Yes, definitely flirting.Reed felt the years slip away.
The restaurant tables were separated by thick pillars and offered a bit of privacy.A waiter appeared shortly and handed them huge menus offering a large array of traditional dishes.Reed ordered a bottle of Chardonnay and the man disappeared.
“Do you need help with the menu?”Joseph asked.
“I’m familiar with some of these dishes, but I’ll let you order.You’ve done great so far.”
The wine arrived and orders were taken promptly.
Joseph raised his glass.“May we always be grateful for the past, find joy in the present, and remain excited for the future.”
The words brought hope to Reed’s soul.He wanted to take a leap of faith, but he needed to know more about Joseph’s past.Still, he raised his glass and said, “Tagay!”
Joseph responded with “Cheers!”
The food came quickly.For starters, there was fresh vegetable lumpia, Filipino spring rolls, followed by servings of bamboo rice and crispy fried Tilapia.Reed hadn’t come for the cuisine, but he was impressed by the food.He took a bite of the fish and looked up at Joseph.“This is delicious.I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed a meal so much.”
Joseph smiled seductively.“Perhaps it’s the company.”
The comment took Reed by surprise.He didn’t expect Joseph to be so bold, but it was playful and very much welcome.“For sure, it’s the company.”He hesitated.“But I need to know more about you, Joseph.”
“I’m an open book, Mr.Reed Barton.What do you want to know?”
Reed winced at the formality.“Start at the beginning.”
“I grew up in a rural town.Our economic situation wasn’t good, so I came to Manila to find work.”
“Tell me more.”
“My father was a tenant farmer in the Central Plain of Luzon.He grew rice on a small plot of leased land, enough to feed the family, and sold a portion to pay expenses.Life was hard, but they sent me to school.When I finished school, my parents encouraged me to move to Manila and look for work so that I could help support them.My older sisters had married and gone off on their own.”
“I admire your desire to help your parents.”
Joseph shrugged.“They helped me; it was my obligation to help them, especially since I didn’t have a family of my own.”
“But how did you come to the States?”
Joseph forced a nervous laugh.“I met a woman.”
Suddenly, Reed understood.“A rich American woman?”
“Yes.”
“Go on.”
“This woman traveled to Manila frequently and stayed in the hotel where I worked as a masseuse.She was older, but attractive and she took a liking to me.Eventually she offered to bring me to America on a K-1 Visa.I knew I could make more money in the States, money that I could send home to my parents, so I accepted her offer.She had no idea that I’m gay.I started going to the bathhouse to satisfy my needs.When she found out, that was the end of our relationship and the end of my time in the States.”
“You deceived her.”
“I’m not proud of what I did.I was young and wanted to help my parents.That’s not an excuse.I’m just telling you my reasons.”
Reed knew a red flag when he saw one.Joseph had used manipulative behavior to get what he wanted.No doubt, he would do it again to fulfill his desires.Perhaps a promotion, a raise…
Of course, Reed wanted something as well.Sex.And he could play the game as well as Joseph.Why not go for it?Tit for Tat.
“Joseph, you had no choice.I understand perfectly.It’s just that watching you work today, you appeared so competent, I assumed you’d been doing this kind of work for years.”
“Thank you.At one time, I worked for another company.Then a friend told me that Barton was hiring and paid more.I’m so glad I took his advice.We would never have reunited otherwise.And I enjoy this job very much.I try to do my best, but…”
