No Strings Attached

Next Best Thing from Ice Cream

A/N: I am still suffering from pollen allergies. And I have decided that I should take rest until I get well. So, you know what will happen, I might be missing in action for a few days but I promise to continue this story because I have a lot of references. Lol!

Enjoy this chapter!

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Beam stood up from his bed when his alarm goes off at exactly six in the morning. Groggy from hungover, tiredness, and lack of sleep he went to his bathroom. He hurriedly but carefully gets dressed before looking at his phone which has missed calls and text messages from Kit and Phana. There's also a text message from her nanny Godji greeting him a "happy birthday". The text message he was seeking for isn't among the other missed calls and texts that he scrolled down to view. He massaged his arms to stay warm as the temperature in his condominium dropped seemingly out of the blue.

He informed his friends via text message that he was fine, had made it to his place safely, and would speak with them after work. And he sent his Mae Godji a thank-you message.

He turned to face his full-length mirror and saw the man therein. He appears awful. He had dark circles and was pale. If cast, he will come off as the clown in "It," but he knows how to fix this. He is skilled at this. After getting dressed for work, he proceeded to his kitchen to prepare himself a breakfast and some of his "manly" makeup rituals.

He was poised to be on the GQ magazine cover. His milky skin went well with the soft pink dress shirt. His almost flawless appearance might kill anyone. He made sure that he perfectly concealed all of his flaws so that no one could see them when they looked at him. He was prepared to go after applying a fresh layer of lip balm.

He took a moment to scan the area before leaving his unit. His apartment resembled a showcase for an upscale furniture store. Everything in the room, from the wall color to the drapes and furniture color to the tiniest details on the table and bookcases, looked just perfect. Exactly like him.

He went out and locked his door.

"Hi Beam!"

He looked at the woman and smiled. "Hi Kaning!"

He noticed his neighbor Kaning's husband Kavin carrying their nearly one-year-old daughter.

"Kana!" He held the beautiful baby from Kavin.

While he held Kana as they walked to the elevator, Kaning and Kavin smiled at him. Kana leaned on his shoulder, and he felt the infant's drool.

"Oh, Beam, she's drooling all over your shoulder!"

He laughed and nodded. "It's okay, just give me her bib."

Kaning got the bib from the printed bag that Kavin is carrying. He was smiling when he wiped his shoulder and put the bib on his shoulder as if on cue Kana leaned again. She gurgled and he chuckled.

"Where are you going by the way?" he asked when they are already inside the elevator.

"To my in-laws." Kaning smiled while replying. "They will go the province for quite some time, so we decided to visit them before they go."

"How about your parents? When are they coming home?"

"Next year. But me and Kavin are planning to visit them on Christmas."

"Can I go with you so I can have a free accommodation?" he joked

The two laughed at him.

"I'm serious. It would save me lots."

"Sure Beam."

"Don't you have work today, Kavin?" he asked

"I am on a vacation."