"Good morning, sir." greeted the 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.
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.'
Mint is now 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. He 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, he was employed at Aethercliff in one of their departments under their Driving School.
Mint didn't really have the intention in accepting the offer but his 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' is very easy. You can't really tell that it's an 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.
Mint knew that being an Encoder only of a Driving School is a little bit hard since it has a little salary. But, he will make do with it.
He will make sure of that.
He didn't want to go back anymore.
When working at Aethercliff, he met Sage Ashford.
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, Mint gradually started to notice him.
As time went by, Mint's little interest in Sage blossomed and eventually turned into love.
Truthfully, Mint is afraid to love. Because he knows that his love is not ordinary.
Once he will 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 Mint liked the way the man whom his future partner with, is older than him.
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 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 Sage even if it's only secretly and stealthily to satiate his desire for Sage.
Mint 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 Mint's colleague in the same department, Jasmine. Mint 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 Mint's room. 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's department and Sage's department will be surely 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 aslo.
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 Mint and the others were already settled, it really rained with alcohol.
There were many pitchers that were mixed and were presented at their table. Mint was surprised because he was used to drinking hard drinks. But 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.
Mint didn't realize that Laurel had noticed that he had already had a few glasses.
"Mint, slowly. How many glasses have you had already?" Laurel asks Mint.
Mint only smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders.
"I just drank a little." Mint chuckled.
"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.
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 Laurel and Jasmin 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 as this was just 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.
He can't really feel the effect of the alcohol. He's sure that it will not affect him.
Mint can't deny it.
He's really enjoying what is happening right now.
When Mint feels the call of nature. In case Jasmin and Laurel will look for him. He touched the shoulder of Jasmin who sat beside him.
"Hey. Gotta go to the comfort room first. Will you join me?"
"No. I think I'm fine." Laurel answered Mint while he 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 jokingly said.
"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.
Mint immediately looked at the one who held him.
His eyes widened a little bit.
It's Sage!!
Mint 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 and 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 while he was staring at him.
Mint shakes.
The 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 Mint's head, caging him and preventing him not to leave.
"W-what?" Mint asks softly while looking down.
He can't bring herself to look at 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. Inhailing Mint's 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 and 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 then he moved away a little.
The hot body which was an enjoyment for mint was gone now.
Silently, Mint got very disappointed.
Sage looks at Mint directly into his 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.
Mint's only thoughts and attention are on Sage.
"What do you want me to do?" Mint boldly asks at Sage.
Sage smirked a little there, "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.
Mint 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.
VBefore 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.