Chapter 10

"It's not your business!" Hiro snapped. "Yes I'm not going to school and yes I clean toilets for a living. What's it to you? I'm happy like this. Go away!"

Go away....

Raiden's expression darkened. Those were the words Hiro used to say to him years ago. No matter how hard he tried to woo him, no matter how many gifts he bought, Hiro always sent him away with those words and it stung like hell.

Raiden wanted to hurt Hiro. He wanted to say things that would make Hiro cry but when he looked at the boy's angry yet sad expression, he couldn't bring himself to do it. The words were on the tip of his tongue but they just wouldn't come out.

Hiro's eyes were red, glistening with unshed tears. He was biting his lips and clenching his fists as if he was desperately holding back his tears.

"Have you had dinner?" Raiden suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Hiro was confused. Wasn't Raiden insulting him just now?

Raiden didn't bother asking again. He reached out and grabbed Hiro's wrist then began to walk towards the opposite building, Casa Amor.

"W-What are you doing?!" Hiro shouted, struggling to break free. Wasn't the party over already? What did Raiden want from him? Was Raiden going to try and kiss him like he did years ago? He was suddenly scared. Once he stepped into that building, it would be hard to get out. He didn't even have a phone to call his brother. No one would save him.

"Let me go!" he shouted, dragging his arm back. "Raiden! Let me go!"

His words fell on deaf ears for Raiden easily dragged him into the building and a private room. Hiro didn't weigh much. Raiden's palm could cover his entire wrist so it wasn't much of a hassle. Years of poverty had made Hiro lose a lot of weight.

Once they were inside the room, Hiro went over to the couch and sat down. The room was box-shaped with a few flower pots here and there, two long couches and a long glass table in between. The room was air-conditioned and there was a sweet smell lingering in the air. Like lavender. Gentle music played from hidden speakers.

Seeing how serene the room was, Hiro felt a bit calm but he was still unsure. Raiden could do anything to him in such a room. He stood by the door, wondering if he should just open it and run away.

"Run away and you're fired," Raiden said, as if he could read his thoughts.

At this point, Hiro couldn't afford to get fired. He still needed to feed his sister and he had to pay for ruining Raiden's favourite suit and shoes. How could he do so if he ran away?

With those thoughts in mind, Hiro gathered some courage and went to stand by the couch on which Raiden sat.

Raiden scoffed. "Being poor has taught you some manners I see. Sit down."

Hiro wanted to refute but one look from Raiden made him swallow his words. He didn't want to lose his job so he did as he was told and sat across from Raiden. He lowered his head and started playing with the tiny hole at the edge of his shirt.

"What would you like to eat?" Raiden asked, sliding Hiro a menu.

Hiro felt everything was weird. Although the party was over, didn't Raiden want to humiliate him? Why buy him dinner? Or could it be that Raiden still had feelings for him?

He glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that it was already past midnight. It wouldn't be right to eat but...he didn't eat lunch and dinner so the food he managed to get would be enough for his sister.

Still, he couldn't accept food from Raiden. He slid the menu back. "Thank you but I'm not hung-"

His stomach suddenly growled. Loud.

Their eyes met and Raiden smirked. Hiro lowered his head, embarrassed. He cursed his stomach silently. Stupid stupid stomach! Why expose him at a time like this?

Raiden couldn't help but want to tease him. "Your stomach is more honest than your mouth, Hiro. Who taught you to lie like this? You used to be such a good boy."

Hiro went red. "I'm not lying. I jus-"

His stomach growled once more, cutting him off. Hiro wanted the ground to open up and swallow him. Relieve him of the shame.

"You just what? Raiden asked, smiling. His mood was particularly good. "Am I reading it wrong? Is it a tummy ache?"

"N-No I-"

The door opened and several waiters walked in carrying trays of food. Hiro was shocked. They hadn't even ordered anything.

Plates filled with different kinds of food were carefully placed on the table. There were bowls of rice, spicy kimchi, soft tofu stew with bits of seafood and egg, pickled vegetables, spicy stir-fried octopus, chicken skewers and some dumplings.

Hiro stared at the dishes in awe. He hadn't seen so much food in a long time! What's more, they were all his favourites!

The aroma of the dishes was tantalising and his mouth watered. He hadn't had so many of them since they became poor. Especially the chicken skewers, stir-fried octopus and dumplings. He really wanted to eat but then, he looked at Raiden.

"Didn't you say you're not hungry?" Raiden asked deliberately with a hint of a smile. "I should send all these back, shouldn't I?"

Hiro quickly broke his chopsticks. "The food is already here. It would be a waste to send them back. Besides, we cannot disrespect food like that. I'm going to eat."

Hearing those words, the waiters bowed and let themselves out.

Raiden chuckled, wondering how a person could be so cute. "Sure, help yourself. Eat as much as you can. After all, you don't know when you'll ever have such a lavish dinner again."

His words sent pain to Hiro's heart but Hiro acted like he didn't hear them and started to eat. He began with the chicken and the taste sent tears to his eyes. It was so good. So so good. He'd have to save some for his brother and sister. When was the last time he ate such a good meal? What he ate most was noodles. He didn't realise he missed such food until he ate them again.

Hiro ate to his heart's content, savouring the flavours of each dish, committing them to memory. Like Raiden said, he didn't know when he'd eat them again.

Raiden watched Hiro, feeling happy inside. He looked like a hungry little cat, so focused on eating that he had forgotten about his surroundings. Poverty had really done Hiro in. He really looked no different from a homeless kid. If only Hiro had accepted him, he'd have given him the best that life had to offer. He would never let him lack anything. He'd have treated him like his very own princess. Pamper him and shower him with all his love.