Absinthe

Before Robert and Jiwoo's argument got any worse, I volunteered to call it a day and tried to drag Jiwoo and Derrick away. Rob had a different idea, so we ended up going together and leaving my previous companions at Faye's.

"I'll pick you up after work tomorrow," Rob said as he parked the car in the guest parking slot of our building.

"Huh?" I said with a slight frown. "What about my car? If you're picking me up, who's driving my car back home?"

"Right," Robert said, scratching his head. "I did not think about that."

I laughed. "There's nothing to worry about, Rob. Jiwoo's straight."

"Are we talking about the same guy?" Robert chuckled. "There's no way that man's straight."

"He is," I answered back. "Trust me. He's just joking around saying those things. But he really is straight."

"I'm not convinced," Robert said, still eyeing me suspiciously.

"Even if he weren't, are you seriously threatened by him?" My question seemed to catch Robert off guard. And, as expected, he answered by dismissing Jiwoo's threat.

"Not really. Sure, he's handsome, but I'm hotter, right?"

I laughed and gently pinched Rob's cheek. "Yes, attorney. You're way hotter."

The following week was one of the most exhausting ones I'd ever had. Chef Maxwell's classes were slowly turning more and more into technique refining tutorials. We were repeating dishes over and over again, trying to master certain skills or the subtle changes we had to make on account of the subtle differences in the quality of the ingredients.

"Culinary contest season is right around the corner," Chef Maxwell began. It was a Friday, and I could clearly see from everyone's faces that they were ready to hibernate over the weekend. "And of course, what better way to hone your skills than to face off with other up-and-coming chefs in the country?"

I caught Nico and Jiwoo exchanging excited looks. Vivi, on the other hand, looked disinterested.

"But before that, I have a treat for all of you," Chef Maxwell announced. "I want all four of you to visit our one and only supplier farm in Benguet next week."

Um, no, thank you? Did he have any idea how hard it was to live on a farm? I did because Faye and I have one. We tried spending one weekend there, but we ended up staying in a hotel. Don't get us wrong— Faye and I have humble roots—but once we started earning money and experiencing whatever comforts it afforded us, we couldn't be bothered living that way anymore.

"It should be fun," Chef Maxwell continued. "It's an opportunity for you guys to understand how food is grown, get your hands dirty, and be intimate with food."

Nico and Jiwoo both laughed audibly at Chef Maxwell's choice of words.

"Besides, I'm sure you need all the relaxation you can get. It's a farm, yes, but it's also a posh resort."

"Okay. We're sold, Chef," Nico said, smiling. "Should be awesome."

At the parking lot, Nico acted like the leader and tried to make sense of how we were going to spend our week in Benguet. "Maxwell said we're getting two rooms. I say us boys can share one, and Vivi gets the other."

"Or, being the gay guy that I am, maybe I can share the room with Vivi and not crowd you two up."

"Will you be okay with that, Vi?"

giving me considerations because I'm female. There's

feel Nico rolling his eyes, but he remained the

Vivi answered. "That way, everything's

Jiwoo added. "Let's do

notebook and wrote two As and two Bs. He folded them multiple times before shaking them

first." Jiwoo offered up his hands to me, four folded papers in his palms. Once I'd picked one, he quickly went to Nico and

got A," Jiwoo

I would be sharing a room with Jiwoo. Imagine the kind of torture I'd be subjected to should we become roommates. But fortunately, I got B! I showed mine to everyone

said. "I guess I'm

be okay with this?" I asked Nico, afraid that he might not

would I pass up the chance

told Nico, chuckling as I opened

Vivi said with a grin. "So what

"I

we can

my car then." Nico said.

to eat

asked Vivi, who nodded. He told me he was picking me up next before turning to Jiwoo. "What about

from yours. I'll go to BJ's place and wait

It's settled

guys soon!" Vivi

out of the parking lot, and I

called out, "Hey, I'm going shopping

and jumped into the

ever—we weren't allowed to enter because there were only 15 minutes left before closing time. Fortunately, Jiwoo had this way of talking to the security guards that they allowed us to grab the stuff we needed to make some food for the

of persuasion. "I never pegged you

said with a wink. "If only you took

it be too early for you to come to my place

back. "But I don't really have a choice,

"I have a pretty big couch. Or we can pull out

Jiwoo asked. "Won't your overprotective

doing anything wrong. You're just sleeping over. Besides, Derrick's there.

"So you're worried that something might happen if

inviting

mind if we pass by my house

"Not at all."

up the groceries into the back

time of night. Jiwoo started giving me directions as soon as I had driven past the business districts along Ayala Avenue. I noticed the roads getting considerably narrower and narrower. The cars beside me were soon replaced

of the city were visible here in every turn of the road, to the point that there seemed to be a big, black spider web

Instead, there was a small wet market called a talipapa and dozens of provision stores and eateries. The road was also filled with parked taxis— it

to park in front of it, so I guess I'll