LET’S DRINK PART ONE

[GRIFFIN'S POV]

"Did you send the papers to Eryx for the new project, Griffin?" Eros asked.

"Yes, he has already seen it," I answered.

I sent the papers through the fax machine but the papers were sent to my house because Eryx is there and nagging me to send it there, it is easier that way, according to him.

Eros leans back to his chair and stretches his arms and says, "How was he?"

If you only knew that Eryx is here, you would not ask me that, Eros. But, Eryx asked me to not tell him so...

"He's doing good, managing his time and taking care of the papers that you are sending him." Am I complimenting him?

Eros smiles, "I hope he's not mad."

Is it because he officially rejected Eryx?

"... and your smiling because?" I asked him.

"Because I know he will get over it." Eros relaxes as soon as he's done with all of his paperwork.

"You know him too well," I said to him.

"You can say that. If I were to guess right now, maybe he's already come back from Japan and he's hiding somewhere from me." Eros laughs, maybe imagining Eryx's childish way of thinking.

But hearing that from him, made me guilty, thinking about how accurate Eros was.

I sarcastically laughed with him.

"How are you and Ellis doing?" I asked him.

Wait. Why am I being nosy about them? They are brothers but... I know that they are not acting and thinking as brothers but more than that, so... I should treat them more than that.

"Griffin, are you feeling alright?" Eros asked.

Yes, I am okay.

But really, deep inside, I am going to explode on what I am feeling inside. Looking back on the night where Eros rejected me, I knew that he's in love with his brother, Ellis, and so, I concluded that I don't have a chance with him.

He told me that, the feeling I am feeling for him is not because I love him, but because I just love him at the thought of being saved and not because I truly love him.

As days have gone by, little by little, I can understand what he meant by those words, I am older than him, and yet, when it comes to these things, I acted a fool and naive.

I have been in a relationship with women and men and it's been three years since the last one and it was a man, we broke up because I don't have time for him and he got tired of me and left me.

It has been three years and I'm not that desperate to have a relationship right now, I can wait and if someone is willing to accept me and love me the way I am, I would be grateful for that person.

And to be rejected, it was okay. I accept that because that person, the one I love right now, is the happiest with the person he loves more than anyone in this world, and it made me feel happy for him, even that person is not me.

"Griffin, did you hear me?"

I woke up from my thoughts and I have realized that a tiny curve came from my lips and a tear fell from my right cheek.

"I-I'm happy... for you, Eros."

Eros' face right now is confused and he stood up, and suddenly put his arms around me.

"I know what you are thinking and I know you more than you think. We have been friends for years and you have been there through my worst, I am grateful for that, Griffin. I would never replace that relationship that would break us apart."

Those words that came from his mouth made me fluttered, it was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard from a friend.

I am older than him and yet, he thinks that he is older than me. It made me laugh deep inside.

I can't help myself but cry into his arms, it might surprise him as I hug him back but he did not pull away.

"You will find someone who will appreciate you and love you more than anyone in this world. If you find that person, never let that person go." He says and lets go of our hug.

"Thank you." I say to him and continue, "Could you treat me some beer tonight?"

He smiles, "I want to but I promised Ellis we will have dinner together."

"You are living together, he can see you after."

"You know we are already official, right? I won't back out on this especially when I know the Chairman is planning something behind my back."

About that, Eros has been working all of his life for the sake of Ellis and I understand his efforts and understanding when it comes to this. But sometimes, he forgot to take care of himself.

I sigh, "I understand."

"We can hang out when Eryx is back and we can call Ares too." Eros smiles and continues, "Now that we finished all of our work tonight, we can go home early."

He's excited to see Ellis. The way his eyes shine make me feel happy for him.

"Thank you for tonight, Mr. Beckett," I say to him and Eros smiles.

"Tell Ellis I said hi."

"I will." Eros walks towards the door and I open it for him, and we went straight to the car where Orion is waiting for us.

"You can go ahead. I have to get my bag upstairs." I tell Eros.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded, bid farewell, and closed the car door and I went back to the company, getting my things.

When I arrived at my place, I already see Eryx sitting on the floor while wearing his pajamas, and while eating and typing on his laptop.

"Oh, you're home!" He says and continues to talk while I put my things on the sofa.

"I just bought some cup noodles and kimchi from the convenience store nearby. Would you like some?" He asks.

"No, I'm full." Even if I did not eat any.

Maybe I am not just in the mood to do anything now, since I came back from work and Eros already left and have dinner with Ellis.

I sigh. I should not be jealous of those two, Eros and I already talked about it and we are fine with what we have. We are friends. That's all.

"No, you did not eat anything," Eryx says and pulls me beside him to sit with him.

"I said I am good and full are-" Before I finish what I am about to say, he made me chew a piece of cabbage from the kimchi.

"Eat. You need to be fit again."

Am I not fit already? Maybe, I'm losing some weight these past few weeks because I don't have time to go to the gym and I just want to stay here at my place and with Dog.

When I remember Dog, I see him sleeping peacefully on the carpet and I look at Eryx who is typing again on his laptop.

"Don't worry, I fed him," Eryx says referring to Dog who is now full and has time to sleep.

"... I'm still working on the papers that you have sent me. My mind is working at night, so... yeah, I'm doing it tonight." He continues.

I just looked at him and he's concentrating on the new project of the company and I'm looking at the table, full of crackers, bottles of juices, candy wrappers, etc. I think he is working all night for this. Also, he's just eating cup noodles and kimchi. It's not enough to gain strength and knowledge.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked.

He looks at me, confused, "Are you asking me?"

"Who will I ask? Dog?" I sarcastically said and I stood up from the floor and I get my things, walks to my room and I am about to change my clothes when he walks in and disturbs me.

"Well, pork belly sounds nice. What do you think? I have been watching these Korean dramas and they eat so well. But since we don't have a griller, we can cook it at the stir fryer that you have. Kimchi would be best paired with that." He says happily and I gesture him to wait outside but jokingly teasing me.

"I have seen those already!" He teases and closes the door to my room.

I sigh. Why did I even agree in making him stay here?

I changed to my usual clothes, just wearing gym clothes which I don't use since I stopped going to the gym. I grab my wallet, key, and phone.

"So, what are you going to buy?" He asks as soon as I went outside of my room.

"It depends on what I see."

"Okay, should I come with you?"

"No, just keep on doing your work. I will be home quick." I replied and he smiles at me.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Because we sound like married couples." He teases again and I made a straight face and went outside to buy something to eat.

The way I know Eryx, he is like that. He still acts like a kid which I think suits his looks but doesn't suit his age. He has a baby face and slender body like a girl, and he acts like one.

Sometimes, I questioned myself if his brain stops mentally at an age of sixteen. Okay, I am a little savage for him but, I can't help but notice that even when we don't talk too much these past few months.

It doesn't compare before.

Before, we are different. We used to be so close like we are brothers and best friends but those moments faded unconsciously.

When I walk inside the convenience store nearby, I see a prepacked pork belly and I grab it, and I also see beer cans being displayed.

I grab those too and put them in my basket.

Maybe, one? Two? Maybe he wants to drink too. I grab beers for two persons.

"It's not so bad to drink it with a friend tonight," I whisper and I proceed to the cashier area where I will purchase our dinner.

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