Purchased a Grave, Good for Two

Chapter 08 - John deserves to accept himself

The day almost ended without them seeing Wilrin's figure and John felt bad, he was planning to treat Wilrin a lunch. 

Mari snorted, "What? Treating him under 200 pesos?"

John held the children's book that Wilrin gave, "He can...stretch until 300 then..." he said almost hesitant.

Mari laughed, "I thought you're not gonna treat anyone until your pension arrives?"

John sighed and turned to her, "That's 31 more years to go."

Mari laughed and took support on the counter as she settled her face on her wrists, "But honestly, with all of his effort coming back and out of here, taking you to places...have you already thought of his real intent?" she teased.

"I mean, it's so rare that even me, with all my 41 years...I never had such an experience!" she exclaimed and started daydreaming, "I would feel like I'm the luckiest person if Mr. Jack would dote on me like that..."

John smiled and completely turned away as he stared at the children's book in his hand but they both raised their heads when the familiar car appeared again and the man that they were just talking about got off with his long black coat with a formal suit beneath.

"You're so damn lucky John, I'm telling you," Mari told him as she was in a daze with the most handsome young man she ever saw once in her life. Wilrin welcomed himself in with a smile, "Good day."

"Good day it is!" Mari exclaimed and almost fell when she hurriedly went out from the counter. "Seems like you just got off from your work Mr. Jack."

Wilrin brushed his hair back and saw John's dazed expression while staring at him, he subconsciously smiled seeing the man's silly face, and said while looking at him, "It's been a hectic day for me so I wasn't able to take John for lunch today."

"Oh~" Mari made a teasing sound and turned to John also, "John here, he has been waiting for you. He wanted to take you for a meal."

There was a hint of surprise on Wilrin's face, "Really?"

Mari nodded, "Ask him, he kept waiting."

Wilrin's smile froze for a moment on his face as he realized the lingering guilt.

The real reason why he didn't come to take John today despite the several bags of coins he exchanged in the bank yesterday was the reason of that mentality he had, he kept coming here just to assure himself that John was lower than him, that he was way better to Jillian and that Jillian would never love this man again. And upon knowing that John actually had that sexual orientation, it's not like he didn't have any experience with a man but he forced himself to be settled and thought that he would never drag his ass back here again to have fun while embarrassing the old man with all these treating lunches with coins.

And when he was about to go back to his condo this afternoon, he subconsciously stopped his driver and ordered him to turn around to go back here. And realizing that John was waiting for him, there was a pinch of guilt that he tried to shove off.

He better use all the coins now and don't show his face anymore here.

On the other hand, the old man was still in a daze. Aside from their interpretation of his silly dazed expression, John was already having a storm inside. So he would really spend money today?

After saying goodbye to Mari, they noticed that it was already sundown and the night market which was a few distance away on the central avenue had opened.

John invited Wilrin there because he said it was his treat, "The place is more lively during the evening." He commented as they strolled on the corner where several food stalls took their tables and chairs to start the business for the night. They all settled outside the shops that were already closed and to Wilrin's surprise, there were more people during the night.

"The streets are more crowded during this time." He said.

John smiled, "Everything goes cheap during nighttime."

Wilrin frowned at him, "Really?" then he went closer to John, "Is this the reason why you invited me here?"

John coughed and blushed in embarrassment, "Silly child, of course, it's not! I-I just think that you would like it here. Come." John walked faster to avoid any more questions from him and Wilrin couldn't help but smirk but he followed John towards the stall where they sat before. He saw how John greeted the auntie there enthusiastically but the older woman just took a glance and ignored him completely. As if John had been used to it, he was still full of smiles and turned to Wilrin, "Here!"

They settled on a table and sat across each other, "Since you loved exploring the town, I thought that you would love to see the place during the evening."

Wilrin's eyes wandered and the relaxing cold breeze made him comfortable, "Indeed it is, are you a regular here?" he asked since he noticed the Auntie's stare and his daughter in their direction and it looked hostile.

But John nodded happily, "This spot was the most comfortable to me, with lesser noise and delicious ramen so I come here often. This place suits for single or two people."

Wilrin laughed, "I wonder if you had bought other people here besides me?"

John giggled, "Usually, it's Mari then that friend of mine."

Wilrin's eyes sharpened, "Friend?"

John nodded and took the children's book that Wilrin gave, "The author of this one. We shared one night here, having all the talks and fun. He was also new in town at that time so he still adjusted just like you!"

Wilrin raised a brow as his hand subconsciously clenched, even his chest tightened at the thought of it which he didn't even know why! He took an inhale and turned his gaze away, "It must be."

Seeing the sudden change in his expression, John said, "Jillian also likes it here, this is the place she loved the most in town."

Hearing those words made Wilrin stop, his eyes widened as he looked back at the old man, "What did you say?"

John still wore his gentle expression as he said, "I think I remembered that night when you and I met here, I was drunk that time but I heard you asked about Jillian...and now that I thought about it deeply, I think you must be her...lover."

Wilrin closed his lips as he stared at the old man in such gaze, he didn't answer as he processed the fact that this old man actually, knew it. That he actually knew it.

His face darkened but he heard John speak again, "All I could say is Jillian is  beautiful and a responsible woman, she was always the talk of the town, a sweetheart. She's honest and can sometimes be way too, frank but I'm sure you two will make a great couple."

Wilrin was opening then closing his lips as if several things were going on in his mind but couldn't say it aloud.

Only a question was heard from him, "You didn't mind this?"

John was a bit surprised hearing it but smiled, "No," he answered and stared at the distant sky full of small lights, "Everyone deserves to be loved. I also deserve to love and accept myself. Jillian deserves someone and so does you."

He looked at Wilrin, "You're awesome and kind Wilrin, so I see a bright future ahead of you."

Wilrin suddenly felt the skip of his heart as he stared at the old man's distant gaze, he frowned at it. John had the gentle but dumb look, he would stare at an empty space most of the time or mumble incoherent words that he would never understand, Wilrin thought that he was just like that, reaching his oblivious stage but hearing his side tonight made Wilrin realize it, he was the one who was wrong from the start. Very wrong.

...

And before Mari could interrogate John about what happened that night, Wilrin arrived early to take John again. Then another day again then another where they would spend the rest of the day exploring several restaurants' favorite spots in the town.

When Jillian finally had the chance to take hold of John and asked him about this busy schedule he had, the old man was also confused and said, "Wilrin said he broke several piggy banks he had and wanted to waste all of the coins he had."

"Huh?!"