BCJ 27 • manipulation

***

Kao paced back and forth inside the office, contemplating whether to take down the photo himself or wait for Pete.

He paused and glanced at it again. Based on his estimation, it would probably need at least three people to take it down.

He sighed and went out to look for Edward who immediately shook his head He didn't have to say what he wanted to ask as he already asked Edward for the fifth time if Pete was done with his meeting.

He glanced at his watch. It had been an hour and 15 minutes since Pete went on that meeting. He looked at the photo again then paused. He could no longer wait for Pete to finish. He'd definitely lose his mind.

He then barged out of the office and asked Edward for the meeting room.

Edward was even hesitant at first but he glared at him like some predator waiting for its prey to move.

"This way, Sir."

He didn't wait for Edward to open the door and just went inside. All eyes were on him as he scanned the area for Pete.

"What's wrong, Kao? Did something happen?" Pete, who was sitting at the other end of the table asked. Worry was evident on his voice.

"Yes. I need to talk to you."

"Gentlemen, this ends our meeting. I'll have my secretary contact you for another one. Thank you."

Pete immediately approached him and held his arm.

"What happened?" he asked as he led Kao back to his office.

Kao immediately pointed at the photo in the middle of the room, "What the hell is that Pete?"

"Why? What's wrong with that photo? Don't you like it? Do you have any picture of you that you like? I'll have it replaced today."

"Why do you have a picture of me in your office, Pete?"

Pete shrugged and sat on the couch.

"I have a lot of clients who would ask me to meet their daughters."

"So you're using my picture to chase them away?"

"Yep. And it's quite effective. Everybody thinks I'm taken," Pete giggled.

"Ugh! You're unbelievable! Take that down, you moron!" he yelled as he attacked Pete. His hands around Pete's neck as he straddled him on the couch.

But Pete just chuckled at his outrage, not even minding that Kao was apparently strangling him.

"Do you really want my employees to see us in this position, Kao?"

"Fuck off! I'm gonna kill you!" Kao screamed and tightened his hands around Pete's neck.

But then he felt an arm around his waist. The next thing he knew, he was already underneath Pete.

"Sir, are you okay?" Edward's voice interupted them.

Pete wasn't even fazed by Edward's presence unlike him whose face was already red after being caught in that position with Pete. He covered his face though he knew for a fact that it was no use.

"Leave us alone, Edward. And don't let anybody inside."

Kao immediately pushed Pete away as the door closed but Pete didn't even budge.

"Get off me, you lunatic!"

"You've been calling me several names already, Kao. We should really do something about that mouth of yours."

Pete then leaned in closer for a kiss but Kao grabbed Pete's lips as hard as he  could.

Pete groaned in pain but Kao didn't even give him the chance to protest. He straddled Pete again, his hand still clasped around Pete's lips.

"Are you gonna take that picture down or I'm bruising this mouth of yours?"

Pete immediately nodded. He then let Pete's lips go but he didn't bother getting off Pete.

"That hurt, Kao."

"That's not even enough for the pain you caused me. I'm hungry. Buy me some food," he scowled.

Pete immediately paged Celeste.

"That restaurant. Reserve it for lunch."

***

"I just asked for food, Pete. Why did you reserve an entire restaurant?" he exclaimed as he realized that they were the only ones inside.

But Pete just shrugged. A waitress then approached them and handed them a menu.

"Would you have your usual?" Pete's question caught him off guard.

It was then that he realized where they were.

He felt his chest tighten as he acknowledged the restaurant where they used to have their dates.

Kao nodded.

He watched as Pete dictated the ones that he liked. Pete had it memorized. He didn't even bother looking at the menu.

"Would you like to add anything, love?"

They both paused. Pete immediately cleared his throat and told the waitress the food that he wanted.

"You still remember," he stated the moment the waitress left.

Pete leaned back on his chair, "I remember everything about you, Kao. Even the moles on your body. I have them memorized."

Kao evaded Pete's gaze and pretended to study the restaurant's interior.

"So, would that be your final design? The one you showed me this morning?"

"Yeah. Would that be possible?"

"I'll make sure of it."

Silence then followed. Kao just pretended to be busy with his phone when in fact he was just playing Candy Crush.

Pete on the other hand tried asking him questions but he would just either nod his head or stay silent in response.

"How's Kavine as a boyfriend?"

Pete's question caught him off guard. He quickly dropped his phone and stared at him.

"And why would you like to know?"

"I'm just curious how he is like. You seem happy with him."

"Of course, I am."

"Oh really? How cute."

Kao rolled his eyes as Pete snorted.

It was a good thing their food came so Pete was forced to stop interrogating him.

They were in the middle of eating when Pete threw another question.

"I wonder how you get him to convince him to be his fake boyfriend."

Kao choked on his food.

"What the hell do you mean?" he exclaimed as he grabbed the glass of water.

"I know your scheme with Kavine, love."

"Stop calling me that!"

"Do you really think I would not know?"

" Tss. You don't have a say about my relationship and my life, Pete."

"Oh, I do. Because technically you broke up with me but I didn't with you."

"What the hell are you talking about??"

"It means you're still in a relationship with me because I never agreed to the break up with you in the first place. You just left remember? You should have waited for my decision to actually end the relationship."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"No. I am not. And you better pack your things because you're moving in with me."

" Excuse me?!"

***

"I am sorry, Kao. Pete left me with no choice. It was the condition he set. And I would do anything just so he'd talk with his mom again."

"Ugh! That manipulative jerk."

"You don't really have to move in with him. Me telling him the truth was the only thing we agreed on."

"That scheming motherfucker threatened to pull out the project if I don't move in with him! You gotta help me, Kav!"

"I can't do anything, Kao, especially now that he knows the truth about us."

"Ugh! I'm gonna fucking kill that bastard!"

***

A/N: Hiiiiii! I would probably be updating Babysitting continuously in the coming days but I can't promise for that continuity to last long since I'd be studying slash cramming for my comprehensive exam next month. Anyway. Thank you for always waiting. I love y'all. 💙💓