Chapter 3

The night was much colder than the day and Lian's tattered jacket was not doing much to combat the cold. It was still the same jacket that Callum gave him years ago. It had Callum's last name and his player number. Callum was part of the varsity for baseball and Lian remembered attending every game that he could.

He hugged the jacket closer to his body, imagining the warmth he used to feel when Callum would wrap his arms around him. He knows there is one thing that could distract him from the cold but he vowed never to use it again, but as the winds became stronger, so did the temptation. 

I should've grabbed the blanket. Lian thought to himself. 

A strong gush of wind passed him, making him shiver. Lian could no longer take it. He cursed under his breath and walked the path he vowed to no longer take months ago. His feet took him in front of a steel door with a single light bulb illuminating it. The guard immediately recognized him and opened the door.

"Long time no see," the guard said but he ignored him.

He sat down at one of the empty chairs, the air inside the crowded room smelled awful with the number of drugs people were consuming.

At least it's kind of warm in here. He thought. 

He placed down a ten-dollar bill on the table and someone came by and dropped a small sachet and paraphernalia. Lian stared at the table in front of him. He could feel his body starting to crave the substance. The withdrawal was the most excruciating thing he ever felt in his entire life and he never wanted to go through that again but he reached another low in life. It has become a loop of events at this point.

Lian sighed and rolled up his sleeves. He watched as the substance turned liquid in the spoon before grabbing a syringe. He stared at the needle and sighed once again. He tied a tourniquet in one arm and slowly inserted the needle in the protruding vein. Blood slowly mixed with the substance inside the vessel before it went back inside his body, along with the rest of the contents. He took off the tourniquet and pulled out the needle before throwing them on the table.

He leaned back and closed his eyes as he waited for the substance to take effect. Lian soon felt a rush in his body. A smile graced his face as he felt his body relax. It was as if he was floating in the middle of the ocean. As much as he hated to admit it, he missed the feeling of it coursing through his veins. For a short moment, he forgot about everything. No cold winds, no screams of hunger, no worries, no doubt.

He stayed there for the rest of the night, taking every single ounce of substance that was given to him. Lian stumbled out of the building and harsh sunlight almost blinded him. He leaned against the wall to compose himself before finally getting the strength to walk off. 

"Hey, Lian. It's been a long time," a man said as he came up behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. 

Lian tensed and tried to get away from the man but he only tightened his grip. 

"Don't be like that. We had a good time together. Just humor me once more."

"Fuck off, Silas," Lian spat and tried to get away from his grip again. 

"I'll pay you twice more than the last time," Silas said as he buried his face into the crook of Lian's neck.

Lian only shivered in disgust. This time, he elbowed Silas in the gut. The man grunted in pain, loosening his hold on Lian, thus giving him the opportunity to run away but Silas quickly recovered and run after him. Lian was too busy looking back to see if Silas is still behind him he didn't notice a man coming up the corner so he, unfortunately, bumped into him. Lian fell to the ground but the man was still standing.

Lian braced himself, waiting to be either yelled at by the person he bumped into or Silas catching up to him and grabbing him.

"Are you okay?" the man asked as he helped Lian off of the ground. 

"Y-yeah, thank you," Lian said. 

"Lian! Come on, man," Silas whined as he came closer to the two.

Lian instinctively hid behind the man and he immediately felt that something was wrong. The man stepped in front of Lian protectively.

"Is there a problem, sir?" the man asked.

"Don't come between me and my boyfriend. Let me talk to him," Silas said.

The man turned around to face Lian. "He's your boyfriend?" he asked and Lian shook his head. 

"I'd advise you leave before I call the police," the man threatened and Silas immediately backed off with the mention of the authorities getting involved. 

"Hi, I'm Keane," Keane introduced himself and held a hand out to Lian.

"Lian," he replied and shook the man's hand. 

It didn't feel right for Lian to shake the man's hand. He's wearing old and tattered clothes while the man in front of him is wearing a crisp navy blue suit and a red necktie.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Y-yes. Thank yo, by the way. For helping me," Lian said.

"No need to thank me. I just did what any decent person would do."

"Still, thank you. I really appreciate it. Normally people wouldn't even bother to look," Lian sighed.

"You know what, let me take you home. Just in case that creep tries to follow you again," Keane offered.

Lian tensed and Keane noticed it. 

"I'm sorry if I sound like a creep," Keane apologized while scratching the back of his head.

"N-no, it's not that," Lian took a deep breath. "I don't have one," he muttered under his breath but Keane was still able to catch it. 

"I have an extra room in my apartment if you'd like to take up the offer. You don't need to pay me rent, just help with the bills and we're good." 

Lian's eyes widened at the offer. This man he just met is offering him a place to stay and is not even demanding a split for the rent. Lain couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wanted to believe that the man had hidden agendas but he couldn't sense anything wrong with the man. He couldn't say no to the offer. If he did, he'd end up in the same place he did last night. 

"I-I don't have a job," Lian muttered.

"I'll help you find one. No need to fret," Keane said.

Lian felt hopeful about the man's offer of help so he said agreed. Lian followed as the man walked to his car. It was a sleek luxurious car, the same one his parents gave to him when he turned eighteen. Lian shook his. He no longer wanted to remember the past.

"I don't want to dirty your car," Lian said. 

"Cars can be cleaned. Come on," Keane urged him inside the car.

Lian relaxed as soon as he got inside the car. It's been a long time since he was able to sit in a chair as comfortable as this one. Keane drove off and it didn't take long for Lian to fall asleep. Keane smiled when he saw Lian fast asleep. He didn't mean to come off as a creep but the man looked cute.

They reached the apartment building and Keane gently shook Lian awake. Lian mumbled a quick sorry as his eyes opened. He was embarrassed to have fallen asleep so easily in front of a stranger. Keane reached to the back of the car and grabbed a long thing cardigan before handing it over to Lian.

"Don't take this the wrong way but I think it's better if you cover up your clothes. People around here are not really friendly and I'm trying to spare you the judgment," Keane said.

Lian felt odd about the situation but nodded anyway. He took off the jacket that he was wearing and stuffed it into his backpack. Keane grabbed a tote bag and Lian got the hint and stuffed his backpack inside. Keane saw the track marks on Lian's arm but ignored them. He didn't want to make Lian more uncomfortable than he already is.

Once Lian was ready, they walked inside the building without a fuss. People didn't even spare Lian a glance and the two were more than grateful for the lack of attention. Lian saw how they all stared at the person who walked into the building with just a loose stained shirt and some sweatpants. 

Lian was awed by the surroundings. Everything looked simple yet luxurious. They walked in the elevator and Keane pressed the button for the thirtieth floor. Lian could only imagine how much the rent would be. He knew that no matter how many jobs he would take, he could never afford to live in this place. They got off the elevator and into Keane's unit. 

Lian was expecting a modern interior with sharp and dim colors but he was surprised to see wood and green accents. There were a lot of plants inside and it was spacious. The kitchen was facing a large window, showcasing a view of the city. It was beautiful.

"Come, I'll show you your room."

Lian followed and Keane opened the door to the spare bedroom. 

"Wow."

Lian immediately covered his mouth in embarrassment, earning a chuckle from Keane. 

"I'll leave you be so you could settle in and then we'll talk about our arrangement," Keane said before closing the door.

Lian didn't get the chance to thank him again, he'll just do it later. Lian sat on the bed and that's when it hit him. He finally got a chance to have a better life.