3

In the same day, a loud bang and scream reverberate in a small room. With a man hysterically rub his neck with a concealer. Almost part of his neck from nape to collar bone have several love bites and hickeys.

"Aaahhh begone, begone"

Because he accidentally saw himself half naked infront of the mirror right after taking a long bath, Ryaa becomes even more depressed.

Today is the day of his job interview. And this interview only come once in a blue moon. That's why he made sure to wake up earlier than his scheduled time only to be bothered by some red patches.

"Arrgh...Why it has to be this red? It won't concealed"

The marks are not too severe but it is enough to be noticable. Even with the help of the concealer, the love marks didn't completely gone. Some part of it have visible color despite having a thick layer of cream.

"What to do, what to do"

Ryaa runs back and forth. Thinking of easy ways to completely hide the marks.

When he finally think of a way, he took a second glance to the wall clock and it almost caused his jaw drop when he saw time.

"Shit, shit. 30 minutes left. I have only 30 minutes left"

Because there's no other options and choices aren't on the plate, aside from early suffering of heatstroke, Ryaa forcefully insisted on wearing a turtleneck and a scarf wrap around round with it.

Running down the stairs, Ryaa became the central of attention the moment he step out of his apartment building. Some people even looked at him with a question in their head.

Why is he wearing close clothes during summer?

Aren't he feeling the heat?

Does he caught a cold?

Is it a trending style?

Does he have an early death wish?

The oozing hot summer weather causes Ryaa to sweat all over but he choose to ignore. It's not like he doesn't know how hot this summer is compared to the previous one but he cannot go to his interview with a full display of his wild life.

If to say why he didn't wear a formal suit, it's because he didn't have one.

Even last night, when Ryaa was about to go to bed, he usually do some surfing and play online games. But when it is about to become peaceful and his mind is finally occupied by something else, Ryaa only remember to look at the present date.

Though, there's a tiny digital calendar in his bedside table but since he rarely looked into it, he never once notice the date of each day. That's why, when he saw the date displayed, he couldn't help but to jump out of the bed.  Startled by what he saw, Ryaa instantly felt like he just won but lose at the same time.

January 15th. The date in which two men found each other.

Technically, Ryaa went back 4 years ago. Though, this date is not as special as it is, in the past, when Ryaa and Kian spent the night together, it was him who suffered a great loss. Because in the next day, he didn't manage to get the job interview due to his sore back. Though, he didn't regret popping his cherry up to some random guy but he could say that even if it hurts a little, he still did feel satisfied. Yes.

Yet right now, not only did he manage to get back home but still Ryaa felt like he still lose. In most specific way, it was because it's Kwon Ken Kian whom he slept with... AGAIN.

"Aahhhh.... Why it has to be him. Why even him. Why did I even go out. Why did I ended up below him. What's wrong with me? Think, think, think"

Ryaa messed up his own hair dejectedly. Wondering of what makes him go out of that time. If only he knows that he'll ended up being like that, he would have just stayed in his apartment and die from boredom rather than facing off a scumbag.

Slapping his cheeks lightly, Ryaa said "No, stop thinking about it. There's no used looking out for it. Let the bygones be bygones. I still have a job interview tomorrow. Yes, focused on what's in the future and forget about the past"

A strong determination erupted him. Just like that Ryaa tossed the digital calendar out and closed his eyes.

He arrived at the company before it hits 8am. Luckily, his residence is not too far from the company he applied for or else he might get practically late. What's more, even the guard on duty didn't make things difficult for him but only to asked his name. If it where for another companies, those whom aren't employees have to submit atleast 2 valid ID in order to get in.

But despite this, Ryaa have one thing that commonly happened between each applicants.

"Where is room 65?"

Ryaa turn around trying to find someone whom can guide him out, but it's as if he was in some kind of horror movie, the building floor was completely empty. Not even a front desk is present. Thus, without a choice, he runs back outside just to asked the guard for directions.

"Oh, just go to that corridor then turn left. When you reach the end, turn right, then the third door. That's where the interview is held"

Ryaa bowed his head and said his thanks but before he could step in, the guard asked the same questions he heard form the outside.

"Young man, aren't you feeling uncomfortable wearing that? It's summer season, why are you wearing thick clothes? Aren't you afraid of heatstroke?"

Ryaa only smile awkwardly "I think I'm fine. Thank you"

Just like that, he bid his farewell and run off straight to where the guard told him to. When he reach the end, he turn right and quickly saw the third door. This time, without any preparations and caution, Ryaa slammed the door wide open.

--------------

An hour earlier,

Nicco stayed in the office still teasing off Kian. He knows that when this bastard is at work, even the most strong and powerful earthquake can't shake him off unless it's something important and need an urgent attention. It's just that at that time, Kian responded to him because of his sudden visit.

"Bro, what now? Are you leaving me here cold feet? You're not even looking at me. You aren't too courteous to your visitor"

Kian didn't stop nor bother looking, he just casually said "Then see yourself out"

Nicco exclaimed "The hell, bro"

With a sour face, Nicco didn't say anything anymore. Instead, he focused his attention to his phone scrolling, liking, commenting, sharing and even chatting to some random hot guys that popped out of his notification.

In the end, the two men were drawn to their own world but was instantly interrupted with a knock.

The knock is gentle but loud enough to be heard inside. When it opens, it reveals a woman with formal fit casual dress.

"Excuse me, Sire, here are the list of the applicants that pass the online screen interview"

Her voice sounded like a choir- angelic and smooth. She walked inside purposely swaying her hips and passed down the folder to Kian that he accepted without even looking. Since, she thought it was a hidden opportunity, thus, she intentionally slide down her fingers to touch on Kian's trying to hint on something. But it didn't last long, instead, she instantly step back two times with a trembling legs when she saw a flaring glare of somewhat a monster that is ready to strick it's prey.

"Need anything else?"

"N-no, Sire... I... I'll e-excuse myself then"

Hastily vanished from the view, Nicco slightly grin as if seeing a dramatic scene.

"Bro, your not too gentle to your employees. What if they suddenly decided to resign, what will happen to your company then?" Thinking of, he continue "Tsk.. Such a waste of beauty. Hitting on someone whom aren't even have a slight interest in huge boobs and vulva, unless she's hiding a balls under it might be possible"

Ignoring of what his friend just said, Kian open up the folder. Scanning the list of names, his brows suddenly knitted.

"What the...."

Kian was utterly shocked. It was the name. Same name, same pronunciation and even the have the same spelling. It's gonna be him.

After seeing a familiar name, Kian immediately press a button which is connected to his secretary's office.

And within a second, his secretary comes in.

"Yes, Sire. What can I do for you?"

Kian throw a question as if it was something so important.

"How many applicants are present as of now?"

"Pardon, Sire?"

"What time is the interview going to start?"

"Oh.. um"

"Tell them that I'll be part of the panels that will conduct the interview right away"

"Y-yes, Sire"

Though, the secretary is at loss, he still tried to comprehend the words one by one. He bowed his head and was ready to leave. Right before he even turn around, in some way, he manage to take a glimpse of what seems to be very likely familiar to him. Something that had lost several years ago. Something that he looked for all this years and something that he promised to himself that he will find no matter what. And that something is resting between Nicco's index finger.

Because the secretary is somewhat preoccupied, Nicco notice the stares coming that he jokingly blurted out.

"Mr. Four eyes, what are you looking at? Am I that handsome that you've been mesmerized?"

Knowing that the secretary didn't even actually looking at him but to his hand, Nicco thought it was a nice idea to play with.

The secretary was caught off guard. Although he didn't really looked at Nicco but since he heard him say so, his eyes was diverted to his face that he impulsively said with a straight face.

"No. You're too plain to be my type. Not even handsome enough to be called"

After that, he left expressionlessly.

Nicco was left dumbfounded. That was the first time someone told him he is plain and not handsome enough when infact, countless of men and women were lining up at his back just to get a hold of him.

"Heh, interesting"

Nicco felt that this man is not an easy prey. Just like Kian, it also aroused his interest. And without even noticing the second man, Kian stood up. He composed himself and tidy up his suit. What's more, he even combed his hair even though it's already fixed enough.

Nicco whom witness everything couldn't help but to feel like his friend really change since last night that he unlikely won't stop himself from asking.

"Whoa, whoa. What was that for?  Tiding up like you'll gone for a date? Fixing your hair as if your making an impression to someone and even composed yourself? Hey, mean, don't tell me your pursuing someone and that someone is right infront of your company door?"

Plainly, Kian replied "He is"

The curiosity has been piling up and Nicco wanted to know even more.

"You must be kidding me? Seriously? What is he looked like? A kitten? Rabbit? Or puppy? Tell me, tell me"

Kian only glance at him before he answered "Little wild flower"

"Flower eh?"

Just then, Kian's lips formed a curve shape. He cannot even hide how happy he was that he didn't notice his current smile.

Nicco on the other hand commented "That was creepy"

Not once did he saw Kian smile but it was the first time that he actually saw him smile like he is going to get married. Usually, whenever Kian's lips formed a smile, he knows that it is not a candied one but rather a dagger that's ready to pierce though everything. A smile that only knows nothing but the taste of blood and cruelty.

Nevertheless, he himself is somewhat like that. Though ruthless but it was a fun experience.

Kian walk out of the office followed by Nicco whom excitedly hoping to see the man that captured the heart of the steel.

They went in using an exclusive elevator that only meant for exclusive personnels.

After arriving to the first floor, they both went straight to where the interview is being done.

Just then, when everything is going on smoothly, Kian vaguely heard a familiar voice. The voice that keeps on running down his mind.

"Where is room 65?"

Kian instantly turned around hoping it was the same man but to his expectations, he saw no one thus, he disappointedly turn back and continue to his journey.

After arriving, he went directly in, sat down to the vacant sit along with Nicco beside him.

Without minding the intense atmosphere inside, he casually pretended to look at the various piles of resume infront but in reality, his eyes had gone scanning to the people present inside.

But to his disappointment, the man he looked for is not present. That's why a lot of thoughts rushed in.

Is he late? Did something happen to him? Accident, emergency? What could it be so important that he didn't even shows up. Could it be that? I indeed tired him last night but it wasn't too much. Maybe he couldn't get up because of it. Am I to blame? Do I need to pay him visit him just to make sure?... Hah... What am I even thinking.

Just like that, Kian felt like he got dumped and deceived and was ready to leave but then, that action was stop when he heard a loud bang coming from the door revealing the man he looked for and that everyone's eyes had diverted into it.

Gasping for air, Ryaa felt like he did a terrible mistake. The stares of the people inside the room somewhat makes him uncomfortable.

He bowed and apologize at the same time before entering.

"Sorry, sorry I didn't meant to do that. Excuse me"

He sat in a vacant sit at the bottom row and adjusted his clothes.

"Too hot, too hot"

Mumbling by himself, Ryaa felt like someone is watching him from a distance. It's not the first time but he felt like it's something unusual, thus, since he thought it was one of the interviewer, he pay no attention to it.

Just then, a cough broke up the the attention of the people and the intense atmosphere started to rise up again.

"The one who just came in, please stand up and tell us your name"

One of the panel said.

Ryaa's heart almost jump out of nervousness. He could sense a heavy tension around still he stood up while internally trying to calm himself down.

"Yes, my name is Ryaa. Rim Ryaa, 25 years old"

The confidence that Ryaa once gathered all this time had gone to waste when his hands become all sweaty. Not because he is nervous but because when he stood up, he saw a figure that he wish he would never able to see again. A figure that he thought will never came across with. A figure that he hope died back then.

Why is he here? Why is he here? Why is he here? Why is he alive? Why is he alive? No, no. This can't be

Muddled mind couldn't think off straight that's why Ryaa choose to lower down his head while covering his face.

This time, the once disappointed face becomes instantly bright and beaming with happiness.

Nicco saw it all and thought he wanted to asked a bucket of questions but he chooses to remain silent and observe from the side as Kian keeps on staring intently to the standing man.

Kian lean his elbow into the table while his hand is pressed against his face. Seemingly, his complexion becomes serious but his aura remains bright. He looked at Ryaa straight from the eyes and even his lips have a vague smile. He randomly picked a piece of resume assuming it's Ryaa's information but in reality Kian almost wanted to cursed when he found out that the paper he grab to comes from a woman's.

Shit.

After learning his stupid action, Kian cough that Nicco couldn't stand but to tease.

"Are you alright brother? What happened? Is looking at a cute little flower makes you swallow your own spit?"

Nicco purposely added a volume into his words while patting Kian's back that Kian fiercely glared at him.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I will seal up my mouth"

Nicco rise both his hands in defeat and even gesture a sealing sign upon his lips. By this, Kian finally diverted back his attention to his little wild flower.

"*Ahem* so, you said you're 25 right? But why it is stated in your resume that you're still 21 years old?"

Realizing the his words, Ryaa made an awkward laugh.

"Oh.. that... Haha I'm sorry I forgot I'm still 21 hehe"

"Okay, next question.What is your hobby?"

"Pardon?"

"What do you like to do?"

"Huh?"

"Foods, pets, things and stuff like that, tell me"

"Errr"

"What about places? Where do you usually go?"

"Is... Is that still part of the interview?"

"Yes"

"Why do I feel like it's a personal information"

"It is part of it. Why? Do you have any objections?"

"No, I guess but I think it's not really necessary to asked about that"

"How's so? This is my company and I have the right to asked anything that I want including yourself, am I right?"

"No, not in any sense"

"Then why don't you tell me?"

"About what?"

"Yourself"

"There's nothing interesting about myself"

"But I feel like there is"

"Hmmm.. You're right, there is one thing that is interesting about but it's not myself though"

"Oh, tell me"

"I won't, I'm sorry. I'll leave it to your imagination.. Sir"

Just like that, two lost souls have completely forgotten their own places.