You, Me, and Her

Verse 05: Cool With You

Although Hal was excited to reconnect with Aidan once more, he didn't let it show because he didn't want to hear what his friends has to say and misconstrue the glee. He swore that it was only because he hadn't seen the man for five years that caused the sudden excitement and that there was nothing more---he thinks...so much for not wanting to have anything to do with the man.

To ensure that his mind was relaxed for the interview, he scheduled it on his rest day and luckily Aidan and his manager agreed. Arriving an hour earlier at the meeting place, he didn't expect that Aidan would choose his personal home where they could conduct the interview, reasoning that he was more comfortable if he was in a place where he could be himself and act nonchalantly. Halwyn felt more relieved that after everything that happened between them, Aidan still thought of him as trustworthy, enough to allow him to go straight into his house.

The mansion house was designed on three floors and serviced by a private elevator. An anteroom leads to the rest of the majestic place containing 7-ensuite bedrooms and a lounge on each floor. When Halwyn first arrived, he thought he was entering a five-star luxury hotel but he realized that this was just Aidan's house. The interior and even the color pretty much described the man, elegant yet with a touch of simplicity. The housemaid directed him to the master bedroom which occupies the entire third floor and includes a study room, a studio, a kitchenette, and a gym. Everything was modern with an urban setting and even the color and wallpaper fit every room depending on their usage and function.

"You must be Halwyn Yale?"

Hal turned to see an older female, some forty years of age with short hair and an olive skin tone. She was a little shorter and somewhat petite but her entire demeanor exudes a likable aura. "Yes, that's me," he replied, standing up from the sofa and reaching a hand to shake hers.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting you. We talk on the phone, yeah?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Glenda Pye. Please, have a seat. He'll be here soon, just finishing a phone call."

The manager sat on the other sofa across from him, beaming at him and Hal didn't know what to say. He used to know a lot of people on Aidan's side five years ago, but now every one of his friends, workmates, and bandmates were strangers to Hal.

"How long have you been working for your sister?"

Halwyn didn't expect the question and blinked. "After graduating in college," he politely explained, "I'm actually working with my sister, she doesn't own the company..."

"Oh, pardon me. I didn't mean it that way..."

"No, no...that's quite alright. I heard the band will have another concert?"

"Ah, yes! They've been preparing for a year, it's a European tour."

"Sounds great...he came a long way, huh?"

"From the time that I met him? Yeah, I supposed. I've only been working with him for a year. The previous manager retired."

"I see. Is it hard being his manager? I mean, he's very stubborn..."

Glenda was amused by the description and giggled heartily. "I couldn't help but agree. But I like his straightforwardness, you know. He is the type of a young man who knows what he wants. Usually, I don't like Gen Z's but I adore the members of the X-Holic band."

Hal was supposed to say something else and perhaps ask more about Aidan's life for the five years that they weren't together, but the man himself suddenly came to the room wearing a simple white tee and faded jeans.

"Are you guys talking behind my back?"

Halwyn momentarily froze, like a statue, he sat there staring at the man he hadn't seen for five years. Although he saw him as Gwen, it was a different feeling looking at him as Hal. The same boyish smile coupled with those lazy, deep-set eyes that made all the females in their university swoon, his overall appearance had a certain effect, a charm that hooked Halywn to the core. Who would've thought that it was only his best friend who made him realize that his attraction wasn't with the opposite sex?