"Hi, Andrew."
Charles's voice rang out, light and playful, as he approached the counter. A soft smile played on his lips, and his eyes lit up with excitement. "I decided to come to your café to try out your famous coffee and desserts. I heard people raving about how good Starlight Café's treats are." He stretched out his hand with a confident, friendly grin.
Andrew blinked, momentarily caught off guard, then grinned wide. He wiped his slightly flour-dusted fingers on his apron before shaking Charles's hand. "Charles! I'm surprised to see you here today. Well, welcome to my world!"
Charles chuckled, leaning on the counter. "I wanted to surprise you, which is why I didn't tell you I was coming today. And for what I want…" He smacked his lips playfully and winked. "I want your specialty."
Andrew laughed, his eyes twinkling. "Okay!" He turned toward the display, carefully selecting the best treats.
From a nearby table, Chase raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Andy, who's that?" he called out, his tone curious.
Andrew glanced back. "Oh yeah, Chase, meet Charles—a friend I met at the bar. Charles, this is Chase, my best buddy."
Charles turned to the man with reddish-black hair and dark eyes, who looked sharp in his office attire. He extended his hand with an easygoing smile. "Hello, Chase! I'm Charles."
Chase shook his hand, polite but reserved. "Hello, nice to meet you," he replied, but a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes. Andrew's not the type to make bar friends… not the Andy I know, he thought, quietly studying Charles.
Andrew returned with a tray, setting it in front of Charles. Cinnamon rolls, peanut butter cookies, and a thick slice of chocolate cake gleamed under the café lighting. A glass of orange juice glistened with condensation beside it. He slid an iced coffee toward Chase with a grin.
"Here! I hope you like it. Well, I'm sure you will—I'm perfect at making desserts," Andrew said proudly.
Charles's eyes widened. "This is too much!" he exclaimed, already reaching for the chocolate cake. "But I'll eat it all…" He took a bite, and his eyes closed briefly, and he let out a soft hum of approval. "It's really good!" He gave Andrew a thumbs-up, still chewing with a smile.
Chase stood up, dusting off invisible crumbs from his slacks. "I need to get going now, Andy. Break's almost over," he said, sipping the last of his iced coffee. "I'll call you or come over to your place on Saturday. I need to talk to you about something."
"Okay, later, buddy!" Andrew replied with a wave.
Chase gave Charles a curt nod. "It was nice meeting you too," he added out of courtesy, though his tone was flat. Not that I care, he muttered internally.
"You too!" Charles waved cheerfully, still chewing. He turned to Andrew. "Is it because you're good-looking that your best friend is good-looking too?" he teased.
Andrew chuckled. "Nothing like that! We've been friends since middle school."
Charles leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Wow, that's a long time. I want to get to know you more. How about a date on Saturday afternoon? I only have free time then—I'll be really busy with school from now on."
Andrew's eyebrows raised slightly. "Sure! Where would you like to go?" He tilted his head just a bit, his eyes locking with Charles's, the tone of his voice dropping slightly as he tried to sound more alluring.
Charles blushed faintly, glancing to the side. "The park would be nice."
Andrew smiled. "So the park it is! Alright, I'll pick you up at your place on Saturday afternoon by 12:00." Excitement stirred inside him like butterflies in his chest.
---
Andrew busied himself through the week, the hum of the café blending into a steady rhythm. But in between each customer and every espresso shot, he was counting down the days.
Saturday finally arrived. At 12:15, Andrew stood in front of his mirror, checking his reflection. He wore a plain black T-shirt tucked into light-colored pants, paired with a sharp black blazer. He gave himself one last spritz of perfume.
"All set! Time to go on your first date!" he said with a smirk.
Pulling up in front of Charles's apartment, he dialed the number.
"I'm in front of your apartment," he said when Charles picked up.
"I'm coming!" Charles replied cheerfully.
Moments later, Charles emerged, looking fresh and radiant. His light purple shorts and shirt matched perfectly, and the stylish sneakers gave him a casual edge.
"Hello, you look good!" Charles said, slipping into the passenger seat.
"You too!" Andrew replied, smiling. His ears turned a soft red, and he subtly covered them with his hands.
Their ride to the park was filled with playful chatter and laughter. The windows were slightly open, letting in the breeze. The music playing softly in the background created a warm atmosphere.
---
The park buzzed with life—children ran around, couples enjoyed their dates, and the sounds of various rides filled the air. The sweet scent of cotton candy mingled with the warm summer breeze. Vendors shouted their offers, and bright kites danced across the sky.
"Let's get on the Drop Towers… woohoo! Time to have fun!" Charles exclaimed, grabbing Andrew's hand.
They rushed from ride to ride, laughing, yelling, and snapping pictures with silly poses. Andrew even won a small lion teddy for Charles, who dramatically hugged it like a prized treasure.
Eventually, they paused at a shaded bench beneath blooming trees. Charles pulled out two headbands from a shopping bag—one a bear, the other a rabbit.
"Let's take a picture here!" he said, slipping the rabbit headband on his blue hair.
Andrew hesitated, then slipped on the bear headband, shaking his head. "I look ridiculous."
Charles grinned. "You look adorable."
Andrew's cheeks flared as he fidgeted with the headband, Charles trying not to smile, stepping closer. Their cheeks brushed as they leaned in for the selfie.
Click! The phone snapped the moment.
Charles studied the photo. "It came out really well! You're really good-looking."
Andrew looked down, his voice shy. "You're also so handsome, Charles…" It was the first time he had complimented someone like that. If only you were my fated one, he thought.
Blushing, Charles responded, "Thank you, Andrew."
The air around them felt electric, as if time had slowed. They stared at each other, both shy and with bright red faces, refusing to break the gaze. Slowly, their heads moved closer together.
But just as their lips were about to touch—
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through Andrew's chest. Gasping for air, he clutched his chest, his knuckles turning pale from the pressure. Sweat dripped down his forehead. Instead of an intense kiss, he felt an overwhelming wave of agony.
He gasped, clutching at his ribs, his body folding in on itself. His forehead dripped with sweat, and his breathing turned sharp and shallow.
"Andrew! What's wrong? Are you feeling that pain again?" Charles reached out, steadying him, rubbing his back gently.
Andrew couldn't speak. He nodded through clenched teeth as he struggled to stay upright. After a few agonizing minutes, the pain dulled to a throb.
"We need to go to the hospital now," Charles said, his tone no longer playful.
Andrew tried to push through. "I'll drive you home and then go after—"
"No. I'll go home myself. Please, go to the hospital and get checked." Charles stood, helping Andrew to his feet. "Are you sure you can drive?"
"Yes, I can. Sorry to cut our date short," Andrew said, a pained smile on his face.
"It's alright. It was a lot of fun, but your health comes first to me," Charles said, his voice soft but firm.
As Andrew reached out to touch Charles's cheek, another wave of pain surged through him. He recoiled quickly.
"Take care of yourself and text me when you get home," Andrew said, climbing into the car.
"Yeah, I will," Charles replied, watching him drive off, concern etched deep into his expression. "I hope it's not something too serious," he murmured.
---
Willow Gardens General Hospital
"We've done all the tests, but there's nothing wrong with you. Your body is definitely fine. But you said you felt that burning chest pain again?" Dr. Davis, the middle-aged doctor who had attended to him before, asked.
"Yes," Andrew replied, still shaken.
"Were you doing anything significant each time you had the pain?"
Andrew thought for a moment, and then it hit him. *Every time I try to get intimate with Charles, the pain arises.* Feeling flustered, he admitted, "I felt the pain whenever I got intimate with someone." He couldn't believe he said that out loud.
"I see… I think it has something to do with your golden thread to your fated one. You told me last time that you've met them. I should call a doctor who specializes in fated connections," Dr. Davis said, reaching for the office phone.
"Dr. Aaron, please come to my office. There's a case that needs your expertise."
After a while, a young doctor with sharp features entered. "Dr. Davis, I'm here. Who needs my specialty?" he asked.
"Ah, this must be the patient?" Dr. Aaron said, scanning Andrew with interest.
"What's the issue, Mr.…?"
"Andrew. Anytime I get intimate with someone, I experience extreme chest pain," Andrew explained.
"Hmm. Have you met your fated partner?"
"Yes."
"Why are you getting intimate with someone who's not your fated partner? This is strange. When you meet your fated one, you shouldn't be interested in anyone else," Dr. Aaron pondered.
"Well, the thing is… I'm gay, and my fated partner is a woman."
"I see. Well, our fated partners are often not what we expect. There have been cases of this happening before. Have you spoken with her yet?"
"No, she's in a coma," Andrew answered.
"I see…" Dr. Aaron said, deep in thought. "Based on what you just said, the reason you keep experiencing that strange pain every time you get intimate is because of your connection with her. Based on experiences and reports, if you keep trying to get intimate with people who aren't your fated one after the golden thread has appeared and connected you to your fated partner, you are slowly draining your life force. The pain will keep getting worse until your entire existence fades away."