The Last String

5

The morning after, Noon was greeted by a happy Dhan and Pay. Following him to his desk.

Noon looks at them. Weird, he thought.

"So uhm, last night. Who's the guy who pick you up?" Pay softly asks, with a hint of playfulness in her voice.

"A friend, from my hometown, but he was born here in the city" Noon answers nonchalantly.

"Just a friend? Picking you up and opening the door for you?" Dhan groans in doubt. This was not the answer they wanted to hear.

"Can't a friend do that?"

Dhan looks at him in disbelief.

"Yeah sure, it's a friend. A good looking friend who picks you up at ten in the night, smiling at you like crazy as he waits for you. Right?"

"Don't make it sound like I'm lying, he's a friend. And he's the only friend that stuck with me when I was not in my right mind"

Kit arrives, with Jake behind him.

"Who's lying?" Kit asks in curiosity.

"No one, We're just asking Noon about his friend from last night" Dhan answers, emphasizing the word friend.

"The one who picked him up? I thought he was your boyfriend" Kit says.

"He says it was a friend"

"It's true, I swear" tries to argue.

"Whatever makes you happy. Now everyone, the shoot will begin at 10"

//

Today was supposed to be a celebration. But Noon just sat there staring at his glass of half-drank beer while trying not to look at the person in front of him, Jake.

Yes he survived a week with Jake. And Kit was so happy he decided to throw a little party for him since it was Saturday and it so happened that the shoot finished early.

It was a good thing because of all the packed schedules and they really needed a break.

But what was exhausting was how Jake would call at ridiculous hours just for him to buy him something he can actually buy by himself.

He was more than just a personal assistant. He was an errand boy for the superstar who can't even lift his arm when it comes to his personal affairs.

The door suddenly swung open to reveal a shy Pol.

Noon was forced to call him and he was a bit thankful because every time he was supposed to make some time with him, Jake was always there to ruin his plans.

Noon stood up and introduced him to them and gestured for him to sit beside him.

"So you're Noon's friend?" Ham asks him right away.

Pol nods, getting a hint of what they were really trying to ask him.

"If you're trying to ask our relationship, yes we are indeed friends. And there's an obvious line that seperates that from being more than that. There's no way I'm gonna date him, and we already made it clear. I'm into mature and older guys. This guy right here,"

He points at Noon. Who nervously took a quick glance at Jake who was busy on his phone.

"Needs someone who is willing to understand all his weird actions. He may look a little dumb, but he's a total smartass. It was just a loss I met him too late. He was a lost cause when I met him. And he has to thank me for my existence. Because without me, he won't even have the courage to step out of his comfort zone" Pol added

"Like a life saver?" Pay asks.

"Yeah, you can call me his life saver, right" Pol agrees, nudging Noon.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You're the one who was crying because you hated how your family relocated in the countryside" Noon responded.

"Says the one who almost drowned hi- AWWW" Pol groans in pain as Noon slaps him hard.

"Now you see the reason why we can't date" Pol jokes.

"What a pity, you two would make a good couple. Love takes time, but I'm really reserving myself until Kit finds himself a boyfriend. This guy has no experience at all" Dhan butts in.

"Don't worry about me, you're just making up a reason because nobody asks you out. I'll be more than happy if I see my artist right here, go out seriously and stop playing around" Kit throws the topic to Jake who was caught off guard with the sudden remark.

"Dream on, I'd rather sacrifice my career than look for someone I'm not even sure would take a bullet for me."
Jake looks at Noon, smirking.

"Right Noon?" His tone was condescending.

"You're the one fooling around. Why would Noon relate to that?" Pol's sudden comment surprised everyone.

Suddenly there was a tension in the air. This was not what they wanted to happen.

But then Jake bursts out laughing.

"I'm just joking, Don't mind me" Jake tells them as he took a sip from his drink.

They continued drinking for a while until Pol suddenly stood up and bids goodbye.

"Isn't it too early" they asked him.

"I really want to stay but I'm leaving tonight, but, I just took a quick visit because I miss this guy, although it was obvious he doesn't miss me at all" Pol says, putting his jacket on.

"My flight leaves at 9 and I also have a busy resort to manage. So yeah, it was really nice meeting you all"

"Do I need to accompany you to the airport?" Noon whispers.

"And leave the party they threw for you? You enjoy your time here. I still need to bring my car back and get my things"

And with that, Pol leaves the room. His presence left a huge difference in the atmosphere. Maybe because he was naturally sociable. But nonetheless, he became acquainted with everyone else. Well, except for one.

//

It was eleven when everyone decided to call it a night.

"I'll drive these three home, you take care of Jake. I would rather leave you with him than leave them to you" Noon peeps inside the car and Dhan was still arguing with Pay with something.

Noon looks at Jake, who looks drunk but at the same time can still walk on his own. Kit hails a taxi for them and makes sure Noon and Jake should go home first.