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Love Flavored Latte - Chapter 22
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“Be the sunshine of his life. Make him happy.”
Isaac’s words kept echoing inside Matt’s head, ringing in his mind over and over again on his way back to his B&B. It had been a long while now, yet he was unable to get them out of his head. In fact, he felt that he should keep it in his mind like an important lifelong reminder.
Upon arriving at his room and seeing Ray, those words seemed to ring in his mind even more loudly. Walking quietly to the brunet who was sleeping soundly on the bed, Matt looked at him with a contemplative expression. He thought he had seen all of Ray, but now he realized that he was wrong. There was still so much more to this man, as well as many mysteries about him that were still left undiscovered. Ray, he was first the handsome customer who stole his heart on their very first meeting. He was the professor admired by all, and he was the loving and caring boyfriend anyone could wish for. He seemed perfect in every way, yet that fact was the very thing that masked his pain.
Gently brushing a part of Ray’s fringe off his face, Matt looked at his eyes and caressed his cheek. Matt had always thought that his eyes were beautiful, but now he couldn’t help looking at them in a different way.
Those deep blue eyes, how many times had they cried tears of sorrow? How had the world looked like through them? Matt wasn’t sure what the answers to those questions were, but he was certain that they weren’t something positive. This man, who was extremely affectionate, he had once regarded true love as something imposssible. He had even given up on it and had sworn that he would never think of it ever again. Such past and thoughts, they had wholly been covered by his calmness and collected nature. This further explained why he was so wretched when he thought Matt didn’t love him back—he thought that his life had once again mocked him, making him suffer in dissapointment.
Ray, what else don’t I know about you?
Matt greatly wanted to find out himself, but he figured that it was probably still too soon. Ray’s heart was in the process of healing, so it was still fragile and sensitive. He needed some time before he could be ready to tell Matt everything, and the latter was okay with it. He gave his partner a kiss on the forehead, promising that he would patiently wait for him no matter how long it would take. But even if he never told him, he wouldn’t even be mad. All he cared was that Ray could be happy, just like his best friend had hoped.
…__________…
Ray’s eyes fluttered open as he woke up from his slumber. He let out a small mumble, rubbing his eyes as he looked around. Even though his head was somewhat fuzzy, he could still remember that he had gone out for dinner with Isaac, so it surprised him a little that he was here in his room. Thinking that Matt must have taken him back here, he let out a small chuckle, feeling embarrassed that he had seriously gotten worked up over the fact that he was teased for his low alcohol tolerance.
Speaking of Matt, where is he?
Sitting up, he glanced over the glass door on his left and immediately got his answer. There Matt was, gazing at the ocean as he leaned over the balcony railing. He was about to call out his boyfriend’s name, but no word came out of his mouth. He found himself unable to talk. There was something about Matt right now that made him stunned, afraid that he would ruin the enchanting scene in front of him. The sun had begun to set, slowly hiding itself behind the horizon and painting the sky with a vibrant shade of red and orange. The sunlight made the ocean’s water sparkle and gave Matt a magnificent glow. In front of his very eyes was a scene that was as striking as a masterpiece, with Matt being the center of it.
Seemingly having noticed Ray, Matt turned his head back…
“Oh, you’re awake.”
… and that was the most breathtaking sight Ray had ever had the chance to see.
As Matt’s golden blond hair swayed along with the wind, his brown eyes glimmered like two most bewitching gemstones under the warm sunset light. But what was even brighter than the sun itself was his smile. That radiant and illuminating smile, he could never get enough of it. He had seen it so many times, yet he never got bored of it. On the contrary, he wished to see it even more. It was one of the many things that seemed to have awakened Ray the first moment he saw it, when he walked into the coffee shop that day and caught sight of it on the young barista’s face.
He always wondered what he did to be blessed with such a gorgeous angel, because he had thought he had been hated by his love life since the very beginning.
He had been incapable of love for so long that he had gotten used to the numb feeling in his heart. He felt empty, but he didn’t dare fall in love ever again. To some people, it might seem like he was just upset about his recent break-up, and they thought time would slowly heal his wounds. He honestly had wanted to believe that too, but he eventually realized that it was all just wistful thinking. He found himself no longer able to accept others’ romantic feelings for him. Whenever someone confessed to him, a rejection was already planned in his head. Whenever he saw a love letter in his locker or on his desk, he just ignored it completely, regardless of whether or not he read to the end of it.
Even he couldn’t believe in that drastic change of his either. He had once dreamed of finding a caring and faithful partner, someone he could wholeheartedly trust. He had thought of the day they pledged their vows of eternal love before spending the rest of their lives together, never leaving each other’s side until the end. Therefore, when he gave up, he had to watch the world around him crumble. Deciding to stay away from love was the same as throwing all those dreams away, never revisiting them for as long as he lived.
Having lost all hopes, his heart fell apart, shattering into millions of pieces. Before, he was still very determined, even after his first and second failed attempt at romance. He had tried to put the pieces back together and move on, continuing to keep the fire of hope burning in him. However, after the third time, he no longer felt a need to fix it. He didn’t even bat an eye, and instead, he just simply looked at the fragments with empty and emotionless eyes before turning away. He had forced himself not to look back for many years straight until the day a certain young man entered his life.
That man with his charming smile, he had picked up the abandoned fragments and began mending it. Like an artisan dedicated to his crafts, he was very patient with it. It took him months but he never complained, not even once. He kept on working and working, carefully putting back each tiny piece until the heart was back to its original form. After that, he happily ran up to its owner and returned it to him with a delighted look.
Matt was like an angel sent from above to help restore his faith in love. But of course, there was a catch—that angel came into his life as his own student. Perhaps this was a test where his bravery was being judged. Whoever led Matt here to meet him, they wanted to see if he had enough courage to cross the boundaries and be with the person that had made him able to love once again.
At first, Ray was in denial. He had actually tried to forget about the young barista and the first strong impression he had left on him. Ray had told himself that he was just infatuated by Matt’s winsome and youthful smile. He had struggled to convince himself that it wasn’t love, that it was nothing but a short-lived passion.
But the person who assigned Matt to meet him, they wouldn’t leave him in peace like that.
They constanstly challenged him, forcing him to rethink about it over and over again. From time to time, he would see Matt giving that smile to someone other than him. Even if there was really no sign of intimacy between him and that person, Ray couldn’t stop the fear from coming to him. That mysterious person would then add in the pressure, appearing in his mind as unhappy thoughts.
What are you going to do? Which route would you take?
Will you be dauntless and pursue a relationship with the one you hold dear? Or would you wait until he graduates while knowing the possibility of him having been snatched away by then?
If that ever happens, will you have the strength to handle it? This is the first person you’ve fallen for ever since forever. Once he’s gone, can you be certain that there will be a second person like him?
He was afraid of ruining his professional image, but he couldn’t afford to let his angel slip away from his grasp. He had struggled almost every day, pondering what he was supposed to do, until the moment he was forced to make the final decision—the moment Matt came to his house himself and asked him why he was suddenly so distant towards him. Ray felt helpless, he wanted to find a way to escape, but he couldn’t keep running away like this. Therefore, he chose to pour his heart out to him, letting him know all his bottled feelings.
The next morning, he had almost cried when he saw the man of his dreams sleeping soundly next to him. He was overjoyed, happy that all his effort had paid off, but there was a fear still resting deep in his mind. He was scared to find out that everything was just an illusion. A part of him told him that this was too good to be true, that he would eventually wake up to an empty spot on his bed.
He felt hesitant to check, because if this wasn’t real, he was scared that the dissapointment would be so hurtful that it jolted him out of his slumber. If this was a dream, then he wanted to stay in it for as long as possible. His hand was shaking as it slowly inched its way to Matt’s cheek, and when it finally came in contact with it, tears rolled down his face and fell onto the mattress beneath him. He could feel Matt’s warmth, confirming that this wasn’t merely a dream.
His angel was finally his, and never in a million years would he ever let go of him.
My angel.
My sunshine.
He slowly got off the bed and quietly walked towards Matt, who had returned to looking at the ocean.
“You woke up just in time, Ray. The sunset’s so beautiful that it’d be a waste if—”
Matt cut himself off when he felt two arms wrapping themselves around his waist.
“Ray…?”
He turned his head back to glance over Ray, who pressed his chest close to Matt’s back, tightening his embrace as he did. Ray quietly spoke, his gentle voice having a hint of fondness in it.
“You’re even more beautiful, Matt.”
Matt’s heart throbbed and a bright red shade of blush made its way up to his face. What made Ray suddenly so sentimental, he did not know. But Ray was so close to him and his voice was so mellow that he found it hard to muster even a word.
“You have no idea how happy I am to have you by my side.”
Ray’s words were similar to what he had told Isaac over the phone. That day, he was nervous to tell his best friend about his new relationship, but he was also excited. He had gone on and on for who knows how long about how he was so glad to be with Matt, how his partner always showered him with affection and how he made his day every time they met. But then, Isaac was quiet for a while when Ray had finished talking, and he didn’t seem like he had yet to notice his own silence. Ray wasted no time to figure out what was on the other’s mind and asked in a smaller tone.
“Are you afraid he’s just taking advantage of me to get good grades?”
Judging by Isaac’s gasp, Ray knew that he had correctly guessed his thoughts. However, Isaac’s concerns and doubts didn’t upset him.
“I know you’re worried about me, Isaac, but I’m sure his feelings for me are genuine.”
When Isaac asked him the reason he sounded so confident, Ray had a smile on his lips.
“I was too naïve back then. When I dated those two guys, I should’ve noticed they showed no mutual feelings for me. We were in a relationship but it was like my affection for them was completely one-sided.
“Matt’s different. He not only loves me the same way, but he also makes me feel appreciated, whether or not he’s aware of it. He cares for me and isn’t hesitant to show it. The feelings are hard to put into words, but I do enjoy our time together. So, Isaac, trust me. I’ll make everything work out.”
Isaac, once again, fell silent afterward, but it wasn’t out of suspicion. He was instead glad and let out a sigh of relief, saying that he couldn’t wait to meet this special person.
“Ray, are you still drunk?” Matt giggled, pulling his boyfriend away from his thoughts.
“What?” Ray leaned closer to his face with a playful grin. “Am I not allowed to say what’s on my mind?”
“What’s on your mind…”
Matt had wanted to continue teasing him, but he couldn’t help getting a little emotional. If it hadn’t been for Isaac, he wouldn’t have possibly known about his partner’s tragic experience in his past relationships, as well as what he had gone through all these years. He should let him know that he was willing to listen to his doubts and troubles so that he wouldn’t have to endure everything on his own.
“Please, do tell me, Ray.”
“Hm?” Ray seemed surprised by this serious reply.
“Tell me everything you want to say.” Matt reached up one hand and cupped the other’s cheek. “I’ll always be ready to lend an ear, so don’t be afraid to come to me if you ever need someone to talk to.”
On Ray’s face was a rather bewildered face as he took in Matt’s reassuring smile, something was as gorgeous as the sunset before them. His words might sound simple, but they actually held many meanings. In them were care and trust, showing that Ray could always confide in him whenever he needed.
The waves were still swaying, the leaves on the trees were still rustling as they stayed like that, their eyes locking together. Matt’s gaze was full of tenderness and endearment, and Ray couldn’t help staring deeply into them, feeling his heart fluttering as each second went by. That ravishing smile, those soft lips… oh how he wished to capture them and kept them to himself forever. Controlled by that desire of his, his hand started to move, taking hold of Matt’s chin and lifting it up. He then leaned in and pressed their lips together, their kiss sweet and passionate.
This warm embrace and this gentle kiss, as well as every moment of this trip, they would forever cherish.