Chapter 1

Chap 1

'Psst.'

'Pssst.'

'Hey handsome!!! Notice us~'

I was hearing that while I was walking here on the side of the road, the sunlight was still hot even after twelve o'clock in the afternoon.

'Pssst!'

'Handsome!!! Handsome !!!'

I can still hear the hissing coming from somewhere in the distance, I can't turn around because it's definitely not me they're calling. First of all, I don't have the appearance of being handsome because I'm just a humble provincial who landed here in Manila to look for a job. But in an instant, my thoughts quickly changed when suddenly someone grabbed my arm.

"Hey handsome, can't you hear us?" a gay man frowned.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I wasn't the one you were calling."

"You're still humble, you're really handsome. Aren't he, girls?" he said again while asking his another colleague.

'Is he with someone else?' I was confused and can't help to question in my mind what's happening.

Maybe because of hunger and tiredness that's I can no longer notice some things around me. I didn't eat until yesterday because the little money I brought from the province has run out. So my stomach has been full of water since yesterday afternoon.

"Now everything is settled, so, let's go?"

'Wait what?' Because of my deep thoughts, I did not hear what they said.

"Wait, where are we going? I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said," I said while scratching my head.

"Eh?" one of the gays said artfully, looking at his colleagues.

"Well then, let's begin from the start. Okay handsome? We said you might be looking for a job, because we've been seeing you here for a while now going back and forth and also... are you from the province?" one of them asked without further ado.

"Yes, you are right and I only came here to find a job."

"If that's the case, it's your lucky day!" They happily announced it.

I didn't answer and just waited for what they had to say.

"I see on your face the wonder why you got lucky, there is only one answer. Because we will give you a job!!!" they said enthusiastically, accompanied by loud applause.

It was as if my world stopped spinning when I heard what they said. 'Job? Did I hear that right?'

But, even though I may be desperate to work with them, it seems that I can't help but suspect and doubt them. Especially since I still don't know the job they will give me. "Really, you're going to give me a job?"

"Yes, stop asking over and over again," they said while exchanging looks that seemed to have a different meaning.

"You know it's really hard to find a job here in Manila especially if you're not graduated.

What he said made me think, but somehow I learned something. I also finished high school, and because of the hardships of life, I did not want to continue studying because I know that my parents need my help more so that we can send my other younger siblings to school, so so I ventured here in Manila to find a job with a good salary.

I just woke up from my deep thought when I noticed a money in front of me.

"This is 150 pesos," said one of them as he handed me the money.

'150? With that amount, I'm sure I can buy a lot of food there,' I thought while holding my grumbling stomach.

I don't know if my brain is still working or if my stomach is grumbling with hunger because my mind is no longer in control. But, even so, I couldn't reach the money that was laid out in front of me.

"Before I accept that, may I first know what my job will be?"

"Don't worry because it's easy and you'll still enjoy your work," they said accompanied by terrifying laughter.

I couldn't help but feel scared because it seemed like they were going to make me do something illegal. That gay man must have been bored and tired of holding money, so I just felt him suddenly and without a word squeeze it into my hand.

"Don't think too much, come on. When you finish your work, we'll give you the other half," they said while still dragging my arm across the road.

But, before they could finally bring me together, I seemed to wake up from a magic inside me because of a loud shout.

"Ryan!!!"

"Ryannnn!!!"

"Just wait!"

Because of what I heard, I suddenly turned around, from where I was standing there was a man running towards my direction. When he got close, he suddenly put his arm around me.

"I've been looking for you for a while, I just bought something and then you suddenly disappeared," said the man while handing me the paperbag.

I think the bag contain food because the smell of it made me feel even more hungry. I couldn't even answer his statement because I didn't know what he was saying and above all I didn't know him.

"And who are you?" he asked the gay men holding my arm.

He gave them such a terrifying look that even I was horrified by it. I noticed the nervousness in the expression of the gays because of the sudden paleness and loss of color on their faces. One of them almost left his slippers because of the speed with which they ran.

As I looked at them, I suddenly remembered the money in my palm.

"Wait! Your money," I shouted at them, but they didn't even take a glance.

I would have chased them if only for the heavy arm still resting on my small shoulder. Because of what happened, I almost forgot that I was here with someone, but for the warmth of the bag I was holding, my trance would not have returned.

"Here's your food," I said to the man while handing the bag back to him.

"No, it's yours now."

"Really? Even if it's embarrassing, I won't refuse it anymore." I have already stuff my face because I am really hungry.

But, because of his beautiful smile, my shyness gradually disappeared.

"Ah, thank you so much..." I couldn't continue because I didn't know his name.

"Just Dylan," he replied with a smile.

"Thanks Dylan for the food."

"That's nothing. By the way, always be careful," he reminded me before ruffling my hair and walking away.

He hadn't gone far when I suddenly remembered something so I called him again. "Wait sir, can I ask a question?"

He faced me again and nodded his agreement. "How did you know my name?"

I'm sure he mentioned my name that's why I turned around earlier.

"Is that really your name?" He asked back to me in amazement. "I was just making that up earlier so I could call you. You'd think my guess was right."

I raised my eyebrows. Did he say that? I thought it was Rylan. I can't do anything because they really sound the same.' I still shrug my shoulders to myself.

"Ah! My name is not Ryan, it's Rylan," was all I could answer him.

"Is it Rylan? It's close and sounds really close," he thought.

I was about to say goodbye to him when he spoke again. "I told you earlier, always be careful because there are many people here in Manila who are good at scam other people."

"Is that so?" I was nervously ask him. I thought about what he said because it was really true. My parents and friends in the province said that the city is very dangerous.

"Wait, don't tell me you didn't know those gays were tricking you earlier?" he couldn't believe it.

I didn't answer him as I had a look of surprise on my face. He just looked at me full of concern. "They'll turn you to a call boy."

"Call boy? Is that a guy who works at the call center?" I asked him confused.

He, on the other hand, could not believe what I said and just slapped his two hands on his face.

"No, the call boy is a male prostitute. You know that now?" he explained in frustration.

I just nodded while thinking... 'I thought a call boy, Is a male call center agent.'

'If I'm this ignorant, I might not be able to last long here in Manila,' I said to myself feeling anxious and sad.

It's really hard here in the city, unlike in the province. People there help each other even in small things, while here there is no mercy.

"Hays," he sighted.

"Come on, let's sit there first so we can talk more and so you can eat," he said, leading me to the side of the fast-food restaurant.

I didn't do anything and just followed him, there was a seat on the side.

"Are you from the province?" he asked me when I sat next to him.

"Yes, that's where I'm from. I've only been here in Manila for two weeks since I left my home," I answered as I started to eat.

After saying that, it's only now that I recall that I've been here in Manila for quite some time, all the clothes I brought are dirty and I haven't showered in a few days.

Suddenly, I looked at myself, so maybe no one will accept me in work because my old clothes are dirty. I'm wearing the same faded pants and the slippers on my feet are also worn out. I don't have a problem with being poor, I'm still young and I accept that, but there are times when I feel sorry for myself.

"Hey, are you okay? Why are you stunned?"

Because of the voice I heard and his face coming closer to me, I suddenly remembered that I was not alone here. I just looked at him and said... "I'm fine."

Just now I was able to properly observe Dylan's appearance because his face was close to mine. He was obviously has a different race, about 6ft tall. white skin and has a dark blond hair.

His face is handsome, his eyes are green which is strange but very beautiful indeed. With a pointed nose, she really looks like a model of expensive watches and perfumes that I only see in magazines. Suddenly, I feel small about myself.

"Are you sure you're okay? Didn't those gays do anything bad to you?" he asked again with concern.

"N-Nothing really, maybe it's just hunger," I laughed to hide the insecurity I was feeling.

I just continued to eat my food, he noticed that I was stunned again. I just looked at him one more time and thought...

'I hope I'm handsome and rich same as him.'