CHAPTER 8 #2
“My name is Oscar Carter, by the way,” the man started when Min-Jun finished his task. “I don’t remember seeing you here before. You must be new? What’s your name?”
Min-Jun straightened the bottle and looked back at the man. “You’re right. I’m new here.”
The man stared at him curiously, a smirk playing on the corners of his lips. “No name?”
Min-Jun took a deep breath, he hated saying his name to strangers, but he answered anyway, “Min-Jun.”
“China or Korea?” The man grinned.
Min-jun had to refrain from rolling his eyes.
“Are you working here temporarily or…?”
“I guess so.”
“Hm. If you want to change your job one day, let me know. I will hire you. You have a face for modelling and acting.” Oscar handed him his business card.
Min-Jun’s jaw clenched, and he stood without moving. The man pushed his card closer, so Min-Jun took it although he had no plans to contact this person for a job even if he ended up starving on the street.
When he was alone again, Min-Jun looked around the room. He felt like he had some inner compass that made him look for Aidan. However, Aidan wasn’t in sight this time and Min-Jun felt his body tense. He served more drinks and wondered where Aidan was.
***
Even while he was surrounded by the crowd, Aidan noticed Oscar approaching Min-Jun and talking with him. His blood stirred, but he continued entertaining the ladies that gathered around him like it was nothing.
Aidan followed Min-Jun with his gaze whenever the young man moved, all while holding conversation with his guests. And once it was time for the main course, and everyone was sitting at the tables, Aidan clinked on his glass.
“First, I would like to thank everyone who came to celebrate my thirtieth birthday. Secondly, I want to thank my parents.” He raised his glass higher and looked at his adoptive mother and father who gave him a smile. “Who knows where I would be, if it weren’t for them.”
His look went distant, and the words rolled off his tongue, but it was harder than he expected. He remembered the days in the orphanage. He remembered the day when he came to this house for the first time. He gritted his teeth and took a deep breath.
“And to my grandfather who is no longer with us, we thank you for making the world a better place. Thank you all,” he finished and seated himself back in the chair. Everyone clapped, but Aidan only forced a smile.
Where are you now?
Aidan needed a distraction.
***
After dinner Min-Jun filled the last tray with dirty dishes and headed for the kitchen. As he walked through the hallway, in the corner of the corridor, he noticed two people making out.
Oh, great…
Min-Jun felt awkward coming across two lovers in their moment of passion. He looked in front of himself, focusing on his tray and making his best effort not to lose balance.
Damn it. Do they have to do it here?
Min-Jun walked around the couple and with the corner of his eye, he noticed one detail. As his mind registered what he was seeing, he dropped the tray on the floor.
The porcelain shattered all around, and Min-Jun gasped in shock.
He wasn’t sure what shook him more – the scene in front of him or the mess he had caused.
His boss, and the man Min-Jun had seen him talking with earlier, stopped kissing and stared back at him.
“Are you okay?” Aidan rushed to him.
Min-Jun bent down as fast as he could to pick up the broken pieces, hiding his face under his bangs. He didn’t dare to look up. He was sure that the entire damage would be deducted from his salary, and he just hoped the damage wasn’t bigger than his entire monthly wage.
“I’m sorry... I’m so sorry…” Min-Jun apologized over and over again.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about the mess. Just be careful you don’t cut yourself.”
They both collected the biggest pieces and put them all on the tray.
“I’m going to grab the vacuum before it spreads all over the house,” Min-Jun added, his hands trembling.
He rose to his feet and noticed that they had an audience.
A couple of people were peeking from behind the corner, but Elena assured them that everything was fine and that they could go back to the living room.
Min-Jun took a deep breath and hurriedly walked down the hallway. When he got back, Aidan straightened up, and glancing at curious faces, added, “I need to go back to the living room.”
Min-Jun started vacuuming while the man who was kissing with his boss minutes ago continued leaning his shoulder against the wall.
“You made quite a mess…” the man spoke up when Min-Jun finished. “Did we really startle you that much? Haha.”
Min-Jun just gave him a look and walked away with the vacuum cleaner.
“What? Cat got your tongue?”
Min-Jun rolled his eyes and left. When he returned, he felt relieved to see the man wasn’t there anymore.
Once he finished cleaning, he was back in the living room. He continued to serve the guests, still feeling uncomfortable about the chaos he had caused.
Aidan was surrounded by both men and women and Min-Jun hated it. And in his mind, he replayed scenes of Aidan and the dark-haired man making out.
***
Downing shot after shot never felt so good and right. The initial burning passed long ago, and Aidan indulged in the sweet tones of vanilla and spice, flavors that mixed with cigarettes and a mouth covered with sticky lipstick.
Aidan somehow found himself by the fireplace, making out with a long-haired brunette. When he tried to get to his feet, he was sure he would kiss the floor, but Cade was there to catch him. The woman only looked confusedly at him.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“I just need to…” Aidan trailed off and looked around. He stumbled for the second time and Cade jumped to his rescue.
“I’ll help you to your room,” Cade offered.
The woman rose to her feet, taken aback, shook her head with a frown on her face and left.
Aidan still wanted to stay downstairs, saying he was okay, but he didn’t have the strength to fight against Cade’s will. His head was spinning, and he struggled to keep his balance.
“You need to get some rest,” Cade assured him.
“No... I... I don’t want to go yet. I’m okay.”
“You’re wasted, Aidan,” Cade added. “I’ll take good care of you. Don’t worry.” He grinned.
Aidan groaned as he was dragged away. Cade put Aidan’s left arm over his shoulder and gripped his waist tight so he wouldn’t fall over, and they walked up the stairs.
When they entered Aidan’s bedroom, Cade released his hold and Aidan fell on the mattress. He groaned and turned on his back.
Cade took off Aidan’s shoes first. Then he unbuttoned his shirt. At the end he worked on his belt.
Aidan just lay flat and had no strength to move a bone. When his chest was bare, Cade started planting kisses on his skin.
“What are you doing?” Aidan spoke up.
Cade paused. “Don’t you like it?”
“Stop it.”
Cade frowned. “What?”
“Get out,” Aidan ordered.
Cade stood frozen above him. “You’re drunk,” he added after a brief pause. “I can’t leave you alone in this state.”
“I don’t care. I don’t need anyone. Just leave me alone.” Aidan stared at the ceiling. But Cade remained beside his bed. “I said you’re free to go. So go already.”
“Fine! I’m leaving.” Cade threw his hands into the air, annoyed. “Happy Birthday,” he slammed the door.
“Bye.”
Aidan rolled onto his stomach, and his world began to spin again.