IT HAS been a while since Adrian felt this kind of feeling again, struggling so much just to breathe and stay alive.

He knew Liza from a fashion show he was invited to. She suddenly called him last night and wanted to meet up. And since he does have a schedule that night and in the afternoon until the evening of the next day, they agreed to meet in the morning at her condo and do their business.

Everything was great while they were in the kitchen, kissing and stripping. But after they went to her bed, he started to cough and felt like suffocating. Most people who know him were well aware of how severe his asthma whenever triggered and Liza seemed to know about it too. The problem was, it was already late when she mentioned her sister coming to the condo with her dog.

His asthma worsened in an instant that he didn’t have the time to get his inhaler or tell her what to do. But good thing, she managed to get it for him. It made him feel a little better but eventually, he still fainted.

When he woke up, he’s in this familiar place again. But what makes it more familiar is to wake up having Mark by his side. He saved his number as his emergency contact. It must be him who taught Liza what to do while he’s having an asthma attack.

He was just staring at Mark who’s busy with his phone and didn’t seem to notice that he was already awake. He looks pissed and frowning. Based on what he’s hearing, he thinks it’s Abby he’s talking with and asking where hospital they are which Mark refused to tell.

When Mark noticed that he was awake, he drops the call.

“How are you? Do you feel better?”

He still has an oxygen mask on and feels a little tired but he guesses he’s fine. “Yeah,” he answered briefly.

“I told you to be careful. You know how severe your asthma can get. You should ask questions first before you go to their places. Or better yet, just stay home and let them come. That will be safer.”

Mark never interferes with his sexual life other than telling him to always be careful. He’s actually the one who refills condoms inside his car so he wouldn’t forget to use one but he still does at times. At some point, he became curious if Mark keeps some as well and use it with his girlfriend.

Talking about girlfriend, Mark has never introduced a girlfriend to him since they knew each other. Maybe he just doesn’t want him to know. He may be his friend but they’re both men and men are naturally possessive with their girlfriends. And with his image, Mark might be thinking that he’ll snatch her from him which will never happen. Mark is such a precious friend for him to do such a crime.

They both looked at the door after hearing a knock. It was Abby who came in.

“Thank goodness! You’re finally awake, Adrian. We only have an hour left to get into the location.”

“Can’t you see he still looks pale and weak? Can’t you just reschedule?” Mark is usually calm but for the first time, he heard him raise his voice and look irritated.

“Please don’t interfere with our conversation, Mark. This is none of your business. And besides, this isn’t his first time to film after an attack.”

He took off his oxygen mask and gets up. “It’s fine. I can do it.”

“That would be great!” his manager said happily while Mark looked at him with so much worry and irritation?

“Are you crazy? Do you really want to kill yourself?”

He just smiled at Mark. “I know you won't let that happen.”

HE DIDN’T mentioned the hospital they were into Abby because he knows she’d just force Adrian to work despite his health’s condition. He just told her Adrian can’t go on with his schedule on that day. But like what he already expected, she still found them.

Though Adrian never once becomes serious with his love life, he’s a dedicated person when it comes to his job. He still goes to work no matter how tired or sick he was just like today. He’s that professional. He admires him for that but hates him too at the same time. Adrian doesn’t know how to cherish his body and worry about his health and it makes him worry for him a lot more.

Since Abby doesn’t want him to interfere with the shoot, he was told to stay outside the studio and just wait till it was over. He told Adrian to call him right away if he needs him that’s why he answered his phone right away without even looking at who it was.

“Is there something wrong? Are you okay?”

“There’s definitely something wrong since you’ve been ignoring my call since this morning, Mark.”

That’s only when he looked who’s the caller.

“M-Mom?”

“Who else do you think? Where are you? Why you’re not in your office? And why did Ingrid tell me that you went to your boss? Why will you have a boss when you’re running your own business? What exactly is the meaning of that? Huh, Mark?”

“Mom, I’ll tell you about it some other time, okay?”

“No. You have to tell me everything now, son. Are you having problems with your business? Do you need help? You know you can always ask me for help.”

“My business is doing great, Mom. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“If you don’t want me to worry, tell me who’s that boss Ingrid told me about. Wait, don’t tell me you already have a girlfriend and you’re just keeping it from me? Is that boss your girlfriend? How could you do that to me, Mark? You know I’ve been wanting you to have a girlfriend for so long.”

He took a deep breath. “Mom, I don’t have a girlfriend, okay?” He knows his mom won’t stop until she knows everything. “I’m working as a bodyguard and driver for someone.”

“What? What for?” His mom’s voice was so loud that he had to move the phone away from his ear. “I thought you’re not struggling financially? Then why do you have to do that?”

“Because I just wanted to be with him, Mom.”

“W-wait, what did you just say? Him? A man? I want to believe that you’re talking about your dad but that would be impossible. Who’s that man you’re talking about, Mark?”

“Someone I love taking care of.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re into men, son.”

“I’m sorry, Mom but I am.”