Dingdong...
"Sir, it's already five in the afternoon. What is your plan for the dinner?"
"Hhmm... Uhhmm..."
"Sir, are you okay?"
"Ahhm yeah. I am just alright. Oh! I almost forgot. I have a dinner date with my girlfriend. You will meet Hale, a beautiful human in the universe."
"How sweet! Then what style do you want us to prepare?"
"Make it Japanese style."
"But sir, we don't have ingredients already. Can I ask for some money for me to buy some?"
He scratched my hair. His excitement has cut in advance, how damn. He doesn't have a choice, he finds his pocket wallet. He is already using debit cards for less hassle, but sad to say he doesn't want to give it to someone. Besides, his maids don't know how to use cards and even don't have knowledge of advanced technologies.
"As requested, here is the cash. My budget is 10,000 pesos. The menu is all kinds of sushi, from maki to sashimi. Please buy a roller and seaweed. I want gyosa, ramen, takoyaki, teriyaki, tempura, spicy udon, tonkatsu, and yakisoba. For dessert is leche flan. Are we clear?"
"They are all noted. Promise sir, I won't let you down. I will grant what you wish."
"Thank you. And by the way, here is my tip. Accept it, don't hesitate to receive."
"Oh thank you, sir. You are so kind."
And the grandmaid exited and prepared for shopping. While he is lying on the couch and opens the cassette player. He played the songs of Tom Jones to relax his mind.
~~~
It's already seven in the evening and Hale hasn't texted him. Did Hale really remember what we settled? His diner is all set, the grandmaid has called him to come to the kitchen to check if they have completed the tasks.
He contacted Hale, maybe he is now busy choosing what to wear and wearing night makeup.
"Hey, what's up?"
Finally, he heard Hale's voice again. He felt motivated again and energized. The music he listened to wasn't effective.
"Sorry if I will be late. Is it okay to you?"
"It's fine. The food was ready and I chilled the red wine. What time will you come?"
"Give me five minutes. I am already in a taxi. The driver is just finding a shorter route so that I can have you early. It looks like the driver is not skilled, maybe this is his first time, and has just graduated from a driving course."
"That's okay. Well, see you there."
Hale is nervous right now. This is his first dinner date and from a hot-sparkling boss. He is just a dreamer but this time his dreams will come true.
He is praying today, he hopes that he can come to Xander's house. He didn't want to waste his effort, he knew he really prepared something to make me happy and feel the passion.
The driver has notified us that we are one kilometer away from the destination. His excitement is killing me. The time is near and fast approaching.
He contacted Xander to confirm that he would not fail him. He is already here after a minute. He is not confident to click the doorbell from the gate.
"Miss, are you the date of Sir Xander? Is your name, Hale?" someone came to him and entertained him from the gate.
What he saw was a grand maid, she was busy organizing the trashes and she was near to me.
"Uhm yes, I am. If you have trust issues, this is my ID. I am a transgender so bear with me. Hale is not my real name but that's how they address me."
"Okay. You come in, sir is waiting for you."
This is it. His back is chilling, it's something there is ice put on it. There is a butterfly in his stomach, all he can say is heart is beating so fast.
Unexpectedly, when he entered the grand entrance, he heard a group of string instrumentalists. There are three people playing violin, viola, and cello. He can really feel the passionate romance.
The ambiance makes him fall in love. He took a deep breath and touched my chest. This is a sort of surprise.
"Welcome to my world, my princess. This palace is also yours." He kneeled and presented a golden ring.
"I know that the Philippines doesn't allow same-sex marriage, but since I am wealthy then I will travel with you and will marry you to another place. Please accept me and..."
"Will you marry me?"
The proposal of Xander sounded like an echo to Hale's ears. It looks like the time slowed down and he can feel the intense heartbeat of mine. Am I dreaming? Is this really for real?
He is a slut but he is not ambitious. He doesn't want anyone to think of him that he is milking him and that what he wants to him is just his money. He is not too rich but I am not a gold digger.
It has been ten seconds but he is silent still. Xander is still kneeling and waiting for my sweet answer. His smile is killing me, the looks of his eyes seduces me. It is something like he has a magical stare and wants a big YES.
"Uhhmm... X-Xander..." Hale uttered.
"Just take your time. I am willing to wait."
"Xander, do you love me?"
"Yes, I love you so much."
"If I accept your proposal, can you protect me from other people? I have thoughts in mind that stop me, what if many people will judge me."
"Don't say that. This generation is now open-minded. And once we plan to marry, we will migrate to a country that wholesomely accepts same-sex marriage."
"Really? How about your family, do they know about us?"
"It doesn't matter. I have my own life, my place, and my own company. All of my things and assets are all mine and came from my hard work. My family is just an air to me."
"Uhhmm... I think I have a decision."
Xander deeply sighs and it seems he is now expecting an acceptance. He loves him so much. He has said, he is a slut. Armando is not his real boyfriend, he just provided his dreams. He is not that sweet, he didn't ask me for a decent proposal. But I think Xander is a red flag, he doesn't even care about his family. He is afraid his family will not accept him.
Xander is a CEO, Hale is too ambitious to marry him. He is just a simple trans, and besides he is still a student. He doesn't want him to get sued once his parents discover everything. His family is quite strict, or so his.
"Xander, I am just 16. Do you think this is the right time? You need to wait for two years before we become married. There will be some big changes, we cannot foresee the future. I am sorry, but I cannot accept your proposal."
He walked out and burst into tears. His heart is pounding, this is hurting him. That was a simple question and requires a yes or no answer but it's too hard. He has something to say but he cannot say it to him. He feels bad for him and also for himself. We met at the wrong time, he must be an adult and his employee so that his proposal will be surely successful.
Xander followed him and he kept calling his name.
"Wait, Hale! What is going on?"
Hale is nervous right now. He is not expecting this to happen and he doesn't want to do this. This is not what he is dreaming of, the hell his love life sucks. He has a boyfriend he doesn't take seriously, and now he has a lover who is obsessed with him.
He almost went out the gate when Xander clicked the close button. He is cornered now and in trouble.
"Xander, please give me time. I need space for now."
"I need an explanation. Why did you just reject me? Just because I am a CEO and we have an age gap? Who cares? And is it about how I ignore my family's opinion? I can read your mind but still, I wanted to hear those coming from your mouth. Just tell me! Tell me!"
"Yes! That is what I wanted to say but it's killing me. I feel like being stabbed by a knife. This is so overcomplicated. I am getting choked, let me breathe. Please!"
"Then I promise you that we will consult my parents."
"And are you brave to face them with me?"
"Let us set a schedule... How about this Saturday?"
This is a good thrill. His mind is saying that he must bite the cracker. Quite risky but he will try to fight our love. True love is something that you are confident to defend your relationship. This time, he will follow my rational mind rather than his emotional heart.
"Let's meet on Saturday then. Just leave me alone for now, promise I will not ignore you. Just let me recover from this intense happenings."
"I respect your side. But before you go... May I kiss you?"
He touched his lips and he ready his tongue to play with his. We torridly kissing and he can't stop squeezing his bootie. He likes his body, He hopes he also loves his whole personality. From now on, he will not just request to be loved by his physical self, he is hoping that he also appreciates what he is.
"I love you, Hale. No matter what, I will always choose you."
He can't respond 'coz he is kissing him again. This will be their last meeting, he needs to wait for a day until the first day of the weekend.
"You can still talk with me, Xander. I didn't say that I would leave you. Your kisses are like we will not meet again for a very long time."
"Are you... Are you serious? I thought that..."
He jumped too high and danced to be so glad.
"Just don't disturb me during class hours, huh?"
"Oh no... How sad. But it's okay, we can just talk in the evenings. Uhhm, is it okay with you to have a video call?"
Na-uh. He is not ready yet to reveal my boyfriend to my family. They still don't know that he has not only one but two.
"That's right. Bye."