Andrew & Allen

Andrew drank an alarming amount of energy drink to recharge himself. He had been pushing himself to his limits to gather all the supporting evidence they would need for the police, in an incredibly limited amount of time. And yet there was still a great load of work to do. He was doing this without Allen, and Andrew was feeling the heavy pressure on his mind. He hadn't intended to leave Luiz and Uncle Karlito behind in the precinct, but they convinced him otherwise.

"Secretary Andrew," Luiz called him and shook him out of his daze. He flashed a confident at Andrew. "Leave this to us. We will file all the evidence and get that warrant in sufficient time. Trust us, alright?"

"But—"

"Son," said Uncle Karlito. "Trust us. This squirt and I will handle this. Now, we need you to do one thing. You have to delay that meeting no matter what. Got it?"

Andrew glanced at Luiz and the goons behind Uncle Rio who also spared him a smile. Andrew nodded. Before he left, he turned and told Luiz, "We'll save your company, Luiz. Its employees, its reputation, and your brother."

Luiz huffed with a knowing curl of his lips. "I never doubted you for one second."

Andrew left and rushed to make a call to an old friend. He finally found himself in a media van with a plastic bag of empty energy drinks beside him, and Kris and his cameraman inside. They were parked on the other side of the street in front of Lopez Co. There was already a massive wall of press and flashing cameras blocking the entrance. The only thing preventing them from flooding the building was the cordon and Leon Security personnel.

"I'm sure the media had to be informed ahead of time that the meeting was rescheduled. How come they weren't able to get in?" Kris asked as he grabbed his mic and equipment. The The ex-Lopez Co. employee turned journalist. He looked happier.

"Rhea and Sanrio purposely gave them the wrong time," said Andrew. He made sure to remember to thank them someday for accommodating his request.

"How are we going to get inside?" the cameraman asked as they peered from inside.

Andrew glanced past his shoulder and smirked.

"We're going through the side garden until we reach the back staff entrance meant for sanitary requirements. Come on, this is the news that will get you your promotions."

"Andrew, you're shaking." Kris reached out and held Andrew's hands.

Andrew was anxious and afraid. His heart was drumming loudly inside his chest.

"You're going to be alright, Andrew. We're with you." Kris ruffled Andrew's hair and gave a gentle pat on the back. You're the best, remember?"

Andrew breathed out deeply to regain his momentum. They stepped out and crossed the street incognito. They attempted to sneak past the wayward paparazzi dotting the sidewalks, but their hungry eyes immediately recognized the secretary that shook the nation. The others came to him like an engulfing wave. They jumped over the velvet ropes that caged them while the trio were frozen in place.

Suddenly, the main lobby doors flew open with a bang. Dennis came out with a megaphone and yelled, "Step away from the small secretary and his media outlet friends."

From behind him, a battalion of Leon Security poured out and formed a human barricade to surround the frenzied paparazzi.

"Protect Secretary Andrew at all costs." They chanted in unison.

It was kind of hot.

When Dennis waved from inside the building, he realized he shouldn't be frozen here, and they ran to get inside. They got inside panting and out of breath.

"How did you know I would be here?" Andrew asked, bent down with has arms on his knees, taking quick breaths.

Dennis and two other employees took them by the arm and pulled them towards the main elevator. Someone was also holding open the elevator.

"No time to rest," said Dennis. "Luiz has been updating Sonna of your plan. We knew Allen would be too busy with the stockholders, so we came to help you out. Hey Kris, good to see you. You look exhausted, but happier."

He shoved the trio into the open elevator. "Don't worry. We've done the best we can. Everybody's guarding the elevators on every floor, so it'll go up with no stops."

He nodded and pressed the button for the topmost floor, before thanking Dennis. They elevator flew past all the floors. People were waving at him as they passed. Andrew couldn't believe the support he's receiving. Even the uptight accounting floor were helping him.

They reached the executive floor, but when they stepped out. A number of guards were blocking their way. They were obviously working for Alex. That stupid twink.

"Let us through," Andrew demanded, eyeing the doors at the end of the hall. His attempts at breaking through were met with strong arms pushing him back like he was made of paper.

Kris stepped in front of him and brandished his media ID with a smirk.

"We're from the media," he said. "Let us through."

The man quirked his eyebrow and smirked. "Late entrees are barred from coming in. You should've come early."

Out of nowhere, a dozen cleaning carts came crashing towards the men. Effectively distracting them for a hot minute. Andrew used it as an opportunity to dash forward. He glanced past his shoulders and saw Mrs. Garcia and the rest of janitorial staff clawing at the guards asking for help to clean up the mess.

They reached the end of the hallway and came to a pause. They nodded at each other. Kris immediately cleaned himself up while the cameraman was fiddled with his camera, ready to go live. Andrew counted down to three before he slammed the doors open to the boardroom. Andrew's eyes fell to the two men on the floor.

Allen pushed Alex to the ground. Allen was visibly furiously as he held the Alex by the collar of his shirt. Alex's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. The stunned board members were all at an awkward limbo between sitting down and standing up.

Everything happened in a flash. Alex lifted his head and whispered something into Allen's ear, and Allen looked clearly provoked. He slammed Alex to the ground, gritted his teeth, and raised his fist in the air. But he froze when Andrew called him.

"Do the collar victim!"

Allen's gaze darted from Andrew, to Kris, and finally to a bewildered Alex. He grabbed Alex's hand and flipped them both on the ground—positioning Alex above him. Mirroring their previous position but now reversed. He took Alex's hands and shoved them on his neck.

Kris and his cameraman finally entered the scene. He was speaking to the camera, holding a microphone, as he walked backwards.

"We are inside Lopez Co.'s boardroom—just as new evidence has surfaced of Alex Ceron's involvement with the illegal Torch Lending group. Let's hear from his side, shall we? But he seems to be in an impasse with the man of the hour, the young Mr. Lopez."

They rushed to Alex's side. And by judging on his panic-stricken face, he didn't want to be caught on camera in such as incriminating position. He pulled his hands away from Allen and hurried to stand on his feet, but Allen coughed loudly for good measure.

"Sir Alex, what can you say about the allegations that you forged the signature of an employee for a loan?"

"I did no such thing," Alex hissed at Kris and the cameraman. "What is this? What are you doing here? Guards!"

"How about you specifically instructing the grunts of Torch Lending to target Lopez Co. employees?" Kris pushed the microphone to Alex.

"I did no such thing," Alex fumed at Kris. His clenched jaw and lowered eyebrows all disappeared when it dawned on him that he was on camera. The eyes of the board members watching him. He flashed a professional smile.

"I deny these allegations," he said. "And to whoever are making these fictional claims must be put to justice."

Kris furiously nodded. "So, are you saying you don't have a grudge against the Lopez as the viral videos and witness statements have suggested?"

"Viral videos?"

On the projector screen, a news channel was broadcasting. A video of Alex slamming Andrew on a hotel wall played on repeat while a news anchor spoke:

"Witness has come forward that the Torch Lending employees were instructed, and were incentivized, to harass and attract Lopez Co. employees by Alex Ceron. While another witness has also come forward that her signature was forged, and her valid IDs stolen by Alex Lopez himself."

A discreetly taken photo of Sonna with her face blurred out and a distracted Alex were displayed side-by-side with the video.

"Alongside the viral video of Alex's act of violence toward the infamous lover of Allen Lopez. The internet has asked; did Alex Ceron launch a smear campaign against the family who bought out their family business. Some believe it to be true. The Lopez Co. stocks has hit a record-breaking all-time low. Alex Ceron has swooped in at this prime opportunity to purchase a massive volume of shares. He denied these allegations earlier, but the brawl we saw at the boardroom suggests otherwise. Let's get back to our on-the-ground correspondent, Kris."

The channel went back to a live feed of Kris and Alex while Allen was nowhere to be found. During the report Andrew pulled Allen away and hid behind a back room with the rest of the team. Claire was the one controlling the screen outside. They opened the door slightly to watch.

Alex recovered from his shock and motioned to leave, but all the media staff from outside the building has swarmed the boardroom. They surrounded Alex in a circle. Questions were flung his way. Cameras and bright lights eradicated his personal space. The board members were backed up to the wall.

Just as things were about to reach its crescendo. A group of policemen entered the boardroom with Uncle Karlito leading them. They marched towards Alex while the media cleared from their path.

Alex was caught between two policemen. Another held his arms behind his back and handcuffed him.

"What's the meaning of this?" His voice thundered. His attempts in freeing himself only resulted in more policemen holding him down.

Uncle Karlito flaunted a warrant of arrest in front of him.

"Alex Ceron you are under arrest for the following charges. Being the prime suspect for being the legitimate owner of Torch Lending. A lending business which exceeded the legal limit for loan interest rates and practiced excessive collection methods which have resulted in multiple injuries to victims. Forging of signatures and identity theft. And lastly, the illegal distribution of private photos on the internet which you are being sued for defamation. Take him away boys."

"This is police cruelty! You have no evidence! I am innocent!" He pleaded in front of the cameras. His eyes wide and doe like.

"You do know that the Lopez's has a private security firm at their beck and call, right? Aside from the CCTV footage of you picking up Luiz's phone, or the IP address that was tracked back to your residential house, or the dozens of witnesses that came forward, the investigators are pulling out all your banking transaction as we speak. Thanks to the public outrage and this piece of paper I'm holding."

Uncle Karlito hummed, pleased at himself. He continued, "I wonder how those bank transfers are going to match with the finance sheets of Torch Lending?"

Alex's eyes changed. He struggled and thrashed under the hold of the policemen. His face became flushed. He bellowed in anger—calling out to Secretary Andrew.

-------

It was already well into the night when Andrew stepped out of the precinct. He was exhausted, and there was really nothing else he could do today except hide from the media. The stockholder's meeting ended hours ago. All what Andrew wanted to do was go home and rest, but before he go further. Someone called to him. Someone who he thought he had successfully avoided.

"Andrew!"

Mr. and Mrs. Lopez peeked out from a rolled down window of the black car he just walked past. That was the first time they called him by his real name. He was stunned, confused, and he didn't know what to do. Should he run or was this the moment they are going to slap him with money.

"No need to look so frightened, dear," said Mrs. Lopez. She chuckled. "Apologies as we cannot step out of the vehicle as journalists might be snooping around. Come closer."

Andrew did. He crouched down to their eye level but remained at a loss for words.

"We are not angry, Andrew," said Mr. Lopez.

"You should be," Andrew replied. He couldn't meet their eyes. "I permanently scarred the family business you've sweated blood for. The internet's forever you know. I'm not sure if people would take Allen seriously after this. But we've put Alex behind bars, please take it as an apology. I'll do what I can to fix this. I know we've been lying to your faces about who I really was but—"

"Andrew, please do not feel sorry," said Mr. Lopez. He reached out his hand and patted Andrew on the head. "You were never at fault here. Alex is. And regarding your identity, I'm sorry to say but I have always known who you were."

Andrew was taken aback. "You did? How?"

Mr. Lopez snorted, amused. "How would I not know you? Every time I meet Allen in the office, he's always going on about this Secretary Andrew fellow he's working with. Even when we are having dinner, Allen's singing praises for you. He never stops talking about you. Maybe he hadn't realized it, but it was painfully obvious he felt something for you."

Andrew remained quiet, but the redness on his face was telling of his emotions.

"Besides, I am the president of this company, Andrew." said Mr. Lopez with a wink. "Why, with the way he clamored about you, and the exceedingly excellent reputation you held. Imagine the level of disbelief in me when we first officially met in Allen's living room. I went along just to know what my son and his secretary were up to."

Mrs. Lopez scooted closer and threw an irritated glare at her husband.

"Unlike my husband here, I wasn't privy to that information, dear Andrew," she sighed. "As the wife of a businesswoman I need to keep a sharp eye to whoever we welcome into our family, but It wasn't really difficult for me to realize. The dozens of suits in your home, the way you perfectly wrapped up the photoshoot, plus we heard you arguing that night."

"Oh. Well. You don't have to really worry about anything, Mr. and Mrs. Lopez. As you said, you have a business to run, and you have to watch out for whoever joins your family."

"Let me stop you right there, Andrew." Mr. Lopez let out a weary sigh. His lips were pressed into a thin line. "Is this what's preventing you from letting my son into your heart?"

Andrew didn't respond.

"Even as you pretended to be Alfonso, your kindness and virtue always shined through. Do not even think that for a second that we did not notice the kindness you have shown to the employees of every establishment we went to. Even to us you were never inappropriate or rude. You never mistreated Allen, and most importantly, you make him smile. You make this family. You have brought us an Allen we never even dare imagine."

Mrs. Lopez clasped his head with her hands and gave a big smooch to his cheeks. "You're always so embarrassed with family displays of affection. It wasn't for show when we welcomed you into our family photoshoot. That was us letting you know that we love you and accept you, Andrew. And whatever you choose from now on, we are with you. Wholeheartedly."

Their driver made himself known and gave them an apologetic glance. They reminded them that they needed to handle certain pressing matters because of the latest issue.

Mr. Lopez spoke up in the silence that followed. ""We have to go now, son. If you're looking for Allen, he's back in the office."

They said their goodbyes, and Andrew was left by the street. They didn't even offer him a ride. Sad. He was exhausted and wanted to just lay down on his bed for a whole week. But with no hesitation in his heart, his feet led him in front of Allen's office.

He knocked before he entered for one last time.

Bright and colorful traces of a small birthday celebration were left plastered on the walls and ceiling. Balloons flooded the floor, and a birthday cake laid half-eaten on the center table.

Allen was in front of his desk but had his back to Andrew. He was inserting wrapped gifts on a paper bag which were in the same shape and size of the framed photos of the team on his desk. How many photos did the team give him?

After a moment of observing him, Andrew finally spoke, "Happy birthday, Allen."

Allen's head snapped up. He spun around; surprised and a sort of disbelieved face Andrew would visit him. There was a sapphire-colored apron tied around Allen's waist.

"Andrew," Allen spoke, somehow out of breath, with a wide happy grin on lips. His eyes marveled at Andrew, yet there was a space they did not know how to fill. Allen was waiting for Andrew and vice-versa.

Andrew scratched his scalp in annoyance, but he kept one hand behind him. He took one step forward, then another, and another. Their eyes locked with one another. Andrew took his time navigating the balloon flooded room until he reached a pleased Allen.

"What's with the apron?" Andrew asked.

Allen's eyes shined with joy at its simple mention, but there was hint of shyness in the way he showed it off to Andrew.

"It's a gift," he said. "From my parents as a symbolic gesture I suppose. They gave me their blessing, Andrew. They said I can pursue what I want. Isn't that fantastic?"

"Yeah, that's fantastic," Andrew replied. He stepped closer and took a corner of the apron and felt the fabric between his fingers. He chuckled when he realized how much significant these past few months have been for both.

"You know you've always been a consistent pain in my life. A passionate jerk whose only motivation was to torture me. Six years ago, when I first saw you. You were like a rock sinking to the bottom of the ocean with no chance floating up but look at you now. You've taken one step closer to being happy. Congratulations."

After a moment's pause, Andrew shoved a wrapped box into Allen's chest. He huffed in response.

"A gift," Andrew said.

"A gift," Allen repeated with a please grin. "For me. The passionate jerk."

Allen chuckled and gazed at his gift. He glanced at Andrew as if seeking permission if he could open it. Andrew nodded and Allen carefully unwrapped it. From inside the box, he drew out a blue-covered book.

'Recipe' was engraved on its cover in simple gold writing. Allen flipped the pages and Andrew internally confessed to being a little anxious.

"It's a recipe book for all the dishes I've seen you cook," said Andrew. He stood on his toes and flipped the pages to a familiar blue drink that Andrew once ordered for Allen in a bar. "And recipes of the things you've liked so you won't have to scour around begging for recipes."

Suddenly, Allen enveloped Andrew in a tender embrace. "I apologize for not asking permission before hugging you and that I am unable to stop grinning. I love it. And I love you."

"I'm still afraid of loving you," Andrew confessed. He buried himself in the nook of Allen's shoulders with his arms by his side, and he saw on his chest pocket a familiar yellow pad of sticky notes. He couldn't believe it took all this notes for Andrew to realize Allen has always had this back.

"You don't have to love me now, Andrew. All I ask is friendship. I want to be by your side. To hear your voice. To see you smile. Six years ago, you stepped into my office—timid, scared, and everyone against you. But then, you left Lopez Co. with your head held high and the peoples cheers behind you. I'm head over heels for you, Andrew, but love can come later when you're ready—"

Allen was cut off by the soft caress of Andrew's lips.

"I thought you weren't ready," Allen mumbled, dazed. His gaze affixed at Andrew's lips.

"I was afraid that what you're feeling was just a crush because we spent some time together. I was so blinded by my pain that I forgot you were in pain too, yet you've been supporting me all this time. Somehow, I was reassured that your feelings for me were true. So, now I'm risking it and taking the jump to be with you."

"Can I kiss you again?" Allen asked.

Andrew nodded and Allen pulled him into a searing kiss. Clumsy. But Andrew was playful enough to bite Allen's lower lip to tease him.

Allen chuckled and sighed in Andrew's embrace.

"You really are the best, Andrew."

"I'm looking for a new chef for this restaurant I'm planning to build," said Andrew. "Know anyone that has always dreamt of being a chef?"

"I know the best chef in the world, me." Allen grinned at Andrew and flashed a cheeky grin. "Let's build our dreams together, Andrew."

"It's a promise."

THE END