Don't Touch Me

05 - One-Meter

Warning: Sensitive words ahead.

“The statement from our side has been posted. You won’t have to worry for the fans anymore. Thank you, Mr. Notre, for accepting our offer,” Manager Hee said and shook Shane’s hands.

Beside him is the sulking Grey who still can’t believe that he is now under the jurisdiction of a man who wants him to stay one-meter from him.

“What was he even thinking with that request? It’s not that I would assault him or something. Such a twisted mind,” Grey thought.

His sentiments were interrupted as Manager Hee elbowed his side and gave him a warning look. Grey only sighed and offered his hand to shake Shane’s hands. Shane only smiled and didn’t accept it, making Grey become even more frustrated.

“So, where should we start? Should we visit your workplace?” Manager Hee asked to divert their attention.

“My workplace? But my workplace is in my house? And the germs...oh damn,” Shane thought in panic.

“Uhm, Mr. Notre? Is there something wrong?” Manager Hee asked upon seeing Shane’s unpleasant expression.

“Don’t tell me you don’t even have an office?” Grey asked hysterically.

“This i***t. Why is he even asking that when he knows that I’m an independent comic creator?” Shane thought frustratingly.

“I have an office, of course. But I can’t bring more than one visitor there,” Shane said, half-lying. Afterall, this is the only solution that he could think of to at least compromise his wants and needs.

“Oh, is that so? Well, I’ll take my leave then. Just in time because I have some errands to do from the agency. I’ll leave Grey to your hands, Mr. Notre. Good luck!” Manager Hee said hurriedly and walked out in a flash. The two men couldn’t even refute.

“I have to leave those two in their own so they can get along. Or else, I might have to find another comic creator. Hah, too much hassle,” Manager Hee thought while walking.

An awkward silence lingers as Manager Hee leaves. Shane had no choice but to initiate because he is the tutor.

“Let’s work together well, Mr. Southwood. The better we do, the faster the progress will be and the quicker this job will end. Are you with me?” Shane asked. Grey only sighed and nodded.

“Good, let’s get moving then,” Shane said and stood up.

---

“What do you mean by that Manager Hee?” President Frederick Baroque asked.

Manager Hee is currently having a meeting with the executives of SBPen Entertainment, where he had just informed them about Producer Kyle’s decision.

“Isn’t it hilarious how our own artists have to fight for each other for a single project? Why can’t we just let Vester take the project? He can bring more revenues than Greyford,” Manager Tyler Atlas, Vester’s manager, implied.

“This arrogant jerk,” Manager Hee thought.

“No offense to Greyford though, Manager Hee. But let’s just be practical here, okay?” Manager Tyler said.

“But are you sure that Vester can fully commit to the requirements of the drama? Remember that it has to be shot abroad, so Vester will not be able to take any projects during that time. If we are going to talk about practicality, it is better to send Greyford to do the drama while Vester can continue his career here. It’s hitting two birds in one stone, Manager Tyler,” Manager Hee said and stared at President Baroque.

“President, this is such a once in a blue moon opportunity for Grey. Since we are in the middle of preparing for his comeback, why not make his comeback a bigger one? For sure, the public will not miss out on seeing Grey’s comeback drama with Producer Kyle and Writer Pauleen,” Manager Hee argued.

A defying silence lingers in the room as the two wait for the president’s decision. After a few seconds of contemplation, the president sat straight and simultaneously stared at the two.

“I understand both of your sentiments, Manager Tyler and Manager Hee. But this time, I agree with Manager Hee. It will be too much of a loss if Vester missed out on many projects because of one drama. Besides, Vester’s schedule for this year is already set. Give him a break, Manager Tyler,” President Baroque stated, making Manager Hee sigh in relief.

“I understand, President. But don’t blame me if the drama becomes a big failure. We should not be too lenient on someone who had caused a great loss to the company,” Manager Tyler said while giving a look at Manager Hee, but Manager Hee didn’t pay much attention to it.

“Thank you so much, President Baroque. We will not let you down,” Manager Hee delightfully said.

The president only responded with a smile and said, “I’m counting on you, Hee.”

“Hah, you really want to live your life like that, Hee?” Manager Tyler asked as soon as they got out of the meeting room.

“Come on, Ty. Spare me. I’m already having a hard time seeking projects for Grey,” Manager Hee complained.

“That’s why President Baroque has been offering you to manage other artists. Why do you keep on sticking with him?” Manager Tyler asked in disbelief.

Manager Hee could only smile at him.

“I know you’re just concerned, but trust me on this one, Ty. I can really see that Grey can make a comeback. It’s just that...what happened to him was too unfair,” Manager Hee.

“Whatever, Hee. Suit yourself. So, now that Vester is going to forfeit that project, I don’t want you to tell that to Grey. Just make him believe that he still needs to compete with Vester after three months,” Manager Tyler said.

“Huh? Why do you think so? You want me to lie on Grey? Not a chance, Tyler,” Manager Hee firmly said.

“Come on, Hee. It’s not a lie. It’s an embargo. Just keep it to yourself for now. It’s also the best way to tame Grey. He needs to start from the beginning to avoid making the same mistakes again. Trust me on this one, Hee. You’ll eventually thank me later when you realize my point,” Manager Tyler said and walked ahead, leaving Manager Hee confused.

---

While walking to Shane’s apartment, the two couldn’t suppress stealing glances from each other. Grey badly wanted to properly thank Shane, while Shane does either, especially during the time Grey saved him last time at the library.

“Uhm…” the two uttered in unison, making them both surprised.

“You go first,” they both said again, making them chuckle.

“Fine, I’ll go first. About the last time at the library, thanks for saving me. Uh, may I ask how I should address you?” Shane said hesitantly.

“Greyford or Grey, whichever you prefer. And yeah, you’re welcome. I just couldn’t bear to turn a blind eye on that,” Grey said shyly.

“Just in case you don’t know, the reason why I ran away at that time is because I don't want your fans to see us together. What they did to my social media account is too much to handle already,” Shane explained.

“So that was the reason why you were so elusive?” Grey thought.

“I see,” Grey shortly answered as Shane stopped in front of a unit.

“We’re here. Come inside, Ford,” Shane said, making Grey surprised.

“Ford?” Grey asked.

“Yeah, Ford. Isn’t that your name?” Shane asked.

“Uhm, yes. Well, I was just surprised. Nobody calls me Ford,” Grey said.

“Except my mother,” Grey thought.

“Hmm, that’s good. When someone calls you Ford, you’ll eventually know that it’s your teacher who’s calling you,” Shane said with a smile and started tapping the passcode of his apartment. 

As he twitched the knob and opened the door, a thought immediately came into his mind.

“Goddamnit! I almost forgot to sanitize again!” Shane thought.

“Why do I always forget to sanitize these past days?” Shane asked himself in frustration.

 Grey started noticing Shane who is in a daze right now.

“Is there something wrong?” Grey asked.

“Uhm, I almost forgot Ford. We have to sanitize first before entering the apartment,” Shane said in a hurry.

“Why?” Grey asked.

“Uhm, because…” Shane said, refraining himself to stutter. His eyes widened in fear as Grey leaned closer to him. He suddenly felt a deja-vu, making him flustered.

“One-meter!” Shane yelled in panic, making Grey surprised and leaned away.

“Okay, okay! Calm down, Shane!” Grey said.

But Shane has started to feel a pain in his chest, making him slightly quiver. Grey noticed that something is definitely happening to Shane, but he is afraid to break the one-meter distance agreement.

“f**k, why does it has to be today?” Shane thought madly.

“I’m sorry, Ford. I suddenly feel unwell. Can we reschedule the first session?” Shane asked while hiding the pain and the shortness of his breathing.

“What? We’re already here, Shane!” Grey said in disbelief.

“I’m really sorry, Ford!” Shane said and immediately ran inside his apartment and locked the door.

“Shane! Shane! Can you at least give an explanation?” Grey yelled while banging the door.

But Shane couldn’t hear him anymore as he was too preoccupied on seeking his medicine with a blurry vision. He shakingly gripped on the pills and intake them while panting in breath.

“s**t, s**t, s**t!” Shane kept on cursing to restrain despicable thoughts from running in his mind.

Meanwhile, Grey gave up and heaved a sigh before walking away in a daze.

“What the heck is his problem? Everything was already going smooth and---” Grey furiously thought, until an idea came to his mind, making him stop from walking ahead.

“No way,” Grey uttered unbelievably.

“His actions earlier, and the past times we met coincides with a drama I formerly starred in long ago. And my role there is...a mysophobic person,” Grey thought in an epiphany.

“The sanitization, the one-meter distance, and even his rule of not letting in more than one visitor in his workplace. It’s too much of a coincidence,” Grey uttered unconsciously.

“I have to confirm my thoughts,” Grey said and walked back to Shane’s apartment. As soon as he arrived, he immediately pressed the doorbell.

“Shane! Open the door! We have to talk!” Grey yelled.

Upon hearing this, Shane’s consciousness became a bit clearer than earlier. He can also feel how his breathing became more stable than earlier.

“He hasn’t left yet? Damn, I don’t think he will leave without hearing from me,” Shane thought, leaving him no choice but to open the door.

“One-meter…” Shane said weakly, making Grey panicked.

“What’s going on? You look very pale, Shane. Are you alright? I think you need to be hospitalized. Come with me. I’ll take you there,” Grey said and attempted to walk towards Shane to assist him.

“Stop, stop right there,” Shane said with a hand gesture, making Grey stop moving.

But it was futile as his body felt weak and a warm pair of hands caught him. The next thing he knew was that the world was filled with darkness, where the last words he could hear was…

“Shane!”

---

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.”

-Pablo Neruda