Chapter 6 Cinque

• "I thought he was a genius." I threw that praise at him when we left STOOW, Zack's friend's gallery in Penestanan. Even though it hadn't been 12 hours since we parted, my excitement to meet him again might have surpassed that of marathon runners.
• "I second that opinion. Don't you think it's a shame my friend chose Penestanan? If he had chosen the center of Ubud, more people would have known about him."
• "Prime location doesn't guarantee anything, though. I think he made the right choice. People will come here because they are genuinely interested in his work. There are more potential buyers here than just casual visitors."
• "You have a point there." As Zack buckled his seatbelt, he looked at me. "So, where do we want to go now? It's already lunchtime," Zack said while patting his stomach.
• "What do you feel like eating?" I asked.
• He shrugged. "Anything."
• I had a few options in mind, but there was a place I'd been curious to revisit since Gio took me there.
• "Let's go to Kampung Café. I've been there with Gio before, and it seems like the place you'd like. The view is breathtaking."
• "Show me the way," Zack replied, turning on the ignite.
• ***
• "Glenn, you weren't kidding when you said the view is breathtaking. This place is ... stunning!"
• Zack and I had been sitting at Kampung Café for half an hour since he asked where we wanted to go. We deliberately chose a table close to the so-called forest. There were indeed many lush trees, and the view of the rice fields from the second floor made the place serene, but I wouldn't call this view a forest. That's exaggerating.
• "If this place were closer, I would come here more often."
• "It's so peaceful here. Makes you want to stay."
• While waiting for our order, I purposely played with my phone. I knew it wasn't polite, but I also didn't want to get caught staring at Zack constantly. I had already stolen a few glances since he picked me up earlier.
• "Aren't you tired of always dressing up like that?" I asked, observing Zack's appearance today: a broken white Cuban collar short-sleeved shirt, navy denim pants, and Tom Ford Snowdon wayfarer sunglasses.
• "Why? Is there something wrong with my outfit?"
• I let out a sigh. "There's nothing wrong, but your outfit is too formal for someone like me who rarely wears shirts. How can you wear shirts all the time? I don't like wearing shirts unless it's a very formal event. I usually go for polo shirts and layer them with a sweater or cardigan."
• Zack chuckled. "I'm used to wearing shirts, Glenn. It feels weird for me to go out without wearing one. Maybe I should wear a T-shirt so you won't keep commenting on it when I meet you."
• Whatever he meant, I knew Zack was just joking. But his last sentence made me slightly embarrassed. Did he say what I thought he was saying? "I don't mind what you wear. I just haven't met many people who like wearing shirts."
• "Next time we meet, I'll wear a T-shirt then. So that I can get your compliment for a change."
• "Damn, you! What do you think my comment earlier was? An insult?" I sighed loudly, which Zack responded to with laughter. "Continuing our conversation from last night, you don't mind if I ask something a bit personal again?"
• "It depends. What is it?" Zack answered with a smile.
• "Why are you still single? With everything you have, a job, a consistently well-groomed appearance, and not a bad-looking face, there's no reason for you to be single. Maybe your standards are too high. That's why you're still single?"
• Zack played with the napkin on the table before picking up his fork and pointing it toward me. "Thank you for saying my face is not that ugly."
• "I'm genuinely curious."
• Zack let out a long breath. "Glenn, appearance alone is not enough to be attracted to someone, right? It's important for the first impression, yes. But there's something far more important than just what meets the eye. It may sound cliché, but I know what I want in a person. The conversation is important to me. Intelligence is important to me. After that, everything else comes secondary. Besides, we can't choose who we fall in love with, can we? We can't and don't choose because love has chosen someone for us."
• I remained silent. It might be cliché, but Zack’s last sentence made me think. We never had the privilege to choose who we love because love always chooses someone for us. I still believe that love should be pursued. In my dictionary, love is a verb, not an adjective.
• "There comes a moment when everything is just right. The right time, the right person, and then, just bam! Everything you've been looking for is in front of you. And you know you're in love without having to tell yourself you're in love. Your heart knows it right away. I hope it answered your question, and I hope it doesn't come across as sentimental."
• Our orders arrived before I could respond to Zack's statement. For a split second, our eyes met. It was brief, but I couldn't help but wonder if there was something in the way he looked at me.
• "I like your answer," I said after considerable silence while we focused on our respective meals.
• "What about you? Why are you still single?" he asked after scooping some Sambal Sereh Chicken onto his rice.
• "Maybe because no one wants an outspoken guy like me. I don't push for relationships, Zack. If someone wants to get close, then great. If not, my life won't end."
• I usually get annoyed when asked such questions, but it wouldn't be fair if I chose not to answer after Zack gave his reasons. So, it's my turn to tell him the same thing.
• "You know what? I despise pretentious guys, guys who are fake and act all sophisticated. No matter how handsome they may be, I won't be interested if I know they're fake. I can just sense it when they do that."
• "Even if the guy is as sexy as Alexander Skarsgård?"
• "Even if he's the sexiest man on Earth."
• "Do I fall into the pretentious category?"
• Zack seemed to weigh his answer before sipping his young coconut, which only made me more curious. "Which answer do you want? The honest answer or the answer you want to hear?"
• "Both."
• "You're greedy, Glenn," Zack joked. "You're far from pretentious."
• I regretted asking that question to Zack. His answer only made my thoughts more chaotic. What did he mean by that? Was he trying to flirt with me?
• After that, we didn't talk much except about the food and Ubud. The more I observed him compared to the guys I had previously dated, Zack stood out in terms of looks. It didn't mean the guys I've been with were catalog models kind of handsome. They were nice to look at, and some were pretty good in bed. But somehow, Zack outshined them all, even though I hadn't experienced him in bed yet. One thing is for sure, and I've never felt overwhelmed by a guy like Zack. He intrigued me in a way I have never experienced before.
• "Is it delicious?" I asked as we both finished our meals almost simultaneously.
• Zack nodded. "Good food, good company, great place, great ambiance. I put it on my list as one of my favorite restaurants."
• "That's what I said when Mas Gio invited me here."
• "You seem close to your brother."
• "It's just the two of us since we were little, and our age gap is not significant, only three years. He's the coolest brother in the world to me and probably the closest person in my life outside my parents."
• "Don't you want to join him in Australia?"
• "I've never been interested in Australia. If my savings are enough, I'd rather travel around Europe. It's my biggest dream."
• "Where do you want to go?"
• "Italy, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, England, Spain, Greece. I want to spend three months exploring those countries. I also want to visit smaller Eastern European countries, but my savings won't be enough if I have to visit all of them. It would be nice if someone sponsored me." I said the last words jokingly.
• Zack just smiled. "It would be more fun if you had a travel companion. Someone special, perhaps?"
• "I’m not good at traveling with other people besides my brother. We’re a match made in heaven when it comes to traveling. But with other people?" I shook my head. “I don’t think I can. I don't want my journey to be less memorable because of arguments with my partner.” I leaned back, playing with the remaining food on my plate. "Besides, I prefer visiting places that are not too touristy, and I always feel more comfortable traveling alone."
• Zack agreed with a nod. "Shall we head back now, or do you still want to stay here? Or is there another place you want to show me?"
• "Let's just go back. I'm afraid we'll arrive in Petitenget too late. I don't want you to drive me back to Sanur again."
• "No problem," he said with a smile.
• I had already called the waiter to ask for the bill when Zack interrupted. "On me? As a thank you for accompanying me the whole day."
• I looked at Zack with a look he probably recognized by now because he's always been the one paying since we first met. "Let me handle it."
• It wouldn't be Zack if he didn't insist. "It's really on me, Glenn. Next time, it's your turn, I promise."
• In the end, I gave in again to avoid an argument. "Just hope that next time I want to treat you to a meal because I don't like it when you keep paying."
• Zack simply nodded. "I'll be right back, okay?" he said after receiving the change.
• Once I was sure Zack couldn't see me, I immediately messaged my brother.
• Gio, I need to talk to you. TONIGHT! No buts!
• As soon as there were two checkmarks on the message I sent, I glanced around the restaurant. This place was exceptionally calm. Maybe I should stay here sometime. I need to see something green for once. I'm tired of seeing the sea all the time.