No One POV – Park, Home, and Hospital
Black and Sunny walked through the park, talking and laughing.
Black felt happy to have someone who could talk, laugh, and touch. Sunny felt happy to be with someone who hadn't seen the broken version of him. For a moment, everything felt right. But Sunny knew nothing lasts forever.
"It's time I head home," Sunny said reluctantly.
"Okay, I'll give you a ride." Black wanted any excuse to stay with him longer.
"No, it's only a couple of blocks away."
"Then I'll walk with you."
"Okay."
They talked until they reached Sunny's new home.
"It's a beautiful house."
"It's not mine. I only have a room."
Black didn't ask about the house. He didn't want to make Sunny nervous; soon enough, he would know everything.
"I'll call you tonight."
"Don't be so sure."
"Sunny… I will call you tonight."
"Good night, Black."
"Good night… where's my good night kiss?"
"I don't do kisses on the first date."
"So… the next date?"
"There won't be a next one."
Black smiled, that smile that could melt hearts.
"Go inside… and don't sleep. Wait for me—I'll call you."
Sunny hung up and closed the door. Alone, he couldn't believe he had spent time with Black and how kind and gentle he had been. He didn't notice Gloria approach and wrap an arm around him.
"I want to know everything. Are you two… boyfriends?"
"Shit! You scared me."
"Why didn't you let him kiss you?"
"How did you know he wanted to?"
"Baby, he was all over you. He wants more than just a kiss."
"Let's watch Twilight. I want to see the one where Edward leaves Bella."
"What happened? He looks happy. Did he do something to you?"
"No… he was so gentle, and I was happy."
"Then what's the problem?"
"The problem… is that I was happy. And that means it won't last long."
"Oh boy, you're so hard on yourself. We won't talk about that for now. Go get some tissues and popcorn—we'll cry ourselves out."
Sunny changed quickly, trying to distract himself from thinking about Black. Reading about his own troubled past, he felt shame over his parents and his first days in New York. Surely Black would be disgusted if he knew everything.
Meanwhile, Black returned to the park to get his car, still replaying the date in his mind. Nothing in any file could make him care less about Sunny. He wanted him—and nothing could change that.
Lost in thoughts of Sunny, Black didn't notice the danger around him. Three men approached: two with sticks, one with a knife.
"Give us what's in your pockets."
"If you know what's good for you, don't forget your watch," one sneered.
"You should take your little friends and go home if you know what's best for you."
Black pushed the closest one away. Before he could reach his phone, he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. The men stabbed him, grabbed everything in his pockets, and disappeared.
Black lay unconscious until a passerby walking their dog found him and called 911.
At the hospital, the doctors were ready in the emergency room.
"Any information on the patient?"
"No. Looks like theft. Nothing in his pockets."
"Check his blood type quickly. We need three bags. He's lost a lot of blood."
The doctors treated Black's wound, stabilized him, and sent him to a room.
"Nurse Lila, monitor him for the next 12 hours. Call me if anything happens. He should wake in about ten hours."
"Okay, doctor. I'll make sure everything stays fine."
"An officer will be here in the morning to investigate and find his relatives."
Meanwhile, Sunny was at home, nervous, cuddling with Gloria while trying to watch Twilight.
When midnight came and there was still no call from Black, panic set in. Tears first, then cries. Gloria held him, unsure what to do.
"Sunny… he's not Cinderella. He'll call. Maybe work delayed him."
"No, Gloria! He promised before midnight. He said nothing could stop him… and now he knows I'm not worth his time. I'll never see him again. I like him so much, and it hurts."
"Come here. He will call. Let's have a sleepover and calm down."
Sunny felt lost. Maybe he had pushed Black away, but he already missed him. He prayed Black would stay, and resolved never to go back to the café where he first met him.