登入*LEONARDO* “I need the real him back.” “I think he’s just scared, and understandably so,” Vance said. “He must think you’re going to hurt him again, so he’s protecting himself.” “I won’t hurt him again. I already told him that.” “You telling him isn’t enough. He clearly doesn’t trust you at all.” “Then what do I have to do to make him trust me?” “First, he has to know why you did that to him. Does he know everything about you? I know you may not want to tell him everything, but he at least needs to understand why you snapped that day. If he doesn’t understand it, he’s just going to keep thinking you’ll do it again.”I stared at him. “So you expect me to tell him about Julius?” “Yes.”I scoffed. “Are you being serious right now? He already has enough reasons not to want me, and you want me to give him more?” “I just think…” “Right. I should just walk up to him and say, Jamin, the reason I snapped that day was because I had a mental br
*LEONARDO* He glared at me like I had just said the most offensive word on the planet.Then he screamed into his hands. Was I that frustrating? Apparently yes, because a second later, he turned and kicked the wall hard enough that I heard the impact. I swallowed. “You can kick me if that would make you feel better.” He spun toward me so fast, the look in his eyes actually startled me. There was nothing soft left in it. Jamin closed the distance and kicked me with all his might. "Fuck… ahh.” I bent forward at once, grabbing my leg. Pain shot up from the spot hard enough to make my breath catch. He did not even slow down. He turned and just kept walking. “Jamin, that really hurts!” I yelled after him.He didn’t turn around. Where was the boy who used to flinch at the idea of me getting hurt? The one who worried when I came home late, who hovered when I had a scratch, who looked at me like I meant world to him? I limped after him,
*JAMIN* I was in the manager’s office now. The customer had already been taken away in an ambulance. The manager sat across from me, staring like he could not decide how to say what was already obvious.I knew what was coming. “Jamin, I know what happened today wasn’t your fault. I’m sensible enough to understand that some customers can be awful. So I don’t blame you for what happened. It’s just… the problem is Leonardo Madrigal.”I stayed quiet. “I don’t know what kind of relationship you have with that man, but his presence in my restaurant is unsettling. Just last night, I dreamed of him burning this place down. He comes here, glares at customers all day… especially the ones you attend to. At this rate, he’s going to drive everyone away. I just want to keep my business running. I hope you understand.”I nodded slowly. “So that’s why I have to fire you. Don’t worry. I’ll pay you your full salary for the month. In fact, I’ll add extra. I just want my peace
*JAMIN* At the end of my shift, I slipped out through the back door and ran. I had just made it home when my phone buzzed.Unsaved number: [I saw you sneaking off. Don’t do that again, baby.] Unsaved number: [Let’s have lunch tomorrow.]I blocked the number. I wished he would just stop. Rejecting a man like him over and over was not simple. I knew exactly what he was capable of. If he ever decided that my refusal no longer mattered, someone like me would not be able to stop him. I knew very well that he could do whatever he wanted with me against my will. All I could do was pray he grew a conscience soon and turned that relentless attention toward someone better suited for him.***************** The following day, he was at the restaurant again. I guess my prayer had never made it past the ceiling of my room. I ignored him as best as I could. He had to get tired of coming here eventually. He had to.***** I set the dishes down one by
*LEONARDO* I stared at Jamin’s number on my phone, trying to summon the courage to text him. I never knew texting someone after unblocking them could feel this difficult.Then again, he was not just someone. I drew a slow breath. Yesterday had not gone the way I planned. I had gotten ahead of myself, already expecting him to come home with me after one conversation. As if a single apology could erase what I had done.Mr Madrigal?The name had sounded so cold in his mouth. So cold and distant.Like I was a stranger.I’m not a stranger to you, Jamin. I’m your man!He was still angry. He had every right to be. So I had spent the night learning how to be a good boyfriend. And I was also trying to learn how to be patient too. The problem was that I had never been good at patience… especially not when it came to him. I wanted him back already. I wanted him in my house, in my bed, in my life.I exhaled and warned myself again.Patience, Leon. Patience. Mo
*JAMIN*He had to be. There was a high chance he was on drugs. He had dark circles under his eyes and had lost weight.Were those signs of doing drugs?I really do not know. But he looked really worn down in a way that should have worried me. It didn’t. He never used to do drugs though. I remembered the news from earlier today… him stepping down from King Group. Something was clearly going on with him, but I was not interested in knowing what. I did not care about anything concerning him. Not anymore. “Mr Madrigal…” His brow furrowed. “Mr Madri… can you not call me that?” “Mr Madrigal, are you okay? You’re not… under the influence or something? Drugs?” “What? I’m okay… I think. I’m being serious right now. And please don’t call me that. I’d prefer you call me… you know… Mister. Or my name. I’d really like for you to call me by my name.” “Mr Madrigal, I’d like to pretend I never saw you today.” “I… I said I’m being serious.”I scoffed.
*JAMIN* The mister?Mister what?Should I ask what his name was?I suddenly couldn’t find my voice. Calmly, he pulled out a chair and sat down opposite to me. “Let’s eat first.” He began and pressed a button. Two waitresses came around. “What will you like to eat, Jam
*JAMIN* No!This was the only “10k” I’ve been able to find so far.I can’t lose him!I could lie, right?A harmless little lie.So I replied. 25 wasn’t that far from 22. I’d be 25 before you know it.Me: [I’m twenty-six]Mister:[Send a picture] A picture? What does he need a picture for?
*JAMIN* “Have you seen Caesar lately?” My co-worker, Frank asked as we both lifted bottles crates from a truck and into the warehouse. “No.”Then again, I really haven’t seen him in months. Caesar used to work some part time gigs with Frank and I. “I had found it suspicio
*LEONARDO* Jamin scurried back a bit and hurriedly explained, still on his knees. “I…I…it’s been awhile since my last master and I haven’t done it with anyone ever since. So my skills are a bit lacking…”I shut my eyes briefly in frustration. I had no time to teach anyone anything rig







