Chapter 13

"And you just walked out like that?" Ronald asked Steven in shock after he told him what happened to him and Yuki a few days ago It's their lunch break and it looks like Ronald noticed his distress, so he pestered him over and over again until he had no choice but to tell him what happened "Then what do you want me to say? Ask him those questions that you asked me? I can't do that!" He frustratedly answered "The fuck!" He complained when Ronald suddenly hit his head. "What the hell is your problem?" He yelled.

"It's not me. It's you!" Ronald answered him. "You're the one who has the problem. Because you're stupid,” Ronald answered and contempt can be heard in his voice His forehead furrowed. "Wait, why are you mad? Since when did you and Yuki get close?" he asked irritably.

Ronald sighed. "I just feel sorry for the kid—"

"He is no longer a child. He is even capable of making a child," he immediately said, "Asshole," Ronald answered quickly and then threw the tissue on his face which he quickly caught. "As I was saying, I feel sorry for Yuki. If I base it on your story, it seems like he's really serious about you. He even wanted to talk to you to settle things but you, a complete asshole, just walked away and made him feel bad,” Ronald said seriously.

"That's because I don't know what to say!"

"Then what do you feel for that kid?" Ronald asked again.

"Do you think if I knew, I would be like this?" He said frustratingly.

Ronald took a deep breath then stared at him intently. "I have questions and I want you to answer me honestly."

He nodded.

"Okay, how do you feel every time you and Yuki are together?" Ronald's first question.

His eyebrows rose slightly but he still answered the question. "I'm happy when we're together,” he answered honestly. "Yes, he is talkative, acts like a smart-ass, and tends to insult me sometimes but I do not find him irritating. It's one of the reasons why I like to hang out with him. He's honest."

Honesty. That was one of Yuki's traits that he liked. Yuki is not afraid to say what he wants, and he always fights for what he thinks is right.

"Then how do you feel about him being your boyfriend?"

He thought first before he answered the question. "At first, I couldn't believe I agreed to have a relationship with him. I was scared and embarrassed. I am straight and I never once thought of having a relationship with my fellow man. But as time goes by, the fear gradually disappears as well as the shame. I started enjoying his company and I can't even think about other people anymore. Until I lost track of what others would say about us,” he answered with sincerity.

Ronald seemed surprised by his answer.

He shook his head while smiling.

Even he was surprised by his answers.

"And what do you feel whenever you see him talking or getting close with some other guys?" Ronald asked again. But this time, he asked with a grin on his face.

Steven thought again. Then he remembered Layland and that particular scene where he saw him outside Yuki's apartment.

Irritation arose in his chest. Just remembering Layland's face makes his blood boil. Even when Yuki first introduced Layland to him, he did not like him immediately. He doesn't know why. Layland did nothing nasty to him or Yuki but every time he sees how close Layland is to Yuki he suddenly becomes furious.

"So?" Ronald asserted, a minute later when he still did not answer.

"Huh?" He said with a shocked look on his face.

"Answer my question! What is it!" It says impatiently.

He shook his head. "What's with you? And what's with these abrupt questions anyway?" He asked back.

"Just answer my questions. It will help you to realize what you feel for Yuki,” Ronald said with a sigh. "Seriously dude, I can't believe how insensitive and how dumb you are. You know, even if you don't admit it, I know you already have romantic feelings for that kid. I told you, he has a different effect on you. The things you do for him…you wouldn’t do that for someone you just pitied."

Steven unconsciously bit his lower lip.

"Now, think carefully about this question that I will ask you," Ronald said as he looked directly into his eyes.

"Can you imagine losing Yuki forever? Can you imagine seeing him with someone who isn't you? Can you let him go that easily?"

Just thinking that might happen and he was already feeling pain in his heart.

Imagining that he might lose Yuki made his heart clenched in pain.

His fist clenched and only one answer entered his brain. "No,” he answered emphatically. "I don't want to lose him."

Ronald smiled. "Then, fix your relationship and tell him how you feel," Ronald said then he tapped his shoulder.

He nodded with a smile on his face. "I will,” he happily replied to his friend as he finally realized what he truly feels about Yuki.

Steven was excited to go home. He quickly finished his work then hurried home. He thanked Ronald first before he finally left.

It was exactly six o'clock when he arrived at the building of his apartment. He took the elevator, and he was restless while he was inside the elevator. It's been a week since Yuki last talked to him and he must admit that he missed him too much. He wanted to apologize to him and tell him how he feels.

Ah! How could he be so dense? How could he be so stupid that he didn't even realize that he was gradually falling for Yuki?

When the elevator opened, he quickly and excitedly walked down the hallway to Yuki's apartment. But he immediately stopped when he saw a woman near the door of his apartment.

His forehead furrowed. The woman's figure looked familiar to him.

He approached the woman slowly. And when he was just a few steps away from the woman, he faked a cough so he could get its attention.

The woman turned to him, and they were both surprised when they saw each other's faces. But the shock on the woman's face was immediately replaced by a happy smile.

"Steven." The woman happily mentions his name. And he was even more surprised when the woman suddenly hugged him tightly. "I missed you." She said softly.

His eyes widened and his lips parted. "Shaina..,” he whispered in surprise as he mentioned the name of the woman who hugged him.

He put down a glass of juice in front of Shaina who was smiling in front of him.

He stood in front of Shaina and leaned his back against the sink. "It's been such a long time since I saw your face. We are in the same company but it's still difficult for me to see you. It's like you are avoiding me." Shaina said.

He sighed. Shaina is right. They work in the same company but in different departments. But he's not avoiding her. He was just so occupied with the thoughts of Yuki that he never thought of seeing nor following her anymore. He even seemed to have forgotten what Shaina did to him.

He shook his head, and a small smile was plastered on his lips.

Ronald was right. Yuki has a very different effect on him.

Shaina raised an eyebrow as she stared at Steven. "What's funny?"

He met the woman's gaze. He fakes a cough, and he formalizes the expression on his face. "Nothing. What brought you here anyway? I'm sorry but I just really have to go somewhere else."

It sounds rude but he doesn't care. He wanted to see Yuki.

If he was still the same Steven who was madly, deeply, and stupidly in love with Shaina, he would probably be jumping in happiness because for the first time, it was her who came to him. But now, he is no longer interested in her and only Yuki was on his mind.

"Are you driving me away?" He heard the annoyance in its voice.

He sighed. "I'm sorry if it sounded rude but if you have nothing else to say, could you please leave. I have something important to do, Shaina,” he said coldly.

Shaina bit her lower lip. The annoyance on its face was replaced by sadness. If it's acting or not, he doesn't care.

Shaina stood up and walked towards him. She stood in front of him. Steven did not move. He just let her approach him. He knew she could see the lack of interest on his face.

"Are you that mad at me for you to drive me away like this? When just a few weeks ago, all you ever did was to follow me and do everything I asked of you." Shaina said as she held his face with her palms.

His eyebrows rose.

With the tone of her voice, it seems to him that she's reminding him of how stupid he was before.

He sighed again. He just wanted to end their conversation.

"Shaina…"

"I just realized my mistake, Steven. Please, give me a chance. Give us a chance. I promise, this time, I will give you the love you have long wanted. You still love me, don't you?" Shaina's voice was sad, and she seemed to be begging. But somehow, he could not feel its sincerity.

He wanted to laugh. Acting kind doesn't suit Shaina.

He gently removed her palms from his cheeks.

"So, what will you get once you fool me again?" He asked her directly.

Shaina was stunned. The shock on her face was obvious.

He walked away from her. He crossed his arms then he shook his head. He couldn't help but laugh.

"You will fool me again then what? Will you make me your servant again? You will ask me to do everything for you again. Then what will happen after that? You'll start embarrassing me in front of your friends? You'll make me look stupid again? And then you and your friends will start making fun of me like what you did before?" Shaina's eyes widened and her lips parted. She probably did not expect him to say those words. "I already made the mistake of falling in love with you, Shaina. And I'm not that stupid to repeat that mistake. I've learned from my mistake, Shaina. So, spare me. Now, if you have nothing else to say, then please go away and never come back here again. " He said coldly.

The sadness and innocence on Shaina's face completely disappeared and it was replaced by anger. Her eyes narrowed and her teeth were gritting.

He smiled. She's starting to show her true colors again.

She crossed her arms over its chest and grinned. "Come on, Steven. Don't be shy. I know you still want me. So, drop the act."

He shook his head again. "You think so highly of yourself, do you?" Shaina raised her brow again. "Do you think that just because you are beautiful, you will be able to fool everyone? That because you're beautiful, men will gather on your feet and worship you? That everyone will chase you just because you are beautiful and sexy? Well, let me tell you, Shaina. Not all men are after beauty. Yes, you have a beautiful face but that's all you have. Tell me, how many men have you slept with just to get everything you want? Do you really think I do not know that you're sleeping with different men just to get what you want?"

"You…" She was gritting her teeth and her eyes glazed over.

"So, spare me, Shaina. I don't know why you are doing this, but I am telling you, I will not let myself be fooled by you again. Now, if you have nothing more to say, please leave,” he said, driving her away.

Shaina clenched her fists then pointed at him. "Fine! Just who do you think you are! Ha! Go and die with your pride!" She shouted angrily and with heavy steps, she turned and walked away. But before she could finally get out of the kitchen, he called her.

"What!" She yelled as she looked back at him.

He gave her a sweet smile. "I just wanted to let you know. I already have a boyfriend."

Shaina's lips parted again. She wanted to say something but, in the end, she just closed her mouth and left quickly. He even heard a loud bang on his door, an indication that Shaina had come out.

He sighed.

Finally, she's out.

He hurried out of his kitchen and made his way to the door of his apartment. He can finally talk to Yuki.

But he immediately stopped when he noticed two pairs of shoes scattered at the entrance of his apartment. And that's how his eyes widened when he remembered who owned the shoes. It's Yuki's.

He quickly opened the door and made his way towards Yuki's apartment, but he stopped again when he noticed that the door of Yuki's apartment was open.

He peeked and frowned when he saw Yuki talking to an elderly man. Yuki was bent down and seemed restless.

"Go home, Yuki,” he heard the old man say. His voice is very strict and the stare he gives Yuki is very cold. Yuki remained bent over as he played with his fingers. He's nervous.

"Dad…" His eyes widened.

Dad? So, it is Yuki's father.

He wanted to approach the two, but he restrained himself.

"You are my only child and one day you will be in charge of our company. So, I might as well train you while it's still early. Also, I already chose a wife for you. She is the daughter of one of my business partners. She's a beautiful, smart, and loving woman. She's going to be a good wife,” Yuki's father continues to say.

That's when Yuki finally looked up. Shock can be seen on his lover's face. Even he was surprised by what Yuki's father said.

Wife? That's absurd! Yuki is gay for goodness’s sake!

"Dad, you know that I am gay," Yuki said.

His palms were shaking, and he knew that he was just forcing himself to stand firm in front of his father.

"You are not." His father said in a very cold manner.

"Yes, I am, Dad,” Yuki also answered firmly. "When will you accept the fact that I am gay? Dad, I can manage our company. But to marry the woman you chose for me; I can't do that!"

Somehow, he felt relieved at what Yuki said.

Yuki's father clenched his fists. "Why? For what? To make me a laughingstock by my friends and my business partners? Because my only son is gay!" Yuki's father yelled.

Yuki's fists clenched as well. "Wow. Until now, what other people would say is still more important to you than how your child will feel," Yuki said bitterly.

Yuki's voice trembled. He's near to crying and it made his heart ache.

"And what good will it do to you when you are gay? This world is cruel and vicious, Yuki. Can you build your own family? Do you think that there is a man who will take you seriously? There is no one! This is not fiction, Yuki. This is the real world! And in this real world that we are living in, only those who are living in the right paths will survive!"

Steven's fists clenched. Even he was hurt by what Yuki's father said. If he is hurting, what more is Yuki. And just the thought of that made the pain in his heart unbearable. He could no longer restrain himself.

He entered Yuki's apartment and showed himself.

The two looked at him at the same time.

Yuki's eyes widened as he stared at him.

"Who are you—"

"I beg to disagree with what you said, Sir,” he immediately said, cutting off Yuki's father.

"Steven…" Yuki whispered.

He looked at Yuki and he gave him a sweet smile, assuring him that he's with him, that he's not alone.

"You asked if there is a man that will take your son seriously? Well, I am here. Standing in front of you,” he said as he met the eyes of Yuki's father. He even heard Yuki gasping, but he did not take his eyes off Yuki's father. "I understand you, Sir. But honestly, I am pissed right now. You hurt the man I love. And if you were not just Yuki's father, I might have smacked you in the face right now," he said seriously.

"Steven!" Yuki, calling his name, sounded so shocked upon hearing what he said.

"I don't know why you still can't accept Yuki. When, in fact, you are very lucky with your son. He's a good kid. He can be an asshole sometimes, but he is a good kid. He's fun to be with and he's honest. That's why I fell in love with him." Steven looked at Yuki whose eyes widened as if he couldn't believe he heard it from him. He gave him a sweet and loving smile.

"He has a lot of good sides. But of course, he also has bad sides. But I don't care about that. Because his imperfections just made me fall for him even more,” he looked back at Yuki's father who was just quietly looking at them. "You are right, Sir. This world is vicious and cruel, but I am here. I will be with Yuki, and I will support him. I will be with him every single step of the way. If you do not accept us, that's fine with me. After all, your opinion doesn't matter to me. Only Yuki is important to me," he boldly said.

Yuki's father turned speechless. He just stared at him, and he could not name the emotion on its face.

He bravely met its gaze. He won't back down.

But Yuki's father was the first one to back down and avoided his gaze. It turned its back on them.

"Daddy…" Yuki called his father but he continued walking until he finally got out of Yuki's apartment.

He stared at the closed door of Yuki's apartment for a few seconds before turning to Yuki who was looking down.

He approached him and stood in front of him.

"Yuki…"

"You don't have to say those. You don't have to lie—"

"Who said I was lying?" He said, interrupting Yuki.

He looked at him. He held both of Yuki's cheeks then smiled sweetly at him. "Everything that I said to your father, all of that is true,” he said with a smile. Yuki was stunned by what he said. "Honestly, I just realized what I truly feel for you."

"W-what—"

"Shh!" He covered Yuki's mouth with his finger. "Listen to me first,” he took a deep breath. "First of all, I'm sorry if I avoided you these past few days. It's because, at that time, I was confused. Thanks to Ronald for that," he said.

Yuki frowned. "Ronald? Why?"

Yuki looked so confused, so he started telling him everything, including Ronald's questions that left his mind in turmoil.

"So, that's the reason why?" Yuki asked with his knotted forehead. He nodded in response. "But what about Shaina?" He asked again, still sounded so confused.

He hugged him while laughing.

"As I thought, you were there,” he whispered. "I don't know what you saw but whatever it is you're thinking, it's not true. Nothing is going on between me and that woman. The moment I met you, I already never cared for her. I am already over her because you now own me and my heart, Yuki. " He said softly.

Yuki didn't say anything but just hugged him back. Yuki hugged him tightly.

"So, you are mine now?" Yuki asked in a small voice.

He slightly moved away from Yuki then he held his face again. He kissed the bridge of its nose.

"Only yours,” he answered softly.

Yuki bit his lower lip and its cheeks turned red. Yuki looked so cute that he couldn't help but squeeze his cheek.

"You are so cute!"

Yuki slapped his hands, causing him to release his cheeks. He laughed when he saw how red his cheek was.

He hugged him again. "So, our one-month deal is over?" Yuki asked almost in a whisper.

"Yeah,” he answered, then he bit his earlobe. "The one-month deal is over. Because you will be stuck with me forever,” he sexily said before he licked his earlobe.

Yuki shuddered as he bit his shoulder. "That sounds great," Yuki said while grinning from ear to ear.

"Yuki…"

"Hmm?"

"I love you,” he softly said.

Yuki wasn't able to answer right away and instead, Yuki just hit his back.

"You asshole! Stop making me feel giddy!"

He laughed at what Yuki said.

They both fell silent and just hugged each other. Until Yuki broke that silence. "I love you too," Yuki whispered shyly.

It was his turn to bite Yuki's shoulder.

"Shit!" He said as he cannot contain his happiness, and that made both of them laugh wholeheartedly.

Ah. This is what I always wanted. To be happy with the one I love. And that is Yuki. He thought as he hugged Yuki tighter.