Nowhere To Run

4 - i like you like this

Forth ate the pasta in front of him with great enthusiasm. Beam had cooked him this meal and he has no plans in wasting every single bite.

"Forth.. Slow down." Beam handed him a glass of lemonade thinking it's only a matter of time before the guy choked.

"S-sorry.. It's delicious." Forth said with a mouthful of food.

Beam couldn't help but smile. He was amused at Forth. He still hasn't changed his eating habits.

The dinner went by with only the clattering of fork on the porcelain plate.

Beam didn't knew if it's appropriate to start a conversation and even if he did he doesn't know if he can talk normally with the things between him and Forth.

Beam contemplated on asking Forth why he was sending him flowers in the guise of the presumptuos  'Future Husband'. But he was unsure if it was the right thing to do. Beam knew it will open up a box full of unvisited memories.

Maybe he can start with basic questions. That would be the safe way to play it.

'How are you? No. It's too generic. What about 'What have you been up to?' That's a smooth one. No. It sounds too personal. Maybe 'Where were you?' is a nice.. Nope. Definitely not that one. I'll just ask how he's doing. Just plain and casual.'

Just when Beam was about to open his mouth, a loud ringtone came from his pocket. He took it out to see a caller id with his younger brother's name on it. He sighed before he swiped on the screen to answer it.

Beam stood up and gestured at Forth to excuse himself. He walked towards the living room. A call from his brother isn't a pleasant conversation anyone would want to hear.

"Yes? What now?" Beam asked harshly.

"My handsome P'Beam! How are you? I miss you so much P'." Beam's brother had exaggeratedly said on the other line.

"How much do you need and what do you need it for?" Beam asked dismissively not buying whatever his brother was saying.

"Aww P'. You're hurting me. Can't I call you to say that I miss you?" He answered.

"You can and now that you already told me you missed me I'll end this call then."

"Wait P'Beam.. I need it for my auto parts." His brother blurted out with a nervous chuckle.

A sigh of annoyance had came from Beam. Racing was now his brother's new 'career' and they were told that he was 'sure' this time. Beam and his parents had given his younger brother all the talk and intervention enough for a lifetime but his brother's decision seemed final, not on his career but on his decision to either follow what Beam had done or take hold of their family business.

"I'll send it to your account tomorrow." He said ending the call before his brother could talk.

He went back to the dining area to find an empty table. Forth was nowhere in sight. He couldn't have left without saying a word.

Beam almost jumped from fear when Forth walked passed him to go back to his chair and finish his plate of pasta.

"I.. Uhhm.. Where did you.. Where have you been?" Beam asked.

"I went to the restroom. Sorry I didn't ask for permission." Forth answered apologetically and started eating again.

"No. It's okay. I just.. I thought you left." Beam instantly regretted what he said as soon as it left his mouth.

Forth's lips had curved into a smile.

"I'll never leave a meal unfinished. You know that."