Chap 1
'Psst.''Pssst.''Hey handsome!!! Notice us~'I was hearing that while I was walking here on the side of the road, the sunlight was still hot even after twelve o'clock in the afternoon.'Pssst!''Handsome!!! Handsome !!!'I can still hear the hissing coming from somewhere in the distance, I can't turn around because it's definitely not me they're calling. First of all, I don't have the appearance of being handsome because I'm just a humble provincial who landed here in Manila to look for a job. But in an instant, my thoughts quickly changed when suddenly someone grabbed my arm."Hey handsome, can't you hear us?" a gay man frowned."Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I wasn't the one you were calling.""You're still humble, you're really handsome. Aren't he, girls?" he said again while asking his another colleague.'Is he with someone else?' I was confused and can't help to question in my mind what's happening.Maybe because of hunger and tiredness that's I can no longer notice some things around me. I didn't eat until yesterday because the little money I brought from the province has run out. So my stomach has been full of water since yesterday afternoon."Now everything is settled, so, let's go?"'Wait what?' Because of my deep thoughts, I did not hear what they said."Wait, where are we going? I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said," I said while scratching my head."Eh?" one of the gays said artfully, looking at his colleagues."Well then, let's begin from the start. Okay handsome? We said you might be looking for a job, because we've been seeing you here for a while now going back and forth and also... are you from the province?" one of them asked without further ado."Yes, you are right and I only came here to find a job.""If that's the case, it's your lucky day!" They happily announced it.I didn't answer and just waited for what they had to say."I see on your face the wonder why you got lucky, there is only one answer. Because we will give you a job!!!" they said enthusiastically, accompanied by loud applause.It was as if my world stopped spinning when I heard what they said. 'Job? Did I hear that right?'But, even though I may be desperate to work with them, it seems that I can't help but suspect and doubt them. Especially since I still don't know the job they will give me. "Really, you're going to give me a job?""Yes, stop asking over and over again," they said while exchanging looks that seemed to have a different meaning."You know it's really hard to find a job here in Manila especially if you're not graduated.What he said made me think, but somehow I learned something. I also finished high school, and because of the hardships of life, I did not want to continue studying because I know that my parents need my help more so that we can send my other younger siblings to school, so so I ventured here in Manila to find a job with a good salary.I just woke up from my deep thought when I noticed a money in front of me."This is 150 pesos," said one of them as he handed me the money.'150? With that amount, I'm sure I can buy a lot of food there,' I thought while holding my grumbling stomach.I don't know if my brain is still working or if my stomach is grumbling with hunger because my mind is no longer in control. But, even so, I couldn't reach the money that was laid out in front of me."Before I accept that, may I first know what my job will be?""Don't worry because it's easy and you'll still enjoy your work," they said accompanied by terrifying laughter.I couldn't help but feel scared because it seemed like they were going to make me do something illegal. That gay man must have been bored and tired of holding money, so I just felt him suddenly and without a word squeeze it into my hand."Don't think too much, come on. When you finish your work, we'll give you the other half," they said while still dragging my arm across the road.But, before they could finally bring me together, I seemed to wake up from a magic inside me because of a loud shout."Ryan!!!""Ryannnn!!!""Just wait!"Because of what I heard, I suddenly turned around, from where I was standing there was a man running towards my direction. When he got close, he suddenly put his arm around me."I've been looking for you for a while, I just bought something and then you suddenly disappeared," said the man while handing me the paperbag.I think the bag contain food because the smell of it made me feel even more hungry. I couldn't even answer his statement because I didn't know what he was saying and above all I didn't know him."And who are you?" he asked the gay men holding my arm.He gave them such a terrifying look that even I was horrified by it. I noticed the nervousness in the expression of the gays because of the sudden paleness and loss of color on their faces. One of them almost left his slippers because of the speed with which they ran.As I looked at them, I suddenly remembered the money in my palm."Wait! Your money," I shouted at them, but they didn't even take a glance.I would have chased them if only for the heavy arm still resting on my small shoulder. Because of what happened, I almost forgot that I was here with someone, but for the warmth of the bag I was holding, my trance would not have returned."Here's your food," I said to the man while handing the bag back to him."No, it's yours now.""Really? Even if it's embarrassing, I won't refuse it anymore." I have already stuff my face because I am really hungry.But, because of his beautiful smile, my shyness gradually disappeared."Ah, thank you so much..." I couldn't continue because I didn't know his name."Just Dylan," he replied with a smile."Thanks Dylan for the food.""That's nothing. By the way, always be careful," he reminded me before ruffling my hair and walking away.He hadn't gone far when I suddenly remembered something so I called him again. "Wait sir, can I ask a question?"He faced me again and nodded his agreement. "How did you know my name?"I'm sure he mentioned my name that's why I turned around earlier."Is that really your name?" He asked back to me in amazement. "I was just making that up earlier so I could call you. You'd think my guess was right."I raised my eyebrows. Did he say that? I thought it was Rylan. I can't do anything because they really sound the same.' I still shrug my shoulders to myself."Ah! My name is not Ryan, it's Rylan," was all I could answer him."Is it Rylan? It's close and sounds really close," he thought.I was about to say goodbye to him when he spoke again. "I told you earlier, always be careful because there are many people here in Manila who are good at scam other people.""Is that so?" I was nervously ask him. I thought about what he said because it was really true. My parents and friends in the province said that the city is very dangerous."Wait, don't tell me you didn't know those gays were tricking you earlier?" he couldn't believe it.I didn't answer him as I had a look of surprise on my face. He just looked at me full of concern. "They'll turn you to a call boy.""Call boy? Is that a guy who works at the call center?" I asked him confused.He, on the other hand, could not believe what I said and just slapped his two hands on his face."No, the call boy is a male prostitute. You know that now?" he explained in frustration.I just nodded while thinking... 'I thought a call boy, Is a male call center agent.''If I'm this ignorant, I might not be able to last long here in Manila,' I said to myself feeling anxious and sad.It's really hard here in the city, unlike in the province. People there help each other even in small things, while here there is no mercy."Hays," he sighted."Come on, let's sit there first so we can talk more and so you can eat," he said, leading me to the side of the fast-food restaurant.I didn't do anything and just followed him, there was a seat on the side."Are you from the province?" he asked me when I sat next to him."Yes, that's where I'm from. I've only been here in Manila for two weeks since I left my home," I answered as I started to eat.After saying that, it's only now that I recall that I've been here in Manila for quite some time, all the clothes I brought are dirty and I haven't showered in a few days.Suddenly, I looked at myself, so maybe no one will accept me in work because my old clothes are dirty. I'm wearing the same faded pants and the slippers on my feet are also worn out. I don't have a problem with being poor, I'm still young and I accept that, but there are times when I feel sorry for myself."Hey, are you okay? Why are you stunned?"Because of the voice I heard and his face coming closer to me, I suddenly remembered that I was not alone here. I just looked at him and said... "I'm fine."Just now I was able to properly observe Dylan's appearance because his face was close to mine. He was obviously has a different race, about 6ft tall. white skin and has a dark blond hair.His face is handsome, his eyes are green which is strange but very beautiful indeed. With a pointed nose, she really looks like a model of expensive watches and perfumes that I only see in magazines. Suddenly, I feel small about myself."Are you sure you're okay? Didn't those gays do anything bad to you?" he asked again with concern."N-Nothing really, maybe it's just hunger," I laughed to hide the insecurity I was feeling.I just continued to eat my food, he noticed that I was stunned again. I just looked at him one more time and thought...'I hope I'm handsome and rich same as him.'Chap 2RYLAN'S POV"Would you like something to drink?" he asked."Oh, don't worry, thank you very much for the food you gave me. The last time I ate was yesterday," I said, taking a bite of the fries that I dipped in ketchup."Also, thank you for saving me earlier. If you hadn't stood up for me, I might have become a call boy.""You thank me too much, all of it are fine ," he replied, I also noticed that he was standing in front of me."You stay here, I'll just buy inside."I couldn't stop him because he was walking so fast. I just continued eating. It didn't take long and he was back."Here," he offered, handing over the purchased soft drink to me.I just accepted it and said thank you. A few minutes later, I was about to finish eating, but suddenly he spoke and I turned to him.'He's still here,' I thought. I was amused by the food because I only tasted something like this for the first time."It's been a month since I came home to the Philippines, because I worked abroad for sever
Chap 3RYLAN'S POV"Here's the banana cue, eat it," I said to the children who were begging and sitting on the side of the road.I really thought Dylan would eat all the banana cues he bought from Grandma. I can't help but remember our conversation earlier."Can you really eat all that, Dyan? That's a lot," I asked him as we walked away."Of course I can't eat it all, so let's take four, two for each of us, then we'll give the rest away," he answered happily and still laughing.Dylan is really amazing, first of all he is kind because he saved me earlier and even gave me a job and now he is giving food to the children we see begging here."Brother, thank you," said a boy, bringing me back to my trance."Don't thank me, thank him," I said as I pointed at Dylan, because he was the one who actually bought the food.In my beliefs and impression are the same as others when it comes to the rich peoples. I thought of them as full of their selves and arrogant, but when I met Dylan I knew I was
RYLAN'S POVI WAKE UP early, I looked at the clock hanging on the bedroom wall. It's four o'clock so it's still dark outside.I woke up and went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth, it was my first day at work. I'm so excited that I rushed what I was doing.A few moments later...I'm already in the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Dylan. I cooked eggs, hotdogs and fried rice, because this is the only thing I could cook based on the contents of his refrigerator."It's done, I have to wake up Dylan," I whispered to myself. Look at the clock here in the kitchen. It's 5:30 am right now."Dylan!!! Wake up, it's late and you still need to take a shower!" I gently shook his shoulder."Rylan?" he called me while yawning.I look around, in fairness, the interior of his room is beautiful and cozy, its design is also simple. It's just that, due to the mess it ruined everything. His clothes and belongings were scattered all over the place."I'll just clean it when he leaves," I whi
RYLAN'S POV"Ry! I'm home!"My heart almost jumped out of my chest when I heard a voice from the living room of the house, it means Dylan was here. I was filled with nervousness because of what happened earlier, but I knew I still had to welcome him."Ah, Dylan, you're already there," I answered while peeking into the kitchen."Yes, and I have something for you," he said cheerfully when he entered the kitchen and placed the bag on the kitchen top.I was intrigued by what he said so I approached. "Woah, donuts!"He looked at me happily with a smile on his lips before speaking. "That's my reward to you because you enjoyed your first day at work."When I heard what he said, I suddenly felt guilty. He is really kind and I hung up on him earlier."Ry, make me mango juice again like this morning, I'll just get dressed," he requested before heading up to his room. "That's a shake, not a juice," I insisted as I followed him. The fool just grinned and didn't turn around.While I was busy doi
RYLAN'S POV'The water is cold,' I thought to myself after dipping my hand in the holy water and making the sign of the cross. The mass is over and we are leaving the church."Where are we going, Dylan?""Let's go grocery shopping at the supermarket," he replied as we walked back to the parking lot."Supermarket in the mall? Not at the local market?""I'm used to shopping at the supermarket, because I can find everything I need in one place," he replied as he put on his seat belt. While I still don't know how to fasten mine.A few minutes later we arrived at a huge establishment, shops after shop are here and many people are coming and go. It's fun to watch."Awesome," I said in awe as I looked around."We are in MOA.""MOA?" Is that the name of this place? It's too strange."Yes, Mall of Asia. It's a big building made up of interconnected malls. It's the biggest mall in all of Asia that's why it's called Mall of Asia," he explained to me, as we walked inside the huge area.I only gav
RYLAN'S POV"Where do I put these canned goods, Dylan?" I asked while unpacking the things we bought earlier.We went home because I didn't have anything else I wanted to go to, I was happy with our visit to the mall earlier. I really enjoy the new places I see here in the city.I come from a small village and the small town is still far from us, so there are many things that I have never seen that can only be found here in the city."I'll take care of that Ry, because they should be placed up here, but I'm aware that you can't reach it," he said with a teasing smile.I was really annoyed by his teasing since I know that I'm so short I was only up to his shoulders. 'What can I do if he is really a giant while I am not blessed with extra height.'"That's why the LADDER was invented, right?" I said irritated to him before walking away."It's just a joke Ry, don't get angry, you'll get smaller," he shouted while laughing loudly.I just shook my head and ignored him, I might choke him in
RYLAN'S POV"Ry, is that already cooked?"I turned around because someone suddenly spoke from behind me. I thought it was a ghost, it was just Dylan. My naughty and annoying boss."It's not yet, it's still boiling," I said while stirring the mixture in the saucepan."I'll taste it."I couldn't even move when he held my hand that was also holding a ladle before scooping up a little soup and tasting it.Things happened so fast, I couldn't even breathe because his face was so close to mine and I could also feel his body pressed against my back. I was suddenly stunned, but I stopped myself from reacting."Hmm, are you sure you didn't taste it every now and then to make it taste perfect? It's delicious," he commented after moving away from me a little bit.I was able to breathe a little easier, now I also noticed that I was holding my breath. 'Hays, it's you Dylan who's going to kill me.'I was unable to answer his question because of an inexplicable nervousness. "Are you okay Ry? Did yo
RYLAN'S POVHe was just nuzzling to me earlier, now he's smelling me without saying anything. 'Goodness, I think my boss turned into a dog'"Ry, you smell really good, your smell is calming," he whispered and pressed his face closer to my neck. 'What am I an aromatic oil?'I couldn't move because I could feel his hot breath on my neck and his soft whisper in my ear. My hair stood on end because of the strange feeling caused by his body."Dylan, you're good and doing well now," I nervously said. I also accompanied that with forced laughter while pushing him away. But he didn't like that idea."Do you want to get your prize?" I said so that he would listen to me."Alright, where is it?"It seems to be effective because he quickly pulled away from me and even smiled. "Then, stay in the living room first and then I'll call you when it's done.""Really!? All right," he responded enthusiastically.I smiled because he's better now, his energy and mischievousness is already returning.WHILE I