Why I'd Rather Be Wrong

Chapter 7, Part 1: A 'Date'

Jaze D'Angelo

     I just woke up, and my head still hurts from the night before. I slowly opened my eyes and...he's gone? I slightly lifted myself, pressing my elbows against my bed, and suddenly opened my eyes all the way, and yeah, he's gone. I just looked up at the ceiling and closed my eyes. Ugh, what the hell just happened last night?

     I stood up with my eyes half-open, but still able to notice the folded piece of paper on the lid of my laptop. I approached it and I pulled it off my laptop. I unfolded it then read what's written on it and it says "Hi, I'm sorry for the trouble, and thank you for taking care of me and letting me stay at your place last night. I gotta leave early today because I have to work. My head still hurts but I'm fine. You also made me forget about everything I'm dealing with. Anyways, I'll see ya later, Cassius."

     "Mornin'," I said as I sat down on the dining room table with Garrett and Ian, while Trenton cooks breakfast in the kitchen. They just stared at me, like there's something that I must tell them "What? Why're y'all lookin' at me like that?" I said then rested my head on my hands on the table.

     Trenton came out from the kitchen and put a mug in front of me "Here, drink this," he said then moved it closer to me and it touched my hand, which caused me to reflex because it's actually kinda hot. He grinned "Sorry. Anyway, it's called salabat, ginger tea, helps cure your hangover," he said and then placed the pancakes on the table.

     "Thanks, man," I replied then took a little sip of the hot ginger tea. "Eugh, does it actually have to taste like that?" I asked then made a disgusted face.

     He glared at me "Aight, let's just let the hangover stay then," he said then attempted to grab the mug but I suddenly moved it away.

     "I'm kidding, I'm drinking it," I replied in a drowsy voice, even though I slept for like 9 hours already. Trenton then walked back to the kitchen to clean up the mess he has made.

     "What happened to y'all last night with that billionaire dude? Tell us, man" Garrett asked.

     "Last night?" I bounced the question back then started remembering what had actually happened last night. "Hmmm, I couldn't really picture out the exact details but I'm sure that we both got drunk but I was not as drunk as him and he ended up staying here, that's all," I replied.

     "That's it? You guys just had a couple of drinks? You guys didn't go to the casino? Meet girls and stuff?" he asked with full curiosity and wonder.

     "I'm not like you, Garrett," I said then grabbed a pancake and put it on my plate, and already started eating.

     He glared at me "What you mean not like me? Am I that bad?" he asked sarcastically.

     The door suddenly opened, and Flynn just arrived, I assume he went for a run. He walked towards us "Hi, I'm not that late, am I?"

     Trenton walked out of the kitchen and he got upset when he saw Flynn. He scratched his head "Gah! How.many.fucking.times do I have to tell you guys to take.your.fucking.shoes.off?!" he said while hitting his palm with his fist for every word he has said, emphasizing it, and he's obviously mad. "I cook, I clean, and yes, I'm the freaking maid here, I do groceries too. I'm a f*****g dad to 4 children, the two are older than me and the other two are quite the same age as me," he ranted as he walked into his room and we just shrugged at each other. Trenton sighed "punyeta," then slammed his door shut.

     The three of us just looked at Flynn. "What?" Flynn asked. "I just forgot to take my shoes off, I'm just gonna clean the floor later for him," he said.

     Yeah, that's the other side of Trenton, he always rants because he's also the one initiating doing most of the chores. But we help him though, we have our own different chores in this house. I guess that's also related to him being a half-Filipino. He also wants us to adapt to certain things he used to do, we abide though, and we think it's actually pretty necessary. Just like the one that he just ranted, taking our shoes off before going inside, doing that actually makes the floor much cleaner and we don't have to clean the floor hour after hour. But we can't just deny the fact that we do forget it sometimes because it's not what we used to do in our entire lives.

     Several boring hours have passed, and it's currently 5 pm. I just slept after lunch because my head still hurts earlier but not anymore. I just reminded myself that I have a date today, I'm literally asking myself why am I even doing this, it's like my body itself's making involuntary actions all by itself. Although, I feel like...there's nothing wrong with it? I got up from my bed and walked towards my closet to pick what I'd wear for tonight. He never said anything casual, right? But, I'm just gonna wear a formal one, just to be sure. I've already had enough embarrassment with that guy. I just grabbed my black plaid polo shirt, white t-shirt, and black trousers. I know, it's not actually that formal but this is the only one that's closest to that category since I don't really wear clothes that are very formal like suits, it's just not my thing at all.

Knock! Knock! 

     "Come in," I replied as someone just knocked on my bedroom door.

     Flynn peeked his head "I hate to break it to you, but this guy's here again," he said.

     I gave him a confused look "Who?" I asked.

     "The 'billionaire' dude," he air-quoted. "He's parked right outside our porch, what does he need anyway?"

     "Just tell him to... Ugh, nevermind," I said then placed my clothes on my bed and walked outside my room.

     I walked outside of the house, and yeah, he's there, leaning against his car. I approached him even though all I'm wearing is boxers and a white tank top. I got near him and he just looked at me from head to toe. He's currently wearing a white suit and trousers, and a black shirt beneath his suit. You could already tell that he's rich as heck, not to mention that gold chain necklace around his neck though.

     "Why the heck are you so early and why did you even drive here?" I asked.

     "I just want to," he replied and his voice was so soft and sincere, like, is this man trying to say something? "And I don't even know your number, so how are we supposed to communicate about tonight?"

     I just scratched my head "I'm still getting ready though, don't you wanna go inside first?" I asked. "Or you'll just wait for me here?"

     "I guess I'm just gonna wait here, take your time," he replied.

     "Alright," I said then patted his shoulder. We both then looked at my hand on his shoulder. I already pulled my hand away "I-I'll be right back, just wait here, I won't be long," I said then already walked away.

     I walked into my room and just leaned against my bedroom door after I closed it. I just closed my eyes and thought about the risk I'm taking tonight. It isn't actually a risk anyway, it's like I'm just getting to know myself more as I continued to get to know him more. Because, I don't even know myself, even before, and he's like giving me the answer for all of this. It feels kinda wrong, but it feels so...right... His presence literally tested who I really am. Anyway, he sure does know how to take advantage of me, and that s**t's crazy. If it wasn't actually for giving something in return for paying my expenses, I wouldn't be doing this, at all. Well, I guess... 

     A few minutes have passed, I'm all set. I walked outside wearing my outfit, and he's still there, exactly where he was earlier, it's like he didn't even move. I approached him and again, he looked at me from head to freaking to, like what the heck's wrong with this man?

     "Let's go," I said. "Where are we going, though?" I asked as he opened the door for me, he reached for the door handle and he almost touched my 'down there' with his arm, which was...weird.

     I already went inside his car and sat on the passenger seat "You'll see," he replied and then slammed the door shut right in front of my face, like heck, this man got some attitude.

     He already went inside and we already went on our way, wherever it is that we're having this 'date' that he wants. First of all, what in God's name did this man see in me that made him want to have a date with me? Because, we're both guys, and I'm a little bit sure that he's straight, I don't know but I just have this gut feeling that he is. It's so unfair, but I'm actually kinda thankful, I'm able to discover myself. I also don't have an idea about what we'll be doing tonight, I'm pretty sure that it'll be so awkward as hell like, are we gonna be eating at a fancy restaurant while facing each other? Gawd, that's gonna be so freaking embarrassing if I've been seen by someone I know or knows me. I mean, I don't really have any friends or acquaintances, but trust me, a lot of people know me, especially in school. So, I just hope that they won't see me having dinner with this freaking guy, that's almost eligible to be my dad. Well, he's not actually that old though, I think he's just a few years older than me, but he looks very mature already, unlike me that still has a babyface but is slowly starting to fade away now that I'm already turning 21 a few days from now. Now that I've mentioned that, I don't think I'm able to set up a big celebration though, because I'm not really into that type of thing, to be honest. But, I may still set one, only with my friends, and Clare too. I don't know but, I might invite this man, too.

     Our trip was...nice? He doesn't actually talk when he's driving, which is kind of a relief to me, because I don't really like talking inside a freaking car. I don't know why but I just don't like it. After a couple of minutes, we arrived at a 5-star restaurant, unsurprising. I was actually astounded by the number of cars outside like, is there a reunion happening here at the moment? Or is it just crowded with customers tonight?

     We parked at the side of the restaurant. He turned off his car and looked at me "We're here," he said. "Anyway, just go with the flow, okay? You'll be fine," he said, and right after he said that I'm already not fine like what the heck is gonna happen? He said this is just a date.

    We went out of the car and walked towards the entrance of the restaurant, and every step closer just made my legs shiver more. I might be so fierce and intimidating sometimes but I've never mentioned that I am so brave about everything, especially something like this. I'm like a freaking orphan that this billionaire just found on the streets then decided to feed me and grant me a one-in-a-million experience here in this restaurant.

     We entered the restaurant and my jaw just freaking dropped, I also had second thoughts if I still want to enter because the inside looks like a freaking gala dinner. Almost all of the men wear fancy suits. The women have a freaking gown on and their faces are literally covered with makeup as if this is literally a very important occasion. And look at me, I'm freaking wearing a black unbuttoned polo shirt, a white t-shirt beneath, trousers that I can't even remember the last time I've washed, and a freaking pair of white rubber shoes that's just a hand-me-down from Garrett. Like, what the hell have I gotten myself into? Even the place is shining at every corner, like the prices of the meals served here must be almost the same as the price of my freaking tuition already. I was just astounded by the chandelier up above, I stared at it while we're walking inside the restaurant.

     "Follow me," he said and I just paid attention to him. Also, what freaking choice do I have now rather than to abide this man after bringing me into this golden freaking mess? I'm literally gonna beat the hell out of this man after we're done here.

     He led me to the longest table inside the restaurant, where plenty of people that also look rich as heck is already sitting. He pulled the chair for me, I just didn't mind it at all and already sat down. He then sat beside me, moved his head closer to me, and whispered "You got this, just like what we practiced last night," he said and I just took a moment to remember what really happened last night.

     An old couple then arrived and all of them stood up, which made me stand up too. They seem like Cassius' parents though, I could see the resemblance. Wait, WHAT?! WHY THE HECK AM I HERE? THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A f*****g DATE!

     All of us sat down already like, what the heck just happened? Why did we even stand up?

     "Happy Anniversary, Mama and Papa!" the lady holding a kid on her lap said and the others also greeted the old couple.

     Cassius stood up and approached them then gave each one of them a cheek-to-cheek kiss. "Happy Anniversary, Ma, Pa," he said then smiled at them. Then, he came back to his seat, inadvertently making the old couple notice me.

     "Who's that handsome boy sitting beside you, Chase?" the old woman asked and my eyes just enlarged, like frick, what am I gonna do?! This is absolutely not what I signed up for!

     Cassius suddenly stood up and for a moment, I was actually scared about what's gonna happen, I feel like I know where this is going. "Uh..." he said then coughed, preparing to state the next words he's about to say properly. "Everyone, this is Jaze, he's actually the one that I told you all that I'd introduce you," he said then crouched a little bit for him to be able to wrap his arms around my neck and then pulled me closer. We just looked at each other for a second, with our faces only a few centimeters away from each other. "He's my boyfriend."

     WAIT, WHAT THE f**k?