing the look of trepidation in Ari's eyes, terrorized by judgement from onlookers, Rey loosened his grip but didn't completely let him go. He recalled the memory of a broken-down Ari and figured the trauma Mun had spoken of in confidence must still haunt him. Either way, he knew he'd played a dirty game, a desperate one, but despite there being a time and a place to have this kind of conversation, if he'd requested a private meeting and not in an open crowded place such as this, Ari would never have come, neither would he have let his guard down this quickly.
"I'm sorry for doing this to you, but I need to know Manager Ari. Do you still like me?"