'The moment I got a glimpse of my feelings, I felt a little enchanted. Perhaps I have become smitten by him, yet he continues to ignore me. How the tables have turned. He isn't dating any longer from Mun's perspective, so why won't he accept me? Wasn't he the one stalking me before?
No matter. I will conquer him. He has put me to the test by ignoring me, and I'm up for the task.
I will win your attention, Ari; I greed to caress your body again... One too many times. I've shamelessly become your stalker just as you were mine, feeding off from the mole of a secretary you have. I'm indebted to her for cheering me on.
Either way, I feel uneasy. Despite knowing you still labour feelings for me, I remain apprehensive about moving. You've become too busy and unpredictable. At this point, who is chasing who? If indeed you are playing a push-and-pull game, is it safe to say I've become your prey, or I'm I the one hunting after you?
"You deserve all the rejection you are receiving."
"Sometimes I wonder if we are related," Rey lamented, then peeped into Ari's office building. "The number of security has reduced. I only see one guy."
"Who is the top?" Rey's sister teased. "I can't tell between the two of you."
Rey grimaced. "If you have nothing else to say, I'll be on my way."
"Where do you think you are going without the coffee? You need a reason to enter the building, stupid!"
"Yea, yea. Give it." Rey said, snatching the beverage from his sister's hand.
"Why do I even bother with you? If you mess this up, bro, I'm telling Mom and Dad you are gay."
"I'm not gay..."
"Then what are you chasing another Mr Manager for?"
"If he were a woman, I'd still like him. His sex has nothing to do with how I feel."
"Keep telling yourself that. Anyway, I told the security to pretend to take a leak at exactly 9:00 a.m. They are doing me a favour, so don't mess this up. Later, come home with dinner. I'll leave your car at the parking, okay?"
Rey smiled. "Thank you, sis. Love you."
"Save that for your boyfriend."
Rey laughed, but his laughter died down as soon as he walked through the main entrance, heading towards the reception.
"Mr Rey! You're up next in ten minutes!" One of Ari's secretaries yelled when he saw Rey waiting in line in the lobby. "Follow me, please."
"Thank you."
"Why were you making a queue?" Ari's secretary whispered once they'd moved away from everyone's view. "I told you to call me once you got here."
"It slipped my mind. I'm sorry."
"No worries. That queue is for new applicants. I must warn you, though, that Manager Ari is in quite a bad mood today. A client cancelled a meeting with him in the morning; therefore, he's been on our necks for another deadline with another contract for a new replacement to meet our weekly targets." The secretary looked worrisome as she added. "Are you sure you want to see him now?"
"I can't postpone further than today."
The lady smiled. "Good. I hope the coffee you brought him is still hot."
Rey let out a nervous laugh. "Perhaps not."
"Then good luck. This is as far as I can go. And by the way, you are the new potential client. Whatever you do with that information is up to you."
"What the...? I thought he was expecting me?"
"He'd have refused to meet you, so I had to make up something."
"Senior... Y-You stood up for me again..."
"I just happened to be around. Were those bullies mocking your bunny hat again?"
"Yea. I-I think I should lose the hat. Everyone keeps saying I look like a girl."
"Oh, yeah! Come to think of it, puberty hasn't hit you yet, has it?"
Rey smiled at the forgotten memories of whilst on campus. Another day, another bully and, somehow, Ari always showed up to his rescue. Standing in front of his office, Rey saw his reflection in the mirror and smiled. 'I did sprout quite well, didn't I, senior? If I'd stayed a little longer on that campus, you'd have seen me sprout overnight, and the taller I grew, the more attention I got. After that, everyone began treating me nicer.
It felt strange.
Maybe it did since you were not there to congratulate me. Your opinion was vital to me.
Some things you mentioned eight years ago would randomly cross my mind for no reason, and many times, I wanted to go back and show you how much I'd grown, but I assumed you'd have already graduated. Eventually, I had to move on with my life and forgot what you looked like...and your voice or the words you said to me...
You simply faded.
Yea... This is how I see you now. Without realizing it, from the very start, I've always admired the person inside of you.'
"Come in." Rey heard Ari's response as soon as he knocked. He'd expected his surprised look, but that wasn't what he got. Ari's expression seemed cold and confused as he stood speechless, staring back at Rey.
"I brought you some coffee, though it's cold now."
"How did you pass through the reception without an appointment?"
"I am your appointment."
"Oh... Right." 'Another trickery I see. I must have a word with the security team' "Take a seat please and let me know how I can be of assistance..."
"You've lost weight." Rey cut in. "My sister tells me she eats the meals I sent over to you."
"I've changed my mind." Ari stood from his chair and pointed at the door. "Mr. Rey, go home. I'm busy."
"I can help you. I understand you lost a client so let me be of some use to you.""
"I told you to get out."
"Go out with me...Manager Ari. Please."
Ari frowned. "I'm in no mood for your childish endeavours."
"You can just dump me if you find me unlikeable. As a matter of fact, I figured you were avoiding me because you're unsure how the two of us in a relationship would be. I'm happy to mention I've taken the time to learn more about the things you enjoy. That's why I began cooking."
'I have no time for this needless conversation.' "Your sister doesn't think much of your cooking."
"I know I shouldn't say these things to you...considering you just got out of a relationship a few weeks ago. I don't want to only share a bed with you. I want more."
Ari smirked. "Perhaps you have no idea how pointless your words are to me right now."
"Ari..."
"Mr. Rey, I don't have the time to have this conversation with you. Moreover, between us two, you are the one putting yourself at a loss, so stop now."
"Manager Ari, just spare me a moment..."
"I like men, and I like men that like men. I hope I've made myself clear, so give up this chase and stop your tantrum of a sister from wasting time in my office. The only reason I do not chase her away is because I find her humorous, something that has nothing to do with you. I believe I've been clear enough."
"You barely sleep, and you keep overworking yourself."
"What?"
"You leave the office in the wee hours of the morning and only head home to change, then return back and repeat the same cycle. How do you expect to be productive if you continue to keep this up?"
"Hey, mind your own business."
"Let's make a deal, Manager Ari. If I can bring you the client you lost, then you'll go on a date with me."
"Excuse me?"
"48hours. That's all I'm asking."
"No."
"36."
"I said no."
"Six hours then..."
"How do you suppose to execute that?" Ari seemed exasperated from Rey's persistence. "The said client is not even in the country as we speak."
"Then be ready by 9:00 pm. I'll come to pick you up for our date." Rey stood up and placed the cup of coffee on Ari's table. Pushing it towards him, he added, "I'll book a table for us at Yummy Yum restaurant. I hope to see you there and oh... I overheard from the lobby about the client, so I have a rough idea of where to start."
Rey gave a courtesy bow and left, closing the door quietly behind him. His co-operativeness surprised Ari, and his mind went blank for a while. 'Come to think of it, how did the entire building begin discussing the lost client? Even though I'm desperate to close this deal but enough for Rey to hear?' Ari wondered as he sat back on his seat. 'This is ridiculous, biting more than he can chew. There is no way he will succeed at something I failed.'
"What an arrogant fool he is."