Ranting Beauty

“Why does he hate me so much?!” Isao complained.

“Uh-huh,” Gary said over his tea. His ex turned to him.

“Don’t you understand?” the vocalist asked. “He’s trying to ruin my life!”

“Yes, I hear you,” Gary said. Isao frowned. His ex shrugged.

“What do you want me to say?” he asked. The vocalist sighed.

“I don’t know,” he complained. “That man is a nightmare!” He buried his head in his hands.

“What the hell does mom see in him?” Isao asked. Gary set down his tea.

“Look,” he said.

“Spare me!” his ex shouted. “I don’t want to hear it!” Gary gave him a curious look.

“But you know it’s true,” he said.

“I know, I know!” Isao said. He sighed and looked up.

“Does she have to be happy at my expense?” he asked.

“It’s not about you,” Gary said.

“It is… in a way,” his ex said, sounding unsure at the end. The American man gave him a sympathetic look. Isao shook his head.

“Don’t!” he shouted. “Just don’t!”

“What?” Gary asked. His ex threw back his head and groaned.

“Look man,” the American man said. “Your mother is happy. And this Raja guy really does love her.”

“That’s not the point!” Isao complained. “He doesn’t have to make me miserable in the process!”

“He’s trying to hook me up with his niece,” he said. Gary about spat out his tea.

“What?!” he shouted.

“Yeah,” Isao said nodding. Gary gave him a disgusted looked.

“But why?!” he shouted. The vocalist shrugged.

“You’re guess is as good as mind,” he said.

“Wait,” his ex said. “His niece is Mai from Lady Dragon, right?”

“Yes.”

“And he is trying to hook you up with him?”

“Yes.”

“Bleh!”

“I know, right? Exactly!” There was a moment of silence. Gary stood up.

“I’m going to make you some tea,” he said. Isao nodded. His ex walked into the kitchen. Isao dropped his head onto the table.

“Damn it,” he muttered to himself. How could this happen? Isao sat back in his chair. Gary working in the kitchen calmed him down.

“Thank you!” he shouted. Gary stuck his head out in the doorway.

“For what?” he asked. His ex shrugged.

“The tea. You listening to me,” he said. Gary smiled.

“No problem,” he said. Isao gave him a tired smile. His ex disappeared into the kitchen. Isao stared out at the wall. He let his mind wander off.

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At his office, Raja picked up his phone.

“Hello?” he asked. “Aw yes. You always perfect timing. Which one do you want to start with?” The businessman listened. He nodded once.

“Good, good,” Raja said. “Are you ready to begin?” He listened as he sat back in his chair. His lips curved into a catlike smile.

“Perfect, let’s meet over dinner,” Raja said. “I’ll text you the restaurant. Hang on.” He pulled out his phone and typed up the text. The businessman hit send.

“Did you get it? Good,” he said. “See you then.” Raja hung up, grinning. His plans came together piece by piece.

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Isao’s mind floated back to an earworm in his past. He sat up straight.

“Gary!” the vocalist shouted. He ex poked his head out from the kitchen.

“Yeah?” he asked. Isao smirked at him.

“Got a pen?” he asked. Gary perked up.

“Got another song?” he asked.

“Why yes,” Isao said. His ex stood up straight.

“I’m on it,” the American man said. The kettle began to whistle.

“Ah, tea’s ready,” Gary said. He disappeared back into the kitchen. Isao smirked as more of the song came together in his head.