Love and Hate Collide

Whipped♡

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆WHIPPED☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

“You've been sighing all day. Are you okay?”

Gulf ignored his friend and reached for the beer beside him instead.

He drank straight from the can, closed his eyes, and leaned back against the sofa. It had been five days.

Five days since everything had happened. Five days since he had moved into Mew's condominium. And five days since he had been hiding from the man.

He hadn't gone back to school.

He hadn't answered Mew's calls.

He had barely left the apartment.

He was still trying to figure out what exactly he was feeling.

“When I told you that you could crash at my place, this isn't what I meant,” Mil complained.

"Gulf, you've been here for five days, and you've also been absent from school for five days.”

Gulf slowly opened his eyes. He looked at his friend with a tired smile.

“You welcomed me. Don't be a d**k and let me stay.” He rolled his eyes and showed his friend his middle finger.

“This is my house, you idiot.”

Gulf laughed and took another drink. Mil shook his head.

“You're unbelievable.”

Gulf didn't answer. He was still bothered. He couldn't understand what had been happening to him lately.

Every time he closed his eyes, his mind went back to that night. He remembered Mew. He remembered the way the man had looked at him.

He remembered the strange feelings he had experienced.

And what bothered him the most was that those memories wouldn't leave him alone.

Why had he liked it? Why did his mind keep returning to it? Even in his dreams, he kept imagining Mew.

Gulf groaned and ran both hands through his hair. “Fuck.”

Mil stopped cleaning and glanced at him. Gulf looked at his friend.

“Mil?”

“What?”

“You're annoying.”

Mil frowned. “I'm the one cleaning your mess, and I'm the annoying one?”

Gulf ignored him again. Instead, he stared at the floor for a few seconds before asking.

“What would you do if someone touched you?”

Mil stopped sweeping. “What?”. Mil's eyes were big as an owl's eyes.

“I mean... if the person was a man.” Gulf finally said it out loud and blew a deep breath.

Mil slowly lowered the broom. Then he looked at Gulf. “You aren't straight?”

Gulf immediately threw the empty beer can toward him. “f**k off! I was just asking, i***t!”

Mil caught the can and laughed. “My friend, whatever you feel or whatever your sexuality is, I accept you.”

He reached over and tapped Gulf's shoulder. Gulf immediately slapped his hand away.

“I don't like men.” He started sounded being defensive.

He raised an eyebrow. “I like women. Period.”

Mil smiled. “I know.”

“Good.”

“But I also know you had an affair with that veiny, marble-faced guy.”

Gulf's eyebrows knitted together. “What?”

Mil chuckled. “Okay, okay. He's been looking for you.”

Gulf's smile disappeared. “What?”

“At first, I told him I didn't know where you were.”

His friend started and continued sweeping.

Mil took a deep breath, like everything's just irritating., he then continued without looking at his friend. “But he was persistent.”

Gulf stared at him. “So?”

“So I told him you were staying here.” Mil answered like it was just nothing at all.

Gulf's eyes widened. If looks could kill, Mil's already been lying down right now. “You what?”

Mil shrugged. “Don't worry. He's paying for the food.”

Gulf slowly turned toward him. “Say that again.”

Mil stopped sweeping and stood with his hands on his hips. “I said, go home.”

Gulf frowned. “What?”

Mil pointed toward the window. "Stop asking me, 'what' and 'what'. Just shut up and go home. He's there.”

Gulf immediately looked toward it. “What the f**k?”

Mil nodded.

Gulf brushed his hair using his hand. He's bothered with his looks. Something in him felt automatically shy.

Mew is here. He thought.

He can't hide the fact that something inside him wanted to throw a party. He was happy, inside. But he doesn't want to admit it himself. So, he go berserk to his friend.

"What the hell, Mil! I am your friend! We are friends and you just f*****g betrayed me!"

But Mil's too tired of his bullshit. “Shut up. Stop being a d**k and face him. He's been there. Waiting and watching.”

Gulf's face darkened. “Don't call me a d**k for hiding. He's nothing but an old, disgusting—”

“Gulf.” Mil's voice suddenly became serious.

“That's below the belt.” Mil continued.

Gulf looked away.

“You don't like what he did to you? Fine. You don't like him? Fine. But don't forget that he's still human. You're hurting him with those words.”

“Human?” Gulf scoffed.

“I doubt it. He's blackmailing me!” His voice rose.

“He is f*****g blackmailing me! How can you call that human?” A single tear dropped. He looked away and brushed it off.

Mil remained silent.

“He's a dirty, manipulative—”

“Stop.” Gulf looked at him.

Mil sighed.

“Whatever that is. You should be grateful that he still cares for you.”

He turned away. At some point, Mil's words make sense. It's true, Mew didn't do anything that could ruin him.

“And don't forget this, Gulf.”

Mil looked back at him. “I was raised by two fathers.”

Gulf's expression softened slightly. Mil walked away, leaving him alone. For several seconds, Gulf said nothing. He looked at the closed door.

Then he looked at the beer can in his hand.

“Damn.”

He sighed. He forgot that Mil had two dads. “f**k! I missed up. Sorry, Mil.”

He straightened himself and slowly stood up. He no longer had the courage to look at Mil. He felt stupid for making such harsh criticism when, deep down, he knew he had no right to judge Mew.

The truth was, he had liked what Mew had done to him. He knew it, even if he desperately tried to deny it. He was just too afraid to accept what that meant.

All his life, he had never experienced anything like it. He had never allowed himself to feel that kind of closeness, that kind of warmth, or that strange pull toward another man. Yet something about Mew's touch had awakened something inside him—something he didn't understand and wasn't prepared to face.

He clenched his hands at his sides and lowered his gaze. Maybe that was what frightened him the most.

It wasn't Mew.

It was himself.

Because for the first time in his life, he wasn't sure he could keep pretending that he didn't want it.

Meanwhile, Mew was in the living room, talking on the phone.

“Yes, just email me those documents—”

His sentence stopped when the door opened. Gulf walked inside with his head lowered. Mew immediately noticed the smell of alcohol.

He sighed.

He knew Gulf was tipsy. Mew turned his attention back to the phone.

“You don't have to email them. I'll be there in ten minutes.”

He paused.

“Okay. Thank you. Bye.”

He ended the call. He didn't look at Gulf. Instead, he went straight to his room.

A few minutes later, Mew emerged wearing a clean suit and carrying his briefcase. Gulf was still sitting in the living room with his head lowered.

Mew walked past him. He deliberately didn't say anything. He knew Gulf needed space. He had already given the younger man enough time.

If Gulf wanted to hide, Mew would let him. For now.

Gulf lifted his head when he heard the door close. He stared at it.

“Wasn't he happy that I came home?”

He clicked his tongue. “Seriously?”

He stood and walked toward the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and stared inside. Then an idea came to him.

“I'll cook you dinner.”

He grabbed several ingredients.

“To make it up to you, f*****g Mew.”

He closed the refrigerator.

Gulf returned to his room, cleaned himself up, and then went back to the kitchen. He spent hours preparing dinner. By the time he finished, the table was already set.

The food was arranged neatly. The plates were ready. The chairs were in place. Everything was prepared.Everything except one thing.

Mew.

Gulf glanced at the clock.

Six o'clock.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

He sighed.

The food was beginning to cool. He sat down and rested his chin on his hand. At 10:45 p.m., his stomach was growling. But he still hadn't eaten. He didn't want to eat without Mew. He pulled his phone from his pocket.

“I don't know why I'm doing this,” he muttered.

He looked toward the door. “But if you don't come home by eleven, Mew... damn you.”

He began playing a game on his phone. Every few minutes, however, his eyes wandered toward the door. Finally, his phone rang.

It was Mil.

Gulf answered. “What?”

Mil chuckled. “Are you having one of your moods?”

“I'm tired.”

Mil's was even teasing this time. “Anyway, I'm at the bar.”

“And?” He raised his eyebrows.

Mil laughed again. “And with my own two eyes, I can see your man drinking.”

Gulf's expression immediately darkened. “f**k you!”

He ended the call. He stood up and looked at the dinner he had prepared.

“f**k you, Mew.”

His voice trembled with anger. “f**k you!”

He stormed out of the kitchen. His blood was boiling. He walked toward his room and stopped in front of the door.

“Damn you.”

He shook his head. He opened the door, stepped inside, locked it, and threw himself onto the bed.

He was angry.

Extremely angry.

He had spent hours preparing dinner. He had wanted to make things right. And where was Mew?

At a bar.

Gulf buried his face in his pillow. “I'll deal with you tomorrow.”

With that thought, he eventually drifted into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Gulf was sitting at the dining table with a cup of coffee. He had already eaten breakfast. Mew had only just returned. The older man walked through the door and immediately headed toward his room.

He didn't look at Gulf. Gulf rolled his eyes.

Instead of acknowledging him, he continued drinking his coffee while reading through the lectures he had missed.

Fortunately, he hadn't been expelled. He didn't know why. He hadn't bothered asking.

For now, he was simply grateful.

Then he heard Mew's voice. “Thank you for reminding me, Cali. I'm on my way.”

Gulf looked up.

Mew was fixing his tie. He was already dressed in business attire.

Gulf cleared his throat.

“It's the weekend. Where are you going?”

He immediately regretted asking. He wanted Mew to apologize. Instead, he was the one starting a conversation. Mew only glanced at him.

“Work.”

“But it's the weekend.” He argued.

“I know.” His head immediately shifted to Mew.

The f**k? He thought.

Then Mew walked toward the door. Gulf stared after him. He was speechless.

“He knows, and he's still going?”

He kicked the leg of the chair. “What is this?”

He stood up. “Fine! Go!”

He punched the wall lightly in frustration.

“You're really getting on my nerves, Mew!” He immediately grabbed his phone and called Mil. He needed someone to vent to.

“My friend! Hello?” His friend whistled.

“Mil!” He roared.

“What's wrong with you my dearest friend?” He could sense that his friend is grinning now.

“I'm angry!” He replied and throw the pillow he was hugging.

Mil chuckled.

“What are you laughing about?”. He asked and stomped his feet.

“Nothing. Tell me what happened.” Mil's voice finally became serious.

Gulf immediately told him everything. From the moment Mew came home the previous night to the moment he left that morning. When he finished, Gulf crossed his arms.

“You see? He's a jerk. A total jerk!”

Mil laughed. “My friend, you just tasted your own medicine.”

“What?” He asked curiously.

“Do you think you aren't making him feel the same way?” Mil continued.

Gulf frowned. “So you're saying he's getting revenge?”

“i***t. No.”

Mil sighed. “Talk to him.”

Gulf remained silent.

“He's probably acting like that because you were angry with him. Maybe he's distancing himself and protecting his own feelings.”

Gulf's eyebrows rose. “Protecting his feelings?”

“Yes.”

"What do you mean by that? I don't get it." Gulf curiously asked, and listened to his friend intently.

Mil sighed again. “I don't know what to do with you. You're making me stupid just by talking to you.”

He snapped and cursed his friend. “f**k you.”

He heard Mil laughed hard and said. “Bye.”

Mil then ended the call.

Gulf threw his phone onto the sofa. “You're the idiot.”

He lay down and stared at the ceiling. For several seconds, he remained silent. Then a smile slowly appeared on his face.

“So you're avoiding me?”

He chuckled. “Interesting.”

He closed his eyes with a wide grin.

Meanwhile, Mew sat inside his office, surrounded by documents. He had wanted to return home. He had wanted to stay. But he had too much work waiting for him. There were contracts to review, documents to sign, and meetings to attend. He released a deep breath and picked up another document. A soft knock interrupted him.

“Yes?”

The door opened slightly. His secretary, Cali, peeked inside with a soft smile.

Mew smiled back.

His secretary was cheerful and hardworking, and he appreciated her dedication.

“Come in.”

She entered.

“Sir, you have a meeting with Mr. Guama at 10:30.”

Mew continued signing the documents.

“What time is it?”

“10:15, sir.”

Mew looked at her and smiled. “Thank you, Cali. You can go home now.”

She blinked. “But, sir—”

“It's the weekend. You shouldn't be working.”

Cali smiled shyly and combed her hair with her hands. “It's okay, sir.”

“No, it isn't.”

He leaned back. “You can take a week off.”

Cali's eyes widened.

“And don't worry. I won't deduct anything from your salary.” He added that made Cali almost jump.

“Really, sir?” Her face immediately brightened.

Mew laughed. “Yes. I'm serious.”

He pointed toward the door. “Pack your things.”

Cali nodded excitedly and hurried out.

Mew could even hear her quietly singing as she left.

He smiled.

Cali is not just a secretary, for him, Cali is his little sister. His family. Cali's been a handful to him whenever everything goes crazy. And he is more than thankful to that.

Then he stretched his arms and checked his watch. Today was going to be another long day.

He sighed.

“Back to work.”

Hours passed. By the time Mew finally returned home, it was already late.

He opened the door.

The living room was completely dark. For a moment, he assumed Gulf had already gone to sleep. He reached for the light switch. The room suddenly illuminated.

Mew stopped.

Gulf was sitting on the sofa. He was holding a can of beer. Beside him were six empty cans.

Mew frowned as his shoulders dropped.

“This is going to be war.”

He sighed. “It's late. Stop drinking.”

He walked past Gulf. He was exhausted. His head hurt. He didn't have the energy to argue. But Gulf wasn't finished.

“I asked you something.”

Mew stopped.

“Don't you dare turn your back on me!”

Mew closed his eyes. He didn't turn around.

“I'm tired.” He softly a answered

Gulf stood. “Answer me!”

Mew heard him approaching. A moment later, Gulf grabbed his collar. Mew finally turned. Gulf's eyes were furious.

Mew looked away and sighed. “I'm tired. Give me some space.”

“I asked you a question!” Gulf's voice was loud.

Mew could smell the alcohol on his breath. The younger man was clearly drunk. And yet, somehow, he still looked annoyingly attractive.

Mew cleared his throat. “Work.”

“Work?” Gulf scoffed.

Mew just nodded. They were starting to look like a married couple arguing over something so trivial, yet somehow important to both of them. Just the thought of it made Mew pause.

Did he even deserve this?

The way things had changed between them, the strange comfort he felt in this house, and the way he had somehow started to care about someone he never expected to care about—it all felt unfamiliar. And yet, a small part of him didn't want any of it to end.

I guess asking him to leave with me isn't quite good enough.

He glanced at the other man, his expression still annoyed and stubborn.

I should be the boss inside this house. I'm the owner, after all.

That thought should have made him feel powerful. Instead, he almost wanted to laugh at himself.

He never thought that one angry look from him could make his confidence disappear so quickly. He could argue with anyone. He could stand his ground when things got difficult. But when it came to this man, it was different.

One glare, one cold expression, and suddenly, Mew found himself backing down.

Shit. I'm whipped.

He mentally cursed himself, but deep down, he knew there was no point denying it anymore.

Somehow, without even realizing it, this man had already gained a hold over him. And the worst part?

Mew wasn't sure he even wanted to break free.

“Work my ass! Last night, you were at the bar! Now you're telling me that was work too?” He snapped back from reality when he heard Gulf’s stern voice.

He nodded and answered. “It was.”

“Bullshit!”

Gulf released his collar. “I don't believe you!”

He pointed at Mew. “You're always working. You're always leaving. And you never explain anything!”

Mew sighed. “I'm tired, and you're drunk. Whatever this is about, let's talk tomorrow.”

He rubbed his forehead. He's really tired. “Let's get some rest first.”

“Fine!” Gulf glared and shouted.

He then stormed toward his room. He slammed the door behind him. Mew remained in the living room. For several seconds, he simply stared at the closed door.

Then a small smile appeared on his face.

“So you care.”

He chuckled softly. He scratched the back of his neck. “Oh, Gulf.”

He shook his head.

“You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

Mew picked up his briefcase. He walked toward his own room with a triumphant smile.

For the first time in days, he felt hopeful. Maybe Gulf was slowly beginning to care. And maybe, just maybe, the wall between them was finally starting to crack.

Author's 📝:

"Maybe feelings don’t always come rushing in. Sometimes, they take root quietly, growing between two people until they become impossible to deny.”

Thank you for reading🫶

~EDZA♡🖊