[8] Rosso

BACK AT CAFE TENDRE, Rosso and Theo sat across from each other, occupying the table in the farthest corner of the mezzanine.

Rosso was recuperating from his injured right arm. If he hadn't played the hero, the commissioned artwork would have been finished by now. He'd be long gone from this cursed city. He mused as his left hand gathered ample strands of his shoulder-length, sun-streaked wavy hair. Still seated, he hunched forward and awkwardly maneuvered his right arm, which was still wrapped in a cast, to tie his hair into a ponytail, but his efforts failed. In dismay, he cursed under his breath and tossed the black hair elastic on the table.

Sitting across from him was Theo, the owner of the cafe and a close friend, who paused his reading to observe. Theo chuckled when he couldn't hide his amusement at his friend's clumsiness.

A while ago, Rosso was lounging on the rooftop. But when it started to rain, the atmosphere turned bleak and the air reeked of petrichor. So he sought shelter inside. He's stuck here with Theo on a rainy Friday afternoon. He's annoyed because the injury impaired his movement. He's vexed trying to win an argument against his friend. His cheeks were hot with anger. 

Rosso cursed, "Damn it!" With his muscular body slouched on the chair, he looked like a kid having tantrums, but he didn't care. With Theo, he has no filter when expressing himself. He reiterated his decision firmly, "I am not interested in painting flowers. As soon as I finish the mural, I'll leave this goddamn city."

Theo commissioned murals and paintings for his bar and cafe. Rosso worked on the mural for Cafe Tendre but couldn't finish on time due to his injury. He was injured while saving a woman when a psycho opened fire at Theo's craft beer bar.

Rosso declined Theo's proposal for a new project: a series of still lifes featuring various flowers for Cafe Tendre. He explained that he had no plans to extend his stay. But Theo was adamant about the project. Their argument broke out when Theo insisted on visiting botanical gardens for inspiration.

Rosso scoffed at the idea, "Sightseeing in Blake City? That wasn't on my to-do list, Theo."

Theo quipped, "Make room for it. You won't be disappointed."

Rosso shook his head and furrowed his brows. He sighed, "You're incorrigible. You know that this city sickens me."

"And you're quick-tempered. You're prone to running away. Although, I wouldn't mind if you eloped with a girlfriend."

Rosso merely sighed, massaging his temple. This conversation was exhausting.

Six years ago, Rosso left the city as a disgraced police detective. He vowed to never return to Blake City. But three months ago, Theo proposed the artwork projects for his businesses with a hefty fee. He needed the money so he signed the contract. But how the hell did Theo know about his financial problems? 

He's back in Blake City as an artist with an injured arm. He might as well cut his ear, paint sunflowers, and gaze at the starry skies from the windows of the Saint de Paul Monastery. Theo's antics were driving him insane.

Theo offered a suggestion, "Enjoy the floral scenery while recuperating. Stop being so hard on yourself, Ross. If art is your chance to redeem yourself, let me help you. Time is a natural healer. But your seclusion is long overdue."

Theo was the epitome of equanimity and stubbornness. He's seated with his right leg crossed over the other, his body relaxed, and his head tilted down to read a book in his hand.

Rosso straightened his sitting posture. He crossed his right leg, resting his right ankle on his left knee. He stretched his left arm across the table, fingers tapping the vintage-inspired wooden furniture. He was restless and responded irritatedly, "Scenery? Huh? The rain has no sign of stopping. The city is as bleak as its weather."

Theo dismissed his annoyance, "Our weather is predictable. Rain or sunshine. You'll find inspiration when we visit the botanical gardens."

Rosso lost it, "For the love of God! I have no intention of visiting those godforsaken gardens. I only came here for the project. We stick to the contract, Theo."

As if oblivious to Rosso's protests, Theo kept reading and said, "Or you can start a beekeeping hobby. The rooftop offers an impressive start. We'll draw in curious minds."

Rosso threw his hand up in the air in exasperation, "Oh, for f*ck's sake!"

Theo taunted him, "I'm offering you an opportunity to change the world one bee at a time. As an alternative to a lucrative painting commission that you find loathsome—" he shrugged his shoulders, "Do you by chance, allergic to pollens?"

Rosso replied flatly, "You jest, Theo."

Theo stopped reading. He shifted his focus on Rosso. He flashed an annoying grin and said, "Stop hiding like a spooked caveman. When are you going to lose the beard? I thought you spent the last five years surfing in Valerio. It looks like you've been hiding in the caves of Salmario! The hair I can tolerate," he shook his head, "You're a talented artist. We should hold an exhibit—" 

Rosso sighed, defeated, "Damn it! You won't stop nagging me until you get what you want."

Theo laughed. He explained with amusement, "I find men painting flowers charming. The gentle stroke of an artist's hand trying to capture the delicate peonies against some dark, grim background. Even the vanitas become a marvelous piece—" he paused for effect, teasing his friend, "I promise I won't ask for sunflowers."

Rosso snapped, "Cut it out! Your eccentricity is killing me, Theo." 

"Life is short. Might as well find something to preoccupy our idle minds."

Rosso leaned back. His eyes locked on the brochures spread across the table. Then he slightly raised the front legs of the chair and began rocking his seat back and forth until he calmed down. It's a habit. 

Meanwhile, Theo stopped reading as he studied Rosso's profile and realized how much his friend had changed. Living by the sea and surfing led his friend to adopt a carefree approach to life, and he was glad about that. It was strikingly different from Rosso's regimented lifestyle while serving in the police.

Theo was 15 years older than Rosso. He was Rosso's superior when they were part of the police force. He pushed Rosso to his limits, supported him, and created opportunities for him to prove his worth. He believed that Rosso deserved to earn the badge of honor. Rosso worked hard and followed the rules. But without influential families and personalities to back him up, Rosso was just another dispensable foot soldier. There's more to Blake City than what's printed in the travelogue. Theo knew that very well. 

Even though their social statuses were at opposite ends of the spectrum, their friendship endured even after Rosso's dismissal from the Blake City Police Department.

Rosso was born and raised in Blake City. He was orphaned at three years old. He stayed from one relative to another. Life was tough for a boy without parents. They were his relatives, but he was a burden to them. He learned that the hard way. There are things he wanted to forget. His childhood was marked by unpleasant anecdotes about his life and parents, whom he knew little about.

He escaped that abusive living arrangement when an orphanage took him in. He stayed there until he graduated high school. His luck changed when he received a scholarship at Blake State University.

He excelled in academics. While studying at the university, he fell in love with the campus Queen of Charms. He was a poor and unfashionable guy living under the school's benevolence. On the other hand, she was beautiful, rich, and smart.

He was juggling between studies and part-time jobs. A guy like him was sidelined. He belonged to the nerds and weirds category. He wondered what had become of that girl. One day, she stopped attending school. Her popularity was replaced with disparaging rumors. 

Rosso was devastated. He felt ashamed. How could he forget that embarrassing incident? They were graduating students. It was sometime in February. They attended a classmate's birthday party, he was drunk. He confessed his feelings to her. But she ignored him. That incident created a stir on the campus. They teased him because of that.

His outcast reputation was cemented. That was the first and last instance he confessed to a woman. He devoted his time to studying and working until he graduated. He never heard about the Queen of Charms since that incident.

Suddenly, a strong bolt of lightning disrupted Rosso and Theo's musings. 

Rosso glanced in the direction of a couple sitting a few tables away. He disliked women like her, a rich inconsiderate, entitled brat.

About 30 minutes ago, the woman arrived with a weary-looking assistant tagged along. She settled in, took selfies, and fiddled with her phone. Then she handed the phone to her assistant, instructing her to write captions and post them on her social media. She chastised her for messing up last time.

When her date arrived, her attitude took a 180-degree shift. She acted demure and thanked him for the present. She opened the box and remarked that it was her favorite cheesecake. She gasped with excitement and covered her mouth with her delicate bejeweled hands. 

Rosso wondered if the guy fell for that act. He couldn't tell since the guy's back was facing him.

Theo blurted out of the blue, "That's the reason you'll remain single." 

Rosso faced Theo with a quizzical look, "T-the what?" 

"You have this notion that women will reject you. First love never dies, so they say—"

"I do not—"

"When will you start dating? At 40? Preposterous. You can use an app. Swipe right—"

"Hah!"

"Or you try the oldest matchmaking services of Madame Melody. That woman is so damn successful even my aunt approves of her!" 

Rosso smirked, "Talking from your personal experience, huh?"

Theo waved his hand in dismissal. He sipped the espresso and said, "When will you get over that rejection? It was that college girl, yeah," he laughed until he coughed. "There are stages to recovery, but you're stuck in the stage of denial."

The first time Theo heard Rosso's account of that rejection, he succumbed to conniption laughing. 

"Oh, shut up!"

Theo sighed and complained, "Why are the men in my life either quick-tempered or annoying bastards?"

Raising his eyebrow, Rosso gave his friend a perplexed look. He asked, "Care to elaborate?"

Unperturbed, Theo straightened his posture and sipped from the cup. He resumed reading. He flipped the pages of a children's book. He replied flatly, "I'd rather not, today." 

While running his fingers through his hair, Rosso wondered when his friend became interested in children's books. He asked, "Piggie Pipi's Adventure in Bigpig Island, really, Theo? Do you have a kid I'm not aware of?"

Theo stopped reading and faced Rosso. He explained, "It's an interesting book. It's highly recommended in our Facebook reading group. The anthropomorphic pigs started a revolution against their enemy, the wolves. It's a marvelous idea. The illustration is cute. And the story was hilarious." 

But Theo's expression betrayed his enthusiastic monologue. He was pensive. His gaze was uncomfortably strained.

Rosso tried to lighten the mood, "But I haven't seen your hilarious reaction while you're reading that—" 

"I laugh on the inside—"

"Pffft! A book club? On Facebook? You—" Rosso laughed, "Theodore Augustus Blake socializing. Gimme a goddamn break." 

Theo closed the book abruptly and said, "At last I made you laugh. You worry me," he focused on Rosso and smiled. "Well, there are many things you don't know about me, my friend."

Rosso raised an eyebrow.

"For one, I'm interested in going to Nueva Vergara Botanical Gardens. It's as old as the city's foundation. You should go with me. There's so much history in that place."

"We're going back in circles, Theo. I have no interest in sightseeing in this goddamn city."

Theo's expression was sullen. He said pensively, "I heard the hound is back. And I want to visit the garden. Life is indeed short. And I don't think my mind could stay idle."

Theo's words felt like a bomb being detonated. There were many things Rosso didn't know about Theo. But one thing was certain. They were after the hound. They would be damned if they let this opportunity slide. But they should respond to this situation with thoroughness. While he could hold his anger, Theo couldn't. After all, that calmness was a facade. 

Theo belonged to an influential and wealthy family. His future had been planned for him. All he had to do was follow the path and be the son the Blake clan expected him to be. He started as a police officer groomed for leadership. But he left everything behind and estranged himself from his family. He didn't leave unscathed, though; the eyepatch was proof of that. They wanted him to be their all-seeing eye, so he took his eye, severed his ties with them, and left his privileged life. He can be charming and ruthless.

Theo remained quiet. He turned his head towards the glass wall. The rain still poured heavily. Then he faced Rosso. He smiled so broadly and warmly that his eyes closed and his dimples became visible. It's a seemingly innocent gesture for the uninitiated. But Rosso couldn't be fooled. Only the gullible would fall for that deceptive smile.

Rosso stared at his injured arm. His left hand clasped his shaking knee, and he tightened his grip, trying to control himself. He said to himself, "This time, the hound is my prey."