Chapter 2
“What the fuck?” he muttered as he opened the hood and peeked at the inside. “Shit! I have no idea what to do with—”
“Trouble in paradise?”
Startled to hear the voice, he ended up banging his head against the front hood. Then he was taken aback when he saw an elderly gentleman with a thick, white mustache and a dense, flowing white beard sitting on a stool by the side of the road. A table stood next to the man and across from another stool. Zeke pointed at himself before addressing him
“Are you talking to me?”
The old man snickered. “Is there anyone else on this particular road at this hour? It’s fifty-seven minutes past seven o’clock, and most people are having fun downtown, aren’t they?”
Zeke chuckled. “True, and yes, I’m having some trouble with my car. This will be the third time this month.”
The guy gestured at the empty stool. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
Zeke was going to reject the offer, but he changed his mind at the last second. His car wouldn’t be going anywhere, and he was annoyed. He might as well chat a little with the elderly gentleman. He might not know who the man was, but the stranger seemed like a nice person. He threw caution to the wind and decided to accept the old man’s invitation.
“Okay. Give me a moment,” Zeke said while closing the hood and getting his key out from the vehicle before locking it securely.
“Have some tea with me. I have some fragrant tea leaves that will be perfect for us.”
Zeke thought he had misheard the man’s words, but when he glanced in the direction of the table, he realized he hadn’t. On the table now sat two teacups and a teapot. Zeke noted the steam coming out from the teapot’s spout. He thought that was weird. He had no idea from where the man had gotten the items. Most importantly, he couldn’t figure out how the guy had managed to obtain hot water to steep the tea leaves. Nevertheless, he made his way toward the stool and sat. Deep inside his gut, he knew he should have been more cautious, but his innate curiosity was overwhelming. He observed as the elderly gentleman poured tea into his cup. The aroma that reached his nose was light and sweet.
“Thank you.”
The man shook his head. “There’s no need to thank me. I’m here to do my job.”
Zeke was confused now. “Your job?”
“Yes,” the stranger replied. “Why don’t you have a taste?”
Zeke hesitated, but when the man drank tea from his own cup, he followed suit. He figured he should be safe enough since the tea had come from the same pot. If the guy wasn’t poisoned after consuming it, Zeke was sure he would be safe enough. In the next instant, he was glad he had taken the risk. The tea, without a shadow of a doubt, was the best he’d ever had. It was heavenly exquisite.
“This is incredible,” Zeke complimented before sipping for the second time.
The elderly man grinned at Zeke as he placed the teacup on the table. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely. What kind is it?”
“Black oolong tea, but I’ve added a secret ingredient.”
“May I receive a hint? I would like to know what that ingredient may be.”
The man chuckled. “Unfortunately, it’s not something that can be found here on Earth.”
Zeke’s eyes widened at the incredulity of the statement. “What do you mean?”
The man placed both arms on the table and leaned across to be much closer to Zeke. “Tell me something, Zeke. Do you believe in destiny and fate?”
Zeke was stunned. He couldn’t recall ever introducing himself. He wondered how the gentleman was able to know his name. Before he could work things out, something hazy appeared out of nowhere inside his head…
“Shit!” a young man exclaimed in astonishment when someone tapped him on the back of his neck. The touch was so light and tender, he shuddered from the sensation. He glanced upward in annoyance, but his mood brightened when he noticed who it was. “Wayne!”
Wayne smiled while occupying the empty spot on the couch next to him. “Hey, James. What are you reading? I’d called you twice, but you were so engrossed in the book, you didn’t respond.”
James shut his book and passed it over to Wayne. “Chinese myths and legends.”
Wayne snorted. “Okay. What were you so interested in anyway?”
“The red thread of fate.”
“What about it?”
“Supposedly, two people who are meant to be together will be connected by the red thread. They’re destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.”
Wayne scoffed. “Bullshit! There’s no such thing as soul mates.”
James shifted much closer to Wayne. “But what if it’s real? Won’t that be so romantic?”
Wayne burst out laughing. “Come on, James. Get real. That sounds so crazy. Why must you believe in crap like that anyway?”
“I think it’s sweet. It gives me hope, especially in our kind of situation.”
Wayne’s expression turned serious. “I’m sorry, James. I’m still trying to set things up so we can elope as safely as possible. I promise things will be different someday. We will live together, just the two of us, and we won’t have to hide our feelings anymore. Not as long as we’re at home.”
James nodded. “I trust you. Do not apologize if you need more time. It’s my father’s fault. He’s an ultra-conservative senator, and he will never approve of us and our love. Forget about my mother. She will never dare to go against my father’s words and wishes. I can’t rely on her.”
Wayne slipped one arm over James’s shoulders and pulled him closer. Then they rested their heads against each other’s. James relished the sensation of being in such intimate proximity to Wayne. It was warm and comforting. Neither of them exchanged a single word for the next few minutes. Then Wayne grabbed James’s chin and tugged his face forward.