CHAPTER 5

“You Gay! What are you doing here?!” Rhea exclaimed in shock, staring blankly at the man in front of her. She hadn’t expected to see him again, especially not just a few hours after she had secretly left his house. She also never imagined that he would come looking for her after all; there was no reason for him to.

Lucas stood silently, watching her with an unreadable and serious gaze. She swallowed hard, feeling waves of discomfort, fear, and unease under his intense stare. He looked at her as if she were a fugitive who had committed a grave crime, when, as far as she knew, her only offense was leaving without saying goodbye.

“Hey! Stop staring like that!” she said nervously, trying to break his gaze. But when he didn’t move, she sighed inwardly and decided to continue with what she had been doing before he arrived. Just as she turned her back, however, she heard his slow, steady footsteps approaching, and instinctively, she stepped away.

She backed up too far without realizing the wall was right behind her. Luckily, Lucas caught the back of her head before it could hit the hard surface. But the real problem was how close they had become; just a few inches separated their faces. She expected him to back away immediately, especially since he was gay. In her experience, gay men like him couldn’t tolerate being this close to women. But Lucas didn’t move. She couldn’t tell if he was teasing her or not. He was impossible to read.

Feeling awkward with their proximity, she raised her hands and lightly pushed him back, but he didn’t budge. Growing irritated, she glared at him. Instead of stepping away, he placed his hands on the wall on either side of her, effectively trapping her between his muscular arms. She couldn’t help but blush, recalling how the Japanese called this position Kabedon, where a man corners a woman against a wall. Embarrassed, she hung her head, her face burning.

Ugh, what am I even thinking?

Unable to take it anymore, she faced him boldly and snapped, “Hey, what do you think you’re doing? Aren’t you disgusted by this? Move away!”

She shoved him with all her strength, but despite being gay, his body was firm and muscular. Her efforts amounted to nothing. What a pathetic failure.

“Wow,” he replied sarcastically. “You’ve got the nerve to yell at me after what you did. Tell me, Rhea Benitez, do you even realize what you’ve done to make me like this?”

Just hearing him say her full name sent shivers down her spine. She couldn’t tell if he was genuinely angry or just pretending.

Nervously, she muttered, “I... ran away?”

“And you even make it sound like a question!” he snapped. “Tell me, would it have killed you to at least inform the person who cared enough to help you?”

She pouted and shook her head.

“Exactly!” he shouted, finally stepping back, allowing her to breathe.

“Wait. What’s your problem with me running away? It’s not like we’ve known each other for long. And the way you’re acting, it’s as if I committed some huge crime. I know I was wrong, but I had a valid reason for leaving. Can’t you see? I’m closing down the restaurant my parents built. I’m in a hurry because I have so many things to finish, and I still need to find a job. Unlike you, I’m not rich or running a company!” she argued defensively.

“What pissed me off is that you didn’t even say goodbye, not even to my family. Didn’t you think I’d feel responsible if something bad happened to you?” he yelled.

“Does anyone who runs away ever say goodbye? Use your brain! And can you fix your voice already? You’re not squeaking like usual. Be careful, I might fall for you,” She retorted.

His eyes widened, and he quickly covered his mouth, faking a cough. Then, in his usual high-pitched voice, he said, “Anyway, Chararat, I hope you won’t do that again. Next time, make sure to tell us before you leave, okay?”

“Oh, please! Like I’d ever think you’d come looking for me. Besides, what are you even doing here? I’ve been asking, but you’re not answering. Don’t tell me you came all this way just to lecture me. If that’s all, fine — I won’t do it again. Now, you can leave. You’re wasting my time,” she said coldly, annoyed by the interruption.

“Oh, right! Thanks for reminding me. Actually, I need your help this time,” he said, snapping his fingers before grabbing her hands tightly.

“Chararat, please say yes. I need your help,” Lucas pleaded, giving her puppy eyes.

Gross, she thought. What is this gay guy even asking for? What help?

“Hey, before you start your drama, can you just tell me what this is about? And stop with the puppy eyes, it doesn’t suit you. It’s disgusting!” she said, mocking him while seizing the rare chance to insult him since he usually didn’t tolerate it.

“Ouch, Chararat! That hurts,” he whined, clutching his chest as if his pride had been wounded.

“By the way, do you not cross-dress?” Rhea asked curiously. She had noticed from the beginning that he always wore men’s clothes, making it hard to tell that he was gay. He was undeniably handsome, but the moment he spoke with that squeaky voice, it was disappointing.

“Nope!” Lucas replied, emphasizing the word. “I’m gay, but I don’t like wearing girly clothes. I mean, I’m a woman, char! But just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I have to dress like one. Some of us are just different.”

She nodded. Good, because she really couldn’t imagine him in women’s clothes. He was attractive, sure, but his physique was entirely masculine. If he ever cross-dressed, it would just be... chaos.

“Anyway, about that favor—” Lucas started, but was cut off when Rhea’s phone rang.

She motioned for him to stay quiet, and he obediently sat down while she answered the call. She frowned when she saw it was from an unregistered number, but eventually decided to answer, just in case.

“Hello? Oh, Doctor Mike. It’s you. Good morning. What’s the matter?” She greeted respectfully.

Lucas watched her from the couch, curious about the sudden change in her expression. Who was she talking to? Could it be her boyfriend? If she had one, he doubted the guy would agree to the favor he was about to ask.

But his curiosity turned to worry when she suddenly shouted, “What?!” and tears began streaming down her face. Alarmed, Lucas stood up. Who was on the other line to make her cry like that?

“Yes, Doctor! I’ll be there right away. Thank you for informing me,” she said before ending the call.

Lucas approached and saw her trembling as she hurriedly gathered her things. Unable to hold back, he grabbed her shoulders.

“What happened? Why are you crying?”

“M-my Mom... She needs me,” Rhea stuttered, wiping her tears. “Sorry, I have to go to the hospital. We can talk next time,” She added, gently removing his hands.

Lucas watched her, concerned. She was frantic, dropping things as she packed in a rush. When she finished, she signaled for him to leave so she could close the place.

Once the restaurant was shut, she faced him again. “I’m sorry, but I have to go,” she said, tears still falling, her eyes and nose red.

He reached into his pocket to offer a handkerchief, but she turned away, ready to leave. Without thinking, he stopped her.

“What now? Can’t we talk later? My mom needs me!” she snapped, clearly frustrated. Lucas pouted inwardly, annoyed that she was acting like that despite his offer to help. But he held back, deciding to be the better person.

“Get in. I’ll drive you. People might think you’re some horror movie character with how you look right now. You’re not exactly pretty, and you might just scare someone into an accident,” he teased, earning a small laugh from her despite her tears.

She chuckled between sobs. “You really have to insult me? I have feelings too,” she said as she climbed into the passenger seat.

Lucas smiled privately and walked to the driver’s side. After she gave him the hospital’s address, they drove off. The whole ride was quiet, with her gazing out the window, deep in thought.

After about twenty minutes, they arrived at St. Joseph Hospital. From his quick investigation, Lucas knew her mother was still in a coma because of the car accident that had killed her father and brother.

When he parked, she quickly got out, tears threatening to fall again. He followed her inside, watching as she went directly to a ward. He paused to read the name on the door: Mrs. Carmella Benitez. That must be her mother.

Inside, he found Rhea speaking to the doctor, trembling.

“Doc, what happened to my Mom?” She asked.

Lucas stood beside her, listening.

“I’m sorry, Rhea, but the truth is...” The doctor hesitated while looking at Lucas.

“Go on, please,” Lucas urged noddingly.

“She went into sudden shock. Right now, only the machines are keeping her alive. Honestly, only a miracle can wake her up.”

Rhea cried harder, collapsing from weakness. Lucas caught her.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Lucas said, nodding politely. The doctor and nurses left, leaving him alone with Rhea.

She sat beside her mother’s bed, gripping her hand tightly.

Through tears, she begged, “Mom, please don’t leave me. I’ll do anything just for you to live. Don’t leave me like Dad and Kuya did. I won’t survive it. Please live for me.”

“There’s a way,” Lucas said softly.

She looked up, eyes red and swollen.

“I can help you. I’ll handle everything. But you have to help me too.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, confused.

He knelt in front of her, gazing into her eyes.

“Marry me, Rhea. Marry me, and I’ll take care of everything.”

She stared at him, searching for any trace of a joke, but there was none.

“Marry me, Rhea. Just marry me,” Lucas repeated, sounding steady and sincere.