"Aiden."
White looked around as he waited for a response. No response came.
"Aiden," he called again.
Still no response.
White decided to move on.
From their hiding spot, Han and Aiden remained motionless.
The silence between them thickened and grew with each passing second while their bodies were pressed against each other.
Aiden could not fathom what going on behind Han's eyes. What was he thinking? Aiden wondered.
Han pressed himself further against Aiden.
Aiden's heart jumped out of his chest.
"Wait a few minutes before going back."
Han suggested in a silky smooth voice.
"White has left, so I can go back now," Aiden pleaded as if he was under a hostage situation.
"What are you afraid of? Is because you cannot control yourself around me?"
Han posed these questions directly into Aiden's ear.
Aiden knew Han was baiting him and with his emotions on fire, he felt it would be evident that he could not compose himself.
With each passing second a buried sensation spined through him like a hurricane making Aiden feel like he was being consumed alive.
"I have to go," Aiden finally managed before pushing his way to freedom.
As he ran he heard Han's laughter ringing in his ears.
Upon reaching his Aunt's room, Aiden collapsed onto her bed. And watched as she did her makeup.
His Aunt asked; "My dear, why do you look so flushed?"
"I just saw Han."
"Is that so," his Aunt spoke with a secretive grin.
"You don't look so surprised."
"I am not surprised you saw him," his Aunt summited.
"Did you know he was here at the resort?"
His Aunt smiled as she placed down the lipstick and looked at her nephew.
"What happened when you saw him?"
"Nothing happened," Aiden answered briefly.
"Then why do you look so flushed?"
"I realized I am to blame for what happened to us. I was the one who burned us down even though I didn't mean to."
"Self reflection is always a good thing. Will you apologize to Han for way you acted?"
"I don't know if he would be willing to forgive me," Aiden's voice was wishful.
"My feelings are all tangled up," he began at length.
"Where do I even start detangling them? Or should I just leave them tangled? I have no idea what to do. "
Lunch was a gay affair with White being very entertaining.
He also let it slip between light conversation about a glorious beach house had rented in Hua Hin as he contemplated whether or not to buy.
And invited Aiden to come see it at the nearest opportunity.
After lunch they headed to the resort's secluded beach for a day of sun, surf and sand.
Three days later an issue required White to return to the capital city and he said his goodbyes to Aiden's family.
Aiden was quick to notice that his parents did not suggest White to call on them once in a while.
Although his mother had said in her vague sweet way: 'I expect we shall see each other again. I hope you have a safe flight back."
Aiden's Aunt completely ignored him.
Aiden accompanied White to the airport.
"I will see you when you get back," White was saying as they made their to his check in.
"And when I know what's happening next I will take you to Hua Hin."
"Okay," Aiden mumbled softly.
White then kissed Aiden perfunctory before joining a crowd of passengers as they head off to board the plane.
Aiden was more than content because he didn't care for kisses except they were from Han.
Back from Phuket Aiden did not see White for an entire week and by the weekend he was as crossed as two sticks.
When he accompanied his Aunt to an antique flea market the following week Aiden told her he had not seen or heard from White.
His Aunt pretended to be shocked though inwardly she was dying with elation.
"So he has not near you all week, I wonder what's keeping him away from your side," his Aunt teased.
"He is working," Aiden quickly justified.
"Or maybe likes playing you like a puppet. For all we know he might after something else other than your heart."
"You do not like him that's why you are saying all these nasty things."
"No, my dear nephew. I love you that's why I am telling you these things so you can open your eyes to the truth."
"I am going to stand by him no matter what you do. I didn't like the way I behaved when I was with Han and I vowed to be better in my next relationship."
That's all and good but White is not the guy," his Aunt warned.
"Nothing you say or do will make me like him less," Aiden declared with determination.
Pausing to examine a gold gilded mirror his Aunt remarked.
"If you are determined to be with White then I will not stand in your way. And I hope everything turns out the way you desire them to be. But I know in my hearts of hearts that it will all end in tears."
The following Sunday, Aiden got dressed and headed out to an alumni brunch.
It was pouring rain with the atmosphere turning gray and dark.
Coming out of the house, Aiden ran to his car and got in.
It was days like this that made Aiden pleased to have a car.
As he fastened his seatbelt he decided to spend more time with his friends and less time working. Why?
Because one must invest in good friendships.
The alumni brunch was hosted by Payout, a friend from college as a way of bringing them all together.
It has been seven years since their graduation.
"Hello Kung, my old friend," Payut cried excitedly as Kung entered.
Payut and Kung hugged each other.
"I am delighted to see how you too," Kung responded.
"We have not seen each other in years."
"Yes, it's been two years when we last saw each other."
Also arriving around the same time was Aiden.
"Hello Aiden, very nice to see," Payut shook his hand.
Leaning closer he whispered playfully.
"Word on the street is that you have found yourself a new man."
"Who told you that," Aiden laughed. "It's all fake news."
"Fake news my foot. My sources are very reliable. Bring him around to meet the gang."
Turning around Payut spotted Romee and quickly rushed over to her.
"How is life lately?" he asked.
"It's been great actually."
"Congratulations, I heard Han helped you secure investments for your homemade pasta sauce brand."
"He did and I am truly grateful for his help."
They gathered themselves around the table with glasses of Chardonnay and lots of laughter about stories from their college days.
Han arrived at the alumni brunch and that was the beginning of Aiden's torment.
"Han!" Payut shrieked with excitement as he clapped his hands together.
"I am glad you are here. I didn't know whether you could come or not."
Aiden's heart began palpitating as Han walked towards the gathering crowd like a conquering King.
Aiden slowly started falling apart but it was wonderful to see Han having a great time.
While spitefully acknowledging how distinguished he was looking in Loro Piana.
Han made it a point to greet and talk to everyone except Aiden. He walked past Aiden like was he not there and pretended to have not seen him.
Aiden gave an acid laugh when he realized Han was punishing him with silence.
Perhaps he had forgotten when he had said to him one night. "I will love you always. No other can claim my heart the way you have."
Now they were in the same crowded room and they were not speaking. How they end up like this?"
Aiden wished he could burn all those bittersweet memories.
Hours into the alumni brunch and after several glasses of Chardonnay, Aiden felt emboldened to clash with Han.
"I know for sure that you are stalking me," he accused in a bitchy tone.
"Why would I stalk you?"
"You keep popping up everywhere I go because you want to torment me. That's very petty of you."
"You accuse me of stalking, torment and being petty. Is there no end to your constant whingeing?"
"But that's the truth," Aiden felt like he was at his breaking point.
"Why does my presence torment you? Is because you are still have feelings for me?"
"No I do not have feelings for you. It's just annoying seeing your face everywhere I go."
"Well seeing you isn't all rainbows and sunshine too."
"I have had enough of this. I will not take any more abuse from you. I will call White to come get me."
"What is it about White that you find so thrilling?" Han barbed as Aiden searches for his phone.
"I don't have explain to you why I find him so thrilling," Aiden enraged in an embittered voice.
Upon finding his phone, Aiden left the table and went into a separate parlor.
Han followed him.
"Why did you follow me here? Because you want to keep toying me, isn't it?"
Han simply caressed Aiden's cheek and vowed.
"I am going to be patient until you surrender yourself to me once again."
"I will never surrender to you. Rather I will make you surrender to ME!"
Han smiled.
"One thing I admire about you is your confidence. So let's wait and see who surrenders first."
Aiden turned to leave but like lightning Han took hold of his hand preventing his departure.
Their eyes were locked together in long moment which caused Aiden's heart to arch with a shattering intensity.
Suddenly Han let go of Aiden's hand which broke the spell.
Aiden rushed over the liquor cart and poured whiskey into a tumbler and finished it in one drink.
He was pouring a second glass when Han took the glass out of his reach.
"Aiden that's enough!"
"Just stay out my business and let me live my life."
Aiden called White on the phone.
"Hello," White answered.
Aiden started sobbing.
"Aiden what's wrong?"
"Please come get me," Aiden beseeched as he wiped tears from his eyes.
"Are you drunk?"
"Yes, I think so."
"I am working but I will send an Uber for you then I come see you later at home."
"That's fine."
An Uber black came and took an intoxicated Aiden home.
Han stood at window watching everything but saying nothing.
Aiden cried all the way home.
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