14 Lacking Perfection

[Adrian's POV]

The hinges of the green gate grated a painful noise as Adrian pushed it open. It was already past three o'clock when he arrived home. A bark greeted him after he stepped within the premise of their front yard, and a furball of black and tan pounced on him.

"Whoa! Miss you too, Addy." Adrian laughed as the German Shepherd licked him on the face, his neck and anywhere the dog could lap on to show its affection. "Okay, now stop. I'm not gone for too long, am I?"

Addy barked twice and wagged its tail. With a soft smile, Adrian stood, dusted his pants and walked passed his mother's garden with Addy gaiting beside him. The aroma of his mother's cooking hit his nose when he pushed open the large mahogany door of their three-story house. Addy scurried past him and hopped onto one of the single-seated sofa.

Their house looked as vibrant as ever; an interesting contrast to Johan's plain but neat apartment. Purple curtains decorated their bow windows. Framed paintings hung on their cream-colored walls. Adrian plucked a red rose petal as he passed by the vase near the dining entrance, inhaling its sweet scent.

"Mom?" he called and ambled towards the dining room.

"Adrian?" His mother, Adelia, peeked through the kitchen door, her salon-curled hair nestled on her shoulder. "Where have you been? You didn't come home last night."

"Yeah. Sorry, Mom." Adrian reached and kissed her hand. "I was out with a friend. What are you cooking? I haven't had lunch yet."

"Just an afternoon snack." Adelia smiled and caressed his cheek. Confusion drew his eyebrows together.

"Babe?" Rhia emerged from the kitchen with a piping hot bowl in her hands. "Oh! Let me just put this on the table for a sec." She trotted to the eight-seater wooden table and placed down the porcelain container.

"What's that?" Adrian peeked at the contents of the bowl, hand grabbing her waist by instinct. "It smells sweet."

"Sticky rice balls in coco milk." Rhia spun, brushing a loose strand of her black hair to the back of her ear. She smiled after receiving a peck on her lips. "Where were you? I called last night, but you didn't answer. I thought you might be asleep already, but Mom said you went out."

His hand flew to scratch the sudden itch on his neck as his heart hammered like a thriller drumroll. He reached for his phone and it was turned off. "Phone's dead-bat."

"Where were you?" she pressed, removing the black apron over the floral dress she's wearing.

"I was at a friend's."

"Who? Why didn't you tell me?" Suspicion crossed her soft features and it felt like she could read his mind with her intense gaze.

"I was..." Adrian gulped. Should he tell her? Fuck. "I was at Johan's."

"Oh, that friend who lived by the beach?" Adelia quipped as she placed smaller bowls and spoons on the table. "He really likes to go to the beach," she told Rhia.

"Okay?" Rhia shrugged her shoulders, and Adrian suppressed the sigh of relief that threatened to escape his throat. "I hope you tell me next time you go out."

"Yeah. Sorry. Something just came up."

"It's alright, Babe. Now, why don't you take a seat?" Rhia guided him to his chair. "Mom taught me how to cook this and I want to know if it's to your liking."

"Sure." Adrian smiled and grabbed a spoon. He winced when the sweet porridge burned his tongue.

"Careful! It's hot." Rhia flashed him a look that told him they're not done talking about the subject.

An awkward laugh. "Sorry. I was starving." Adrian blew at his spoon and shoved the hot dessert in his mouth. The cooked sweet potato and banana cubes mushed in his tongue, but the sticky rice balls felt like rubber against his teeth. There were tapioca pearls and jackfruit too, but the coconut cream tasted more like Johan's skin. Adrian hummed. "It's good."

"Great!" Rhia clapped her palms. "Let me know if you want more."

"Hmm'kay."

After two servings of the sickly sweet afternoon snack, Adrian was sure he'd turned diabetic. He was lounging in their spacious living room with Rhia watching an afternoon drama beside him. A charger was plugged on his smartphone and Adrian was getting more impatient as minutes passed by.

"I'm getting tired of this TV shows," Rhia grumbled. "Their concept is always the same. It's either a local version of Cinderella or husbands having an affair with another woman."

A lump clogged his airways, and Adrian hacked, clearing his throat. "Y-you think so? I don't really watch TV much."

"Yeah. It's like their promoting adultery to their viewers." Rhia grabbed the remote and changed the channel. "I'd rather watch Korean Drama than this."

"So Korean Dramas don't have, ah... this concept? Affairs, I mean?"

Rhia gave him a sideway glance. "Of course there is, dummy. It's just not as prevalent in local shows."

"Oh."

"Where exactly did you yesterday, Adrian?" She asked in a dead tone of voice.

Adrian had the urge to bolt out of their living room when Rhia twisted her body to face him fully. "I already told you. I'm at Johan's."

Rhia unfolded her hand in front of him. "Give me your phone."

Adrian paled. "It's still charging," he said, but unplugged it when Rhia gave him a pointed look. He placed it on her waiting palm. "What do you need it for?"

Rhia ignored him as she turned on the smartphone. His fingers fidgeted on his side. Aside from his dual orientation, Adrian kept nothing from Rhia. She knew the passcode of his phone and his social media passwords. She even had a key to his room, although she never spent a night even once for the entirety of their relationship.

The screen of his smartphone lighted, and after putting the passcode, Rhia tapped the Contacts icon. "What's his name in your phone?" Rhia asked. "Johan? Yohan?"

Shit. She's going to call him.

"It's Han. H-A-N." He felt the need to spell it. His breathing hitched when she glanced at him and pressed call. The ringing synchronized with the wild beating of his heart, and it skipped a beat when he heard a click. The call's on a loudspeaker.

"What do you want?" came Johan's cold, blunt voice. He was still mad.

Rhia took a double take, surprised at the obvious hostility. She gave Adrian a look that translated 'who answers the phone like that?'

"Hello?" she greeted with caution. "This is Rhia. Adrian's girlfriend. I'm taking to Johan, right?"

There was a cluttering sound, followed by silence. Just when they thought Johan already hung up, he answered. "Yeah? Sorry about that. I'm cooking."

"Oh. Sorry to interrupt. I just have a quick question."

"O-okay? What is it?"

Rhia clasped Adrian's hand when he shifted, silently telling him to not go anywhere. "Were you with Adrian yesterday?"

There was silence, followed by sniffles. A chill ran down Adrian's spine. Was he crying?

"Yeah, he was with me. Is something wrong?"

"No, I was just checking." Rhia released his hand. "Are you okay? You don't sound good."

"I'm alright. Thanks." Johan sniveled, his breath shaking. "I just had a bad break up and Adrian accompanied me in my misery." The humorless laugh punched Adrian in the stomach.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Rhia's face morphed in sympathy. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, it's okay. I'm over it, anyway." Johan paused and rustling could be heard from his line. "I was just chopping onions and my tear glands activated. Can I end the call now? I need to cook."

"Oh, yeah. I'm sorry again for interrupting. Bye!"

The phone clicked, signifying the end of the call. Rhia handed him the white device, looking guilty. "Sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you."

Adrian looked away, his own guilt stabbing him in the chest. "It's alright, Babe."

"You aren't mad, are you?"

"No."

"You are mad." Rhia groaned and pressed her hands to her cheeks. "These dramas are seriously affecting me. Argh! I should stop watching them. It's not like you're a cheating bastard like them."

Adrian didn't respond. He's mad, yes. But he's angry at himself. Because even if his girlfriend's just beside him, his mind kept wandering to the man crying over the phone.

"I'm sorry, okay? I jump to conclusions." Rhia hooked his arms to her shoulders and grabbed his chin. She pressed her tender lips against his. "You always tell me where you'd go. I guess I got scared at the idea of you meeting another girl behind my back. I don't know what I would do if that happens."

"There's no other girl, Babe." Adrian raised a hand to touch her cheek, leaning in for another kiss. He loved her, that's for sure. She always enveloped him with care and kindness that made him feel like the luckiest guy in the world. "No one can be compared to you."

Rhia melted into the kiss, curling beside him. Adrian pushed any thoughts concerning Johan to the back of his mind and placed his hand on top of her thigh. As the kiss deepened, so was his caresses. Adrian slipped his hand to her floral dress, but Rhia stopped him before he could reach her inner thighs.

Rhia pulled away, smiling. She's used to his touchy-feely side. She linked their hands together and leaned her head to his shoulder. "A few more years, Babe. We're getting closer to our dreams."

Despite her perfection, Adrian still felt like their relationship was lacking. Was it wrong to want more intimacy? But he doesn't want to force her either. He's not that kind of person.

"Yeah. A few more years."

That night, after he dropped Rhia home, Adrian went back to Johan's apartment.