"San Lang, we don't need the car for tomorrow."

That was the massage Hua Cheng had received last night and now he sat inside, at the reception. He wondered where they might be off to today. Maybe another cafe, or the art exhibit a few blocks away, or the museum. His thoughts dissipated when he saw Xie Lian walk out through the automated glass doors.

"Gege!"

He did not care if he sounded like a child. Xie Lian made him happy and being with him for a few hours every four days felt like bursting into a thousand butterflies. If Xie Lian allowed, Hua Cheng would have scheduled a session everyday. But alas, he had classes and Xie Lian was a resident, meaning he was under a training program, similar to having a class but much more difficult.

"Ah San Lang. I am sorry I am a bit late. Got held up by a patient." Xie Lian smiled apologetically. He looked bone tired as well, Hua Cheng noticed.

"So, gege is seeing other patients now?" He asked.

"Well, the ones my attending wants me to take a look at. I talked to a schizophrenic and a psychopath today. Reasoned with the guardians of a patient who realised her sexuality. And almost got hit by a delusional." Xie Lian offered a smile again, but Hua Cheng was displeased -

Who dared to think about hitting Xie Lian!

"San Lang, do not worry. Your sessions will go on as usual." Xie Lian reassured.

"Time spent with you is my happiest." He proudly announced. He felt so much better when Xie Lian smiled shyly.

And Hua Cheng, when thinking straight, was a selfish man - he realised that head on right now. Before, he loved to think that he had Xie Lian's undivided attention, being his first and only patient for the time being. He was still his first but…

He selfishly wanted Xie Lian all to himself.

"But Gege, you should rest, don't you think?" Hua Cheng tilted his head to look at Xie Lian.

"We will rest together. Come, I will take you to a place you have never been before." Xie Lian still managed to beam.

"The places where I have never been go a long way, Gege. I have also never been to a brothel." Hua Cheng teased.

"SAN LANG!!!" Xie Lian exclaimed, slapping his forearm playfully..

Hua Cheng laughed at the flustered face Xie Lian made, colour rising up his cheeks. They started walking down the pavement and took a turn towards the city mall. The road was, as usual, busy with cars and buses. But there were very few pedestrians in the afternoon heat. There, in the mall square on the left lane, Xie Lian stopped and spread out his arms as if showing off. Hua Cheng looked around. His eyes fell on the sign board of the shop right behind Xie Lian and went wide. They were standing in front of a salon.

Not just any salon…

A proper one frequented by models and influential people.

"Gege, I don't need a haircut." Hua Cheng said quickly.

"San Lang, I couldn't help but notice, your nails are still so chipped, and hands are too dry. When you know how good it feels to have conditioned hands, you will do it by yourself." Xie Lian grinned and pulled him in.

The interior was spacious and cool. A low hum of English pop was in the background. There were wall sized mirrors all around and potted plants in between the seats for hair styling. The manager smiled wide and said,

"Good afternoon, sirs. How can we assist you?"

"I have these coupons, are they still valid?" Xie Lian handed her the red coupons which he pulled out from his pocket.

She peered into them and smiled even wider, "Sure sir. May I know who offered it?"

"My colleague, Shi Qingxuan did."

"Oh, she is our regular. A charming pretty lady. As you must know this package includes a facial, a haircut, pedicure and manicure."

"Haha, I know… I know." Xie Lian's smile stretched painfully, he definitely did not know. Oh he really didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Shi Qingxuan had just mentioned minimal skin care. If this was minimal, Xie Lian shuddered to think what was adequate to her. And how much that'd cost. Behind him, Hua Cheng attempted to flee, but Xie Lian caught him by his collar, keeping him in place.

"Let's do this together, Eh San Lang?" he laughed.

"Just give us a moment. Let us gather our attendants." With that, the manager retreated into the depths of the interior.

The manager exhaled once inside. She looked at the staff who were looking up at her. Their gazes spoke enough, as they reached an understanding and everyone of them stood up and put aside their mobiles and lunch boxes and put on their aprons tighter around their waists. Usually there are more women customers in salons for those services. Not only were there two men waiting, they looked like they popped out from Vogue magazine. One tall, with devilish charm, face so similar to IAN company's CEO who was by the way also their regular, and another with angelic resemblance, even though worn out. The manager could not allow any room for complaints. They were to provide their best. Immediately the couple was rated VIP for the day.

"I want you guys to do your very best." She told them.

Soon the men found themselves lying on their bare backs, with male beauticians working on their faces. The chamber smelt nice, with spices and citrus with a tang of fruitiness. Incense candles were lit around, the soft glow inducing drowsiness amongst them. Hua Cheng did not wish to be touched but he also did not want Xie Lian to have a hard time because of him. So, he compromised and allowed it. He did not wanna admit - he was not definitely enjoying it but the feeling was rather good. No, he was in utter denial. Hua Cheng glanced at Xie Lian to his left, and saw the doctor totally melted, inches away from falling asleep. His attendant was complimenting each of Xie Lian's features - doe eyes, palely arched brows, smooth skin, straight nose, full lips - Hua Cheng instinctively cleared his throat unnaturally loud to shut him up. His own attendant was quaking in his boots, trying very hard not to let his hands tremble, as Hua Cheng's brows were permanently curled into a deep scowl. He was displeased that he had to remove his eye patch but he kept his right eye stubbornly shut. The way he kept glaring from time to time made his attendant quickly finish up, and lastly helped him to sit up to give a shoulder massage which Hua Cheng begrudgingly rated good. Beside him, Xie Lian groaned groggily as he was practically hauled up to a sitting stance and his body doubled up when his attendant kneaded into his muscles. Hua Cheng snorted lightly despite himself - Xie Lian was the one who needed it more than anybody else.

"Sir, we are done with the facial." Xie Lian's attendant announced softly.

"Huuuuh… already?" Xie Lian was about to slip into a deeper phase of his sleep when it finished.

"Sir about the haircut. Both are in good condition. So, should we just wash them?" He continued.

"Hmm" And even though he was sleepy, he was still the most talkative amongst the four. Groaning, giggling, murmuring nonsensical phrases to his attendant.

They both were led out of the chamber to the exterior. Very reluctantly Hua Cheng reclined onto the shampoo seat and let a different attendant wetten his hair with lukewarm water. Beside him, Xie Lian was sighing and humming in content. Hua Cheng heard the shampoo pump being worked on and the smell of pleasant smoke, mint and cinnamon caught his attention. Slowly, not sounding too eager he asked, "Which shampoo is this?" but he ended up sounding a bit too annoyed.

The new attendant, a young girl, was already freaked out by his glares and sheer height. She squeaked, "I-it is umm… it's Manor Paradise. I-I t-hought sir might l-like i-it"

"Hm. Do you sell these products?" Hua Cheng asked.

"W-we do, sir." The girl nodded, as her gloved fingers nervously worked up a lather in his hair.

"I would like to buy this one." Hua Cheng declared.

"It comes with a serum sir." The squeakiness in the girl was gone, now that she realised he wasn't disatisfied.

"Hm, that as well." Hua Cheng agreed. It was time for him to move on from those body-hair washes one has in gyms and bostels, he decided.

"Ok sir." The girl was finally at ease.

"Look who is enjoying…" Xie Lian teased from the side, sounding a bit more awake, now that the warm water was replaced by a cooler one.

"Gege, you were literally snoring a while ago." Hua Cheng teased back.

"I do not snore." Xie Lian was aghast.

"You were, ask them." Hua Cheng gestured with his chin.

Xie Lian tipped his head back to look his attendant, an older lady, old enough to be his mother probably, in the eye, "Was I?"

"En, sighing a bit, sir." She agreed, with a nod.

"San Lang, how much did you bribe her?" Xie Lian laughed.

"Ahh!" Hua Cheng gasped as though he was hurt. "Gege!"

Both laughed aloud. A kind of laughter which comes straight from the guts, not a throaty shrill one, but a loud unbashful burst.

With towels draped over their heads, they were next ushered over to seats which had porcelain sinks at the foot. Filled half way, the pedicure water was prepared. Then again a different pair of male attendants this time - Hua Cheng was relieved- worked with their feet. The nails were neatly cut and filed, cuticle cream applied and the feet soaked in pedicure salt and hydrogen peroxide water, the nails scraped clean and the cuticles removed. When they started scrubbing their toes with shampoo and foot brush, Xie Lian squirmed and started giggling violently. Hua Cheng kept his lips sucked in - he was horrendously ticklish at the feet, something he did not know till just now. He almost failed at his efforts when the steel and wool foot scrapers were used next. Hua Cheng glanced at his own foot and then at Xie Lian to find him gaping at his own.

"San Lang's feet are…"

"This San Lang has ostrich feet." he chirped - wiggling his toes to emphasis. The attendant waited patiently for him to stop before returning back to work. Hua Cheng lost count of the sheer number of things that were done to those ten toes and that foot attached. At home, he just cleaned and cut his nails and once a while scrubbed them till they were red. It felt pleasant. It felt good.

When asked Xie Lian chose a transparent protective nail coating whereas Hua Cheng selected black.

The manicure was a similar process. Hua Cheng could not help but notice a series of colourful glass rings arranged neatly at the counter. They looked expensive, not like the ones found in street stalls. His eyes fell on a pair of bright ruby red rings shimmering under the bulb light. He wanted them both.

And he had them both.

"Gege, gege, this one's for you!" He pushed one of them on the third finger of his right hand and handed the other to Xie Lian.

"Ah, Thank You San Lang!" Xie Lian laughed. Hua Cheng almost thought Xie Lian would not wear it then and there. But when he did… He felt like he has never been happier.

Finally, with glowing faces, shining hands with a ring each, they finally stepped out of the salon.

Earlier, if people thought they were off the scene Vogue models, now they were thinking they were off to a photoshoot. Xie Lian stretched like a cat and sighed.

"I think I will come here again." Hua Cheng said quietly.

"En. I will as well. No one said all these beauty stuff are for the ladies." Xie Lian agreed with a nod. "Damn, I feel so refreshed."

"Right, me too."

They began walking down the pavement and towards the little park in the centre of the mall square. There were a few children running along and all the benches were occupied, so they decided to stand under a big shady tree.

"So, San Lang, how are things with your mom?" Xie Lian asked.

"Oh, we kinda talk everyday" he checked his wrist watch "around this time" the clock struck six and his phone started ringing, as though an alarm.

"Oh I will just-"

"Pick it up, San Lang. Don't let me be a bother." Xie Lian tossed his head.

"Gege is never a bother." with that he picked up the call.

"Yes Mom." He answered with a singsong.

"Your father would like to talk." His mother's voice was on the edge.

"Huh?" He could not even wrap his head around it, when the line was snatched up and a deep voice spoke, chilling Hua Cheng's bones.

"I will keep it brief."

"..."

"This Sunday, have lunch with us." It was a command. Not a request.

"No-" Hua Cheng breathed.

"At the residence." He just continued.

"I said no!" He exclaimed a bit louder.

"Bring along your friends, Yin Yu and whoever that other guy is."

"List-" Hua Cheng huffed.

"Clair and Janelle will go pick you up." His father concluded.

"..." Hua Cheng's chest was squeezing with untamed terror.

"It has been a while since we talked. I can't really have you running around, throwing mud on my efforts and reputation."

"Fine…Whatever." His voice was a whisper.

Xie Lian witnessed everything. How the initial smile morphed into shock and then distress. Hua Cheng's breathing tightened as he hung up the phone and tucked it into his pocket, swallowing, the heel of his boot bouncing so hard that the calf muscle could have cramped anytime. His pupils were constricted, hands pressed to his lips. He was sweating profusely. Hua Cheng leaned against the tree trunk to regain his composure.

"San Lang…" That worried Xie Lian. One phone call and Hua Cheng was hyperventilating.

"Hmm" It was more like a whimper.

"San Lang, what are you thinking?" Xie Lian gently gripped his elbow.

"Nothing…" Hua Cheng looked away.

"San Lang…" The psych urged.

"Gege, I have to go to the residence to have lunch…" His voice broke away.

"That's not good?" And Xie Lian's patience seemed to be infinite.

"D-dad… wants to talk…" Hua Cheng managed.

"Then talk…" Being encouraged this way, Hua Cheng finally said what he wanted to:

"Gege… I don't wanna go..."

He shivered violently. Xie Lian noticed this and gently turned him to stand face to face now.

"San Lang, are you cold?" He asked.

"No, I am fine…"

"No San Lang. People do not shiver for nothing. You shiver either when you are cold or when you are scared…"

" I- I am fine…" Hua Cheng almost pleaded.

"San Lang, what are you scared of?"

" I - I don't know..."

"Are you thinking of your childhood?"

Hua Cheng nodded. "Dad, when he talks… It is ... It makes you feel what you never wanted to feel. He says things that…makes you believe you are nothing more than a pawn on his chessboard."

"San Lang, you were a child then. Children tend to feel the emotions the elder wants them to feel. You said you have grown up, and aren't scared of the darkness in a known place."

"I- I don't know why I feel… gege…I" He was slipping into a panic attack.

"San Lang look at me." Xie Lian shook him a bit to keep him aware he wasn't alone.

Hua Cheng had grabbed his head and leaned back against the tree trunk, panting.

"San Lang" Xie Lian gently took his hands into his own and interlaced their fingers together. That urged Hua Cheng to glance down at him. He looked more like a lost child, searching for someone to help him out. To show him the way, to accompany him along the way.

"San Lang."

"Hmm" it was a whimper again.

"Don't let your past blackmail your present to ruin a beautiful future."

The wind blew, cool and comforting, rustling the leaves above them, shimmering the fading evening lights over their faces.

If it were a tempest in Hua Cheng's mind, that single sentence, with that tone, cut through the darkest of all clouds, making way for the sun to shine down, with scorching heat. He saw Xie Lian gulp and continue,

"Put yourself first, San Lang. Live the moment and let the past go. Make use of these second chances that you get, because many don't. Either it is too late to mend the torn tapestry or both sides are unwilling to make compromises."

That same hurt was back. As raw as it sounded on their mango picking day.

Xie Lian sucked in a breath and said "No one can make you feel what you do not want to feel - you have a mind and soul of your own. It is not me who makes you happy. You feel happy around me. You choose to feel that way."

"Whether you let the fear work its way in you or not, is your choice."

"Whether you go on Sunday or not… even that, you get to choose."

Something told Hua Cheng, that if Xie Lian had such a chance, he would have leapt into it without a second thought.

That led to another thought.

Why did he feel Xie Lian needed such a chance?

Before he could think further, XIe Lian tugged at his sleeve, "Since we are all dolled up, what about a photoshoot?" He said, expression immediately cheerful, pointing at a playstation at the bend on the lane. "Timezone" it was called.

Hua Cheng sighed fondly. He can deal with the lunch invitation later. He was here to heal. And heal he will. So Hua Cheng followed, laughing. A true genuine laugh.

"I have seen, and I have acknowledged. NOW STOP WIGGLING YOUR TOES!" He Xuan slammed his fist onto the table, where Hua Cheng had propped his ankles up.

"Hmmm." He just hummed in response. He had his hands splayed in front of his face, against the tube light as he admired them, glistening smooth with a red ring. It was already Saturday evening and the three of them had holed inside Yin Yu's room, the air con set up at twenty degrees celsius. The living room one just seemed to give up on cooling down the incredibly hot kiln. He Xuan's room was cramped with the aquarium and Hua Cheng's was cluttered with his art stuff - though much cleaner than before, wasn't a good choice to stay in either. They also could not afford to blast three air cons simultaneously. Well, Hua Cheng could, but he was too stubborn to use his parent's money. He Xuan could but ninety percent of his monthly allowance went to pet care and food. Yin Yu could, but he never asked his parents for a raise.

"So are you really going?" Yin Yu asked. He was sitting on his study chair, the wrong side front.

"Yes… Just this once."

"May I know why I am being dragged into this circus?" He Xuan snapped.

"To get belittled. That's the only thing he does so well. Oh and lunch" Hua Cheng reclined deeper into his cushion.

"Oh lunch…Cousine?"

"LIKE I ASKED!" Hua Cheng roared, throwing the air con remote control at He Xuan.

"Since it is Mr Hua, I think it will be Italian, Chinese and Turkish." Yin Yu said lazily recalling all the house parties Hua Cheng's father had hosted in the past. If nothing was mentioned, it was usually these three together.

"Oh. Count me in." He Xuan settled down calmly, content.

"Even if there was no food, I would have dragged you there. You owe me a lot to even utter a sound of complaint." Hua Cheng grit his teeth.

"What are you gonna wear?" Yin Yu asked.

"Pyjamas" Hua Cheng humphed.

"Oh god"

"No… even better. A funeral suit." He Xuan suggested.

"I don't know about that. But you sure need to carry a bib. Or a dive suit. I wouldn't be surprised if you leap into the dinner table."

"Anything to avoid getting questioned…" He Xuan murmured.