A frustrated sigh escaped Theron's lips, as he knew deep down that letting go of the past would be beneficial for his own well-being. Yet, as he closed his eyes each night, vivid images of his previous experiences persistently flashed before him. However, he placed no blame upon himself for these persistent memories. Establishing a romantic bond with a friend was not his top priority nor paramount sough-after objective at this point in his life. Although he possessed the capacity to show affection, he confined himself to mere friendly love, unable to embrace romantic love.
However, what did he truly understand about Kith's world? And what did Kith truly comprehend about his own? They had become distant strangers, disconnected and unfamiliar. Perhaps it was no longer Kith's responsibility to delve into the intricacies of their current lives. After all, why would a stranger even bother?
He was well aware that he had also inflicted pain upon Kith in the past. Therefore, it was wiser for him to concentrate on the present, to let go of any lingering resentment, as he knew that ultimately, he would be the one who loses.
As he once again met the gaze of Sense, he detected a perplexed expression on his face. It was as if Sense had been silently observing him, lost deep in thought. Curiosity got the better of him, compelling him to inquire.
"I thought you were in a rush?"
"Damn it, I've been here since earlier," Theron retorted.
"Well then, let's go," Sense suggested.
Theron remained motionless, rooted to his spot, refusing to acknowledge Sense's invitation. Instead, he turned his attention back to the colossal and towering structure that belonged to the PPB. "I still can't believe it," he murmured, the words escaping audibly from his lips.
"You couldn't believe what?" Sense asked and turned his back on him.
"Kith..." That was the only word he managed to utter, filled with a whirlwind of emotions.
"Your old best friend. He contacted you?" Sense's indifferent tone couldn't conceal his curiosity.
Why the hell would this clueless Sense even care about Kith? He vividly remembered the foolish assumption that had once circulated, suggesting that he and Kith were in a romantic relationship.
Theron couldn't help but wonder why he didn't give a damn about it, fully aware that Kith was a man. But as it turned out, those rumors were true—Kith wasn't straight, contrary to his initial belief. He had even staunchly defended Kith against any derogatory remarks. And really, what's wrong with Kith not conforming to society's narrow norms? He had repeatedly assured himself that it was absolutely alright. However, the depth of Kith's affection towards him during their time together remained an enigma he couldn't quite grasp.
"He owned it—his family owned it."
"Ah." Sense let out an exasperated groan. "That was exactly what I was going to say. I wanted to surprise you. But it seems that you already know," he pretended to be mildly hurt, his words laced with feigned disappointment.
"Surprise, my ass."
"Well then, let me go ahead and kiss your ass," Sense retorted, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. And in an instant, a thought crossed his mind. "Wait, why don't we consider the advantage here? After all, Kith was your best friend, and it was only natural to expect a warm reception," he added, his tone suggesting a self-perception of cleverness.
What on earth should he tell Sense? Only Irvin held knowledge of the secret affair that had unfolded between him and Kith.
Even though two years had passed, it wasn't something he could simply disclose to Sense. Not when Sense had proven time and time again to be utterly clueless when it came to matters of this nature. "Advantage, my ass. Sense, have you completely lost your mind?" he said with a smug grin, unable to hide his amusement.
"What's gotten into you? Are you feeling a bit uneasy? There's not a hint of surprise on your face. Aren't you pleased by the fact that you and Kith have been reunited?" Sense scratched his head, visibly perplexed by the lack of enthusiasm displayed.
"There are certain things that you simply can't comprehend, okay," Theron let out a sigh, his voice filled with a tinge of frustration.
Sense nodded knowingly. "Alright then, let's head back home. I could really use some rest. By the way, I'll be at Star Pub tonight. They say it's teeming with stunning ladies, Ther," he uttered, biting his lower lip with a trace of desire. Oh, the lustful Sense.
Theron began making his way towards Sense's car, but suddenly halted as a realization struck him—he had inadvertently left his cellphone on the client's table, right where Kith was seated.
There was no way he could bring himself to return to the scene if it meant encountering Kith. The mere sight of Kith's smile was something he couldn't bear. He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself, repeatedly swallowing down the flurry of emotions within.
After all, he was a man, constantly reminding himself of that fact. And he had never been intimidated by Kith. In fact, Theron considered himself stronger than Kith. He could still vividly recall their wrestling matches, their bodies entwined in a struggle for dominance. It was as if Kith reveled in being pinned down without putting up a fight. He shook his head, attempting to expel those memories from his mind.
"Theron, what's running through your mind? Is that assh*le of yours having a field day in there?" Sense burst into laughter.
"What's so amusing, Sense?" Theron retorted with a smirk, his response dripping with sarcasm.
"You," Sense exclaimed, his laughter echoing in the air. "What's going on with you? Why are your lips moving like that? Are you having a conversation with yourself, you bastard?"
Theron's face tightened as he tried to compose himself. "I accidentally left my cellphone," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.
Sense shook his head, a look of mild exasperation on his face. "Okay, you're so careless," he remarked, his tone bordering on annoyance.
Theron's eyes widened with a sudden realization. "Wait for me—"
"You're going to retrieve it?" Sense interrupted, raising an eyebrow.
"Hell yeah," Theron replied resolutely, determined to retrieve his misplaced phone.
Sense leaned back in his car seat, his voice muffled as he spoke from inside the vehicle. "Alright, then inform Kith to welcome my presence. Perhaps that person has forgotten that he used to be a part of our close-knit circle of friends," he suggested, sounding somewhat nostalgic.
Nodding with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, Theron turned around to face the familiar visage of Kith. As Theron locked eyes with Kith's smiling face, his heart quickened its pace, the rhythmic beats resonating in his ears. Each thump seemed to mirror the mixture of nervousness and discomfort swirling within his chest.