Lively chatter filled the café, the hustle and bustle of its patrons filling its colourful walls. The smell of delicious baked goods and fresh dishes filled the air, inviting hungry new customers in every time its doors swung open. A long line formed from the counter to the door, establishing its popularity in the area.
It was particularly busy today. Haru was lucky he had arrived earlier to claim a table, given it was the first weekend of that week. His gaze was fixated on it, staring at nothing in particular. His mind was a mess, the events of last night still spinning around in his head. He wished he could just forget it all. Yarmolenko's confession, the 'activity' they engaged in, Mateo's reaction, and the punishment he had to endure all night. His bottom throbbed at the thought. He had woken up late into the morning, finding a man looking up into it and prodding at it with some tools. He claimed he was a professional doctor. Mateo was there too, so he must have called him to do a check up while he was asleep. He did recall Mateo mentioning something in the contract about having a doctor tend to him should he get hurt during their sessions. Even so, it was embarrassing having a total stranger examine him down there, both behind and in front.
He cupped his hands over his face. His cheeks burned bright red. How did his life come to this? Humiliated on the daily and now, on the brink of losing his friendship. He wasn't even sure what he was going to say. Should he act like it never happened? They were both drunk. Surely alcohol was the cause of all this. Or should he face it and reject him head-on? Then they could both move on from this and... just let things play out. He sighed. He didn't like any of those ideas. Sure, he could try to forget it all but he didn't want to seem insensitive to his best friend's feelings. At the same time, if he goes through with a rejection, there's no guarantee they'd still be friends after it.
He squeezed his eyes shut, remembering a simpler time...
It had been an important day for Haru. He had just given up his studies to support his younger brother and help cover for his mother's treatment. He needed to take over her role of breadwinner for the family. Social services had come earlier, asking about their father and if he would be coming to take them. Haru had managed to lie to them for the time being. In truth, he didn't want anything to do with his father. In fact, it was probably because of him that their mother was now lying unconscious in a hospital bed. If he had told them that, they would have placed both of them in an orphanage. That would put them at a risk of adoption. He couldn't let adopting families split them up. It would trouble their mother to look for them after she wakes. He had lied about his age, assuring that he could take care of his brother while waiting for their father. Thankfully, the young staff that had talked to them believed him and let them be.
He stepped into the store, the doors sliding open for him with a ring of the bell to announce his presence. He clutched his phone in his hand, gathering his courage as he walked up to the counter. There he stood. A young man with unkempt blonde hair, his button up top so crinkled it could rival crumpled paper, and most notably, a scarf draped over his shoulders despite this 80 degree heat. Decorated with red and yellow stripes, it reminded Haru of a certain pop culture franchise but he just couldn't place his finger on it. Haru looked over to him, his eyes narrowing as he inspected him up and down.
"Can I help you?" the man raised a brow, Haru's constant staring concerning him a little.
He gripped his phone tighter, mustering the courage to speak to this complete stranger.
"I-I'm looking for Mr Khoi" he showed his phone to him. On it was a conversation thread between him and the employer that had posted the job listing. The young man took a moment to read it, then he perked up.
"Oh, you're the new guy! Boss said you'd be coming in today!" a wide grin appeared on his face. He hopped over the counter, excitedly shaking Haru's hand.
YOU ARE READING
Contracted Companionship
Romantik(This is very much a Work In Progress. Should this become a full fledged project, I plan to draw it out into a BL manga. The writing is scuff and there will be constant edits because it's still being developed. I don't expect people to read. I just...
