1st Date

“I’d been meaning to meet you and become really really close to you!” he grabbed Clyde’s hand and cupped it in his cheek.

He ordered bottles after bottles and after bottles, paid for everything and then a group of government official’s bodyguards picked him up. It turns out he is an underage daddy’s pet who happens to be loaded with cashing cashing 💸💸💸

2nd Date

“Clyde I -- I think I wanna marry you! Please be my bunny bear, my honey and the father of my future bunnies” Said a 10 year old girl from a birthday party.

“Hey princess! (Clyde carry the girl) You look really charming 🥰 Are you lost?” He asked, attempting to offer a helping hand. But, he was surprised with what happened next.

“My Dada is the one you are with right now 😋” She said with a playful smile.

The guy who’s flirting with Clyde ran off and never texted him again.

5th Date

“So there --  For example, most samples of the elements hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are composed of molecules that contain two atoms each (called diatomic molecules) and thus have the molecular formulas H2, O2, and N2, respectively.” Clyde handed the reviewer’s note.

“Okay, gotcha so this is where I start and I should follow this right?” The gentlemen asked.

They both had fun during the so-called-date… Exchanges formulas and lectures, one after each module.

Clyde went home satisfied because he was able to help. But, clearly failed again -- it was a tutoring meet-up and obviously not a date. 🤓🤓🤓

8th Date

“Are you okay?” Clyde asked while handing his handkerchief to the man sitting in front of him.

“I did what could --  (he was weeping like a baby) I am sorry Clyde. I am supposed to be your date for tonight 😭😭😭 But -- But 😭 you ended up lending your ears to my drama…” He was wailing all through the night and Clyde was just there listening and ended up giving him some advice.

Loc: Max’s

Clyde (Gulf) Aromdee is the ace academic instructor of Bangkok International Review Center, he is specialized in preparing students in advance learning. He is good, beyond perfect in the eyes of his colleagues and students. But, he is failing one aspect of his life -- and that is his romantic life 💔

“What the fck dude -- (grabbed the can of beer and took a gulp) if not a minor you will end up with a tied up daddy, a tutoring type of date or much worse… Haiisst a dude who will ask you to listen to his previous breakup. Like shit men… 🤬🤬🤬” Max just exploded.

Max (Mew) or Maxwell Ford is an american-thai model and a notorious girl magnet and infamous with his third date rule. Unlike Clyde, Max is living his life more spontaneous, relaxed and most of the time just fooling around.

“I mean -- (sigh) Clyde I told you many times… --” Max was unable to complete his sentence.

Clyde walked across the room and refilled his drinks. He was forcing an okay face but his dearest friend could sense it.

“I told you, I have a long -- lllooonnnnggggg list of girls you can go out with. A date, a casual date, an erotic dates and all of those shit. Look at you (he stood up next to Clyde and pointed him to their reflection from the window) you’re a big catch, you can even broom me away if you try to become a model or replace me on my job” Max pointed in a random direction and pretended to be waving at them.

They’d been buddies since middle school and really close to each other. They’d been honest and they were protective of each other.

Although, they are both men -- they still do care (in a manly way) sometimes soft and pure and most of the time honest.

“Max -- my gender orientation has nothing to do with those failed dates.” He anchored his arms to Max’s and smiled 😁 “I know you are just dead worried about my situation while you are changing your girls left and right -- I am young, established and eventually I will have the right one. Just don’t push me with your girls okay… I am gay last year, so as this year and the upcoming years” He gave a timid smile and look away.

Max felt bad, it was not his intention to bring up Clyde’s sexuality. He meant to make him feel better, he meant to tell him that it is okay, he meant to tell him that he is way beyond okay and it was all of those stupid folks to blame.

“I’d still give some of the numbers I have over here if ever you change your mind, we’ll never know -- nth time’s the charm 😅😉” 

Out of all the usual ways he can comfort his friend, he still decided to blow it the old way.

“Asshole!” Clyde said 🤣🤣

“I know!” Max replied while he was picking up his phone.

“Oh wait! I have to go -- (pick up his lappy and fix his things) I have to prep for a class tomorrow and meet Wayne from the director’s office” Clyde ring the carpool digits to have someone pick him up.

Clyde made his way out of the room while Max was fixing his hair. He is expecting one of his girls to come for projects and some other things that could be added up to the agenda.

Clyde’s POV

I had to prep up early for the meeting that I will be attending today. There were revisions requested by one of the prestigious universities and my company, the academy sent me to close the deal. I was able to complete everything earlier than expected. Not gonna lie, this is a bit nerve wracking -- a huge deal I may say.

📲Break a leg babe!

📱 Oh god! I need a hand. Help me with this (sent 2 sets of clothes I am choosing from for this meeting)

📲Love the one on left babe, less oldie -- More yuppy 😍

📱 Just exactly what I was aiming for. Thanks babe 😘

📲You are just the luckiest to have me! Free wardrobe consultation huh!? TTYL 😘  

It was Jane, the girlfriend most of the guys wished to have. The girlfriend I couldn’t have (coz I like men 😅), she happened to be in love with my best friend. Not sure if she used to or it is still a thing. She’s Max’s stylist…

I put myself together, finished my coffee and broomed a way.

When I got to the meeting room I started with my presentation and went on from my revisions for basic classes, academic classes and other curriculum flows.

“What sets us apart from the usual outstanding curriculums and revision is that ours were all applicable globally. May it be preparing a student to enter a university in France, US or ASIA. We can always match their needs to make sure they will become successful.” I walked from one side to another and looked at the University Presidents attending the meeting.

“You said -- to make sure they will become successful?” Mrs. Xang from Xhinhua University (#1 University in Beijing)

“Yes! (I said while looking at her) We prepare the students not only to pass the entrance exam. Our goal is to open the path for them to become successful” 🤓

She smiled and said she loved the presentation and the other folks gave their thoughts and insight with what I have prepared for them to learn.

It was a successful run for me -- a very satisfying victory.

Mr. Aromdee!

I heard someone calling me from the entrance of the meeting room. It was Mr. Kumori the president of our company’s branch in Tokyo.

“Mr. Kumori!” I went to greet him and the other board leaders

“Hontōni sugokattadesu! Kyonen no watashi no mōshide o hontōni kangaerubekidesu. Shū de saidai no shiten no 1tsu o hikiiru koto.” (That was really really amazing! You should really consider my offer to you last year. To lead one of our biggest branches in the states.)

“Mr. Kumori! Watashi wa mada kono ofā o torisagete imasen (I laughed) Watashi ga manabanakereba naranai koto ga takusan ari, watashi ga koko de jibun jishin no tame ni kanryō shinakereba naranai koto ga takusan arimasu.” (I am not taking down this offer yet -- There are things that I have to learn about and there are many things I have to complete here for myself)

We had conversations together with the other folks. From business to all of the random stuff we could ever talk about. It was kind of spontaneous as we all have the same thing in common. 

We were just about to go when I excused myself for a quick run to the comfort room. I went to fix my hair, pee a little and just to really check if I still look presentable. While I was washing my hands I saw a phone on the counter, it seemed unattended. 

I picked up the phone and I saw a notification popped up: 🔏SOLM8! I will be waiting for you!

I went to the register and gave them the phone. While I was telling them where I found it and all the shenanigans I heard a voice of a man filing a lost report close to where I am.

“Excuse me Sir, are you looking for something?” The lady assisting me asked the men on the other table.

“Ahmm (he looked at me) yes… I am looking for my phone, I think I left it at the restroom” He said and politely smiled.

He looked familiar, I think he is one of the delegates from the meeting I have attended earlier.

“Mr. Aromdee reported this item found in the restroom” She said while checking the iphone.

“Oh ahmm it was a red iPhone XR and the screen lock is an Einstein chibi 🤗” He shared immediately.

Without a doubt he is the owner of the phone that I found.

“Not sure ‘bout the wallpaper -- but the model and the color were accurate” I looked at the lady and smiled.

“Indeed it was accurate!”

They gave him the phone and thanked me for surrendering his phone.

I hopped inside my car and drove away after the event. I will be meeting Max and Jane -- they called for a celebration night after hearing the success of my meeting.

We met as usual, the group was there and some friends joined us and congratulated me. We are kind of regulars in this place. That was why everyone was just enjoying themselves and the servers were friends already to us.

Jane and I stayed in the bar, settled in and talked for a good amount of time.

“I have to go to the powder room!” She said.

I looked at my friends and I found them enjoying the night. While waiting for Jane I noticed her phone on the bar table (iPhone XR Red) and remembered the guy I just met earlier.

To my surprised her phone lit up with a notification: 🔏SOLM8! I hope you could go home safe and have fun with me after!

I was caught off guard -- I don’t usually check notifications like that. I don’t even check others' phones because I know it is private.

I was snatched back to reality when Jane snapped her finger on my face.

“Hey! Have you seen a ghost? Are you okay?” She placed her palm on my face and tried to see if I was sick.

“You left your phone -- and..” I uttered but was unable to continue.

“I know you are there to look after it. Did I get any message or call?” She casually asked.

“No calls… But, I think you got a text msg” I said with a doubtful tone of voice.

She looked at her phone and swiped to unlock it.

“Silly! It wasn’t a text -- (she showed me her phone) It was an app notification!” 😛

“An app notice?” 🤔

“Yep! The SOLM8 App” 👌👌 “This App is not that popular but popular in a way too!” 😉

“Is that a dating app?” 😕

“Nope! It is an app where you can meet people. You know (she snatched my phone and started going through it) an app where you can talk via chat or video with anyone. It is kinda cool, I don’t really need to go out for a date and exert too much effort. Just login and see what I have instore” She said while giving me a wicked smile.

“So-- how does that work?” I gave her a curious face

“There (she handed me my phone) it is for you to enjoy. But, save it for later! For now let’s explore mine.” She leaned closer to me and walked me through the app.

So this is where you can usually find folks to chat with,

This is where you can actually see their initial profile…

It is more like up to you really whether you want to know them more

Or just talk to them for fun…

When things get worse you can always block them -- or delete the app.

“God! The night is young and you two are here checking out our classmates?” Max jumped behind us -- a bit drunk.

“We are having our business over here! Just flirt around” Jane said while playfully pushing Max

He heard classmate and not SOLM8 🤣🤣🤣 he is definitely drunk. He was scooped away by the girl he was currently dating and they went away.

Few minutes after we all drove our way home, I had a glass of drink that made me more than eligible to drive home safely. I kinda spent the rest of the night listening to Jane and her story regarding the app.

I was preparing to doze off when I heard a notification from my phone.

🔏SOLM8! I think the night is still young for a random chat 🥴

That night when Clyde was just about to sleep he got a notification from the Solm8 App that was downloaded by his dearest friend Jane.

He was about to check it and also to explore it for the first time when he got a call from the hospital that Max got involved in a minor accident.

Max's family were both living abroad while on the other hand Clyde was left with no one. His parents died due to an incident when he was still in college.

Since Max has no one, Clyde dressed up and went to check on him.

He found his friend sleeping in the room assigned to him. The doctor said it was just a minor accident but his heart actually felt like it skipped a beat when he got the call. It was his parents… 😭

He started checking out his phone while looking after Max.

He explored the Solm8 app for the first time. For a breather -- he just went on the chat side and talked to random people. 🤣

This is kinda cool, it can help hime feel less nervous and less sad.

Few days after…

"Hey! Stella and I would like to have a night dip. Come with us please 🥺" Max said.

Stella is one of Clyde's clients. Well technically a student but it was just an offer that he took outside his regular job because of a colleague. Apparently, this young lady fell for Max that's why Max is also in Clyde's place.

"I'd be staying over here reviewing in the corner. Just please look after Stella" Clyde asked and started continuing his work by the pool area.

While Max and Stella were fooling at the pool area Clyde noticed his phone chime in.

Chime 1

Chime 2

Chime 3

He completed his review, when he heard the 4th chime he picked up his phone and noticed that all of the notifications were all coming from the app.

🔏SOLM8! Hey stranger! Are you there?

🔏SOLM8! Ahmm knock knock 😄 is anyone home?

🔏SOLM8! Hey, I ain't gonna bite. Talk to me busybee please 🐝🐝🐝

🔏SOLM8! Hey username Puzzle_Master don't you really want to talk? 😢

Clyde was really surprised. When he looked at the username it was the very first person who messaged him that night.

Opening the chat…

Puzzle_Master: (Typing)

LurkingShadow: Whoah u r finally online and typing 😇

Puzzle_Master: That was fast for you to notice! 😅

LurkingShadow: Oh well, good day to you by the way. I like your name that's why I kept on bugging you. Hope I am not disturbing you 😔

Puzzle_Master: Nope you are good -- I just finished my paper works, totally free to talk.

LurkingShadow: Yey!! 🥳

Puzzle_Master: Seems you have more time, I envy you 😌

LurkingShadow: Nope, I am just making time just so I could speak with you 🤭

Puzzle_Master: Just because you like my user name? U r making time for it? 🧐

LurkingShadow: You may put it that way 😁

Puzzle_Master: Your name is interesting too. Lurking Shadows…

LurkingShadow: Well.. hehe ahmm it is kinda late am I stopping you from getting rest?

Puzzle_Master: Nope not really, I am with my friend. Well I am at the poolside finishing some items and he is with his girlfriend.

LurkingShadow: Aww a third wheel 🤣🤣🤣 

Puzzle_Master: You may put it that way 👍🏻

So-- why lurking shadow?

LurkingShadow: Wow, ur question 😅

Well -- I am not confident, I tend to hide and just keep things to myself. This doesn't go in general. I just have the specifics 😉

Puzzle_Master: Sounds interesting. What makes you use this app?

LurkingShadow: You!

Puzzle_Master: (Typing…)

LurkingShadow: I mean talking to peeps like you. Just share random things, ask random questions etc.

Clyde and LurkingShadow talked for a very good amount of time.

⚠️ 10% Battery 

Clyde was smiling all night talking to LurkingShadow. They talked about life in general and it seems like they both feel comfortable with each other.

"Hey! Old soul!!! 😗" Max stood in front of Clyde.

"Where have you been? You look so dry for someone who took a night swim (looked behind Max) Where is Stella?" 🤔

"I am not sure if I would be happy or what? 🙄🙄🙄 (rolled eyes and prep for a sarcastic blow) Well I am glad you find peace here and get to bring all of your stuff and completed them 🥰" Max said while he is starting to clean some of Clyde's notes.

"😊 Oh well! Thank you! I was able to complete them" He said.

"Dumbass (hit one of the pens to Clyde's forehead) I was being sarcastic 😤 I invited you for a quick swim with Stella but you brought your revisions here. I told you Stella will be heading home -- I was expecting you to come with us until I noticed that you were not with us. 😡😡 Then -- then I will find you here holding your phone and busy typing. What are you? Chat support?? 🤬🤬🤬" Max blurted out.

Clyde is a forgiving type, instead of fighting back he will access things and try his very best to understand.

"Are you hungry?" He asked, after knowing each other he knows exactly how he can make Max calm.

"I am!" 😢 Max said while picking the last notebook on the table "You're making me mad -- now I am hungry!"

Morning…

"Why don't we eat at the dining table?" Max asked while he was eating and playing on his phone.

"Dude -- can't you just focus on your food and stop playing for a moment?" Said Clyde who is always annoyed when his friends were playing ranked games while they were supposed to be focusing on the food.

"Sorry sorry sorry, lemme just finish this -- (grabbed a spoonful of blueberry jam and stock it in his mouth)" Max replied while trying to get his full attention on the game.

(Phone shime)

🔏SOLM8! Hey good morning 😇

Clyde looked at his phone and saw the notification popped up.

He accessed the account, took a sip while it was loading and looked at his friend seriously trying to win his game. 

When the app finally appeared Clyde saw that LurkingShadow's typing something.

LurkingShadow: (Typing…)

Clyde: (Looking at the chat 👀)

LurkingShadow: Good Morning to the stranger who didn't even bother to say goodnight last night before they logged out 🥺

Clyde: Oww shoot I am sorry, my phone got drained and I got busy after -- I was scolded by my friend 😅

LurkingShadow: I was just kidding 😁😁 how's your morning?

Clyde: I am just having a breakfast with my friend.

LurkingShadow: The same friend you were with last night? 🤔

Clyde: Yep! 

LurkingShadow: Must be really close then. A lover? 🤣

Clyde: 😂😂😂 No! A brother 👌

LurkingShadow: aw brotherzone hahaha 😁🤣😂

Clyde: We are both men, we grew up together 😄

LurkingShadow: Gotcha gotcha! So will you be busy today?

Clyde: A bit -- I hope to find time to rest actually. But, I have a lot instore for Saturday morning.

LurkingShadow: Need a hand? 😇

Clyde: Thanks for the offer 😊 I just need to find alone time and get intimate with the things I need to complete.

LurkingShadow: Ayt! I will let you have that 😉 I will bug you later 😅

"Oh shoot ****!" Max shouted (in a gamer mode on way)

He mouthed Jane is calling while I am on the game 😭

Clyde gives him a sorry look while Max is engaged with a call.

"I missed the 4th game -- I think I wanna hurt Jane 😂😂" Max said.

They finished cleaning everything and Max started to fix his look.

"I'd be heading home and prep for the shoot later. Boss Jane is toooooo strict 😤" He said.

"You can ask her to come over here if you want" Clyde offered.

"Boss Jane the DRAGON?? (He laughed) nope, just have a sweet moment here. Jane and I have our fave venue to kill each other, that's at work." He winked at Clyde and broom away.