GUN'S POV

Another day, another exhausting day... We have to go to the studio construction today since we need to finalize the proper interior design we want. I also have a meeting with the owner of the shop booth I bought for my coffee shop branch. 

I have a lot to do today but it's better than just staying at home... sooner or later if I have enough money, I'll buy myself an apartment or condo here in Bangkok so that I wouldn't have to bother grandma. 

"P'Gun, Mom was wondering if we could have dinner, she misses you" Pim told me. 

I was caught off guard, dinner... that means with Dad... Am I ready?

"I'll think about it Pim, I'll message you when my schedule clears up" I told her. 

I immediately went to the construction of the studio immediately, I got a little stuck in traffic and I was just looking around when I spotted a familiar man... I was trying to catch his face when I was startled by the ring of my phone, I forgot it was connected to my car's bluetooth.

"Gun where are you?" Tay said over the phone.
"I'm a few blocks away, I just got stuck in traffic" I answered.
"Can you pick up Off at the café we used to hang out? The one near here" Tay described
"Yeah sure" I answered.

I decided just focus on picking Off and I forgot what I was busy looking at a while ago...

"Hey Off, let's go?" I asked him as soon as I saw him on the café.
"You want something? My treat." Off said.
"It's fine Off, I already had my coffee today" I told him

I just don't feel like having too much coffee today, I feel like it won't lead to something good.

"Oh come on, consider it as a payment for the ride." He said
"I just don't want more coffee" I said and gave him a small smile
"Let me pick one for you then, no coffee, I can be really persuasive you know that" he told me which made me laugh a little because I remembered how he tried to convince me back in college

I decided to give in since he didn't seem to give this thing up. I was just looking around when a guy walked out of the mini kitchen they had in the back...

It was Oab... he did change a lot, but 3 and a half years with him was long enough to know him like this. Our eyes met and he was in shock too. His smile immediately turned into a frown upon seeing me. A hint of pain and confusion registered in his eyes as Off approached me.

"Hey Gun, you okay?" Off pulled me away from the thoughts that were drowning me.

I took the cup that Off handed me, I took a sip from it and it surprisingly tasted really good.

"What's this?" I asked him and took another sip.
"Special order actually... It's Hisbiscus Tea Milkshake." He told me

There's something about Off that just takes my toxic thoughts away. I don't know if he's a safe place or an escape but he makes me feel better.

"How many non-caffeinated drinks do you love?" Off asked as we were stuck in traffic again when we're literally 5 streets away! Today is terrible.
"Only Chai tea latté to be honest" I answered.
"Really so you mean my Hibiscus Tea milkshake is actually second best?" He said and I gave him a confusing look.
"Haha so confident, it's not the only non-caffeinated drink I had though" I told him
"So apart from all of those, what do you think about my milkshake?" He asked.
"Why are you so obsessed with it? But to be honest, it's better than the others" I said.

Off felt so proud after me telling him that his milkshake was better than those I had. We arrived at the studio construction after a few more minutes and Tay and New was awkwardly silent when we arrived.

"Everything good here?" I asked Tay looking over him and New.
"Yeah... we were just waiting for you" Tay told me.

I noticed he was kind of distant with New but maybe one of them is just having a bad day... or we're all just busy.

"You have plans after this Gun?" Tay asked me.
"Yeah, actually..." I said as I looked over them.
"Got anything else to do?" Tay suddenly curious.

Tay knows all the troubles I have in life. He knows the hell that consumes me. How messed up my life is, how fragile my mental health is... how everything is just not right sometimes. And I'm guessing now, he's curious I'm suddenly saying no again because he practically knows everything about me and the things I love in life.

"Yeah... Can we talk alone?" I said trying to actually get New and Off a little away from us.

When we finished the talk about the interior, me and Tay found ourselves talking outside.

"So, what's going on?" Tay immediately asked me.
"I'm pushing through with the Café plans" I told him.
"T-that plan with Oab?" Tay asked confused.
"Yeah..." I said looking down.
"Does it make you happy?" He asked me

I looked at him with questioning eyes... I was expecting him to throw a fit or he atleast disappointed with my decisions, he kept telling me that I did the right thing with Oab and he doesn't want me in any of Oab's business.

"Yeah, I've grown a love for the coffee shop set-up actually" I said.
"Gun, it's been almost 4 years since you left Bangkok, and you coming back, it's no longer the old you. As long as you're happy" Tay told me
"I saw Oab... earlier... at the café where I picked up Off" I slowly told him
"Ah shoot, I forgot, he owns that now. I just heard that... sorry, it slipped my mind" Tay told me.
"It's okay Tay. The past is all behind us now..." I told him even if more like I was trying to convince myself.

Off and New walked out and we talked a little more about the studio until I had to go. I immediately drove to the meeting I have with the reconstruction of my café as well.

"Are we still sticking with the plan of making it vintage themed? All the plaque records, brick walls and all other vintage wallpapers and construction?" The head of my construction team asked.

"Actually, the interior... I have some changes I wanna do, can I send it tomorrow or in a few days?" I asked as I sipped on the champagne they brought.

I started drifting to unwated thoughts, the idea of this café, the theme that I picked... It was all built when I was still with Oab, I wanted to make it my own to show all of them, this is me, this is something not done with somebody else, but conscience suddenly came like a wrecking ball, everything I've done to run away from the things... the people...

I found myself in a bar after the long day. Maybe I just need something that'll take me away from all the thoughts. I sighed as I ordered a bottle of my favorite bourbon all to myself.

Everything seemed to be a blur when I took another sip of my drink. My body is starting  to feel numb, like I was floating... Everything seemed so funny...

"Gun? What are you doing here all wasted?" Someone who knows my name asked me.

"Who are you pokemon?" I slurred.

"Okay. You had enough, let me take you home..." he said

I couldn't comprehend what he was saying so I just laughed at him until I blacked out.

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Thanks for reading! <3