Ring! Ring!
Relentless poking on his side woke Eden up immediately as he stared at the white ceiling, confused.
Huh? Where am I? He thought, staring at the ceiling blankly. White? My roof isn't white.
The ringing around him continued, startling the man out of his confused stupor as he shot up, about to start looking for his phone when he heard a groaning come from beside him.
As the lump of ash grey blanket beside him began to move, memories of what happened that night flooded Eden's mind.
Wait. Wait. Wait. He thought, trying to make sense of what was happening at the moment. No way.
A grumpy sigh came from the lump as the covers were pulled away, revealing the black-haired man with even messier hair, if what was even possible, as he looked around the bed and threw the phone at Eden before going back to bed.
Subconsciously, Eden picked up the call, looking at the man sleeping beside him in wonder.
Really?!? It happened??? I thought I dreamt it or something!!!
"Boss!" A worried voice from the other line suddenly burst out, startling Eden.
"Celt?" Eden asked, holding the phone away from his ear as the man beside him groaned once again.
"Where are you, boss?!" The man on the other line bawled. "We can't find you anywhere in the club."
"Calm down." Eden chuckled, making eye contact with Noel who glared at him and pointed to the door. "Sorry," Eden whispered, walking out of the room as quietly as he could while grabbing the coverings for his lower … regions.
"Don't apologise boss!" The man shouted just as Eden closed the door behind him, wearing his pants while balancing the phone in between his shoulder and ear. "Are you ok? Did those wolves have you?? I heard they were on the prowl. I mean, Doris told us not to worry but still."
"I am fine, Celt," Eden said, laughing. "I am doing great, in fact."
He walked around the small living room, decorated with plants of all shapes and sizes in every corner of the room.
There was a grey couch in the middle, with bright yellow flowers blooming on either sides of the couches that Eden couldn't resist admiring.
The walls were littered with paintings of houses, flowers, just scenery in general.
Did he do all these? No, he couldn't be THIS talented, right?
"You sound excited. Oh! Doris did tell me that you went off with someone pretty." Celt laughed excitedly. "So you had fun."
"You can say that again." Eden chuckled, walking away from the paintings into the kitchen which was just a few steps away from the living room.
The pantry was littered with all kinds of spices, looking like they have been used several times before. Some of the containers were almost empty by this point.
So he likes to cook too. What doesn't he like to do?
"Right boss?" Celt's voice suddenly came to his ears, startling him.
"What was that?" Eden asked sheepishly. I was too busy imagining Noel cooking that I didn't Celt say a word. He hates being ignored too.
"Boss, I understand that you are a romantic at heart but going and ignoring me for a person you just met yesterday is too bad, don't you think?"
Eden chuckled nervously, hearing the pout in the man's voice. I am not going to hear the end of this when I see him later.
"Sorry, Celt," Eden said sheepishly, leaning against the counter. "If I say that I will take you to that BBQ place as an apology, will you forgive me?"
"Of course, boss!" Celt shouted, immediately changing his tone with him. "And it is not because of the treat."
"I know. You are a very important person in my life too." Eden said, chuckling as he began to look through the spices, an idea popping in his head. "What are the plans for today?"
"Plans?" Celt fell silent for a second. "I think you will have to ask Ages for that. I am going to patrol around the southwest of the city with Fern. Apparently, there is talk of funny business there."
"Alright. Be careful over there."
"Roger." Eden could see Celt giving him a salute like he always does when he gives him an order. "Over and out, boss."
"Sure. Say hi to Fern for me."
"Yes sir!"
Keeping the phone, Eden looked at the screen, almost dropping it instantly.
What the hell?
78 missed calls from 'Momzilla'.
Oh no. Eden thought, bracing himself as he re-dialled the number, hearing the click on the other side.
"Eden?" The voice said, releasing a breath that sounded like they were holding it in.
"Hey, Ages. What's up?" Eden asked, trying to be as light-hearted as possible though he knew he was in deep waters already and nothing he did would save him from Age's wrath.
"Don't 'what's up' me." Ages said, while Eden could feel the wrath through the phone, even if his voice sounded calm. "Where were you? You suddenly disappeared and had us worried sick. Do you know what would have happened if Doris didn't tell us that you left with someone??"
"Sorry," Eden said, not really meaning it while he stood, half-naked in the kitchen. "I won't do it again."
"Don't make empty promises, Eden." Ages sighed. "Just … next time, inform us, alright?"
"Ok." His voice softened as he played with the container of cinnamon. "I really am sorry I worried you, Ages. I will try to remember to inform you next time."
"Good, that is all I want." Ages said, tone changing. "Where are you right now?"
"Oh right! Ages!"
"Yes?"
"I have a boyfriend now!"
Silence greeted the man from the other of the phone, making him think Ages kept the phone. But one check on the phone's ID showed that he was still on.
"Hello? Can you hear me Ages?" Eden tried again, walking around the room. "Is my network bad here or something? Hello? Ages? Are you there? Hello?"
"What do you think you are doing you, idiot?" Ages finally spoke, his voice much lower than Eden was used to.
"Huh?" Eden asked, frowning. "Who are you calling an idiot?"
"I am calling you an idiot!" The man sighed like a mother tired of her rebellious son's antics. "Please tell me you did not just meet him."
"I didn't," Eden said brightly.
"Oh grea-"
"I met him last night, at the bar, sleeping with Bruce."
Silence again.
"Hello? Ages? Wow, the network here really sucks." Eden chuckled, holding the phone high up in the air. "HELLO?"
"I have nothing to say to you anymore. I will just have to brace myself in case you are found dead somewhere because of your stupidity." Ages said, dejected. "Have you written your will down yet?"
"You are just over-reacting, Ages," Eden said, fiddling with the thin chain dangling from his ear. "Oh, by the way, what are my plans for today?"
Ages kept silent once again, Eden slightly getting annoyed, "The network really, REALLY sucks, doesn't it? This isn't a good sign already. Hello? AGES?"
"You don't have much to do today." He finally spoke up, voice devoid of emotions. "Have you gotten in contact with Gemi?"
"Yes, last night."
"Good, so you are more or less caught up." Ages said, papers shuffling could be heard around him as Eden walked to the balcony to be greeted by even more plants all over the walls and railings.
Someone is a plant … father.
"I am," Eden said, touching a tiny, round leaf as he stared below at the rows of houses in the quiet neighbourhood. The sun touching his skin, right on the tattoos running up his arm all the way to his back, warming him up instantly. "Why?"
"He is still looking for a hacker to help us. There is someone he found." Ages explained, rushing slightly. "We will try to find the person by this afternoon. Be ready. I will call you once we track them down and schedule an appointment."
"You sound like you aren't giving this poor person a choice." Eden chuckled, still playing with the leaves. "Remember what I always say."
"Don't worry. We won't force this person if they don't want to do it." Ages said, talking to someone else in the distance. "Then, I will see you later on, boss. Try not to die until then."
"I am not going down that easily, Ages." Eden laughed, keeping the phone as he stared at the people below for another second and then walking back into the kitchen. "Ok. English breakfast for two coming right up. Hope he isn't allergic to eggs"
Buzz. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! What the hell? Noel shot up from under his pillow, black hair falling all over his face as he clumsily looked around for his phone under all the messy sheets until he finally brushed his fingers on it. Yawning, the man looked opened the lock screen, seeing a number of notifications instantly. All of the notifications coming from the same person. Annoying. He thought, clearing the notifications to reveal a picture of something white and dressed in bright yellow, instantly putting a smile on his face. Speaking of which, I miss Nana. Throwing the phone down, Noel laid back on the bed, sighing as he remembered the night before. Strange man. Well, he must have gone home already by now. He dismissed that thought and tried to sleep again but the buzzing coming from his phone would not
Luckily, Noel had several sausages in the refrigerator, along with eggs, bacon, tomatoes and salami. But he did not have any beans or mushrooms. Can this be considered a classic English breakfast if there are no beans, mushrooms or blood sausages? Well, I can’t fault him, making the English breakfast was my idea so let’s just work with what we have. Eden had a merry time, frying everything together in the pan while humming to himself. I wonder when he is going to wake up. He blushed with just a compliment, I wonder how he will react like when he sees the breakfast. Hopefully, he’ll like i- Eden froze when he felt a hand wrapped around his waist from behind just as he was plating the items. A head rested on his back, hairs tickling his exposed skin and sending a shiver up his spine. “Good morning.” He managed to croak out, clearing his throat.
“What was that about?” Eden asked, watching Noel look through his small closet for something to wear. When the man didn’t answer him, Eden resorted to tapping him on the shoulders to get his attention.He still wore his clothes from the night before, though they were old, by a day, they still looked fine. Fine enough for him to go home in and change into something more presentable.Turning to Eden, Noel tilted his head to the side questioningly.“Those hand things,” Eden said, mimicking what Noel just did. “What was that about? What does it mean?”Noel looked at the man blankly for a second before his expression broke into a smiled and Eden could have sworn he saw flowers all around him.Ba bump.“Do you really want to know?” The man typed out, looking at him with a smug smile.
“You’re a gem, Celt,” Eden said into the phone. “Yeah. How is the patrol going?”“Just some cops here and there not doing their job, what else is new?” Celt laughed over the phone. “Oh, what’s this?”“What is it? Some hot chick?”“Na, boss.” Celt scoffed. “I wish it was but at this time of the day, there are either too many people or too little, to find a pretty woman is hard.”“Pretty, as in, they are not your tastes, right?” Eden asked, holding his shirt to his nose as the faint smell of vanilla filled his nose. His scent is still there!“Yeah. Why are there so many beautiful women out there, boss?” Celt complained, groaning. “I don’t think I ever will be able to settle down at this rate.”“Aren’t you annoying
Walking into the luxurious room, Noel took the time to admire the dark blue interior, the chandeliers all along the walls, the gold pillars and the paintings all along the walls.This was above the café? Noel thought, impressed. I wondered why those specifically wearing name brands would climb up the café when they could have just gone to a five-star restaurant. Guess I know now.And Eden owns this? Impressive.Pulling his hood over his head, Noel took a seat behind the seat he was supposed to meet Eden and whoever is with him in, taking out his computer, he placed it on the table and began ordering some drinks and snacks.But not before staring with disbelief at the price of this upper café’s menu.Four hundred for coffee? Is it made of gold or something? He thought, sighing. Well, whatever. I have spent more for
Noel stared at the video playing on his computer while looking at the words written at the bottom.The moment the man entered the room, his eyes fell on Eden who looking at him, bored out of his mind but with an intense gaze still.Then he stood up and said all those things pointing to the man as Noel frowned. Did he find out? That fast? I was hoping it would take a little longer.Should I reveal myself then? That would be a first, though but … working alongside him. Maybe it won’t be that bad.“He,” Eden said, looking at the man up and down. “He is nowhere near as attractive as my boyfriend is.”Noel stared at the words and Eden’s lips for a second before bursting into a laugh.Is that really all that’s on his mind? How is he even still alive? Well, I can observe for a little longer
Eden leaned in closer to Noel, the other man staring at him, confusion written all over his face until they heard a ‘bonk’.“What the fuck!?” Eden shouted, turning to see Ages standing there with a plate in his hands that he used to hit Eden with. “Ages! What the hell do you think you are doing?!?”“I get that you are excited and the atmosphere feels right, for some reason.” Ages said, putting the plate down on the table. “But we are not here for you to make out with him.”“So mean.” Eden pouted, putting his arms around Noel’s shoulders. “Look at what I have to put up with all the time, Noel. Don’t you pity me?”“Should I?” Noel typed out, getting a gasp from Eden.“I thought you cared, Noel. You really hurt my feelings.” The man said, dramatically flailing his
Tilting his head to the side, Noel stared at the man, confused while the others watched in anticipation.“Idiot?” Noel typed out, heart drumming against his chest. “Why would you say that?”“That is because you really are,” Eden said, laughing.“What is the boss talking about?” Celt asked Fern, keeping his voice as low as possible.“Beats me,” Fern whispered back. “I think he is trying to look cool or something?”“How does that make him look cool?” Celt asked, voice growing a little louder. “He just looks like a jackass.”“I know, but just let him have his moment,” Fern whispered back, Eden hearing everything. As if he didn’t.“I heard the both of you! Who looks like a jackass?!” Eden shouted, glaring at them.