Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty Four

DISCLAIMER: ALL BRANDS/RESTAURANT/PEOPLE MENTIONED/TO BE MENTIONED ARE NOT RELATED/AFFILIATED WITH THIS STORY AND ARE USED FOR FICTIONAL REPRESENTATION PURPOSES ONLY.

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GUN'S POV

It's the day of our flight, we leave Bangkok at 6PM. It's gonna be a very long flight, it will be 20 hours from Bangkok. I enjoy traveling but I do not enjoy those kind of long flights but since I got the Business Class seats, I'm pretty sure we're all gonna be comfortable, except Tay will be around three or two seats away from me and Off.

"Have you ordered lunch already? We can't be late for the flight." Tay said.

We're here at Off's condo because this is the nearest to Suvarnabhumi Airport. We rented a car that will pick us up here at 2pm and send us to the airport.

"Yeah, it's 5 minutes away." I said scrolling through my phone.

"I'm gonna go down to get it." Off said.

We all agreed, Tay started preparing the table where we're gonna eat. They both are very excited for this trip, not gonna lie, I am excited as well, but I know hang over is gonna get the best of us but we have to make most of our time when we get there. We'll be arriving at New York around 2pm or 3pm, we're gonna rest and then the next days it's gonna be tour and all.

I haven't told them that Jayler will pick us up at the airport because I don't know if they remember Jayler. He is the only one free because Paris and Oile has some matters to attend to.

I hope there will be no delay with the flight because I was hoping to get to my 7PM  dinner reservation at Song' E Napule, my favorite pizzeria. There is a famous Thai restaurant in New York but what's the point of leaving Thailand just to have more Thai food right?

"Why are you so quiet?" Off asked me as we were eating.

"I'm just naturally quiet." I said confused.

"Is something bothering you? You are not naturally quiet" He said again

I burst in laughter because I naturally become very quiet sometimes and it also weirds out Tay sometimes.

"He's just that abnormal, you gotta get used to that." Tay said shoving a spoonful of chicken in his mouth.

"Weirdo." Off teased me.

"Sugar Daddy." I said and laughed.

Me and Tay made it a tease to him, we call him sugar daddy because he often pays for everything, the food and such, he even bought me a shirt from a store when we went out just because I found it cute.

"Yes, are you lost baby boy?" He said and we all laughed.

"Stop laughing, we might get late." He said after a few minutes of good laugh we all had.

Everything was just on time when we finished eating. We freshened up and took everything we're gonna need. I was wearing a simple sweats and hoody and some air force 1. I told them to dress up casually but cozy because the flight is killer, you're gonna wanna fly in pajamas but the temperature in New York is also so different from the humid weather we have in Thailand.

"Apparently we still have two hours before boarding." Off told me as we were walking towards the boarding gate.

"I want some ice cream." I said.

There was a dairy queen booth inside the airport so I decided to look for it and buy myself some ice cream.

"That's his comfort food" Tay told Off

It's fun how they both get along, they're like long lost best friends as well. They were talking about something when Tay's phone rang. It was New of course. I asked Tay if he wants to bring New along but they said they were planning to move-in together and that they were gonna need the money, Tay's pocket money actually came from his dad, he can always ask him but just like all of us, we need to be independent.

I got my ice cream and we continued walking to the boarding gate. We sat down in a corner near the huge windows where we can see the planes that were leaving and arriving.

"So you're showing us how you lived alone in New York?" Off started when we sat down.

"Not really. I was busy working back then, the coffee shop, the studio I worked with, I also partied so much, went to see a few shows on broadway... Pretty much worked my ass off just to buy boujee stuff that I took home with me." I told him.

"The glass closet you have... the designer items" He said remembering that one glass cased closet I have.

"Yep. All of those distracted me, but also left me with not much of savings." I told him as I took another spoonful of ice cream.

"If you're settling down one day... where would you rather live?" He asked out of the blue...

I thought about it after a while... I actually haven't thought about settling down. I was just starting to reach for my dreams... but I do have one place in mind.

"I haven't really thought about it. I wanted to settle at New York a few years ago, because being a city kid, it made me love the atmosphere. But then, I fell in love with beaches and sunsets... There's this one place I have in mind." I answered him.

"The beach house I own?" He asked and smirked.

"Nope" I said and smiled.

"What? Where?" He asked.

"There's this small island in the Philippines, its name is El Nido. I wanted to go there, I've watched a bunch of travel vlogs and all. It seems like Paradise" I said.

"Lemme see" He said handing his phone to me.

I typed in the vlogger I've watched so that he'd see what I saw. I gave his phone back to him for him to watch and I enjoyed my ice cream again. I thought Off was gonna casually watch it but it made me smile when he was watching it seriously.

"It seems like a good place, maybe soon, let's visit?" He told me.

"You're coming with me?" I asked him.

"You rather go with someone else?" He asked me.

"No... that's not what I mean..." I said.

"Just kidding. I just thought, you know, I see you in my future Gun..." He suddenly told me.

Butterflies flew in my stomach, I didn't know he'd see a future with me, because I am already so grateful to actually just have a moment or phase in his life. It's like I was recharged with those words. I was so hyper and I posted a bunch of IG stories of me, with them and some playing the filter games with Off. Every vacation with Off just gets really better. I know for sure New York will be a lot better since I am with Off now.

We boarded the plane on time, there was no hassle. The passenger who is supposed to be seating behind me didn't show up to the flight so we talked to the attendant and asked if Tay could transfer there and when the last call for the passenger came and she wasn't there, they allowed Tay.

It's just the start but I couldn't contain my excitement already. I wanted to arrive already and just enjoy my favorite city in the world.

"So when we arrive, we'd put the stuff down. Rest a little and I made reservations at my favorite restaurant." I told them.

"Can we see Central Park already?" Tay asked.

"That is a view from my apartment but we'll visit Central Park after dinner. It's not that near, depends on the traffic though, but yeah." I told him.

"How about Central Perk?" Off asked.

"Just trust me with all the tour. I gotchu, I know you both." I said because truth be told, I customized the tour I was planning for the both of them to enjoy. I already had my time to enjoy it.

"Gun, just tell us a place where we're going to go" Tay said like a kid excited for a toy.

"Times Square is part of the tour when we arrive" I told them.

"Where else?" Off asked.

"That's enough for now I guess?" I said and smiled.

They were both restless from the excitement as well. I pulled out my iPad and decided to watch some shows and movies, it's gonna be a long ride anyway.

"What are you watching?" Off asked peeping through the middle divider we have.

"The Fault in our Stars... again" I said and gave him a smile.

"How many times have you watched that?" He asked me.

"I don't know, but enough for me to semi-memorize most of it." I said and smiled wider.

"Can I watch with you?" He asked and returned the smile now.

"Okay, I have an earphone splitter, let me just get it" I said about to get my splitter but he took one ear bud from my ear.

"I prefer sharing." He said.

That made me smile and we continued watching. It was almost the end and I was trying to stop myself from crying because first, Off is watching with me, second, Tay will make fun of me again, lastly, dinner was being served already.

"What?---  are you okay?" Off asked while he was browsing the menu.

"Y-yeah..." I said focused on the movie.

Off went silent when it was about to be Augustus' eulogy part for Hazel. I was looking at the screen intently so I won't cry but then Tay started laughing behind me.

"Come on Gun, you've watched that a million times." Tay said.

"That's why you look like a kid who got his candy stolen" Off said shaking his head.

We finished the movie with Off trying to console me that it was just a movie and Tay being the best friend, kept teasing me.

"What do you want for dinner? Go check the menu, the attendant will get the orders in a few, just get ice cream again. I'll pick the next movie" Off said.

I decided to go for Pad Thai and Chicken Strips, I know it's not the best option of food combination but I am weird who cares?

It was hours of games, movies and naps while flying to New York until we finally arrive. We arrived quarter to three. It will take a few minutes to get to Manhattan and I was trying to fix my phone sim card while we were waiting for our luggage. I need to text Jayler that we're already here.

"What are we riding to your apartment Gun?" Off asked as he grabbed my luggage from the conveyor.

"Broomsticks" I answered and smiled which caught him off-guard. Tay laughed with me and Off continued grabbing our luggage with the slight help from Tay who is still laughing.

When I managed to fix the sim card on my phone I immediately dialed Jayler's number. I haven't told them Off came with us and all the tea about us. I plan to do it when we do some catching up, though Jayler will already know that Off is here because he's the one to fetch us.

"Let's go. Jayler is waiting." I told them when we got everything fixed already.

Off looked at me as if I said something odd.

"What?" I said raising an eyebrow at him.

"Jayler? The... friend you were dancing with when you got drunk?" He asked.

"Yeah why?" I asked back

"Nothing. Let's go?" Off said and pushed the luggage cart towards the exit.

"Someone's jealous." Tay whispered to me as we followed Off to the exit.

"What?! Jayler is a friend" I said

"Yeah, but of course Off has the right to be jealous and threatened with his presence. The way you and Jayler dance back in Bangkok screams some unsaid feelings." Tay said.

"You're really delusional aren't you?" I said.

The cold air greeted us when we went outside. I love this temperature even if it's so different from what we have in Thailand.

"Hey Gun! Over here!" Jayler waved at me when we got out.

"Heeeeey!" I said giving him a hug when we got closer to him.

"You didn't tell me Off was coming." He said as he helped with the luggage, I looked over at Off and he raised an eyebrow kind of questioning Jayler's statement.

"It's kind of a last minute change of plans." I said

I helped Tay and Jayler when we were loading luggage at the trunk of the car. After, Tay went to ride the car when Off pushed him when he was about to open the door of the back seat.

"What?" Tay asked.

"Go stay in front." Off told him.

"No, that's okay, I'll seat in front." I said.

Off signaled something to Tay and made some faces as well which I didn't understand but Tay hurriedly rode the shotgun seat. Ugh, what are they doing?

"You're crazy" I said before going inside the car.

I thought it was gonna be a quiet and awkward car ride but then Tay and Jayler actually got along pretty well. I was casually answering and joining their conversation when I could but then I noticed Off being so quiet.

I nudged him and he looked over to me. I mouthed 'are you okay?' to him and he nodded and smiled at me. I didn't looked away, because I know something is up, he noticed and stared back at me. We were like that for a few minutes until we both smiled and burst in small laughter.

"You like to drop by Gun's coffee shop? Grab some coffee?" Jayler asked.

"Nah... I got plans for both of them, I'll bring them there soon." I answered.

"Okay, you gonna commute around?" Jayler asked.

"Nope. I rented a car for us for the whole week. It'll be waiting at the apartment as well." I said.

"You got everything planned huh?" Jayler said.

"Yeah he does. He was looking forward to this" Off answered.

"Finally, he speaks" I said and smirked at him.

"Off you have a clothing line right?" Jayler asked Off.

"Yeah, go check my website, I'll give you 1% off" Off said and we all laughed.

"I'll check it out with or without the discount, I wanna be friends with Gun's cool friends as well." Jayler said.

I smiled. All my friends getting along? Yes please! That is more than a dream to me. We finally reached the apartment and Jayler helped us put the bags inside.

"Are you settled? I'll go now. Message me when you need something" Jayler said.

"Yeah, thank you so much, I'll see you tomorrow" I said.

"Well, gotta go now, Tay, Off, welcome to New York" He told them and we all said our goodbyes.

I quickly opened my luggage to get some stuff.

"I'm gonna go take a shower. You both talk about where you both want to sleep." I told them before going inside my bathroom.

I took a little while in the shower because I enjoyed listening to music while just standing below my showerhead. When I walked out, they were both asleep already. They managed to set-up the air bed and the sofa bed. Tay is sleeping on the sofa while Off got the airbed.

I turned off the lights and quietly went my way to my bedroom. When I was settled I lied down but before I forget I decided to connect my phone to my speakers and set and alarm so it would wake us all up and make it on time for our dinner.

"Gun... your phone is noisy" I woke up to my alarm sound ringing all over the apartment and someone who was waking me up. It was Off who looks like a kid who was forced to wake up from his nap.

I turned it Off and stretched.

"Off, get ready, we'll go out" I said.

"You need to wake up Tay, he's a heavy sleeper" He said

I walked outside of my bedroom and saw Tay still sleeping peacefully.

"Tay!!!!" I said shaking him.

"Gun, I'm sleepy" He replied.

"We need to go" I said again.

"Five minutes." he replied again

"We're leaving you" I said which forced him to get up.

He was lost for a few minutes until he finally stood up and went to the bathroom to prepare. We got ready and while waiting for Tay, Off stood by my window looking at the view.

"The sunset is also better at the rooftop" I said.

"You had the life you wanted back here Gun... I wouldn't leave this city if I were you" He told me.

"I wasn't happy Off... I was running away from all of my demons and problems when I went here... I was also running right now, I got exhausted and here I am again." I said.

"Gun, you're not alone. You were never. We're here now okay?" He said as he put his hands on top of my shoulders.

"Oh--- am I interrupting something?" Tay asked.

"Silly, hurry up" I said.

We left the apartment and then we went to the lobby to get the keys the car rental company left.

"Can I drive?" Off asked.

"You don't have license Off" I said reminding him.

"Can I drive?" Tay asked as well while laughing.

"I still want to get a label with Gun, maybe next time?" Off said as he placed his arm over my shoulder which made me blush.

"I was just joking and you made a way to make me miss New, let's go" Tay said as he jokingly sulked.

I drove to the restaurant and we were actually five minutes early for my reservation which gave us time to take lots of pictures. Tay is the photographer of our squad ever since college that is why, he is still our photographer up until now. We took as much photos as we can until we were seated inside the restaurant.

Dinner was great and I'm glad that they both liked it.

"We're going to Times Square" I told them when we got back in the car.

"YAAAAAY" Tay screamed like he was a kid.

They were both excited as we headed to Times Square.

When we go there, I went to the parking space available and we started walking around.

"Where to?" Tay asked but he kept walking.

"We could still go to Madame Tussauds... then theater district and maybe have a few drinks at Haven Rooftop" I said.

"How about Hershey's chocolate world?" Off asked.

"That'll have to wait until the weekend, they only open on Saturdays and Sundays" I said.

"We're coming back here?" Tay asked.

"Yeah, we could come back everyday but we have other places to go to as well" I told Tay.

We spent the whole night taking a lot of pictures, we went to Madame Tussauds as planned and I don't know how much photos we've taken but it was just pure fun than the first time I went here alone.

"Tay can you take a picture of me and Gun?" Off asked Tay handing him his phone.

"You didn't tell me this trip was a prenup photoshoot and that I'd be a personal photographer." Tay said

"Just take the photos, I'll treat you at 5th Avenue." Off said.

"Okay, I'm bought" Tay said preparing the phone's camera.

There were more photos taken when we went to theater district...

"You could play with filters and actually make those photos look vintage" Tay said already editing a bunch of his photos.

"Time to enjoy the night life in New York" I said while pulling Off's hand and we went to Haven Rooftop

Haven Rooftop is fancy but they make a way on how people could actually enjoy the ambiance and it's vibey for the new generation of crazy rich people as well.

I feel so close to you right now

It's a force feel

I wear my heart upon my sleeve, like a big deal

Your love bows down, I mean surround me like a waterfall

And there's no stopping us right now

I feel so close to you right now

The music played through the speakers as we sat on the balcony with a view of the city.

"This feels so good" Tay said taking more photos.

Our cocktails came and a few nuts we could nibble on.

"Here's to just the beginning to our travels" Off said as he raised his glass.

"Come on say something" He added.

"Here's to becoming more successful and happier in our lives" Tay said and raised his glass as well...

They both looked at me and waited for me to say something...

"Here's to personal growth, happiness and more courage and lessons we'd all learn in life" I said and smiled

"Here's to making everything better... together" Off said and we clinked our glasses and drank our cocktails.

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Thanks for reading! <3

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

- Again, the above mentioned brands/restaurant/people are not related/affiliated with the story. Everything is purely fictional and used for representation only.

- I will try my best to post an update tomorrow, Tuesday. If I do not upload any content tomorrow, I'll be posting two updates on Wednesday. Thank you.