"I'll be going home, Mal. I need to rest for my shift at the parlor.”

"Already?" Mallory asked conspicuously. 

Rose raised an eyebrow and ridiculed Mallory a bit, "I know you want alone time with Don Vasco backstage, Mal.”

"No, I don't. It's strictly business,” Mallory said as he tried to conceal his sheepish smile. 

Rose put her hands on her slim waist and glared at Mallory skeptically, "Come on, Mal. I know you more than anyone.”

"Okay, okay. What's wrong with it? You know I do this all the time."

Rose tugged the strings on her sling bag, trying not to get mad, "I don't like what you are always doing, Mallory.”

"I am not doing anything bad,” Mallory defended. "You know what happened with the last bastard I dated. I don't want to be used again."

Mallory shook his head from a bitter memory and walked off. Rose looked at him with concern and followed.

"But... Look, what if Don has a wife?”

"I didn't see a wedding ring.”

"But what if he removed it?”

"But what if he is not even married, Rose? Don't be nosy." 

"But Marshall—” Rose pleaded, then froze after realizing what she just accidentally said. Mallory's old name. 

Mallory looked at his best friend disappointingly and sighed angrily, "Rose, stop fussing like we are still together. I am not Marshall anymore.”

Rose apologized profusely as her eyes started to form teardrops. She patted the corner of her eyes with a napkin before the tears could fall and ruin her makeup, "I am sorry. I am just worried.” 

"Worried about what?” He asked, holding her arm.

Rose sighed deeply and answered,

"...I don't know. That you might forget about me when you go after him.”

Mallory hugged her after she started to sob convulsively.

Mallory patted her back and spoke in a hushed tone, "That's not happening, Rosie. You are my best friend, and I love you like family.”

"Are you sure?" Rose asked, "You won't leave me?"

"Sure as hell.”

Rose hugged back and tried to stop crying. She drew back and forced a smile at Don, who just walked towards the both of them.  "Are you okay, Rose?"

"I am. Just got a bit emotional, sorry. I s-should be going; my coworker Sabrina is waiting for me,” Rose whimpered before making a heel turn and ran away. Don glimpsed at Mallory confusedly, who was in a haze for the moment. 

"Rose!" Mallory called out. 

"What happened?" Don audibly wondered as he looked at Mallory. 

As Mallory became hesitant to speak, Don misinterpret him and spoke up again, "Look, I was just joking when---"

"No, it's far from that..." Mallory rubbed his arms and replied with a look of guilt in his face, "Look, can you talk to her? I feel like I've said too much." 

"Me? Okay, I'll do my best," Don nodded fast before sprinting across the hallway. 

Don caught up to her after a few minutes and talked to her, "Rose, What happened? Why did you bursted into tears when you saw me?"

Rose bowed her head and refused to reply. Don read her mind for a bit and  figured it out.

"Rose... Is it about Mallory and me? Did I do something to offend you?" Don questioned calmly. 

Rose took a deep sigh and answered while she wiped her tears away, "It's complicated. You won't understand"

Don paused and responded, "Rose, did you and Mallory have something before?" 

Rose's eyes watered again as she nodded. 

"That's a good guess," She sniffled. "Yes, Mal used to be my boyfriend." 

"I see," Don said, pretending he didn't know much. "You haven't moved on yet?"

Rose furrowed her brows and glared at Don with teary eyes,"I'm trying to, you know. You won't get it, Don. Someone like you didn't experience heartbreak as I do. You're literally too perfect for that---" 

"No. That's not true, Rose," Don interrupted. He stared deeply at her with pained eyes and replied. "I experienced all that there is to life." 

Rose gazed at Don. She was puzzled at what he meant. 

"Don't tell this to Mallory yet, but I had a wife," Don admitted. 

While Rose stared at Don angry brows and mouth agape in disbelief, he continued to open up to her. "She had ocean blue eyes. Very headstrong, smart, and charming. We were happy and content despite the fact I am unable to give her children. Until..."

Don's expression then became grim. He shot a despairing look at Rose before darting his eyes away. 

"She was shot on our first anniversary. She died in my arms, and all I could do was watch her fade away." He said grimly. He covered his mouth with a closed fist as he closed his eyes momentarily as Rose stared at him with pity.

"What happened? Why was she shot?" She questioned with empathy.

"We lived in a warzone. It was a desperate time," Don answered concisely. He then forced a convincing smile and said, "I could've wished the world to just end and sulked away but my passion kept me going."

Rose covered her mouth, feeling bad for what she just said earlier. She quickly apologized, "Oh, Don... I'm so sorry I told you that. It must be really hard for you to lose someone you love so much." 

"It's okay. I understand," Don nodded solemnly. "The passion we have makes you say and do things we could regret. I've been there."

The two paused for a moment. Rose spoke up reluctantly with pain in her voice. "Do you like Mallory, Don?"

"...I do admit, I have a strange attraction for Mallory." Don answered, slipping a coy smile."It's not just because I find him pretty... It's just that Mallory is more myself than I am."

Rose smiled and understood. She  then glanced at her watch and spoke less dourly, "Oh, I should go now. You shouldn't let Mal wait." 

"Oh, yes. He's probably pissed," Don laughed. "Don't you want to eat fast food with us?" 

"No, I’m not hungry,” Rose replied, turning her head to avoid Don's eyes. 

"What a shame, I was about to order fast food. Be safe on your trip, Miss Rose!" Don said. 

"Thank you. Goodbye!” She said in a more cheery tone before walking. She stopped halfway through and turned her head with a sad smile, "I think Mallory would appreciate someone as honest as you." She then continued to leave.

Don then returned to Mallory soon after and invited him to his dressing room. 

Mallory sat down on the nearest swivel chair. He rested his face on his hand, crossed his legs, and leered at Don. The blonde man was oblivious and went straight to the mini freezer to grab two bottles. 

"Why did you order fast food? We were in a restaurant,” Mallory asked as he took a bite of a burger. 

"I'm on a budget,” Don answered as he took out the liquor. "Vodka or white wine?"

"The lightest one please.”

"Coward,” Don whispered teasingly. 

"I want to go home alive, Don."

Don chortled as he brought back the vodka and uncorked the white wine bottle. He poured the drink in the glass in Mallory's hand and asked proudly, "Was I magnificent earlier?"

"Yes, it was very intriguing... And seductive." 

"Oh ho!" Don laughed as he tilted his head, following the action with an amused smile from the answer, "Thank you.”

Don sat on another swivel chair and poured himself some white wine, "Then you agree to collaborate with me?" 

"I do, but there is one more thing.”

Don stared intently as Mallory came closer. Mallory stopped, thought, and asked, “Are you married, Don?" 

The blonde man sighed heavily, "I wish.”

He flashed his ring finger and sat on the swivel chair, "See? No ring. All my friends are married except me.”

"Oh, then it's fine.”

"What do you mean fine—" 

Mallory pounced on Don, who comically fell off his swivel chair. They both laughed whilst Don rubbed his head. 

Before he could nibble again on Don's face, he noticed the red stain on his blouse. The other discovery was the rip near the stain, "...Did you get hurt?"

Don laid down on the floor as Mallory kneeled. He looked at the red area and nodded.

"You see, I was stabbed at my work from unforeseen circumstances.”

He unbuttoned his vest and shirt to show his stab wound. "I bandaged it myself, see?" He showed the wounded area in his chest, which was wrapped in bandages.

"Why did you get stabbed?" 

"My work is dangerous, Mal. I sometimes deal with real monsters.”

Mallory gazed at Don, "Why don’t you change your job?”

"It's not an option. I love my job, though. I can handle myself very well.”

The phone rang as Mallory pushed Don down on the floor. The blonde man put his hand up between their faces before Mallory could get another kiss. 

"Speaking of my job, I'm late for work.”

Mallory let out an exasperated sigh as Don stood up and changed his blouse. He tapped on his phone to read the message and then put it in his pocket. 

"Does your work even have a schedule?" 

"No, I only get summoned when someone needs my service.”

"You get summoned a lot.”

Don gently kissed Mallory's cheek as he buttoned up his dark red coat, "What can I say? I am in high demand." 

He laughed. Mallory was unimpressed and still sitting on the floor. 

"I'll catch up, I promise. I will invite you to a date next time," Don swore before extending his hand a bit urgently. Mallory took it and stood up. They left the room and walked towards the nearest fire exit. Don tried to cheer up his special guest. 

"Wear a smile, my darling. You aren't fully dressed without a smile!"

Mallory smiled forcefully. Don tilted his head and quickly pecked and sniffed his neck, which made Mallory giggle like a schoolgirl and cover his neck. 

"You smell of a decent dose of Vanilla perfume and a hint of cigars.”

"Do I?”

"Cigar stench sticks on your clothes, Mal.”

They stopped in the parking lot. Don faced his love interest. "À tout à l'heure, Mal.”

"Goodbye."