#thedarkestlight

March 9th, Saturday

' This Red string that tie us together will ensure we will meet again, putting it this way, wont things change already. '

The boy with bruises and cut lips tell me as he attach the other red string to my pinkie finger like a ring.

I just stood and cry as i cling on to him, not wanting him to leave.

I woke up with a few tears dripping down my eyes. These days I have been having dreams like that. Just the other day, it was about a father who killed the mother by suffocation with a red ribbon.

I dont understand any of these except the part where red was being shown, my mind flashed back to Scarlet when he was on stage, I shake my head vigorously. Maybe it was a bad omen.

March 15, Friday Deciding on the items to be included in to the men's door gift. Was tough. Now is to generate the report. Which requires trails and data gathered using people involve in the project. I picked a few of the men involve including Jonathan and Veck. And some ladies volunteer to let their partners try the product out for the company. Normally we are not suppose to watch too closely unless the project involves pills or anything that will cause adverse effects. But having said that I am right at the door of Veck's apartment on the pretense of data collection.

Buzzing the buzzer above the lable of the household ''Quinta''. A sound was heard at the intercom as the door unlocked. Veck was wearing a black woolen sweater with white cargo pants. Bringing me to the living area i catch a glimpse of his bedroom it was different from what i expected . There on the dark grey wood was a marine blue flurry carpet and against the wall was a huge bed that was big enough for three. The blanket and pillow was black against crimson red sheets. Walking in to the living area it was smaller then expected having everything in close proximity with each other but with enough room for cushion floor seats on both sides of the coffee table, a sofa and a plasma tv. I could imagine him lounging away on the weekends on the sofa. He walk to the kitchen area which is only a few steps away from the living area and starts the tea pot with a few bags of tea he grab from a jar. Coming back to coffee table he set one of the cups infront of me , the other beside me as he sat down. ' So did you find anything interesting when you visited Sugar the other day? ' he started as he sips away at the warm tea. To avoid answering the question I brought out the products and laid them out on the table.

' So you are saying that the products need to be tested for the best of each and the overall experience of the whole package as well. And that will require you to take up residence in my housing for the duration of a week? '  I nodded in tandem to what he said although the part of the testing was true but staying in his house was not actually required as we have feedback forms for collecting the data but i wanted to get to know him better. ' Sure, you can do that. I have an empty guest room. But try not to invade in the other room opposite of where you will be staying as there are others staying here beside you. I dont mind if you go to my room when it isnt lock or anything just stay clear of the other room. ' He points to the two doors facing each other in the gloomy shadows in between the kitchen and the living area. I wasnt expecting him to agree so easily but i guess to him this is just part of getting work done.

I come back from over my house at midnight sliding in the spare card key he gave me. Creeping slowly through the hallway i saw that his room door was open i slowly peek in. Glancing at the bed illuminated by the soft glow of his nightstand i saw a figure buried under the blankets with alittle bit of his hair sticking out from it. He look abit like a small cute child coddled up like that. I slowly retreated carefully closing the door behind me. I walk across the in between of the living and kitchen area and open the door to the right as instructed. Stepping in the room, put me in awe as it has freshly made sheets of purple with red carpeted floor a toilet door beside the curtains of the window. I slept quite soundly that night.

' Let me go ' his voice trembled with annoyance as the blond hair man tightly grabs hold of the younger men's wrist. ' Scarlet, You cant do this to Rudy. Rudy cares about you... '  Abruptly I step out of the locker I was hiding in with a clatter as i twist the grip of the taller man off him. Dashing out of the bar's staff entrance. I pulled Scarlet far off enough and dash into a building's alley way.

2 hrs before After discussing with Jonathan , we decide to visit the renowned strip club cum bar. It was a invitation only bar except during open to public event dates. Entry to the bar require the namecard of the bar to be flash at the hidden entrance inside a late night ramen store. Rumor has it that the card is sometimes being auction for a high price by owners of the card who migrated to another bar and the card would be sold successfully in not more then an hour every single time.

1hr before As we step in to the bar the lights were dimmed except for a few tiny blue table lamps the stage area was in total darkness and mist was rising all around it. The silence of the guest told us that there is an anticipation of the next performance which is about to start. The half masked usher brought us to a table closest to the stage. Two dark red spotlights one after the other shone at the translucent curtains as a figure stood legs cross hand on their head seductively. Slowly the figure made his way out in the brightening stage center where a pole is. His turquoise highlights shone under the stage-lights, his hands trace his down his nose to to his lips pulling them apart ever so slightly. Gliding down to his firm but small frame of a chest, pushing down at his abdomen reaching the thin see through red material covering his bottom half stopping at just above his knees. He made a gesture as if signalling the real start of his performance, the audience made slight whistling noises. Without missing a beat he grab the pole and swung his body rotating upwards the pole, using his legs his hold his body as he slide down like spider man would on his web. As his head was about to reach the floor he flip himself into a horizontal position with his hand supporting his weight his other hand tousling his hair as if it was nothing. Leaning back  he spun to the ground without getting up his hand glide down his hip caressing the knot that holds the fabric together. The crowd cheer, some threw notes  onto the stage. He smiled, his eyes glittered frame-less. It was this eyes again, it's him? Slowly he undid the knot letting the fabric fall of his body revealing a silk beech fabric clinging to his package. The audience clap as the lights dimmed out. Ready for the next performance they were. I was already off my seats going through the door at the back in the dimmed lights carefully avoiding any bouncers or security.  

20mins before

Finally arriving at the room labeled "SCARLET", I open the door calling out to him but there was no answer, but from behind the door I hear footsteps approaching, quickly I step into the nearby locker and crammed myself shut inside.

5mins before

As i dash out with him I heard the man shouting for us to stop.  But we lose him as we got far off to a residential building's alley way.

' What are you? A stalker or a fan? ' He shot me the question as soon as we stop in the dark alley way.  ' But you wanted him to let go of you, didnt you? ' I manage to push the turbulence that was on my mind out, but as soon as i said it, it became clear that it didnt give much reason for my actions. ' But you dont know me. He is my doctor. Worry not now. ' He waved as he walk on. Stopping him I drape my overcoat over his shoulders. ' At least dont go stark naked into the streets. '  Holding shut the clothing, ' okay, Mr Stalker. ' he chimed as he went off into the streets.

' Wohoo, Jonaathan!!! Jonathan!! He finally Mailed Me!! ' I exclaimed as I show him the msg on my phone:

//From: [email protected]//

943228754

                                - Veck

//Received: 21 Feb 2013, 8.34am//

Smiling with glee i coddle my phone with both hands and kiss it. Jonathan gave me an unimpressed look. ' shouldnt you be replying him or something instead of jumping around like this? ' he ended with a smirk.

//From: [email protected]//

Hi, Thanks for sending me your contact number. I hope we can get along at work and outside of it too.   (P.s. I got something to clarify with you, so let's fix a day to meet up, we can go out to the movies and then to this cafe I know. Text me if you are interested.)                                            -Chris

//Received: 21 Feb 2013, 8.44am//

Veck glanced at the msg he just recieve and turned back to his laptop.

//From: [email protected]//

Sure. But I will go off if it isnt important. March 2. 11pm, central park station. Dont be late.

                                    -Veck

//Received: 21 Feb 2013, 4pm//

--Saturday; March 2, 10.45pm, Central Park Station--

As usual i arrive earlier then the other party. But in just a few moments as the surrounding people all head off to the shops a men in black turtleneck and blue jeans appear from far off. ' you are early. Shall we head to this cafe you were talking about first or a movie? '

I decided we head to the movies first since i doubt i will ever get a chance to go with him again if i have no 'important' matter to speak with him again. The movie was good, it was a sci-fi romance comedy of a male robot falling for one of his captives which goes against his programming and even protecting him when they were held captive. I was afraid that Veck might not like it as I really dont know what he would like, but it seems he just set through it without much expression except for breaking into a smile when the robot and the captive reconcile at the end. Arriving at the cafe, the server welcome us taking us to a seat by the small window. I like this cafe particularly for it's romantic dim lighting and quiet atmosphere, you can hardly hear a whisper, it's just soft murmurs or silence except for the atmospheric music or piano once in a while. There is even a private booth option which you can stay overnight or few hours for a cheap price if you wish for so.  

' So what was it that you want to clear up, although I do have a slight idea what it is already? ' I pull out the green glasses which i had kept so properly and unwrap it from the silk cloth, carefully placing the glasses on the table. He didnt say a thing but when I look up, I saw the edge of his lips curl to form a sinister smile.  He slowly slide a black card across the table:

" SUGAR "

" free are the mortals "

" sugarfree_barhouse31.com  "

With a name " SCARLET " scribble in cursive diagonally across the card. Pointing to the name, ' Find this person and you will understand ' The words he said resounded in my head after we left the cafe and go our separate ways. So was he not the green glasses guy? Did i recognize the wrong person? And what was the meaning of that smile? Did i find out something I shouldnt have? Or am i about to find out something I shouldnt? Cold sweat beaded my forehead as i fumbled around for my keys dropping it in the process. Giving up i set down on the metallic staircase landing and searched for my phone instead to dial for Jonathan.

Looking into the mirror the bespectacled guy pull tight his tie. ' Veck. You ready? ' the tall foreigner who just enter the washroom ask. Veck nodded and walks to the door, ' come on Keith, let's hurry or we will be late for the meeting. ' Arriving at Room 213. Veck knocked gently at the door. A muffled voice from the room invited them in.

Jonathan walk up, greeted and exchange name cards with them. While I stood rooted in an awkward half risen position from my seat. Eyes glued to a total black slicked hair, black spectacle appearance of the boy I like, that is right in front of me. As the boy came over to greet me with mannerisms that is so different from what I have been used to watching, my enchantment crack. From head to toe his appearance was a 180. It was oozing with professionalism and a sense of strictness like he would 'whack' anybody if they overstep his moral codes so very different from the simple style of a woolen sleeveless sweater and white shirt i see him wearing. The floral like scent that permeates from his small wrist lulling me in as we exchange name cards and shake each other's hands.

As I was drawing in unconsciously, another hand came into view from the side. The owner of the hand have extended his name card making me aware I wasnt alone with Veck in the room. ' Oh I am terribly sorry I was just amused at how young Veck is, to be working in the financial department as a freelancer with experience from M company as well. ' I express my apology lest he mistaken my divided attention as unprofessional-ism. Keith gave a chuckle adding on ' well this isnt the first time Veck attracted so much attention but he isnt too young either although you might not be able to tell from his looks but he is in his late 20's. ' ' no I cant tell but you arent that bad yourself either , come let's take a seat with regards to beauty plus's door gift for men..... '

The rest of the people involve in the meeting arrive 5mins later. The meeting progress with some ideas from each department. Veck in a very proper yet laid back manner with Keith diagonally behind him sat across me at the round rectangular table. The rest of the externalities were blurred out as my attention was cast on Veck. It seems no matter how I look at him he seem like him. Just with the black spectacles and full black hair.

At lunch, I and Jonathan went over to where he was seated. Veck welcome us to take a seat with a small hand gesture, he was overlooking some documents with some bread and soup at his side. Keith look up and smile at us while taking a slice of his neatly cut salmon platter set. After a few moments of silence, Veck pick up his documents and was getting ready to leave the table. Johnathan nudge me, standing up I reach out and grab his hand to stop him from leaving. ' Can I know ... your personal number? . . . . ' He shot me with an incredulous look as if asking 'did i just grab him by his hand?'. He then reach in to his jacket and grab out a dark purple smart phone and hand it to me. ' yours? I will send you my contact info. ' Keith gave a slightly annoyed face as I typed my number into Veck's phone. It was obvious who he has set his sight on as well.

His small stature was always seen walking alone along the lockers head buried in a book. Coming to the canteen to get bread. Green glasses sliding off his nose. Two streaks of faded turquoise ruffled against his black hair as he rushed through a cluster of people. I have been watching him for close to a year now, but god knows if he even knows I exist or that his invisible presence catches my attention like harbor lights to a drifting ship.

Wait you cant presume I like him for his nerd looks do you? No I dont, I like him without his spectacles that would cover his glorious eyes. The sharp piercing gaze was what I fall in love with. It was that moment when we first met, he accidentally trip and fall on my resting body as I was taking a nap. His glasses fell off into the nearby pool. The abrupt awakening ignite a fume ready to snap at whoever that disturbs my snooze. Apparently it wasnt true that I would be snapping at anybody soon, as my eyes met with his black dark pools. Glistening sweat was trickling down his hair, I was mesmerize.

He got up and walk off as I dive into the pool to retrieve his glasses. The following day he got a new pair of glasses already as if he cant be caught without one. I wanted to return him his glasses but he doesnt seem to want it back. I didnt ask him about it but no matter how much I lounge by the pool with his glasses on, he didnt come to retrieve it.

So a year went by just watching him, it's his routine to drop by this community health center at around 6-8pm everyday except Sunday. He will rent a private room in the activity areas and spend his time there and around 7.30 he will proceed to the canteen to get some bread and then he will hole up in the room till 8. Apparently he works at a convenience store after spending time at the CHC. I went in a few times as a customer to see if he would notice or recognize me but to no avail.

Recently I havent been able to do so as I am busy working on the new project proposal for a men's beauty package. '' hey, Chris you know there are two new finance officers from M company, shall we go take a look, one of them.might just be a hot chick? '' I jolt up from my PowerPoint slides and turn to Jonathan. '' more like hot men? '' '' Chris, that is only you alright? -_-''

Few weeks later the project got approved, with me and Jonathan heading the management for the project. Along side we have the finance, design and marketing departments. Each having two representative from their firm. Talking about this, we are about to have a meeting with each of the department's representative but apparently no one is here yet.

[knock* knock*] " please come in. " What enter the room next leave my eyes wide open.