Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Raymond looked up, sat in the back of a city park, looking at the city sky filled with white clouds. Snowflakes fell slowly like little cotton, covering the streets of Cirillo. His eyes fixed on a snow removal crew that would appear every three hours to clean up the snow on the road, using snow removal equipment with the size of an average adult height. He did not know how the device work, because, with that slim size, they can swallow a lot of snow with each suction. Like a black hole in space. The snow removal crew he saw now had a flat face while humming as he moved the tool to suck the snow, apparently unconcerned that someone was watching him. The man's appearance made him realize that he had spent six hours in this city park.

He raised his hands that were not wearing gloves. Red and stiff, so that he could barely feel his own hands. Today's cold air strangely did not bother him at all, although according to the weather forecast from his virtual assistant said that today the temperature has dropped three degrees compared to the day before yesterday. He exhaled a breath of air which instantly turned into cold steam. Then he glanced at the white paper shopping bag that contained several cans of beer that he had not touched since earlier. It must have been frozen, considering that six hours had passed. A little hesitant, he took a can of beer, surprised to find that the beer was not affected by the cold outside. The temperature was still the same, and the contents were not frozen. He smiled happily, then opened the lid of the beer can with a little extra effort using his almost numb hands, and took a few sips of the drink until there was little left.

‘Alone?’

He nearly spat out his beer the moment he realized a hand was tapping his shoulder. He turned slightly backwards to find Edward smiling at him and sitting before allowed the man to sit down.

‘Yes,’ Raymond held the beer can in both hands, not looking at the other person. ‘Done with your work today?’

‘Hm,’ Edward muttered softly, then brought his face closer to Raymond. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Not bad.’

‘Oh, okay. Good.’

There was a silence break. Raymond fiddled with his beer can while occasionally glancing at Edward, who seemed to be surveying the city park with his feet stomping on the ground several times. Even though he just wanted to be alone. Why did his manager even come over, as if offering to accompany him? Should he just get out of here now? Moreover, the atmosphere was getting awkward.

‘Thank you for your hard work today.’

He turned his head, surprised. Edward continued his speech.

‘It's for formality. I didn't have a chance to say it directly to you at the cafe, so I say it now.’

‘Oh.’

‘Are you two still… quarrelling?’ There was a hint of hesitation in Edward's tone as he asked.

‘Even worse: we broke up,’ Raymond drank his beer, then opened a new one. He was about to drink it when Edward's stout hand held his motion, putting the beer back on its side.

‘Broke up? Hm, that explains everything ...'

Raymond cocked his head, then narrowed his eyes. ‘Yes. What? Do you want to say that you like Hazel? I’m okay with that. But if you made Hazel upset, I won't hesitate—’

Edward withdrew his hand before Raymond finished his speech, tugging and immediately kissing his lips without asking his consent. His eyes widened a moment, repeatedly pushing Edward's body away from him. But instead of moving away, the man kissed him even deeper. With his ability, he should be able to push Edward's body. But considering that he had been outside for six hours, it was clearly impossible. His body now felt limp, and he let the man continue to kiss him. Unlike the time when he kissed Hazel, which tasted sweet, strangely, Edward's kiss calmed his frantic mind. Edward finally stopped kissing him, pulled away from him and looked at him closely.

Whether it was the influence of alcohol that he drank before, or perhaps the cold, he no longer saw Edward as a man who had been gentle in front of him lately. Precisely at this time, he found Edward looking very cute with his flushed face awkwardly, staring at him with disbelief.

‘Looks like you misunderstand something, Raymond,’ Edward whispered while drew closer to him so that he could clearly see the image of his face reflected in Edward's green eyes. ‘I never said I'm interested in Hazel.’

‘Huh?’ Raymond's eyes flickered, not knowing that it was not Hazel that Edward liked. Could it be, Edward attracted to him?

‘Er, that…’ Raymond swallowed hard, not knowing what to respond to. ‘Manager does that mean—’

‘Ah, it's already late,’ Edward suddenly got up from his seat, changing the conversation quickly. It was clear that Edward was forcing himself to smile at him, did not give him a chance to ask. ‘Do you want me to accompany you home? It’s already dark outside. I'm afraid you will be attacked again.’

‘No. No need,’ Raymond stood up as well. His hand was about to reach for his shopping bag as Edward's hand moved faster ahead of him, volunteering to carry his shopping bag, as well as the empty beer can he had been drinking, and the beer he did not have a chance to drink yet.

‘Let me do that.’

‘Oh, okay.’

He finally let his manager carry his shopping bag, and walked out of the city park as soon as the manager finished throwing away the beer can. Deep inside his heart, he cursed himself. He was unaccustomed to being treated like this because usually, he would be the one who takes the initiative. But Edward managed to do it naturally—much more natural than him.

And that did not mean he did not like it. It was just, he felt weird.

Neither of them took the initiative to speak. He was busy with his own thoughts, thinking about the reason why the manager kissed him earlier. Thinking of the reason why he did not mind Edward’s kiss at all. Questioning his now noisy heartbeat that much louder than when he was with Hazel. His face was blushed violently, he could feel it. Could this be due to the influence of alcohol? Ah, no, it seemed impossible, considering the alcohol level he drank earlier was not high either. So, why he felt something weird inside him?

‘Raymond?’

He just realized that Edward was calling him now, looking worried. Reflexively he looked away from Edward. 'Y-yes?’

‘We’re already here.’

He looked around him, realizing that he was now in front of his apartment building. Edward held out his shopping bag, then stroked the top of Raymond's head and tapped him on the shoulder. The man still forced himself to smile at him.

He accepted his shopping bag, said good night to him, then turned his back on Edward. He walked away from the man who still stood at his place. As if to make sure that he was okay and that nothing happened. His feet stepped doubtfully as soon as the sensor on the front lobby door of his apartment building opened automatically. He sighed, then walked back to Edward, who looked surprised to see him.

‘Could I stay over at your house tonight, Manager?’

***