32 Lovers In Disguise

[Johan's POV]

It happened for a fleeting moment, not even a full second. But when he met his conflicted blue eyes while he had Rhia nestled in his arms, it's as if the space-time continuum of the universe stretched, slowing down his motion, only resuming to its normal pace when he looked away.

A heavy feeling pulled his heart to the ground, and his mask almost fell. His fingers had the urge to curl into a fist, but Johan kept himself in check, like how he always does.

'You don't have the right to be jealous. He isn't yours.'

Johan pushed open the glass door, hastened his pace, swerved right, before sprinting out of the company's gate. He passed by Thesa and Irene who called out to him, but Johan only waved, firing an excuse that he has something important to do.

'Suck it up. This is what you get for getting involved.'

Johan spent forty minutes walking from Blue-League Mortgage to the Old Market. It may seem strenuous to others, but walking and running always helped him clear his mind. He basked into the morning sunlight; alleviating the cold, and the numbness in his lower back from sitting in a chair doing office work for eight hours.

From the time he reached the market, the raging storm in his chest has been quelled. A text from Adrian replaced the uneasy feeling with yearning, so he agreed to meet up.

After handing the exact amount of money to the old lady, Johan grabbed the plastic bag and walked across the road. Even from afar, Adrian stood out from the rest. How does this attractive man keep finding time to see him, he'll never know.

Adrian's grin greeted him, the same smile that drew him to the man. "Is that all you need to buy?"

"No. I've only just started," Johan said, lifting the plastic bags, stopping half a meter away, resisting the force that was pulling him closer. "You buying something?"

Blond head whipped from side to side. "I just thought you may need a ride after you're done buying stuff."

'Oh, how gentleman of him,' his mind supplied, sarcastic. Johan gave a mental kick to himself at his increased heartbeat. Adrian was probably here because of the date he overheard from Diego. Send him away and he'll make a fuss again. Johan couldn't understand why he's insecure with that prick when he's better than him.

Adrian shuffled on his feet and scratched his nape. His silence must have made him feeling awkward. "I'll just go home if—"

"Okay. Come with me then. I can use an extra hand."

———

Johan slipped into the turtleneck shirt he bought. The sudden thought he had was stupid. Although it's not the first time he's done it, it's been a while since the last. And he has officially reached another level of insanity.

Grabbing a bottle of hair spray in his bag, he combed up the layer of hair covering his forehead and a portion of his left eye. He sprinkled baby powder on his handkerchief, enough to wipe away the sweat and little sebum on his face, but not too much so he won't look like he slapped himself with flour. Then he put on the non-prescription glasses for a nerdy look.

Maybe he should consider the makeup tutorial from Isabel. What he's doing was so elementary. He's no longer a baby.

Checking his reflection one last time, Johan puffed his chest, straightened his posture, and smiled. "It's been a while, Hansen Frost."

Johan stepped out of the public restroom. He grinned upon seeing Adrian waiting outside, clad in a fitted grey hoodie, the baseball cap hiding his blond tufts. "Let's go?"

Adrian looked at him as if he's a being who just went through a portal from another world.

Motioning to his face with his index finger, Johan asked, "I don't look like a white ghost, do I?"

Lips quirking up, Adrian approached him. "Who are you? And what did you do to Han?"

Johan rolled his eyes. "I flushed him to the toilet."

"Should I call the police?"

"They won't find a body."

"Just shit?"

Johan gave a playful swung of his fist, aiming at the smirking face, but Adrian caught his wrist and pulled him closer.

Adrian's eyes flicked to the gate before it settled back to him. "You're making me want to kiss you, Han."

Excitement fluttered across his skin as his breath wafted on his lips. Feeling spontaneous, Johan fisted the front of Adrian's hoodie and pulled him down, crashing his lips against him. He lifted the paper bag to hide their faces, taking advantage of the illegal merchant stalls outside the metal fences that concealed them from any passerby.

Johan pulled away, eyes darting to the gate, heart like a frenzied animal. Adrian was speechless, and it made him smile. "Looks like you need to call the cops, after all. 'Cause it seems I stole your breath away."

Letting go of Adrian's clothes, Johan walked out to the gate, and back to the market, nonchalant. Not a minute later, an arm snaked around his shoulder, and Adrian put on his sunglasses.

"You're under arrest," he said, mirth evident in his voice.

"Why, Officer? What did I do?"

Adrian clicked his tongue. "Because you take my heart without permission."

Johan sniggered and jabbed an elbow to his stomach, earning him a grunt. "Stop with your cheesy pickup line."

"But you started it."

"No, I did not. You brought the police joke first." Johan guided them to a coconut juice vendor and motioned two with his fingers. The old man smiled at them and grabbed two plastic cups, filling it with fresh coconut juice and grated coconut meat.

"You like coconut a lot, don't you?" Adrian asked as the old man handed them the cups.

"Yeah, why? It's healthy." Johan took a sip of the cold beverage, handing a twenty-peso bill. "You don't?"

"Of course, I do." Adrian leaned to his ear and whispered, "It reminds me of you."

His breath tickled him, and his face flushed. Johan jerked his shoulder up when the old man gave a knowing smile. "L-let's go."

They walked further into the market, avoiding the rushing tricycles and passerby. When they passed by a street food stall, Adrian halted. "Do you eat street foods?"

Johan eyed the chicken intestines in sticks and quail eggs covered with orange batter, and his mouth watered. "I think that should be a given."

They both grabbed two large disposable cups. Johan filled his cup with ten quail eggs and poured some seasoned vinegar sauce. Stabbing the delicacy with a skewer stick, he brought it to his mouth and relished in the rich flavor.

Adrian did the same, grabbing three sticks of deep-fried chicken intestines, two of deep-fried tofu. "Do you eat blood skewers, Han?"

"No. I don't like it."

"Intestines?"

"It's one of my favorites."

Adrian offered one stick, but before Johan could take it, he brought it to his mouth. Johan kicked him in the shin in response. The vendor smiled at their exchanges, but didn't question their relationship. All the people around them were strangers. They're at the market for either business or shopping, not gossips, and Johan felt more at ease. They didn't know their story.

As they finished their not-so-healthy snacks, they headed to where the vegetable stalls were located.

"Why are you grinning?" Johan asked, pushing the glasses up his face.

"Nothing, Han."

Johan's lips turned upward. "That smile doesn't look nothing to me. You looked like a dork."

"It's just... it felt like we're on a date."

"We're at the market though. It stinks, and it's noisy."

Adrian pressed him closer to his side, and he savored the warmth. "But I'm with you. I don't think the smell or noise matters, as long as I'm with you."

"You're so cheesy."

Adrian let go of him when he stopped by a particular stall. Johan crouched and squeezed some potatoes, checking if it has cuts or blemishes.

"That will be sixty pesos per kilo, dear," said a middle-aged lady. "But I'll give it to you for fifty-five."

"Eeeehhhh? But you gave it to me for forty pesos last week."

"The price kinda went up this week."

"Forty-five and I'll get two kilos." Johan put the good ones he selected on a weighing scale.

"Fifty, dear."

"Forty-five. You know, out of all the vegetable stands here, I find yours special. Your goods are all above standard quality."

"That's exactly why they're more pricey, dear."

"Eeeehhhh?" Johan stood and glanced to his left. "Okay, but I heard there's a new stand around the corner. I'll come back later, okay? I'll check it out first."

"How many kilos are you getting again?"

"Two kilos, Madam Beautiful." Johan flashed a smile. Adrian snorted beside him, and he stepped on his foot to shut him up.

"Alright. Forty-five it is." She put the potatoes in a plastic bag, shaking her head, smiling. "But you'll always buy here, okay?"

"You know I'm a loyal customer."

"I know you are."

"Now, I wanna buy some cabbage and carrots too. I hope their price is still the same as before."

Johan looked up to meet Adrian's grin.

"Do you really need that much potato?"

"Potato is life. Shut up."