(On air.)

"I think I might have to work out a little harder if I continue to see my date. But I'm not complaining." Singto smiles into the microphone even though the listeners can't see it.

Krist tries to control himself from rolling his eyes. Really? Is it really necessary? They've only had two dates, and the next one will be their third. But anything can happen from now to then. Why gush over it so soon? Talking on the phone every day doesn't count. So it's nothing serious.

What vexes him even more, is hearing the whole office gush over Singto's date. And all the freaking desserts Singto brings in the next day is annoying too. Who needs that much sugar anyway? Just imagining them torching all those Crème Brûlées seemed dumb to Krist.

Caller 20: Seriously, the pop-up Ice Cream Museum is awesome. It's super cute with a lot of Instagram worthy photo props. And you can create your own ice cream flavors. You should definitely bring your date before it's over.

"Thanks for the suggestion, Alexa. I'll try my luck. Hopefully, the tickets aren't sold out yet. But tonight, we'll just have to settle for a boring dinner and a movie." Singto smiles some more into the microphone.

The topic originally was 'what's a new creative date?' but somehow the listeners have changed it to 'where Singto should take his date next?' Listeners are so into 'Singto's Soul Search' that they're calling just to ask for updates when the segment is only scheduled for Fridays. That's hijacking the show in Krist's eyes. Now Krist can't wait for this campaign to be over. Just four more candidates. All he has to do is pick four more candidates for Singto to go out with, and all this soulmate nonsense will be over.

"Krist...Krist... hello?" Singto tugs on Krist's sleeve.

"Oh, sorry. I got distracted. What happened?" Krist embarrassingly says. It's not very professional to be tuned out during the show, but he really doesn't know what's going on.

"Don't worry. We're on commercial break. Are you okay? You look upset. Do you want some chocolate truffles?" Singto reaches inside his bag and pulls out three pieces of colorful tissue paper wrapped balls and slides them over to Krist.

"Sure!" Krist happily accepts. He can use a sugar boost right about now. He quickly unwraps one of the truffles and stuffs it into his mouth. "Mmm...this is really good. Very smooth and not too sweet. Just right."

"I'm glad you like it. I have some more at home. I can bring you some tomorrow. Anna taught me how to make them with the leftover chocolate ganache after we glazed the cake. We made three different flavors with extract oils, orange, peppermint, and coffee. They were really easy to make."

"Uh, that's okay. You should keep them for yourself. I'm on a diet. This will be enough." Krist pushes the remaining two truffles back to Singto. Actually, the chocolate doesn't taste that special. It's just chocolate. It's actually quite bitter. Maybe that Anna doesn't even know what she's doing. Krist thinks to himself.

"Maybe you should start cutting back on your pink milk instead." Singto chuckles pointing at Krist's empty pink milk cup. Although Krist does look cute sipping his pink milk every morning. It would be kind of sad if he ever did stop.

"No way!! It's my lifeline. You leave my pink milk out of it." Krist playfully swats Singto's pointing finger.

"Maybe I can create a pink milk flavored chocolate truffle for you. I can ask Anna tonight if she knows how to. How about that?"

Can you feel happy and annoyed at the same time? Cause that's what Krist feels right now. What's so special about this Anna? She looks okay, after all, Fiat and he chose her for Singto's date but she's not that extraordinary. She can't really be Singto's soulmate, can she? It can't be that easy.

"So you guys are going out again tonight?" Krist asks, looking down while he fiddles with the corner of his notepad. He doesn't even know why he's feeling so bothered. It's none of his business if Singto has met his soulmate or not. Sure that would trample all over his 'no such thing as soulmate theory,' but it's not really that big of a deal, is it?

"Yeah, she called me and asked me to see a movie with her. It's nice to not always have to be the one to do the asking and planning. You know? Oh, we're back on in five. I'll tell you more later."

~~~~~~

Krist looks outside through the glass door and it's raining cats and dogs. He can see his condo building from here but it's still three and a half blocks away. He doesn't have an umbrella and the lady before him at the checkout had bought the last one. He looks up to the sky for clues if it will light up any time soon. But he gets nothing except for a loud roar of thunder which makes him jump back a little from the door. He debates if he should brave through the pouring rain but then all his groceries would get soaked too.

"Hey, Krist! What are you doing here?"

Krist immediately turns around. "Oh, Singto. What are you doing here?" Krist notices Singto is still in his nice work clothes and then he looks at himself in his oversized black t-shirt, blue shorts, and red flip-flops. He wasn't expecting to run into anyone when he strolled over from home.

"Oh, I just got off of work and I came to pick up some things to make dinner tonight."

"Oh yeah. You had to record for that new ad, right?"

"Mmm. So what are you doing here?" Singto nods and takes in Krist's relaxed attire. He has never seen Krist dress this casual aside from the last time he was wearing his clothes. Krist has on glasses and his hair is also natural without any styling, making him look a lot younger than he usually looks. Not that he's always looking of course. Singto is just naturally very observant.

"I live around here." Krist realizes Singto's looking at him and feels a little shy like he's naked.

"You don't have an umbrella, do you? Why don't you take mine? My car is just parked at the company's garage." Singto offers his orange umbrella.

"No, that's okay. Even though it's just a block away, you'll still get soaked walking back. I'm not in a hurry, so I can wait it out. Besides, don't you have a date tonight? You can't show up wet." Then Krist remembers that story Singto told on the air about taking a shower at his date's house. He pushes Singto's umbrella back.

"Yeah, but Anna says she wants to try my cooking so we are having dinner at my place instead. So I can just change when I get home. So, just take it. If you get sick, I'm going to have to host the show by myself tomorrow, and I don't want to do that. Here!" Singto offers the umbrella again.

Krist is touched and annoyed. Why does he constantly have so many conflicting emotions around Singto? "I'm really okay. Just go before you're late."

"How about we walk to my car, and I give you a ride home? Come on, meet me halfway." Singto shows Krist his signature bright smile.

"Fine! Then let's make it fast. The rain might get stronger any minute."

The two men huddle close together under one umbrella and dash down the street and cross the road in the pouring rain. The wind is so strong that the rain is blowing sideways. Even with an umbrella over their heads, their bodies are drenched. Then suddenly the wind picks up even more and flips the umbrella inside out. If Singto hadn't held onto the umbrella so tight, it surely would have been blown away. They clumsily flip the umbrella back and fight the wind the rest of the way back to the parking garage.

Then they finally reach Singto's white BMW, M5. Singto frantically unlocks the doors and tosses all their things in the backseat before getting inside. They were both soaked from head to toes. They turn to look at each other and they both break out laughing at each other's miserable state. Water is literally dripping down their faces. So much for not getting wet. Singto pulls out a few tissues from the car's side pocket and starts dabbing Krist's face. Krist freezes for a split second before taking the tissues from Singto's hand.

"Thanks," Krist mumbles. His heart is beating really fast and he quickly looks away. What the heck is happening to him?

Krist gives Singto directions to his place and they drive in the pouring rain. Krist skips tracks after tracks of songs playing in Singto's car. He just wants to know what type of music Singto really listens to.  The radio station makes them promote certain songs and artists regardless if they like them or not. So what the DJ plays on the radio doesn't always represent their own taste in music.

Usually, Singto would be very annoyed when people mess with his playlist and especially when they skip his favorite songs. However, he's happy instead seeing Krist nod in appreciation of his playlist.

Then Krist settles on a song and starts singing along.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Then a call interrupts Krist's singing, and Singto sees it's Anna calling on his dash display. Since he's driving he can only pick up the call over the speaker.

"Hi, Anna. I'm driving and you're on speaker. I have Krist in the car with me." Singto makes it clear.

"Hi, guys!"

"Hi," Krist mutters back. He feels awkward being here.

"Singto, I'm sorry but we're going to have to reschedule our date. I have a last-minute catering order for a big party. I'm really really sorry. Please forgive me. I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"It's okay. There's no need to apologize. I understand. We can reschedule for another day." Singto tries not to sound disappointed but what the heck is he going to do with all this food?

"Thank you for being so understanding. I swear I'll make it up to you. Okay? I have to go now, bye."

"Bye." Singto ends the call and sighs.

For some unknown reason, Krist feels kind of happy right now. It can rain all day and night and it won't bother him at all. He doesn't even mind dancing in it right now. Then he turns to look at Singto's face and he notices Singto looks a little disappointed. Then suddenly he feels kind of bad for him too. Again, all these conflicting emotions.

"Hey, I might still call in sick," Krist says, breaking the silence.

"Huh? Why? Are you not feeling well already? Do you have any ginger at home? You should drink some ginger tea with honey. That usually chases the cold away." Singto looks over at Krist trying to see if there's any visible discomfort.

"Hahaha...I'm just kidding. I'll be fine. My condo building is that white one over there." Krist points the building out for Singto. He shakes his head at how easily Singto can be fooled.

"But I'm serious. You should make some ginger tea. If you don't have any ginger, I just bought some. I can share some with you." Singto stops at a red light.

Krist nervously chews on his bottom lip and hopes he doesn't sound stupid. He takes a deep breath and turns to look Singto in the eyes, "why don't you come over and make it for me?"

~~~~~~
AN: Sweets, my update schedule is out of wack. So I'm just updating whatever I feel like. I hope you enjoyed.

Curtsy,
Lana ❤️