Touch Of Solicitude

TREINTA Y UNO

Just as the night grew, after holding my hands for too long, he stood up; I was expecting that he would go and leave me to join another group; he grabbed my hand, pulling me up, "Let's go," My forehead creased, "What are you doing?" I questioned, barely managing not to stutter.

"You're too drunk, let's get you sobered up," We then started walking, "Wait-"

We stopped at a corridor, "Luigi," I called out his name, "Why are you ignoring me?"

"Why are you avoiding me?" It was just for a day; how can he catch up to things so fast? Instead of replying immediately, I raised my head, looking at him with a stoic face, "Leave me be," I turned around before he could grab me, I ran back to the pub.

I grabbed my stuff and glanced at Lina, "It seems like I drank too much, I'll leave first," She stood up after chugging a glass of beer, "Should I take you home, Miss Kim?" She offered, but I instantly shook my head.

"I'm fine on my own, you should also ask someone else to drive for you, we're all drunk, I'll just call myself a cab, I already paid the tab," I narrated, "Oh, take care-" Before she could finish her statement, I ran out, hailing a cab and entered it.

On my way to the House, my phone rang, revealing an unlisted number, I declined it once, but after persistently calling repeatedly, I answered the call, "Are you free tomorrow?" It was the first sentence that I heard, "Who- It's Elias, right?"

I heard a laugh from the other line, "Yes, it's me, I was wondering why the call couldn't reach you, and now, I changed my contact to see if I could message or call you," He sounded disappointed; it must be because of Elias, he blocked any unlisted number from my phone, but how did this one slip past the system?, "Oh, I apologize, I was busy with work," It was the only reason I could think off.

"Moreover, I have a favor to ask. Would that be all right?" He raised a question, "It's fine, as long as it won't interfere with my job and my personal life," I heard him laugh out.

"It's just the same as saying no, you should've said it straight up rather than saying that," I scoffed, "I'm just kidding, what is it, Mister Salazar?"

I heard him take several deep breaths before speaking once again, "I was wondering if you are free tomorrow. I was wondering if you can go out with me. I just bought a house and I need some things, I know you're good at picking out that's why I called for you," I nodded, hearing his explanation, "I can take a day off, I guess so, I will contact Lina later," I replied, it will not be bad taking a day off sometimes, right?

"That's great, should I pick you up, you can tell me or send me your address later," He offered, "No, let's just meet at the central,"

Arriving at the House, I saw a car parked at the entrance with a man leaning beside it; judging from the person's silhouette, I immediately knew that it was Luigi. I thought I was the first to arrive; how come that he is here first.

"You're back late," It was the first thing he said to me, "I'll take a break tomorrow, I will use my day off, don't bother waking up early to cook for me, also go to your company tomorrow," I uttered, walking past him.

I know that I cannot suddenly take a leave of absence like this; the latest issue will be released soon. I may lose my position or get fired, but somehow, I do not feel like working tomorrow.

"Sun Hee," Luigi calling me by my name, made me stand firm, "Are you going somewhere tomorrow?" I slowly turned around and saw him wearing an expression that he never showed once to me.

He looked displeased, as if he was sick of everything, "Why do you care?" I did not expect it to come out of my mouth, but what is said is said; I should stop talking to him and leave, or else I do not know what else I can say. "I told you that I'll take care of you, why won't you listen?" He lowered his head, with his fists formed into a ball.

"Enough of that talk, Luigi," I sighed, suddenly, I could feel him near me, he raised my chin, meeting him eye to eye, "I told you to give me a chance,"

Before he could get any closer, I pushed him, making a distance between us, "I thought we were getting closer, yet what am I doing here, looking like an idiot in front of you. I just realized that we won't get any closer if you're like this," He said to me, "I'm grateful that you're slowly accepting me, but it must not look like that to you. Is it because I am just a brother to you or are you still angry because I left you?"

"Have you ever considered, even once that my love can bring happiness to you? After arriving here, all I could feel from you is how dejected and burdened you are for having me here," He retorted, "You continue to take care of me because of what Mother and your Mother asked you to. You couldn't say no to them because you don't want to disappoint either of them,"

No, you are mistaken; the truth is, I cannot say no to you because of how close we are growing. I do not want to hurt you or lead you on like what you are doing right now; I do not want you to have false hopes.

"I know, we grew up and you treat me as a Brother but is your love limited to that-" I talked over him, "If you really love me, you should think about it for me," It was the last statement I said to him, before walking out and leaving him in front.