HIS BROTHER: Irritation

Jerson examined the whole area. He was anxious. He felt like someone was following them and was planning to kill Vishnu. He roamed his gazes around while his chin leaned on his palm. 

There was no one suspicious inside.

He looked outside the restaurant. There was a person sitting inside the eatery at the convenience store. It was an ideal spot for a criminal when stalking someone. The man was eating, perhaps, cup noodles. After only a few moments, the guy went outside and left. 

He scratched his head. 

There was also no one suspicious outside.

He took a deep breath. Maybe he was just anxious and overreacting. There was nothing skeptical among the people outside and inside the restaurant. In his years of working for the Empresarium, he already knew the faces of those mafia residing in the underworld. 

He rested his back on the backrest and loosened up. He stared at Vishnu, who was grinning at the woman. Seeing it just ticked him off. 

 

Vishnu was enjoying himself. He could tell how relaxed Vishnu was and wondered if they were a thing. If they are, he wouldn't be too shocked. The two look good together. 

In addition, they are male and female, which conform to society’s attribution of the norm ‘the man was made for the woman,’ and thingamabob. 

Even though Jerson wanted to ask Vishnu about his relationship with her and how he got involved with such dangerous people, he held his tongue and chose to just to leave his curiosity unattended. Vishnu’s personal life was out of his business. He was Vishnu’s bodyguard. For the sake of professionalism and all, he shouldn’t cross the line between a boss and an employee. He took a deep breath and reminded himself again. ‘You’re his bodyguard. You protect him, but you shouldn’t step beyond the bottom line’.

He and Noah had an agreement. In fact, he agreed to guard Vishnu because he wanted something in return. The information that Noah was hiding from him might help him in a way or two. Keeping Vishnu safe and sound was the price he’ll pay before he could acquire that data. He should get it no matter what. 

“Hi…” 

Crossing his legs and slanting his chin on his hand while he leaned his elbow on the table, Jerson lazily glanced at the girl standing next to him on his right side. 

The girl smiled widely and stared at Jerson boldly. She had been staring at Jerson from the very moment he entered the place. Seeing how Jerson looked perfect, she almost fell. 

Jerson’s drowsy eyes were beckoning, alluring. It would make everyone stare at his enchanting grandeur. How could a beautiful man like this exist?

The girl tucked her hair behind her ear while her cheeks turned pink. “Uh…” she trailed off. She fiddled with her fingers before she continued, “Are you with someone?” 

Jerson looked at the girl from head to toe. He found her really beautiful. He was about to answer ‘no’ when Vishnu crossed his mind. He then sighed. 

“I’m with my boss. He’s currently in a meeting,” he answered while looking at Vishnu’s back. 

“Well, that means you’re alone at this moment. So, do you mind if I keep you company for a while?” the girl asked. 

Jerson tilted his head. He contemplated whether he should let the girl accompany him or just wait for Vishnu to finish his métier. 

The lady was blushing while talking to him. He looked at her amusedly. Only a fool would still be ignorant of what the girl felt for him when the girl was just like an open book.

Jerson furrowed his brows. “Why?” 

The girl smiled seductively. She bit her lip.

Jerson faked a cough. His lips drew back in a snarl. Obviously, the girl was seducing him. 

But there was only one person who could seduce him though, and anyone is just a frantic persuader who’s trying hard to tempt him. 

The girl chuckled and pointed out a random stranger not too far away from them.  “That jerk wouldn’t leave me alone,” the girl mumbled with a bit of irritation.

Jerson sighed. 

He wouldn’t usually give a damn about these kinds of people and just look at them, giving off the vibe ‘do-I-look-like-I-care,’ but surprisingly, he couldn’t shove her off. He was really distracted at the moment. 

“Conversing when we have nothing to talk about isn’t my thing. I don’t accept useless things as topics,” Jerson murmured. 

It was an indirect approval and invitation. The girl enthusiastically sat down at the seat just in front of him. She then called the waiter and ordered their food. 

Jerson didn’t mind. He isn’t a picky eater.

“You know… I always knew that you’re almost different from others in some unique ways and I thought it was because of your apathetic expression but now, after some thought, I think I know better,” the girl told him. “It's Mikaela, by the way.”

Jerson couldn’t figure out what the girl was talking about, but he could tell that this girl was beyond what was supposed to be ordinary for a girl. He was confused about what lies she was hiding behind her beautiful and enthusiastic smile. There was something hidden. Her lips curved upward but her eyes say otherwise. 

Jerson gave a lop-sided grin. Everyone has secrets to hide regardless, so he just shrugged it off.

“What do you mean?” 

“Are you gay?” Mikaela asked. Jerson looked at the girl, not even giving her a shred of his emotions. He looked at her with an indifferent face. 

“I’m a man,” Jerson answered using his tepid voice.

“Yes, that’s your sex but as for your sexual orientation? Are you straight or do you swing that way?” 

Jerson pressed his lips before mumbling something that was drowned together with the music. 

Vishnu, who had just finished having dinner with someone, looked at Jerson.

 

Mikaela seemed pleased as her complexion had relaxed. Although Vishnu couldn’t see Jerson’s face, he could tell that Jerson had calmed down compared to when Jerson was with him. 

‘I thought he was bored to death, so I hastily dismissed the discussion.’ Vishnu complained.‘Oh well, I might as well use this time to rest. I’m beat as fuck’.

He glared at the Jerson. Seeing Jerson being comfortable in such a crowded place made him worry about their safety. Some of the people he had offended told their underlings to trace them. He was being watched ever since. They had been tailing him from that day onward. 

Vishnu wanted to finish this and solve it by slaughtering the group’s leader. But he knew that he shouldn’t. He couldn't even touch the boss’ finger and might as well kill the person behind it. 

He stood up. He smoothly strode his feet with a reigning clitter-clatter sound made by his Vogue black shoes. He directly goes to Jerson.

The ambiance of the restaurant was bright. The music that was breaking the stillness of the restaurant was coming from the instrumentalists at the entrance, breaking the silence in a very remarkable way. 

Some will find it romantic, but Vishnu didn’t. He finds it irritating. He knitted his brows and clenched his jaw as he stood behind Jerson. 

“This is your boss?” the girl asked innocently. That arrow-shaped lips made Vishnu irked. 

“...yeah,” Jerson answered while staring at Vishnu. 

Vishnu was frowning. He glared at Mikaela and rested his line of sight at Jerson.

Once again, Jerson’s curiosity reigned. He wondered how his boss’ date went. From Vishnu’s reactions just now, it doesn’t seem to go very well. Why? Did they discuss something irrelevant that ruined the mood?

Leaving such a fine man, what reason could it be?

“Blessed motherfuckers,” Mikaela cursed at the two men in front of him, which made Jerson laugh again.  

Vishnu looked at Mikaela before rolling his eyes. “We’re leaving now,” he murmured with finality in his words. 

Jerson stood up and followed Vishnu while wondering what made Vishnu this irritated, hoping he wouldn’t get an earful at the car.