40. All Eyes On Me

"I like your new apartment better. Your previous location screamed poverty. It must have cost a fortune to move here bro."

"It did," Rey replied absentmindedly. "Get you a good job like mine."

"Are we going to fight again about this?"

"I'm working three jobs because of that debt. You think I'm enjoying it?"

"Okay, grumpy. I've never seen you since a year ago. So why'd you invite me to this event if you were going to do your scolding in person?"

"Can you sit there quietly? I'm trying to focus."

"I told you I'm not one for corporate stuff. I hate it here!"

"Siz, just lower your voice and pay attention, will you?"

"To what? This is boring. I'm wasting a good day when I could be earning more money to free us from those hooligans. It's not fair that you are bearing the burden for us both."

"Shut up and look at that guy seated on the far left next to the podium."

"He is good-looking." Rey's sister replied, her mood spiriting instantly. Nudging her brother's shoulder, she asked, "Mind introducing me?"

"He is my boss."

"So?"

"He is gay too."

"Oh, that's disappointing. So, what's this event about anyways? You mentioned it was urgent."

"This is a great opportunity to network." Pointing at Ned, Rey added, "That man is well networked, and a recommendation from him will..."

"Hold it right there. I've seen him in the news before!"

"Lower your voice, silly!" Rey whispered. "You'll get me in trouble. We weren't allowed to bring in plus ones, and I snuck you in anyway."

"He looks rich." Rey's sister commented, not heeding her brother's warnings.

"Tell me something I don't know. I once went on a business trip with him and felt the difference between our worlds."

Rey's sister laughed and then patted his brother gently on the shoulder. "First things first, I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I don't work with gay people. They are way too sensitive for me, and I don't want to say anything that can offend anyone. You know my loud mouth."

"If you want us to clear your debt, suck it up. Besides, they are not bad people, and you don't have a choice. I'm not the one who carelessly chose gambling off our parent's home."

"You just had to say it, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"When did you get like this? Mom and Dad will go ballistic if they hear you defending those people."

"I think I like him."

"Don't push it. I might believe you with that expression you're wearing."

"Well... It's just difficult to venture and explore an area I'm unfamiliar with." Rey sighed. "If I'm being honest, the first thing I noticed about him was his cologne. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about him too. A lot. Maybe that explains why these feelings are somehow difficult to decipher."

"B-Brother..." Rey's sister appeared utterly puzzled. "W-What are you trying to say?"

"I already know something is wrong with me, so don't tell me the obvious."

"Is this why you brought me here?"

"No. I had every intention of introducing you to my former boss. However, you also complained that your current job causes you back problems."

"But brother, he is gay, and y-you just said you like him..!"

"Stop reading too much into my words."

"Look and listen to yourself!" Rey's sister whispered, extremely perplexed. "Your neck is going to get stuck with you constantly turning towards his table! If we hadn't sat back here, everyone would have thought you are queer too, drooling after him and all."

"Would you hate me if I were gay?"

"What...no! I just have never seen your eyes this heavy before...but bro, I think you should leave this job. It's confusing you and you are acting weird right now."

"I like it here, sis. No one knows who I am, about our past and what we had to endure because of the drama with my ex. Think about your debt."

"But...brother Rey, you like women!"

"I'm not blind, dummy! You think this is easy for me?"<i> 'I'm infuriated with myself, and seeing him happy just pisses me off.' </i>

"It's not easy for me either being forced by you to come to such a grim function. To make matters worse, all the cocktails here are virgin..."

"Hey, sis," Rey interrupted, reaching his hand to hold his sister's arm. "I need a favour from you."

"I'm not playing wing-woman."

"All I'm requesting of you is to be a little nice. I was a halfwit to him on multiple occasions. Just have an open mind."

"Surely the thought of having sex with another guy must put you off."

"Well..." Rey dropped his hand from is sister's. He looked back at Ari's direction and clenched his jaw. We did it a couple of times already."

Rey's sister gasped, utterly aghast. "This is the weirdest place to come out of the closet!"

"Lower your whispers, blockhead! No one else knows he is gay, and if you dare let your tongue slip..."

"I'm not that loudmouthed brother. You are equally sailing the same boat with him, so why would I sabotage you?"

"I told you I'm not queer. He is the one who likes me despite being with someone else."

"The heck? You just chose today to keep them coming, didn't you?"

"Who else I'm I going to share my troubles with then? Huh?"

"Oh no." Rey's sister rubbed her neck frustratingly. "This is too burdensome. Why would he like you anyways? You changed so much after over the years your existance is agonizing. I can't stand you brother."

Rey laughed. "Believe me; I can't stand myself either. I'm just glad you are here, and I'm thankful for covering up for me for disappearing to Mom and Dad for over a year. I really needed to get away to a new place."

"Are you going to tell them you are in love with a man? They'd be livid...even though the guy is certainly good to look at."

"I don't love him."

"Yeah, right." Rey's sister spoke dismissively and turned to where Ari and Ned sat. "Anyway, your boyfriend is just about to leave."

"Oh, right, we need to go!"

"Go where? I'm staying right here!"

"Rey..." Mun suddenly appeared. "We have to leave now. The conference is winding up."

"Yes, Manager Mun. Before that, spare a moment and meet my younger sister. I invited her over to have a grasp of what my job is all about."

"Nice to meet you." Mun acknowledged her with a nod.

"Are you also gay?"

Mun grinned, seeming unsurprised. He looked back and forth from a dumbfounded Rey to his sister, noticing the resemblance. "She has the same unfiltered mouth as you do."

"I apologize, Manager Mun."

"No harm done. I rather have a sharp tongue around me than a lying one." Extending his hand, Mun exchanged a handshake with Rey's sister. "A pleasure to meet you."

"I'm sorry for my forwardness. Please don't fire my brother."

A light chuckle escaped Mun. "She is your sister, alright. But, that habit of rattling a snake then apologizing afterwards, you two should consider applying the five seconds rule."

Rey gave a coutersy bow to apologize and pushed his sister for the same.

"All is forgotten. We have to leave now. This is an opportunity to network, and we wouldn't have had this chance if it wasn't for Ari."

"Where is he, by the way?" Rey asked, looking around after having lost sight of Ari and Ned. "Will they be staying for the refreshments?"

"No. Sir Ned and his convoy have a flight to catch, and Ari will tag along later. He wanted to stay around to cement the company he had just launched. Thanks to Ned's connections, it will lift off just fine."

"I thought this was a conference for another upcoming project?"

"Ari's new company is one of the upcoming projects. That is why he shall stay behind briefly."

"Is that the man you like, brother?" Rey's sister asked shamelessly, her question amusing Mun.

"So, you have developed a soft spot for Ari, Mr Rey? Our little chat cleared your uncertainty, I see."

"Manager Mun, please pay no attention to her remarks. My sister is looking for a job. Perhaps Manager Ari might consider her sales and marketing skills an asset to his new venture."

"Is that so?" Glancing at Rey's sister, Mun chuckled upon noticing her disapproving look. "You should be making that request to Ari yourself, madam. Follow me."

With Mun a few feet away, Rey's sister pulled her brother towards her and whispered angrily, "I'm going to kill you after this!"

"Remember your aching back problems..."

"I didn't ask for your help!"

"Do you wanna clear your debt faster or not?"

"Agh! I detest you."

"I love you too, sis."