14. Playing video games with eyes elsewhere.
•|ERIC|•
I watch as he devours the meal like his life depended on the little grains of rice that he was leaving on the plate. He looks so handsome and cute whenever he is eating hungrily. I had never seen a sight as such in my entire life. The almighty Rein Jackson is at the mercy of my food. I should brag about this, don’t you think?
I cook whenever I am upset, or in deep thoughts. I also cook because of the fun that is in cooking, the joy and happiness of mixing various ingredients in a pot and turning it into a masterpiece. That’s the joy I find in cooking. It probably isn’t the best thing for a guy to do but… I still love it.But I wasn’t cooking today because I was happy, sad or anything like those. I was cooking because I was very much confused. The Erica who poured her frustration on me today, came back this ev•|ERIC|•After two days had passed, Layla left, during those two days, I had a friend and a brother I had never had in Rein. In barely how many days, I started to like him just as Erica had told me and she keeps teasing me about it whenever she sees me. Like winking at me then linking her arms round Eric's arm, tapping me and whispering in my ears about how much of a good man he is, sitting at dining table and telling everyone about how Rein and I casually got along very well.“You need to see it, mom. Eric and Rein are even more closer than them close to me. Honestly, Eric I am getting jealous of your friendship. Someone will even think the both of you are gays.” I nearly choked on my drink and then swallowed hard. I don’t know what is wrong with me. But whenever I see this Rein of a guy, I start having feelings, mixed waves of emotions rushing and flushing down my body. Whenever they talk of him, an uncertain overfl
•|ERIC|•I was packing my stuff to leave when a hand brushed mine and then just continued ahead. When I looked up, it was the gingerbread haired girl, who was just walking. She might have done what she did unconsciously, but then, it didn’t call for her to pass without even apologizing.Then again, I didn’t want any form of trouble, especially from a girl as bizarre as she was.I quickly put all my stuff inside my bag and hung it behind my back. I took out the phone from my pocket and checked to see several missed calls from Layla, a few two or three from Erica and Three text messages from Layla. Honestly, the girl was beginning to bore me with her constant calls and all that.Layla had suddenly picked up a stupid attitude of just calling me at any time. I don’t know what is wrong with her. But it started around the very time the gingerbread haired girl returned from whereve
•|LEILANI|•I was quite amazed to see Eric living on this part of the town. He hasn’t changed a little bit compared to about 10 years ago. He’s still the thin, pale skin boy from back then. Compared to Erica, he was always weaker. But Erica told me that it’s because she wasn’t supposed to be born.Her mom thought she only had a male child but Erica came, she was really thin. Her body size was so small that she spent some days in the incubator. But once she left, they had to neglect Eric and take care of Erica so she could grow.Although the story seemed to be quite impossible, it was the only reasonable explanation to his really thin body size. His pale skin is because his mom had pale skin as well before she died.Plus, Eric always was a cry baby, before and after his mom's death. Everyone thought his size and weight went to his tears and I wasn’t an exc
•|REIN|•Eric wasn’t back home yet and Erica was panicking. Her brother had never stayed out this long according to what she told me and even I myself couldn’t help but feel scared because he was nowhere around. I tried his line but it wasn’t ringing. His phone was switched off.“Rein, I’m so scared that something bad might have happened to Eric. He has never left the house, not in his entire life. So why will he be leaving now?” She yelled angrily and I just held her in my arms. I swear, if any soul touches just a hair on his skin, then the person is going to meet his father in hell.My veins popped out of my skin. I was angry that I didn’t realise that I was hurting Erica.“Rein, you’re hurting me.” I heard her plead and I quickly took my hands from her.Marks from the harsh way in which I held her were formed on her s
•|ERIC|•“Is this what you think of me?” Rein's voice was filled with sadness.I have to admit, I did hurt his ego and pride. I didn’t mean to say all of those, they just came out because I was upset. Upset that I let those thugs best me up. Upset that Leilani had to come and help me. Upset that I couldn’t even fight for Kate.Everything was hurting me and I couldn’t stand it. When I felt the bruises on my face, I got angry even the more.Maybe if I was a little fatter, then maybe just maybe I would have been able to fight and even defend myself.If I can’t even defend myself, then how will I be able to protect someone else. I did what I thought was right. I was foolishly stepping in. It’s grace that I am alive now. I don’t know what would have happened if Leilani didn’t come to my aid.I hate it.
•|REIN|• For a moment, after he told me that I was a cold hearted CEO who just butted in whenever it concerned my family, I was sad and angry with myself. For making him think that way about me, I was very angry. I didn’t like to see Eric hate me for whatsoever reason. But he held his hands in a fist. He was red with anger…. Not just some anger but anger towards himself, frustration. I didn’t know why he was angry and I tried to think of what could be the possible cause for his mood this night. He wasn’t saying a thing and probably he wouldn’t say anything. Then it dawned on me the possible reason for his anger. Even I would have been really angry if I were in his shoes. He was weak, feeble. He couldn’t hold up a fight to protect himself talk less of protecting someone else. Just like old times, he needed someone to come and save him. He was battered with frustra
•|ERIC|•He walked closer to me, and as he came close with one step, I went back with one step, till I hit the wall of my room back at Littleville. He smiled, noticing that I had reached a dead end.I wasn’t scared but rather, excited. My hands and nails clawed on the wall that my back was on, as I looked in Rein's eyes full of lust. He was dressed in nothing but his pant. His lean body moved in unison, as his quite thick thigh leg making noise on the ground with every step he made towards me.He licked his lips when he was just some two, three steps away from me. I watched as he grabbed me by the arm and pulling me into his embrace. My tall frame was pressed in his body as he held me by the waist. His hair was beautifully messy and wet, water dripping down it.My hands casually moved to the hair and then ruffled it, quite happily. He was smirking and I was innocently smiling.All
Rein was avoiding my eye somehow, which was quite strange but I wouldn’t look any further to avoid the suspicious looks, Erica and Mrs. Jackson could give me. I dug in straight into the appealing scrambled eggs before me.“You know, Layla's birthday is in about two weeks. The 12th precisely and I want her to have the best birthday ever. My baby will soon be turning 20 and it will be cool to celebrate her in a grand style.” Mrs. Jackson said with enthusiasm and I remembered that Erica's and i's birthday will also be upcoming, very soon.“That will be great. We should start the preparations now, what do you think?” Erica chirped in and Mrs. Jackson nodded with a bright smile.“Eric, we will need your smart brain here.” Erica spoke and just as if her words brought the death back to life, Rein looked at her for some time and then cleared his throat. I glanced over at Rein's seat as soon as I n
40. Dancing Machine!"L-A-Y-L-A..... LAYLA!" Everyone screamed as Layla cut her birthday cake. She was so happy, and so was everyone, dressed gorgeously but no one could compare to her the outshone everything else with her signature Asian look. Her bun was now loosened and fell in a high pony tail. Her earrings dangled as she laughed heartily.It was the best birthday party ever and we all could attest to the fact.However, her birthday seemed a little more of a wedding party with her escort who I supposed should be her boyfriend, smiling and cutting the cake with her. It was like wonderful and a dream come true.I turned around, looking for Rein and I saw him with Erica. They were with some other people but I don't know who they are so I turned my head back. Especially, after Rein shifted his gaze to me. It reminded me of what happened earlier on today and the other odd things that have been happening
"Your party is amazing." Kate praised Layla for the wonderful birthday party they were throwing for her.The program was soon to start and the two girls were in Layla's room admiring the dress the birthday celebrant was to put on. Layla's hair was tied in a bun and then styled with two hair pins. Her hairstyle was inspired from historical dramas she will watch and she wanted to look stunningly outstanding.However, being complimented by her best friend or her once best friend was something she didn't really take quite well but just smiled at it. She became enemies with Kate after finding out Kate seemed to have feelings for Eric, her in law whom she also liked.Plus, Kate kept reminding her of her relationship with her boyfriend. It's not like she hates him or anything, she just wasn't in love with him any longer.Or so she thought...Besides,Eric didn't notice her. S
“Hey what’s going on?” I ask him, curious as to why he brought me here.“I want the truth. Is Erica cheating on me?” He asks and I am stunned for a moment."What do you mean, Rein? If Erica is cheating on you, why don't you confront her yourself. I don't get it why you will come to me." I yell at him and then his face softens. He comes closer to me and then pulls me in a hug."That's because you're the only one I can talk to. I can't talkt to your sister. It feels like the both of us become strangers everyday. But when I'm with you, I feel like I am alive, like a dead part of me just came to life, Eric. I can't imagine what my life will be like without you in it. Please don't say no and please don't rub it on my face that Erica is cheating on me. I won't be able to handle that truth coming from you."His words were touching me. I felt bad for myself somehow and yet
•|ERIC|• It was time for Layla's birthday. A lot had happened ever since Lei and her sister moved in with us… for example, Erica had been avoiding us and then Rein had been undeniably too close to me. I will always spend the time with him, wait for him while he comes back home from work, and play games with him, like good old buddies would do. My mind wasn’t stable at all. It was hard been around him, and try so hard to control myself around him. How could I explain it? How was I going to keep it all buried inside me? What’s more, Lei always teased me about it. “The way you are eyeing him. Maybe we should just set up a romantic date for the both of you and you can tell him about the feelings….. Then you can tell me how you both go about doing it… you know what I mean.” She will tease me and my face will flush red of embarrassment. She’s so wrong but so right in every sense possible. I wanted it, a moment with h
It took time for me to heal, Eric. But I healed eventually and I started being friends with her again, putting it all under the bridge. I had a new girlfriend and I love her now, even more than I ever loved Erica. So there. I’ve told you the truth. Part of the reason, why Erica hates me so much.” She told me and I took in a very deep breath. I couldn’t believe all this happened. It’s like such things never happened because, Erica….“Is it bad?” Leila had asked me this morning but I didn’t know what to give her as an answer. “Is it bad to have feelings for someone that shares almost all features similar to yours?” She added. After I had thought for a while, “Not really bad. But for the first time, it is really weird.” He shook his head. “Why are you suddenly asking me such a question? I thought you will help me since you are best experienced in such things. Not question me
“She and I used to date each other. She was my girlfriend.” I was shocked when Lei said that to me. The shock was so much that I couldn’t handle.Erica and Leila were a couple? Meaning she was lesbian, before?“Yes! We used to be a couple before. By then Erica and I acted so crazily on love. In fact, she was the one who disvirgined me.”I was the more shocked hearing that Erica had taken Lei's virginity. It never once occurred to me that Erica was gay until today. Could it be that because of what she and Lei shared together, she is acting that way towards me now because she has a feeling that I and Rei can become a couple?Wow, it sounded absurd but refreshing in the ears. Because somehow, I knew that even if no one could believe in our love, Erica was a die hard believer who however was against it. That however is the first step, isn’t it.***FLAS
“Anything for my princess and her family.” I looked at Erica and winked. She smiled when I said those words. Lucky you, Rein. But why did Eric have to hug me the way he did in front of everyone. It was very strange but whatever it was, I liked it.I did it because of Eric. He was staring at me with an angry expression. I didn’t want to see him angry.Although I literally caused it with my… oh God what now? Eric was walking with a lady, quite his height mate, slightly taller, then she was dressed in baggy clothes. But the boobs never lie. She was a woman. I was mad in myself.The way they smiled, they looked at each other, you would think that they were a couple that were returning from a date or an early morning stroll. Plus, Eric has never been with a girl other than Layla who obviously is forcing herself on him. He clearly doesn’t want her but she keeps trying her luck.
I couldn’t believe I selfishly complained to her when she had issues, which maybe were worst than my chaotic and stupid love life.When she turned around to look at me, I was happy. I didn’t want her to see me as someone that was not one they could depend on. She had helped me out, many times in the past. And maybe this one time, I could be of help to her. I wanted to be strong…. Plus, it will be a way of helping me to get rid of my stupid feelings for Rein.That each time I can’t control whenever I see him. At times I wonder, how do straight people ever turn out gay?“You had something to say, remember?” I tell Leila and she smiles before relaxing herself. Seeing that she won’t try to walk away, I loosen my grasp on her hand with a little and faint smile and we continue walking together. At first, it’s like she doesn’t want to tell me anything but then she starts to talk.
The next morning, Eric lazily woke up from bed, yawned and started preparing so he could go to work a little early. The cuisine work was really helping him a lot and when he will gather enough money, he was going to start his own at his local community.Thinking of his former neighborhood, Littleville, he became sad. It seemed to have become history to his beloved sister but not to him.That’s where he shared his memories of his mom. He was going to go back to that house and then pay his respect to his dead mother.He felt as to cry. His mom would have been alive to see them both, but she just had to die. Tears swelled in his eyes whenever he thought of his mother.He quickly dressed up, walked out of the room and with one deep look at Rein's door, he rushed down the stairs and went out of the house. He might go back and live in that neighborhood. He couldn’t bear to stay in one place with Rein w