Ethan sighed the moment his apartment complex came into view. His feet ached from hours of standing, and his brain buzzed with exhaustion after another long day at nursing school. He just wanted to go home, lock the door, and pass out on his couch with a cup of tea and a warm blanket.
Unfortunately, Aldo had other plans.
"Ethan, hey, Ethan! I know you hear me," the young man called out, driving his motorcycle slowly to match Ethan's steps.
"Yeah, I hear you, Aldo. Since when did you drive a motorcycle?" Ethan glanced at him, even though he had already noticed that ever since Jacques started picking him up from the university with his motorcycle, he'd been attracting attention.
"I've always driven a motorcycle—you just never saw me do it," Aldo grinned. He was still in his doctoral academy uniform, his coat unbuttoned in a way that made him look effortlessly put together. "Geez, you walk fast for someone running on three hours of sleep."
"I'm glad you noticed," Ethan chuckled, adjusting his glasses, but he didn't slow down. He couldn't wait to reach his flat and be alone again.
"I want to save you from premature aging," Aldo teased, still driving his motorcycle slowly beside him. "You know, there's a great café a block from here. We could grab a late snack. My treat."
Ethan gave a polite smile and declined nicely, "No, Aldo, thanks."
Aldo chuckled. "Come on, Shaw. When's the last time you had a decent conversation with someone who isn't your textbook… or that kid?"
Ethan finally stopped in front of his building and turned to face him. "Aldo, I appreciate your goodwill, but I'm tired. I'll see you again tomorrow, my friend."
Aldo let Ethan go without saying anything else. He wasn't a pushover, but it doesn't hurt to try to get closer to someone you like, right?
Ethan exhaled sharply, ready to dismiss him completely—until he noticed a figure waiting in front of his apartment entrance.
His stomach dropped.
A tall, blonde-haired boy with the body of a rugby player and a bandage wrapped around his right eye was squatting in front of his flat door, playing mini-games on his phone.
Mourice.
Oh shit! Ethan tried his best not to make a sound as he stepped back down the stairs. How did he find me here?!
It looked like Mourice hadn't noticed that Ethan had spotted him. So Ethan took advantage of the moment by running out of the building and catching up with Aldo, who was still outside, texting on his phone.
"Aldo!" Ethan rushed over and hopped onto the back seat of Aldo's motorcycle, leaving the doctoral student confused. "Quick! Let's go to that café!"
Aldo didn't know what was going on, but it was definitely good news, wasn't it?
"Now we're talking!" He hit the gas and sped toward the café.
They were in the café, and Ethan was just sitting there, leaning back on the couch, ignoring his frappuccino as he tried to figure out how the hell Mourice had been able to locate him. He didn't even know his name. What did he do to get his address that quick?
"So, are you listening?" Aldo asked, still polite as always. But Ethan didn't even hear him.
"Okay," Aldo looked around and tried to busy himself with his phone so it wouldn't look like he was out of place. Maybe Ethan was just really, really tired—but even though Aldo had asked why Ethan had changed his mind so frantically, Ethan still wasn't revealing what was on his mind.
Trust takes time, and Aldo still had all the patience he needed.
Ethan's thoughts spiraled: Why would he come to me? He must be trying to take revenge on me. I gotta be honest, police cadets grow up fast. They eat protein daily and train their muscles, so they generally have broader shoulders and tight muscles. That boy might be younger than me, but he could definitely break me into pieces if he ever decided to do it.
But I still can't understand—yesterday he almost died in a hospital bunk, but today he was there in front of my flat door, squatting, waiting for me, playing android games! He doesn't even know my name or my identity. How?! This "how" is driving me crazy! And honestly, I don't feel safe now. If a police cadet student can track me that easily, what could the government do?
What should I do now?
Giving up on Jacques is out of the question!
Then, something hit Ethan.
"That's it!" Ethan's eyes widened as the realization finally hit him.
"Huh?" Aldo, of course, had no idea what had been going on in Ethan's life recently and had no clue why he suddenly had a eureka moment.
"Aldo, thank you so much for the great conversation, but I gotta go now—I've got something important to do. See you tomorrow, buddy."
Ethan didn't waste any time. Leaving his frappuccino untouched, he rushed out of the café and headed back home.
On the way back, he stopped at a weapons and security shop. He definitely needed a weapon in case Mourice tried to pull something funny. He bought a hidden knife camouflaged as a wristwatch. Ethan put it on and left the security shop, feeling slightly more prepared.
Ethan finally reached his flat and prepared to confront Mourice. His heart beat fast—this boy was 15 cm taller than him, and his muscles were twice as thick. If they fought, this could be the end for Ethan. If he had to use the knife and the worst happened, Ethan knew he'd need to escape. Jacques had given him advice before he went missing—carry only the important stuff. Anything that could be bought at a mini-market should be left behind. And no electronic money—meaning wads of cash, if he had that much.
When he was ready, Ethan stepped up the stairs leading to his flat door where Mourice had been waiting.
But when he got there, Mourice wasn't there.
Ethan exhaled in relief that he didn't have to deal with Mourice. But when he put the key into the door, he noticed it was already unlocked.
Did I forget to lock the door?
Ethan pushed the door open—only to be grabbed by strong hands and thrown onto the bean bag on the blue carpet.
The person who dragged him and threw him down closed the door and locked it with Ethan's keys.
Ethan recognized him immediately. It was none other than Mourice.
"Relax, don't worry. I was just bored waiting, so I picked the lock. Something I learned from the internet," Mourice said casually as he sat on the bed. "I love it here."
Ethan stood up and adjusted his glasses. "How do you know that I live here?"
Mourice was about to open his mouth when Ethan stopped him.
"No, don't. What do you want from me?" Ethan folded his arms.
"I uhh…" Mourice made himself comfortable on the bed, lying there as if it were his own. "I just want to help you."
"No, I don't buy that. I'm a stranger to you, and Jacques was your enemy—the ex-boyfriend of your current boyfriend. You have no motive to find him."
"Oh wow, you know that much, huh?" Mourice rubbed his blonde hair. "Alright, you got me. I just want to get close to you. Can't I?"
Mourice gave a cute smile, like a good boy asking for candy—but Ethan couldn't help but stay guarded. Because, according to his logic, only crazy people would want to tag along with someone who had almost killed them.
"Sorry, I'd rather do everything alone," Ethan replied firmly.
"But can't you see it? I mean, I barely know your name, and yet here I am, lying on your bed, waiting for you to join me—"
"You can always leave. Or else, I…" Ethan stopped himself.
Mourice laughed. "What? Call the police? Bro, think about it. You'd be calling someone for trespassing, violating your privacy, and stalking—but isn't that exactly what you've been doing this whole time?"
Ethan gave up. He was right.
"Meanwhile, you've got a HUGE opportunity in front of you—someone who's already proven he's very capable of tracking… offering help where the only exchange is your company. Why wouldn't you take it? Besides, I'm not bad looking, am I?" Mourice rubbed his chin proudly, showing off his charm.
"Did you tell your boyfriend about this? What's his name? Charles?"
"We aren't official yet, so he shouldn't be concerned about it."
Ethan scoffed. "You're a snake."
"That's what bitter people think about smarties," Mourice grinned.
"How did you find me?" Ethan asked again.
"Easy. I only had your phone number. Using my status as the Chief Commander's son, I asked the police to track down your data based on your phone number. That gave me your name, your address, and a little bit of your biography," Mourice said, twirling Ethan's flat keys between his fingers.
"If you want, I can help you track down Jacques. After all, he helped me make up my mind about my parents. Thanks to him, I finally grew some balls and came out of the closet. I got disowned for it, but I regret nothing. How about it? Do you believe me now?" Mourice raised one eyebrow three times, making himself look comically smug.
"No, no. There must be another motive. I know people like you—you don't care about your friends, let alone the ex-boyfriend of your boyfriend. I think you want something else," Ethan pushed again.
Mourice chuckled. "I already told you everything I want—to thank Jacques and also to have a chance to get close to a cute killer like you."
"Nobody wants to get near someone who almost killed them," Ethan replied.
"Well, some people find it hot—especially if they're cute!"
"I'm not cute! And you are not my type, so don't even think about it," Ethan said firmly.
"No problem. I just want to be close to you," Mourice insisted.
"I'll agree if you don't ever enter my flat again, and this agreement will get canceled immediately if you enter my flat again, if you disagree, then, no deal," Ethan
"Aww man....." Mourice sulks, he drops his head on the bed. It's clear now what's his real goal is.
Ethan walks approaching him, and Mourice gradually feeling excited. He is so ready to engage in bed activity.
Ethan leans closer, reach his hand to Mourice....
And grab his flat keys, then he left Mourice who already prepare his mouth for a kiss.
Ethan open his flat door wide open and with hand gesture, proceeding Mourice's exit, "Leave now, or I'll make you."
Mourice smirks, he knows he is heavier than Ethan so he pull the blanket and make himself even cozier, "I'd prefer you make me."
Ethan dial someone by the phone.
"Hello, Charles?"
"No no no! Don't!!" Mourice drops his mischiveous face and as if the building is on fire, he rush outside the door.
Ethan immediately close the door and lock it tight. He keep the key in the hole so Mourice could not lock pick it again.
Ethan exhales deeply. Feeling relieved that he finally could get another problem out of his life. Even though Mourice is impressive in his skills to track people and sneak in, but Ethan doesn't feel comfortable if he has to work with him.
Again, he open the fridge and get his chocolate ice cream box and grabs a spoonfull into his mouth, his hand is shaking and his breath is fasten. He was so afraid that pretending to call Charles wouldn't work, he doesn't know what else to do if that failed.
Usually he savors the ice cream slowly, it helps him relax. But this time, even big chunk won't do it. He even chewing it and some of the drops spills out of his lips. Ethan then breaks.
He cried.
He open his eye glasses and wipe his tears that keep falling.
He had been strong all these days, not knowing where to search, and not only once he push himself off his fear just to track down Jacques. But still, no clue.
He cried because he had been strong all this time, but also...
he wonders if he would never see Jacques again and lost him forever.
Then... his phone beeps.
This time, it's no longer from Mourice throwing dirty jokes, not even Aldo asking him out—no more unknown numbers threatening him to stop sniffing around for Jacques.
It's from Marie Durant.