The other line was quiet. However, Noah could still hear someone’s breathing.
“Ah, hello?“ Noah pushed his luck. “Did you read my message?“
The person on the other line remained silent.
Noah felt his headache came back. He massaged his temple with his free hand and talked again, “Hello? Ah, are you still there?“
He thought the person he was talking to would still refuse to speak, however, a beautiful-sounding voice came out from the other line and tickled Noah’s ear.
“I’ve read your message. You don’t have to do anything. It’s fine. Goodbye…” and the call ended.
Noah was dumbfounded. His phone was still plastered on his ear, even though, no one was on the other line anymore. What was that? The voice was kind of familiar. Where did he hear it? When? It was definitely a man’s voice. So, why would he lose his sleep over it?
Ah, something must be wrong with him. The other day, he was so captivated by a man he saw at the bookstore and now…this?
Noah sat on the bed, confused. He looked at his phone. He wanted to call the man again…just to hear his voice. Fuck!!! Noah let out a grunt. The beautiful voice was still lingering on his mind…
*****
It was supposed to be a normal day for Fran. He did what he usually do. He got up at eight in the morning, had breakfast with his mom, took a bath, brushed his teeth, wore some comfortable clothes and he picked the book he wanted to read for the day.
The only blemish in Fran’s usual day was the fact that his phone kept on vibrating, notifying Fran that someone texted him.
The matter didn’t escape his mother’s notice. “Who’s texting you, Fran?“
“A friend.” He lied.
“Oh, so, you have a new friend. That’s great, sweetie!“
Fran sighed heavily. It was nice to see his mother’s happy face upon learning that he got a new friend. However, that was far from the truth. The one who kept on texting him was not a friend. It was someone who wanted to pay his debt to him. A someone named Noah.
Fran heaved a deep sigh. He left his number at the hospital out of genuine concern for Noah’s well-being. The thought of seeing the handsome guy again after that day or the fact that Noah would be indebted to him because of what happened—did not even cross Fran’s mind during the time when he helped Noah.
Fran couldn’t help but regret his decision to take Noah’s call last night. Fran only wanted to tell him that it’s all good between them, that it was unnecessary for Noah to think that he was indebted to Fran. Though, his intention did not seem to get across Noah. Because, from the moment Fran opened his eyes this morning, he was bombarded with text messages from Noah.
“Good morning.”
“Sorry for texting you this early. Can we talk?”
“Did you eat breakfast?“
“What are you doing? Let’s talk.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Mgjc lucbgfv atbrf wfrrjufr. Pa kjr klrf ab aegc boo tlr qtbcf, rb atja, Rbjt mbeivc’a ybatfg tlw—yea, Mgjc vlvc’a vb la. Qts? Ktf ageat kjr, Mgjc kbeiv offi tlr tfjga pewq j ilaaif ktfcfnfg tf gfmflnfv j afza ogbw Rbjt.
Tfr. Mgjc mbeivc’a obgufa Rbjt’r tjcvrbwf ojmf. Lf kjcafv ab gfqis ab tlr wfrrjufr, tf kjcafv ab yf mibrfg, tf kjcafv ab xcbk wbgf jybea Rbjt…yea, tf kjr jogjlv.
While Fran was in the middle of his thoughts, his phone rang. He literally jumped, his face flushed, his heartbeat was a war zone. But, his face sank in disappointment when he saw that the call was not from Noah. Fran bit his lower lip. What was he thinking?
He sighed heavily before he answered the call. “Hello, Mister Jin.”
A gentle voice spoke from the other line. “Hi, Fran! I just want to let you know that we’re back.”
“Does it mean, your shop is open today?“ Fran asked, full of excitement.
Mister Jin laughed happily. “Yes, Fran. I guess, I’ll see you in a bit?”
Fran smiled. “Of course, I’m coming, Mister Jin. See you in a jiffy!“
The call ended. Fran changed his clothes, got his books in his bag, and said goodbye to his mom. Not a moment later, he was happily driving his mom’s car.
Mister Jin’s shop was located near Fran’s high school. It was a haven for book and coffee lovers. He was in grade 11 when he discovered Mister Jin’s place. Fran immediately fell in love with the ambience of the shop—it was quiet and serene. Although, he was not a fan of drinking coffee, Fran could read his books inside the shop without any disturbances. Well, he could also read his book peacefully inside his room, however, Fran realized that he was more comfortable reading in the shop than his room. Eventually, he became friends with the owner of the shop.
Mister Jin was a handsome man in his fifties. He always had a lovely smile on his face and his gentle voice was soothing enough to calm even a wounded soul. Fran knew that Mister Jin had three children but did not have a wife. Though, he had a partner for twelve years—a man named Sean. Mister Jin and Sean were living together in M City for about three years now. Fran heard from Mister Jin that he used to live with his partner in another country.
Fran reached the shop and parked the car on a designated space. He saw Mister Jin waving at him when he got out of the car. The shop was closed for a month because Mister Jin and his partner Sean went overseas for vacation.
“Fran, you look well.” said Mister Jin.
“You, too.” He replied.
“You can go upstairs. Your table is ready. I’ll bring your milkshake.”
“Thank you, Mister Jin.” He immediately went upstairs. There were a few customers on the first floor.
The shop was not too big. There were eight tables on the first floor and four tables upstairs. Since Fran was a regular, he had a reserved table only for him.
Fran settled himself on his place, got his book from the bag, and started reading. Usually, at this moment, he would be engrossed to whatever he was reading. Though, unfortunately, it was not the case this time. Fran couldn’t help but be distracted because his phone kept on vibrating inside his jeans.
He put his book down and begrudgingly checked his phone.
“Hi.” A text from Noah.
Fran heaved a sigh before he decided to reply. “Shut up.”
Noah: “Sorry.”
Fran realized that his message came rude to the other party. “I’m sorry, too.” He replied.
Noah: “Am I bothering you?“
Fran: “Actually, yes.”
A moment passed but Noah didn’t reply. Fran bit his lip. Was he too frank? He was about to type an explanation when a new message from Noah came.
Noah: “I just want to talk to you. First, what is your name?
Fran: “…. “
Noah: “You have a unique name. How do you pronounce that? Hmm, Ellipses?”
A curve formed in Fran’s lips. “Silly.” He replied. “My name is Fran.”
Noah: “Hi, Fran. I’m Noah.”
Fran: “I know.”
Noah: “Ah, so about my debt…”
Fran: “It’s fine. Don’t mention it again.”
Noah: “But I don’t want to be indebted to you…”
Fran sighed. He massaged his temple tenderly. He thought Noah wouldn’t back down that easily.
Fran: “You don’t owe me anything. Just forget about it.”
Noah: “No!“
Noah: “I don’t want to forget how you’ve helped me. So, please, let me repay what I owe you.”
Noah: “My principle in life is to never be indebted to someone.”
Noah: “Please, Fran. Give me a chance to return what I owe you.”
Fran couldn’t stop shaking his head while he was bombarded with text messages by Noah. This person was some hella of a guy! He couldn’t help but bend to his will.
Fran: “Okay, you win!“
Noah: “!!!!“
Fran: “Though, let me think first about how you can repay me.”
Noah: “No problem, Fran. I think I haven’t said this yet: Thank you for helping me.”
Fran put down his phone on the table. He returned to reading his book. But, strange enough, he couldn’t understand the words he was reading. Suddenly, everything written on the book didn’t make any sense. Fran put down the book. His gaze stumbled upon his phone on the table. He found himself reaching for his phone. He couldn’t help but check if there was a new message from Noah.
“You look cute, Fran.” Said a teasing voice.
Fran looked up and met Mister Jin’s gaze. The old man was smiling teasingly.
“Mister…”
A glass of milkshake was placed on the table. “I’ve been watching you for a couple of minutes now. This is the first time I’m seeing you paying more attention to your phone rather than your book. What’s happening, Fran? Are you in love?“
Fran’s eyes widened. He protested. “I’m not!“
Mister Jin was not done teasing him. “So, who are you texting with?“
“Just a fri—” Fran stopped. Noah was not his friend, right? “Ah, I mean, just someone I’m acquainted with.”
“Is that so?“
Fran nodded. His phone vibrated again. He quickly looked at the text message. It was from Noah.
“You are really cute, Fran. I suddenly miss my children, especially, my second child. You two are close in age. I hope he’s happy.” said Mister Jin.
Fran looked at his old friend. “I’m sure he’s happy.”
Mister Jin smiled at Fran and excused himself. Fran returned his attention to Noah’s message. A familiar feeling enveloped his heart.
Noah: “While you’re in the process of thinking about our deal. Can I keep on texting you? I want to be your friend.”
Friend…
Fran felt a bit hesitant at first. However, his fingers were faster in making decisions than his mind.
He sent an “okay” to Noah and prayed that this new friendship wouldn’t end up like the one he had before…
I was waiting for this update so bad, please keep on writing it… Thanks, I can’t wait for them to meet at last… Well formally 😏😏😛
Mister Jin is so cute. I hope his children visit him soon
thanks for the chapter <3
I would have read this the min it was updated…😭😭but I had to write my notes….!!
I hope Fran can forget that dark past …soon I don’t want that to interrupt his relationship between him and noah…
I know that it wouldn’t be easy but…. it’s better to get past it so that he can be purely happy 😊
Thanks for the beautiful chapter
❤❤❤
Thank you for the chapter <3
Gosh, I kind of get the feeling that Noah was craving a friendship outside of his circle, where there’s no burden of expectation because there’s no history. I can’t wait for the moment he finds out it’s the angel 😇. It’s too bad about Fran’s previous experience, it sounds like he doesn’t have other friends.
Fran is really cute