21. Kiss And Tell

"You've not been picking up my calls. I figured you needed time to calm down therefore I hope it's a good time to talk."

"I wasn't taking your calls with good reason." Ari's tone was passive as he leaned by the door. Crossing his arms across his chest, he asked, "How's your wife doing?"

"Can we stop fighting please?" Ned appeared a little restless and irritated at the same time. "I didn't struggle to get you just so I could lose you over a little misunderstanding."

"You consider getting married a little misunderstanding?"

"If you'd heard my explanation instead of lashing out, you'd have understood the predicament that led me to that state."

"What did you expect me to do?" Ari asked, dropping his hands on either side of him, an act that made Ned feel at a loss. "I was hurt. If tables were turned, you'd have acted the same way."

"Then, do you really feel nothing for me anymore?"

Ned's question sent a hurricane of guilt towards Ari. He stood speechless for some time, one of his hands reaching to hold the door then averted his eyes. The memory of him and Rey being thoroughly intimate began eating him up. 'Kettle calling the pot black.'

"Is that it Ari?"

"I didn't mean to storm out like that. We hadn't officially agreed on you proceeding with the wedding arrangements but you still went ahead and did as you pleased."

"If you let me in, I'll be happy to explain everything to you."

Ari stepped aside in silence. He felt awkward having kept Ned standing outside. Even so, he knew his anger towards Ned was justified no matter whatever explanation he was going to hear.

"I said some things I didn't mean and I..." Ari hesitated, wondering to himself if he should reveal the truth to Ned but figured it would be much better to at least listen to his explanation first.

Seeing that Ari was battling with guilt over lashing out, Ned offered to assure him he was fine. After sitting down, Ari offered him a beverage which he declined. "I rushed straight away to your place from a meeting. I couldn't stand you being mad at me any longer seeming that you weren't coming to my place anymore.

Anyway, remember the trip I took? Apparently, the other party had arranged everything and the date for signing the contract was pushed forward due to a deadline that we had to meet with a mutual opponent. Everything was unprecedented and as much as I tried to look for a loophole, it was impossible therefore, I had to cooperate, lest I lose an opportunity that even my great grandparents never attained in their lifetime."

"What's important about it? Why does it have to be you?"

"My presumed wife's family are on the verge of bankruptcy among other crises they may be facing which are too sensitive to mention. As much as I wish to be open on this matter, that is as far as I can explain therefore, please understand and meet me in the middle of this. My thoughts were on you the entire time. Not once did I waver neither thought of sharing my bed with another..."

"Enough." Ari raised his hand to stop Ned. The last words uttered seemed to throw accusing daggers at him and in a bid to hide his guilt, he almost confessed what had happened between him and Rey. Luckily, as if he'd been eavesdropping on their conversation, Mun appeared from Ari's room.

"I'm I interrupting something?" Mun asked shamelessly. "I can't even pretend to not have heard everything. This place sure does have thin walls Ari don't you think so?"

"Mun..." Ari threw an accusing look at his friend, who just laughed it off and then proceeded to shake hands with Ned.

"Nice to finally meet you. I'd say many of my colleagues at work wanted to handle one of your premium projects, but Ari had always been the chosen one. It's unfortunate with his departure, you left our company in shambles too considering you were a major client."

Ned appeared confused, glancing back and forth between Mun and Ari. He knew Mun alright, but for a long time, he'd suspected the two to be lovers not until Ari had made it clear they were not in that sort of relationship.

Mun on the other hand had always been perceptive of such situations and seeing that Ari was still trapped in his own guilt, he understood what needed to be done. "We've met a couple of times and I wouldn't blame you if you don't remember me, but aside from previously working together, Ari is my best friend."

"Yes, he mentioned you several times. I apologize for barging in unannounced today."

"Wow, what chivalry. You're the best Ari has ever brought home."

"Mun!"

"Oops." Mun chuckled then covered his mouth meekly. "I went too far there didn't I?"

"You think?" Ari retorted.

Their little conflict somehow seemed to amuse Ned for a smile escaped him, then a chuckle followed by a gentle laugh. The tension he had had since coming to Ari's apartment seemed to disappear as he laughed.

"Would you like some tea?" Mun asked and Ari was about to send him off but when Ned agreed, he held back his words. The air did feel different after Ned's little laugh and Mun somewhat entertain Ned, who'd agreed to accompany him right away.

"Ari keeps a selection of tea here. There is no one in this world crazy about tea as much as your boyfriend is."

"I never knew he had such a hobby."

"A boring one if you ask me. He couldn't be just a normal person and be obsessive over normal things normal people obsess over."

"And what do normal people obsess over?"

"Sleep, great sex and food."

Ned's laughter could be heard in the living room which made Ari curious. He stood by the door, watching the two chatter on.

"What kind of person does he think I am telling me about tea from who knows which country and how it was cultivated? You should listen to him when he is up and dandy on a day off, 'Mun, would you care for some tea nurtured under oxygenated water in the month of March.'"

"Perhaps he believes you a tea lover as well."

"I'm a food, sleep and sex lover."

"There is no doubt about that." Ned laughed even harder at each of Mun's responses. After a while, Ari felt completely left out and was about to call Ned aside to clear up his conscience when suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting anyone, Mun?"

"Why would I have someone come here? This place is my escape away from the world, minus the tea of course."

"Forget I asked," Ari growled and walked towards the door. He hadn't expected the two to instantly get along, especially Ned who'd been rather protective of those he allowed into his life. 'Those two sure are extroverts.'

"Hah! I finally found you."

"R-Rey...?" Ari whispered, too stunned at the sight of the man standing on his doorstep. There is no doubt he had been avoiding him and with good reason. "What are doing here?"

"Since that day, you've been avoiding me. Perhaps I'm the only one who feels awkward."

"What are you talking about?" 'Why would he be feeling awkward? ...Wait a minute... Ned is here...!'

"Dashing off in silence and disappearing just like that is cheating."

"Cheat...!" 'Darn it! Every word I hear today is just meant to bash and shame me!'

Pushing Rey outside, Ari shut the door behind him, lest the other two find out he was there. Ned would overreact and knowing Mun, he'd want to sit in for the drama.

"I wasn't playing around...and you already know how I feel..."

"It was my first time with a man manager Ari."

"It was my first time being bottomed!" Ari controlled a whispered yell a little too late. "I didn't know how to face you or myself so I left. Don't you get it?"

"I'm not gay."

Ari's face dropped at Rey's remark. He didn't know how to respond as much as he had a lot of proof against his declaration. With sarcasm, he replied, "You seem convinced you are not."

"It is my assumption taking the position of a woman is what you are referring to but it looked like you were a natural at it if my memory serves me right."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm the one who should be petrified that I slept with a man and enjoyed it. I should have turned you down the moment I realized I was sober but I didn't."

"I can't decide if you are insulting or complimenting me."

"It was my first time so I didn't know what to do and figured I was bad at it that's why you ran away."

"What the...? What are you talking about?"

"I asked myself many times if I stopped for a moment to think you were a girl...or stopped to think if I was doing this with you...without foreplay or anything..." Rey replied, seeming to be in distress. "It all felt unreal and I panicked when I awoke to an empty bed..."

"Wait-wait-wait Rey... Calm a little down and lower your tone..."

"I want to do it again Manager Ari."

"Huh?"

"I want to know... I need to know what's wrong with me. I'm disturbed...confused..." Grabbing onto one of Ari's hands, whose immediate resistance was futile, Rey stepped forward. "I'm sure I don't want to know how it feels like to be screwed from behind...bottom as you've so put it. However, I did you and that experience unlocked something in me I never thought existed before."

"Let go!"

"Is everything alright?"

Ari immediately turned to find Mun and Ned standing at the doorway. He'd been too distracted to not have realized where he was and with who. "I-I'm fine. Rey was just leaving."

"No, I wasn't," Rey replied almost instantly, throwing both Mun and Ned a threatening glare.

"What's going on?" Mun asked meekly. "We heard you shouting so we came out to see if you were alright."

"Rey here came to ask for some help on a project and I told him I don't work for the company anymore. Isn't that right Rey?" 'Please play along you fool...'

"That's not true."

"What?" Ari panicked, his eyes begging Rey not to do what he thought he was going to do.

"I came to ask if I can sleep with you again."