Anthon heard the sound of a door closing downstairs, followed by the engine starting up, the car gradually fading away. Suddenly, all that remained was darkness and silence; this was the feeling of a rural night—quiet and oppressive.
Anthon dared not relax for a moment. He immediately sat up, his heart racing, his mind filled with doubts and worries. He was unsure if Haohao had heard what he had just said, especially the name "Brother Jie." If Haohao had heard it, what would he think? Would he suspect the nature of Anthon's relationship with Brother Jie? These questions echoed in Anthon's mind, preventing him from finding peace.
Sitting on the bed, he felt his heart pounding violently, his breathing becoming rapid. In the darkness, his eyes were fixed on the door of the room as if it were an unknown entrance where something ominous could happen at any moment. Haohao was his friend, one of the people he trusted most, but at that moment, Anthon felt isolated and helpless.
His heart was filled with tension and unease; cold sweat formed on his palms as he rubbed his fingers together incessantly. He knew that his earlier slip could trigger a series of problems that might complicate and strain his relationship with Haohao even further.
"What would Haohao think?" Anthon repeatedly asked himself. He recalled Haohao's friendly and trusting eyes, feeling a surge of guilt and fear. He did not want to lose this friendship nor did he wish for Haohao to misunderstand him.
The darkness and silence in the room suffocated Anthon; he could not bear this heavy pressure. He wanted to stand up, leave the room, and talk to Haohao to clarify everything. However, the fear within him made him hesitate, unsure how to face it all.
Anthon sat on the edge of the bed, feeling trapped in an invisible cage from which he could not escape. He knew he had to do something; he could not let this tension and unease continue. Yet he also understood that any misstep could lead to unpredictable consequences.
In this helpless and conflicted state of mind, Anthon took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew he needed to find an appropriate moment to explain everything to Haohao so that their relationship could return to normal.
On the other hand, there was no formal relationship between Anthon and Haohao; their connection had simply become... delicate recently. Ever since that confrontation at Taipei 101 when he vaguely expressed his feelings for Haohao, they had seemingly reconciled on the surface, but their relationship remained shrouded in an elusive atmosphere.
Sitting by the bed, Anthon recalled that night at Taipei 101 when he had mustered the courage to confess his feelings to Haohao. Though his words were somewhat ambiguous, it was clear that Haohao had picked up on the underlying message. Haohao's reaction had provided him with some comfort because he did not immediately reject him; instead, he tried to lighten the mood with jokes. However, since then, their interactions had become more cautious and nuanced.
Anthon was uncertain about Haohao's true feelings toward him now. Whenever they worked together, Haohao remained as warm and friendly as before, but at certain moments, Anthon sensed an emotion in Haohao's gaze that he could not comprehend. This left him confused—neither daring to hope nor willing to give up.
Was it merely a professional relationship or was there a possibility of something beyond friendship? Anthon could not be sure. He knew that Haohao valued friendships deeply and would never let emotional issues affect their work or camaraderie. Yet this uncertainty filled him with contradictions and anxiety.
Anthon took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew it wasn't the right time to dwell on these issues, but Haohao's every move always tugged at his heart. He couldn't help but recall Haohao's warm smile, concerned gaze, and the countless times he had offered support and encouragement at work. These memories filled him with both happiness and pain.
He understood that he needed to find an appropriate moment to have a serious talk with Haohao, to clarify their true feelings for each other. Regardless of the outcome, he hoped they could be honest with one another and restore their relationship to a stable state. Only then could he truly feel at ease and continue facing future challenges alongside Haohao.
The darkness and silence in the room still enveloped Anthon, making his mood heavier and more complex in this stillness. He knew he was about to face a difficult challenge that would determine his future with Haohao. No matter the result, he had to confront it bravely; it was his promise to both himself and Haohao.
Just then, Anthon's phone vibrated several times, and a few messages popped up. It was Brother Jie, asking where Anthon was and how he was doing.
Anthon picked up his phone and opened the messages. Seeing Brother Jie's profile picture—a handsome face with a dark complexion—made his heart flutter. Brother Jie's unique charm and carefree smile caused Anthon's heart to race as memories of their time together flooded his mind.
But soon, Anthon regained his composure and shook his head, trying to dispel those unsettling thoughts. "Anthon... he's just a player! Don't forget!" he muttered to himself.
He knew his feelings for Brother Jie were complicated. On one hand, he was attracted to Brother Jie's looks and charisma; on the other hand, he was acutely aware of Brother Jie's flirtatiousness and irresponsibility. This contradiction made it impossible for him to fully let go of his feelings for Brother Jie while also preventing him from truly trusting him.
Taking another deep breath, Anthon tried to steady himself. He opened his phone again and carefully read the message from Brother Jie:
"Anthon, where are you? Are you doing okay? I miss you."
These simple words stirred something within Anthon, but he forced himself to stay alert. He knew that Brother Jie's sweet talk would only pull him deeper into confusion, which was not what he needed. "I can't let him lead me around anymore," Anthon whispered to himself, a glimmer of determination flashing in his eyes. He understood that he had to remain rational and not allow Brother Jie's words to shake his resolve once more.
The darkness and silence continued to envelop him as Anthon lay back down on the bed, still filled with contradictions and confusion. He knew he needed to find a balance—managing his relationship with Brother Jie without allowing it to disrupt the delicate equilibrium between him and Haohao.
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