Absinthe

Chapter 56: Cliché

Jiwoo, or should I say Samuel, ended up buying the elderly couple loads of gifts from the grocery store for their golden anniversary.

He got them Tender Juizy's beloved fiesta ham, all sorts of toiletries, a sack of rice, and food items to the last the couple several weeks.

Jiwoo also took their number and promised to help them find, and hopefully reconnect with their son, Samuel, before hailing an uber (and paying for it in advance) to get the old couple and their groceries home.

This gesture surprised me because Jiwoo's always been very particular about money. And just because this elderly couple makes some drama in front him, he would go all out and spend thousands just to make their golden anniversary special? We didn't even know who these two were an hour ago!

And besides, they brought it upon themselves for kicking their son out of their family just for being gay.

Yes, they're remorseful now but I feel terrible thinking about how this Samuel guy must have suffered for years on end.

"What's bothering you?" Jiwoo asked as we made our way back to the mall.

"Do you think my dad would ever feel that same remorse as those two?" I asked before I could stop myself. "I mean, you know, for cutting ties with me?"

I'm already regretting asking Jiwoo this question. What does he know about the suffering of us, gay guys? What does he know about the constant struggle of always not being good enough? What does he know of the constant whispers that follow us around? The judging stares?

Or of the endless battle of proving that our relationships are not all straight guys leeching off of us.

"Does it matter to you if they don't?" Jiwoo asked back, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I shrugged, "Never mind. Let's go shopping. I want to buy some new clothes."

I wanted to start walking towards one of the boutiques, but I barely made progress when Jiwoo pulled me back.

"Are you okay?" Jiwoo asked, obviously concerned with my sudden change of mood.

"Yeah," I nodded. But Jiwoo's expression was that of disbelief. "Fine. I'll admit it. I'm not okay. But I will be. I'm not going to let this ruin our first date."

"You sure?" Jiwoo asked, now smiling.

I nodded to reassure him I was. "As long as we go shopping!"

Jiwoo followed me around quietly as I visited store after store, looking for stuff to buy. I didn't like most of the brands and the stuff for sale, but I kept on trying to shop, anyway. I was afraid that if I stop, I might spiral into a stupid pity party again.

And besides, it's almost November. I need to start buying gifts for my friends for Christmas.

I found a Gucci store from the mall's directory after visiting 15 or so stores already. I told Jiwoo we're heading to Gucci at the ground floor, and he just smiled like it was nothing. I'm sure he's tired already and also disappointed at how our date turned out. But he followed me nonetheless.

"It's your birthday on the 4th, right?" I asked Jiwoo as soon as we entered Gucci.

"How'd you know?"

"The interview, remember? For Ka-Vogue?"

"You still remember that?" He asked, smiling but eyeing me suspiciously. "Or you already liked me since then?"

I laughed. "You wish! I had Robert following me around back then!"

Jiwoo's smile dissolved into a frown. "Nevermind that. But why are you asking?"

"I want to buy you a gift," I answered. "Your birthday is on the 4th, Faye's on the 11th. I can just buy my gifts for the both of you here."

"I don't need one," Jiwoo said, looking embarrassed. "I don't need anything. I'll be happy even if we just spend my birthday together."

I rolled my eyes and smirked at him. "Cliché!"

I ignored Jiwoo and proceeded to browse the men's accessories on display at the Gucci store. It's weird, isn't it – that I feel so insecure being with Jiwoo and that Jiwoo's insecure about being with me, too?

I saw a pair of last season's aviator sunglasses which I thought would be perfect for Jiwoo. It's kind of plain, so it goes really well with Jiwoo's somewhat plain style. And being last season's, it should be affordbale enough that Jiwoo won't feel burdened about the price.

"This would look hot on you," I said, picking the aviator sunglasses and handing it over to Jiwoo. "Give it a try."

Jiwoo shook his head. "It's too much."

"Come on," I insisted. I inched closer to Jiwoo and tried to convince him as seductively as I could, and I had to use up all my energy to resist from laughing hard at myself.

"I said this would really look hot on you," I murmured. "I want to see you with this on."

Then I stood on tiptoe and gently placed the sunglasses on Jiwoo.

"With only this on."

I quickly turned around and pretended to browse through the other models, bending over a little just so Jiwoo could see my silhouette. I laughed loudly in my head. Why am I doing this again? Why am I playing all these seduction games with Jiwoo?

In no time, I felt Jiwoo's hands clasp my hips before he leaned in close to my nape and blew his warm and moist breath.

"You're going to be in trouble once we get home," he said. "Naughty BJ."

I turned and faced Jiwoo. Sunglasses or not, he's handsome and hot as fuck. But the sunglasses, which basically hid his eyes, added a bit of mystery.

And that had the effect of making me want to come closer and see what's underneath them.

"That settles it," I announced. "This is going to be your birthday gift. Now let's go get something for Faye."

Barely a second passed when the alarm almost broke my eardrums. In the span of a millisecond, I saw people left and right running for the door, ducking for cover, and screaming for their companions. It was also all the time it took for Jiwoo's arms to wrap around me protectively, his hand pushing my head low.

I felt people rushing past through us and I was scared that we'd topple anytime and get trampled on the floor, but Jiwoo's stance was firm and strong.

"What's happening?" I asked, worried.

"I don't know," Jiwoo answered. "Give it a minute and let's head out, too."

And although there was uncertainty in his voice, I felt somewhat safe and assured.

Or maybe I spoke too soon for Jiwoo's words were followed by a series of gunshots, four or five, I've lost count as there was renewed shouting and screaming all over the place. I felt Jiwoo push my head lower until we were almost kneeling.

I didn't really how much time had passed since the gunshots and my eyes were closed the entire time, praying to some unknown god for safety. Then I felt Jiwoo's hands prying mine open.

I didn't realize it but my hands were holding on to Jiwoo's shirt so tight I was almost ripping it apart.

"Let's go now," Jiwoo said, pulling me up to a standing position. "Don't let go of my hand."

Jiwoo and I walked as fast as we could, his grip on my hand was so strong he was almost crushing it. The mall looked like all hell broke loose. I saw people on the floor in varying stages of pain – some were nursing twisted ankles, some with bloody faces, and some even unconscious on the floor. The screaming was still there, although significantly lesser as it was replaced by the sound of heavy running as people tried to escape.

We almost made it to the exit when a bunch of policemen surrounded us, firearms pointing at our very heads.

Instinctively, I raised my hands. The police were obviously shouting something but neither my ears nor my brain registered what they were trying to say. Two of them came closer and beat Jiwoo's back with their long rifles. I thought I screamed but there were no sounds coming out.

What the fuck is happening?