C1 The Bomb

Kei didn't have a choice but to open his eyes and get up when his alarm went off. He slowly sat down and yawned at the same time. He reached for the clock on his bedside table and turned the alarm off. He was still sleepy despite the fact that it’s already eleven o’clock in the morning. He yawned once again and was about to go back to sleep when his phone rang.

He disregarded it and closed his eyes. Eventually the phone stopped ringing. *Italicize* Thank God, *Italicize* he said while grinning. But that didn't last long. His caller was someone persistent and he knew exactly who it was. He reached for his phone and answered it while still lying down on his bed.

“Korrigan! You ignored my call on purpose, didn’t you?!”

He put the phone away from his ears before he answered. “Good morning, Felicia,” he said.

“It’s ‘Elle’ not ‘Felicia’, you moron!”

He smiled and could imagine his editor’s displeased face. “What?”

“What do you mean what? Today’s your deadline. Did you finish the storyboard?”

He yawned and didn’t answer.

“Korrigan! You-unbothered-evil-son-of—”

“I did,” he answered to cut Elle off. “I just woke up and was about to send you the draft.”

“Okay, good. I need it ASAP,” she said with a soft voice.

He smiled and said, “You never fail to amaze me whenever you suddenly change the tone of your voice.”

“Aww, come on. You know how much I love you, right?”

“You mean how much you love the money you get when you get paid?”

“Tch! No comment! Send it to me now, okay?”

“Okay. See you later, Elle. Bye.”

He sighed and got out of the bed to go to the toilet to wash his face. He was still grinning from the conversation he had earlier with his friend and editor Elle. Not to brag but he was one of the moneymakers in their company. He started working as a comic artist when he decided to drop out of college. He was never fond of studying and he believes that whether he has a freaking diploma or not, that would not be the standard to be a successful person.

He was still in his pajamas and went to his front porch after making a cup of coffee. It was raining and the wind brought shivers to his whole body but it didn’t bother him. He was about to sit when he saw a familiar build. He was one hundred percent sure that it was Chris, his neighbor. He was carrying a bright yellow umbrella and that made him smile.

The color yellow doesn’t suit Chris’ body. He was too big. Like, literally. His bulky biceps and tall height made him look like a gym trainer. And also, delicious-looking. No, no, no. Clear that head of yours, Kei, he said while still looking at Chris. He frowned when he realized that Chris was not alone. He was carrying someone or something…? He wasn’t sure because whatever it was, it looked so small. And he wasn’t able to see it clearly because it was wrapped in a jacket that was clearly owned by Chris.

“A puppy, I guess?” he said and shrugged before taking a sit. Not that he cares but his neighbor wasn’t the type to take care of a pet. He’s too stiff and quiet. And arrogant, he added. His eyebrows rose when Chris spotted him and came in front of his gate.

“Kei,” he said. “Do you have a minute?”

“Well, well, well. What do we have here? Hmm,” he said to himself while looking at Chris. He sat down and stared at his pleasant face. Chris talking to him first was new to him. His neighbor does not even come near him after he moved in that neighborhood three years ago. Well, after their first meeting, they decided to hate each other.

He could still vividly remember that day as if it just happened yesterday. After he bought a house from the money he earned and saved, his mom gave him incense as a gift. His mom told him that burning incense could be a great way to cleanse a home. But he actually didn't like the smell so he decided to burn them outside his house.

After a while, someone knocked on his door and when he opened it, he saw a mad-looking hunk outside his house. He scanned him from head to toe and because he was still wearing his uniform, he found out he was a fireman. He smiled and asked him what’s wrong but Chris’ face was getting red. He was so annoyed and obviously, he was the reason. It turned out that Chris thought his house was on fire because of the smoke of incense.

*Italicize* “Don't you think people might panic when they see smoke coming from your house? Be considerate to your neighbors.” *Italicize*

He was so embarrassed when Chris told him that. It was an honest mistake but his neighbor thought he was just being careless. From that day on, they never even glanced at each other when they saw one another in public. He hates his guts and so does Chris. He was sure of it. But seeing him outside his house made him really curious. What’s gotten into him that he approached him first?

“Kei?”

The sound of Chris’ voice made him jump. He still has that effect on him ever since the day he first heard him talk. Though, it wasn’t a pleasant memory. Still, there was something about it that he could not forget.

“What?” he asked with an irritated voice and look.

Chris looked down on what he was carrying and turned his gaze on him. “I have something to tell you.”

He literally jumped out of his chair when he saw a toddler inside the big jacket. His eyes went big and he was so puzzled when he looked at Chris.

“You have a child?” he said.

“What?” Chris had a horrified look on his face when he asked him that.

Well, it was no surprise that a healthy guy like Chris had a child. It’s just that he never saw him with a woman before that it made him think he was still single. Kei’s not sure why he was so affected that Chris has his own family.

“Congratulations,” he said after recovering from the biggest shock of his life. He was attracted to his neighbor alright. But he didn’t think that a day would come and he would announce it to him personally. *Italicize* What? He wants me to be his child’s godfather or something?!*Italicize* They weren’t even friends!

“What do you mean?” Chris asked.

“Congratulations on being a father?” he answered.

“He's is not my child,” he said. “He’s yours.”

“What?!” He laughed hysterically because what Chris said was hilarious. “When did I ever give birth?”