An Tian’s home.
An Tian and Jake finished the dinner, but all the while, Jake’s sight was fixed on the wall clock. Noah had gone out since noon but didn’t return even if it’s the night. He didn’t even call to inform that he would be late.
Jake was used to his habit of staying out till late as it often happened when they were in England. Jake didn’t bother with it before because he used to be in his own home and Noah in his home, so what others did was never the concern, and it was easy for Jake to ignore him. But they were together and waiting for Noah to return home was killing him.
"He is not a kid for you to worry about him," A Tian commented while cleaning the dining table.
"Who is worrying about whom?" Jake countered as he helped his brother.
"Your eyes were fixed on the wall clock instead of food," An Tian retorted.
Greeting his teeth, Jake mumbled, "My ass."
"Keep it safe," An Tian teased as he went towards the kitchen while Jake frowned.
"Do you want to go out too?" An Tian asked after finally finishing everything and sat on the sofa beside his brother.
"No," Came the firm reply from the cold guy.
"Now you don’t, but soon you would want to," An Tian commented.
"What do you mean?" Jake asked as he looked at his brother, questioningly.
"You will understand soon; it’s in our blood," An Tian replied.
"Explain it or leave it," Jake glared at his brother, not liking the puzzling answers.
"Soon, you will start to feel angry, agitated, and certain needs that your body craves for," An Tian replied.
"That’s nothing new. I am always angry and...."
"It will be more," An Tian interrupted him.
"How come I never saw you like that. You are always so calm," Jake questioned.
"Am I a psychologist for nothing? An Tian asked.
"Do we have some hereditary psychological problems?" Jake asked.
"Not at all. Our great maternal ancestors have blessed us with best genes," An Tian assured.
"Then?"
"It’s nothing much. I just wanted to warn you before you trouble someone else, try to know what you need, and go for it in a good way," An Tian again answered in a puzzle.
Jake understood his brother wouldn’t say an entire thing, so he let it slide and asked, "Why don’t you have anyone in your life?"
"I don’t need anyone," An Tian answered calmly as he leaned back on the sofa.
"What about the needs you were talking about?"
"I am a fashion designer, and my surroundings are full of women," An Tian replied as a teasing smile painted on his lips.
"So studying psychology and then going for fashion designing were not your weird likings?" Jake concluded.
"It was a need," An Tian corrected.
"Didn’t you love someone ever?" Jake asked curiosity filled his brain.
"I did."
"Who?"
"Then?"
"I came to China, so we decided to part our ways."
Jake didn’t know what to say as he didn’t get what exactly his brother said about what will happen to him soon, and he preferred to ignore.
"If you need something as you are here, don’t hesitate to tell me," said An Tian.
"Why would I?"
"I don’t want you to trouble Noah, so...."
Jake exclaimed as he turned angry, "What the.... Why would I trouble him?"
"Think about it," An Tian replied calmly.
Jake stood up and went upstairs to the gallery, where he felt relaxed in the fresh and cold air.
An Tian gave his brother some time to be alone as he knew what was happening with him. There was no other solution to his situation than admitting his feelings.
An Tian knew, admitting his feelings for his friend, who was a man, was not an easy thing for Jake. Moreover, he must be scared to lose his friend.
Giving his brother enough time to be alone, An Tian decided to go to him.
Jake was standing in the gallery as he stared blankly towards the sky. Tian stood up beside him quietly.
In a while, Jake spoke, "I feel lost."
His voice was calm, and he looked unusually silent opposite to how cold or angry he acted all the time.
"Will you listen to what I’ll say right now to you?" An Tian asked.
Jake agreed, "Hmm."
"You were fine till now because you were together all these years, and there was no moment that you would miss him. But when he came to China, the distance made you miss him, and now you must be sure about what’s happening with you."
"I am....." Jake couldn’t find a word.
"Scared?" An Tian filled in the word.
"I guess."
"Keeping the things inside and acting angry with him all the time will ruin your friendship one day for sure, so why not give it a shot?" An Tian proposed.
Before Jake could answer his brother, a car stopped in front of An Tian’s bungalow. A cabriolet had its roof retracted, allowing one to see who was in the car.
From the gallery, Jake and An Tian could see Noah came with An Tian’s brand model Nicole with whom he left at noon.
"I hope you enjoyed it," said the woman.
"How can I not when the lady is so pretty," Noah commented as both talked while sitting in the car.
Noah opened the car door and stepped out. "See you soon."
"In England, do you say bye to a lady just like that?" she asked, teasing smile never left her lips.
Jake smiled and stepped to go on the other side of the car towards the driver seat. Not thinking much, he leaned forward and kissed Nicole.
The kiss lasted for quite a while and every passing moment just added in boiling Jake’s blood.
Jake’s expressions turned darker, and his grip on the railing tightened, showing the popped out muscles of his hands.
"Drive safe," Noah instructed the girl.
"After this, I doubt I can," she winked and turned on the car engine.
Nicole left, and Noah stood there until the car disappeared from his sight as he smiled mildly, being unaware of what was happening to certain someone who witnessed his show of affection with the lady.