Flaws Within

THE NIGHT SKY

As Juandre drove the car, Javier leaned back in his seat, admiring the breathtaking view outside the window. The sun, hiding behind the clouds, cast a beautiful golden glow on the horizon as it started to get dark. Javier quickly turned on the car lights, sensing that jaundre has slowed down the speed.

Juandre smiled as he was impressed by this little thoughtful act of service.Javier's eyes switched to Juandre's hand, which still was covered in bandages on his knuckles. It had been a while since they visited the doctor, and Javier couldn't help but ask, "Is your hand still not healed?"

For a moment, Juandre remained silent, avoiding Javier's gaze by taking his hand off the steering wheel. Sensing his hesitation, Javier decided to ask another question that had been on his mind. "Why is there a scar on your lower back? Revealing the fact that he noticed it while juandre was boxing.

Juandre raised an eyebrow and continued driving silently. After a brief pause, he finally spoke, his voice filled with a hint of coldness.

"The more you know about me, the more you'll hate me. You're better off the place where i keep you."

Javier immediately regretted his line of questioning, realizing that he looked like he was interfering Juandre's life. Juandre's cold answer filled the light mood with coldness, after a while they reached the beautiful looking hall that looked really grand and well decorated.

"This concludes my speech. Thank you all for taking the time to listen," Javier stated formally, wrapping up his speech. However, he couldn't ignore the piercing gaze from Juandre, who hadn't blinked once while staring at Javier, as if he were devour into his very soul. Despite this unsettling feeling, Javier made his way down the stage, greeted by a thunderous applause that filled the hall.

"Would you like a drink?" Javier asked, offering Juandre a beverage once the speeches had concluded.

"I don't drink alcohol," Juandre replied.

"You don't? Well, you always seem drunk whenever you speak," Javier murmured under his breath, unable to resist gossiping about Juandre right in front of him.

"What did you say?" Juandre playfully teased, stepping closer and adjusting Javier's coat.

"Oh, Juandre. I actually need to borrow some money. I promise to repay you soon," Javier blurted out, diverting Juandre's attention from his previous remark.

Juandre pulled out his black credit card, gripping Javier's waist as he whispered softly into his ear. "My zay doesn't have to worry about money at all.I will take care of everything."

As he stepped back, Juandre noticed Javier frozen in place, his heart pounding wildly, his cheeks turning rosy. With a flicker in his eyes, Javier blinked twice, processing the name "zay" that coursed through his veins and produced an indescribable feeling of excitement and anticipation.

Before Javier could say anything else, Alan coughed, interrupting their moment.

"Juandre, how are you, man?" Alan greeted, pulling Juandre into a friendly hug, emphasizing their noticeable height difference.

Stepping back, Javier couldn't help but feel a hint of curiosity as he witnessed someone being so clingy to Juandre for the first time. He tried to push aside the fact that Alan looked impeccably stylish in his green coat, with his white-dyed hair perfectly complementing his light freckles and glasses. Alan's smile lines adorned his face with perfection, accompanied with his sharp jawline.

Juandre distanced himself from their closeness and engaged in a lively conversation with Alan, and it didn't take long for Javier to feel uncomfortable with their interaction. Soon enough, Alan noticed Javier's presence and inquired about him.

"He is..?" Alan asked looking at Javier who was already making faces about thier conversation.

"Oh yes, this is Javier, my friend," Juandre introduced Javier to Alan.

"A friend," Javier shook hands with Alan while passing a deathly glare at Juandre. He murmured to himself, "Just a friend," lightly with a hint of tease, trying to brush off the introduction he didn't desire.

Javier walked away, leaving Alan and Juandre to continue their conversation. As Javier glanced around the exquisite surroundings, he noticed a group of people crowding around a wealthy individual, treating him like a celebrity. Squinting to get a better view, the rich man caught sight of Javier and made his way over to him. Gradually, Javier began to recognize him.

"Javier! How are you?" the rich man greeted, clearly familiar with Javier.

"I'm good. And you are...?" Javier tried to place the man's face and voice, sensing a hint of familiarity.

"Louis Arthur Daloi. Don't tell me you've already forgotten me," Louis, Juandre's father, exclaimed with a smile, observing Javier's somewhat stunned expression.

Javier couldn't help but wonder at how youthful Louis looked, even at his age. His brown hair was perfectly tousled, and many of his features bore a striking resemblance to Juandre's.

"It's been a while since we last met, so I understand if you don't immediately recognize me. Shall we talk on the terrace? It's a bit noisy in here," Louis suggested, exuding friendliness and kindness.

After a moment of consideration, Javier agreed. He couldn't resist the opportunity to talk with such a popular and affluent CEO. As they arrived on the terrace, Javier noticed that it was all empty as there were no people, even decorations. It was a quiet space with a breathtaking view, featuring a small table for two illuminated by a single light.

Louis gestured for Javier to take a seat, and they engaged in a pleasant conversation about Javier's job and his first visit to LA. Javier was delighted to discover that Louis was genuinely kind and radiated positive energy, despite his wealth and well mannered personality. The fragrance of Louis's strong cologne lingered in the air.

"Oh, sir, have you met Juandre yet? He's also here," Javier inquired, concerned about Louis speaking to him instead of meeting his own son.

"I specifically wanted to meet you, not him. And please, don't call me sir. You can call me uncle," Louis replied, offering a warm smile while taking a sip of his third drink in the past 10 minutes.

"Oh, I see. Alright, Uncle Louis," Javier responded with a smile, not dwelling too much on why Louis hadn't met Juandre.

THYRA'S POV:

Andriel stepped out of the gambling bar with a cigarette in hand. Upon receiving a notification that Thyra had transferred him a big amount of money, Andriel smirked, hinting that he might have forced or blackmailed Thyra into borrowing him money

Leaving the hospital, Thyra realized that it was nearly time for her movie date with Mark. She hurriedly got dressed as soon as she reached home and, as she exited the building, noticed Mark waiting for her in his green Lamborghini. He looked incredibly attractive in his fashionable baggy white Gen Z outfit. Giving him a laugh, Thyra waved at Mark, appreciating his unique sense of style.

"Let me tell you, I can't stand my boss. But how about you? How's Juandre at the office?" Thyra asked, continuing their conversation on the pleasant drive.

"Don't even ask, Thyra. Juandre is such a complex person. He used to be cold and strict about work, and the only one he's close to in the office is Kira, his assistant. But ever since he started dating Javier, he seems genuinely happy at times."

"I see. Javier is such an easygoing person. Of course, he would make Juandre happy. I wish him a peaceful life ahead, considering everything he went through, especially with Andriel. It's unbelievable what Andriel did to such a kind-hearted individual," Thyra replied, genuine concern showing in her eyes as she sympathized with Javier's tumultuous past.

As Thyra finished speaking, she noticed Mark holding two ice creams, already munching on one in a childlike manner. She laughed and playfully wiped away some ice cream that had smeared across Mark's nose. Thyra's reserved and patient nature contrasted beautifully with Mark's exuberant personality, and she couldn't help but be impressed by their compatibility.

Mark enjoyed their time together, watching a thrilling crime-related movie that Thyra had suggested. As Mark sat there, visibly overwhelmed by hermovie choice, Thyra couldn't help but giggle at his regret. However, seeing Thyra engrossed in the movie, her focused expression captivating him, made the experience all the more worthwhile. Although he was tempted, Mark refrained from proposing just yet, feeling it might be too soon.

JUANDRE'S POV:

Juandre settled himself on the edge of the terrace of his house after completing his morning workout routine around 6am. He was deeply lost in thought, fixated on the empty sky. Suddenly, Javier appeared and sat down beside him, offering him a cup of his morning black coffee.

"What's on your mind?" Javier asked, adopting a light tone as he observed Juandre's continuesly glaring at the beautiful sky.

"Javier, do you ever have wishes that you want to fulfill with your partner?" Juandre inquired, his gaze fixed on the blank sky. The sun began to rise, filling the air with the soothing sounds of chirping birds.

"Yeah, I actually wish to get engaged to my partner at the exact spot where we first met. It may sound strange, but it holds a lot of significance for me," Javier explained with a smile, his wish filled with sentiment.

"And do you have any wishes?" Javier asked, curious about Juandre's question.

"I wish to experience glazing stars at night with my partner during a couple trip," Juandre declared, his face oddly calm and his hazel eyes blinked revealing the galaxy in it.

"But that's such a simple wish," Javier remarked, feeling concerned about Juandre's wish, which could easily be fulfilled on any given night.

"For others, it may seem simple, but due to my nyctophobia, I have never been able to look at stars. Seeing them for the first time with my partner would remind me that there is someone who will help me confront my fears together," Juandre explained, finding beauty in the idea of having a supportive partner by his side while gazing at the enchanting night sky.

"You know, when I was little, my mother told me that if you made a wish upon a shooting star, all your dreams would come true. Being able to make a wish to see her once again has become a wish in itself," Juandre's voice trembled as he recalled his late mother. A single tear rolled down his cheek, and he struggled to regain his composure.

Sensing the change in Juandre's voice, Javier looked at him with sympathy. He reached out and gently held Juandre's hand as he silently wept, longing for his mother.

"You know, Javier, I made a promise to her before her passing. I vowed to bring her justice. The man who took her life doesn't deserve peace. I will even burn him into ashes," Juandre continued, his hand curling into a fist out of anger.

Javier noticed the switch of anger right after sadness burning inside Juandre. Curiously, he asked,

"She... she didn't die in an accident?"

"No... she didn't. That night, when the clock struck 12, we were in a dark basement... the place was filled with blood... and even..." Juandre attempted to explain the night his mother passed away and the horrifying events that took place, but he hesitated and shook violently as he tried to recall the details. The memory was still deeply traumatic for him.

"Juandre, calm down. You don't have to explain. It's okay," Javier soothed, realizing that Juandre was unable to share the story. Rubbing his back, Javier offered comfort. Only a while later, Juandre stood up suddenly, seeming upset about sharing his vulnerable side. He wiped away his tears and left the terrace, leaving Javier in utter confusion. Little did Javier know just how terrifying it would be when Juandre opened up about his past.