Vol. 1: Haru to Aiden - Chapter 22

Haru

“Oh my God! Oh my God! I can’t believe my dream came true. I just can’t believe it,” Jess shrieked loudly from the other side of the line. “My best friend is finally getting together with the man he loves.”

I chuckled. “Jess, can you please just calm down?”

“How the hell can I just calm down when this is the news of the century?” she snapped. “So, have you guys done it yet? The bedroom stuff.”

I blushed, remembering what had happened only a few hours ago. “Yeah.” I paused and then said, “Wait! Why do I have to tell you this type of stuff?”

“Of course you don’t have to tell me any more. It’ll be weird despite that I kept nagging you to.” She chuckled. “I’m so happy for you, Haru.”

“Thanks, Jess,” I said.

“For what?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. For always being there for me and stuff.”

“That’s what a best friend is for,” she said.

The door opened, and Aiden, hair wet and now wearing another pair of jeans and a T-shirt, walked in. He saw me in bed and on my cell phone and asked, “Jess?”

I nodded.

From the other side of the line, Jess asked, “Is Aiden there?”

“Yeah. He’s here.”

“Let me talk to him for a sec.”

“Sure.” I handed the cell to Aiden, who took it with a grin.

“Hey, Jess.” Aiden paused for a moment and then said, “I will. Thanks. Bye now.” He terminated the call and then handed me back the cell.

I asked, “What did she say?”

“Congratulations.” He chuckled. “She seriously cares about you. I’m glad you have such a good friend.”

I nodded. “Me, too.”

“Should we get something to eat? I’m starving.”

I was, too. After all, it was well past lunchtime.

“I’ll make something. Why don’t you get dressed?” Aiden suggested.

I nodded.

It was twenty minutes later when we both sat down for some Korean spicy noodles. It might not look it, but Aiden loved spicy food. He even made it fancy with chopped cabbage and some mixed seafood. It smelled amazing.

The two of us were about to dig in when noises erupted from the front door.

“Woah! Smells like Korean spicy noodles.” This came from Isaac. “Is that you, Aiden? I want some.”

“Make that two,” Mason said.

“No, make that three.” It was Noah this time.

I wondered why they were all home so early. It was only two in the afternoon.

Then, “I don’t think Aiden made enough for everyone. I’ll make another pot.” This was Reo’s voice.

A moment later, they all appeared at the kitchen’s door and filed in, taking seats around the table. Isaac even got himself a bowl and started scooping some into it.

“Woah! There’s even seafood. Nice,” he said.

Aiden asked, “So, why are you guys home so early?”

Noah said, a smirk playing about his lips, “Because we were worried about you both.”

“Really?” Aiden said with a raised brow.

Reo said, “From the looks of things, it seems like everything worked out?”

At this, every one of our brothers turned their eyes to me and then Aiden. My face flushed hot from their curious gaze.

Aiden suddenly pulled me to him, made me sit on his lap, and then cupped my face. He planted his lips on mine and kissed me full-out.

“Woah! They’re really kissing,” Isaac said.

When Aiden released me, he said, “That’s our answer.”

My head dazed and my face hot with embarrassment, I wondered if it was okay for us to kiss like this in front of the others. But I guessed it’d be all right since our other brothers didn’t seem to be offended by it.

“Good for you both,” Noah said. He turned to Reo. “Noodles?”

Reo nodded. “Want seafood in it?”

“Yeah. Prawns. Lots and lots of prawns,” Isaac said.

Mason chuckled. “You can never get enough of prawns, can you?”

“Never. It’s one of my favorite types of seafood,” Isaac said.

Turning to me, Mason said, “Congratulations, Haru.”

“What for?” I asked.

“For finally getting together with Aiden, and for starting that bar job you wanted tonight.”

I could only stare at him, pleased. “Really? I’m starting that bar job tonight?”

He nodded. “Though it’s actually just a trial. If you’re good, then you’ll be hired part time.”

“Awesome,” I said, pumped and ready to work to earn the extra cash.

“About that,” Aiden said, tightening his arms around me. “I’m wondering if it’s a bad idea after all, for you to work there.”

I turned to look at him. “Why?”

“Because I just don’t want you to work at a place like that.”

Mason said, “I work there, and you’re fine with it.”

“Well, of course I’m fine with you working there, but Haru is different. You can look after yourself. Haru…” He looked at me again. “He just can’t.”

Noah looked at me for a moment, too, and then said, “Yep. I agree. Haru can’t work there. He’s clueless. An airhead. Now that he has come out a bona fide gay, men will definitely be hitting on him, and we can’t have that. He’s in a relationship with Aiden now. It’ll be troublesome.”

Reo nodded in agreement, too. “It’ll be very troublesome. Aiden will go berserk, and none of us will have any peace at home.”

I frowned. Once again, they talked like I wasn’t there. I said, “Excuse me, but you forgot that I want to make some money.”

Aiden said, “Then you can come and work at our realty company. We need someone part time to do some minor paperwork.”

“Really?” I asked.

Aiden nodded. “I’ll talk to Peter about it. And Tina will only be too happy to have you around the office.”

I grinned, pleased. After all, I’d be only too glad to get to work with Aiden. Then again, I did promise Mason. Turning to the brother, I asked, “Will that be all right? If I suddenly turn the job down like this?”

Mason waved my concern aside. “It’s okay. My boss just wants you around because you’re cute, after all.” He chuckled.

“What?” I snapped. “But you said it was a trial?”

“Well, he always says that but…”

“I knew it,” Aiden said. “That sleazy bastard.” He frowned. “He’s not hitting on you, is he, Mason?”

Mason shook his head. “No.”

“Anyway,” Reo said as he put another pot of Korean spicy noodle soup on the table. “Uncle Jin called me this morning. He said he wants us to come over to Japan, preferably soon. Apparently, he’s been in the hospital, and the doctor has told him to take it easy. He said he found some of Mom’s things in the old house he just cleaned out and wants us to take a look at them. We probably want to keep some of them. He said they’re all old and antique, maybe quite valuable.”

Noah said, “That sounds interesting. Maybe it’s time we all go on a vacation?”

Aiden nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

Reo said, “Don’t worry, Aiden, I’ll pay for my own flights and expenses. I’ve saved enough for that sort of thing. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Mason nodded. “Me, too.”

Noah said, “Me, three.”

“But what about me?” Isaac said. “I don’t have any savings.”

“That’s because you’re too lazy to work,” Noah said. “And you’re lousy at saving. If you can’t afford your own flights, then don’t come.”

“That’s not fair,” Isaac muttered. He turned to Mason. “Say, bro, can I take Haru’s place tonight?”

Mason chuckled. “What? Are you interested in working at the bar now?”

“Yep. Because I heard you get really good pay there, especially the tips,” he said bluntly, which made everyone laugh.

After a hearty late lunch of spicy noodles, I stood and said, “I’d better get to class.”

Aiden looked at me. “You have one this afternoon?”

I nodded. “It’s only an hour.”

“Then I’ll drive you.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure. I’m free today, anyway,” he said.

“Then I’ll get my things.” I rushed out the door.

Behind me, I heard Noah say, “He didn’t refuse you this time, Aiden. Usually it’d be ‘I’m an adult now, and I don’t need you to drive me around.’” He chuckled.

“Why would he refuse a lift from Aiden when they’re technically speaking like husband and wife now?” Isaac said.

My face felt hot from hearing that. Isaac, blunt as always.

Mason said, “I’m guessing Haru is the wife, right?”

Reo said, “Well, if he’s the wife, then he’s a lousy one. He can’t even do basic housework.” He laughed.

I couldn’t help myself and said loudly, “Oy! I can hear you guys you know, and FYI, I can so do some housework.”

I heard them burst out laughing, except for Aiden.

Well, it wasn’t like I was pissed off with them or anything. It was just the way things were, them teasing me for being the youngest in the family. And what Reo said wasn’t far from the truth. I couldn’t cook, that was for sure.

I was just putting some textbooks into my bag when Aiden appeared at my bedroom door. He leaned his tall, muscular body against the frame and folded his arms across his chest. He was watching me, a grin on his gorgeous face.

My throat tightened at the sight of him, and without thinking, I dropped the bag onto the bed. Then I went over to him, put my arms over his shoulders and then on tiptoe, I planted my lips on his.

We kissed, slow and gentle. When I moved back, Aiden said, “That was nice.”

I nodded.

“Let’s go, otherwise you’ll be late for class.”

I rushed to get my bag, and then we both headed out the door.

“Itte kimasu,” I said.

“Itte rashai,” I heard Noah’s, Reo’s, Mason’s, and Isaac’s voices from the kitchen.

After closing the front door, Aiden took my hand into his and held it tightly. Then we both headed to the car, and I had a smile on my face. I was as happy as ever can be.