Chapter 23 : The other side's shopping date.

Third person point of view

Jade wondered if he will have time to spend leisurely after joining the company. Work is not all that easy. He decided to have fun while he has time. So he asked Ken to meet up to have fun like last time. He stood outside a cafe, waiting for Ken to arrive. He saw a car stop in front of him. The window rolled down and he saw Ken. " Sorry for being late ". " It is fine, just park it and come in ". " Yep, I'll be there in a minute ". Jade waited for Ken to come. They went in together. They ordered and sat at a table which had a view of the outside. " So, how did your interview for the internship go ? " " It went well, but the results are not out yet ".

Of course, Jade is going to lie. If he says that he got selected, Ken wouldn't let him be until he says the name of the company. " Oh, all the best. I hope you will get selected for a good one ". " Thank you so much ". " Don't you think it is a bit suffocating to sit inside ? I want to go out for a walk ". Ken said looking at the street. " Let's go then ". Ken turned to Jade who was ready to get up. " Where ? " " Outside. You said it just now. Come ". Jade held Ken's wrist and took him out. Ken didn't ask anymore and left along with Jade. They paid already so there was no problem with leaving.

Jade let go of Ken's wrist when they came out. They walked along the street. As they were walking they found a park nearby and decided to go there. They were walking around and as they kept walking in, it turned even more difficult to continue their walk. Most of them were only couples. " Did we choose a wrong timing ? " Ken said chuckling looking around. Jade observed too. " Looks like it ". Jade couldn't help but agree. " Since we came in let's just finish our walk ". Jade said putting a hand around Ken's shoulder and pulling him closer. Ken looked at the hand and then back at Jade's face with his eyebrows raised.

" We should have some fun while we are at it ". Ken nodded understanding. " Then.." Ken removed Jade's hand from his shoulder and placed it at his waist. " This should be more comfortable ". Jade was surprised at it. Ken only gave him a smug look. Since Jade was playing, he will too. Jade pulled him a little closer. " Sure ". They continued walking and some people did look at them from time to time. As they were walking, Ken felt strange. It felt like someone was following them.

" Do you think someone is following us ? " He asked Jade. " I thought I was the only one with that feeling ". They were looking ahead while speaking. " What do you think we should do ? " " Any ideas ? " Ken stopped walking. " Hug me ". " What ? " He stood in front of Jade with open arms. " Just do it ". Jade looked around once and then back at Ken. He contemplated but did anyway. Ken put his arms around Jade's neck and hugged him. Jade held onto Ken hastily and felt his body freeze. He was standing stiff as Ken hugged him. They heard people squealing. Ken raised his head slightly to see a girl who was clicking photos. He understood what was happening.

" It was just a bunch of girls ". Jade nodded. " You can let me go ". " Yep ". Jade let go of Ken and Ken burst into laughter. " What happened ? " " Do you know how red your face is right now ? " Jade touched his face. " No ". " You are blushing ? " Ken stood close to Jade, face to face. " No". Jade looked away. " Whatever you say ". Jade couldn't help but scoff which set Ken in a fit of laughter. " Don't tell me you were embarrassed because of what happened ? " Jade's expression was showing that Ken might have guessed it right. Ken was laughing. " Really ? " Jade rolled his eyes.

" It was because I was walking all the time and it is a kind of exercise, not because I am embarrassed ". " Aye~~, tell me ". He continued to tease Jade. Once they were out, Ken was laughing so much that his stomach hurt. He wiped the tears leaking out of his eyes. " I can't take it anymore ". He was taking deep breaths and clutching his stomach. " Enough now, let's go ". They walked back to where Ken parked his car. " I had a lot of fun today. Thanks to you ". Jade ruffled Ken's hair. Ken scowled setting his hair. " Me too . It was fun today ".

" So ? " " So ? " They said at the same time. Jade chuckled. " I will take my leave then. Hope we can have fun again ". " I hope so too. Want a ride ? " Jade shook his head. " Why ? " " I am going to go somewhere else before going home ". " Then I will take you there first and then to your house ". " It is fine ". " I knew it. You don't want to be with me because of what happened earlier right ? Fine. I will leave then. Bye ". Jade didn't know what to say. He held onto Ken's arm pulling him back. " I didn't mean it that way. I just didn't want to trouble you ".

Ken didn't meet his eyes and looked sad. Jade was at a loss. " Fine, come with me. Don't complain later that your day is wasted on me ". Ken smiled and immediately turned to his car. Jade shook his head and went to the other side of the car to get in. Ken started to drive to the location Jade told him. " You are good at acting ". Ken couldn't help but smile. " I take it as a compliment and I did feel a bit bad ". Jade stared at Ken's side profile for a few seconds and then looked away with a small smile. They reached a mall.

" What do you want to buy ? " " I wanted to get myself a few formal dresses and also suits maybe ". Ken nodded. They entered a store and Jade chose a few shirts and pants which would be good for office. Once they were done paying, they went to another store. Ken kept giving a few suggestions. Jade was happy to have Ken, because Ken was used to the office environment, so a few suggestions would be helpful. They next went to get suits. " What about this ? " Ken showed Jade a coat. " Will it be good ? " " Actually speaking, I buy only the coat and match them with my outfit. It is better than buying a whole suit as a set. And also it is not so compulsory that you always wear a coat. You can just dress up formally and it will do ".

It is indeed a better choice. Jade picked a few based on the way he could match with the shirt and pant. He picked a few colors which would go well with anything. Ken was wondering about the gift he should give Jade to congratulate him. Now that they were choosing suits, he will just gift one. " Jade ". Jade turned to Ken. " I remember that, there is a friend of mine whose birthday is coming up. I want to gift him a suit. So please help me with it ". " What can I do about it ? " " He has a similar physique to yours. So if you try it on, it would be helpful ". " What ? " " Come on, please. Help me ". Jade sighed and decided to do it. He nodded at the end.

Ken chose the whole set and gave it to Jade to try it on. Jade took it and went to the changing room. Ken waited for Jade. Jade finally came out and Ken opened his mouth. Jade looked so good in it. Ken gave Jade a thumbs up. " You look so good. It suits you really well ". " Thank you ". " Is it comfortable ? " Jade nodded. " We will have this. Please pack it ". Ken told the sales lady who helped them. Jade was surprised and looking at Ken suspiciously. " You can change back ". Jade came out and the lady in the store helped them with the clothes. " Please bill this separately ". Ken said gesturing to the suit. " Okay, sir ". Jade turned to Ken.

" Did I miss something ? Why do I keep sensing a void in between ? " Ken laughed feeling nervous. " As expected, you are really smart ". " So ? " " Don't scold me ". Jade narrowed his eyes and folded his arms. " I wanted to gift it to you. You are going for a new job, so this is my congratulatory gift to you ". "But-" " No, don't say no. I am not listening to you anyway. I will just go and pay the bill. And gifts are not to be returned ". Ken left no space for argument and bought them. Jade couldn't say anything. Ken drove him to his house. He gave the bag to Jade.

" Take it ". Jade took it reluctantly. " I really shouldn't have taken you with me ". Ken chuckled. " You should never regret what happened. Let bygones be bygones ". Jade only shook his head. " Thank you. For the ride and this too ". " No mention ". " Bye, drive safe ". " Bye ". Ken waved and drove away. Jade couldn't help but sigh looking at all the bags in his hands. He carried them into the house.

-MG