Chapter 25: The Sponsor

I sat across the man in a small booth. He smiled at me as he took a sip from his glass of water.

Was he the type who keeps a strict diet? All he drank was water... And his body looked fit albeit his pale appearance. I guess albinism doesn't really change much in the body except for the absence of certain pigments.

"Ah... Umm... Thank you for accompanying me here." I blurted out as I did not know how to initiate a proper conversation.

"That's no problem at all. It wouldn't do to just be all business after all. I'd say it was lucky that the meeting ended before lunch." the man said as he glanced at his wristwatch before turning to me.

"I guess so. Hahahah..." I laughed awkwardly as I had no idea what else to talk about.

We spent another long moment in silence as I begged the waiter and waitress to hasten my order mentally. The atmosphere was getting a little too silent for me.

"What inspired you to walk down this path, Mr Alairis? I hope you don't mind me asking." the man asked as he placed his hand atop the other and look at me with a curious expression.

"Pardon? You mean my... work?" I replied as I found myself flustered.

How does he choose all the difficult questions to ask? Truthfully, I only did it because the making of gadgets of all varieties and shapes were cool. But that would sound too childish, right?

"I uh..."

"Yes?" the man smiled as he fixated his gaze on me. It made me feel like I was placed under a microscope as he was looking straight at me.

"That is... there was these people who were invited to my school one day. The gadgets they brought were plain looking but the functions really helped out students. I just.... grew more interested in it since then." I said as we held eye contact.

"That sounds like a wonderful start to encourage youngsters to take interest in this field of study. To be able to get Mr Alairis walk down this path... I'm grateful they visited your school." the man smiled as I felt my cheeks heat up.

Uwaahh! My heart feels like it is going to explode! I've never heard another person compliment me before.... I don't know how to respond.

"T-that... thank you." I lowered my gaze as I felt myself steaming.

"No, no. I'm only stating a fact. Oh, looks like your meal has arrived. Don't worry at me. Eat at leisure. I'll be taking a call." the man smiled as he left the booth and headed outside.

I ruffled through my hair as I still felt elated. It was a feeling I only experience with close friends, like Aries.

Maybe I'm just a sucker for praises?

I quickly dug into my meal as I observed the man talking on his phone. I was a little curious who was on the other end of the line but since we were only acquaintance, I didn't look further.

"Sorry, did I keep you waiting? You've made it through half your meal." the man asked as he sat across me again.

"No, it's fine. The dish is amazing! How did you hear of this place?" I asked as I gulped down a mouthful of the orange juice I ordered.

"I just heard about it from someone else. A friend of a friend frequents this place."

"I see! They have good taste!" I smiled before taking another spoonful of my lunch.

We both nattered on until I finished my meal. It was a delicious meal with pleasant company, of course it would end up being satisfying.

"So, you wanted to view my work? Would you like to come over now?" I asked as I checked the itinerary of the bus.

"Would it be an inconvenience?" the man asked.

"Not at all. We can take the bus to get to my neighborhood." I said as I gestured him to take a seat beside me.

"That would be great Mr Alairis." the man smiled as he sat beside me.

"... I'm sorry... I actually didn't catch your name... I was thinking of something earlier during your introduction." I apologised as I glanced up to study his expression.

"Oh, the great Mr Alairis must have been thinking of his next project. Its no problem at all. My name is Darryl. Darryl Kessler White. You may freely call me Darryl."

"Oh... Thank you. You may call me Sol then." I smiled as I stretched out my hand towards him.

"Thank you, Sol." Darryl said as he returned the gesture, enclosing my hand in his while he smiled refreshingly at me.

Almost as if it were on cue, the bus arrived.

I headed in, offering to pay for Darryl but he beat me to it as he paid for our transport. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes, signalling that I'll pay him back but he merely smiled.

"Oh... there's no where to sit..." I murmered as the bus was quite full.

"How far will our stop be?" Darryl whispered in my ear making me blush.

"I-it... it's the last stop..." I replied, holding onto my ear as I had not expected him to do that earlier.

"Shall we head to the back then?" Darryl asked as I nodded and headed towards the end.

After making a few stops, the bus had reached its capacity, or maybe the bus driver was not bothered with the amount of crowd on the bus as all I could feel was the crowd pushing on one another and the stuffy atmosphere in the bus.

"Sorry you had to experience thi-- Unh?!" I gasped as I was talking to Darryl.

"Sol? What's wrong?" Darryl asked as he glanced at me.

"I... unn.... S-sorry..." I gasped as I fell against him limply.

There's a molester in this day and age?! Really? Also, I'm a guy! What is there to molest?!

"Is something the matter?" Darryl asked again as I shook my head in rebellion. I'd rather not lose face to a potential sponsor. As if I'd say "Gosh, I was molested." That'd be crazy!

"... We're getting off at the next stop!" Darryl yelled as he dragged me to the door of the bus, pushing through the crowd as he led me to the corner of the exit.

"B-but... Our stop is..." I replied a little shaken.

"We'll take a cab. Don't worry. It's on me." Darryl smiled as he placed his hand on my shoulder. It felt... very reassuring.

"Sorry... and... thank you." I replied as I covered my face with my suitcase.

"That's alright."

The bus came to a sudden halt at a red light, causing everyone in the bus to be shifted forward. Darryl bumped into me as my face got buried in his chest. A light scent of cigarettes and his cologne tickled at my nose.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Darryl said as he pushed himself off me and straightened my suit.

"I-it's alright. It was an accident." I smiled as I quickly turned away. Why was my heart beating so fast?

"Is that so? Well, the next stop should be after this traffic light if I'm not mistaken." Darryl said as he glanced outside the door window, leaning over me.

"It is...." I trailed off as I stared at his white hair. It looked so pretty. However I know it was rude to stare so I quickly averted my gaze to a nearby banner which featured my junior's latest project.

What a thing to look at! One of this day, it will be my face on the banner with my gadget! Then I can rub the insult back in your face as you cry at my feet. Heheheh...

"Sol? We're here. Take caution when you're heading down." Darryl said as I snapped to my senses.

He is treating me just like Aries. How annoying. "Mr Darryl, no worries. I'm not the type to trip so easil---"

"Are you okay?!" Darryl asked as he held onto my waist.

I didn't reply him as I was feeling so embarrassed. I said I wouldn't fall and immediately did so. Gosh, he must think I'm such a klutz.

"I-I'm fine... Let's just go..." I replied as he let go of me, quickly making my way to a cab stand not too far away.

***

Bonus scene:

Whew... Never thought I'd ever witness another guy get molested. Right in front of me as well.

... ...

Ah. I see why now.

Mr Sol Alairis had a small build. Quite similar to a girl as his waist was small, his wrists slender and his face easily flushed. The only thing out of place would be his slightly low voice but I guess that is what enticed that man from earlier.

Oh. The bus... I don't want to hurt him, better to keep him to a corner to prevent anymore... incidents.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." I said as I pushed myself off the wall of the bus, glancing at Sol's face.

He was close. If the bus didn't stop all of a sudden, I wouldn't have been lurched forward like this.

"I-it's alright. It was an accident." Sol said as he smiled, quickly averting his gaze as his cheeks turned red.

E-eh? Why is he making unnecessary tension? Let me just... change the subject.

"Is that so? Well, the next stop should be after this traffic light if I'm not mistaken." I said as I leaned forward to gaze out at the buildings to identify where we were at.

"It is..." Sol said as his voice softened.

Hmm? What kind of face is he making? I leaned back only to see Sol making a funny expression while glaring at a banner.

Oh... I think that is Gab. He was one of the people in that room earlier.

But still... that face. Looks like a hamster, puffing up his cheeks like that.

Of course, I won't say that out loud. I'm sure he would turn as red as a tomato and refuse to see me anymore. So I'll just pretend I didn't see it.