Lahat ng Kabanata ng Between Closed Doors: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Matt leaned against the wall of the club, sweat prickling his skin as the bass rattled through the floor.The lights flashed in time with the music, making everything blurry, and the air was thick with perfume, alcohol, and sweat.Normally, he hated clubs—too loud, too crowded, too chaotic—but tonight wasn't normal.Tonight was the second day of his birthday, and he was here to celebrate with Ella.At least, that was the plan.Then he saw him. Jordy.He was standing across the crowded floor with his friend, looking out of place but completely confident at the same time.Jordy had been dragged here by that friend, probably complaining the entire way, and yet he looked calm, almost like he belonged. Something about him caught Matt off guard immediately.Ella and Jordy's friend were mutual acquaintances, which was why they ended up at the same table.Drinks were poured, laughter bounced off the walls, and for a while, everything felt normal. Jordy kept to the edge of the group, observing

Work was busy from the moment Jordy arrived.The lunch rush had already started, and the line stretched almost to the door. Customers stood shoulder to shoulder, some scrolling through their phones, others staring up at the menu boards with impatient expressions.Jordy pushed through the staff door, tying his apron as he walked.“You’re late,” Dani said as she passed him with a tray.“I’m not late,” Jordy replied.“You’re right on time for chaos then,” she said. “Get in.”He stepped behind the register, immediately hit by the heat and noise. Fryers hissed, drinks machines beeped, and voices overlapped.“Order thirty-two ready!”“Who has thirty-two?”“I need fries!”Jordy barely settled in before the next customer stepped forward.“Hi, what can I get for you?” he asked.“Double cheeseburger, fries, Coke,” the man said quickly, barely looking up.“Anything else?”“No.”Jordy nodded and tapped the order in. “That’ll be—”The man was already tapping his card.Jordy handed him the receipt.

Jordy saw him before Matt saw him. Matt was sitting on a wooden bench at the far side of the park, one leg stretched out, the other bent, his phone loosely in his hand like he wasn’t really paying attention to it. He looked… calm. Like he belonged there. Like he hadn’t spent the last hour overthinking everything. Jordy slowed down a little as he approached. The park wasn’t crowded, but it wasn’t empty either. A few people were walking by, a couple sat under a tree talking, someone jogged past with headphones in. It felt open, exposed. Too open. He suddenly became very aware of himself—how he was walking, where his hands were, whether anyone was looking at him.Then Matt looked up. Their eyes met, and just like that, Jordy felt it again. That same pull. The same thing from the club. Matt smiled. Not big, not exaggerated. Just… natural. Like he was actually glad to see him. “You look like you’re about to turn around and leave,” Matt said.“I’m not,” Jordy replied quickly, even th

Jordy dropped his phone onto the bed and stared at the ceiling for a few long moments. The conversation with Matt kept replaying in his head, louder each time. A break. The words echoed, soft but persistent. He rubbed his eyes and tried to push the thoughts away, but they clung stubbornly. “Jordy!” The voice came from the kitchen. His mom.

The ride felt… different.Not quiet in an awkward way, and not loud either.Just calm.The kind of calm that settled between two people who didn’t need to force conversation to fill the space. The road stretched ahead of them, the early daylight casting a soft glow through the windshield as the car moved steadily forward.Jordy leaned slightly against the door, his gaze shifting between the passing scenery and Matt.“Where are we going?” he finally asked.Matt kept his eyes on the road, the corner of his lips lifting just a little. “It’s a surprise.”Jordy let out a small breath, shaking his head. “You’ve said that already.”“And I’ll keep saying it,” Matt replied lightly.Jordy turned to look at him properly this time.That was when he noticed it.Matt kept glancing at him.Not obvious enough to call out immediately—but enough.A quick look.Then back to the road.Then again.Jordy narrowed his eyes slightly, trying not to smile. “Why do you keep looking at me like that?”Matt blinked