Settled by Christmas
Cute was hungry. The Fruits in Suits gathering had sapped his energy. Fred knew a lot of people there. It was a professional environment. Most of the guests looked like businessmen. Cute aspired to be one someday. Although Fred didn’t show him off as a prize trophy, Cute felt people were curious to find out more about him. They were probably surprised to see a young boy amongst them. He had put in an extra effort when it came to discussing different things with those strangers.
He’d been surprised to see Richard and Roger there. The couple was omnipresent! He knew neither would make a move in Fred’s presence. But Roger did give him the evil eye.
A small group of people was trying to raise funds for the first ever gay pride parade in Hong Kong. Cute wanted to donate more but he had HK$ 70 in his wallet. To save face, Cute slipped the money into the donation box when nobody was watching.
From the reactions people gave to Fred, Cute knew he was popular. Over the last few weeks, he’d begun to like Fred in earnest. After they’d decided on the ground rules of their relationship, it had only grown better. There was no element of risk involved, at least not yet, like the dagger that dangled over his neck in the form of Roger, when he was dating Richard. Cute was happy.
“Come on out. Dinner’s ready,” Summer announced. “Diano! Stop playing with your iPhone. It’s dinner time now.”
“I didn’t know he was home,” Cute said.
“Sorry, guys. Just figuring out some settings on my iPhone.” Diano emerged from his room.
“Rich guy.” Summer teased him.
“Why not? He’s got a boyfriend now!” Cute joined in.
“Ooh la la,” Summer said.
“Come on, you guys,” said Diano. “Let’s eat.”
Both Summer and Diano had worked late. They could have bought takeaways but that was what they’d been eating recently and so Summer had decided to cook. She’d made instant noodles and wonton.
“So how’s it going between you two?” asked Summer.
“You mean Fred and me?”
“I thought it was Richard?” Diano looked puzzled.
“Richard always had a boyfriend,” said Summer. “Cute’s with Fred.”
“We’re good,” said Cute. “He’s good to me.”
“That’s nice,” Diano said.
“How’s Mr. Oliver?” Cute asked Summer.
“He’s okay.” She thought for a moment. “I guess.”
“Why guess?” asked Diano.
“He’s busy all the time,” said Summer. “Sometimes he falls asleep at the cinema!”
Cute laughed. When he saw that nobody else was laughing, he shut up.
“Sorry.”
“That’s okay. I’m getting used to it,” said Summer. “I had expected too much I think. Maybe he isn’t looking for a girlfriend.”
“What?! You haven’t asked him yet?” asked Diano.
“He said he was just over one and not looking for another any soon.”
“Does that mean you’re in a queue?” asked Cute.
“I don’t know. One moment, he makes me feel like I’m the love of his life. And in the next, we are complete strangers.” Summer looked sad. “Maybe I’m not the one for him…?”
“Chi Sin. You’re one of the best girls anybody can ever come across,” Diano said.
“Yes!” Cute gave her a hug. “Be happy lah.”
“Are you?” she asked him.
“Yes, I am,” Cute said.
“Norman’s busy too. So many times he has canceled at the last minute. Sometimes I feel pissed off. It’s no fun staring at the patterns of zig zag lights at the Beijing or drinking on my own at Sugar,” said Diano. “But when I see him, I forget everything he has done to me.”
“Have you figured out the sex part yet?” asked Cute.
“Huh?” Summer reacted. Diano went red in the face.
“Well, it’s a pure love relationship,” said Diano.
“It would be if he were seeing only you,” said Cute. “I know it’s not my business but how long can you go on alone?”
“What do you mean?” asked Summer.
“He’s dating some girls. I can’t stop him. He’s straight. What can I do?” Diano looked away.
“Why can’t he honour your love and stop seeing them?” asked Summer.
“He says he loves me. That’s enough for me.”
“You’re a saint.” Cute bowed to him. “How do you know he isn’t using you?”
“Use me for what?” asked Diano.
“Cleaning up his place. You’ve become a glorified maid. He gives you a hug as payment and you blindly let him control your life,” said Cute.
“I can’t satisfy him physically anyway.” Diano sighed.
“How do you know that?” asked Summer.
“I bet he hasn’t tried it yet,” Cute said.
“I haven’t. But I’m afraid, if I did…and…”
“And what?” asked Summer.
“What if he threw up or something?”
“Yuck!” Cute laughed.
“Exactly. Anyway. I’m sleeping with him. Maybe one day, we’ll make love too. Who knows? I don’t want to force him. Let things go at their own pace. Moreover, he’s promised not to bring anybody home.”
“What if he did?” asked Cute. “How would you know? You don’t live with him every day?”
“He did ask me to move in with him but I turned him down,” said Diano. “I’m afraid I’ll do something silly if he’s around me 24×7.”
“Like what? Rape him?” Cute laughed again.
“Maybe.” Diano joined in. “But I know and he knows the limits. No girls at home, or else I walk out.”
“And he’s okay with that?” asked Summer.
“Yes.”
“Good,” said Cute. “Lets hope all three of us are settled down by Christmas time.”
“Why Christmas time?” asked Summer.
“So we can share a family dinner together with our partners.”
“Amen,” Diano said.
