ONE SUMMER NIGHT'S

Are you thinking about me?

THEODORIC RESIDENCE

"You're back?"

Sea stopped his footsteps, when he heard the voice of the Father from the other direction, precisely in a single sofa in the middle room, a common place where the Father often spent his free time. However, this time the middle-aged man was not alone because there was another man accompanying him. The handsome man in a full suit, masculine in his classic hairstyle sitting in front of his father, turned his head and smiled at him.

"Dad?"

"Come here, son."

With a slight hesitation, Sea walked up to his father and sat down on an empty chair.

"Dad wants to introduce someone to you" continued Mr. Theodoric, smiling at the man, as well as Sea who was staring at the man who had been staring at him since.

"What is he ...."

"A business associate I used to tell you about. You remember, right?" cut off Lord Theodoric with a Sea who just nodded slowly.

"Good afternoon, Miss Sea," continued the man who had even been very fluent in mentioning the name 'Sea' as if they had known for quite a long time.

"Yes.Good afternoon, Mr ..."

"Dex Petrucci."

Sea nodded again, welcoming Dex's hand without even mentioning his own name, but the man certainly knew what his name was, and he was also sure that Dex already knew all about him, be it age, what activities are done, hobbies and other small things.  Considering Dex looks close to the father. 

Why so suddenly? Introducing me to a man.

"I'll take a break ...."

"Can you accompany Dex for a little chat, son?" cut off Mr. Theodoric when he saw Sea about to move from his seat.

"I-i?"

"Yes. Dex really wants to get to know you better, and I don't think it's any harm, do I?"

Sea took a deep, strong breath, looking back at Dex beside him. The man who looks so calm is full of charismatic with a charming smile, reflecting maturity, and a firm personality. It was perfect for a man of adult size.

"Yes, Dad."

Mr. Theodoric smiled before moving on from his seat, as if intentionally giving them space to get to know each other. I don't know what purpose the father had in bringing Dex into his life who couldn't even resist. Is it because his father thinks that he has no other friends than Anna that he must have enough other friends to not always feel lonely, or maybe the Father is trying to find a partner for him? There were many questions suddenly present within the Sea's head at this moment. Although he has often heard from his father if he has a business partner who is interested and wants to be friends with him. However, he never thought that his father would bring the man home and introduce him directly.

Are you sure about this guy?

Sea looked back at Dex even if only briefly. All he knew was that Dad would be very picky and careful if it was related to him. And only Anna and Eden can make friends with him, and set foot in his house, other than them the Father will be very overprotective to others.

"Dex, take it easy" said Mr Theodoric before stepping away from them, after getting a nod from Dex.

Just to make friends, right? What harm.

Sea reviewed a smile before looking down. It felt awkward, especially as Dex continued to look at her with a gaze full of admiration.

"Do you feel awkward about me?" asked Dex who could be aware of the situation now, especially with the Sea's reaction that had kept quiet since then.

"Yes. Sorry."

Dex smiled again. "You don't have to be awkward, there are no boundaries between us, just think of me as your friend like everyone else. Can, right?"

"How could I do that, you're my father's business partner, it would be inappropriate to talk informally to you."

Dex laughed lightly at Sea's reply. Why is that girl so adorable, he thought.

"Do I look so old?"

"Well?!" 

Sea raised his face, looking at Dex who was still smiling at him. 

"No, it's just ...."

"Just?"

"You're a relative of Father, which means I have to respect you."

"Although so. My age with Uncle Ric is quite different, I'm the same age as Vincent, your brother. We're even friends."

"Ah, is that so?"

Dex nodded back.

"Then you don't have to talk to me formally, it's really uncomfortable."

"Hmm, sure," nods Sea.

Why didn't you ever tell me you knew this guy before.

"And ... one more."

"What's that?"

"Don't call me 'you' anymore."

"Then?"

"The name that makes you comfortable."

Sea was silent for a while before being seen nodding softly with one thin smile that re-decorated his face.

"Yes, Brother."

Until their conversation continues. Even Sea already looks awkward in front of Dex who is indeed a man with a pleasant character, can be very easy to melt the atmosphere and so easy to make Sea continue to smile throughout their chat. However, even so, Sea's memories fully continued to be seventh to Ruel, regardless of what was wrong with him.

Keep pensive in his room alone, silent on the balcony while staring at the rows of stars above the deep sky. What a magical feeling, because he misses the man now. Until in the next second when his phone sounded vibrate with a foreign number there.

Sea looked back at his phone screen, looking a little hesitant. It's late enough, and Dex can't reach her again after telling her to go to bed a few hours ago.

"Hello?!"

"Hi, Brother Sea."

Sea's heart was pounding again. The only people who call him that name is just one person. And he was very familiar with that typical heavy-sounding voice.

"You?"

"Yes. It's me." It's me."

"Where are you ...."

"Get your phone number? That's very easy, considering you're the music teacher at my school. And about knowing where you are, I've been following you ever since."

Sea was silent again. Why didn't he think about it before. And why did Ruel do such a thing, did the man stalk him? Wh why?

"Did you really do that?"

"Yes. And, are you missing me?"

"Well?!"

"You've been daydreaming ever since, is it because you're thinking of me?"

"M-dreaming? I'm not ...."

Sea who had just realized with Ruel's words immediately observed the surroundings, how could the man know if he had been daydreaming ever since. What is possible ....

"Can you see me?"

And sure enough, Ruel was standing behind his towering gate waving at him.

"You? What are you doing there?"

"See you."

"I know, it's just what are you doing in front of my fence?"

"Just want to see you."

"You can see me at school."

"I miss you."

Sea was speechless with the phone still stuck to his ear. Never thought if Ruel would be that determined to get to him at home, not even awkward to express his longing for him. He had heard it twice since they met.

"Go home."

"Why? Don't you miss me?"

"Why should I miss you?"

"Ah yes. Also true. You don't have to miss me, I just feel it, it's so much fun. But can I stay here for a second?"

"Why?"

"I still want to see you."

You can get in trouble if you stay there. Brother Vincent can see you.

Sea took a deep breath. He doesn't even want Ruel to know one fact that Vincent is his brother. I don't know what's on his mind right now. He just doesn't want Ruel to stay away from him because of that, and Vincent will hate Ruel even more if he finds out they know each other, especially if he knows about his feelings that secretly hold a taste for Ruel. Will they accept it? There was Dex, the man who looked so perfect in the eyes of Dad and maybe his brother.

"You're back to daydreaming?"

"N-no."

"Very obvious, I can even see it. I've been watching you since."

Sea fell silent again, looking at Ruel who was still smiling there.

"Are you worried about me?"

Sea still did not answer, even though Ruel's question was correct. He's worried about the guy right now, it's weird.

"Is that true?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Good to hear. Can be worried about you."

"Then go home."

"Sure, I don't want to worry you about me either."

A smile finally adorned Sea's face, though only a glance.

"I've always liked your smile. Can you always smile when you see me?"

Sea was silent and did not answer and only nodded in agreement. And Ruel was there too.

"All right, I'm going home now. And ... Starting tonight, I'll let you dream of me."

Sea finally laughed because of Ruel with all his ridiculous behavior that sometimes makes no sense.

"Good night, Brother Sea. See you soon."

Phone calls disconnected. However, Ruel was still standing there smiling and waving at him, before riding on his bike. Giving sign language to Sea to quickly sleep, and only in response to a nod by Sea who was still standing observe Ruel's motor began to move away from his house, along with Vincent's car seen there. It was quite surprising for Sea whose reflexes bit his lips were strong. Vincent almost caught Ruel wet there.

***