HIS BROTHER: Fired

Jerson felt a slight pain on his face. He looked at himself in the mirror. As he stared at his reflection to check if there was a wound, he noticed a cut. There was blood coming out from it. He washed it to prevent the blood from spewing around his face.

“I should have cut his finger to get back with this,” he mumbled.

He felt the great urge to beat up whoever punk made this to him. He sighed. He washed it again and left it for a few moments to let his face dry.

He examined himself in front of the mirror once again. He made sure to look presentable before leaving the comfort room. After a few moments, he walked out of the four-cornered room and found his way to the two.

The restaurant was crowded with customers. Even on the pavement way to the lounge area, many people were standing and talking to each other. Some were answering calls.

Jerson finally entered the main hall. He saw the two men elegantly sitting, facing each other. Anyone could tell that the two came from a well-off family just by looking at them. They were elegant and noble.

The French-style restaurant doesn’t suit his taste. Although the ambiance looked clean and peaceful, it still doesn’t make him honor the environment. Moreover, the restaurant was too crowded even though it was only past 9 am.

The crowd made him sigh. He didn’t like jammed places.

He strode his feet smoothly without making any noise. He was wearing his casual outfit: a pair of branded shoes, a black T-shirt paired with black pants. There was nothing special about him compared to the other two who looked like tyrants and business tycoons. Yet, his indifferent expression enthralled some customers. Some of the girls with their family or friends talked and complimented him about how attractive he is.

Though, those compliments and their amused stares didn’t flatter him at all. He was already used to the praises from numerous people that such small praising adjectives couldn’t affect him anymore.

“I’m sorry for making you wait. Something came up,” Jerson apologized before finding himself a seat.

He looked at their table. He then sighed. Unfortunately, the only available stool was beside Vishnu. He knew that Noah set this up… again… and that made him grimace even more. When will Noah stop?

He pressed his lips. He bet that Noah wouldn’t even think about quitting the game he set up. From his point of view, Noah seemed enjoying himself at its finest. It was as if he would never get tired pissing them off.

“What took you so long?” Noah asked while grinning at Jerson.

Jerson shrugged his shoulders before answering. “Private matters,” he replied before taking his seat beside Vishnu.

He scoffed. The space between him and Vishnu was so narrow that he almost bumped into Vishnu’s arms who was just listening to them.

If there was one thing that he observed about the prosecutor beside him, it would be that Vishnu doesn’t like crowded places. Just like him, Vishnu was very anxious around the crowd.

He shifted his body and stared at his watch. He chewed on his bottom lip. He felt uncomfortable knowing that Vishnu was just sitting beside him.

‘Too close,’ he complained.

Jerson blipped. He could smell Vishnu’s perfume, and it smells damn good.

The fragrance that Vishnu exudes could make every woman fall for him. Even Jerson couldn’t resist it.

Jerson stopped himself before he snuffed Vishnu's neck and made a fool of himself.

“And that is?” Noah asked again.

“I said, private matters.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “Would it hurt you if you tell me the reason?” he irritatedly asked.

Jerson sighed. He shifted his body again. He could feel that someone was staring at him. The stares gave him, for lack of a better term, a creep.

With what kind of job he had, he was used to being chased; used to getting deathly glares from the crowd, and even got used to being investigated; however, none of those shallow acts made him uncomfortable, unlike what he was feeling at the moment. Now that these foreign feelings arise, he doesn't know how to react. It was as if those piercing eyes were looking at his soul.

He knew that Vishnu was staring at him and he got conscious of his looks.

Does he look good? Did the cut stop bleeding? Does he look neat at the very least? If not, then he should have killed those ditzes for trying to make a mess of him! They don’t deserve his sympathy.

‘The fuck am I thinking?’ Jerson wanted to strangle himself for having those kinds of thoughts. What’s wrong with him? Why is he worried about his face now?

He shook his head, annoyed. “If I say whack off, will you believe me?” he mumbled without thinking much about his word choice.

His vulgar words made Vishnu scowl.

“You jerked off for that long?” Noah asked.

Vishnu grimaced. He glared at his brother. He wanted to strangle Noah for even asking that weird question.

How could they talk about it casually?

“Sex took even longer than that,” Jerson defended himself aloud.

Some customers were now looking at them.

Vishnu’s face reddened. He felt embarrassed. He was closeted for years and only gained his freedom when their parents passed away because of an ambush. It wasn’t long ago, and all the people he encountered so far were very decent. It was his first time hearing this sort of conversation.

“You even got a cut on your face!”

Vishnu wanted to gag his brother’s mouth for being too nosy.

“It had been so wild that I tripped over while doing it. Jacking off in the public comfort room feels damn good and thrilling. It would be best if you try it too,” Jerson suggested.

“Too much information.”

Jerson gave Noah a middle finger. “Says the motherfucker who fucks every woman in town,” he mumbled bluntly.

Noah laughed aloud.

Vishnu felt even more embarrassed, hiding it behind his cold face. ‘No wonder why these two nitwits could get along well. They do share the same brain circuits.’

Vishnu let out a discreet cough. He couldn’t stand that kind of conversation anymore and wanted to remind the two to watch their words. He was the one who was getting ashamed because of it.

“Oh…" Jerson tilted his head. “Do you need some water?” he asked.

Vishnu stared at him. “No. Thank you.”

Jerson bobbed his head. “Okay.”

‘He seemed to be a nice guy with an unfiltered mouth.’ Vishnu gave a lopsided grin. ‘Maybe I stereotyped him because of the way he talked. Though he doesn’t seem to be a friendly guy either.’

Vishnu laughed at himself mentally for judging Jerson though he didn’t do something terrible to him yet.

And who is he to judge Jerson anyway? He, himself, was not the sort of standard guy that society wanted. He was much worse than Jerson. Jerson, in fact, wouldn’t do what he did before even if it took Jerson his life.

“Anyways, I’ve been thinking about this lately, Jerson,” Noah said, catching Vishnu’s attention.

Vishnu was brought back to reality, leaving all the negative thoughts beyond his reverie. He massaged his temple. Fixing it would be impossible as it was finished and done. He couldn’t fix it anymore. He realized his mistake too late. No matter what he did, that simple mistake which ruined everything wouldn’t be corrected nor undone. What had happened in the past should be left in the past and should just be forgotten. He has to move on. He should be moving on.

Noah put an envelope on the table. On top of it was a document. Anyone could tell that it was a breach of a contract just by seeing its title; however, Noah didn’t procure it legally. It was a contract just between the two odd people without the help of any lawsuit.

“Did I not fulfill the proportion of my obligations you’ve written in the contract?” Jerson asked lazily.

“You did, but I have an offer for you which would be more stirring.”

Jerson remained indifferent.

Vishnu's brows furrowed. He looked at his brother’s frowning face. He already knew what Noah was thinking and planning. He had seen Noah’s plan that was compiled in his office.

Noah looked at Jerson. He couldn’t help but scowl seeing how shameless Jerson was. Jerson remained steady and unmoved even after his declaration. His face contorted.

Jerson went poker-faced. He could feel Noah’s stares. The anticipation in Noah’s eyes was frustrating. “Oh, okay,” he replied.

Vishnu wanted to laugh. How could Jerson be so heartless?

A vein popped out of Noah’s neck. His jaw tightened. “But since you’ve been doing real good, I’m hiring you to be my brother’s bodyguard,” he professed with finality.

The two men who were calm and composed burst out in harmony.

Jerson: “I beg your pardon?”

Vishnu: “What shit have you been taking?”

Seeing the two fallouts, Noah burst into laughter.