Favorite Friend Dylan

. . .

Back in the hallway of Pontecelli Penthouse that morning...

"Who are you?" Zeirenne asked.

"You can guess..."

She surveyed the dazzling man in front of her who was wearing casual clothes: a cute yellow shirt which complemented his bright sunny smile, and a blue slacks reaching his white shoes.

"I think I know, " she said before stepping forward for a rib-crushing hug, "You're Dylan Wang, my favorite friend!"

Dylan's face turned into half a grimace (from the tight hug) and half smile (from the tight hug as well).

When she finally let go of him, his breathing needed a few seconds to stabilize. Another smile was supposed to leave his lips but his eyes got caught on the seemingly murder scene.

"What happened? Are you alright?" He asked her with apparent dread. His eyes were searching for answers.

Zeirenne traced her bloody path. "Oh it's nothing. I think it's fake blood with some awfully realistic smell hahaha."

Dylan raised an eyebrow.

"Believe me!" She begged before opening the door wider.

As they entered the room, Dylan immediately scrutinized the pile of gifts.

There was pain in his eyes as he surveyed the mountain of gifts and telegrams. "I'm glad I went home as your favorite friend and not Assistant Wang."

"Really? I was about to fire Assistant Wang though." Zeirenne said while tapping her chin, "That unfaithful assistant of mine... "

Dylan laughed. "I'm sure he had his reasons."

"Reasons? Psh." Zeirenne rolled her eyes before sitting on the counters again.

While she made herself busy compiling the letters, he reached for the biggest box and started unwrapping it; revealing a big teddy bear beneath the fancy gift wrap and laces. The moment he made eye contact with this big fluff of ball, coughs started drifting off his throat, "Ohhh. You can open this one yourself," he said before stuffing it back inside.

Zeirenne handed him a glass of water with a smirk plastered on her face. "You're doing good, wanna go out?"

He nodded, and they stepped out of the room right away.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't careful," he said upon reaching the rooftop.

Zeirenne laughed and he became more flushed, "It's okay. I've been under surveillance for a while now. It's common sense for me to think there are eyes watching me everywhere. Even in the eyes of a cute bear."

Dylan shook his head while trying to ease his worries.

"Besides, you did such a great job in acting. Who's allergic to plushies now? Ahahhaha. That's enough compensation for me."

"Where's Jin?" he asked as diversion.

Zeirenne squinted her eyes, "Why are you asking me that? Don't tell me... "

Busted. Dylan scratched his head.

To make sure Zeirenne can be safe, Dylan sold her lease to Jin. This was the only way he could ease his worries. He knew how Jin could always protect Zeirenne.

"I can't believe you did this to me! Where's your loyalty, you brat!" she trapped Dylan in a headlock and he giggled with his hands together as if praying for forgiveness.

***

Later that night, Jin who was working late in his office had a surprise visitor. Actually, he was not working. For the first time in his life, he tried surfing social media sites. He even had to make Assistant Colton make his accounts.

"Tss. Mr. Argenti suits Miss Lin more?" he was reading hundreds of posts from a micro-blogging site—enraged by seeing more people shipping the ZhiAn couple.

For some reason, more people wanted him for themselves. And this ironic scenario didn't make him feel like winning.

"These people are not making any sense. Tsk." he ranted before calling his assistant, "Colton..."

"Yes, Mr. Yang."

"I want to buy this networking site," he said while hovering the mouse on the site's logo.

"Right away, Mr. Yang."

Assistant Colton marched out of the room.

After another minute of streaming that particular website, the connection was cut off. News articles surfaced on the internet. With lots of comments from its users:

"Is KruKru down? My KruKrus are not sending.

"Yeah the webpage is down. What happened?"

An article landed on the top of the Trending News section.

Multi-Billion Dollar Company Buys KruKru

On the webpage, there was a displayed: site under maintainance.

While enjoying his feat, someone knocked on his office door.

"Hi, Jin. Long time no see, " his visitor greeted him.

"Dylan? Hey... It's a good thing you finally decided to come visit."

He closed his laptop and welcomed Dylan. They sat on his couch and Assistant Colton stepped forward. A bit confused from having Miss Lin's assistant acting so casual with his CEO.

"What would you like to drink?" He asked the two men.

Jin asked for water and Dylan asked for a lemonade.

"So. Why are you visiting me in such a late hour?"

"I have to make you go home earlier."

Jin furrowed his brows.

"We should clear this rumour up, Zeirenne has been receiving threats and different things," he said and Jin cursed himself.

He was so lost in his embarassment that he forgot about the effects of this rumor to Zeirenne.

"I'm sorry... I just-"

"Why?"

Jin furrowed his eyebrows for the second time.

"Why are you avoiding Zeirenne?" Dylan continued.

He raised his arms in surrender before spilling everything out to Dylan. After a blurry story, they both arrived at a conclusion.

"So you confessed to her while you were drunk?

"Confess? No don't use such a word. I only blabbed some things."

Dylan shook his head. "You don't have to hide anything, we already know about it, Jin."

Jin's eyes went into a full circle.

"WE?"

"Oh... We as in... your parents and... I think everyone else. Of course... except Zeirenne."

Jin heaved a sigh of relief before shaking his head. Dylan laughed.

"I can't believe you still think your feelings are for friendship. We both know it's not. You have to admit it yourself. You like Zeirenne more than just a friend. No one would go to such an extent for their friend."

Jin furrowed his brows, "Then what about you? You only see her as a friend."

"Hmm. That's a good point."

Assistant Colton who was listening on their coversation had to facepalm himself.

"Do I like her then?" Dylan said while rubbing his chin, looking at the ceiling.

He looked down to meet Jin's glare. "Look at you! You can't even take a small joke, " he said, "That's what makes us different."

Jin rolled his eyes before downing a full glass of water.

"Do you know why Zeirenne hates romantic relationships? Because it's both selfish and selfless at the same time. You don't even like the idea of her being with another person. That's how we're different. Do you really think of her as just a friend? 'Cause everyone can see that's not it."

Jin was left with no words to defend himself with. Dylan sipped on his lemonade before continuing.

"You don't have to worry about anything. Zeirnenne is Zeirenne. You can tell her you like her and she'll be dense enough to think you're talking about friendship. Your actions will tell her nothing. Now, if someone dense and someone in-denial meet, there's no future. You'll get nowhere. She won't hear it if you don't say it. Adding the fact that she's a bit deaf, you probably have to say it louder. Nice and clear. You can't even let your actions speak for themselves. I doubt she'll see them as how they are. You have to admit it to yourself. Or give up on ever expecting your feelings to get through," he preached.

* * *

On the ride home, with Assistant Colton driving, Jin was gazing outside the empty streets. Thinking about things.

"That's right, Jin Yang. You better step up your game," he mumbled to himself while loosening his tie.

"Do you need anything, Mr. Yang?" Assistant Colton asked.

"Yes. I need you to drive faster."

Assistant Colton immediately floored the gas.

They were running at 150kph along the highway when Jin said, "Stop." This time, he had to slam the brakes out of reflex. He was almost thrown off his seat from the impact and the moment he checked the passenger seat, CEO Yang was no longer there.

"CEO Yang!" He shouted before stepping out of the car, hurriedly searching the highway, thinking his boss flew out of the window.

Fortunately there was no cadaver on the asphalt and his boss was still intact.

His gaze followed Mr. Yang inside one of the stores along the Boulevard. His CEO was paying for a cake.

Assistant Colton sighed. He could never get used to his boss and his fast movements. He heard the door slam even before seeing Mr. Yang coming out the store.

He boarded the car and resumed driving like a car racer after seeing how eager his CEO was to get home. Or rather, get to that person he considers as home.

. . .