Chương 24: The Game He Plays

Note: This is just a retelling of the previous chapter but in Adrian's POV. You are free to skip to the next chapter, but reading this chapter won't hurt. XD

[Adrian's POV]

"Within the duration of our stay in this apartment, I think you're the only friend who's ever visited him."

Smoking cigarettes while having a casual conversation with Johan's neighbor did the trick to calm his troubled mind. The couple living beside Johan's apartment was kind enough to lend him a chair. Standing in the middle of the blazing sun wasn't fun, after all.

Adrian released the smoke in his lungs and smiled. "Really?"

Roland nodded and leaned from his seat, propping his elbows to his knees. "Actually, I've seen you here last week too." He motioned to his motorbike and smirked. "Which made me think... are you really just a friend? OW!"

"Don't answer him," Isabel said after hitting her husband in the head. She glared down. "You're a guy, but you're such a gossip-hungry monger."

"What? I'm just curious!" Roland rubbed the spot she struck.

"That's none of our business." She raised her hand with the promise of pain if he asked insensible questions again.

Adrian laughed at their exchanged before taking a drag of his cigarette. Talking to the couple gave him interesting insights about Johan, and he proved how truly enigmatic their quality analyst was. When Isabel alerted him of Johan's arrival, his excitement and anxiousness kicked in.

"Pick up your trash before you go inside." Those were the first thing Johan told him. Cold. Guarded. Distant.

It made his heart dropped to his stomach. Adrian scrambled to pick the cigarette butts he threw on the potted plant and looked for a nearby trashcan. Isabel came up to him holding a dustpan and asked him to just put it there.

"Thanks."

"No problem!"

Before he entered the apartment, Roland patted his arm and mouthed 'good luck' with a smirk. It earned him another smack from Isabel, and Adrian only shook his head at them, grinning.

"What are you doing here so early?" Johan asked after he removed his shoes and walked to the living room. The dismissive tone had him feeling unwelcomed.

Why? Was he no longer interested? Was it Diego now? Because he's got a nicer bike? Because he's got more authority? Because he's more interesting? It's only been a week and they're done?

"Early?" Adrian took a deep breath and approached. "It's almost eleven. One hour before lunch."

"That's not what I—"

Adrian slammed both his hands to the couch's backrest, caging Johan so he can't escape the question he's about to ask. "Where have you been?" He breathed, sharply. "Why were you with Diego this morning?"

He met silence. Johan only parted his lips as he stared back, eyes darting around his face before it settled to his mouth.

"Well?"

"We just grabbed breakfast," Johan's whispered. "And I waited for the bookstore to open so I can buy stuff."

"Breakfast." Adrian inched closer. Fuck. Diego took him out on a breakfast. Just the two of them. How romantic. Great. Just fucking great. "I haven't even taken you out on a date yet, Han. And you're already having breakfast with someone else. With Diego of all people."

"Sorry."

'Sorry, but I find him more interesting than you, so let's end this here.' That's what Adrian heard.

Jealousy gripped him. He's not ignorant about Johan's reluctance in this relationship. And it crushed his heart thinking he was about to dismiss him after finding someone better.

Rhia flashed in his mind, and Adrian realized how much of a hypocrite he was. Because here he was, desiring to be the only man in Johan's heart when he's got the two of them sharing in his.

"Why are you sorry? What did you do?" Emotions rumbled in his voice.

"Nothing you need to be worried about," came Johan's reply, in a voice that assured him that his thoughts were nothing but his paranoia.

The step Adrian took was meant to back away. But when Johan leaned a little closer, eyes dilated, he stepped forward and kissed him. With the burning passion that seared all his negative thoughts.

Johan groaned. The hardness he felt told him he liked it.

More. He needed more. Adrian pulled Johan closer, and it barely registered to his mind he carried Johan to the bedroom. Their lips locked, only interrupted with small talks.

His shaky hands plucked the buttons of his shirt. Johan watched him undress on the bed, arousing him more. "Why aren't you stripping, Han?"

Johan didn't answer, but started undoing his buttons. His shirt fell on the floor, and Adrian grabbed Johan's shirt because he's taking too damn long! He leaned in to kiss him, but he spoke.

"C-Condom's on the drawer," Johan stuttered. "Can you also plug the air-con? It's hot."

Condom. Shit. That means they're doing it, right? Shit. His cock twitched in excitement. Adrian gave Johan a lasting long before he went to the bedside drawer. He moved as fast as he can and plugged the air-con as requested.

His heart beat faster the moment he saw Johan stripped down to his boxers. Shit. Adrian grabbed his belt's buckle to remove the last article of clothing.

"I changed my mind." Johan got up. What? "I wanna shower first."

Adrian moved his leg and use it as a barricade to stop him from leaving. "We can shower together later."

A hand pulled the belt out of his pants, and Adrian shuddered as Johan massaged the hardened lump between his opened zippers. Looking down, he realized the position he put him in.

'Fuuuuuuck! I want to put it in!' Adrian gulped as his eyes traveled to those parted lips. Can he?

"But I feel dirty." Johan looked up. "Right at the place where Diego touched me."

It took him three seconds to process what was said. And rage filled him when he did. Not towards Johan, but to the man who touched him. Diego touched Johan. He did something before him.

Adrian lost self-control and pushed Johan to the bed. The vein in his neck pulsed. His blood sizzled with hatred as Diego's smirking face appeared in his memory. "Where did he fucking touch you?! Fuck! That son of a bitch! Tell me!"

"Why should I tell you? It's not like you can undo the things that's already been done."

What did Diego do? What was he about to do? The frigid air slapping his exposed back snuffed his anger out. And tears prickled his eyes.

"What did he do to you, Han?" Adrian released his hold over his shoulder and with shaking fingers, touched Johan's face. His blood turned cold when he looked away.

No. Oh, God. Please no. Not what he was thinking.

"Han?"

Johan sighed. "Nothing. He just touched my hand."

A different kind of anger repulsed him from the man underneath, and Adrian stood. Johan was playing. He played him. Again. "Is this another one of your game?" he asked as he rubbed the headache forming in his forehead. "Am I just... Am I just a game to you?"

Johan rose. "I'm sorry. What I did was uncalled for. Sorry."

"Haaaaan!" Adrian had the sudden urge to punch the man, but he stopped himself. "I've been thinking about you this entire morning! I was worried! Fuck! Do you have any idea how many weird shits played in my mind when I saw you with him? Do you?"

"I was wrong, Adrian. I'm sorry." Johan scooted over and hugged his waist. "I just got carried away."

"Fuuuuck!"

"I'm sorrrrrrry!" Johan buried his face to his abdomen, arms tightening around his mid-section. "I just want you to tie me up but I'm too embarrassed to ask, okay? I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Ugh!"

Adrian glowered as Johan bounced back to the bed and hid his embarrassment. He wanted to stay mad. He truly did! But how can he, when Johan was writhing like a gummy worm waiting to be snacked on? Adrian grabbed his leather belt. "You could have just asked. Though I'm not sure how you do this kind of stuff."

Johan rolled to his stomach. "Go figure it out. Or ask Diego, or whatever."

This vixen! Adrian swung an arm, and his belt clapped hard against his ass. Johan jolted in surprise, and he was sure he heard a muffled 'humph'. He folded the belt, grabbed the other end and made a slapping sound. Adrian was reminded of how his Mom would hit him with the belt when he's being a naughty boy. "You do like bringing Diego's name to piss me off, don't you?"

"Well, Diego seemed interested. And you turn jelly and possessive if I bring him up so—"

Adrian delivered another solid blow, and Johan grabbed a handful of fabric. He resisted laughing.

"Is that so?" he said in an amused tone. Adrian climbed back to bed and grabbed his wrists. "If this is what you want, Han," he whispered to his reddened ears. "Then I'll play with you."