Carl stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel draped around his shoulders. His white bathrobe clung to his skin, the exposed skin showing traces of the night before.
"I hope the food is to your liking?" he called from the room.
Silence.
There was no sound, not even the sound of cutlery.
He frowned slightly, stepped forward, and peeked out.
The room was empty.
On the table, the breakfast spread he had ordered sat untouched.
He returned to the bedroom and spotted a few bills on the nightstand.
He walked over and picked them up, rolling them between his fingers.
Ryan had run away.
"He really ran off," he murmured, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
The soft morning sunlight streamed through the window, warming his skin. "We'll meet again soon."
Ryan hurried into his apartment and locked the door behind him, panting as if he had been in something.
The pinned butterflies, glass jars, and labeled specimens on the walls and shelves made him feel more at ease.
Meow.
His cat, Adalia, named after the two-spotted ladybug because of the two spots of black on her white coat, trotted toward him.
Meow.
She circled his legs, her eyes filled with accusation.
"Baby, you must be hungry," Ryan said softly, crouching to pick her up. "I'm sorry for staying out all night. It won't happen again."
She meowed again in his arms, twisting to expose her belly. He had been forgiven.
After feeding her, he dragged himself to the bathroom. As he stood under the shower, his hand brushed over the red spots all over his skin.
A scene from the night before flashed. Warm lips pressed against his collarbone, biting and sucking.
Ryan turned the temperature from hot to cold.
Last night must be forgotten.
After changing into a moth-printed white T-shirt and loose plaid pants, Ryan headed to the kitchen and fixed himself a sandwich. Adalia loafed on the counter, watching him.
Halfway through his first bite, there was a knock at the door.
Ryan paused. He wasn't expecting any guests.
He stood to open it.
"Hi," Alex said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "You disappeared yesterday. I was worried. You also didn't answer when I knocked. Where did you go?"
How was he supposed to tell Alex about his one-night stand?
Ryan pointed at a silver wristwatch through the display glass.
It was the anniversary of his relationship with his boyfriend of three years. He had just gotten paid for a research paper and wanted to buy an expensive gift to celebrate.
"Can I see this one, please?"
The attendant nodded and gently placed it on the counter. Ryan was about to pick it up to take a closer look when someone snatched it off the counter.
"I want this one," the person said haughtily.
Ryan turned. A man, slightly taller with red dyed hair, held the watch in his hand like it was already his.
"Excuse me," Ryan said. "I saw it first."
"Well, you haven't paid yet," the man said. "Wrap it up for me."
The attendant had an awkward expression on his face. "I'm sorry, but we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. I can only sell it to you if this gentleman decides not to take it."
"You…" the man started, then stopped.
"How about you let me have it? How much do you want?" He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Ryan stared at him, unfazed. "I have decided to buy it," he said simply, bringing out his card.
"But this is the only one of this model available in the store," the man whined.
"I would contact our other branches to check if another one can be sent," the attendant said. " If not, we'll see if one can be custom-made from the factory."
The man huffed, but before he could retort, another voice joined in.
"What's going on?"
The voice sounded familiar, Ryan whipped around and saw the face of his boyfriend, Cole.
"Cole," the man's voice became gentle. "The attendant doesn't want to sell me the watch."
Cole stepped forward and wrapped an arm around the man.
"I really want this model. Get them to sell it to me."
Cole smiled dotingly. "Of course. Could you—"
He froze when he came face to face with Ryan. "What are you doing here?"
Ryan glanced down at Cole's arm wrapped around the other man. "I wanted to get you a gift."
Cole let go of the man instinctively. "Ryan—"
"Do you guys know each other?" the other man asked, looking between both of them.
Ryan raised a brow but stayed silent.
"I— I—" Cole hesitated.
"Today is our anniversary," Ryan finally said. "I'm guessing both of you aren't just friends."
"It's not what you think," Cole started.
"I'm his boyfriend," the man cut in, eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"
Cole ignored him.
He walked to Ryan's side and wanted to hold his hand, but Ryan stepped back.
"He's just a fling," Cole mumbled. "It's nothing serious."
Ryan laughed. "Is that what they call cheating now?"
"I— I didn't cheat."
"He said you're his boyfriend. And as far as I know, that's what I'm supposed to be. Your only boyfriend."
Cole's expression fell. "Okay, I messed up. But you can't blame me for this. You never have time to go anywhere with me. All you care about are your stupid bugs. And the few times we do, you spend it digging for bugs, talking about spiders, beetles and crap. Sometimes it's embarrassing to be with you in public, all my friends call you my bug boyfriend."
"You could have broken up with me. And if it's that embarrassing, why did you pursue me in the first place?"
"Because of your pretty face," Cole snapped. "I wanted to have sex with you, but you wanted a serious relationship. I went along with it, but even after three years, I got nothing. You don't let me touch you. Since you can't give me what I want, you can't blame me for getting it elsewhere."
Ryan said nothing. He turned to the attendant. "Wrap it up."
The attendant who had been watching the show hurriedly packed it up and handed it over with a professional smile. Ryan picked up the watch and his card, then turned to leave.
Cole grabbed Ryan's arm. "Ryan, wait. Don't be like this. I'll stop seeing him. We can go back to how we were before."
"No need," Ryan said simply. "Let's break up."
"What do you mean?" Cole asked in surprise.
"You cheated. We can't be together again, and I can't give you what you want." Ryan flung his arm off.
"I'll take care of you. You don't need to work."
Cole grabbed him again.
"We're already broken up. Let go."
"No. I don't agree."
Ryan turned and flipped him over his shoulder and left.
Behind him, the other man fussed over Cole.
As he stepped out onto the sidewalk, Ryan's phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered.
"I'm going to the bar tonight, could you help me pick up a delivery?" the voice on the other end said.
Ryan looked down at the watch in his hand. "What bar?"
"Why are you asking?"
"I want to drink too."