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Love Flavored Latte - Chapter 17
You are reading Love Flavored Latte Chapter 17 at mangacake.
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The first time Matt came to Ray’s house as his TA, he had been so nervous that he was afraid to ring the doorbell. The second time, he had still hesitated, but a large portion of the fear had vanished. And just like that, after the third time, the fourth time… not only had he completely gotten used to it, but he would also become excited whenever he was given an opportunity to come to his professor’s house. After they had became a couple, that joy seemed to increase even more.
However, right at this moment, it was like he was back to square one.
Actually, this didn’t feel like square one, but rather that one time when Matt came to his house while they were still avoiding each other. It was the day they confessed, though before the emotional moment, Matt had to overcome the tension building up inside him. That uneasiness was the exact thing holding him back right now, his finger inches from the doorbell but unable to press it.
Matt couldn’t believe it was just this morning that Ray started acting strange. Even though they had known each other for almost a year now, counting the three months they had been dating, Matt still found Ray somewhat hard to understand. He was reserved and quiet, not like an open book that everyone could read easily. He was indeed an amazing man with good looks, wholesome personalities and a vast knowledge of his field, but his expression sometimes contrasted his thoughts greatly, and there would be times when he acted differently from his usual self.
This was an example of those rare times. The look on his face was still vivid in Matt’s mind, from the way his face darkened, how his eyes narrowed… What was he possibly thinking? Matt didn’t unknowingly do anything wrong again, did he?
Taking in a deep breath, he finally managed to gather enough courage to ring the doorbell and soon heard footsteps approaching him. Before he could mentally prepare himself, Ray had already made his appearance with a quick swing of the door. Matt gulped as he carefully observed the taller man’s expression. To his surprise, there was no trace of unpleasantness on his face. It did strike him as odd, but he couldn’t help feeling relieved. Maybe Ray had just been stressed or upset about something in the morning. It was now nighttime after all, so it was possible that he had forgotten about it.
“Ray!” Matt happily said. While they both really wanted an embrace, it was better to control themselves where everyone could see them. What if there were people who recognized both of them? They were probably just paranoid, but better be safe than sorry.
Ray returned his smile. “I was waiting for you, Matt.”
“I know.” Matt didn’t know exactly when he learned how to be this flirty, but he didn’t really mind. As Ray stepped aside, he walked into the house and began taking off his shoes. “So, where are we going tonight? Or are we gonna have a nice change and work instead?”
He was joking with that last question, but when he received no answer, he turned back and realized that the other wasn’t joking at all, not with that same serious expression that had been etched into his memory. Before he could say anything, Ray had already begun walking towards him, forcing him to step backward.
“Um, uh, R-Ray?” He chuckled nervously, sweats starting to form on his face. “Wh-What are you doing?”
“Matt, you asked me where we were going tonight, didn’t you?” The way Ray was speaking so calmly scared Matt. “Well, before I answer that, let me ask you about one thing that I’ve been wondering about since this morning.”
Matt came to the conclusion that he was wrong about Ray having forgotten about it.
Before he could find something else to say, his back hit the wall and Ray wasted no time to trap him there with one hand beside his head, leaving him nowhere to escape. Glancing back and forth with anxious eyes, he managed to say something.
“Wh-What is it then?”
Ray was silent for a while before he spoke with a stern voice.
“Who was that guy?”
Matt blinked a few times. “What guy?”
“The guy with brown hair who was talking to you this morning.”
He was looking straight into Matt’s clueless eyes, both of them staying still. Matt thought for a while, recalling the people he had met today until something clicked in his mind.
“Oh, you mean Leo?”
“Yeah, whatever his name is. Tell me, what’s your relationship with him?”
Matt continued to stare at Ray for a good few seconds. Their eyes locked together and their bodies remained unmoving. The silence went on, the ticking clock being the only sound in the room, until Matt burst out laughing, immediately breaking the tension.
“Wh-What’s so funny?” Ray asked in a very confused voice.
“Oh my god, Ray, you scared me for a second there!” Matt struggled to talk as he tried to stop laughing, his hand reaching up to wipe the tears in his eyes. “I thought I flirted with some random guy without realizing it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ray, Leo’s just a friend of mine.” Matt patted Ray on the shoulder. “We’re nothing more than good pals.”
Ray raised an eyebrow at him, seemingly not believing him yet. “Really? But I even heard you two talking about something related to… old memories?”
“Oh, that? We’ve known each other since high school,” Matt said with a reassuring smile. “We sat next to each other in chem so we’re pretty close, though we talk less after we started college.”
Ray averted his gaze for a short while, thinking carefully about what he had just been told. His expression gradually changed from a puzzled look to that of someone who just realized something mortifying. He then removed his hand from the wall, scratching the back of his neck as he mumbled while still looking away.
“I’m sorry, I… overreacted”
He looked down at the ground, his eyes having a hint of embarrassment. Instead of appreciating the fact that the misunderstanding had been cleared up, Matt eyes widened, his eyes skipping a beat as he took in the sight before him. How come he hadn’t noticed this earlier? Ray was known to be a very composed man, which was one of the reasons he was so admired, especially by his students. Yet he got angry when he caught Matt being friendly to another male, a rather trivial thing to be upset about. This was definitely the sign of…
“R-Ray, are you… jealous?”
Ray glanced away shyly, trying to hide the obvious blush forming on his face with his hand. His collected nature had almost made Matt forget about an inevitable element in a romantic relationship—jealousy. It was that feeling when you got uncontrollably uncomfortable because you feared that your beloved would be taken away from your grip. No matter how loyal the couple was or how much they trusted each other, those moments were bound to happen, and it was completely normal.
However, during the three months they had been together, this was the very first time Ray had been irritated by witnessing Matt talking joyously with someone else. When Matt rejected Beatrix back then, what Ray was feeling was just dissapointment and hopelessness. Only now that Matt truly saw him like this. Getting jealous was such a common thing, yet with Ray, it became something very rare.
“J-Jealous? N-No way!” Ray was utterly failing at making himself sound convincing. “I, I was just, uh, I was just, just…”
Matt was speechless for a while before a little laugh left him. He grabbed his boyfriend’s hands, catching his attention, and they made eye contact once more. He smiled as he tucked a strand of his partner’s hair behind his ear.
“Why are you getting embarrassed about this?” Matt chuckled as he brought up one hand to touch Ray’ nose. “Jealousy is unavoidable in a relationship. As long as you can control it, then everything will be fine. But since this is the first time, I’ll let it slide.”
Matt then tip-toed and gave the other a quick kiss on the cheek. “There’s no need for you to worry. I may be close to another guy, but I only see him as a friend. Because you’re the only man in my heart, my ray of sunshine.”
Ray’s deep blue eyes looked like they were stuck on his boyfriend, his entire body motionless. All of a sudden, he pushed Matt against the wall again. This time, however, it wasn’t out of anger. The emotions flooding through him was too overwhelming, tempting him to seek more affection from his partner. His lips brushed against Matt’s and he pressed their bodies together, deepening the kiss. Through their touching chest, Matt could feel the brunet’s heart beating rapidly alongside his own, his hand gripping the other’s back and pulling him even closer. Matt didn’t know how many time they had kissed, but it felt amazing every time they did. It tasted sweet and felt tender, making his heart flutter madly.
They pulled apart because of the lack of air, a thin string of saliva connecting their lips.
“Gosh, Matt…” Ray said between pants. “Thank goodness we’re alone in my house. If we were at the university, I- I don’t know if I’d be able to hold back.”
“Then I better watch what I say on campus then.” Matt chuckled. “Anyway, where are we going tonight? I’ve answered your question after all.”
“Well, actually… we’re not going anywhere.”
Matt was about to say something before Ray turned him around and covered his eyes. “Let me show you.”
After walking a few steps forward, Ray removed his hand from Matt, who then gasped loudly as he took in the sight before him. In front of his very eyes was a scene straight out of a romance movie—a dinner table with roses petals scattered on it, their crimson red color contrasting beautifully with the pure white table cloth. Plates and cutleries were arranged neatly along with the food. A candle stand was placed in the middle, its light illuminating the dark room.
“Do you like it?” Ray asked with a hint of nervousness in his gentle voice. “I just realized not long ago that although we’ve been together for three months, we’ve only had eaten out at restaurants. So, I want to make this a surprise.”
“I… I love it. This is beautiful!”
Matt was at a loss for words. It was true that they hadn’t had a home cooked meal for a dinner date yet, but it wasn’t like he minded. He was happy with each second they could spend together, whether it be on campus, at Grandhaven Coffee or at Ray’s house. That was why he wasn’t expecting this thoughtful gift. It was simple but was able to move him so much.
It was indeed a romantic and heartwarming dinner filled with happy chatters. It made him relaxed, readying him for the tension waiting for him at the dorm.
“You’re back, Matt.”
Eve greeted Matt when she saw him opening the door. He greeted her back before noticing something. It was unusually quiet today, so he looked around. Aside from Eve sitting on the couch, there was no one else in the room. Maybe Chloe and Ethan were in their own bedroom studying or something?
“Where are the others?” asked Matt.
“They’re at a party right now. They might come home late tonight,” Eve answered before turning away from her book to look at him. “What about you? Where have you been?”
Matt gulped when he realized she had on that same doubtful look that she had given him this morning. He sweated, trying to act natural as he answered. “I was at, uh, a friend’s house. His parents invited me over for dinner.”
Eve continued to stare at him for a while before replying with a short “okay”, going back to her book afterward. Matt knew he should be grateful that she didn’t question him any further, but he somehow wasn’t at ease.
It had merely been a day since Eve started acting strange towards him, yet it was enough to stress him out. She had been eyeing him constantly and waiting for the right time to attack. He had no idea what information she wanted to get out of him, but he wasn’t happy with the secretive atmosphere between them either. If the other two really were away like she had said, then maybe this was the perfect opportunity to confront her. He was sure this wouldn’t go well, but it would certainly be less torturous than having to endure the silence.
“Eve, say it.”
His determined voice caught her attetion. She looked up at him once again, but her expression was a little different. She looked almost as if she was… amused.
“Say what, Matt?” She had an innocent and oblivious smile on her lips, even though she wasn’t paying any effort to hide the mischievousness on her face.
He inhaled to calm his heart down before continuing with a stern voice. “You’ve been acting weird since this morning. Please, tell me what is it that you’re thinking. You know I can’t handle the secrecy.”
Hearing that, her smirk became even wider. She chuckled a little as she closed her book and put it on the coffee table. “I didn’t expect that you’d be the one to take the initiative. Come here and I’ll tell you.”
She patted the empty spot next to her, inviting him over. It took every ounce of strength he possessed not to shake. Even though he knew she wasn’t planning to do anything bad to him, he still couldn’t help getting anxious. He sat down and mentally prepared himself for what was about to come his way.
“I’ll go straight to the point, okay?”
Matt nodded at Eve’s question, feeling his heart beating faster and faster as each second went by. Eve took in a deep breath and began.
“Matt…” She leaned in closer as she looked straight into his eyes. “Are you… dating our professor?”
Matt finally came to the realization that she knew all this time, but he wasn’t willing to believe it. He looked down at his hands, which were placed on his knees.
“Wh-Which professor?” He was certain that she knew who it was, yet he still asked, seemingly still trying to buy some more time.
“Professor Ray Angevine, who teaches us organic chemistry.”
The way she explicitly stated his full name and field left no room for denial. Being cornered like this, he really had no way of escaping.
Why am I still hesitating? Wasn’t I the one who asked in the first place?
Is it really worth trying to deny anymore?
It’s certain that she knew already, so shouldn’t I just surrender?
Matt struggled to think as countless thoughts occupied his mind. Two halves of him fought intensely, determined to convince him to go to their side with their best. Once the battle in his head ended and a decision was finally made, he sighed and spoke up with a firm voice.
“Yes, I’m in a relationship with him.”
At last, he admitted it and felt a huge weight being lifted from his shoulders. Ever since the first day they got together, he had already known that this day would come sooner or later. It was just that he didn’t expect it to be this soon. Moreover, at the start of the semester, he once guessed Eve would be the one to find out first. It turned out that his prediction was scarily accurate.
But, to think more about it, maybe there was a reason he thought it would be her from the start. She had always been the most observant person in their group. She was quick-witted and able to figure out the solution to the hardest questions, even if she had to spend hours researching. In his suite, if someone ever had any trouble with their assignments, they would certainly come and ask for her help.
He looked up, about to say something when he suddenly caught sight of something, or rather someone. The door to the girls’ bedroom was slightly agape, revealing two heads poking out from behind it. The redhead and the dark-haired man were still staring at him as if they hadn’t just been caught evesdropping. The staring competition lasted for what felt like an eternity and every single one of them was motionless, except for Eve, who was trying her hardest to hold in her laughter.
Instead of freaking out, Matt just calmly asked while having a deadpan expression on his face.
“How much have you heard?”
The other two wasted no time to give him an immediate response, bluntly answering as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“All of it.”