Chapter 1

Jefferson knew he would be called into the deputy chief's office to speak. So along the way, in his black mini car, Jefferson thinks about the answers to the questions the deputy chief of police might ask. He tried to think of the best possible explanation while struggling to focus while driving on the busy city streets.

Mainly when Willie was shot. It didn't kill him, but it made Jefferson feel guilty. Ignoring Cliff's suggestion to go home and rest at home, he simply climbed into the ambulance and accompanied Willie. He stayed in the hospital for two days.

Everyone knew his stubborn temper, so no one tried to force Jefferson to go home and rest. He just came home yesterday, and that's because the doctor has stated that Willie can go home.

Willie has three days off, and he decided to spend his day off with his beloved dog, Alto. While Jeff chose to go to the office.

Jefferson was a little worried, his steps weren't as steady as usual, and his back was a little hunched. Even as soon as he entered the deputy's room, he immediately lowered his head, not daring to look at Mr. Tucker.

"Good morning, Mr. Tucker," said Jefferson.

Mr. Tucker is a man in his fifties but still looks healthy and fit in his old age like a fine wine. He has been considered a father, a teacher, and an advisor; he is a person who is respected by everyone. Jefferson complied without any opposition. He was the only person who could make the stubborn Jefferson obey.

Mr. Tucker cleared his throat, his eyes twitching and his forehead furrowed; he told Jefferson to sit in a chair across from him.

Jefferson sat down hastily; he sat up straight with a stiff back. 

"I've heard from Cliff about yesterday's incident, but I want to hear it directly from you."

Jefferson gulped; he wet his lips while Mr. Tucker closed his eyes. Everyone knew what he was doing. When he closed his eyes after telling someone to talk, it meant that he was ready to listen. Jefferson started to speak. Starting from him and Willie, who was strolling in the park after their work hours were over, that was why they still carried weapons. Jefferson explained in detail that he even told the part when Willie pulled his hand to approach an ice cream seller when he saw a man with a petite body and a wound on his forehead that was covered by his long, limp bangs.

Mr. Tucker raised his hand, and Jefferson knew right away that Mr. Tucker had asked him to stop talking. He was silent for a few seconds. Jefferson could hear his heartbeat four times before Mr. Tucker lowered his hand again.

"So you just followed him? And didn't report it right away?"

Jefferson nodded. "Yeah, Willie and I agreed to just follow the guy."

Mr. Tucker nodded his head, he closed his eyes again, and Jefferson continued his story. Jefferson told the story to the end without any interruption from Mr. Tucker. But the old man didn't open his eyes as soon as Jefferson stated that he had finished his story.

Jefferson could only hear the sound of the wind blowing from the air conditioner beside them while holding his breath. Those few seconds seemed like hours to Jefferson until he finally opened his eyes, staring at Jefferson blankly after a few seconds of silence.

"You are a brave young cop, but your actions are careless. Luckily you have good skills, "said Mr. Tucker laughing softly.

It was such a relief; Jefferson exhaled and laughed along. Mr. Tucker got up from his chair and patted Jefferson on the shoulder. He looked like a father advising his son, while Jefferson looked down awkwardly.

Even though he was ready to be scolded for what happened to Willie, he was grateful that it didn't happen. Jefferson came out with a big smile on his face.

This made his coworkers glance at Jefferson out of curiosity about what Mr. Tucker told him, especially Malvin and Howard. They went straight to Jefferson as soon as he plopped his ass on the chair.

Howard sat in Willie's chair next to his, while Malvin stood with his hands piled on the back of his chair. They flashed suspicious smiles; Jefferson knew they had come to make fun of him.

"Look at that smile, another trophy for our heroes."

Jefferson shook his head with a smile. He glanced at Malvin, who was standing behind him. "You are exaggerating it," he denied.

Howard stepped forward, pulling Willie's chair closer. He immediately put his arm around Jefferson, making him sigh. Here we go again.

Howard grinned, his gaze fixed on the group of women who were looking at them. But even though Jefferson knew they looked at him, they didn't intend to hide or pretend they were doing something else. Instead, they waved their hands.

Howard waved back while Malvin smiled. While Jefferson just glanced at them and then pulled out his notebook and pencil.

Malvin and Howard could only shake their heads. Howard stopped his movement and forcibly grabbed his notebook and pencil, pushing them away from Jefferson.

Jefferson sighed in annoyance, he reached out his hand to grab the notebook, but Malvin held him back.

"Relax, man. You just finished a case. You should give yourself a self-reward."

Howard patted Jefferson on the shoulder, with his hand pointing at someone. Jefferson had no intention of looking at her, but Malvin eagerly looked in that direction.

"Looks like Kaylee secretly likes you, man. You don't want to go talk to her or ask her for a date?"

Jefferson didn't shake his head or nod; he stretched his arms and turned on the computer. The computer screen immediately flashed and greeted Jefferson with a simple sentence, welcome back!

Jefferson clicked on his profile and entered a password, and his window page opened. The front page is full of folders; each folder contains different types of cases, from old to the newest cases, which have been resolved or unresolved.

But Jefferson's movement stopped again when Howard took his mouse and pulled it away from Jefferson along with his notebook and pencil.

"Jefferson, look at me. This is an important thing. Don't you know how lucky you are because Kaylee likes you? She is like a flower surrounded by a dozen bees, but she only allows one bee standing at the end of the garden to take her honey." 

Jefferson laughed, but he was already cursing them in his mind. "I don't have time. I'm still busy with my work," he replied. "I'm going to ignore her. I can't give her what she wants. So wouldn't it be better if I didn't approach her at all?"

This sentence clearly slapped Howard and Malvin as someone who often goes on dates and has fun. They both looked at each other, then shrugged their shoulders. It seemed the slap wasn't hard enough to wake them both up.

"You're exaggerating, dude," Malvin sneered.

They both shifted slightly, no longer pressing Jefferson. Malvin also returned the notebook, pencil, and mouse he had put away earlier. Jefferson accepted it gladly.

Jefferson immediately opened his notebook to see what he needed to look for. He also opened the browser, and his hands were hovering over the keyboard, ready to type. He was contemplating what he was going to search for.

"You look a bit strange, Jefferson. But, let me make sure about one thing. You're not gay, aren't you?"

Jefferson's hand hovered over the keyboard for a moment. He glanced at Malvin, who had shifted position behind Howard.

"Oh my God, how did you find out?" Jefferson asked with a flat tone and expression on his face. His sharp gaze made Malvin and Howard goosebumps all over their bodies.

They both laughed at Jefferson's sarcasm. Malvin even came back behind him and massaged his shoulder.

Jefferson smiled with satisfaction; he turned back to his computer and started typing.

"You're in luck today, but if you do that again, I'll make sure you'll suffer," Jefferson threatened.

Howard patted Jefferson's arm. "Come on, dude. You know Malvin and I like to make a joke."

Malvin nodded. "There's no way such a gentleman like you are gay. That's nonsense. You are a role model for everyone here, especially regarding work and how to win women's hearts without doing anything."

Jefferson smiled proudly, making Howard and Malvin heave a sigh of relief. Huh, it feels like hanging on a thread.

Yeah, he's gay.

Jefferson took a deep breath after Malvin and Howard left him. Jefferson wondered how they could come to such a conclusion, was that just because he didn't seem interested in being in a relationship with any woman, so he was automatically gay? Jefferson knew so many people in this world who put everything aside for the sake of a good career, and he tried to look like that.

Did he accidentally open a crack? Could it be that they know he secretly has a crush on his best friends?

Yep, it's right. Like other stupid and naive main characters from a high school theme romance story, Jefferson falls in love with his straight best friend, Willie. That's embarrassing, but it's the truth that he hides from everyone, including Willie himself. 

Jefferson lost his intention to the rows of websites that appeared in front of him. He immersed himself in unimportant things, things he hoped would happen and never happen in his life.

Willie is getting married in one month to his girlfriend, who was also his high school classmate, Ruby. A girl with long wavy hair and a beautiful smile. She wears square glasses and looks geeky. She works as a teacher at a kindergarten near Willie's house.

Jefferson saw her often; he had just met Ruby yesterday when Jefferson was accompanying Willie at the hospital. What happened to Willie certainly worries Ruby; what if suddenly he can't attend his wedding because he's injured on duty?

Their wedding invitation is neatly tucked away in Jefferson's car dashboard. He hasn't opened the invitation because he doesn't want to see what is written inside. Even though what else will be written on the wedding invitation if not the bride and groom's name and a romantic quote?

The truth is, he's not ready to accept that it's time to move on and forget his feelings. Let his best friend have the best wedding ever.

Jefferson rubbed his forehead, and he was frustrated.