Chapter 5 Refusing to be your property

- How are you, Manuel? Did you think I would let you escape?

Manuel tried to close the door, but Darío was faster and entered the apartment by force. Manuel took a few steps back; still surprised that Darío knew where he lived.

- When I woke up, you were gone. I missed you - Darío continued, touring the apartment - Actually I had already seen you before. You were always there, waiting for your friend near the place where I work. One night I followed you here. It wasn't difficult, since you live close to my work. Also, you use the same route as me. And when I found you at the bar, drunk, I decided to get closer and get to know you better. The truth is that you like me a lot. And I wish we could go out again.

Darío sat on the sofa, without taking his eyes off Manuel. He recovered from the shock and replied:

- Sorry, but I'm not interested. The truth is you are sick. Invading my house like this without my consent? I ask you to please leave! My friend will be coming soon, and I don't want to get into trouble.

Dario sighed and shook his head. He got up and approached Manuel, then took him by the chin and looked him directly in the eyes saying:

- The more you resist, the more you provoke me. One day you will be mine. And completely forget your beloved Sebastian.

- How did you know...? - Manuel asked, turning away from Dario and trembling with rage and helplessness.

- You murmured his name in your dreams - Darío responded, this time cornering him against the wall - it's a shame that you cling to an unrequited love, but I understand you. The same thing happened to me years ago. I definitely think we should date; we have a lot in common.

- What's going on here? - said Milo, who had just returned from the supermarket and saw his friend in trouble.

Darío snorted in annoyance and released Manuel. Then he looked at Milo and, showing him a fake smile, said:

- No problem. We were just chatting. Anyway, I was leaving - then he looked at Manuel and said: - We'll meet again, Manuel.

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Both Milo and Manuel had to impose new rules of safety and coexistence after the unfortunate encounter with their obsessive suitors. On the days when they had to attend college, one would wait for the other if they left classes early. For the moment, they also chose to stop frequenting night bars and always had to go to places with a lot of people. No shortcuts to dark alleys. And if someone forgot their key when leaving, they had to make a missed call announcing their arrival. Luckily, Ariel always frequented Manuel's apartment in the afternoons, so Manuel knew that at a certain time he had to open the door to receive him.

There were times when Milo was at the house, so every time he showed up to Ariel, he would make up any excuse to leave and leave them alone.

- Take care, Milo - Manuel told him, before Milo left.

- Don't worry - Milo said, still smiling - I'm just going to buy some rice for dinner.

- Remember: if that bastard shows up...

- ... I get lost in the crowd instead of trying to hit him - Milo continued, making Manuel frown - Come on! I know how to take care of myself! Besides, I'm older than you. I'm supposed to be the one to tell you that.

- Already. Alright. _ don't be annoying - Manuel demanded, hitting him on the head - at least I have been able to knock someone out a few times. Well, I'll go check Ariel's homework.

- Then tell me how it went!

And before Manuel hit him with any object within reach, Milo closed the door and ran away.

In the way, Milo remembered that day when he saw Manuel being cornered by Darío. It was the first time she saw him so helpless. Darío surely discovered Manuel's secret, a secret that he only revealed to him on a drunken night. Deep down, Milo felt guilty for being afraid to defend his friend.

Milo had always been small and weak. And he didn't have enough character to defend himself in a fight, either. Manuel, despite his fragile appearance, had a strong character that helped him on more than one occasion, especially if he had to face taller and stronger subjects. That he. During the time they lived together, Milo relied on Manuel whenever he got into trouble. And that night, for the first time, he wanted to be the one to protect Manuel.

- If I told him that I would support him ... he would surely believe that I had gone crazy - Milo thought, resigned - Oh, Manuel. Why don't you just ask me for help? Even a beast like you will need it someday.

When he left the supermarket with his purchases, he had the misfortune of running into Federico.

- Oh! What a surprise! I didn't expect to see you here, Milo!

- What are you doing here? - Milo said, taking a step back and looking at him angrily - Aren't you following me? Or if? _

- Do not believe so much! - Federico told him, in a mocking tone - This is the path I take from work to the station. By the way, don't you want help? Your bag seems heavy.

- I'm fine. I don't need help - Said Milo, who took his purchase and headed to Manuel's apartment.

Federico followed him and started talking. Milo pretended to ignore him, while taking the longest route to return home.

- Know? I've been thinking we could go on a date this weekend. What are you saying? I like you, besides being cute and tender. Well, understand if you have homework. I know that high school students are always given a lot of homework. Still, I wish we could go out. It can be wherever you want. What are you saying?

Milo didn't respond. Deep down, he felt sorry for lying to Federico by telling him that he was eighteen and in his last year of high school. As he walked, he noticed that the streets were becoming empty, since it was already night. So he continued, hoping that his stalker would get tired and leave him alone.

- Hey! I am talking to you! - Said Federico, losing patience - If you continue like this, I will kidnap you and make you mine by force!

He grabbed Milo's arm roughly and Milo, out of inertia, turned around and hit him with the shopping bag. The blow caused Federico to fall to the ground on his back.

- Give me peace, you bastard! - An upset Milo shouted at him - There never was and never will be anything between the two of them! I will never be your property! Did you understand?

And before Federico got up, Milo ran at full speed to the apartment.

When he arrived, he saw that Ariel had already left and Manuel was on the couch, reading a book.

- I'm here, - Milo murmured, crestfallen.

- Welcome - Manuel greeted, putting down his book and paying attention to the behavior of his roommate - What happened, Milo? You look exhausted!

Milo put his bag aside and sat on the couch, next to Manuel. He told him everything that happened and Manuel listened to him, without interrupting him at any time.

When he finished, Manuel reflected on Milo's words. Then, with a sigh, he said:

- Well, at least Federico didn't follow you here. And Darío did not appear again. So, if things get worse, we have no choice but to report them for harassment.

- Do not know, Manuel. They both look dangerous. Even you couldn't defend yourself from Dario that time.

Manuel felt that Milo hit the nail on the head. Finally, with his head lowered, he said:

- Darío knows that I liked Sebastián. And I feel like he senses what happened between him and me. My great fear is that, out of revenge, I will tell Ariel that I forced my friend to have sex when we finished high school. Well, I don't think he knows about the boy's existence, but if he keeps monitoring my movements... I don't know, I don't want Ariel to hate me.

- And why do you care so much that Ariel discovers your past? Do you...do you like it?

- It's not that! - Manuel shouted, turning red as a tomato. Milo showed his cheeky smile. For him, Manuel was a very transparent and easy person to annoy - Well, I admit it. I like that boy. But I'm not going to go out with him. I would be committing a crime!

- TRUE. You told me I was only eighteen years old. Well, Luis is also that age, but physically they both look older than they are.

- Yeah. _ They may be tall, but they are still very innocent. They just finished high school! Besides, if they knew about our background, they would be scandalized.

This time, it was Milo who felt that Manuel hit the nail on the head. It was true; Ariel and Luis deserved purer, more loving people. Therefore, they decided to be his friends and enjoy his company.

- Today I'll make dinner - Manuel said, changing the subject - You've worked a lot today.

- Yeah. _ I'm exhausted - said Milo, settling down on the sofa - don't forget that tomorrow we have that lunch with Luis and his friend.

- Only if it occurs to you to go out during evaluation season.

- We need to relax a little. Especially you, Manuel, who is always upset about everything. One of these days you'll have an attack!

- I guess you're right - Manuel murmured, while preparing dinner.

The night passed completely normally. During dinner, Manuel taught Milo the strategic places on his body that he should hit in case he was cornered against the wall or the floor. Almost all the attacks made reference to the low areas, which caused Milo both amusement and horror.

After dinner, they went to their respective rooms to sleep, eager for tomorrow's departure. Something told them it would be a special day.