Candidate #10
Name: Mew
Age: 29
Occupation: Engineer

Sitting in the corner of a live music lounge, Krist looks at the profile of candidate #10 and then at the man himself. The picture on the profile did not do the man justice at all. This guy Mew is way more handsome in person than his picture and his picture is actually quite hot already. It's no wonder Fiat was so quick to pick this guy, so quick that Krist didn't even get a chance to stop it. So here he is, once again stalking Singto's date. Except that this time he has full intentions of intervening. This Mew is a serious threat. He's not only handsome, but he's also freaking tall and looks good in that damn suit of his.

On top of that, the guy is early for his date. Krist checks his watch and there are still about thirty minutes on the clock before Singto will arrive. What should Krist do? Should he really spike the guy's drink? Krist really didn't want to resort to this, but what choices does he have? If only Fiat hadn't been so fast in selecting the next candidate. Krist digs inside his pocket for the little pack of mega-fast laxative powder he picked up at the pharmacy. He has no idea how he's going to do it but he will have to find an opportunity to put it in Mew's drink or something like that before Singto arrives. He wants Mew to cancel their date.

"Hey, there."

"Huh?" Krist looks up to see who's interrupting his plotting only to find his target standing dashingly in front of him.

"I don't mean to disturb you but I noticed you've been looking my way," Mew smirks. He likes what he sees. His date Singto is handsome but this hotcake here is gorgeous, there's nothing wrong with getting a backup.

"Uh, I wasn't looking at you. I....I was....just uh...looking at....the artwork on the wall. I'm...."

"There's no need to be shy. It's okay. I don't bite. Do you mind if I sit down? My friend is running late." Mew smiles with all his charm.

Liar. Krist is not some new kid on the block, he knows Mew is hitting on him, and under a different circumstance, he might even really be interested. After all, the man is freaking hot and a night out with him could be fun. However, this also shows this guy is a sleazeball asshole because he's supposed to be waiting for Singto, not picking up other guys. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to spike his drink and he won't even feel that bad about it now.

"Uh, sure. I don't mind." Krist smiles and takes a sip of his drink. "Uhm, would you like something to drink? My treat."

"Sure. I'll have what you're having." Mew sits down across from Krist. "Mew is the name, by the way."

"I'm Kit," Krist says and waves his hand to catch his server's attention and then points to his drink to let the server know he wants another one.

"Nice to meet you, Kit. So, are you here alone?" Mew asks, seeing Krist's drink is pretty fresh so he probably hasn't been here very long. He's glad he came straight after his meeting otherwise he would have missed this beauty right here.

"I'm by myself. I just wanted to unwind after a long day. That's all." Krist can see the bartender start making Mew's drink, he needs to get to that drink before it's served to Mew.

"Taking a break and relaxing is very important, especially if you've had a stressful day...."

Krist pretends to be listening to Mew while he tries to figure out how to get to Mew's drink. Then he sees the bartender try to get the attention of the server to let her know the drink is ready.

"Excuse me, I have to make a quick call. I will be right back." Krist gets up with his phone in his ear and walks toward the bar.

"Uh, sure. I'll be here." Mew smiles charmingly.

Krist quickly walks over to the bar while he discreetly tears open the packet of mega-fast laxative along the way. He stops in front of the drink.

"Hey, what can I get you?" The bartender asks Krist as he approaches.

Krist looks behind the bartender at the full shelf of liquor displayed. "Hmm....that bottle looks interesting. What's in it?" Krist points to a glass bottle that looks like a human skeleton. The bartender turns around to see which bottle Krist is pointing at.

"That one?" The bartender points to the skeleton bottle.

"Yeah, that looks really cool. Can I see the bottle?" Krist nods with a bright smile.

"That's Crystal Head Vodka. It's not the best vodka but the bottle design is some cool shit. It's practically the only reason it's on our shelf." The bartender turns around and walks over to grab the bottle.

Krist quickly looks around and dumps the packet of mega-fast laxative into the drink in front of him and swirls his finger inside a couple of times hoping it will dissolve quickly. And then the server comes over to take the tray with the drink to their table.

"Here, you see, not many people actually order this. The bottle is practically still full and we've had it for a long time." The bartender brings the bottle over to show Krist.

"Really? That's unfortunate. The bottle design is awesome." Krist hands the bottle back.

"It's all it has. Well, what can I get you then?" The bartender takes the bottle back.

"Jack and coke with a slice of lemon." Krist turns around and he sees Mew take the first sip of his drink. Sorry, but not sorry asshole.

"You've got it."

Krist takes his drink back to his table and Singto should be there within the next ten minutes or so. He hopes the laxative kicks in soon so this Mew guy can get out of his sight.

"Hey, you're back. I was starting to get jealous of the bartender." Mew fakes a sad face.

"Oh, I figured I would just grab another drink while I was there. Cheers, it's nice to meet new faces." Krist raises his glass in the air before taking a sip.

"Especially pretty faces." Mew winks with a smirk and takes a big sip.

Krist plays along and encourages Mew to quickly finish his drink. However, nothing seems to be happening as Mew discreetly checks his watch for the time. Shit! Singto should be arriving any minute now. Why isn't this mega-fast laxative working? Krist needs to think of something else. This is not how he wanted tonight to go but there's no way he's going to let Singto meet Mew. Mew is hot and sneaky. What if Singto falls in his trap?

Krist looks Mew in the eyes and tries to sound as sexy as possible while his finger circles around the ring of his glass. "You know, I like this lounge for relaxing but I think now that I've met you, it would be nice to have more fun instead of sitting here. How about we go dancing? There's a nice club not that far away from my place."

Mew grins a little. His date should be here any minute now. There's no guarantee his date will pan out but this Kit is practically inviting him over to his place already. Look at those damn pink lips. You know what? Fuck it. It wasn't even his idea to enter this Singto's Soul Search game. It was his sister who said Singto would be the perfect man to save him and tie him down when she accidentally ran into Singto on a date with another man before. Pfff. Who needs saving? Look at this gorgeous piece of ass right in front of him. Alright, they need to get out of here before Singto shows up. Maybe he can text him later and say he had an accident or something and ask if they can reschedule their date. Yeah, that's perfect. No lost, all gain.

"Sure. Dancing sounds fun. I can just meet my friend another time. We should leave right now before traffic gets bad."

"Great! Let's go." Krist immediately throws a few bills on the table for the drinks and gets up to leave. They need to leave quickly before Singto shows up.

And just as Mew gets up from his seat, his stomach suddenly cramps with sharp pain. He hunches over and grabs onto the edge of the table. Oh God, why is this happening? Ahhh. His stomach twists in knots and his face contorted in agony.

"Are you okay?" Krist asks nervously. Why couldn't the laxative kick in earlier? What if Singto walks in right now and sees him here with Mew? How would he explain this situation?

Mew breaks out in sweats and he tries to fight it. This is so embarrassing. He can feel his ass about to erupt. He needs to find a freaking toilet right now. He can't let anyone see him like this. "Uh, actually I'm not feeling so well. Maybe I'll take a rain....ahh." Mew suddenly lets out a loud fart that has people nearby covering their nose with disgust. Oh dear God, why me? "Excuse me." Mew takes off running for the bathroom before he shits in his pants. He hopes to never see Kit again. It's so freaking embarrassing he's never coming to this lounge again either.

Krist watches as Mew runs to the restroom and just as one man disappears, another one makes his entrance. Singto walks in looking even more handsome than this morning at work. Krist turns around and his table has already been cleared. What should he do? Okay, back to plan A. Krist opens his email and presses send. Hopefully, that Mew guy stays in the restroom long enough. Krist turns and sits back down at his table. He ignores the funny look the server gives him. Krist fixes his hair and shirt a bit before waving a hand at Singto.

Singto looks around the lounge for his date. He's on time so where is the guy? Then he frowns curiously. Is that Krist? Is he stalking him again? Why isn't he surprised this time? Stupid Kat's theories start running wild in his mind. Could Krist really be jealous so that's why he stalks his dates? If so, why is he even waving at him? Singto heads over to Krist's table nonetheless. He can't find his date anyway. And honestly, that's even better. A no show still counts. So, if that Mew guy really doesn't show up, then he's done with this whole stupid soulmate searching campaign.

"Krist, what are you doing here?" Singto eyes Krist suspiciously.

Krist stands up with a smile and gestures at the chair. "Singto, have a seat."

"Well, I'm here on a date which I'm pretty sure you're aware of. So maybe I shouldn't sit down just in case my date walks in." Singto looks around once again.

"Uh, there's been a slight change of plan. Have a seat first." Krist's eyes silently plea.

Singto can't say no to that face so he sits down and secretly hopes his date doesn't show up. "What do you mean by a slight change of plan?"

"Uhm, check your work email." Krist nervously suggests and then purses his lips.

Singto frowns and pulls out his phone. What is Krist talking about? What does Tay want now? He opens his emails and sees a new one at the top from Krist.

Candidate #11
Name: Perawat
Age: 25
Occupation: Disc Jockey

Perawat? Isn't that Krist? What kind of joke is this? Singto has had enough of all this bullshit. This whole campaign has been nothing but a complete nightmare for him. He's been the butt of every dating joke there is for the past three months. He's had it. He's officially out of patience with all this.

Singto puts his phone away and gets up from his seat. "Krist, this joke isn't funny. I'm done."

Krist panics and follows Singto towards the door. "Singto, wait."

Singto keeps walking back to his car that's parked across the street while Krist calls after him. Krist has to stop walking because a car is coming but Singto managed to cross before the car.

Seeing Singto has reached his car, Krist is afraid Singto will just drive off, so he hollers across the street. "Singto, it's not a joke. I really like you. Let me be your next candidate."

Singto freezes on the spot with his hand already on the car's door handle. Is Krist serious?

"Singto, did you hear me? I really like you." Krist repeats even though he knows Singto must've heard him because everyone on the street passing by is staring at them.

Singto doesn't know how long he stood there unmoving with his heart ready to beat out of his chest. Taking a deep breath, he finally readies himself to turn around only to find Krist is now standing right in front of him. Then Krist takes another step closer. They're so close that their chests are almost pressed together and Singto leans back on his car. Krist stares intensely into Singto's eyes and leans even closer with one arm supporting himself on Singto's car.

"Go out with me. Just one date."

Singto gulps. For heaven's sake, what's happening? He can't talk or think like this. So he tries to push back "Krist, please stop jo...."

Before Singto can finish what he's saying, Krist has pressed his lips onto his. It takes him a second to realize he's being kissed, his eyes naturally close, he can't focus on anything other than Krist's soft lips moving against his, the beating of his heart intensifies impossibly more while all the butterflies flutter wildly inside his stomach.

It couldn't have been more than a minute or two but it felt like the world stopped spinning. Krist has finally done it. He's finally done what he's been wanting to do for so long. He's finally captured Singto's lips and he likes it. He pulls back a little with a smile, satisfied to know that Singto didn't push him away.

Singto opens his eyes and speaks only above a whisper, "Krist..."

"I've been wanting to do that for a while now," Krist says softly, looking into Singto's eyes that are filled with questions.

"But Krist, I...."

Chup.

"Just one date, Singto."

"But Krist...."

Chup.

"Just say yes."

"But...."

Chup.

"Say yes or I'll keep kissing you."

"Yes."

Chup.

"Hey!"

~~~~~~
AN: Sweets, sorry for the late update. I was wrapping up another story. Just one more chapter and an epilogue for this one. The end is coming. 🥳

Curtsy,
Lana ❤️