Beautiful Dreamer

54. Come Pick Me Up

"Busy day?"

"Mostly."

"I'll bring you dinner."

"Rey, I'm busy today. I don't have time for your stubbornness."

"I'll drop it off, then leave."

Ari seemed exasperated. "Did you have any other reason for calling?"

"This isn't fair. I haven't seen my boyfriend for a week, and when I make an effort to reach out, he scolds me."

"What the...? Stop calling me that; It's weird." Ari checked the time on his computer, and his jaw dropped. "It's almost 8:00 pm! What is my secretary working another overtime for?"

"I called you repeatedly to let you know about a change of plans. Mun and I made dinner today and invited my sister and your brother over. We were wondering what was taking you so long today."

"Why is everyone there? ...Wait a minute... What is my brother doing in my apartment?"

"Well, I wanted to officiate our relationship. They know we are dating, but I want to give my sister a proper introduction considering the big transformation on my end..."

"Y-You never told me you were planning something... And you told my brother where I live!" Ari was livid. "What is wrong with you Rey?"

"That's why I called earlier and you weren't picking up. I assumed you were busy. Either way, it's too late to cancel now since everyone is here." When Ari didn't say a word, Rey hesitated briefly and then asked. "Are you angry?"

"I'm just surprised."

"Oh, that's a relief..."

"Of course I'm angry! What do you think?"

"I can just reschedule, then you and I can spend the night elsewhere. My place is one option since my sister wants to retire here. Mun offered, so I couldn't..."

"Rey, get my brother out of my apartment and make him forget where I live." Ari. "I'll wrap things up here quickly and be on my way...."

"I like you, Ari."

"Oh, brother! Timing Rey! Timing!"

The sound of a phone getting disconnected left Rey dumbfounded. He remained in a state of confusion for a while, looking at his phone screen and tempted to call back again.

"He hung up?" Mun popped up from behind Rey, startling him.

"Y-Yea."

"I knew you'd get in trouble. I equally have a lot of explaining to do, having allowed his brother here." Mun's expression seemed relaxed, and that worried Rey even more.

"How is it that I'm the one panicking here? Ari's brother recognised you too."

"He did, but he knows what is at stake when he snitches about knowing me."

"But you have no obligation to him."

"Well, I somewhat do, you see. As for you, I wonder why you keep meeting him. If I'm correct, I'm convinced you are to help him for free. Speak up, kid."

"I... Well, he helps... When we meet, I ask about Ari's past... Growing up with him, that is. How he was and all."

Mun appeared bemused. "What for? He is a completely different person now."

"From what he tells me, he was just an ordinary boy like any of us, but I do have the intention of becoming his own family, not that you are irrelevant to him. You and Ari can't part, and I get that, but I wish to become a part of his past and hopefully help him walk through whatever he went. When we began dating, I probed into his past, but he would just dismiss me, saying I'm ruining the mood."