NOT MEANT TO BE

Chapter 15

"Thank you so much, Tee." Tae peered inside the car. "I will never forget what you did for me today. I would have lost my job if I didn't get here on time."

"My pleasure!" Tee smiled widely.

"Good night, Tee." Tae moved away from the vehicle "Drive home safely."

"You are performing here tonight, right?" Tee got out of his car. "I'd like to come and listen to you play." He tilted his head and grinned. "If you don't mind..."

"But..." Tae hesitated.

"It's okay, P'Tae I won't bother you." Tee locked the car.

They began walking side by side towards the dingy club.

"That's not it." Tae shook his head. He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "This is not a good place for someone like you." He eyed Tee's white shirt, now buttoned up and tucked in properly, even though he still had his sleeves folded up.

"Someone like me?" Tee frowned.

"The crowd usually hangs out here are not suitable for you, Tee." Tae tried to explain. There's an unusual tightness to his voice.

"I'll be fine," Tee said carelessly. "I'll just listen to a couple of your songs and leave."

Tae exhaled heavily.

"Okay, fine." He sighed again. "But be careful." He turned to a side door. "This is where I go in. you can take the main entrance over there." He pointed.

"Okay, Phi. Thanks." Tee turned to leave but his wrist was caught by Tae. The fair guy gasped and looked up at the tall dark handsome man, with beautiful almond eyes.

"Please be careful and if you have any trouble with the guys here, come find me," Tae said boring into Tee's eyes.

The smaller man nodded dumbly.

And then the iron grip and the hypnotizing gaze were gone.

"Stop worrying..." Kimmon took a pull from his beer. "He'll be alright.

It's past eleven-thirty and they are taking a break before the final session.

Tee is still here. Even though the guy promised that he would leave after a couple of songs, he's still here. That's what is worrying Tae. He didn't know why but he felt like Tee is his responsibility, especially since the guy came here because of him – to give him a ride. Tae didn't expect that Tee would stay till the end.

"He's not your responsibility and you are not his babysitter." Kimmon placed the empty mug on the bar top.

"He's not," Tae mumbled, running his fingertips down the icy glass of the beer mug sitting in front of him. "But he's my former boss's son and my current boss. I feel like I should look out for him."

"I totally get you, man." Kimmon leaned back on the chair and picked up his guitar. "But he's of age. He's entitled to have a few drinks and enjoy." He began plucking random chords.