Because I Cannot Hurt You

Shuang rapidly blinked her eyes. "Huh? In front of me?"

Michael lazily rested his chin on his palm and smiled. "Surprised, right? Indeed. I am one of Jack's exes."

She tilted her head and stared at him. "Do you mean…"

"Yup, Jack is a bisexual."

Her eyes widened in shock, and her jaw dropped. Of all the things, she never thought that she would learn this about Jack. She recalled all the times she talked to him ever since she met him.

"Really? I have known him for a few months now. He never showed any interest in men. I mean…" she scratched her chin, "I don't know how to say it."

Michael laughed. "I understand your bewilderment. Even during our high school days, it came as a shock to me when he asked me out."

Shuang choked. "He asked you out? I always got the feeling that he was on the receiving spectrum of being asked out."

"Oh, that was obvious. Chicks lined up like crazy after him. Plus, you have seen his eyes, right? They are batshit beautiful."

Her brow twitched.

What a way to describe…

"Girls were swooning over him left and right. Plus, he was a tough delinquent who beat the shit out of adults, so his bad boy charms were totally lethal to the poor girls. I got the shock of my life when I came to know that he became a doctor. A brain doctor at that," he shook his head. "He had broken heads when he was a teen, and now he is someone who treats them? Anyway, so where was I? Ah, yes. He just casually asked me out one day. I thought he was just joking. And you know how teenagers are right? We have to try out everything. Whatever is fun and thrilling. Dating a man seemed fun, so I went along with it."

Shuang raised her brow.

"We dated for some time and then broke up. I thought that was temporary for Jack. He just tried out with a guy and would then date another girl. But his next date was also a guy as well. He went on and off between guys and girls. That's when I learned that he likes guys as much as girls. I remember there was a huge fight in his house one day with his parents and he ran away when he came out with his orientation. It was a mess. Jack had stayed at my house for several days." 𝘧𝓇𝒆𝗲𝓌𝙚𝙗𝓷o𝘷𝒆𝘭.𝐜𝚘𝒎

Shuang pursed her lips. "I see."

Maybe his parents weren't so open to accepting his orientation.

"But in the end, he went back. Well, as long as he liked girls too, the situation was salvageable. His father just ignored the part of him liking guys and treated it as a phase that will pass on."

"...And his mother?"

Michael tilted his head with thought. "I think she didn't favor it either, but she wasn't as adamant as his father. His relationship with his parents was complicated," he sighed, "especially after he became a delinquent."

She blinked. "He wasn't always a delinquent?"

"No. In his elementary school, he wasn't a troublemaker. But as he reached middle and high school, he began to hang out with the local gangs groups. He pierced his ears and drew tattoos on his body. By high school and college, he was a full blown delinquent. But he wasn't a bad one. The adults he used to beat were the ones who harassed girls from our schools or who made trouble in the nearby shops."

Shuang remembered the pervert from the club last night.

"I see."

Just then, Jack came after finishing his call and saw them getting chummy. "Hey fucker, don't try to win Shuang here."

Michael shot him a disdainful stare. "What? You only said to give her company! Now you are getting jealous? Jack, admit it. I am more charismatic than you," he smirked.

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. Shoo now."

He whined. "Hey! Your friend is on a vacation here!"

"Yup. That's why I told you to shoo and enjoy your vacation, and let me enjoy my date."

"I mean that shouldn't you help me tour around the city!"

"I am not your guide, and I am sure you must have paid for one, so get out."

Michael was heartbroken.

Shuang chuckled. "Don't be so harsh on Micheal. How about this? I know the Han family."

"Ohhh the most famous hotel industry in China, right?" His eyes sparkled. "They have their branches abroad too."

"Yup. I will talk to Han Zhiyuan. He is the CEO. He will get you super nice accomodation in his hotel and also arrange for the best tour of China for you at a discounted price," she winked.

Michael stared at her as if she was an angel. "Really?" He sobbed. He glared at Jack. "See, this is what you call taking care of your friends!"

"When did you two become friends?"

"Today, obviously!" fre𝙚𝓌𝒆𝚋noѵel.c𝚘m

Shuang said, "I will give him a call."

Jack sneered. "Now will you leave?"

"How mean! From now on, I will talk to Shuang and not you! Goodbye!"

Michael left the cafe in a puff.

Jack shook his head and sat down. "You didn't have to do that. He is an idiot."

Shuang stared at him with curiosity. "It was a nice experience talking to your friend..and your ex-boyfriend too."

He paused and looked up. "...How much did that idiot babble at you?"

"Nothing much. A little about your glorious days as a delinquent, how girls swooned over you and how you dated both guys and girls. It was refreshing to talk to an ex who is not a bitch. Otherwise, you know how some exes are, right?"

Jack looked back and rained a string of curses at Michael.

Shuang smiled. "What? You know I won't judge you, right? Your orientation is your choice. You don't have to look so nervous."

"I am not nervous."

She narrowed her eyes. "You said that there was something else that you never told Xiaosi. Is it your orientation?"

"Yup," Jack sighed and shrugged.

"Why? You know Xiaosi wouldn't care about that either. He would be your friend nevertheless."

"Even if he knows that I used to like him?"