Chapter 36: Provoked

[Johan's POV]

For the first time in three years, Johan went to work earlier than eight-thirty.

When Johan received a call from Adrian while preparing his food later for work, he assumed it's his mother out to interrogate him about his relationship with her son. And he's more than ready to deliver the most believable lie he could muster to save both their asses from getting found out.

"Han?" Distress laced Adrian's tone. It's as if he's on the verge of crying. "Can you come to work early?"

"Why?" Johan pinched the phone between his ears and shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"I-It's a long story. But it's my brother."

Adrian filled him briefly about the situation. He sounded lost, unsure of what to do, if he should go to work, wait for news alone at home, or travel straight to which hospital his brother was rushed for medical treatment.

"I'll meet you at the office," Johan told him, sympathetic grief in his voice. "Hang tight, okay?"

He never bothered to ask why Adrian's calling him instead of Rhia, but he figured it's due to the conflict of schedule. Rhia may have been asleep as they spoke.

Glancing across Blue-League Mortgage where smokers would flock around, he crossed the road upon seeing Adrian and Christy.

The stench of the cigarette was strong. Johan put on his black face mask that made him look like a pretentious K-Pop star—fuck. Can this even filter the smoke? He'd rather not get any second-hand smoke disease, but seeing the stressed-looking blond made him face the danger.

Okay, it's not like he's facing gun bullets, but that's beside the point.

Johan shook his head and tapped Adrian's shoulder. Distraught blue eyes turned to him, the same one that made him succumb to having a sexual affair, and Johan began to question his life choices when it came to Adrian.

It's not like he's in love with him or something.

Adrian circled one arm around his shoulder, forehead leaning to the side of his head. It's amazing how he noticed that Adrian's dress shirt was the one he's wearing yesterday. No one could tell. It's not like he smelled foul, but the barely visible stain from the street food sauce they ate this morning dotted a portion of the fabric.

"How's your brother?" Johan asked, rubbing soothing circles at the taller man's back.

Adrian took a shaky drag of his cigarette, inhaling deep before answering. "I don't know, Han. Last I heard from Mom, he's in ICU."

Shit. Intensive Care Unit. His brother must have taken a critical hit. A shiver ran down his spine. Personally, he didn't know who Adrian's brother was. But he hoped he survived.

"He'll be okay." Johan met Christy's eyes, but she didn't make any funny remark at their closeness. She also gave Adrian a pat on the shoulder.

"Yeah." Adrian moved to embrace him, fully. "I hope so."

Johan's muscle went tight, but he didn't have the heart to tell him off. He took an apprehensive glance to other smokers around. Hopefully, none of them were from Rhia's department. Not that it mattered at the moment. It looked like Adrian badly needed the support he could get.

Right now, he's being a friend consoling a devastated friend. Nothing else. One nasty comment from anyone and Johan will haul them to the river below. No kidding.

Johan's fingers itched to make a phone call. His uncle was also a police officer, and he understood the danger they faced when dealing with criminals. And while the chances were slim, his uncle may know Adrian's brother.

"Which hospital is he admitted?"

"He's in Alaminos," Adrian breathed out. "Haven't asked which hospital he's in."

Small world. Shit.

Alaminos City was in Pangasinan province. It's a province away from Olongapo. And his uncle happened to be assigned in that city after he got married. He may know Adrian's brother after all. Should he give him a call? What if they're in the same department and he's also somewhat in trouble?

Damn it! His imagination was playing every worst-case scenario.

"Now that's gay," commented a random newcomer, and Johan stiffened. For a moment, he thought it was Diego. "Bring your gayshit to a motel or something, would you?" said the guy as he lighted a cigarette stick.

Johan's blood sizzled, and he nuzzled Adrian away. "Excuse me?"

"What? Didn't you hear what I said?" The guy's eyes swept at them up and down. He scoffed. "Faggots."

"Fucker," Adrian hissed under his breath. He had a sharp look on his face, but either he's too tired to deal with the shithead, or jealousy was the only thing that can truly provoke him.

"What's your problem?" Johan's arms shook with fury as he took strides to where the guy stood, who was acting like some hot stuff as he blew smoke into the air.

"Han." Adrian grabbed his arm and shook his head. "I'm pissed too. But it's not worth it. Let it go."

People like this asshole was the reason he didn't want to be out. And it's the last thing Adrian needed to deal with. He's already stressed enough to the point he forgot to change clothes. He could tell he wanted to rush to where his brother was, but it's too far even with his motorbike.

"Wow. Hon. That's sick."

Too bad. Name calling and insults provoked Johan so badly. His chest constricted with rage he kept for years. Suddenly, it felt like he's in high school again. Johan removed Adrian's fingers from his arm and detached his cross-body bag from his torso. "Stay back for a minute, Adrian."

"Han." Adrian raised an arm to block him, but Johan looked up with a serious frown.

"I'll just talk to him," he assured and removed his face mask. He walked over to the guy with narrowed eyes. "What's your problem? Do you even know what my friend is going through right now?"

"Who cares?" The guy threw the cigarette butt on the pavement and swaggered towards him. "You're a sore in the eyes."

"One more word," Johan warned. He took out his smartphone and shoved it to his pocket. It's been a while since he got into a fight. And he's not even drunk. As long as he didn't throw the first punch, he'll claim self-defense.

"Triggered much?"

"I don't know who you are, but I hope you can swim." Johan gripped the strap of his bag. "Oh, but you looked like a frog anyway so I'm sure you can."

He sneered. "Fuck you."

"No, thanks. I'm not into bestiality." Johan gave a disgusted face. "I bet you're just two inches. Insecure Bitch."

The guy balled his fist and stalked forward. "Look at this gayshit. You looking for a fight?"

"Oh, look. There's a talking frog." Johan stepped backwards the moment his fist swiped at him, and his bag connected to the asshole's face. He could hear his lunch box shattering inside. It looked like he's eating trashy food tonight at the pantry.

The guy swayed to the side upon impact, stunned. And Johan took the opportunity to coil the strap of his bag to the guy's neck, strangling him, pulling him to the ground.

The commotion stirred everyone in the smoking area. And Adrian immediately sprinted towards him and latched his muscular arms around his chest, pulling him away.

When the guy leaped to his feet and retaliated with a punch, Johan hooked his arm around Adrian's neck to propel himself up and kicked the asshole in the face before he could even touch him.

The device in his pocket fell on the ground. "Fuck! My phone, Adrian. Let me go!"

"No! Han, stop!"

Christy picked up his things and dashed to the side, fear flashing in her eyes as Johan struggled to break free from Adrian's grasp.

"Let me go or I'm not letting you in my apartment again," Johan said through gritted teeth, making sure it's low enough for only the two of them to hear. It's a lie. But it's the only thing he could think of to deter him.

Adrian's grip only tightened as he murmured against his ears, voice broken. "Please, Han. Stop. I've already had too much. I can't let something happen to you too."

Johan slacked; chest heaving, eyes glaring at the man on the ground. "Fine. But I need to give this asshole a piece of my mind. Or I'll use any resources I have just to find where he lives and skin him alive. I'm not even joking."

Security guards rushed to the scene to intervene, helping the guy to his feet. He glared as he wiped the blood at the corner of his mouth. "I'm reporting you to the HR."

Johan scoffed. "I'll see you there, asshole."

He didn't even fear his department head. What made this fucktard think he feared the HR Department? And the fight happened outside of company premises. Who's he trying to threaten?

Everyone was ushered away from the area. Adrian kept his hold against him, face buried at the back of his neck. Johan made eye contact with Christy as he tried to regain his breathing.

"Sorry about that," he said. Although he's not truly sorry about it. Not even a bit.