"The Tower Of Babel..."

Chapter 23... Shift.

Tower:

I avoided him. I couldn't keep my promise. I felt hurt, humiliated, inadequate, and unworthy. Most of all... unworthy.

I was so sure that I was a good catch. Heck, I was a great catch! Tall, handsome, dignified. And according to him Charming. Yes! My Babel said I was charming.

Like the prince to his Cinderella. The knight to his damsel. The Tower to his Babel. But like most of what I believed in however... it turned out to be a lie.

He wasn't just some ordinary bloke I could con or lie to. He was the son of one of the wealthiest men in the country. I am not only a commoner to his princely status... but a lowly peasant. I had nothing to offer him. Nothing good to give him. I am nothing. And he's better off without me.

It has been a week after that fiasco at the Country Club. The night I realized I didn't want to be someone he was settling for. Oh, how the tables have turned! He used to feel that he was below me, that I had someone better than him to introduce as my girlfriend. Now? Things have changed, and I don't know how to deal with the sudden shift.

I need to talk to someone, and Soul is no where to be found. Immediately after speaking to Mr. Emperador that night, he has been frequently out of the office on some business.

Besides, I'm not sure if he'd take my side of the story. I know Babel defended me, he turned his back on his dad and everyone else that night to help me. He made me feel valued. Treasured. Even... loved! And it all the more made me realize how special he is... and I am so afraid of not meeting his standards and expectations.

The cab crawled slowly, traffic as usual was a bitch. I asked the driver to stop at the curb, intending to walk the few meters to the office instead of wasting my time seated in a barely moving vehicle. That was when I saw him.

Babel had a blind man clutching his arm as he helped him cross the street. My Babel, as usual doing something that tugs at my heart. Thing is he doesn't even seem to be doing it to get any reward. He's just there to help out in any way he can. He makes this world a better place to live in, just by being in it. "Kindness is free... love is free." He once told me.

"Faith in mankind restored." A voice jolted me out of my reverie. It was Chris, he had a backpack slung over one of his shoulders, and by the looks of it I'd say his shift just ended.

"What?" I asked, sounding a bit brusque than I intended.

"Babel. His little acts of kindness are refreshing. The other day he ran after an old beggar woman with a small kid in tow. He offered them a meal, but they were reluctant to enter the cafe. So he made them wait outside the donut shop while he bought a box of donuts for them. Then sent them on their merry little way before he went to your office. I've never met anyone whose heart was as big as your Babel's. You're lucky to have someone like him." Chris said as we both watched Babel on his way back to enter Syntax.

"I'm not his boyfriend. We're not... together." I said softly, my heart felt heavy. I could feel my eyes sting.

"Huh? Why not?" Chris asked.

"I'm straight. I don't... I'm straight." I replied, defeated.

"I see. Well, that's just sad."

"Why?" I asked perplexed.

"It's quite obvious to everyone. Babel loves you. The way he looks at you? He's actually placed you on a pedestal." Chris smiled.

"That's just it! He has me placed on a freaking pedestal, and I'm afraid of disappointing him. Afraid he'll realize I'm worthless. That I'm not who he deserves to be with in life." I answered exasperated.

"Then I guess this isn't a question of being straight." Chris bluntly pointed out. I was speechless. The truth was out in the open.

"Piece of advice pal. Babel is top of the line. A heart of gold. An endearing personality. Presentable looks. And he loves you unconditionally. He likes to flirt a bit with me... to get you to notice him! But he only has eyes for you. You don't have to be gay to love someone like him. And incase you can't reciprocate his feelings, take care not to hurt him man. 'Cause the way I see it, he's way over his head in love with you." He gave my shoulder a pat before turning to leave.

He loves me? My Babel loves me! How could I not have seen it? I thought it was all just pretend.

When has he fallen for me? Was it the first night we met, when he was checking my butt in the elevator? He thought I couldn't see, but the mirrrors in the shaft made it clear he was checking me out as we rode in silence.

Or was it the time we laid on the carpeted floor infront of Soul's office, as he groaned in pain and I laughed beside him, holding his warm little hand in mine.

Or could it be at the basketball game? Was this when he fell for me? He was as red as a ripe tomato each time I pointed to him everytime I scored. He was adorable like that, all shy and flustered.

He loves me. But... do I love him? How can I be sure? I've never been in a relationship with another man before. This is all new to me. And quite confusing.

My Babel loves me. It's the only thought running through my head right now as I stood smiling like a jerk in the middle of the sidewalk, horns blowing, traffic at a stand still, and people passing.

I've never felt so happy in my entire life. I've got to tell my uncle about this! I turned to the direction of the office, ready to start a new chapter in my life, and hoping my uncle would be happy for me.

I swiped my proximity card, and entered his office, he looked up from his laptop as I entered. His expression serious as ever.

"Hi! I need to talk to you. Could you maybe spare me a minute or two? Please... uncle?" I asked smiling as he fixed his gaze at me.

"You're my nephew, of course I'd stop to listen to you." Was all he said, as he waited for me to continue. I knew he cared for me, he has always been there for me, he was after all my uncle... Midas.