THE BLUE HOUSE ON THE HILL (Complete ✅)

CHAPTER 10 (I DO NOT HATE YOU)

New did not like Alice.

It only took Tay's fourth date with her to acknowledge that. Every Saturday morning, they would eat breakfast together, and then New would pick out his date clothes. Spring was slowly making way for summer so it meant less covering up. Tay would then leave the house in the morning and return late at night. This left New bored and lonely. He didn't like being lonely.

He called up Kay on Friday night to complain about Alice, making sure to speak in hushed tones. Tay would surely fire him if he heard all the names he came up with for his precious girlfriend. Who even named their child Alice anymore? He fell asleep mid-rant.

New was in a less than cheery mood the next morning. He made quick work of cleaning the house and making their breakfast. He was at the table drinking his cup of coffee before Tay joined. He barely looked at New before sitting down and wrapping long fingers around the coffee mug.

"Good morning to you too," New joked.

He looked up. Pulled his lips together. "You're being sarcastic."

"I could be. May I ask a question?"

"You're going to ask even if I say no."

New grinned. Tay rolled his eyes and lifted the mug to his lips. "When did you last smile, laugh, or do anything fun?"

"I'll laugh or smile when I find a reason to."

That was the single most depressing thing he had ever heard. Unthinkingly, he reached out and covered Tay's resting hand with his. Just to show solidarity. The man jerked and retracted his hand.

"Don't do that." He didn't look upset but his voice was firm. 

New coiled his hand into a fist and pulled it into his lap. His face felt hot. He would take sudden death now. "Sorry, I—that was wrong." Tay must have thought he was coming on to him. "Sorry," he repeated.

"It's okay."

"Okay," he replied and quickly changed the topic. "Let's eat, you can't be late for your date."

"I will not be going out today. Alice will visit instead."

"Huh?"

"Alice wants to see my house."

"And you're just going to let her?" Tay slanted his eyes. "I mean, you should've informed me earlier. I would've been better prepared to receive her." He lied. His hatred for her doubled up. " Never mind." He took the lids off their bowls. "Let's eat."

After doing their dishes, Tay came down with a pile of clothes for New to pick from. He glared at them. They were a collection of ugly sweaters.

"Sir, we've been doing this for four weeks now." One would think Tay would have a better picture of what was slightly appealing to the eye by now. Yet, he was still as fashionably inept as ever. "I don't approve of any of these. We're no longer in sweater weather. Do you own a T-shirt? Or short-sleeved shirts?"

"I do."

"May I see them?"

Tay left and returned a few minutes later with a few shirts. New saw a blue one sticking out and made his choice. Blue was always a good color on Tay. "She wants to see your house. It's a casual thing. Wear shorts with this and you're good to go."

Tay seemed skeptical but he nodded. "Thank you."

"Anytime, boss."

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