Hearts on Hire (Completed)

First Date

Mew was currently questioning his life choices. He was seated in one of most posh restaurant he had ever seen whose even cup of coffee was something he couldn't even dream of buying. He felt totally underdressed in his baby pink T-shirt and ripped jeans while Gulf looked like he could be posing for Vogue photoshoot.

"What would like to order?" Gulf broke the silence that has been hanging between them since they left the college.

"Um... " Mew was trying to find something that wouldn't cost a fortune but had no luck, "Actually I ate in cafeteria so I'm not hungry."

"I came just when your lunch break started."

"I a-ate before that. I had a f-free period before lunch." Mew made an excuse at the spot.

"You told me you had class before lunch."

"Did I? I must've forgotten." Mew was trembling a bit inside. Gulf made him so nervous and self conscious.

"Okay."

Gulf beckoned the waiter and ordered for himself. Mew was furtively checking out the place when Gulf placed his hand on his and Mew which startled him and as the luck would have it he knocked the glass of water making it fall all over Gulf's pant. Mew's eyes widened in horror as he stared at the darkening features of his fake bf as the waiter hurried over their table to help Gulf. Gulf asked them to cancel the order and looked at Mew signaling him to follow him.

They got into the car and Gulf without a word drove to his house. Mew was nervously biting his lips and staring out of the window. He tried so many times to apologize to Gulf but words won't leave his mouth. He glanced at Gulf and the frown on his face made him gulp in fear. When he saw that Gulf hadn't taken them to his college, he felt alarmed.

"Um.... "

"Get out."

"Huh? It's not my house."

"I know because it's mine."

"W-why are we here?"

"To teach you a lesson."

"W-what?"

Mew wanted to run away but the look on Gulf's face made him freeze at his spot. He wanted to cry then and there but it didn't seem like Gulf would like that at all. It would worsen his case instead of helping. As he followed Gulf inside, he wished he had never met him. If only he hadn't signed that contract, he wouldn't be here right now. He so desperately wished for someone to help him. They made their way inside the house and the interior totally awed Mew.

The place looked so warm and cozy, he could have never guessed it belonged to someone as cold as Gulf. There were so many books, everywhere, it looked more like a library than a house.

Gulf took off his coat and went inside his room to change out of soaked clothes. Mew looked around the place and was stunned by the beauty of it. Gulf returned after a while and gestured Mew to take a seat on the couch.

"Are you scared of me?" Gulf asked.

"I... umm.. " Mew wasn't sure how to answer that. Should he be truthful and say yes? Or would it make him look weak? Should he deny and act strong?

While he going through this turmoil, Gulf spoke again, "Don't be. I'm not going to harm you in any way. That's not why I asked you to become my fake boyfriend. I think I should have talked to you before I took you out on a date. That was extremely impolite of me. My apologies."

"It's o-okay." Mew felt his cheeks redden at the stutter. Gulf was so articulate and sophisticated while he was a stuttering mess.

"This agreement is because of a little inconvenience on my part. I didn't disclose the reason before and I think that might have scared you but rest assured it's not a big deal. I don't feel comfortable enough letting you know the reason maybe with time I will."

"Okay."

"So the reason I brought here is that I felt you weren't comfortable eating at the restaurant. Again I'll apologize for not asking about your preference while choosing a restaurant."

"It's fine. It was just too expensive."

"Oh, but money isn't an issue."

"Not for you maybe but-"

"I'm really coming across as a jerk, am not I? I meant it won't be an issue for you either till our agreement. All the dates and outings are for my benefit so of course I'll pay for whatever cost is incurred during that. Don't worry about all that. But still if anything makes you uncomfortable, you can let me know. I'll refrain from doing it."

"Oh, okay." Mew felt like he was talking to a robot. Though Gulf was extremely polite and nice, it still felt superficial and mocking.

"As for hand holding, I'm sorry I should have warned you. There were few people who knew me so I thought it would help the words circulate faster."

"Oh, I'm sorry for my clumsiness. You startled me so-"

"It's fine. Don't apologize for that. As for our date let's reschedule it for some other day. I'll let you know beforehand."

"Okay."

They stared at each other for few seconds then Gulf cleared his throat making Mew realize that he was waiting for him to leave.

"I'll get going now." Mew shuffled quickly to the door and walked out. He was so embarrassed right now. He looked around and realized he didn't know where he was. He thought of asking Gulf but he had already closed the door right on his face. He felt conflicted by Gulf's mannerism. He was so polite at one time and extremely snobbish at another. It was making him doubt his decision about this arrangement.

It won't be something he would regret, right?