Chapter 16: So you like me?

Yohan awoke with dark circles under his eyes, resembling that of a panda. Sleep had eluded him as he lay in bed, mulling over the events of yesterday, the ones that left him feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Had he gone too far? Would that man sue him for harassment after grabbing his chest and ass?

As Yohan recollected last night's encounter with a heavy heart, memories came flooding back to him.

"So you really are a pervert like you said in the restroom"

The man's words echoed through Yohan's head, sending waves of embarrassment and shame crashing over him. With a fierce blush on his face, Yohan answered as best he could.

"Of course not! This was all an accident! I'm not some kind of pervert! If I ever touch someone, it'll be because I like them!"

The man looked at Yohan through an unpredictable gaze, something familiar to Yohan from his previous life. Although, the gaze had changed in the year leading up to Yohan's death. The two locked eyes and for a moment it felt like time stood still.

"So you like me?"

Yohan was taken aback by the question, unsure of how to respond. The man's eyes were cold but there was something else lurking beneath the surface. Yohan found himself unable to look away from those cold yet alluring eyes, as he too was lost in thought. He couldn't be sure what exactly the man saw when he looked into Yohan's own orbs, the look on his face was so full of intense emotion. It almost seemed as if the man was overwhelmed by his own feelings.

"Alright, I understand" said the man suddenly before disappearing into his room and shutting the door behind him.

Confused and with a million questions running through his mind, Yohan was left standing there with a big question mark hovering above his head. What did 'I understand' mean? He didn't have an answer, only more questions as he tried to make sense of what had happened between them.

Yohan let out a deep sigh as he finished recollecting the events of yesterday. He was frustrated with himself for allowing his past life to continue influencing him in the present. But he couldn't help it, surrender came too naturally to him.

He realized that the more he tried to distance himself from people, the closer they seemed to get. So, in an attempt to break this pattern, Yohan decided not to avoid the man and instead try and resolve their misunderstanding by being nice. Today marked a new beginning for him as he would be moving into his apartment next door to Landon and his boyfriend. Maybe after today, Yohan would never have to see the man again or if they did meet again, things wouldn't turn sour between them.

With renewed optimism and excitement for his move into an apartment next door to Landon, Yohan headed towards the bathroom.

As soon as he left his room carrying two bags with him, he thought about having one last conversation with that man. Just as he was about to knock on the door opposite him for one last talk, with this man who had caused such turmoil in his mind, it opened suddenly.

Yohan was taken aback by the suddenness of it all. The man stood there with a suitcase in his hand, indicating that he too was leaving at the same time as Yohan. It felt like yet another coincidence that left Yohan bewildered and lost in thought, until the man's cold voice interrupted him.

"What a coincidence." he said, "I was just about to knock on your door. Let's have lunch, I have something important to talk about."

"Huh?" Yohan muttered under his breath as confusion swept over him. What was going on? Why had this man a bit different in this life?