"Good morning, sir." greeted by a woman who wore a formal black blazer with black pants when Mint entered the school gate.
She's a slightly tall woman, has slightly tan skin and despite her color, she's very lovely. A typical tall, dark and beautiful woman.
"Good morning, ma'am." Mint greeted her too with a smile.
Then silently, without the other notices, his gaze went to the man that is slightly standing inside their guard house. Talking to someone.
Sage Ashford.
The person he has feelings with for a long time now.
Before the man and the female security notices his action, Mint immediately averted his gaze and said his goodbye to the female security.
While walking, he deeply signed.
'As usual, he is very handsome.'
Currently, Mint is employed as the Driving Encoder of a Driving School Department which is based in Aethercliff Academy.
He's already twenty-four years old this year. He comes from a single mother household with two female children and is the eldest among the two.
Since young, he can say that he's very different from his peers.
As he grew up witnessing his parents' fights until they finally separated, he ought to grow differently. With his young age, he's a little bit mature and sensible. This characteristic of his, sometimes gave guilt to his mother.
Mint is so closed-off to the world.
He likes to be alone.
Up until he goes to college, not unless his peers, classmates, instructors or other acquaintances initiated to talk with him nor interacted with him, he just does nothing.
If possible, he just sits there and just stays quiet. Only minding his own world. Except his family of course.
Mint may seem so cold and not care about everything as he's only interested in food and reading novels, he really does make sure that his priority is his family.
Aethercliff Academy is Mint's alma mater. He graduated from college here. After one year upon graduating, he was employed in it, in one of their departments under their Driving School.
Mint didn't really have the intention in accepting the offer but his previous supervisor when he was still in his On-the-Job Training in the said department persuaded him to agree. After thinking about it very carefully, he finally accepted.
The procedure in applying for the job is so easy as he knew, he had the recommendation of his soon to be supervisor. So, when it's time for the interview.
The 'interview' went very easy.
You can't really tell that it's a proper and formal interview because during the said interview, it's just a casual interaction between the president of the school and Mint. To the president with their new employees.
When the president learned that Mint is in fact a graduate of Aethercliff, he accepted Mint immediately. The president only asks for Mint's age, address and religion. Then surprisingly, he preached a little bit about God.
After that, he was appointed as the new Driving School Encoder.
Just like that.
Mint even doubted them because of that. But oh well. It doesn't matter anymore. At least, because of this job he met his dream man. Sage. HIS SAGE.
Mint knew that being an Encoder only of a Driving School is a little bit hard albeit it has little work to do, the salary is so little. But, he will make do with it.
He will make sure of that.
He didn't want to go back anymore.
When he started working at Aethercliff, he met his beloved Sage Ashford. The one who piques his interest. The one who he fell in love with as time went by.
Sage Ashford is a very typical hot man. A man who will always be admired and have the attention of many women. He is one hundred and ninety-point-five centimeters tall.
He has a black jet hair styled in a Faux Hawk. Have a lean body. Has deep dark brown eyes though he always has his eye glasses on. A little tan which only heightened his handsome features.
From the very first time Mint saw Sage, he wasn't interested in him at all. But when he started having interactions with Sage. There and then, he gradually started to notice him.
As time went by, Mint's little interest in Sage blossomed and eventually turned into love.
Truthfully, he is afraid to love. Because he knows that his love is not ordinary.
Once he will start to love someone. His love will always be mixed with obsession and possessiveness. Even he, himself, can't help it.
Ashford is three years older than Mint. But it doesn't matter as he liked the way the man whom his future partner with, is older than him.
He even prefers that they are actually older than him. Because in his eyes, people younger than him are only his little brothers.
As the department which belongs to both Mint and Sage have a boss that is super close to each department, they ought to see each other and have a little bit of interaction. Especially when they have a little lunch, which is sponsored by one of their colleagues who has a birthday suddenly, will always be held within the laboratory of Mint's department.
When facing Sage, Mint always feels shy. But that doesn't mean he will not stare at his beloved even if it's only secretly and stealthily to satiate his desire for him.
He always likes seeing and watching how Sage interacts with everyone. The way he jokes, talks, teases and laughs at their colleagues. Though when the others started to joke and tease Sage with his colleague in the same department, Jasmine. He always feels jealousy.
Even when Sage started to tease and joke with their other female colleagues, Mint felt really anxious. Irritated even.
He always wanted to lash out and lock Sage for him to view alone.
In fact, back in his room in their house. He has a little area where it contains Sage's many portraits. Big and small sizes with different scenarios.
All of it, Sage is the main character of it.
Every time he wakes up and before leaving going to Aethercliff. He was staring at those pictures. Even when he gets home. He directly went to the treasured corner of his. In short, he always has the time to appreciate them.
If everyone finds out how he behaves. They will surely think that he is so sick. But who cares anyway.
Not him.
He doesn't care.
One day, the Executive Vice President Office held a big program concerning the whole academy. Of course, Mint Sage's department will surely be involved.
The program proceeds smoothly without any problems and incidents happen. Every department under the EVP office worked and communicated nicely with each other.
The program ended late at night. When tidying up and cleaning the venue, they decided on finishing it before going home, so they lasted until eight in the evening.
But before they went home, the ones who stayed decided to go bar hopping first.
Even though Mint wanted to go home because he was really tired, he changed his mind when he found out and it was confirmed that Sage was coming also.
He agreed immediately to come along.
Will he let the opportunity to be with and interact with Sage pass by?
Mint snorted at that thought.
Of course not.
The company was already in the bar.
Everyone is so excited.
Well, partly Mint, as it's the very first time that he will experience going to a bar.
No one knew that Mint has a big tolerance in drinking alcohol. So, when he and the others were already settled, he didn't hold back himself as it really rained with alcohol.
It's just that, previously he thought that they would drink something hard. Then ones who have more alcohol content. But he was wrong. The pitchers that were offered in their table were mixed and were presented at their table.
Mint was surprised. A little disappointed even.
He was used to drinking hard drinks.
Mint's brows furrowed a bit of hidden disgust.
The one on their table is diluted with light drinks. Though Mint didn't complain.
He was shy after all.
As he tasted the drink. Mint finds the taste refreshing. Because the taste was good, he didn't realize that he had already chunked many glasses. Unfortunately, Laurel noticed.
"Mint, slowly. How many glasses have you had already?"
Mint only smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders.
"I just drank a little." Mint chuckled.
He would not really say that he treated the "hard drink" like some kind of juice.
"Sure? How could I not know that you can drink a lot?" Laurel retorted then she pulled the glass that Mint was holding.
"What are you doing? Don't. It's nothing. I assure you. Look at what we're drinking. It's just like juice." Mint protested adamantly.
The conversation between the two was overheard by Jasmin.
"Asshole! What juice are you talking about, I'm starting to feel dizzy here." Jasmin's face looked like she saw a ghost when she looked at Mint.
"Hahaha. These two. That's it. I only tell the truth. I can't taste any wine. I really feel like drinking juice here." Mints said to the two sincerely while laughing.
Despite being jealous of these two sometimes because of Sage. Mint doesn't really hate the two. Especially with Jasmin as he knew that Jasmin already has a boyfriend.
The three joke around to the point that the other women in the group joined them.
Mint let go for a bit to express himself and just enjoy the moment. This is rare since this was the very first time he's been here.
They continue drinking.
Some of them, who were already a bit dizzy, went to the singing area. Where a set of musical instruments was on standby on one side of the said area.
So that if there, anyone who wants to perform then they can do so.
The ones who go there, which was a part of Mint's group, sing themselves wholeheartedly.
Occasionally, Mint and the others who were left on their table laugh hard because of how hilarious the ones who went up the stage. They also tease some that did a duet.
The scene proceeds like that for a long time.
Mint didn't realize that he had drunk too much already as time went by. He can't really feel the effect of the alcohol. He's sure that it will not affect him.
He can't deny it. He's really enjoying what is happening right now. When he feels the call of nature. In case Jasmin and Laurel will look for him. He touched the shoulder of Jasmin who sat beside him to get her attention for a while.
"Hey. Gotta go to the comfort room first. Will you join me?"
"No. I think I'm fine." Laurel continued sipping on her glass.
"How about you Ma'am Jasmine?"
"No. I'm not feeling the need to pee yet. Make sure you'll come back, okay? Maybe later, you'll leave suddenly. That's just your excuse for peeing." Jasmin teases Mint while he gets a chip on the table and eats it.
Mint laughs there and shakes his head, "Seriously, of course I'll go back. I can't just leave you here."
"Hahaha. Who knows, you might end up leaving us here." Jasmin joked.
"Okay fine. Go ahead, we'll wait for you here." Laurel said.
"Will be back later." Mint said while laughing but before he went away, he dunked what's remaining in his glass.
Mint went out of the main lounge and found his place in the comfort room of the bar.
He walks until he reaches the place on the back where he saw the sign of the comfort room. Indicating that it was placed at the very back.
He shrugged and went in.
After he does his business, when going out he bumped into something hard.
"Aw. . ." Mint moaned.
Mint lost his balance and was about to fall because of the impact.
Waiting for his body to fall, he felt a strong arm wrap his waist, preventing him from completely falling on the hard floor.
He immediately looked at the one who held him. His eyes widened a little bit. It's Sage!!
He quickly struggled to break free from Sage because he was so embarrassed. But unexpectedly, it only resulted in him to completely fall through the ground, but thankfully Sage didn't let that happen.
Maybe because of the shock from Mint's struggle, Sage couldn't hold him properly.
When Sage caught Mint again, he also lost his balance and they were both about to fall to the floor. Because Sage was holding Mint tightly. Mint fell on top of Sage and unintentionally their lips met.
While their lips were still connected, Mint stared at Sage with widened eyes.
The two were so stunned that no one moved.
Mint immediately stood up. His hand unconsciously touches his lips. Slowly caressing it. Not believing something like that will happen.
He saw Sage slowly stand up too while he was staring at him.
Mint shakes unconsciously.
That stare. It's burning him. It's not his fault that they accidentally kissed.
Sage stares make Mint embarrassed.
Not wanting to confront Sage now, Mint moves to leave that very place.
Though, he didn't have that privilege as Sage yanked his right arm and slowly slammed him into the wall there. His arms slam into both sides of his head, caging him and preventing him not to leave.
"W-what?" Mint asks softly while looking down.
He can't bring herself to look Sage in the eye.
"Look at me." Sage commanded Mint, full of authority.
Not wanting to agitate Sage more, Mint gaze went to Sage.
"Do you think you can leave like that?" Sage whispered.
Sage brought his head into Mint's left shoulder blade. Inhaling his scent. Which makes Mint shivered a little because he can feel the breath of Sage in his neck.
Mint stayed still and protested stutteringly, "I-I didn't m-mean to do t-that. Y-you know w-what I m-mean. So, w-will you l-let me go n-now?"
Not liking how Mint stuttered, not moving his head away. Still his head was leaning at Mint's shoulder, Sage looked at Mint and said with a cold voice, "You can talk straight there."
"I'm sorry." Mint whispered.
"Hmm" Sage inhaled deeply one last time then he moved away a little.
The hot body which was an enjoyment for Mint was gone now. Silently, he got very disappointed.
Sage looks at Mint directly into the eyes.
Their faces were so close, their nose was almost touching.
"That, still, you cause all of it. How can you compensate me?" Sage said using his hoarse voice.
Music into Mint's ears.
He knows that he is in a bad situation right now. But this is Sage. He can do whatever with him.
His only thoughts and attention are on Sage.
"What do you want me to do?" Mint boldly asks at Sage.
Sage smirked a little there, seeming amused, "You can give me a kiss."
Mint couldn't hold back anymore.
Sage's attention now, which was on him, is causing his inner self to come out. This made him a little bit excited.
The joy that Sage's attention is on him, filling his whole self. The lease that he put into his inner self, is slowly breaking.
His possessiveness and obsession for Sage, is starting to come out.
He doesn't want to hold himself back as he knows himself that he will gladly do anything that Sage will say.
He also knows that he wanted that kiss.
Before Mint could regret his decision now, he voluntarily pulled Sage's head and kissed him.
Sage was momentarily taken aback by the shock that Mint would actually kiss him, but he quickly responded to Mint's kiss and deepened it further.