Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX: FIRST LOVE PERHAPS NEVER REALLY DIE

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Red, turtle-neck, bodycon dress and a three-inch red Prada shoes—their Ma’am Tin is not only killing the outfit of the day but is also on her fourth cup of iced coffee just for this morning and that’s not exactly a good sign.

It only means that the devil of the company is stressed and Luis perfectly knows that it’s because of him. Not because of him “him” but, to more specific, with the fact that they should be receiving the “call” from The House of Kings any minute now.

This their moment of truth.

It’s not only their Ma’am Tin who’s stressed about this, but he, himself, is dreading each hour that passes. He can’t lose this opportunity—he gives his best so he is assured that he wouldn’t lose this opportunity but damn it really. This is the actual first time he wishes he has made a back-up plan. It’s against their motto as writers of this company but damn it again.

What if his best was not enough this time? What if it was better if he really prepared another plan, just in case?

“I would offer some iced coffee to you too, Luis, but that’s not actually a great idea since you haven’t had anything. Here, take this.

Luis didn't know but he almost cried when he saw food from his Sir Ion. He had not eaten anything since last night and having actual food offered to him, reminded him how he had been wanting to eat but couldn’t because of this stupid pressure he’s feeling right now.

“Thanks, Sir I. How did you know I haven’t eaten anything yet?” A tuna and egg sandwich never looked as appetizing as it was right now.

Sir I knowingly smiled. “Erika did tell me you haven’t had anything when I asked her if she ever saw you eat anything from the pantry this morning.

He’s really blessed with his officemate and he made a mental promise to treat her when this day ends. He just needs to receive that call so he can rest assured that everything will go according to their plan. He doesn’t want to screw everything up.

There’s no room for screwing up.

This is more nerve-wracking than his first-ever day at this company. This is scarier than any of their Ma’am Tin’s scolding. This is more terrifying than their Sir I’s knowing smiles. This is literally like something that he’s experiencing for the first time and he doesn’t know what to do about it.

Out of the chaos that’s happening in his head right now and the fulfillment he has got with his sandwich—Juan Miguel King’s face suddenly pops into his mind that he almost chokes on his drink.

“You okay, Sir?" I immediately asked him.

He awkwardly smiled and laughed at his silliness. “Y-Yes, sir. T-Thank you again for the food!

That short moment when he finally saw the man he thought he’ll never see again—that tiny elevator moment…

Luis’ heart started beating faster as he remembered how Juan Miguel looked that day. How, after almost ten years, he looked the same yet so different. He wants to clench his hand against his chest because his heart won’t calm down but he doesn’t want to worry his bosses anymore. Instead, he excused himself.

He doesn’t really know where he’ll go to calm his heart down or to calm himself down generally.

Is he overreacting right now? Maybe yes, maybe no.

But for someone like him to finally see someone from his past and last saw that person almost ten years ago? Overreacting isn’t the best word to describe what he is going through. More like overwhelmed.

For those years that have passed that he never, even for once, forget the man who made his college life memorable even for the shortest of time—he is overwhelmed and speechless that he got to see him again in person. It wasn’t even a proper eye-to-eye reunion but when he saw him? It was enough. It was enough to leave him either sleepless or if he did get some sleep, he would be dreaming of him.

Ten years. Ten long years. All those years that passed and he could still perfectly feel the same about the same guy who saved him from his clumsiness…

Juan Miguel King.

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[Flashback…]

Luis looked at himself at the mirror and adjusts his eyeglasses for the nth time tonight.

He never thought he would see himself in an outfit other than their university uniform. He’s wearing a suit for Pete’s sake! Never in his life had he pictured himself wearing this type of clothing and he couldn’t even express how uncomfortable he feels right now.

There’s a reason why he never joined the high school proms and other formal events. If being awkward and clumsy are not valid reasons for it then he doesn’t just really see himself in these gatherings and he was never comfortable in dressing up.

Maybe tonight was a very bad idea. Not maybe—it is a bad idea. What was he thinking when he thought that this would be a great idea? There’s still time, he can still—

“Luis, Miguel is here!

Oh fuck. He’s already mentally cursing himself nonstop. He’s mind keeps giving him lots and lots of excuses that he can give to Miguel so that he can say “pass” for tonight. But everything’s really too late when his room’s door opens and it showed the person he was just thinking about.

“Woah…”

As if on reflex, Luis threw the closest thing he could grab, which was a pillow, at Miguel. “I didn’t say you can enter yet!

Of course, his room was already filled by this guy’s laughter. “At least I knocked!

He suddenly didn’t know what to say nor what to do. He is unexpectedly rooted to his position and he couldn’t even diss this guy for staring at him. He just awkwardly adjusts his eyeglasses again. He can’t even think of anything to say to break the sudden silence that has surrounded them.

Miguel is a good-looking guy and saying that tonight is like stating what’s obvious for every day. But with his suit and that styled hair? He looks unreal and it’s something that he can understand now on why the women and men alike in their university fall for this guy.

“Oh, you boys! You both look gorgeous!

That’s the cue of his mom with, of course, her camera.

“Mom! You promised that no pictures!

“I can’t remember promising that.” His mom said with her ever teasing grin. “I asked Miguel if I could snap some pictures and he agreed. Didn’t you, sweetie?

Miguel grins, too. “Of course, Aunt Louisa, you can take as many as you want.

Before he could even protest, Miguel already has him by the waist and the posed for the camera. He doesn’t know what he looks like with those shots but damn—all he could think of right now is his heart going on haywire.

When is his heart going to ever calm down when it comes to this guy?

After his mom has taken enough photos to be satisfied, Miguel already told her that they need to leave.

“Take care and have fun, okay? Migs, thank you for taking my Luis. Bring him back home in one piece!

“Yes, auntie!

Luis still thinks that this is a bad idea. Going into this type of event is really not his thing and will never be his thing. Even with Miguel by his side….

“Do you really not want to come?

He smiled guiltily. “It’s not really for me and I don’t think I’ll be comfortable there.

Miguel pouted like a kid. “Even if you’re with me?

He nodded.

He wanted to say that being with him is enough but he would be risking too much and he knows he can’t really do it yet. Miguel can make things happen because he’s amazing like that but as for him—

He doesn’t want to ruin this night for Miguel nor for himself. He isn’t fully confident in attending this type of event even if he really wanted to try especially that he finally has someone new to go with. But there are really things he’s afraid he might do. For example, he might embarrass Miguel and he dreads that to happen.

Miguel sighs in defeat but then smiles again as nothing happened. “What do you want to eat?

That made him almost laugh with joy that he doesn’t have to go to their event now. “Anything because I’m really starving.

He didn’t want to feel too happy about this because he knew how this guy wanted to attend tonight’s event. He still feels guilty but who is he kidding? He really doesn’t want to come and having this guy to agree to what he wants is something he’ll remember forever.

Luis thought they would be only eating at a fast food resto like they always do but when Miguel pulls over at a fancy restaurant… it made more sense because they’re both wearing formal attires.

“You can’t say ‘no’ to do this.” Miguel immediately said when he parked.

He chuckles. “I know and I won’t be as long you let me pay.

“Not a chance, Manalo. You’re giving me this night because you refused to come with me to tonight’s party.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Luis likes Miguel.

Not a simple ‘like’ anymore because he admires him for what he is but… he likes him “likes him”. He likes him romantically. He likes Miguel more than he should and it terrifies him.

Never in his life had he felt this way before for a person. He wasn’t used to liking someone as to liking Miguel like this but who can blame him? Miguel was the only person who was able to really become friends with him and made efforts to know him. He perfectly knows that this isn’t Miguel’s intention to make him fall or whatsoever but he did it to himself.

He fell for him and nothing terrifies him more than this.

He wanted to cry. He wanted to hate himself. He wanted to turn back time to when he didn’t have these feelings.

He didn’t want to become this weird. He’s a guy, too! He’ll never want Miguel to know about this because if he did—he doesn’t know how he’ll take his reaction. He didn’t want to make him feel disgusted because of him. He’s scared that he might lose his only friend.

“This was better.

“What’s better?” He asks, finally distracted from his thoughts.

They are here in Miguel’s aunt’s building’s rooftop. He doesn’t really know how wealthy Miguel’s family is but when it comes to these things, he isn’t really surprised anymore. If this guy would tell him that they own half of their city? He would believe that without any doubt.

“This. I mean, tonight that we didn’t attend the party. If we did, I would have to share you with my asshole friends and I still don’t want that.

He laughs with that. “I don’t really get you whenever you tell me that you don’t want to share me. You really wouldn’t have to share with me because in the first place, nobody would even want to friends with me.

“There you go again.

Before this guy could scold him, he immediately took back what he said and laughs because Miguel really looked like he was about to give him a lecture.

Having the opportunity to look and be with Miguel like this makes his heartbeat wildly again in his chest. His heart will never be able to calm down when it comes to this guy.

And Miguel will never ever know about this—but he is his first love.

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[Present…]

“Sir Luis!

Luis looks to whoever shouts his name and sees his officemate, Erika, running towards him. She is suddenly jumping in delight and cheering for him and he doesn’t get why at first until…

Ma’am Tin walks elegantly towards him, too, and cups his face. Even Sir I on the side is smiling widely.

“They’ve already left you a voice message, Luis Ashley. You’re hired!

He’s hired. He really hired and all their plans are one step closer to its finish line.

“You’re fired from this company because for the next three-month time, you belong to the House of Kings. Make us proud.

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