True Love

18. Asia

One minute.

He went to talk to Kevin who was asking a glass of fruit juice at the bar.

- Let's wait a little. If he doesn't come back soon, I guess we'll have to check...

Three minutes.

After a short talk with a journalist, Scott joined Kirstie, and asked her to have a look on Mitch, if he had to leave the room to find Avi.

- What do you mean "to have a look?"

- Try to distract him from the fact that Avi is missing.

- Got it. I'll do my best.

Ten minutes. It was too long.

*****

Scott glanced at Kirstie who waved him back. He left the room and looked for the men's room. But there was nobody there. He got out and began to open each door in the hallway, checking every room, mainly offices.

Finally, he found Avi in one of them, sitting on a small couch, elbows on his knees, his head buried in his hands.

- Avi... he called, almost whispering.

Avi raised his head. He looked so sad! Scott sat down next to him.

- What's going on, buddie?

Avi shook his head but didn't answer.

- Don't tell me it's nothing, okay? I guess it's about Mitch, I've seen you staring at him.

There was a kind of anguish in Avi's eyes, who was still remaining silent.

- Would you have yourself a sort of "chair girl moment?!" tried to joke Scott.

- A what?

At least he had answered!

- About all these guys around Mitch. I'm sure it's not a matter of jealousy, so what's going on in your head right now, Avi?

Avi chuckled sadly.

- Would be a "chair boy moment" then... Scott, wouldn't it be easier for him to have a normal boyfriend?

- Normal? What do you mean? Why do you think you aren't a "normal" boyfriend?!

Avi sighed deeply, he seemed really disturbed.

- First, I didn't come out yet. I promised him I would do it soon, but I didn't yet, and we must hide...

- Avi! He's been hopelessly in love with you for about four years, but he never ceased to love you! Don't you think he can't wait a little more, now that he knows you love him too?

A tiny smile appeared on Avi's face, but it disappeared quickly.

- You said "first" added Scott.

- Yes. I love him Scott, but I'm not attracted by any other man. I'm still able to be attracted by women. How could he understand that? Couldn't it be weird for him that I'm so different?

- I would say it makes him very special, and I'm sure he loves this... Oh Avi! I have a "first" and a "second" myself. First, you told him not to choose for yourself who you should fall in love with. So please, do the same for him. He chose you, a long time ago, and never changed his mind! Second: what would you think if I told you I've been dating two girls before I meet Alex?