Ray of Moonlight

Chapter Nineteen - Leo

I watched as the minute hand of the clock move from one reference point to another every time the secondhand completes one complete rotation. "Just 10 more minutes." I whispered to myself, as the clock reads 4:50.

To be honest, I've been dreading for this day to end. Why you might ask? Because I'm extremely anxious as to what Ray and Erico are up to. It's currently Friday now, and here I am seated at my desk, anxiously tapping my fingers on the table, as I wait for the clock to hit 5:00. Damn them for both having the day off.

So, let me rewind what happened since Sunday so you can fully understand why I'm being this anxious.

On Sunday, just as we finished eating the breakfast that I brought in our room, Erico barged in to the room and yelled at Ray and me for still not being ready. Supposedly, we were going out to continue the trip around Seattle.

So, Ray and I quickly took a bath and changed into something comfortable. Oh, let's not skip the part that I almost forgot my camera because of Erico rushing us.

Erico first led us to Burke Museum which was just a 4-minute walking distance from the hotel. It's actually a museum located at University of Washington. Good thing I was able to grab my camera because the museum explores amazing Northwest history from dinosaurs to Native American life.

Just imagine my excitement as I look around the museum, while occasionally snapping pictures. One thing I noticed was how Erico and Ray are suddenly and oddly close to each other. What happened overnight that I didn't know of?

They were occasionally teasing each other and I suddenly felt left out. It's like they're the ones who were classmates and friends till 5th grade. What did I miss?

Following our visit to the museum, we went to Seattle Aquarium. There was an underwater exhibit for visitors and if it weren't for the fact that I can't swim, I would've enjoyed the experience better.

Just imagine anxiously looking around, watching out for something that isn't going to happen. Well, the fear of getting drowned was stronger than the excitement. On the other hand, Ray and Erico seems to be enjoying themselves, that they didn't even notice me being anxious.

I couldn't hold back the sigh of relief that escaped me as we got out of the place. I wouldn't visit any other underwater aquarium anymore, I promised to myself. Just being there felt like it took away some good years of my life.

We had lunch at the Space Needle. For anyone who hadn't gone there, it's an iconic 605-ft tall spire at the Seattle Center, with an observation deck and a rotating restaurant. See? I could handle eating at a high place even if I don't have wings for flying in case I fell but not go see underwater aquarium without getting anxious even if I have arms and feet for swimming.

The food was great, especially the sea foods. Hell, it's not Seattle without delicious sea foods.

We continued the journey at Seattle Art Museum. Home to permanent collection of both current and classic artworks, it's a dream place for artists like Ray. He wouldn't admit it but he's really good at making portraits and paintings.

I even wondered why he didn't pursue it at his career but his explanation was, 'Don't make your number 1 personal interest your work because it'll eventually bore you.'

We also took some pictures at the Olympic Sculpture Park and I couldn't help myself but feel jealous when Ray himself, asked Erico to take a picture with him.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped by at Fremont Troll. It's a huge media statue that is found under the bridge. Some more pictures then we went back at the hotel.

By the looks of it and the obvious laughs, the two of them enjoyed each other's company. I was definitely jealous at the end of that day.

Monday came and I was surprised to say the least. The work Erico mentioned before that made them come here to Seattle is actually of our family's publishing company. Talk about a small world.

Erico's mom, Mely, is the head of the Finance Department. His dad, Enrico, is the head of the Creative Experts. And Erico, well, he's having an internship at the company as one of the Junior Editors. Yeah, he's under the direct supervision of Ray starting that day.

I, on the other hand, is under the direct supervision of the Editor-in-Chief. Blame it to mom and dad and the Senior Proofreader. He declined supervising the one and only son of the owner of the publishing company where he is working.

That is why the Editor-in-Chief took me in under her wings. So, that's basically how our first day went – Ray greeting everyone while I got the honor of being greeted. We ended the day with some drinks at a local bar.

Tuesday, then it's when my jealousy abruptly moved up. Ray invited Erico at the hotel and they bond together as they cooked. I blamed myself all night for not knowing how to cook.

Wednesday is when I got to enjoy my first day-off. By enjoy I meant staying at the hotel all day binge watching Suits. It's a good show, you should watch it. Ray went to work so I had the room all to myself.

Yesterday, Erico came to the hotel again after work. They really moved up the ladder so fast. I still remember how they were so hostile at each other on the first day that they met and now, they're extremely close. If I hadn't known them, I would even mistake them as a couple and that's what irritated me.

Erico even almost crashed the night at the hotel if it weren't for the fact that he has no place to sleep on. I went as far as sprawling myself on the bed and occupying as much space as I could just so he wouldn't stay the night. I'm a bad friend I know. I'm jealous, don't judge me.

I was shocked though when Erico just suddenly kissed Ray on the cheek before saying goodbye. 'What was that?' Ray seemed to not care at all. In fact, it looks like he enjoyed it actually, with the smile playing on his lips.

And now, it's Friday. They are at our place and I couldn't help but get anxious thinking about what they might be doing. That's why I'm dreading for this day to end.

As the clock hit 5:00, I quickly stood up from my desk and grabbed my bag. "Bye Melissa." I waved at her. Melissa is the Editor-in-Chief that took me in. She's actually really good.

"Have a fun weekend." She told me as I walked out of the office.

"I hope so." I whispered to myself.

I felt more and more anxious as I walk back to the hotel. As I got nearer, the anxiety grows some more. I don't know what I was expecting to see after I opened the door.

I even ignored the guard and the front desk clerk as I pass by them. Rude, I know. I muttered a soft 'sorry' as the elevator bring me up to our floor. The anxiety is even making me crazy now.

Using the key card, I opened the door and took a deep breath, bracing myself of what I'm about to see. 'It's just nothing.' I tried convincing myself.

I let out a sigh of relief as I saw Erico putting his shirt back on, his back facing me. I cleared my throat, grabbing his attention. It wasn't the scene I expected to see. I felt myself relaxed.

"Hey, you're back." He greeted as he straightened his shirt.

"Yeah." I breathed out. "Where's Ray?" I asked him.

Before he could answer, the bathroom door opened revealing Ray in nothing but the towel around his waist. "Did you call for me?" he asked, looking at Erico.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Erico glanced at my direction and Ray followed his action. Ray's eyes grew wider as our eyes met. We stared at each other.

Erico cleared his throat awkwardly, before looking back at Ray then at me. We're still staring at each other, not blinking. "I'm just gonna go." He said then he rushed out of the room as if it caught a fire or something.

It was me who first broke the eye contact. "It seems that you both had fun." I managed to say, though my voice are shaking a little bit.

"We just watched and eat." Ray replied, not moving from where he's standing.

"Sure." I said, though it's noticeable that I sounded unconvinced.

"It's not what it looks like, I promise." I scoffed. The fact that he's telling me these words is making it harder for me to believe him.

"Leo?" he whispered, when I didn't say a word. "Just listen to me okay?"

That's it. That's as far as my self-control could take me. "No. You listen to me." I started, my voice firm but you could hear it breaking. "Whatever you do, it doesn't concern me. Why should it? You're just my uncle. You could do whatever you want. That's your choice. It's not as if I like you or something." I sarcastically laughed. "What a joke. How could I like you? I'm a boy. I like girls. Besides, you're my uncle."

"Leo?" Ray whispered again, still not moving from where he was standing.

"Damn it." I shouted as I looked at him. I couldn't just deny it anymore, could I? "Right, you're my uncle and I like you, okay? I don't know when it started but I've liked you and I still like you. The fact that you're my uncle didn't make it go away. I don't like the fact that you're suddenly focusing on Erico. It makes me jealous. I liked you first." He's looking at me weirdly. "I'm bi so don't give me that look."

Suddenly, he took big steps closing in the gap between us, the towel wrapped around him dropping from his waist but he didn't stop, my eyes quickly dropping to stare at his hardened member, and when he's close enough, he held my head, and before my head could register what's happening, he crashed his lips to mine.