“Thirteen.”
Day began to sit up straight in confusion, but Mhok pulled him back and laid his head on his lap again.
“What is it?” Day asked as he tried to reach for Mhok’s hand.
“The number of moles,” Mhok ran his index finger along Day’s collarbone, “You have thirteen moles on your body.”
His eyes widened as he was caught off-guard, “You counted them?”
Mhok laughed, “I woke up way before you did, and I just had time to spare and a beautiful view to look at.”
“P’Mhok!” Day buried his face in his hands.
Mhok would’ve loved to tease Day more if Hazel hadn’t interrupted them. The door was closed, but Hazel’s barks were coherent and loud.
Day snickered as he heard Mhok cuss under his breath.
“Are you hungry, Day?” Mhok asked as he helped Day to wear his clothes.
“Very,” Day replied.
“I’ll make something real quick then,” He kissed Day’s forehead and left.
Mhok was almost completed with making breakfast when his phone rang. He thought that the publishing company might be calling him like they did for the past month, but it wasn’t them. It was Derek.
“Hello?” He answered the call, “What is it, Derek?”
“Uhm,” He heard Derek clear his throat, “Can we meet this evening if you’re free? Day can come too. I have something important to discuss.”
“Okay,” Mhok sensed the seriousness in his tone, “We’ll be there by four.”
“Thanks,” His voice was much calmer now, “I’ll be waiting. Bye, Mhok.” With that, he hung up.
“Who was it?” Day asked as he made entrance into the kitchen.
“Derek,” Mhok kept his phone aside and began to set the table, “He wants to meet us this evening to say something important.”
“Oh,” Day sat on a chair, and Hazel ran towards his side, wagging his tail, “Let’s see then.”
“Yeah,” Mhok shrugged, “Let’s eat for now, okay?”
“I’d love that,” Day smiled.
Mhok walked towards him and ruffled his hair, “My adorable boyfriend.” Hazel barked at that. Mhok laughed and knelt down, petting him, “And my adorable furry friend.”
*.
*
“I’ll look for Derek, okay?” Mhok made Day sit on a chair in the café.
“Mhok?” Derek stepped towards them, “I hope I didn’t take too long. I had to go somewhere, but I guess I rushed back here on time.”
“Ah, I see.” Mhok sat on a chair as well.
“What would you guys like to order?” Derek asked, already calling a waiter for them.
Mhok held Day’s hand, “What do you want?”
“A coffee would do.” Day replied.
“Two coffees then,” Mhok told the waiter.
Derek also occupied a seat across them, “You guys must be wondering why I called you here.”
“Of course, Derek.” Mhok replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
“Well,” Derek scratched his neck, “I’m leaving.”
That left both the men speechless.
“Where are you going?” Day asked.
“Canada,” Derek replied, “That’s where my family lives. That’s where I spent most of my life. I came here only three years ago to start a café. It was my dream to start a business in my home country.”
“Why leave all of a sudden?” Mhok asked.
Derek sighed, “My father wants me back. He says he’s getting old and wants me to look after his business there. You see, I’m his only child. I knew that this day would come sooner or later, and that was why I wanted to do something on my own before following my father’s footsteps. I’m glad I could do this anyway.”
“You don’t like it there?” Day asked.
“I do, I love it.” Derek answered, “But I love the calmness and serenity of this place more. I wish I had more time here. Taking after your father’s business is not the same as carrying your own venture to success. You get what I’m saying?”
“Yes,” Mhok nodded, “So there’s nothing to do about it?”
“Pretty much,” Derek tapped his fingers on the wooden table, “As much as I’d love to stay, I also know that my dad needs me now. I don’t mind taking after his business if it means he’ll be happy and proud of me. I’ve had my fair share of fun here. My business here is flourishing, and I got to meet wonderful people, including you both, and I think that’s enough. Also, Ricky, I’ll miss him, but it’s okay. He’s better off as your Hazel anyway.”
Mhok just realized that every time the three of them met, it turned into an emotional turmoil.
“So,” Day began, “What now? There has to be a reason you called us, right?”
Derek nodded, “Yes. There is.”
“And that is?” Mhok asked.
“I want to write this café under Mhok’s name,” Derek informed, “He’s the only one I trust to look after this business.”
Mhok had his jaw hung open, “You what now?”
“Yes, Mhok,” Derek began, “I can’t sell this off to anyone I don’t know, so that’s why it has to be you. We may have had conflicts and disputes, but you’ve always been real with me, and I believe you. You don’t have to buy it, just keep it. Just own it.”
“What are you talking about?” Mhok asked, “How can I simply keep it? I don’t think I- “
“Derek’s right,” Day intervened, “P’Mhok should keep the café.”
Derek beamed at Day, “Yes. That’s what I’m saying- “
“But, we’ll buy it.” Day announced.
Derek looked confused, “It’s not necessary.”
“It is.” Day replied firmly, “This is a business you started with all your passion and money, so it’s only right that we buy it from you instead of just leeching off your fortune.”
Derek thought for a moment, “You’re right. I didn’t think it through. Me saying stuff like that makes it sound like some charity, I’m sorry for that. I wasn’t being considerate.”
“It’s okay, Derek.” Day assured, “Your intentions are good. That’s all that matters.”
“So I’ll bring in a lawyer then,” Derek announced before pulling out his phone and walking away.
Day nodded and turned to Mhok, “P’Mhok. I want to buy this café for you. That’s the least I can do for all that you’ve done for me. Don’t think of it as a repayment but as my way of expressing my love and gratitude.”
“Day,” Mhok teared up, “Do I deserve this all?”
“Yes, P’Mhok,” He held his hand, “You deserve it all. Don’t let such negative thoughts consume you, Phi.”
Mhok nodded as a lone tear fell down his cheek, “Do you think I can run a café?”
“Yes, you sure can.” Day smiled, “You’d make a cool CEO.”
That made Mhok chuckle, “Thank you, Day.”
Derek returned at that time, “We can change the ownership as quickly as possible. You guys can fix a date, okay?”
Mhok stood up, “When are you leaving?”
“In two weeks,” Derek replied, “So let’s consider this a deal then?” He forwarded his hand out. He was enthusiastic to have someone as trustworthy as Mhok to look after his precious café.
Mhok met his outstretched hand in a firm handshake, “Deal.” He glanced at Day, who was smiling proudly.
“We’ll buy the café.”
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