Chapter 23: Needing

After the man left the condominium, Cox immediately grabbed his hair.

Frustratingly, mad, deeply disappointed with everything around him.

He immediately stood up from the bed and searched the wide carpeted floor for the cellphone that he had thrown out of nowhere earlier.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuxk! shit!" he cursed.

There's an occurrence in his mind.

Sylvan was his fuck buddy for almost seven years.

For him he was just an ordinary teenager who was applying for a scholarship he has implemented on a career-find program in UP.

He was so thin, a Chinese blooded man whom is said to be in a state of poor living that time.

Cox, on the other hand, was in korea for his tertiary and special field training, finishing his last year course and was about to graduate about two months to go.

Cox graduated early rather than the normal span of studying due to his advanced form of course.

And when he came back to Philippines, he started to built his name with the money he earned and grown with in Seoul.

A small side of it was from his parent's investment and remainings and his salary, when he worked with his father's business in Jordan when he was 15.

Cox never used his time on small things. He never experienced to attend a school party even when he's rich.

Never attended school festival after second year of high school. Always was absent from playing basketball, badminton and boardgames when the second quarter started.

And his favourite—camping. He's always unattended.

When their eyes met. He knew that there's something different from his look.

That did end up being a wrong decision.

He was hired as one of the scholars supported by Clifford Cox.

In the first months, the performance of thirty EASTER SCIENCE students, five of students in St. Quesdra Institute School of Engineering were greate.

Twenty students from Magcozbez School of Arts and Films, and Fifty students from UP who are always monitored by his secretary.

Secretary Dan.

and in the aforementioned names of the school, Cox's investment contributed greatly in.

Also, his name greatly helped the school's name to be identified and were considered to be the most popular, highly recommended university among the asia.

That's why whatever Cox wants to do in school is given to him immediately.

And in continuation of his scholarship program,

Sylvan was the one who approached him first with an intention of getting close with him.

[ "Mr. Fevar, I would like to pay you back for helping me financially."

Said the man to him with a sincere look.

"I'm not asking for you to pay me back. It's my program, and I'm responsible of it—"

"Sir, please, let me help you. I know your weakness, I know you're needing. Let me be your boyfriend... Or at least a one-call-away kind of person if you're needing..."

"Or a fuck buddy, even without feelings attached, I'm all in. Just let me... Let me repay you with your kidness..." ]

•••••

"Sir?!"

Shawn's tired face showed shock when he saw the young man's popular stance from the front door of the bar.

He quickly took off the black globes he was wearing and went to the man who was also approaching the front row of the Bar with a deep look.

"Sir, is that true? From the news I've recently got, you are in the hospital and was confined... I... I mean... H-How can you be here with —"

"Shawn, shut up and get me a beer instead. " He uttered. Not letting Shawn to finish his words.

Confused, Shawn immediately ran towards the bar's exclusive row and chose a cold and expensive beer from the big fridge.

"Do you see this girl here while I'm away?"

The man asked while showing the photo of the woman from his cellphone screen.

Shawn immediately focused his tired eyes on Cox's cellphone screen and shook his head.

"Isn't it... Isn't that girl... that's who Dayf has been talking to for the past few weeks... damn, I-I'm sorry, I forgot."

"Oh, you still remember that shit?"

"Bitch, I mean, Sir Clifford, he's your worker, and he's my work buddy here at Hops. How do you think I'll just forget that he exists before?"

"Think of the answer. Do you see this girl while I'm away?"

"Yesterday. I saw her here. But she didn't last long. Someone picked her up, he's a tall man. I thought that man was also famous. A lot of girls had just taken a photo with him in the left corner before the two could left the bar."

"What?" Cox suddenly asked. "Yesterday?"

The man's eyes barely blinked as he stared at Shawn.

He immediately grabbed his own hair as his hand rubbed the cold body of the beer bottle.

"Do you have business with her?" Shawn asked in surprise.

It is obvious to the man that he is sleepless and tired. But the desire to know the reason for the annoyance on Cox's face was more evident in his gaze.

Shawn swallowed.

"From what time did she showed up here yesterday?" Cox questioned him.

He stopped a little and turned to the noisy crowd on the wide dance floor.

"About... 9 pm. They probably left at 10:30. Is there a problem, Sir?"

Cox immediately hit the table causing the roll of tissue to fall to the floor from the top of the table in front of him.

Shawn's shoulder shrugs in shock as he looks at Clifford.

"You should have called me last night."

"You're not reachable. I think your cellphone is shut too, Sir. Also, we have a slight problem, Dayf is in critical condition after you almost kill him yourself that night. And... I think you should take responsibility of him since you're also his b-boss..."

"Shut up, Shawn. I'll take care of that after this. But for now, let me ask you one thing."

Shawn's heart beat faster when he heard it.

That even though the whole bar was noisy because of the loud music, there was no denying how Cox sounded like a new person to him tonight.

"y-yes, Sir?" He replied.

All ears and eyes to him.

"Who do you think is that person you saw yesterday night with her?"

Shawn's parched throat swallowed.

He admitted that he was more afraid of disappointing Clifford than losing his job.

He has tried several times to enter Clifford's life and be his friend but Clifford always opposes and ignores him.

Maybe that's all that Clifford can give him his place.

only a worker, not a friend, not even an acquaintance.

But who knows? Shawn is looking at Clifford like an older brother and was ready to risk all of his just to make sure Clifford is satisfied with everything he asks for.

Sheena is the same.

He turned his head to the people passing by and bowed slightly.

"I just heard, Sir... from the girls passing by me last night, they say that it is the actor from Korea. His name were Jaehyun? J... Jaehyun? I think I'm right. Jaehyun Kim. That's all I heard about them. Aside from their speculation that she was her Girlfriend..."

"Girlfriend my ass..."

"h-huh?"

Clifford immediately stood up with a heavy look in his eyes and immediately grabbed something from his pocket.

Shawn was waiting and looking at him in wonder.

"Here." Clifford said.

"It's a plane ticket for two. Take Sheena to Hawaii and have a great time there. Everything is paid for, I'll text you everything about it later. You can start your vacation right after your shift here."

"W-What...?"

"Tell Marco that he will manage the bar for the upcoming week. I'll go now—"

"Wait a minute, Clifford." Shawn stopped the man's departing figure.

It stopped where it stood and did not turn around.

"You know Sheela will be fine even if I live in your house. As long as it's you... but... Thank you for this, it means a lot. Sheela will be happy about this..." he said even with his voice almost stammering.

The man's shoes were about to step again, but were stopped immediately by a voice.

"But maybe we'll be happier if you let me be your friend. Us, with Sheela. We'll be happier if—"

"You're only thinking about that now. It'll change directly if you dive in deep. I'll go first —"

"But since college in Korea when I initiated a proposal to you as a friend, right? And I'm still here, plus one, with my wife. What else is stopping you?"

They were both stunned by that question.

For Shawn, it was a bit embarrassing because he knows one Cliffor Cox as a steady mind.

That when he says he doesn't want to or not, he can't really change his mind.

And for the man with action without a sound, Cox, who was stunned by the question 'cause of many things running through his mind.

He breathed deeply. Deeply than he thinks.

And was about to took his step away from him when he uttered.

"Let's see, Shawn."