CH 10: You Know Her? Wh-How?

GULFIE IS BACK!!!

- Wan

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***OFFICE***

Mew had got a fixed routine for the past eight days. He would get up. Get ready and leave for work. He tried his best to be home as late as possible. Then he would go home and fall asleep in the living room itself. And then repeat the cycle over again. On Saturday and Sunday, he sat by his mom's grave the whole day long. He just wanted to be anywhere but his house or Gulf's.

Mew and Wan were sorting some documents when suddenly Wan looked up. "Good morning, sir," she greeted. Mew looked up and saw Gulf standing there. "Good morning," Gulf looked at both of them. He saw Mew's surprised face. Did he wish for me not to return this soon? Gulf deduced from Mew's face. Gulf felt a pang in his heart. It hurt. Both of them were gazing into each other's empty orbs that were only filled at the deep bottoms. But were brought back to reality with a ringing phone.

It was the telephone. "Hello, yes?" Wan was quick to answer it. "Oh, okay. Sure, I shall contact you again about this soon. Thank you. Have a nice day," Wan kept agreeing to whatever the person on the other end said. "Who was it?" Gulf asked. "Pleum Corp. They would like to get an appointment this Friday. For the signing that was postponed," Wan explained. The mention of Pleum Corp brought a mild smile on Gulf's face. He remembered the 'sister' he made on his vacation. He was kind of excited to meet Puifai in a professional environment.

Mew noticed that smile. But he didn't understand why was Gulf smile. The Gulf Kanawut he knew, would keep a stern face at the mention of any company. Then why was he smiling at the mention of Pleum Corp, Mew didn't understand. "Friday is the day after tomorrow, right?" Mew asked. Wan nodded. It was like Mew was intentionally ignoring Gulf. Which he was. He couldn't stand the smile. Gulf just went to his cabin.

"His schedule is empty that day. Okay, book an appointment for Friday. I'll prepare the paperwork," Mew said as he got absorbed in his computer. Wan didn't understand the situation in front of her. Mr. CEO disappeared, P'Mew was sad. Mr. Ceo's back, P'Mew doesn't give a damn. What the hell is going on between these two? Wan was confused.

***MEWGULF HOME***

When Mew reached there, Gulf's car was already parked. He just walked in and sat on the couch. "Should I talk to him?" Mew asked himself in a low tone. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know what words he should use with Gulf anymore. He didn't want to hurt him more. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize that Gulf was now sitting in front of him.

"What happened to you?" Gulf had concern in his eyes. But his tone somehow failed to do the same as his eyes. Mew snapped back to reality. "Nothing," Mew stated. Mew was drained of emotions and expression now. "When did you come back?" Mew asked. Gulf didn't know if Mew was asking with genuine consent or just for the sake of it. "Last night," Gulf replied.

Only if you told me earlier, I would have been here, Mew thought. Guilt.

"I didn't see you here, where were you?" Gulf asked. Mew looked at him with apology and regret in his eyes. But Gulf was too dense to identify it. "I went to my parents' house. I had something to do there and then it turned late so I just stayed there" Mew lied. He didn't know why, but he lied. Gulf furrowed his brows, Since when did you start giving me so many details? It's nice to hear it though.

Gulf stood up and smiled. "I'm tired, I'll go to bed first," Gulf said. Mew saw Gulf's figure disappear as he ascended the stairs. What happened to you? How did you change so much within two weeks? Mew wanted to ask.

***GULF'S ROOM***

Gulf planted himself on the bed the moment he entered his room. "Did Mew give me all those details because he is starting to like me?" Gulf asked himself. He jumped up and sat straight. He cupped his face. It was heating up. "Or did he go to meet the one he loves and gave me an excuse?" Gulf's smile faded. He pulled his hair in frustration, messing them. He was kicking the air around.

"I need help," he fished his phone from the bedside table. "Whom should I call?" he thought as he scrolled down his contact list. "Yibo? No. That idiot must be 'busy' with his boyfriend." he knew what his best friend might be doing at this hour. He thought for a little more and decided to call his new sister.

[THE CALL]

Puifai: Hello my dear big brother~

Gulf: Hello there, my baby sister~

Puifai: Any progress on your love life?

Gulf: I need your wise words for that, you idiot!

Puifai: What happened? Got rejected again? Hahaha!

Gulf: No! He talked to me like he cares for my opinion today! Can you believe it?!

Puifai: Really? That's grea-

Gulf: But I don't know if it was concern or was it an excuse.

Puifai: You're thinking too much, Gulf.

Gulf: I know... But he loves somebody else. I don't know who it is. What if he just lied to me and actually went to meet that person?

Puifai: We're signing the contract on Friday, right? Let's talk face to face after that.

Gulf: O-okay... Good night.

Puifai: Good night.

[CALL END]

Gulf threw his phone somewhere on the mattress and tried to fall asleep.

"Let's think of it tomorrow," Gulf told himself and drifted to his dreamland.

*FRIDAY*

***GD CORP***

"I'll go and check the appointment time at the reception," said Puifai's secretary. Puifai just nodded. A while later a handsome man walked up to her. "Good afternoon ma'am," he bowed to show respect. Puifai was mesmerized by the handsome man in front of her. "Morning," she said timidly. "Mew?" her secretary returned. Mew looked at him, "Mild? Been long since we met." That perfect sunshine smile caught Puifai off guard. "You two know each other?" She interrupted. Mild nodded, "He was the quick friend I had mentioned." Mild said.

"All of this can be talked of some other time," Mew got back to his professional self. "I am Mr. Kanawut's secretary. I'll guide you to his office, please follow me," Mew said. The two guests followed him.

"You should have told me that you work here. My boyfriend works here too!" Mild chirped. Mew rolled his eyes, "Not now Mild. It is working hours." Mild kept shut the whole way after that. Puifai kept stealing glances of Mew.

All she knew was that Gulf was courting a guy. But she didn't know who the guy was. Gulf never mentioned and she never asked. But the way she was looking at Mew was nothing more than admiration and appreciation. She didn't fall for the man's charms. Thank heavens for that.

Once they were at their destined floor, Puifai met with so many handsome and beautiful faces. Does this company hire people with such great visuals only? Puifai thought. Gulf was talking something to Victor and Rose when they approached him.

"Mr. Kanawut, our guests from Pleum Corp are here," Mew announced. He was that formal not because there were guests, but because Gulf had started to distance himself from him. He should feel relieved about it but his heart was aching when Gulf talked to him formally. Or didn't talk to him at all. His heart was clenching so tight. Mew was feeling his soul leaving him whenever Gulf walked away from him. But he couldn't understand why. He just thought that it might be because it will take him time to familiarize himself with this Gulf. He thought that it was nothing.

The moment Gulf turned towards them, he was greeted by a bear hug. It was Puifai. "How has my big brother been?" she asked. She was excited to see Gulf after so long. Even though they only parted ways this Tuesday. Gulf chuckled and hugged her back. "Let's do this brother-sister talk later. Let's talk business now," Gulf said, still smiling. Mew wanted to yank this girl away. She was so getting on his nerves.

There was this flame rising in his heart and Mew didn't know what it was. Everybody else was shocked. The whole of Gulf's team couldn't believe their eyes. Gulf Kanawut was smiling. He was hugging a business partner. He was chuckling. This was the first time anybody had seen him like this. Win looked at Mew and saw the anger rising. But Gulf didn't even look at him. "Let's go to my cabin," Gulf said and walked there.

Mew went out of the cabin to get the contracts. And when he returned he found the two CEOs still talking. He felt so bad about it. But why was he feeling bad when he was the one wishing for this change in Gulf for so long? All he knew was, his heart hurts when Gulf smiles at someone else like that.

After the signing, they were discussing some more about work. "Please excuse me for a while," Mew said as he walked out again. Gulf looked at him, confused. "You've got such good-looking people in your company!" Puifai exclaimed. Gulf shook his head in disbelief at this girl's stupid remark. "They've got such a good-looking boss. Of course, they all look their best." Gulf giggled along. "But next time don't hug me out of nowhere. No one here is accustomed to that behavior of mine," Gulf told her. Puifai pouted, "Even I wouldn't be if I hadn't seen you on the beach that day". "I thought you would never talk about that again," Gulf said.

Mew came back and he heard Gulf's last words. Soon after that, Puifai and Mild left. Gulf went back to his desk and Mew left the room. Wan and Win dragged him to a corner the moment he closed the door behind him.

"What was that look?" Win questioned. "What look?" Mew didn't understand. "The look you gave to that woman earlier!" Wan too had noticed it. "I... I just found it weird, the way they hugged. I didn't know they knew each other before this," Mew looked to the ground. He himself wasn't sure of what he had felt at that moment. "Really? You seemed like you wanted to yank her away from Mr. Kanawut," Wan gave her dead face. Mew looked at her in disbelief. How did she notice that detail? Mew questioned himself. "Yes, your eyes were screaming, 'Get off my husband you bitch'. What was that about?" Win added. Mew was lost for words.

"Have you started having feelings for him?" Win asked further. Mew clenched his jaw, "No. I don't have feelings for him. I just was taken back by the unprofessional behavior of Pleum Corp's CEO" Win and Wan exchanged looks. They surely weren't buying Mew's words. And Mew noticed that.

"If you don't believe me, then don't bring up this topic," Mew was furious. "Just go on with your baseless theories!" Mew left the two alone. "We're still there for you when you need us!" the two declared. But Mew just ignored them. "Why is he acting as you do on your periods?" Win asked. Wan glared at him. "Seriously, Win? You're crazy?" she rolled her eyes and returned to her workstation.

"Let's go for a drink after work," Win suggested. "I'm in for it" Lee jumped in. "I'm out. I have a date," Wan said with a sheepish smile. "You and your girlfriend~" Win pouted. "What? It's our third anniversary," Wan glared back at him again. "Congo girl~" Rose and Suzy chimed in.

***MEWGULF HOME***

Gulf really wasn't being the man he was. He wasn't pestering Mew anymore. He was just minding his own business.

"How do you know her?" Mew asked. He wanted to ask this from the moment he saw Puifai and Gulf hug. But he had to control. "Know who? Puifai?" Gulf seemed indifferent. The old Gulf would surely tease Mew and ask 'are you jealous?'. But this was not the Gulf Kanawut he used to know. Something had changed about him. Mew couldn't really pinpoint it. But he hated it. "Who else?" Mew confirmed Gulf's doubt.

"I met her while I was on vacation," Gulf said. Mew nodded. Gulf squinted his eyes, "Why did you leave in between though?" Gulf was denser than ever. "You never leave in between of a meeting," Gulf added. Mew looked at him apologetically. Mew looked at the floor, "My periods started suddenly. That's why I left. Sorry." Gulf's ears perked up. "You don't have to be sorry. But weren't they supposed to be last week?" Gulf pouted. Now Mew could see a little bit of the Gulf he knew. He smiled unknowingly, "It's late this month." Gulf nodded.

"Go to your room, I'll get you hot chocolate," Gulf said. Mew smiled and left for his room. Gulf busied himself with the hot chocolate.

***MEW'S ROOM***

Mew was already on his bed when Gulf arrived with hot chocolate, painkillers, and....... the heating pad. He handed Mew the cup of hot chocolate, "Careful." Mew didn't understand why was the heating pad there. Gulf always used his hands to warm me up, why did he bring that? Mew was confused. This wasn't the old Gulf indeed.

"I'll sleep now," Mew said and faced the opposite side. Gulf just laid down and started playing with his phone. If it was the Gulf I knew, he'd be all over my body by now, Mew surely was hurt. A tear slid down his face but he didn't notice. But Gulf seemed to have seen it.

"Anywhere you're hurting?" Gulf asked. Yes, my heart! Mew wanted to yell. But that won't do any good. "I miss my mom," Mew made an excuse. Though it wasn't really an excuse, he did miss her. Gulf held him close and caressed his back. Mew only cried more. "Shhh, it's okay," Gulf said. But you're not the Gulf I know! I want the old one back, Mew screamed mentally. Gulf kissed him lightly on the temple. Mew felt so good about that touch.

Now it was Mew who was a mess emotionally. He couldn't understand himself anymore. Earlier, he wanted Gulf to stop loving him. To find someone better. But now, he couldn't stand the sight of Gulf smiling at anybody other than him. He wanted Gulf to hug nobody else but him. He couldn't understand why was he turning so greedy and possessive for Gulf's touch and attention.

He could only deduce it to one thing. Gulf was one of the only ones who were okay with Mew being what he was. Maybe that's why he felt so comfortable with Gulf.

But there was more than he had understood. There was more for him to discover about himself.

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What do you think? How long will Mew take to confess?

Is the story getting boring?

Please vote and comment

- Wan <3