Chapter 38 XXXVIII.
ALESSANDRO'S POV.
I was sulking.
Well, I had been sulking ever since Grandpa announced the date of Rowan and my sister’s engagement party and marriage, and today happened to be the engagement.
I no longer had my “oh love convinced Rowan to be with me” plan, which was why I chose the method of making him jealous by going around with my past hookup and friend.
I met Chris in California some days after I returned from L.A. We had sex once at my house, but he was such a free and friendly guy that we ended up becoming friends.
Now Chris had a boyfriend, but I begged him to pretend to be my boyfriend so Rowan would get jealous and eventually come to me.
But I didn’t know if it was working, because even after seeing us at my house that day, Rowan made no move to reach out to me.
Had he truly given up?
Today was the engagement party of Rowan and my sister. It broke my heart, but I kept reminding myself that as long as they weren’t married, I still had a chance.
Chris was my date for the party. He was dressed in a red suit to match my own maroon suit. His hair was straightened to perfection, and he was looking really good.
“Whoa, this place is filled up!” Chris exclaimed as we entered the hall that was filled with elegantly dressed guests.
Chattering sounds filled the air, and everyone had a glass of champagne in their hands.
My eyes roamed the place searching for Rowan. I barely saw him these days because I refused to go to work. I didn’t want to endure the torture of being so close to him but unable to do anything about it.
My eyes fell on Rowan just in time for him to look at me as well.
Our eyes met, and it was like the whole world faded around us. All I could focus on was him. His beautiful brown eyes, and that expensive suit he wore looked very good on him.
Rowan’s eyes flickered to Chris, and I watched as his jaw clenched and he looked away in annoyance. He returned to smiling and talking to the guests with my sister clinging to his arm.
I tried not to show my annoyance at seeing them together, but I was glad that Rowan was even a little jealous seeing me with Chris.
“Lucky you,” Chris said, chuckling. “It seems like the groom-to-be still has feelings for you.”
I sighed, dipping my hands into my pockets.
“Well, I really hope he does.”
Chris looked at me with raised brows.
“How long is this charade of us being together going to last, though? I don’t want Ray to find out about this and misunderstand the situation.”
I rolled my eyes. This was like the twentieth time he had told me this since we started this charade.
“You can just explain to him that you’re trying to help a friend.”
He glared at me.
“No! I never want you to meet Ray.”
I was actually very shocked by that statement.
“Why not?” I asked.
“Because when I showed him a picture of you and told him you were the last guy I slept with before I started dating him, I thought he would be mad, but he was like, ‘Damn, I don’t blame you, man. I would tap that too.’”
I couldn’t help laughing along with him.
“He sounds like an interesting guy.”
“He is,” Chris agreed like a lovesick fool, “but I still don’t want you to meet him.”
I threw my arm over his shoulder.
“You don’t have to worry, Chris. If Ray really loves you, he won’t go looking for some other guy.”
Chris scratched his head nervously.
“I know that, Alessandro, but this is the first time I’m ever falling in love with a guy and I’m very insecure. What if he realizes that I’m not all that?”
“You just have to believe in yourself, my guy. You’re an amazing person, and Ray is lucky to have you. Never forget that.”
He grinned, looking relieved.
“Thanks, man. That means a lot to me.”
“Alright, now that that’s settled, let’s go introduce you properly to my family.”
Chris sighed.
“And the charade continues.”
I pulled him along to join Rowan, Alessandra, and Grandpa, who stood together.
Grandpa eyed me warily as I approached.
“You’re late, Alessandro,” he said strictly.
“Sorry, Grandpa. It took a bit of time to pick up this magnificent date of mine.”
I looked at Rowan to see his expression, and I was glad to find his jaw clenched tight.
“Everyone, this is Chris—my date.”
“Hi, nice to meet you all,” Chris greeted with a fake smile.
Alessandra smirked.
“He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he?”
She was looking at me in a way that proved she believed her words, and I didn’t need to confirm it.
“You could say so,” I replied and noticed Rowan shift uncomfortably.
Alessandra smiled toward Chris.
“Nice to meet you, Chris. I’m Sandro’s twin sister.”
She stretched out her hand and he took it.
“The pleasure is mine.”
“Are you really dating him, or is he another fling?” Grandpa asked coldly.
Everyone in my family knew I was gay, and lucky for me, they were all accepting of it. My grand-uncle even told me that my grandfather dated men and women in his younger days before meeting my grandma.
I didn’t reply to Grandpa’s question, and he added,
“If he’s just a fling, then there’s no use introducing him to your family. He’ll only leave in the end anyway.”
With that, Grandpa walked away.
For some reason, the old man had been moody these days. I seriously had no idea what got his panties in a twist.
“Sorry about that, Chris. My grandpa is usually a killjoy.”
Chris chuckled while Alessandra glared at me.
“Don’t speak that way about Grandpa, Sandro.”
I rolled my eyes as she faced Chris with a smile.
“Chris, this is my fiancé, Rowan.”
She latched onto Rowan’s arm like a leech, and I rolled my eyes again.
“Oh, I’ve already met Rowan,” Chris said, smiling. “Congratulations to you both. You look good together.”
Alessandra laughed a little, but something was off about it.
“Thanks.”
Rowan chose that moment to speak for the first time.
“Uh, if you don’t mind, I have to use the bathroom, Sandra.”
She didn’t hesitate or pout like I expected her to. Instead, she simply pulled her hand from his arm and looked away.
“Sure,” she mumbled.
Yep, something was definitely wrong between those two.
Rowan walked away without even bothering to look in my direction.
He must really be dying of jealousy.
“Is everything okay between you and Rowan?” I asked my sister, hoping to get some useful information.
She sighed and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Not really. We had an argument a day ago, and it’s all my fault. I don’t know how to start apologizing to Rowan.”
I shouldn’t be glad, but I couldn’t help it.
I really hoped this wedding would be called off soon.
“Um, Chris, can you keep my sister company? I’ll be back soon.”
Chris gave me a knowing look.
“Sure.”
I hurried away from them in search of Rowan.
Fuck the world and all the obstacles surrounding us.
I’m gonna get my guy.