Chapter 31

Ryo did not bother joining the dinner for the actors and the crew. He’s eager to go home and sink his teeth on Ellie’s chocolate fudge cake. The thought of it made him salivate. His entourage left the location right after he completed his scenes, surprising his colleagues. Ryo loved to hang around after shooting. He loved talking to the staff and crew or chatting with fellow actors. But today, he scurried away like somebody’s trying to run after him.

Ryo keyed in the password for his private elevator. As soon as it opened to his penthouse, he ran to the kitchen to get Ellie’s cake. His steps stopped when his eyes landed on the center table in his living room.

The box of Ellie’s cake is on top of the small table. No big deal. What blew his top was the box was opened. His eyes narrowed when he saw the cake beside the box. He drew a deep breath to calm himself. His instructions were specific. How could his men make a mistake?

“You’re home.” Ryo turned around in the voice’s direction. A tall, handsome young man walked towards him. He’s holding a bottle of water in his hand. He’s Ryo’s best friend, Hideki Iwamoto.

“You ate my cake?” Ryo looked at his friend with squinted eyes.

“Yeah. I took a slice. It’s delicious. Where did you buy it?” He said, before taking a swig of his water.

“You ate my cake?!?” Ryo repeated but this time he punctuated his words with angry breaths.

“Yeah. I ate your cake. No big deal.”

Ryo threw a pillow to Hideki. “You ate my cake and you’re saying it’s no big deal?”

“Man, it’s just a cake.”

“It’s not JUST a cake. My love baked that for me.” Ryo sounded angry, frustrated, and aggrieved at the same time. He wanted to punch his glutton of a friend to vent his anger.

“Your what?” Hideki moved closer to Ryo and looked him up and down. “Did I hear you right, Matsuda-san? Your LOVE baked it?” There’s a hint of mockery in his voice, which Ryo ignored.

Ryo walked towards the kitchen. He made sure he elbowed his friend when he walked past him. He returned holding a plate and a fork.

Hideki watched his friend in amusement. He sliced the cake like it’s the most delicate thing in the world. And when he ate it, he ate it like he was shooting a cake commercial. He savored each bite like it’s his first time eating a cake.

He sat on the same couch as Ryo and picked up the spatula. He was about to get another slice when Ryo took the cake away. Ryo guarded it with his hands like it’s some kind of treasure.

“Aren’t you a bit too much, Matsuda? It’s just a cake. Give me some.” He gestured to Ryo to bring the cake over with his fork.

“No way. You already stole a slice.”

“Stole?” Hideki laughed out loud. “Ryo, again, it’s just a cake.” He said, shaking his head.

“This is not JUST a cake, Iwamoto. Each crumb of this cake bears my baby’s love.”

Hideki’s eyes popped, then he frowned at Ryo’s statement. “Each crumb contains your baby’s love?” His voice hitched a little. He did not bother to conceal the mockery in his voice. “OK. What are you smoking? Give me some.”

Ryo rolled his eyes on him and took another bite. His eyes twinkled while he chewed on the cake.

“Ok. You’re being scary now. Are you high, Matsuda?” He shook his head while he watched his friend.

“I’m not high. I’m in love.”

Hideki spat the water in his mouth after hearing Ryo’s declaration. He coughed and struggled to breathe. “You’re in love?” He said, after catching his breath.

“Yes. To the most incredible person in the world.”

“Man, whatever you’re taking, just stop it. It’s destroying your brain. Look, you’re crazy now.”

“Yup. Crazy in love.”

“Cut the crap now, Matsuda. You’re in love. Didn’t you say you’re done with love and will become a monk?”

“Yeah but then I met Ellie.” Ryo filled Hideki with the details. From their Paris encounter to his trip to the Philippines.

Hideki held Ryo’s phone. It displayed Ellie’s photo. “She’s beautiful, Ryo.” Hideki uttered as he looked at Ellie’s smiling face.

“Yes, she’s beautiful. And she’s mine,” Ryo said, stressing on “mine.” He snatched his phone from Hideki’s hand.

“Whoa, man. Nobody’s taking her from you.” Hideki raised his arms in surrender, then rolled his eyes at his friend.

Hideki looked at his friend. He and Ryo grew up together. He saw how his friend played the field and got his heart broken. But he’s never seen Ryo this happy.

“I’m glad to see you’re happy.” Hideki said as he looked at his friend.

“I am. Very. But this long-distance thing is killing me. I want her here with me.”

“Why don’t you bring her here?”

“You think I wouldn’t if it were possible?” Ryo rolled his eyes at his friend like he blurted the most stupid thing in the world. “She’s an independent and self-made woman. She wouldn’t like it if I forced her to go here.”

“Hmm… this Ellie is becoming more and more interesting.” Hideki rubbed his chin with his fingers. “Independent and self-made, but aren’t they all? Don’t all women claim they are independent?”

“That’s the thing. Most claim that they are but don’t recognize the dependence they have on men. Ellie is different. She never claimed that she’s independent, but she’s been living independently. I had to beg her to accept security protection and social media marketing.”

“Wait. Slow down, Ryo. You lost me on security and marketing.”

“Her ex-boyfriend assaulted her. I insisted she take my men’s protection. For my peace of mind. As for the marketing, I want to help with her business.”

“Wow. So it’s no longer cars and jewelry but bodyguards and experts. What a jump!”