S. F. - 20

***

New.

I grinned the moment I saw P'Tay's name on my phone screen. I hadn't seen him all day as he had something important to attend to in their company.

"Hello? P'Tay?"

"How was it?"

"I did well, P'. It was a good thing you helped me practice answering panel questions. But I would have done better if you were here earlier."

"Tsss. I know you would still do great even if I'm not there. So what do you want as a reward?"

"Huh? Reward?"

"Yeah, for doing a great job."

"Can, can I stay at your place tonight?"

"Uhmm. I won't be going back to my place tonight, New. I'm going home to our family's house."

"Okay."

"But I've got a better idea."

"Huh? What is it?"

"You'll know this weekend. Okay, I gotta go. Take care, New especially when I'm away. Bye."

"Bye."

***

I flashed a smile as Tay's car stopped in front of me. Per his promise, he said he was gonna take me somewhere. He didn't say where but he told me to pack clothes good for two days.

"Hi! Where are you taking me?" I asked the moment I got inside.

"Secret."

"Tsss. Fine," I slumped on my seat and grabbed my phone.

I giggled as I pointed the camera at him and snapped a photo.

"Hey, what are you doing?" he complained whilst chuckling.

I just grinned at him and giggled after making his picture my home screen.

"Get my phone," he then told me all of a sudden.

"Huh, why? I don't want to play some music. I want to talk to you," I whined as I'd rather hear his voice than listen to songs.

"Silly. Take a selfie and set it as my lockscreen."

I suppressed a smile as I grabbed his phone from the dashboard.

It took me about 20 takes before I settled with one as I couldn't decide with the angle. Of course, I had to look the best as he'd be seeing my face everytime he opens his phone.

We talked about the most random topics from the types of music we liked to our most embarrassing moments as a child.

It felt...so happy just being with him. Like, the kind of happiness that you don't want to end. The kind of happiness that you would want to remember for the rest of your life. The kind of happiness at its simplest form. And I didn't even know such kind of happiness exists.

It took us about three hours on the road, but suprisingly, it felt like it took us only one hour to drive. I guess, that would always be the case whenever you're with someone you like.

We then parked in front of a luxurious hotel.

"Is this yours?" I asked as I roamed my eyes around the area.

"It's my uncle's. Come on. Let's go," he reached out his hand. I then handed him my bag thinking it was what he meant, but he grabbed my hand instead.

"Tsss. You can just tell me if you want to hold hands," I teased him.

He just chuckled and dragged me inside.

***

I plopped down the bed and felt the soft mattress. Tay had reserved a suite and I couldn't help but gape at the elegance of the place.

"Wanna go somewhere? Or do you wanna eat?" Tay asked as he placed our bags beside the bed.

"I wanna cuddle," I teased and smiled at him. Recently, I found myself addicted to his smell.

"New."

"Coomme oon. I just want a hug. Let's rest for bit first. I know you're tired from driving," I extended my arms asking for a hug.

He heaved a deep sigh before getting on the bed. I showed him a triumphant smile and immediately scooted closer to hug him.

"Why do you smell so good?" I murmured as I buried my face on his chest and closed my eyes.

"I always smell good," he chuckled as he started running his hands through my hair.

***

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I looked at the space beside me and found it empty.

"What?" I huffed as I answered Gun's call.

"Where the hell are you?"

"I'm out of the city. Why?"

"With whom?"

"J-Just me."

"Liars go to hell."

"Okay, fine. With P'Tay."

"Seriously? Tell me. Are you officially together now?"

I cleared my throat upon hearing his question.

"No. Not...yet."

"Tsss. You've been hanging out for months and now you're telling me you're still not official? Is he even serious about you?"

"Relax. Okay? He's giving me enough time to sort things out, to be sure of my feelings."

"Aren't you sure enough with what you feel? It seems like you wanna undress him everytime you see him."

"Can you not??"

"I'm just telling you to be clear with your relationship. Oh, well. You're old enough to make decisions for yourself."

"Yeah, thanks for the concern."

"And New."

"Hmmm?"

"Don't forget to use lube. It would help ease the pain."

"Huh? What for?" I furrowed my eyebrows as I wasn't able to get what he meant.

"I've got to go. Bye!"

"Wait! Tsss. That midget," I muttered as Gun had already ended the call.

I immediately got off the bed to look for P'Tay, but eventually stopped when he came out of the bathroom.

"Oh, you're already awake? Do you wanna take a shower? I wanna take you somewhere."

I gawked as I watched the droplets of water trickle down P'Tay's chest down to his stomach. I unconsciously gulped as I stared at the towel hanging lowly on his hips and prayed it would come loose, I mean,  it wouldn't come loose!

"Uh, uh, yeah. I'll take a bath," I immediately pushed him aside and scampered towards the bathroom.

I took several deep breaths the moment I got inside the bathroom and clutched my chest as it felt like my heart was gonna come out anytime soon.

"Oh, fuck. I really need a shower," I muttered as I looked down my shorts.

***

"Where are you taking me?" I grumbled as I held on to his hand like my life depended on it.

I couldn't see a thing as he blindfolded me saying he had something to show me.

"Just walk slowly. I'm here. You don't have to worry about anything."

I bit my lips I held his hand tighter as I took another step forward.

"Okay, we're here," P'Tay then announced and held me in place.

"So am I gonna take my blindfold now?"

He didn't answer as he let go of my hand.

"Hey where are you going?" I panicked as I could feel him slowly walking away. I immediately grabbed the blindfold and took it off.

I gasped as I saw a fancy dinner setup by the beach. A table for two was surrounded by fairy lights and different flowers. And the sun setting in the background just contributed to the romantic vibe of the whole place.

"Tsss. I didn't know you're this romantic," I chuckled as I approached P'Tay who was holding a bunch of flowers.

"I hope you like it," he replied and handed me the flowers.

"Of course. I love it."

He pulled out a chair and helped me sit down.

"Did you cook these?" I asked as I looked at the variety of food laid down in front of me.

"Yeah. I know you're quite fond of my cooking," he chuckled as he took a seat across me.

"Tsss. Cocky aren't we? When did you prepare this?"

"While you we're sleeping. You do sleep soundly, don't you?" he chuckled and I just scowled at him.

Dinner had never been this delicious. It seemed like a mixture of different flavors exploding inside my mouth and I couldn't help but smile as I listened to P'Tay who was telling me about how he learned how to cook.

"Why didn't you become a chef then?"

"I had to take over our company. Though I sometimes go to our restaurants and cook from time to time. It's actually how I met—"

I furrowed as he didn't continue his words.

"Met whom?"

"I m-met a lot of people especially in the world of business. They usually come to our restaurants."

"Then I'm glad to be privileged enough to have you as my exclusive chef for tonight. Thank you for this," I beamed at him, smiling from ear to ear and smelled the flowers he gave.

***

I yawned and I stretched my arms as the daylight hit my face. I turned to look at the space beside me and saw that it was empty.

Had to attend an online emergency meeting. Just call the staff if you need anything. I'll be done in an hour.

I placed back the note on the table and got off the bed. I decided to take a shower and just go to the hall for breakfast instead of calling room service.

I was on my to the hotel's dining hall when I felt a pat on my back.

"W-White?"  I stammered as I saw White grinning at me. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm with my family. How about you? Who are you with?"

"Huh? I-I'm with my...my–"

"New? You scared me. Please don't leave without telling me your whereabouts."

I bit my lips as P'Tay approached us. I saw how White's eyes widened in shock.

"S-Sir? Good morning, Sir," White greeted the moment he went back to his senses.

"Let me just talk to him," I told P'Tay and dragged White towards an empty hallway.

"Why are you with him?" White immediately asked the moment we were out of sight.

"We're just on a trip, okay."

"Since when did you become close enough to him for you to go on a trip alone?"

"It just happened."

"Is there anything you're not telling Gunsmile and me? I know you. And based on what I'm seeing right now, there's definitely more to this."

Do I look that guilty?

I licked my lips as I fidgeted with my fingers. I knew they're my closest friends, but I didn't know how they would react once they knew about my sexuality.

"New? Okay, fine. If you're not ready to tell me, it's fine but don't —"

"I like Mr Tay!" I blurted out with my eyes closed as I didn't wanna see how he would react. I was waiting for him to lash at me, but I didn't hear a word from him.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw that he was looking intently at me.

"Okay. So are you together now? Is that why you're on a trip together?"

I furrowed as I heard his question.

"W-Wait. Aren't you angry at me?"

"Huh? Why would I?"

"Because, because I just sort of confessed to being...gay?"  Or am I?

"And then?"

I just stared at him in utter confusion. I was expecting him to be outraged by the fact that his friend is gay.

"Wait? So you didn't tell us because you're afraid that were gonna get mad at you?? Oh come on New.  Did you forget my uncle's gay and I literally helped him keep it a secret until he was ready to come out? And Gunsmile? Tsss.. He's brother's gay, too. So can you stop thinking we'd disown you for such trivial thing. I see nothing wrong with it."

"Oh, shit! I love you, dude!" I exclaimed and grabbed him into a hug.

"Tsss. Uh, New. You might want to let me go. Sir Tay's eyes are shooting daggers already. I want to graduate peacefully."

***

"You seem happy," P'Tay remarked as we ate breakfast together.

"Hmmm.. I'm just happy White did not get mad at me after telling him I like you."

"And why would he get mad at you?"

"Because liking you makes ...me gay? Or am I?"

"Tsss. If they can't accept you for what and who you are, then they're not real friends."

"How did your friends take it when they found out you're bisexual?"

"Well, they didn't really care. It's not as if I committed a crime. By the way, what do you wanna do after this?"

"I wanna go for a swim," I immediately replied as I'd been wanting to do it since last night.

***

"P'!!" I exclaimed as P'Tay scooped me up and dropped me into our suite's private pool before joining me in.

I immediately swam towards him and clung unto his back.

"You're quite heavy," he commented before breaking into fits of laughter.

I slightly hit his shoulder and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Tsss. Then suffer the weight of your consequences," I chuckled before wrapping my legs around him.

I was expecting him to complain and order me to get off but instead, he held the side of my legs and went closer to the edge of the pool where we could see the view of the sea and the sky.

I snuggled my head on the nook of his neck as he tightened his grasp on me.

"Do you know why the sky is blue?" he asked all of a sudden and I couldn't help but scowl.

"What's with the sudden pop quiz? Come on, it's a Sunday. Spare me from the test."

He chuckled.

"Silly. The sky is blue because violet and blue lights have shorter wavelengths thus they are more easily absorbed by air molecules than the other lights. However, our eyes are more sensitive to the blue light than to the violet, that's why we're seeing blue."

"Tsss. No matter how hard you try to talk about lights and whatnots, I won't be able to understand that because it's a Sunday and my brain's on a day off from lectures."

"Do you know that the sky reminds me of you?'

I raised my eyebrow as I heard his statement.

"I always look at the sky whenever I'm having a hard time, and it somehow comforts me. But lately, I stopped looking at the sky and started looking at you instead."

"Why? Because I make you hard?" I snickered at my own naughty question.

"Silly. It's because the sight of you gives me more comfort than the sky does. So don't ever disappear from my sight."

"Tsss. You're way too cheesy. But whatever, you're my sun anyway, son of the sun."

***