Rent (YiZhan)

Chapter 9

Author notes: This is my first attempt writing YiZhan. English is not my first language, so please forgive my mistakes and awkward writing. This is NOT for profit. I don't own them. AU and maybe OOC.

Author Notes 2: Thanks for the votes! Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thanks a lot for adding this story to your reading lists. I'm humbled by your support.

Thanks to CALActorsTypist for editing this.

WARNING. PLEASE READ!

Not enough smut in this chapter. Sorry. I will make it up to you!

Chapter 9

Yi Bo got dressed fast. He chose plain clothes, jeans, t-shirt and a baseball cap on his head. They went out without talking to each other. In fact, they both were playing a carefully choreographed avoidance dance, without looking at each other, without speaking, without touching.

When they reached the car, Yi Bo had to ask.

"Where are we going?"

"Any restaurant where people don't speak Chinese:"

"Okay, I know a place. My father took me there some time ago. Do you like Italian food?" Yi Bo asked.

"Mn," Zhan answered. Really curious about Yi Bo's father, but he didn't dare to ask.

They arrived to an Italian restaurant just off Broadway. Since it was not rush hour yet, it was almost empty. They asked for a table far from the entrance, their view was blocked by some ornamental plants.

They were seated and menus were handed to them when the waiter finally took his leave. Both of them seemed far too interested in their menus, then Yi Bo got a message on his cell phone.

He took his phone to look at it, made a face like this was a bother to him. Zhan looked at him and asked:

"Is something the matter?"

"Nothing big, I just have to go to my apartment soon."

"Do you want to go after dinner?"

"No, ... I... I don't live in the best part of town. It's late to go there. Besides, it wouldn't be wise to take the car over there. I'll go tomorrow by train. That is...if you don't need me."

Of course I'll be needing you, Zhan thought. But he refrained from saying anything.

"It's okay. We don't have any appointments tomorrow."

"Mn," Yi Bo nodded.

Then, the waiter arrived and Yi Bo ordered for both of them since Zhan asked him to do it. Wine was out of the question since Yi Bo was still a minor and Zhan needed to stay clear-minded and sober for their conversation.

When the waiter went away to bring their food, there was a really awkward moment, when neither of them knew what to do or what to say. Finally, Zhan spoke.

"I.. I don't even know where to begin Yi Bo."

Yi Bo looked directly at Zhan's eyes and saw... uncertainty. He chose not to say anything, because honestly, he didn't know what to say. He was very embarrassed about what had happened earlier in his room.

Zhan decided to take a safe approach to the subject.

"You know I came here for business," he started.

"Mn," was Yi Bo's answer.

"But lately, I can't really concentrate on that."

Yi Bo opened his eyes, looking surprised.