*Chapter 4*

"What..? Resign..? Wh-why..?" Francis tried to look calm, but the disappointed tone clearly dominated his voice. Plus his stuttered talk. But he tried his best to look cool, though it was to no avail. Proof? The cream he just poured to the coffee didn't have any shape.

"Yes.. I got accepted in Melbourne University.. That means I only have two months before going to study there.. So.. Maybe I can only work here for about 3-6 weeks from now.." Matthew too, tried his best to stay calm and holding back his tears. How? He clenched his fist so the pain focused on his hands, not his heart. Putting the tiniest hope that Francis would hold him down or trying to keep him stay.

"I.. I see.. Well.. That can't be helped then.." Francis said as he took a sip of the coffee he just made. He didn't dare to look at Matthew's face. He knew it will ruin the stable poker face he made up.

"And.. Thank you for everything you ever taught me.. Although it is too soon to say it, but that's.. Not a big deal right..? I mean.. I owe you a lot.. Thank you very much, Francis.." Matthew smiled. The saddest smile Francis ever saw from his reflection on the mirror. And that scenery made the Frenchman hold a tighter grip to his coffee cup. He turned and face Matthew, who just wiped up his tears.

"What's wrong..?" Francis put down his cup and walked closer to Matthew. The younger male shook his head.

"Nothing's wrong.. Maybe because I like this place too much.. It's hurt when I have to let it go.. Even to chase my own dream.." and with that, Matthew didn't hold back his tears anymore. He let them streaming down his face. Francis involuntarily wrapped his arms around the boy.

"There.. There.. I know how it feels, mon cher.. But you have to be strong. It iz your dream after all. You should not give up on yours.. As I was giving up on mine.." Francis tried to soothe him, but all Matthew did was cry harder. He hugged Francis as tight as he could, like he never want to let go. Embracing the only reason he might happy to let his dream gone.

"..Francis.. Can I say something..?" Matthew finally talked after almost half an hour crying. He now sat on the couch, a glass of warm lemon tea from Francis on his hand. The older male nodded and sat next to him.

"..I.." a tint of pink adorn the pale skin of the Canadian's face. He has made his choice, and nothing's wrong with telling the man he adore so much the truth. About everything.

"..I like you, Francis.." Matthew's voice couldn't be heard clearly, but Francis somehow got it. He smiled warmly and strokes the boy's hair gently. He wanted to tell him how he felt all this time, he wanted to be honest as well. But he didn't know what will happened next, either Matthew will stay or leave. Francis afraid if he let it out now, Matthew could cancel his approval and didn't chase his dream. He didn't want to make Matthew choose the same mistake as he did in the past.

"I like you too, Mon cher.." Matthew's face lit up at the answer, his eyes wide in disbelief. But Francis quickly added.

"You are my best employee after all.. I can't afford to lose you, to be honest.. But if it iz for the best of you, I could do nothing, correct?" Francis still held that smile, but the glow at Matthew's face faded.

"I see.. I never thought I'm your best employee.. And that just another proof that I meant nothing more than just a co-worker for you, no?" Matthew put down his glass and glassess then rub his face with the sleeves of his jacket.

"I just want to say that to you.. I'm sorry for the crying part and such.. I'll be working like usual tomorrow morning, until the next 6 weeks.. I'll be leaving now, Francis.. Thank you for listening and being a good boss as long as I worked here.. If there's anything I can do to repay you while I'm still around, just let me know.." Matthew stood up and cleaned his glasses.

"Yes, of course I will.. Good luck on your college years, mon cher.." Francis stood up and patted the boy's shoulder. Matthew smiled back at him before excusing himself from the bakery and haste his way home. Francis could not stop cursing and slumped on his couch all alone in his now empty bakery.

11.30 PM

"Francis, it's your tenth bottle tonight.. Don't you have a bakery to run tomorrow?" a pale brown haired man look at the Frenchman worriedly. Francis took another shot. He folded his arms o the table and leaned his head on top of it. Mumbling incoherent words, drunk.

"Whatever you say then.." Ivan went to the front door and turned the sign on his bar to 'close'. Something must bother Francis so much he needed a drink. Not from a bottle of wine, but something stronger like a bottle of vodka.

"Why did I say that..? Why can't I just being honest like he did..?" was what occupied Francis thought when he drifted off to dreamland. When he opened his eyes it was already morning, Francis just hope it was all just his nightmare. But it was not. His cellphone ringing and Matthew's name on the screen. Francis blinked before his memory could retrieved all.

"B-bonjour, Mon cher.. I just woke up.. Iz there anything I could help you with?" Francis could heard a relieved sigh from across the phone. He just knew it. He could feel it, somehow.

"Where are you..? I thought you'll be the one who open the bakery.. I didn't bring the duplicate key you gave me.. So I couldn't get in to the bakery.." the answer made Francis quickly look at his watch. It shows 9 AM. And that made him jump from his seat and dashed out from Lazy Moon.

"I'll be right there. Just wait for me!" The day passed like nothing was ever happened the day before. And so did the next 3 weeks. But the ignorance and neglecting these two human beings enact has made a deep hole, right in their heart. The hearts that supposedly know the high frequencies they both shared after all this time.

Mischievous5100 : Thank you~! I'll post the next chapter ASAP!

Spiritualnekohime4 : Thank you for your support! I'll write ASAP! w

Lokicchi (Guest) : Arigatou neee~ Jadi semangat nulis lagi! ^w^ Ditunggu yaa~

Thanks again for all who keep up with my work until now.. QwQ I'm soo happy, guys! You made my imagination running! I love you all! Please keep on reading my story~

-Felix