He is Enchanted

Strong As a Rumble

Ethan didn't say anything, even as guests began to fill the second floor to enjoy the live music that was about to be held.

Ethan was still silent when that old man pulled out his chair; he was now sitting next to Ethan, their shoulders even accidentally touched a few times.

The atmosphere is not as pleasant as usual. Roman is busy with his book, still, the same book, while Ethan acted to be busy with his phone. So baffled about what to do, Ethan pretended to watch a video with his earphones.

Ethan didn't see anything the video was showing; he turned on the auto-play feature to consistently play a video for him.

Because Ethan wouldn't notice because he turned the volume off. Ethan intended to hear what Roman and Guen were going to talk about. Still, so far, all he had listened to was an unimportant discussion about Roman's co-workers at his office, around the art exhibition held in the following week, or Guen sends a funny video to Roman.

Ethan groaned.

Ethan turned up the volume of the videos, and this time he was going to watch the videos.

But his movement ceased when a woman passed and stopped right in front of him; as soon as Ethan raised his head, he was so surprised.

Roman hugged that woman tenderly.

That intrusive woman dropped her hand sloppily to that old man's shoulder. But Ethan still forgave Roman because he politely patted her on the back.

Roman smiled so wide, but the woman's smile was so irritating.

"Hey, who is he?"

Everyone agrees with Ethan; that woman is looking for attention.

"Nice to meet you, Ethan. If so, what is your relation with him?"

Actually, just like you, his affair.

Roman giggled, but he didn't glance at Ethan for even a second. "He's my new neighbor, and you remember the story about Liana getting arranged with someone?"

That attention-seeker woman nodded. "There he is."

That woman gave an incredulous stare to Roman. "I hope we get along, Ethan."

Ethan just smiled. At some point, I'll get rid of you, you crazy woman.

"Guen's at the cafe, right?"

Roman shook his head. "Actually, she just went out, somewhere, I forgot."

That woman nodded her head. At the same time, Ethan's eyes gazed at her with a cold, hard, flinty look. Ethan was satisfied that he made the woman go with his gaze.

After that woman left, Roman and Ethan's eyes met accidentally, but Ethan quickly looked away.

"Are you still angry at me?"

Ethan's lips curved, then glanced at Roman. "I'm not."

A locked gaze, a stare that fills each other's void.

"Okay, but can I ask you not to let your anger out on Alexine?"

So that woman's name is Alexine, huh?

Ethan grunted; he averted his eyes and turned his back on Roman. Even Roman could hear Ethan's teeth grinding.

Roman ran his hand through his hair, then rubbed his tired eyes. He gently touched Ethan's shoulder, but Ethan immediately took his shoulder away from Roman's hand.

"Do you need more time to calm down?"

There wasn't a shaking head or a simple yes or no from Ethan; his back remained unaffected.

Roman leaned his back against the back of the chair, and a squeaking sound could be heard from the chair. "It's okay, and I'll give you more time. Or if you wanted to go home, I could drive you home."

Roman reached for his book again; it was nice that he could still read a few paragraphs before the live music performance started. "I'll leave my car here and pick it up tomorrow. I'll go to work with Liana or Odette."

Ethan stamped his feet on the floor; his face loosened up slightly.

He even bothered to take me home, didn't he? Even tomorrow morning, he had to ride with Liana or Odette.

Ethan could take that as an apology, and he turned to Roman, who was now reading his book.

The book was just like his soul mate. He had been glaring at the book from earlier.

"Since when?"

Roman hesitantly turned his head. He was scratching his cheeks. "Since when?"

Ethan nodded his head. "Since when? you and her?"

"Who is she?"

"Alexine."

"Alexine?"

Ethan nodded his head again.

While Roman was pulling his ears, his eyes darted around as if a magical talking frog would appear out of nowhere and tell him what he should say to make Ethan not angry with him anymore.

"Probably about two years ago, Guen introduced her to me."

"Where did you first meet?"

"Um… probably in this cafe."

"What were you doing at that time?"

What kind of question is that?

"Ah then, I also want to know where do you guys usually go on dates. What do you eat? What do you guys do? What to stay? Where is the furthest stay? How much da-"

"Dating? With Alexine?"

Ethan nodded his head.

A split second later, Roman laughed softly while rubbing his eyebrows. "We're just friends."

But Ethan's face curved again.

"I'm not even her type."

"How could it be! You terrible liar!"

"Trust me, Ethan."

"If there is no proof, how can I believe it?"

Roman shook his head.

"Okay," he said, picking up his phone. "The proof will come in about five minutes."

The veins in his neck tensed while supporting his chin with his hand; Ethan gazed at Roman while he read his book.

So lazy, that old man was even still able to casually read his book while waiting for the "proof" he meant to come. Didn't he intend to pull the proof to Ethan so it could come sooner?

Roman then closed his book; Ethan's gaze followed Roman's hand movements; he took his suitcase and put the book in his suitcase.

Before finally, his hand tried to grab Ethan's face, but Ethan quickly brushed it off, making Roman laugh.

Roman's hand quickly moved over his head; it was silent for a few seconds, then he pulled it back again. "Relax, the live music will start soon. Do you want chocolate cake? I'll ask Guen to order it."

Ethan shook his head.

"Then just take the cake home."

Ethan couldn't stop himself from smiling, but he quickly curved his face again.

All the lights on the second floor were turned off, replaced by one big lamp that shone towards the stage, a singer with a guitarist, pianist, and drummer was ready in their position.

"Good evening, guests to The Early Rise Coffee Bar. We'll meet again."

Even the sound of her laughter was charming.

Ethan was surprised when someone placed a chocolate cake in front of him; Ethan looked to his left, he had to squint to know that it was Guen.

"Hey, kids."

"Guen!"

Guen sat on his left, and beside Guen was Alexine. Alexine sat peacefully, avoiding Ethan's gaze.

"Have you met her?" asked Guen, pointing at Alexine.

Ethan nodded his head doubtfully.

Even though it was dark, Ethan could still catch Guen's smile. "Good."

Guen slowly brought his mouth to Ethan's ear. "By the way, she is my girlfriend."

"What?!"

Guen thought Ethan didn't hear her voice because the first song had just started. "She is my girlfriend," Guen hollered right into Ethan's ear.

Ethan moved his body away from Guen while rubbing his ear, while Guen just smiled before turning her gaze to Alexine.

"I told you I'm not her type."

Ethan chuckled, which made Roma laugh as he shook his head.

When he finished laughing, Ethan leaned his head on Roman's shoulder. Ethan's arm pushed against Roman's, their pinkies pressed against each other.

"I'm sorry," squeaked Ethan in return for a nod by Roman.

Roman stared straight at him, looking far away at where the drummer was. While occasionally, his thoughts were interrupted by the smell of citrus from Ethan's hair.

"If you're not his type. So what's your type then?"

Ethan couldn't help but smile as Roman's shoulders rose and fell as he laughed, making Ethan smile.

"It's uncomplicated. I want to be with the person who was made for me."

Ethan nodded his head, but it felt like he was rubbing his cheek against Roman's shoulder. "How do you know who the person made for you is?"

"I don't know. But I will know when the time comes."

Ethan rubbed his pinky finger on Roman's nails, even sometimes linked his pinky with Roman's pinky, but that old man never responded; his hands were silent, and his head didn't even turn to Ethan at all.

It made Ethan think back to what happened last time.

"Mr. Pearson?"

"Hmm?"

He didn't even turn his head when Ethan called out to him.

"You question it?"

Ethan lifted his head, and when he saw that Roman was turning his face the other way.

"Question it?"

"You questioned me, right?"

Roman froze. Meanwhile, Ethan again leaned his head on Roman's shoulder, staring at the singer.

"I never questioned you."

"Then what did you mean when you said must end it while there's still a chance ?"

"There's actually a lot of things," said Roman, in a shaky voice.

A heavy feeling resonated in his heart, like a calm pool of water touched by a snap of a finger, the water forming a small wave and then disappearing.

This time Roman entangled his little finger with Ethan's pinky, he looked straight ahead, but his eyes were looking down at their fingers.

"Maybe it's just a brief as a cloud."

Ethan felt heavy on the top of his head; he could hear his breath. Roman leaned his head against Ethan's.

"Why?"

"Perhaps to be more precise; I don't question you, but I question something else."

Ethan closed his eyes tightly. "Yes, I understand. There's no need to continue."

Roman nodded, but Ethan felt like he was brushing his cheek against Ethan's hair.

"No matter how short it will be. Thank you for being here with me."

The first song finished, all the performers stretched their bodies, some of the guests cheered. But many guests just stay silent while continuing their activities.

"This time, the session that the guests have been waiting for, there will be guests from table two who will sing a song."

A man stood up. It was hard to see the color of his clothes before he finally reached the stage. Ethan seeing the color of his black shirt and cream-colored pants, smiled awkwardly as he bowed down.

"This song is someone's favorite song that I love."

All the guests, even Guen, were cheering for him.

Does singing a song include celebrating love as Isaac said? Does singing also include enjoying love? Ethan felt like grabbing his phone and calling Isaac.

The singer left the stage, and then the guitarist started strumming his guitar. Ethan didn't know what song it was. So he just stared blankly at nothing.

Until the song ended, his friends applauded.

"How cool is that right? Are there other guests who want to sing on this stage?"

But how could he call Isaac right? Because the opportunity doesn't seem like it will come twice?

"Opportunities don't come twice. That's right, Mr. Pearson?"