"Honestly, I can not explain why this is happening to me. I'm too ashamed to admit it but even whilst he loathes me, I still keep asking myself why I can't stop thinking about him."

"Ari, you're being delirious. How many years has it been so far? My suggestion is you just forget about him and move on with you life."

"As if it were that easy." Ari murmured then slumbered on the couch lazily. "I used to brood over  meeting work deadlines even on my days off but these days, my head is filled with thoughts of him naked and panting beneath me."

Mun laughed after throwing his bags on the dining table. He'd just gotten back from his weekend errands and had come home, the same place he shared with Ari only to find him sulking, a remote control in his hand as he flipped through the channels, oblivious to how unsightly he appeared. The last time he'd seen him like this was after he'd failed to secure a major client with the company and for weeks, he blamed himself when they couldn't pay the staff for a period of two months after succumbing to major losses. The company later on recovered however, that experience frightened him for a while before he was able to get back on his feet.

"I heard he resigned."

"Yes. At least I think he wanted to, but couldn't bring himself to place his resignation letter on my gay hands or gay table. He is probably dry heaving as we speak. I hope he chokes while at it."

Mun burst out laughing again, which irritated Ari even further. "What were you up to? I heard you leaving very early in the morning."

"There is this new restaurant that opened up across the street called Yummy Yum. I wanted to check it out after I got back from my errands and the place was packed to the brim. I decided to pass by later on." Extending his hand holding a take away ice coffee towards Ari, Mun added, "That's where I got this from. Let's visit that place sometime."

"I don't think I have the energy to go anywhere." Ari replied, extending his hand to reach for the beverage from it's takeaway holder. "I want to just lazy around all day today.

"I'm not asking today dummy. Or better yet, why don't you invite your unrequited crush for a date there?"

"You are incorrigible. The guy literally resigned just because he couldn't work with me. Anyway, whatever he thinks of me is none of my business. He doesn't contribute to anything in my life but then, to hate people like me that much to the point of resignation? That hurts my pride."

After slurping his beverage, Ari added, "funny is, when the human resource informed me where he lives, I was surprised to discover that he is fighting with some loan shark. He even asked for an advance salary from the finance department and his request was immediately denied."

"Seems like the guy has a lot of baggage."

"That's why I'm wondering why he would want to resign whilst in dire need for money. Are you also aware he works two other jobs outside our company?"

"You must have dug a lot of information about him Ari. Are we back to stalking again because I'm in."

"I'm not stalking him stupid. His information just happened to land on my hands. The people he owes money to are listed as primary sources to wire his salary for the next two years he'll be working with us as per his contract. When I asked the human resource to dig into that, it turns out there are three sources of funds this guy transferred his money to. All his earnings go there. But then, his problems, like I said earlier are none of my concern. He isn't nice, he is homophobic and has no work ethic at all. I wouldn't help him even if I wanted to. He deserves the hardships he is going through. I'm sure he must have pissed off someone to succumb to such debt with that lashing tongue of his. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the person he messed up with was gay! Ooh! I hope they are because that'd be the poetic justice I need. Homophobic jerk!"

"Hey calm down, you're going to break the remote control and spill the coffee I lovingly bought you."

"Aaaagh! Am so mad! We were done recruiting staff for the financial year! It costs money hiring another staff! Time, the advertisements, interviews and shortlisting."

"The training and orientation..." 

"Exactly! You feel me right?"

"All I'm getting is after eight years, you still could not get over this guy."

Ari placed both the remote control on the table together with the beverage. Leaning back on the couch, he covered his eyes and wriggled his feet frustratingly. After a few seconds, he sat up abruptly and declared. "I'm going to download Gaypride app. I've been brooding far too long because I haven't gotten laid in months."

"One year and eight months."

Ari twisted his face in disgust. "You've been counting?"

"I keep tabs on things that make your life entertaining and miserable at the same time. Still, you've raised a fine point. You need excitement in your life. I have a couple of bottom friends who like you but you've been a busybody rejecting them whenever I throw them your way."

"If I didn't sacrifice personal pleasure, our small company wouldn't have grown to what it is now."

"Yea Yea." Mun dismissed sarcastically. "Where there is a plus there is a minus."

"Moreover, I'm thinking of going on a holiday. I haven't had one of those for almost four years being a workaholic and all. Once I close the deal with our recent investor, I'll take a two week holiday and detox from that homophobic idiot."

"He resigned Ari. You won't have to see him again."

"Well, I gave him quite a scolding hoping he'd reconsider his decision. As much as I'd want him gone, I can't have him speaking bad about us out there to competitors. Additionally, being an employer puts me in a position to call out a staff on their act. His prejudices are baseless. Nonetheless, they are still prejudices and shouldn't interfere with work. If he can't control himself, he will meet someone out there who won't treat him kindly. At least, he should realize there is no one right way to live life and that work is work."

"So mature of you."

"Shut up." Ari threw a pillow at a giggling Mun, who caught it and threw it back at him. "I'm being serious here. It's all up to him but honestly, I hope he suffers for making me feel bad about myself. Because of people like him, I've had to learn to put up with things I shouldn't have to."