Putting a name to it: Part 1

Pedro's POV

The excitement that came with knowing that Marco was actually single was one I was willing to celebrate with drinks. I hadn't decided what I was going to do with that information but it made me super glad. Super super glad. As I got back from the gym, I had a quick bath and dressed in a casual t-shirt and jeans. I would have done rounds of shots at home but I was in a particular good mood which did not require solo drinking. On days like this Fred was usually an option but that ship had sailed.

On my mind was a particular brown haired boy with green eyes. The thought of calling him played a little in my mind and before I could think it through, my phone was on my ear. He picked up almost immediately. He sounded out of breathe, like he had been running or doing something strenuous. Or probably just excited.

"Hey" he said through the phone.

"Hey. You home already?" I asked

"Yeah..."

"Busy?"

"Not really"

"Wanna hang out?"

He hesitated a bit. "Right now?"

"Yes Marco, right now" I was too happy to think of any sassy reply to his cute but stupid question.

"Uhh okay"

"I am coming to pick you up" I said and ended the call.

I picked up my keys and in less than 3 minutes, I was manuevering through the evening traffic to get to his apartment. I got there and sent him a text saying that I was waiting. He came out few seconds later, dressed in brown slacks and a tan t-shirt. Even though his hair was a darker shade due to the darking sky, I knew it matched perfectly with his outfit. Speaking of his hair, it was still slightly damp and swept back in a cute manner. He crossed the street to my car and got in, filling the car instantly with his scent. I resisted the urge to just close my eyes and take it in.

"Hi" he said sparing me a quick glance before looking forward at the street again.

"Hi" I couldn't stop the smile the crept onto my face. "You look amazing"

He swung around to look at me so fast, I heard his neck crack a little. His eyes were wide in surprise. I didn't fail to notice the blush that began to stain his cheeks.

"What? I can't compliment you?" I asked, amused.

"It's...not that" he stuttered which I found incredibly adorable. "You've never complimented me before"

I thought about it for a second. I actually compliment him alot (in my head). I shrugged "There's a first to everything I guess"

"Well thanks" he said in almost a whisper still blushing deeply.

I nodded, and starting the car, began to drive off again into the city.

"So where are we going?" He asked several minutes later. He looked relaxed at last.

"I was thinking we would go get drinks" I replied my eyes drifting from the road long enough to notice the soft disappoinment that crossed his face.

"You don't drink?" I couldn't hide the little laughter that followed the question.

He pouted and crossed his hands across his chest. "Since it's already amusing to you, yes, I don't drink. Now you can laugh"

I actually did laugh, not because he didn't drink but because of his little bout of tantrum.

He didn't know that though and just frowned deeper.

"Why are so angry all the time?" I asked when I finally stopped laughing but still holding a smile.

He scoffed. "Coming from 'Mr. Mean and Angry all the time', that's a laugh"

"I am not always mean and angry" it was my turn to frown a little.

He scoffed again but didn't say anything.

"I'm nice to you" I continued in my defense.

"Really?" He asked and looked at me. I could see a slight sarcastic smile playing on his lips.

"I've taken you to lunch and dinner before, you've been to my house"

He laughed this time and I had to slow down the car and look at him in confusion and slight frustration.

"Shanice doesn't even know where I live" I emphasized on the sentence to drive home my point.

"So you are trying to say taking me to your home is a privilege"

"Yeah...."

"Right"

He looked back at the road stifling a laugh. I was slightly annoyed but I kept driving but instead of going to the bar, in accordance with the initial plan, I drove to a restaurant instead. I was still annoyed though. Taking him to my home was actually a big deal for me and it annoyed me that he took it lightly.

We finally got to the restaurant and immediately got seated. The place was actually quite fancy and even though my good mood was slightly ruined, I was still determined to enjoy the evening.

"Don't tell me you are still pouting because I don't see anything special with taking me to your home" He looked straight at me, the shadow of a smile playing on his lips.

And even though it was true, I wasn't going to agree. "I'm pouting because I had planned on drinking this evening, not eating at a restaurant"

He fell silent but I could see he was slightly offended.

"I didn't ask you to bring me here" he muttered but audibly enough so that I could hear it. "Infact I didn't ask you to take me anywhere"

The last sentence was said louder and he stood up and threw the napkin on the desk.

And just on cue, the waitress came to take our order. She didn't seem to notice the fuming cute man that looked like he was about to set the place on fire.

"Good evening and welcome to___"

"Don't you see I'm trying to leave?" Marco said to the waitress who was shocked at his outburst.

"I'm sorry but___" he was already on his way to the door before she could finish while I just sat, too shocked to even do anything.

The waitress looked at me briefly before deciding she couldn't deal with anymore outbursts and left. I finally stood and walked as calmly as I could out of the restaurant and to the parking lot where a fuming, flushed Marco was standing.

He turned to look at me once I was within view and started walking towards me and I could have sworn he was about to punch me. "Who do you think you are? Huh? You love to play everything by your rules and you don't even care what the next person wants. If inviting me to your goddamn house was so important, then why have you been avoiding me since then? For three whole months you would literally cross the street if you saw me walking up to you and then all of a sudden you want to get drinks. Are you____"

I crashed my lips on his, dragging him closer to me by his waist, without thinking about the fact that we were standing in the middle of a parking lot. I just couldn't resist how sexy he looked when he was angry about something. He struggled to free himself but I held on tightly till he finally squirmed free and before I could say anything, I felt his palm hit me across my face.

Marco just slapped me!!

"Don't. ever. do. that. again" he said through grit teeth while I held my cheek still shocked by his reaction.

"Don't kiss me whenever you want like I am just your toy" even though the parking lot was quite dark, I could see he was bright red and his eyes were shimmering like he wanted to cry. "Don't take me to your house and then don't speak to me for three fucking months! Don't make me believe that you somehow want me and the next day you remind me I'm just your employee. We aren't even friends for fucks sake!!!"

The tears were finally rolling down his face and I felt my heart squeeze.

"I'm __ I'm sorry Marco" I replied in the most confident voice I could muster "I didn't know I... I will just take you home now"

I began walking around, head down, to the other side of the car when he spoke again.

"I don't want to ride with you"

I looked up at him and saw he wasn't looking at me. He looked so sad and small and it pained me that I was the reason for his pain. He was right. I was always forcing myself on him whenever I wanted without giving any thought to what he wants. I wasn't even sure he liked me or anything like that.

"It's late. Let me take you home"

"Will you call the Uber or should I?" He interrupted. I grit my teeth but didn't say anything. I pulled out my phone and ordered the ride.

"It's chilly out here, atleast come sit in the car" I said after we were standing for ten minutes and he was already shivering a bit.

"I'm fine"

I walked over to where he was standing and dragging him by his left hand, starting pulling him to the car. He resisted but I was stronger. Not until he bit me.

I was furious. "Look, I get it. I've done some pretty weird, not particularly exciting things these past months and you have every right to be angry at me. You can slap me all you want and you can choose to go home in a fucking taxi but you are not going to stand in this cold and get sick just because you are mad at me. You can be mad all you want in the car" and without another word, he finally got into the car on his own and crossed his hands over his chest, his mouth holding a cute pout that showed that he was trying so hard to remain upset.

I didn't get into the car because I knew I wouldn't stop myself from kissing him again and my ears were still ringing from his slap which is surprising because his hands were so soft. I rubbed the area on my hand that he had bitten. It had formed a small welt but it wasn't hurting anymore.

Damn Marco.

I bit the insides of my lips in annoyance. He had succeeded in inflicting pain on me twice that night. If it was someone else, they wouldn't live past the slap.

And alas the evening was ruined.

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A chaotic chapter but still a chapter.

See you at the next

Xoxo