After the Business Trip

Chapter 11

A/N:  Hey, I'm finally back with another update.  I'm sure that you probably thought that I forgot all about this story.  I'm happy to say that I didn't, but I was finishing up another story along with my life being a little crazy.  Enough with that....  on to the story...

Pete POV

I still can't believe that my friends are that pushy or even that nosy. Well, they are trying to look out for me, but asking me at work repeatedly about Ae and how far along we have progressed our relationship is a little too much. Ugh... What can I say to them? I don't think that they will even pay attention to me if I ask them to stop, but I think that is my only option right now. I don't want to start a fight between us, but I want them to know that this is really not the appropriate place for those kinds of conversations.

However, for right now, I think I'm going to try to hide.  Yes.  Avoidance is my best option right now.

I take my lunch and I actually go outside. The building has a nice cafeteria area, but it also has a really nice area outside to eat. However, I'm going to go over to some trees off to the side and hopefully, Max and Fai won't be able to find me here. Plus, I want some alone time so I can chat with Ae. I need to make sure that he is all right and I wasn't able to do that too much this morning with Max and Fai watching my every move.

I sit down on the ground and I put my lunch down next to me. I pull my phone out of my pocket and I quickly look to see if I missed anything from Ae.

I instantly smile as I see a new message from Ae. My heart begins to race as I open it.

Ae: Are you having lunch?

Ae: Do you want me to come and visit?

Pete: Yes, I'm having lunch right now.

Pete: No. Don't come visit. You need to rest.

Pete: You still didn't seem well this morning.

Pete: How are you feeling?

Oh, I still can't believe that Ae is here or that I'm so lucky to find someone who is so amazing. I grab my food and I begin eating my lunch, as I wonder if Ae is feeling all right. I know that he kept saying that he was fine this morning, but he still looked a little pale. I just want him to get better soon and he has promised me not to hide from anyone who comes to the door again. Plus, the only one who ever comes unexpectantly is my mother and she now knows about Ae. She even likes him which I can't be happier about.

I suddenly realize that I haven't felt my phone vibrate.  Why isn't he replying to me?  Did something happen?  As I'm putting more food into my mouth, I glance at my phone. Maybe I missed his last message.

Unfortunately, there is nothing, no new message, and my heart instantly begins to hurt. Did something happen to him again? I hope not. I don't think that I could take two days in a row of Ae getting hurt. I still fell partially responsible for yesterday's situation.

I can't stand the wait and I tighten my hold on my phone. Should I call and see what is going on?

Before I can even think about whether to call Ae, my phone begins to ring.

Ring.....ring.....ring...

I glance at the caller ID and my fears slowly begin to fade away. I accept the call and happily chime, "Hello, Ae. How are you feeling?"