Chapter 118 118: Trust In The Dark
Baby and Cam stepped into Wong's loud house.
"Hey! I'll be with you in a minute," Baby shouted beside Cam as the bass boomed beside them.
"Come on, man... I know what you're trying to do. You promised to have fun!" Cam caught Baby's hand, shaking his head at him.
Baby chuckled. "No, really. I'm not trying to check in with Saint. I'm here for fun... as promised. I just need to pee really quick," he explained.
Cam narrowed his eyes in disbelief. "Promise?!"
Baby nodded firmly. "Promise," he replied.
Cam released his hand and pointed to the bar. "I'll be over there!" he shouted.
Baby nodded, slowly walking away from Cam.
He climbed the stairs to Wong's room and quickly found Wong's bathroom with ease.
He slid in and immediately pulled out his phone.
The bathroom was a little dim, but it didn't stop him from lifting the phone in front of him and clicking a selfie.
With a smile, he typed a message under the image.
Baby: \[Having fun without you.\]
He hovered his thumb over the 'send' icon, and then with a short nod, he sent it to Saint.
Cam was right, he just wanted to check in with Saint. To let his boyfriend know that he wasn't really having much fun without him.
He smiled when he saw the three floating bubbles, eager to see what Saint thought of his picture.
But they disappeared.
Saint stopped typing.
Baby frowned.
"Hey, sorry, didn't know you were in here," Oliver's voice drifted behind Baby.
Baby sighed quietly, feeling his energy drain out of his body instantly.
He wasn't prepared for Oliver.
Slowly, he turned and faced Oliver.
"Hey, man. Long time," Baby said, smiling.
Oliver returned his smile, not saying a word.
He simply spread his arms for Baby, inviting him for a hug.
Baby arched a brow. "You drunk?" he asked.
Oliver chuckled. "Come on, man... I just got here," he said.
"Don't worry, I know you're back together with that asshole, I just need a friendly hug. Can't I have one?" he questioned quietly.
Baby sighed. "Of course, you can," he said and walked into Oliver's waiting arms.
"I still don't trust him. You shouldn't, either," Oliver whispered.
"Alright," Baby peeled himself away from Oliver, frowning. "I thought I could really take you as a friend, but you're just a jerk," he said, staring at Oliver in disdain.
"Baby, no, I'm sorry... you were right, I am a bit drunk," he reached out to hold Baby but got his hand shoved away.
"Just back off," Baby ordered.
"Baby, I... I'm sorry!" Oliver balled his fists as he watched Baby walk away from Wong's room.
"Darn it," he muttered.
Downstairs, Baby found Cam drinking with Stella, the trans woman he met at a party a few months ago.
"Oh, my! Baby!" Stella dropped her drink on the counter and jumped into Baby's arms, kissing his cheeks.
"Hello, Stella, looking charming as always," Baby forced his mind away from Oliver's comment and focused on his friend.
Stella giggled, playfully shaping Baby's chest. "Oh, please... you're quite a charmer. Got a lover yet?" she asked seductively.
"Oh, he does..." Cam chipped in.
"Oohh," Stella smirked. "Who's that lucky bitch?" she whispered.
"Uhm, how about we sit and chat?" Baby tried to deflect the conversation.
"It's not a bitch... it's a big bad Alpha wolf," Cam snickered.
"Oh no," Stella gasped.
"Oh, yes!" Cam wiggled his brow, sipping his drink and staggering.
"Cam, I think you've had enough to drink," Baby turned to reach for Cam's cup, but he moved his hand away from him, smirking.
"No, Baby... people have to start knowing. I bet the poor guy is dying alone at home right now—"
"Oh, look, that girl is checking you out," Baby pointed aimlessly behind Cam.
"I'm coming, princess! I'll be your knight in charming... no, shining armour!" Cam waddled away with his drink.
Baby sighed in relief, lowering his face to look at Stella.
"So?" she said, leading Baby closer to the bar to pour him a drink.
"So?" Baby asked, taking the drink from her but not sipping it.
He could not risk getting drunk and spilling words he wasn't supposed to.
"So, Saint, huh?" Stella lowered her voice as she asked.
Baby froze, staring blankly for a few seconds.
"I knew it. On that first day I saw you two, I felt that hot, sizzling chemistry boiling between you guys. And I'm a fan... you know you two have some secret fan club where we create hot scene scenarios—"
"We what?" Baby snapped out of his daze, his eyes widening.
Stella chuckled. "Of course." She shrugged.
"We can't just let two hot Captains exist without some action. Want to join the group—"
"No, and please, stop whatever you guys have going on there. It's not real..." he paused as his phone vibrated in his pocket.
Eagerly, he pulled it out to check if Saint had finally replied.
Saint: \[Without me... with Oliver.\]
"What the fuck?" Baby murmured, wondering how Saint knew he had encountered Oliver.
But then, another message came in.
Saint had resent what Baby sent him, but highlighted a figure behind Baby.
"No, no, no. Fuck!" Baby muttered, raking his hair anxiously.
"Hmm, not real indeed. I'd go home to him if I were you. Bye, sweetcheeks," Stella kissed Baby's cheeks and walked away, joining a group of girls immediately.
"Fuck," Baby cursed again, glaring at the status as if Oliver was standing there.
How come he didn't realize Oliver was standing at the door when he clicked that picture?
Saint definitely misunderstood.
Of course, anyone would misunderstand such a picture.
"Baby," Oliver grabbed Baby's hand from behind.
"For fuck's sake, Oliver, stop," Baby said in a surprisingly calm tone.
Oliver sighed, head lowered in regret. "I'm sorry, Baby. I know I overstepped—"
"Yes, you did, but you know what? You're actually right," Baby chuckled.
Oliver stood, confused.
He could not tell if Baby was being real or sarcastic.
"Baby, I—"
"No, I mean it, you're right," Baby assured.
"I shouldn't trust Saint. I mean, it's like we only exist in the shadows! The moment our parents know about us, and for all I know, he might still be planning to marry that Kora girl. I shouldn't trust him, for all valid reasons..." he paused, smiling softly.
"But I do," he placed his hand on Oliver's shoulder. "Because I chose to trust him. Because I love him," he murmured.
Oliver's shoulders slouched in defeat.
He hated the way Baby was looking at him... he knew he'd lost Baby's friendship at that point.
"It's not your place to keep reminding me that trust can be broken. If that happens, I'll deal with that alone because it's been my choice all along. Now, go get yourself a life and stop bothering me," Baby stated and walked away.
At that moment, Baby was done with the dumb party. He wanted to go home to Saint. He should have just stayed back as Saint suggested.
He had only thought he could still enjoy parties the way he used to. But not anymore, he barely even looked at any girl tonight, not even a guy either.
He just wanted Saint.
"Yo, leaving now?" Jae, Wong's sister, suddenly jumped in front of Baby, a cigarette between her lips.
"What's up, Jae?" Baby shook hands with the girl.
"I have a favour to ask," Jae pulled her phone and showed Baby the image displayed on it.
Baby's face scrunched up as he stared at the picture. "Um, okay?" he said slowly.
Jae smirked, leaning closer to Baby's ear. "I think I'm in love," she whispered.
Baby stared at her for a full moment, then he burst out laughing.
Jae frowned, looking offended as Baby mocked her.
"Seriously, man," Baby held Jae's shoulder to catch his breath. "Thanks for lightening my night. It was really getting sour. See you later, Jae." He patted her shoulder and walked past her.
"Stop," Jae gripped Baby's wrist.
"Whoa, okay, okay, tigress, that's one tight grip... might leave a bruise," he slowly turned back to look at her.
"So... what are you trying to say?" Baby asked calmly.
Jae showed him the picture again, her face serious. "I said, I think I'm in love—"
"No, Jae," he cupped her chin, "you're not in love... just distracted." He patted her head.
"I know what I feel," Jae slapped his hand away.
Baby sighed helplessly. "No, Jae... you can't be in love with Sloane. It's never going to happen."
"What did you just say?" Wong suddenly appeared behind Jae, staring at Baby in shock and disbelief.