The drive felt longer than usual. By the time Mano opened the door, Ody was visibly tense. “What happened? Are you okay?”
Mano frowned. “What’s with you? I’m fine.”
Ody stepped inside hesitantly. “It’s just… you’ve never really asked me to come over like that before.”
“I have,” Mano replied. “When I got beat up at school and called you.”
Ody’s chest tightened. For a moment he almost told him about the conversation with Kash. About the threat. But that would mean explaining everything. And if Mano found out Kash had tried to blackmail him… Ody could already imagine how that would end.
He swallowed the words. He’d deal with Kash himself. After this, he’d go find him and talk to him. Make him understand. Kash had been angry, jealous. Maybe he hadn’t really meant what he said.
If Ody could just calm him down… convince him to stay quiet… then none of this would blow up in Anna’s face. Not like this. She couldn’t find out from Kash. And Mano couldn’t get dragged into it too.
If Anna learned the truth, she’d realize Mano had lied to her too. About all of it. Mano didn’t need that kind of fallout. So for now, it was better not to say anything.
“What did you call me over for?” Ody asked.
“Sit.” Mano gestured toward the couch, and they walked over together.
Once they sat down, Mano reached for something on the table. “I wanted to give you this,” he said. “It arrived this morning.” He handed him a small black box.
Ody looked at it, confused.
“You gonna take it or what?” Mano asked, his eyes fixed on him.
Ody hesitated before finally taking it. “What is it?”
“Remember when you were making crepes and asked what I was looking at on my phone?” Mano said. “I was choosing your gift. I didn’t want you to see.”
Ody blinked. “My gift? But it’s not my birthday.”
Mano sighed in annoyance. “Right. Because we only give gifts on birthdays. Give it back, then.” He reached for the box.
“No!” Ody pulled it away quickly, and their eyes locked. “I’ll open it.” He lifted the lid and froze. A sleek black luxury watch, its dial a deep, dark blue.
For a moment he just stared at it. Then he looked up. “Mano… where did you get this?”
Mano studied his reaction. “Do you like it?”
“This is insanely expensive. Where did you get that kind of money?”
“Do you like it?” Mano repeated, his face hardening.
Ody lowered his gaze to the watch again. “Y-yeah… a lot. But it’s way too expensive.”
“What are you afraid of?” Mano asked, irritation creeping into his voice. “That I stole it? Or that I’m dealing drugs?”
“No! It’s just… this definitely costs over a thousand.”
“Why do you care about the price?” Mano said, clearly annoyed. “It’s a gift.”
Before Ody could answer, Mano took the watch from the box. His fingers brushed against Ody’s wrist as he fastened it carefully around it. Then he leaned back slightly, looking at it. “It suits you.”
Ody stared at it, still stunned.
Mano watched him. “You looked happier eating crepes.”
Ody looked up. “No, that’s not it…”
