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Ever since Chance moved into an apartment after a huge breakup with his ex-boyfriend, he has always seen this particular man next to his door. He’s wearing a black coat and tie as well as a black fedora to match his fit. He always went home late at night or didn’t come home at all for days. He seemed like a nice guy despite looking aggressively intimidating. Chance rarely talks to him since he spends most of his time alone inside his apartment or drinking wine on the balcony. But something with his presence captivated Chance in a strange way.
This evening Chance was sitting on a bench near a river gazing at the light reflection on the water, admiring the sun set so beautifully it reminded him of his previous relationship. He sighed. He reached into his pocket where a memento was kept. A piece of his lost soul, his precious treasure. He took a quick glance at the gold coin. Then nostalgia hit him like a truck. His bright golden eyes turned crimson red in an instant.
The gold coin reminded him of how he used to spend time with his ex-boyfriend, ITrapped. Drinking at the bar, gambling at the casino, everything felt like bliss. It all changed in an instant when he knew ITrapped’s true motive, he wanted money. Chance had the strong urge to confront him, making him confess. But something inside his heart, something more than a feeling of love, something that made his heart ache every time he saw him, made him refuse to do that. He flipped the gold coin with his thumb, letting that feeling sink in his mind while his heart ached for a person he would never be able to meet again.
Amidst the chaos in his brain, Chance heard footsteps coming at a distance. The steady thump of boots echoed across the cement pavement. The soles struck with a dull, heavy clack, then dragged slightly before lifting again, leaving behind a faint scuff. On hard ground, the sound was sharp and crisp, like wood meeting leather. On softer surfaces, it was more of a muffled thud, but always distinct, always deliberate — the kind of sound that made you aware someone was coming before you even saw them. Chance quickly adjusted his sunglasses and put the coin back inside his pocket.
“Chance, was it?” The figure beside him spoke. His voice is low and raspy as if he’s been consuming six packs of cigarettes daily. Chance turned his head facing the man in a black coat towering beside the wooden bench he sat in. Chance’s face seemed a little bit confused on how he knew his name since he hadn’t told him yet.
“Yes, and who might you be? I believe this is the first time we meet” Chance tilted his face up, eyes wandering on the tall figure.
He chuckled slightly before walking close to him, sitting on the empty space of the bench.
“I’m the guy next door, remember?”
The moment he realized it was his neighbour he always wanted to spend more time with Chance felt a sense of déjà vu. The air suddenly felt heavy in a familiar way Chance wished it wasn’t. It was like Chance fell out of the present and crashed back into a moment he wished he’d buried deep in his mind. Chance cleared his throat and adjusted his sunglasses.
“Oh, so you’re that guy. I sometimes see you coming home late at night. Work’s tough, huh?”
The man beside Chance let out a low laugh.
“It's been very chaotic lately. Oh, I have something for you. Just a little gift from me.” He realized that Chance had been eyeing on the tote-bag he brought since he sat on the bench. He reached out a hand and gave it to Chance.
“I was wondering if maybe we could grab a meal together or just have a little chat. I’m trying to be more friendly towards people since people complained a lot about my demeanor.”
Chance slowly opened the tote-bag. His eyes widened in excitement. The previously crimson red eyes turned to bright gold. It was a wine bottle wrapped with a red ribbon. The dark glass caught the light softly, the elegant label gleaming with gold trim. It had a subtle weight in Chance’s hand that made it feel important, made for a moment meant to be shared rather than kept alone.
“Oh my, how time flies. I need to get going now. I’ll catch you later then.” The man stood steadily. He adjusted his black fedora and walked past Chance who was still staring at the bottle. But before he went too far, Chance quickly turned his back.
“Hey! Can you tell me your name?”
“Mafioso. Just call me Mafioso.”
Mafioso waved his hand. Chance watched as the tall figure grew smaller with each step, each movement pulling him farther. Then slowly, distance blurred the shape of his figure fading until there’s only a silhouette at the edge of sight. Chance felt a thump on his chest. His gaze still lingered on the gift Mafioso gave him. Then another thump. His heart was beating faster each second.
“It’s just a gift, Chance. It’s just a gift. He was just trying to be friendly.” He said to himself, trying to calm his pumping heart as if it’s trying to escape from his ribcage.
“Nothing more…” He paused.
“Yes, nothing more.”
Chance quickly put the wine bottle back inside the tote-bag. He stood up and walked back to the path he took before. Chance felt his heart was still pumping despite the attempt he tried to calm it down. He tightly squeezed his tie. Something about his feeling, his heart beating fast, making his mind feel uneasy. His eyes previously beaming with excitement and enthusiasm now turned dim, lifeless, nothing.
Chance increased his pace, as if he’s running away from an unknown creature hunting down his life. But he was indeed running. He was running away from the memories that constantly chased him down. Those memories in the back of his mind that he wished so desperately to vanish. He was scared. He was too scared. He was afraid that those memories would rewind itself one day and Chance couldn’t do anything to stop it from happening. Just like before. Just like what happened between him and ITrapped.
***
Chance burst the door open the moment he arrived in his apartment. He slammed it hard and locked it shut, restraining himself alone with his chaotic mind. He put the wine bottle on top of the kitchen counter and walked lazily towards the bathroom to take a cold shower. Fifteen minutes later, Chance came out of the bathroom. Droplets of water traced a path down his neck, catching the light before falling. His hair was damp, strands sticking to his forehead. Chance put the towel on the clothing hanger then put on some clothes before walking to the living room.
He sat down on a couch leaning back his body, head resting on the backrest of the couch. He can feel his eyes slowly start to get heavy. Chance attempted to close his eyes, but before he even did he heard someone knocking at the door.
“Chance, are you home yet? I heard a loud bang before. Are you okay?”
Chance's body jolted in shock. He didn’t expect that Mafioso would be the one who is knocking his door at this time. He quickly stood up, put on his black sunglasses and ran into the front door. He took a glance to look at the peephole to ensure that it was actually Mafioso that stood outside. He twisted the door key, unlocking it. Then, he opened the door. The cold air rushed into his apartment, sending shivers down his spine. There was Mafioso, standing with a compressed black shirt and grey sweatpants. He didn’t wear his black fedora. Chance can finally see Mafioso’s face as a whole.
“Oh, h-hi. I-it was nothing, I swear. Everything’s fine.”
Chance didn’t dare to look at Mafioso’s face. He can feel a burning sensation forming in his cheeks. His eyes still wander at his figure. Mafioso’s compressed shirt perfectly captured his pecs and it was distracting him. It was too distracting. Chance cleared his throat to reduce the tension inside his body. He couldn’t let Mafioso know what he was looking at.
“Thank goodness. I thought something wrong had happened.” Mafioso was relieved. He took a quick glance at the door slightly ajar in front of him. He noticed the wine bottle in the kitchen counter still wrapped with the red ribbon, completely untouched.
“Hey Maf, do you wanna drink—”
“Have you tried the wine I gave you?”
Both of them gave each other a look at their faces. Mafioso laughed softly as if Chance knew what he was thinking just before. Chance looked at him and chuckled.
“I was about to ask you to try it with me. Well, if you’re not busy of course.”
“I’d like to try it with you.” Mafioso smiled softly.
Chance felt a thump on his chest. His eyes widened below those black sunglasses upon seeing Mafioso smiled at him. A smile so genuine like he never saw that before. Chance felt like his heart just got shot by a gun. But instead of pain he felt a glint of happiness and relief. He can feel his cheek flushed red, and his sunglasses were doing a great job at hiding it from Mafioso’s sight. Chance quickly turned his back, trying to hide his blushed face.
“Come in. Make yourself at home. It’s a bit messy though, I hope you don’t mind.”
Mafioso was tailing Chance as they walked inside the apartment towards the kitchen. He then sat on the stool, while Chance was scrambling through the drawer to find a wine glass.
Chance found a pair of old wine glasses inside his kitchen drawer, a little bit dusty but still usable. Mafioso poured the fine red onto the glass and handed the other one to Chance. Chance sat in front of Mafioso, he was nervous.
”For our friendship. Cheers”
***