The kiss lasts for a while until Sage feels that Mint is already out of breath. That's the time, he then proceeds to move a little, reluctantly, away from those soft lips.
Staring at Mint with his dark eyes, he touches the chin of Mint. Using his right thumb, he slowly traces those soft lips while his left arm is still tightly holding Mint's waist that leads his body to touch his own.
When he sees that Mint has already caught his breath. He kisses him again. Deeply.
Mint unexpectedly opens his mouth, with a surprised feeling because he didn't think that Mint would respond. He immediately explores the inside of Mint's mouth.
Savoring the sweet taste of him. Tasting the alcohol within his mouth only makes it more sensual. He wanted more.
Using all his might and restraint that was honed for many years, he pulled away from Mint.
After giving Mint one last smack to the lips, he let him go.
He leaned into the wall while his gaze was still staring at the already distant Mint.
Making sure that Mint will surely take the path back into the lounge that their group was placed in. When he couldn't see the silhouette of him. He closed his eyes while he leaned into the wall on his back.
He need to calm himself-down.
'This is not the right time yet. Soon.'
Sage said comfortingly.
After a while of standing there Sage. When is sure that he already collects himself. His feelings, hidden beneath. He went back into the lounge.
Throughout the night, after their scene, he notices that Mint is avoiding him.
Until they are about to go home. Mint is still distancing himself from everyone, especially him. Though he still moves as if nothing happened between them and acts as if he's really not close to Mint as usual.
Sage feels that Mint is drifting further away from them.
He didn't like it. Not even one bit. But he didn't do anything just yet.
When all the ordered drinks were finished. The sober men made sure to accompany their female colleague until they got into a taxi that would drive them home.
Once they saw that all of the females, including the timid Mint within their eyes, had already taken taxis. They also helped the already drunk men to take their taxi as well, they went their separate ways.
'Soon you will be mine.' Sage declared while riding his bike going home. His eyes were filled with darkness.
Sage knows. Mint already caught his attention since he saw him on his first day in Athercliff. When he learned what his name was and what department he was in, he felt excited. Every time that he will have the chance to see him, his gaze will never leave him until he can't see him anymore.
Deep inside, he was too eager every time they would have, even accidentally, interaction. Even if it's only for a while. So he always becomes excited when there's a little happening in Mint's department's lab or a program happening within Mint's department or the entire Aethercliff.
No one knew how he felt for Mint.
Also, no one will believe that he will be attracted to someone like Mint.
Mint is not the most beautiful that he has ever met. Add the fact that he was a man.
He already knows that he was both attractive to both genders when he was a teenager after experimenting a little. THough men attracted him more than women.
Mint is a little bit chubby. But, for him, the beauty of Mint leaves the biggest impression on him that makes his heart moved. He even appreciates and is more than happy that Mint is a little chubby. Oh just how cute he is within his eyes.
Afterall, holding Mint was more comfortable. He doesn't like skinny people that when holding them, he can feel bones within their skin.
He found out that Mint is also a little loner and is not a very sociable person. Though he knows that he's kind since he notices every time, when he is near him, he's a bit generous to everyone, especially the more close colleague from his department. Very helpful even.
Mint is the kind of a cute man who is so quiet and always likes to be alone. But this doesn't matter. He's very fit for someone like him.
Mint is just right for him.
Anyway, it's far better that no one notices HIS lovely Mint. Lesser problem. Lesser rival.
He wanted to be the only one who will see how special Mint is. He is only entitled to appreciate him alone.
At least, he won't be having any rivals so he won't need to hide Mint away from the world anymore.
He admits. His love is so toxic. He had a strong territory in owning, ONLY, the person he will be interested in and will love.
His obsession and possessiveness will surely be on that person.
His all attention and world will only revolve on that person.
Now, it's being directed to Mint.
Actually, during lunch time, if Sage could find the time to join the group, he already did. He wanted to interact with him. Even if it is work related.
All the way, his attention always went to Mint.
He always likes to observe him, albeit secretly, when he mingles with the others.
It's just that, even if he enjoyed watching Mint smile, laugh and giggle, he gets jealous easily. Especially when he sees Mint and Dill talking to each other alone.
Just like the previous incident, they have a free lunch at Mint's Department's Laboratory. Because someone treated them to lunch, of course, many closed departments gathered there.
After eating and satiating their hungry belly. Sage and Dill went to the side and animatedly chatted with each other. Their seats were close.
Too close within Sage's heated gaze.
Not holding back, Sage finds the time to 'unintentionally' question the others on what the two's relationship are, when he heard the others start gossiping about Mint and Dill. They all are questioning if the two are already in a relationship as they were very close.
That made Sage gritted his teeth out of annoyance.
What the fuck. Mint was only his.
But it turns out that the two are just purely best friends. That they come from the same department when they were still in college according to Laurel.
Even though his annoyance and jealousy has lessened a bit. He really can't help but feel envious when he sees the two of them happily talking.
He also noticed that Mint is so open with Dill. It seems that Mint has a lot of trust on Dill.
He doesn't like that.
Even though he doesn't want to, he forces himself to calm down because he doesn't want to rush Mint.
Two days after their night encounter from the, Clove who is beside him, elbowed Sage signaling that Mint together with Laurel and Jasmin were now heading to the Laboratory that they were currently in now.
They were both standing at one of the entrance stalls within the laboratory.
Sage and his other colleagues from the Security Office are in Mint's Department's laboratory. Because their boss, their beloved Vice President. Is treating them to lunch again that was prepared by the other department under her in the said laboratory.
Sage stared at Mint's and company briefly.
'He's more alluring today. This is not good.' Sage thought. That put him in a bad mood.
"Jasmin is beautiful, right?" Clove asked Sage.
Sage didn't say a word. He just looked at the three. When Clove got no answer, he slapped the back of the head of Sage.
"Hey, I'm talking to you. Stop staring at them. I knew it, you fell for Jasmin too." Clove teased Sage.
Clove's voice seems to be so loud, that's why the three of the already leaving, who are already near the entrance of the laboratory, looked over at their place.
Sage even saw Mint slightly frown.
It seems that he heard what Clove said.
"Idiot. Look at what you're saying. You're so embarrassing." Sage reprimanded Clove.
Sage clamped his right arm into the shoulder of Clove there with a little bit of strength causing Clove to complain that it hurt his shoulder.
Sage didn't pay attention to Clove's complaints because all he could think about was Mint's reaction earlier.
Looks like a tint of jealousy showed briefly at his beautiful face.
Thrilled budded within him. He likes it. He loved it.
"Mint, come here, I want to show you something." They heard Dill call Mint with a loud voice, getting Sage attention and the others.
Curiosity really kills the cat so when they proceed to check what will happen, they see that Mint went immediately beside Dill and sat right beside him.
Mint leans into Dill. His body almost touched the side of Dill. Dill brought his cellphone closer to Mint while he had a wide smile, looking at Mint who was slightly bowing.
When others see them, they only see two flirting people. Even if, within the two's perspective, they were only behaving just like their usual interaction. Not minding the fact that, them being closer with each other, was already can cause misunderstanding towards others.
Sage unknowingly crushed the plastic cup that he was currently holding while he stared at the two with a heated gaze.
Shit!! What is this!!
Sage and Clover is now within the prepared table which contain the food and drinks.
Clove notices the crumpled cup within Sage's hand. He looked at him with a puzzled expression, "Hey, are you okay? What happened?"
"No. Nothing. It was just a slip." Sage said as he stepped aside so as not to disturb others who were already going to get food while still watching Mint and Dill.
He is jealous.
He was starting to get livid now.
Mint is his.
Meanwhile in the area of Mint and Dill.
"Is that true?" Mint asks Dill. He looks at him eagerly.
"Hmm." Dill nodded happily.
"Then that's good. Good thing sir found a new place to work. He didn't deserve the way he was treated here." Mint whispered. Making sure that only Dill can only hear it. Because of that, he was leaning towards him even more.
"That's right. Anyway, it turns out I didn't pass the Civil Service Examination." Dill suddenly lamented after he nodded at what Mint said.
Mint moved away.
He, too, already knew the result before they went here. He did find time in waiting for the results that will show today so that he will immediately know the result. Afterall, he was so excited because he was hoping for the others, also who are part of their circle of friends, to pass it.
It's just that. Most of them didn't pass. Mint was so disappointed and sad. Only one passed. And that one was only their batch mate when they were still in college.
"That's right. How come? What did you do? Even Myrtle and Rue. They also didn't pass." Mint also exclaimed sadly.
"Esh. It's so annoying." Dill said with a frown.
Mint exhaled slowly.
"Just. . . let it go. It's okay. You'll surely pass that too. Promise, just stay positive. Next time you'll take it again. You will absolutely pass it. Maybe it's just not your time yet. Look at me. I actually took the exam without any review. Hahaha."
"Cut the crap!! You're different, and so are we. Among our group of friends, you seem to be the smartest."
"What? Am I? No, Fennel and Saffron are there. Even Rue."
"Huh. Don't be like that. You're just quiet but not a liar. Stop that."
Mint was about to retort, but their companions there stopped them and told them to get their food now before they ran out of it, which they complied.
They get their food and find their seat. Even until eating, they are still arguing. They no longer paid attention to their companions, who were laughing at them.
"Remember Basil? I saw that he passed the CSE." Mint suddenly told Dill.
CSE or Civil Service Examination which is the only BAR Exam that their course that they have taken during their college and graduated from, can take.
"Ai. Good for him." Dill's answer was lackluster.
"Yeah, right. I just messaged him immediately when I saw that he passed. He was even shocked when he found out. He said he had a fifty-fifty chance during the exam, but he passed anyway." Mint shrugged.
"Oh, anyway. How'd you know that? You have communication, right?" Dill asks while he raises his right brow. Teasing Mint while smirking.
"Yes. I just chatted with him for a moment."
"Ayiie, that might be different now, Mint."
Mint made a face at Dill, "Hey, stop that."
"No, Basil is handsome anyway. You two are a good match. You were quite close back then because you always sat next to each other."
"Who's Basil?" Laurel interjected, having overheard the conversation between Mint and Dill.
Mint and Dill look at Laurel.
"Oh, you're here." Dill exclaimed.
"Nothing" Mint retorted.
He doesn't want to be gossiped about.
"Basil is our classmate way back when we were in college. He's also a little bit close to Mint here. Hahaha." Dill kept saying one after another. This guy talks too much.
"Ow. Ehem!!" Laurel teases Mint while looking at him.
"What? There's nothing going on." Mint exclaimed because he is so shy and so embarrassed right now as the other people are now looking in their direction. They probably heard it.
Now, they were all anticipating Mint's answer. These people are such gossipers. This is Dill's fault.
'One more thing. We really don't have anything between us anymore. My eyes were only on Sage. Only him.' Mint thought while unintentionally wondered his eyes, searching where Sage was.
When he found him standing at the side with Clover, he looked away immediately.
But before that, he saw that Sage was actually looking at him. His burning gaze was directed into him. Reason for Mint to immediately look away.
He was caught. Busted embarrassingly.
But Mint gets so curious.
What happened to Sage. Did he do something to irritate him?
Mint was already so jealous earlier when he heard what Clove said, and now, it seems like he made Sage angry unknowingly.
Mint's mood lessened.
About what happened to them way back from that night. Mint didn't know what to do and how to deal with Sage. But, he pondered for a long time. He thought he should just treat this as a bonus and go back to the way things were.
He's sure that it probably doesn't mean anything to Sage. Maybe it's just the alcohol that works. Even if it's against his will. That's all he will do.
Mint didn't pay any more attention to Sage and just kept talking to Dill. He still feels intense jealousy though because of what he heard a while ago. So he didn't see Sage's intense gaze at her.