Chances on Love

Small World

"Pete"..
The owner of the name looked behind after hearing someone called him..

"Tuk, Hi"
Pete smiled.

"We always meet coincidentally.."
Tuk said.

Pete gave a soft laugh,
"Are you visiting someone again?" he asked the other.

"Nope.. this time it's me.."
Tuk said then stared at Pete.

The other though he doesn't know Tuk well became worried.. "Are you sick?"

In his mind, Tuk wanted to say
"Yes I am and it's because of you Pete.."
"I can't stop thinking about you.."
But he instead said,
"Just went for a monthly routine check up.."
Pete smiled and felt relieved somehow..

"Are you going home now?"
"Is your boyfriend going to pick you up?"
Tuk then said out of the blue but wanted to slap himself.. as he felt being too intruding.

"Hmmm. Actually No.. He has some things to do at work and he will not be picking me up.."
Pete said suddenly missing Ae.

"That's sad.." Tuk expressed..

"Will you be doing anything today Pete?"
Tuk asked without confidence.

"No.. just going home.."
Pete answered blankly..
The truth is he doesn't want to go home yet because he'll just miss Ae.. they do talk but Ae is not available until later in the evening.

"Ehermm.. then would you like to go with me?.."
Tuk said then scratched his head.. he continued..
"It doesn't mean anything of course.."
"I just haven't eaten yet so I was wondering if you would like to eat with me.."

Pete paused for a second..
He lied to Tuk, Ae is not coming home the whole week, he is away for an engineering seminar happening at another town..

"I guess, I could.."
Pete said with some uncertainty..

"Great.. Let's go?" Tuk said..
"And don't worry, we will not use my bike.."
Then smiled at Pete.

******
Ae felt tired..
The seminar they were attending is really a draggy one.. They were just seated all the time listening but he felt like his whole body is being utilized.
He sighed and looked at his watch..
It's just four in the afternoon and they still have four more hours left..
All he wanted to do know is comeback to the hotel and video call Pete as he misses him so much..

"Penny for your thoughts.."
Said the chestnut haired lady who sat down beside him..

Ae looked at her and just gave her a short smile then went back to what he was reading.. Engineers in the country are required to attend an annual seminar and lucky him for their company he was the one sent.

"I'm Mint," she extended her hand..
"Ae," he said then just gave her a brief handshake.

"I know..."
She said smiling.
"I'm sorry but do I know you?"
Ae didn't want to offend the other..

"You might have forgotten, Can't blame you,"
"We didn't actually spoke to each other after.."
She said again trying to give a hint..

"I'm sorry but.. I don't remember.."
Ae said looking apologetic..

Mint sighed, "Blue Tavern..."
"The woman who sang in the stage because she was forced by her friends.. the one who... ehermm... sat on your lap and dance, again because she was forced to.." she said embarrassment written on her face..

Ae suddenly remembered..
"Oh.." then laughed.
"I remember now.. you look good.."
Ae recalled that night..
It was one of those times he misses Pete and he grieves because of their separation so he partied like an animal.

She gave a flirty laugh.. "Thanks.. and you look wonderful.." she complimented back as she recalled them going to the hotel after and they shared a one night stand..

Ae felt awkward..
He doesn't feel like speaking to any girls he had sex with.. for him, as bad as it may seem he just do it in order to relieve himself and to forget..

He must admit, he had been sleeping around a lot before and they are usually all one night stands, no call, no text, and no names..

"Are you doing anything later.."
Mint asked.. in her mind, Ae is one of her best sex ever..

"I'm busy, I need to check some documents.."
Of course he lied..

"Hmmmm. okay.. maybe some other time then.."
She smiled disappointingly.

"Yeah sure.."
Ae said in a dismissing tone..

Ae observed her not moving from where she was seated so he decided to excuse himself instead and left the table..

********

"This is were I work..."
Tuk said after parking his car in a bar/restaurant..

Pete suddenly felt a little alarmed..
Tuk sensing the other's discomfort smiled and tried to create a relaxed atmosphere..

"Come on.. Let's go inside and we'll eat anything we want till we drop." he said joking.

They went down the car and Pete is able to scrutinize the place properly now..

It's actually set in a good location and it's not one of those cheap bars you could see in the city.. He followed Tuk and the place is actually built in a modern facade and it's clean and inviting..

"Pete is that you?"
Pete turned around and he saw Techno.

"No, what are you doing here?"
Pete asked suprised..

"You know each other?"
Tuk asked Pete.

Pete nodded.. "Well, small world" Tuk chuckled.. and continued to speak, "No here", is my boss.."

"Don't believe this humble guy Pete, he is my landlord and technically, hmmm I'm his boss since he applied as my barrista.." No chuckled looking at Tuk as he is the owner of the land he is leasing long term to build his business.

"Where is Ae?",
No asked Pete suddenly..
No is worried deep inside as Tuk looks differently at Pete.. "Is this guy interested in Pete?",
HE asked himself silently.

"Oh. He is at work.."
Pete answered briefly as he silently scolded himself.. He should have notified Ae he will go with Tuk..
No is a good guy, but he may accidentally tell Ae he was outside with someone and that may cause him and Ae some misunderstanding..

"I'll just excuse myself. I need to go to the restroom", Pete informed the two and No pointed the way to the lieu.

"How'd you two met man?!"
No asked Tuk whose eyes still looking at the way Pete went to.

No waved his hand in front of Tuk.. "Heyyyy"

Tuk calmed himself and looked at No..
"Sorry, what's that again?"

No just shook his head.. and in his mind he was saying he needs to tell Ae about this... ASAP.