Destined Hearts - 6. Chapter 6: Antonio is losing it, but for who?

Praveen came down the staircase together with Adrian and they were still talking like long lost friends, smiling at each other. Both of them couldn't believe how much they bonded and communicated with each other. It was fun and for the first time, Praveen forgot about his troubles and felt at peace.

"Hey!" Praveen heard a voice. "Adrian!"

Both Adrian and Praveen moved their eyes forward and saw a handsome man waving at the both of them from a distance. He was wearing a beautiful black trouser which was a little tight, white shirt which was half way done and black shoes that made him look handsome. His hair was dark as night, shaved on the sides and then gelled.

The man was holding a baby pram on which was a baby and was also carrying one in a carrier in front of him. He also had a little handsome boy with him who was probably around 11 or so. He was coming towards them and Praveen had no idea who he was. When he was closer...

"Hey!" Adrian smiled, waving at him.

"You took a little longer than I had expected." The man said happily.

"I'm sorry." Adrian apologized.

The man came closer and right in front of Praveen kissed Adrian on the lips. Both of them smiled as they looked at each other, falling deeper in love.

"I love you." The man said, shaking his head. "...so much."

Adrian took in a breath and then without saying a word, moved his head towards Praveen and saw him moving his head away. He sighed and then held his hand tightly, getting his entire attention. Praveen gave him a shy smile and tried his possible best not to act lost.

"Err..." Adrian cleared his voice. "...this is my husband, Nicholas Miller."

Praveen shifted his eyes to Nicholas, looking into his green eyes. He was more handsome than he had looked a distance away from them. He gave Praveen the best smile when they looked at each other.

"Nice to meet you... sir." He extended his hand. "My name is Praveen Garcia."

Nicholas extended his hand, shaking the boy's hand energetically. "Nice to meet you too, Praveen but please..." He paused and laughed softly. "...don't call me, sir. I am not that old. You can call me Nicholas."

"Um..." Praveen found it a little strange but... "Okay, Nicholas." He smiled. "It is nice to meet the husband of Adrian."

"The pleasure is all mine." Nicholas finally let go of his hand.

Adrian smiled and then took Gabriel's little hand, kissing it softly. "And these three are our children." He pointed at them. "This is Gabriel, he is 12." He pointed at him. "And these two..." He pointed to the babies. "...are Leah and Lincoln. They are only a few months old."

Seeing the kids, Praveen couldn't help but smile. "They are cute." He loved children and he wanted a child of his own with someone that he would love so much.

"Thank you so much." Adrian said sincerely. "That means a lot but..." He paused and looked at his husband. "...baby... Gabriel wanted to go to a park, right?"

"Yes!" Nicholas nodded, wondering why Adrian was asking. "He has been bugging me since morning and I was thinking of visiting one right away."

"Yeah, I think you should do that but..." He paused and took a quick glance at Praveen. "...I won't be able to come with you. I need to talk to Praveen about something really important."

"What?" Nicholas couldn't understand. "Why? I thought you guys just met and..."

"He somehow reminds me so much of me." He sighed, speaking softly. "I need to talk to him, know him a bit and then I will meet you later."

"But..."

"Don't worry." He reassured, touching his husband's hand. "I will be fine."

Nicholas was a bit worried about leaving Adrian. "Okay." He nodded, resuming his smile. "But what about the babies? I don't think I can handle the three of them..."

"Leave Lincoln and Leah with me." He said softly. "You can take Gabriel to the park."

"But how will you handle the two of them alone?"

"I will help." Praveen smiled softly. "I love kids and spending time with these babies will be the best thing that will be happening to me."

"Praveen is here with me." He assured. He leaned down and kissed his husband. "I will meet you back at the hotel later in the evening and I will also make it up to you and our son."

Nicholas nodded and then kissed Adrian back. "Okay, but should I leave the car for you?"

"And go with what?" Adrian laughed. "You don't know this city well and you can't walk on foot because it's dangerous and you might get lost."

"I don't care about myself, silly." Nicholas laughed teasingly, holding the hand of Adrian. He loved him so much and he didn't wanna go anywhere without him. "But what about our babies?"

"Well..."

"It's fine." Praveen smiled. "I have a car."

"And I will call you to pick me up." Adrian assured. He leaned down and kissed his son's cheeks. "I am really sorry, Gabriel, but papa cannot come with you right now. He has to do something really important."

"It's okay, papa." Gabriel gave Adrian his cute little smile. "Just bring some chocolates for me."

Hearing his son's words, Adrian laughed softly and hugged him tightly. He got up, kissed his husband and took the babies away from him. They took the other pram from their fancy car before Nicholas and Gabriel left. Now it was just him and Praveen. They entered Praveen's car and asked the driver to take them to somewhere they could just talk and relax.

***

"I really thank you a lot for everything that you've done for me." Praveen said, holding tighter to one of the prams of Adrian's kids. "Almost everyone that knows me don't like me but a stranger has showed me so much love. Thank you very much."

"And why's that?" Adrian leaned on his chin, staring at the handsome boy.

"Because I'm from a very different class." He said, taking a deep sigh.

They had come to a very beautiful restaurant where they could talk without getting disturbed. Their seats were sort of at a place, further away from other seats. They had coffee and some snacks which Adrian had bought although Praveen had asked him not to.

"But that isn't how people should be treated." Adrian shook his head, taking a sip of his coffee. "It's not fair. I believe that everyone is created equally but it seems like people have different views about this, especially the rich."

"You are the only that seems to be different." Praveen smiled brightly, getting a little emotional. "Even my husband hates me for being poor. He thinks I am just an embarrassment to him and he thinks that..." He paused and gave a shy smile. "...I am sorry if I am flooding you with all this useless information."

"No!" Adrian hollered, getting hold of Praveen's hand. He rubbed on it sweetly, getting a smile from his beautiful face. "It's fine. But can I ask you a question?"

"Go on!" Praveen nodded.

"Can you please tell me about your husband and the situation you are in?"

Praveen looked at Adrian and nodded slowly. "Well..."

He started narrating the story of how his mother had asked him to get married to Antonio before she died and how everything had changed and how Antonio had seemed nice when they first met, their wedding and the first night. He told him about how everything had changed.

"I was ready to give myself to him..." He said, fighting his tears. "...I had promised myself to learn to love him and pour out my entire heart to him but everything is different now. I don't think I can ever to learn to love a man like that."

Adrian just shook his head, softly squeezing Praveen's hand. He knew what he was going through and he understood him completely. "That's really sad but who is your husband and why does he treat you like this?"

Hearing Adrian's question, Praveen gave a soft chuckle. "His name is Antonio Gonzalez..."

"The famous celebrity?" Adrian gasped, his eyes widening.

"It's hard to believe, I know, but..." He took a deep breath, containing his pain. "...yes!"

"Oh my God," Adrian gasped, touching his chest. "You are married to Antonio and you are living like that? Why?"

"Because he blames me for everything!" Praveen said as a tear went down his cheeks which he quickly rubbed. "He blames me for his misfortune... he thinks I am after his money and he blames me for being the cause of his break up with his boyfriend who followed us on our honeymoon."

Adrian couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had thought he had suffered a lot in the hands of his uncle and his family and his mother in law. But Praveen was passing through the same thing. He'd never thought he'd ever meet anyone who would be passing through the same thing.

"I am truly sorry for that."

"It's okay." Praveen tried to smile, nodding his head. "It's happened and I am already used to it."

"What about his family, your mother in law?"

"She's a good woman and I can never say anything bad against her." He said sincerely. "She loves me like her own son but she doesn't know what's happening. She and his grandmother. His sister knows and is in it with him. Right now they are trying to make my life miserable.

I am legally married to him but I am living as a home wrecker right now. His boyfriend is still with him and right now they are somewhere enjoying themselves."

Praveen dropped his eyes to the table, feeling a lot of pain slip through his entire system. He felt like crying but he wasn't gonna do that in front of Adrian because it was gonna be really embarrassing.

"But..." Adrian paused, frowning. "...why can't you tell anyone, someone from his family?"

"Because it will breed trouble." He sighed, rubbing through his hair. "Right now he's also preventing them from finding out and besides, I promised my mother I'd never walk out no matter what. Mother has done a lot of things for me and I am willing to suffer just to see her and granny happy."

Adrian felt tears building in his eyes. "I have never seen a person willing to suffer for the sake of others."

"I have no choice." He rubbed his tears slowly. "All I ask for is the Almighty's guidance."

"And I am sure he will give it to you." Adrian assured, holding Praveen's hands. "You told me that those that pray earnestly will get their answer."

"I believe so."

"But why can't you fight?"

"Fight?" Praveen gave a mocking laughter. "Fight for what? A husband that doesn't love me, my home or what? If the situation was different..." He groaned. "...if my husband loved me and Bruce was trying to separate us then I would have fought him to save my home. But my husband wants to be with Bruce. He loves him and he is willing to give up everything for him. How can I fight that? I would be fighting for nothing because I am a loser already."

"No!" Adrian shook his head, speaking confidently. "You must fight for yourself." He reassured, looking deep into his eyes. "You must show them that you are not weak, show them that they cannot step on you and show them that although they have taken your will to fight for what's right, you still have your confidence. Don't let anyone turn you into a fool."

Praveen felt a cold wind blow on his face, feeling his heart give a sharp pound. A shiver went down his spine and he trembled slightly. Everything remained quiet... time stopped moving and he found himself staring at Adrian non-stop. He didn't know what to say to him or even how to take what he had just said to him.

"But I don't think..."

"Trust me." Adrian spoke so softly, so assuredly. "You need to be confident, Praveen, because that's the only thing you have right now. With the story you have told me right now, they can do anything to you because a jealous lover is a dangerous lover."

"What?" Praveen couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I don't understand and why are you even telling me this anyway? Maybe I shouldn't be talking to you and..."

"Because I have been through the same thing." Adrian raised his voice slightly.

"What?"

"Yes!" Adrian couldn't believe he was gonna go through all the pain he had been through. "I am a very famous business man, owning one of the biggest companies in the world but... I am from a very humble beginning also. You remind me so much of me five years ago.'

Praveen opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was a harsh sound, something he couldn't even recognize.

"I don't get it."

"Well..."

Adrian took a deep breath before he started narrating his life story to him. "Seven years ago when my mother died..."

***

"...I was really weak at that time but even through my marriage, I continued suffering when I thought my sufferings had ended. I was about to lose my husband because of a lie, my life was in danger but because of my confidence, I became victorious in the end."

Praveen had his hand on his mouth, staring at Adrian wide eyed. His story was even more painful than Praveen's. He had been through a lot and Praveen couldn't even imagine passing through all that.

"So..." Adrian continued. "...you should be confident in everything you do. My situation is probably the reverse of yours. You have a husband that doesn't love you. My husband loved me. You had a really good family even after your mother died, mine despised me and your mother in law loves you, mine wanted me dead. So no wonder you have to be confident, Praveen. You must stand up for yourself and show them that you are not weak."

"But... I..." he gasped, feeling as if he was running out of breath. "...I don't know if I can because..."

"You just have to find it deep inside of you." He reassured, giving him a brilliant smile. "All it takes is just saying ‘no’ to whatever they are telling you. I know that you are braver than you look. I used to be just like you but look at me today..." He opened his arms wider, chuckling softly. "...I defeated my evil mother in law and now my entire family is happy. I never even thought in my wildest dreams that that would ever happen."

"But you had what you were fighting for."

"And so do you." Adrian postulated, not wanting to sound pushy. "Who knows, your husband might just fall in love with you." He winked, teasing the boy.

"What?" Praveen said abruptly, raising his eyebrows.

"What do you mean?" Adrian folded his arms on his chest, not losing that smile on his face. "You said everyone says you are destined to be together, right?"

"That's what they say." He said in a dry tone. "But that will never happen. Antonio and I might be seen as a married couple but we are living like incompatible strangers. All he does is get mad at me, shout at me and blame me for everything. I can never fall for a man like that."

Hearing Praveen's statement, Adrian just shook his head, remembering the first time Nicholas had kissed him when he took food for him back when they had just met. "Never say never, Praveen."

"I am serious." He said confidently. "Why would anyone fall for him? He can be a celebrity and I don't care if he is my husband. I can say it over and over again."

Adrian shrugged, raising his hands as if he was surrendering. "Anyway, it's up to you but please, think about what I have told you."

"I don't think I can..."

"Promise me." Adrian said in a serious tone. "Promise me you won't let them reduce you to the ground no matter what. You will always stand up for yourself. Promise me."

Praveen felt really weak at that particular time. He didn't know what to say to Adrian or what to tell him at that moment. He seemed really serious, so concerned for Praveen. Maybe he was just doing that for Praveen's own good.

"Okay." Praveen gave up, taking a deep breath. "I will try but I can't promise you anything."

"It's fair enough." Adrian said simply in a cautious voice. "This will benefit you because then, you will show that you are not just a weak boy from the village."

"Thank you so much." He smiled. "But enough about me already. How about these kids, Adrian? Did you just adopt them? They are really so cute."

Hearing Praveen's question, Adrian looked at his sleeping babies and smiled brightly, feeling some form of power take control of him. He still couldn't believe those babies had spent nine months inside of him.

"No! I gave birth to them." he said, his eyes still on his babies.

"What?" Praveen found it fun that he laughed softly. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I was pregnant for my husband and these kids are the product of our love."

"I still don't get it." Praveen frowned. "How's that possible? You know men can't give birth."

"Yeah, so everyone thinks." Adrian chuckled softly, rubbing on his belly. He still had the scar from the operation. "But just between you and me, my brother in law is a medical doctor and a scientist and to cut it short, they carried out an experiment to see if a man could carry a baby to its full term. It was a successful and then I begged him to do it for me as well. At first, Nicholas wasn't up for it but..." He breathed in deeply. "...he eventually gave into it and then I got pregnant and gave birth a few months ago."

Praveen's mouth was gaping, staring at Adrian wide eyed. "No way!"

"Okay." Adrian said simply, unbuttoning the shirt at the lower end. He raised his shirt and showed Praveen the scar from his C-section. "Do you believe me now?"

Praveen's eyes widened more and he found himself staring at the scar that was on Adrian's tummy, still not believing those babies had truly come from inside of Adrian.

"Wow! I still can't believe this." He gasped, feeling his heart pounding deeper in his chest. "This is truly amazing and I... I can't still believe it."

"Hmmm," Adrian moaned, buttoning up. "But don't worry about anything. We still have a lot to talk about and I want to ask for a favor."

Praveen shook his head, bringing himself back to normal. "What is it?"

"I want to buy something for my children so will you help me shop, at least to spend more time together?"

Praveen smiled brightly. "I'd love to."

Praveen and Adrian went out of the restaurant and spend the rest of their day just shopping for the kids and talking to each other. They eventually found out that they had so much in common. Praveen and Adrian bonded so much that they instantly became great friends. Never in Praveen's life had he ever thought he'd enjoy a day with someone he had just met. He found out about Gabriel and Adrian's husband more. They were such a beautiful family.

The day was so great that Praveen and Adrian simply lost track of time. They only realized that it was late when Nicholas called Adrian and asked where he was. It wasn't long before Gabriel and Nicholas arrived to pick Adrian up. They exchanged numbers and Praveen even received a warm hug from him. It was really emotional.

After they left, Praveen went to his car and left for the hotel, his trouble.

***

Praveen opened the door to his room, letting himself inside. When he entered, he found Antonio coming out of the bathroom, toweling his hair. He closed the door and slowly started walking towards the couch without even having any intention of talking to him.

"Hey!" Antonio called, throwing the towel to the table. "Where the heck are you coming from at this time?"

Praveen stopped, slowly turning to look at Antonio. "I went to the temple and then I also had a tour around town."
"And you decided to come back at this time?" Antonio furiously walked to him, staring into his face. "It is dark out there and you are coming back at this time? You don't even know this city that well."

"I am fine, besides nothing happened to me and..."

"I try to be nice for once and let you go out and you decided to..."

"I told you I am fine, Antonio." Praveen said, slightly raising his voice. "What would have happened to me at the temple? Besides, I was with someone that knows this town very well."

"I wasn't worried about you..." Antonio chuckled bitterly, pointing angrily at him. "...I was worried that you'd get me into trouble if something happened to you. You are granny's favorite now because you are trying to get everything away from..."

Before Antonio could even finish his sentence, Praveen's phone started ringing and he quickly took the phone from his pocket without even looking at the screen. He quickly answered, walking away from Antonio.

"Hello..."

"Hey!" A happy voice sounded on the other end of the line. "It's me Adrian!"

"Oh!" A bright smile appeared on Praveen's face. "What's up, Adrian!"

"Sorry," Adrian apologized. "I just called to find out if you have safely reached your hotel."

"Yes!" Praveen smiled, nodding softly. "Don't worry about me. I am fine, okay?"

"Alright then, goodnight."

"Good night!"

Praveen lost the smile on his face as he slipped the phone back in his pocket. However, when he turned to face Antonio, he simply froze. Then suddenly, his heart started pounding deeper in his chest... His body felt cold... his eyes widened as his breaths came out harshly... a shiver ran down his spine and he wished for the ground to just open up and swallow him whole.

Antonio was holding Praveen's golden wedding chain that he had gotten at the temple. He was looking at it, trying to figure out what it was but Praveen was really scared. He freaking had no intention of showing that to Antonio. How the hell did it even get out of his pocket, he thought as he took a deep breath?

"What's this?" Antonio asked, looking at the necklace. "Why do you have it?" He had seen such a necklace with his mother long ago.

"Err..." Praveen gasped, figuring a way out to tell him. "...well, I got that from the temple. The priest gave it to me and..."

"I didn't ask for the history of this thing. I am asking what it's for."

Praveen felt his heart pound deeper in his chest, making him really scared. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "It's... it's a wedding chain." He said which he regretted later. "The priest gave it to me and he said you have to put it around me and..."

"What?" Antonio gave a mocking laugh, throwing the chain on the bed. "Are you fucking kidding me? Why the hell would I put a wedding chain around your neck when our marriage is not real at all, when I don't even love you?"

Praveen felt cold at Antonio's words. "I didn't mean to..."

"You didn't mean to what?" He yelled, getting closer to the poor boy. "Why the fuck do you like provoking me?"

"I am sorry but I didn't mean to and I had no intentions of getting that but..."

"And you still did."

"It's just a wedding chain and besides..."

"Well! I ain't putting that thing around your neck." He warned. "You better get that into your thick skull and this better be the last time you do anything like this." Antonio was so mad that he wanted to hit something. He was breathing like a beast. "I am not your husband so better find a husband that will put that around your neck."

With an angry groan, Antonio furiously passed the boy and started heading towards the door with the intention of going to Bruce's room to stay with him until he cooled down. Meanwhile Praveen was left standing there, speechless and definitely surprised at how the chain had left his pocket. He was still lost deep in his thoughts when suddenly...

"Fuck! Ouch!" He heard Antonio scream loudly.

Praveen quickly moved his eyes towards Antonio and found him jumping like a little child while holding his finger tightly. It was somehow funny and he wanted to laugh but he found himself quickly rushing to him. He reached him and wondered what was wrong with him.

"Are you... okay?" He asked softly, still staring into his face.

Antonio moved his eyes furiously towards the boy and simply got mad at him. "What do you think?" he groaned. "Something just pricked my finger and it hurts like hell."

"What?" Praveen couldn't mask the surprise in his voice. He quickly moved towards Antonio, thrusting his hand forward. "Let me see!"

"No!" Antonio furiously moved his hand away, getting a little further from the boy. "Why do you care? Leave me alone. I am sure you are happy right now because you like seeing me hurt, right?"

"What?" Praveen gasped, shaking his head. "Why would I feel happy when..."

"I don't know." Antonio shouted, getting even angrier. "Just leave me alone because your presence hurts more than the pain I am experiencing right now."

"I am just trying to help." Praveen was somehow concerned. "Let me just..."

"No!" Antonio thundered, thumping his foot on the floor.

"May I just see so that I can attend to it and..."

"Didn't you hear what I said?" He yelled, scaring the boy a little.

"Fine!" Praveen raised his hands as if he was surrendering, simply giving up. "I will leave you alone but you should get whatever it is out so that you can attend to it otherwise it might get worse."

With those words, he turned and started heading to the couch. Meanwhile, Antonio stood there and watched as the boy went away. He didn't like him, not to talk about his being or anything but the pain he was experiencing was something worse and...

"Wait!" He hollered, moving his eyes away as if he didn't want to look at the boy. "You can come and check."

Praveen stopped and looked back when he heard that. He quickly turned and looked at the man that didn't seem to care. Something about what he said brought some form of peace to him and he couldn't help but smile, not realizing that he was actually doing it.

"What?"

Antonio breathed heavily, trying to sustain his pain. "You can come and check."

Praveen smiled and moved closer to him, slowly extending his hands. "Bring your finger."

Antonio breathed deeply, giving him his finger. Praveen looked at the finger and saw little blood. Something had surely pierced him but it was no longer there. Antonio was just acting like a little child.

He slowly and carefully held his finger, slowly moving his index finger towards Antonio's, whatever it was.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Antonio furiously snapped. "That hurts."

"It's nothing serious." Praveen said sincerely. "It was probably a splinter or something small."

"Something small?" Antonio furiously withdrew his hand. "Can't you see that I am bleeding?"

"It's just little..."

"Little?" Antonio chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. "I am the one that's feeling pain here, okay? I knew you wouldn't do anything rather than tell me foolish things. You might not value your blood but I am a celebrity and I care a lot about my body."

"Fine!" Praveen raised his hands. "I saw a first aid box in the bathroom. Let me go and get it so that I can attend to you."

Praveen quickly rushed to the bathroom and found the first aid box. He came back and found Antonio seated on the couch, holding his finger and staring at his little blood. He shook his head and rushed to him. He knelt down, opened the box and started by cleaning Antonio's finger.

Antonio had expected his finger to hurt but there was something about the way Praveen was cleaning his finger that felt really good. Something the little pain he had been feeling disappeared, replaced by a feeling he couldn't even explain.

Praveen slowly and carefully cleaned the finger and blew on it to ease the pain Antonio had said he was feeling. He didn't want to hurt him and get some insults from him. Antonio was awfully quiet, staring at the boy's head, his beautiful black hair. For the first time, he felt Praveen did something good for him and he appreciated him for that.

Praveen took a small bandage, carefully wrapping it around Antonio's finger. After he was done, he packed everything back in the box, stared at Antonio for a few seconds and got up with the box in his hands. He started heading to the bathroom before...

"Wait!" Antonio hollered. "Just a minute."

When Praveen heard Antonio's voice, he stopped in his tracks but stood still without even turning to see what Antonio needed to tell him. He somehow knew that Antonio was gonna complain about the way he had put the bandage or something related to that. In other words, he took a deep breath, ready to receive more insults.

But he got surprised when Antonio didn't say anything or even come in front of him. This made him wonder why Antonio had called him. He took a deep breath, ready to continue walking but got surprised when he felt Antonio's hands on his neck.

Feeling Antonio's hands, Praveen felt a cold shiver run down his spine, making his breaths come out harshly. He quickly closed his eyes as his heart pounded deep in his chest, fear taking control of him. He felt cold and he froze where he stood, not knowing what was happening.

He thought Antonio had made a mistake or was just joking with him but he got even more surprised when Antonio's hands reached his chest and something in him, something that he couldn't even describe made him feel like a statue. His breaths seized and when he felt Antonio breath on his neck, he trembled in fear of what was gonna happen next.

He couldn't think of anything... He was blank, trying to figure out what was going on. What was just a few seconds felt as if it had been ages? He wanted to run away but he couldn't. He prayed in his heart for Antonio to leave him alone. He wanted to open his mouth but he couldn't even move it. It was as if he was paralyzed or something like it. It was really strange...

After what felt like eternity, he felt Antonio withdraw his hands and it was as if life had just returned to him. He opened his eyes, still unable to speak or even turn to face Antonio.

‘What had just happened?’ He thought, trying to bring himself under control.

"It's done." Antonio said in a voice that Praveen hadn't heard before.

"W... what?" he gasped, his mouth trembling in fear.

"The wedding chain," Antonio had no idea what had come over him. He couldn't believe he had just put the wedding chain around Praveen's neck. What was with him? "I... I have put it around you."

"What?" Praveen quickly turned, his mouth gaping. "I thought..."

"Look, don't get any ideas, okay?" Antonio said harshly. "I had only put that around you because you probably told granny and mom that you had..."

"But... I..."

"I only did this for them."

With those words, Antonio passed by Praveen and went to the window and opened the curtains to just look outside and forget he had even put that chain around Praveen. If Bruce ever found out, he knew that it meant trouble.

"What the fuck have I just done?" He cursed, gripping his hair.

Meanwhile, Praveen went to the bathroom and went straight to the huge mirror there. When he saw the wedding chain around his neck, he thought he was dreaming. He slowly moved his hand, rubbing on it beautifully. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever worn in his life before. He still couldn't believe Antonio had put that around him. It was really surprising.

"What happened to him?" He thought as a smile shot up his face. His heart started beating softly and he felt calm. He was wearing the same chain Antonio had said he wasn't gonna put around him. It was really strange and he hadn't expected that at all.

But whatever had made Antonio change his mind, Praveen thanked it a lot. He was happy and he couldn't mask it. For the first time since his marriage to Antonio, he smiled and felt really happy. But he knew it wasn't gonna last but he also couldn't stop smiling. It was really wonderful and he wished he had been that happy always.

***

Praveen was slowly combing his hair, looking into a huge mirror. He had just come from taking a shower after a long day that he had just had. It was late and though he was busy combing his hair, his eyes were on that beautiful wedding chain around his neck. He couldn't believe Antonio had agreed to put it around him.

He was still combing his hair when all of a sudden...

"Would you like to go down to get some food?" Antonio asked.

Praveen froze, looking at Antonio's reflection through the mirror. He didn't know what to say or how to respond but...

"Err..." He stuttered, slowly moving his hands from his hair. "...I don't know, I..."

"Are you not hungry?" Antonio asked, putting his hands in his pocket.

"But... Can't we just order..."

"Nah!" Antonio shook his head, taking a deep breath. "I wanna eat something else, maybe a nearby place where no one would get to recognize me."

Praveen didn't know if he was ready to go with Antonio because Bruce was definitely gonna be mad at him or even insult.

"Err..." He cleared his throat. "Sure!"

"Okay." Antonio sighed. "Let me go and get my car keys."

Antonio left and Praveen remained seated there, wondering what had just happened. Looks like his visit to the temple wasn't in vain after all. He looked up to the heavens, asking the almighty what had just happened to Antonio.

He took a deep breath, tied his hair and then fixed himself up before Antonio came back to the room and they left. They used the elevator and soon found themselves down the stairs. Praveen was slowly walking beside Antonio, trying his best not to look at him. There was a lot in his mind that he needed to think about and process.

As they walked together, Praveen could see people gasping, admiring them. He couldn't help but blush a bit. He knew that many of them wished that they could be in Praveen's shoes but if they knew exactly what was on his mind, they wouldn't have even been admiring him.

It wasn't long before they found themselves outside the hotel and heading to the beautiful, red SUV that was just too huge. Antonio pressed the little remote control and the car unlocked. They found themselves in the car. Praveen felt really nervous as he sat on the passenger's seat in front. He tried his best to breathe fine and it worked for him. Deep inside his heart, he was wondering what had happened to Antonio. He felt really happy that he even forgot that Antonio had a troublesome boyfriend that annoyed him.

Antonio on the other hand started the car and they left the hotel premises. He had no idea why he felt as... He couldn't even explain what he felt. Maybe he needed to appreciate Praveen even for a moment for helping him back at the room.

They drove in silence for almost 20 minutes, without even uttering a word to each other. Antonio was focused on his driving and he didn't want anything to disturb him. They were just gonna go to the restaurant, eat something and then come back.

Everything was going perfectly fine until suddenly... The car started jerking uncontrollably.

"What the...?" Antonio almost cursed, gripping the driving wheel harder.

After a moment, the car came back into control and he felt a little better. But his happiness was short lived as the car started jerking again uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Praveen felt his heart pound deeper in his chest as the car jerked the second time. He quickly looked at Antonio who was busy trying his best to drive the car...

"What... what's going on?" He asked, his voice sounding with fear.

"I..." Antonio paused, trying to see what was wrong. But everything seemed fine. "...I don't know."

"But..." Praveen gasped, holding his trembling hands together. "...please, stop the car and check what's wrong."

"What?" Antonio got a little annoyed. "I can handle it."

"Please!" Praveen was getting scared, really scared. "Just stop the car and check what's wrong."

Antonio knew that Praveen was right but he didn't want to listen to him because he knew nothing about cars. But in a situation like that, Antonio had no choice. He slowly moved to the side of the road and parked the car.

He took a deep breath and then got out of the car. Praveen too got out of the car and was welcomed by a really cold air that made him fold his arms around himself. They were near some sort of village or something because he could see some shops and light.

Antonio on the other hand started inspecting what was wrong and when he found the problem, he stood still with his hands on his hips, looking at the problem.

"Great!" He groaned, furiously dropping his hands. "As if I don't have enough problems."

"What is it?" Praveen asked as he moved closer to Antonio. "Have you found what the problem is?"

"Yes!" Antonio sighed, taking a deep breath. "It's like a puncture or something and do you know what?" Antonio quickly turned, almost bumping into the boy behind him. "I think this is your entire fault. You caused this."

To say Praveen was surprised would be an understatement. He had no idea why Antonio had said that to him and it left him speechless.

"What?" He gasped, his eyes widening. "Me? But what have I done? I wasn't the one that was driving and besides..."

"So now it's my fault?" Antonio chuckled, pointing at himself. "I am to blame for this?"

"I didn't say that you were to blame. I just..."

"Shut up!" Antonio snapped, making the boy go down a bit. "I decide to take you with me and this happens. This has never happened since I have been driving. You caused this and maybe I made a big mistake by bringing you here with me."

"But I didn't even..."

"You are just bad luck to me and thanks to you... this beautiful car also has to suffer your bad luck as well."

Praveen felt a little hurt but he stood there, staring at Antonio who was giving him an angry look. Then suddenly he turned and kicked in the tire angrily, groaning as if he was a predator. It seemed to Praveen as if Antonio's bad mood had returned.

He took a deep breath, moving closer to Antonio. "Look, I am really sorry for this but arguing won't help us in this situation. I can see a nearby village and maybe we can go there and ask for a mechanic who can..."

"What the fuck?" Antonio cursed, furiously turning. "Are you by any chance trying to insult me?"

"What? No!" Praveen nodded. "I was just suggesting that...'

"Well, I don't need your suggestion so just shut up." He demanded, angrily pointing at Praveen. "I am not gonna have some stupid mechanic touch my car. Whatever goes wrong, I fix it myself, okay?"

Praveen tried to open his mouth but figured it was probably best if he kept quiet. He remained silent and watched as his husband went away and then came back with the tools. He first unbuttoned his shirt and then started jerking the car.

Praveen watched as his husband started his work. There was something wonderful about the way Antonio worked that impressed Praveen that he couldn't help but smile. Antonio might have been worse at times but at that moment, Praveen felt he looked cute.

Antonio on the other hand was mad deep inside, anger that he had no idea came from. He was focused on what he was doing, changing the tire. He was sweaty, hot and a little dirty from the dust. But he was gonna change that tire just like his father had showed him.

Time was passing and Praveen was feeling cold. He hadn’t brought his sweater because it had been hot at the hotel. He had his arms wrapped around himself, slowly moving away from Antonio and the car. He was moving closer to the little village or rather the shops that were on the outskirts.

It didn't take him long before he reached one of the small shops and found the owner was a tea and snacks seller. The scene he found there sort of reminded him of the time his mother had been alive years back. She used to take him out for street tea and snacks. It was a time when they used to be happy, fulfilled and wished for nothing more.
Praveen was so drawn up in his thoughts that he didn't even realize he had a smile on his face and a tear was going down his cheeks. He got lost in his thoughts until...

"Excuse me!" He heard a voice that got him out of his thoughts.

He quickly moved his eyes and saw a man probably in his late 40s smiling at him.

"Are you okay, sir?"

He opened his mouth, smiled and quickly rubbed his tears. "I... I am fine. I am really sorry, sir."

"It's fine." The man smiled. "You seem cold. I have some hot tea that can warm you up. Do you want some?"

Praveen smiled, nodding his head. "I would love two cups, please. How much will I pay?"

When the man heard Praveen's words, he simply smiled brightly. "I am sorry but I don't think I would charge the boy married to Antonio Gonzalez."

"What?" Praveen gaped. "What are you saying, sir? How do you even..."

"Who doesn't know Antonio?" The man asked. "All of us know that he is now married and we saw the pictures in newspapers. It is an honor to finally meet you."

"But sir..." Praveen complained, shaking his head. "I don't think it would be right for me to take tea for free. You..."

"Please!" The man took two cups and brought them to Praveen. "Consider it as my wedding gift to you. Antonio and his family have done a lot of things for us."

Praveen felt happy when he heard what the man had just said. He took a quick glance behind, smiling softly when he saw Antonio changing the tire. He was almost done but Praveen was sure that he was also in need of something.

"Okay." Praveen moved his eyes to the man, giving him his usual smile. "I will take it but please, next time if I come here, I will pay."

"Yes!" The man extended his hands, giving Praveen the two cups. "But for now, enjoy my tea and I hope it is tasty. It is not of high quality like you are used to but I am sure it will help you a lot."

Praveen nodded, smiling faintly. "No, sir..." Praveen shook his head. "...I have never had tea as tasty as street tea. I am sure it is nice."

The man smiled brightly when he heard that and went back to making more tea. Praveen carefully walked back to Antonio just in time to find him finishing with tightening the tire. Before Praveen even reached him, he was done and was now panting uncontrollably, wiping the sweat from his face.

Antonio was looking really dirty and sweaty. He had removed his shirt, revealing his ever gorgeous tan body that could drive any man insane. But not Praveen. Praveen on the other hand was just hoping Antonio wasn't gonna insult him because of that tea he was gonna offer him.

But there was no harm in trying, right? He took a deep breath and moved closer, clearing his throat while his heart raced miles and miles.

"I brought you some tea, Antonio."

When Antonio heard Praveen's voice, it was like a million needles had just pierced his beautiful skin. He furiously turned to find Praveen holding two cups. He first looked at the two cups before looking at Praveen.

"What?" He horsed, shaking his head.

"I said, I brought you some..."

"I heard you." Antonio put his hands on his hips. "Why?"

"Because I thought you might need some since it's a cold night."

"Great!" Antonio raised his eyebrow, looking at the boy as if he had just grown another head. "And may I know where you got that from."

Praveen took a deep breath. "There is a shop over there..." He gestured. "...he sells tea and snacks and..."

"Are you crazy?" Antonio snapped, chuckling bitterly. "Why the fuck would you get some street tea for me? Do I look cheap to you or something?"

"But..."

"You are getting on my nerves!" He warned, angrily pointing at the boy. "I am a celebrity for heaven's sake and I don't drink dirty tea. You might be used to drinking dirty tea but I..." He pointed at himself. "...I have a reputation so don't make me angry."

Another surprise Praveen got and it made him really angry. "You know what?" Praveen slightly raised his voice. "Maybe you are right about that." He chuckled softly. "It might be dirty tea and I am used to drinking it. It might be cheap tea but it is still tea and there is a nothing wrong with it. The people that sell this tea are also people and they deserve to be shown some respect and need money too. They don't choose to sell tea on the street. It's just that they don't have a choice. They don't have enough capital to open big shops or restaurants as rich people like you."

The more Praveen talked, the angrier Antonio got. He had no idea where Praveen got his courage from but the boy was getting under his skin.

"Just because they sell tea on the street doesn't mean that they don't know about hygiene. I am from a village and I have seen people..."

"Enough of your lecture!" Antonio warned, clenching his teeth.

"The man gave me this tea with so much love and for free and you know why?" He shook his head, feeling hurt. "He did it because he wanted to appreciate his favorite superstar that he loves so much and felt was gonna drink it with so much love."

Antonio felt himself getting soft when he heard that. He opened his mouth but no word came out. He looked past the boy to the shop and saw the man smiling as he made the tea.

"Really?" He said softly, staring back at Praveen who was serious.

"Yes!" Praveen nodded. "And he made a really big mistake by doing so because you don't deserve his love."

With those words, Praveen turned and started going back to the shop. He was feeling bad and he was gonna apologize to the man, cook up a lie and then come back. He couldn't believe he had been such an idiot for even thinking Antonio was gonna accept the tea he had brought. He shouldn't have even...

"Wait!" Praveen heard Antonio's voice.

He stopped in his tracks without even turning back to look at him.

"I... I will have the tea." Antonio said softly, moving closer to the boy. He hated what he was doing but he needed to it. It was the right thing to do.

When Praveen on the other hand heard Antonio's voice, he slowly turned and found him with his hands stretched. He sighed, giving him the tea and watched as Antonio started taking it.

Antonio still didn't like the idea of drinking street tea but the moment he had his first taste, he simply froze as his entire body reacted. It was the tastiest tea he had ever had in his life before. It was sweet, but not too sweat and the tea in it was something like he had never tasted before. In fact, he had never had such tea even at the best restaurant.

Antonio started drinking the tea while Praveen just watched him and knew deep in his heart that he loved it. It didn't take long for Antonio to finish his tea and he needed more. But he wasn't gonna stoop so low in front of Praveen.

"Tell the man I said, thank you." He said softly as he handed the cup.

Praveen nodded and took back the cups he had. He thanked the man and when he came back to the car, Antonio was waiting for him. They entered the car and drove back to the hotel. As soon as they entered, people were staring at the two of them, admiring them, not even minding that Antonio somehow looked dirty.

They had spent almost two hours when the car had broken down but now... When they reached their room, trouble was waiting for them. Bruce was moving from side to side outside their room and he was looking really mad. Praveen didn't need trouble that night so when he saw Bruce, he just walked faster past him, opened the door and went inside.

Antonio on the other hand moved slowly when he saw Bruce looking at him as if he had just committed the most terrible sin ever known on earth. He took a deep breath and moved closer to him, hoping he was gonna understand him.

"Baby?" He called softly, looking at him. "What are you doing here?"

"What?" Bruce was mad and hurt. "What am I doing here? I have been waiting for you for two damn hours and you had fucking switched off your phone."

"Baby, calm down and listen to me for..."

"Listen to what?" Bruce yelled, not giving a hoot about who was listening. "Listen to the fact that you took plain Jane out for a romantic dinner. How stupid do you think I am?"

"Bruce, you should..."

"Oh please," Bruce crossed his arms on his chest, breathing like a deadly warrior. His blood was boiling hot... His heart was pounding so deep in his chest that he felt as if he was gonna have a heart attack. "I can't believe you did this to me."

"Baby..."

"What?" He snapped, furiously dropping his arms. "What do you want me to listen to? I came here so that..."

"Will you shut the fuck up?" Antonio snapped, yelling at Bruce. "What the fuck is wrong with you."

He was so mad that he didn't give a fuck whether he was talking to Bruce in that tone or whatever. His fists were clenched and his entire body was shaking terribly. He couldn't believe after everything he had been through, Bruce had the nerves to accuse him of stupid things.

Bruce on the other hand was dumbfounded, surprised because of what he had heard from Antonio. He couldn't believe Antonio had just raised his voice at him. That had never happened before since they had been dating, not even once. It got him really scared and hurt at the same time.

"Your boyfriend came back looking like..." He pointed at himself."...this and you didn't even bother to ask what happened. All you care about is... I had an affair? What do you think of me, Bruce?"

"But baby... I"

"Shut up!" He snarled, angrily pointing at him. "I am really tired and I don't have time for this nonsense. You have money so you can as well take yourself out." He shook his head angrily and moved past Bruce, ignoring his call. He entered the room, shutting the door angrily in Bruce's face.

"What just happened?" Bruce asked as tears built in his eyes.

He remained outside, reliving what had just happened.

What was going on? Was he losing his man or something?

He wasn't gonna let that happen and that was the truth! Never!

***

It was morning and Praveen was coming out of the elevator, down the stairs. He was going to tell the housekeeper to change the beddings after Antonio had spilt juice on them. He would have just called on the phone but he also wanted to take a walk.

As soon as he got out, he started walking straight to where he saw the manager talking to one of the waiters. He took a deep breath and got confident, giving his usual smile. He was dressed in a blue t-shirt, black skinny jean and brown sandals. His hair was tied in a long ponytail and his face was glowing that morning.

It didn't take him long before he reached the manager and seeing him, the manager gave his usual smile.

"Hey!" He greeted happily, rubbing on his hands. "And how is the husband of the celebrity this morning? I hope you are enjoying your stay here."

"Morning, sir..." He greeted, clearing his throat. "...of course, your hotel is beautiful and comfortable."

"I am glad to hear that and your husband?"

"He's fine." He said confidently. "But... I wanted a change of beddings." He asked. "Juice spilt all over them this morning and I am sorry for that."

"What are you saying?" the manager chuckled nervously. "You don't have to apologize. It was just an accident and I will send someone to change fresh sheets as soon as possible."

Praveen nodded and then smiled. The manager smiled back and then left quickly. Praveen took a deep breath and then quickly turned to go back to the room, before...

"Oh my God, I am so sorry..."

He bumped into someone and he quickly apologized, feeling a little scared.

"Oh, it's my fault." The man apologized quickly. "I wasn't seeing where I was going and..."

But before the man finished his sentence, he looked at Praveen and then a surprised expression appeared on his face. Even Praveen was surprised, happy and really excited that his heart jumped. He had no idea how to act.

"Oh my God," Praveen gasped, touching his heart. "You? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same question."

Praveen was surprised that he had met Adrian at that same hotel. He was alone, looking really handsome in a dark blue skinny jean and yellow tight shirt that showed his gorgeous chest. His hair was still in braids and he was still as handsome.

"Well, this is where my husband and I are staying." He chuckled happily.

"What a coincidence?" Adrian said happily. "This is... where my husband and I are staying. I came here to get something for my son. But I had no idea that you are staying here."

"Yeah, me too." Praveen nodded. "But I am happy. At least, I know someone in this big hotel."

"Yeah, I am glad because I really wanted to see you soon."

Praveen smiled when he heard what Adrian had said to him. He was a really good man and Praveen felt safe and that he could trust him. He loved him so much, like an older brother than he had always wished he had.

Meanwhile, Bruce who was really in a bad mood had just come out of the elevator. He wanted to go to the bar, have a drink or anything that would make him forget how his boyfriend had just shouted at him because of Praveen. He was really mad and he wasn't gonna let everything go just like that.

"I will kill that son of a bitch, I swear." He grunted, clenching his fists. "I promise."

He took a harsh breath, furiously moving forward. But before he even went further, his eyes caught the very person that he had wanted to see since he had been shouted at, Praveen. He was at a distance with someone that Bruce couldn't see because he had his back to him. He was smiling, laughing and that made Bruce really mad.

"I am gonna kill him."

With a harsh breath, Bruce clenched his fists and started walking furiously towards Praveen. It didn't take him long before he reached him. His face got really serious and he promised to humiliate Praveen. He didn't care what was gonna happen next.

"Well, well, well..." Bruce said harshly, folding his arms on his chest. "Look whom we have here..."

When Praveen heard Bruce's voice, the smile on his face faded as he caught a glance of the mad looking man. He knew trouble had just followed him. What was he going to do?

"If it isn't plain Jane who can't leave my boyfriend alone."

Praveen took a deep breath, slightly closing his eyes. "Bruce, I don't want trouble, please, leave me alone."

"Leave you alone?" Bruce chuckled bitterly, feeling really angry. "Why should I leave you alone when you can't leave my love life alone? All you ever do is cause me more trouble."

"I don't know what you are talking about." Praveen said with a sigh. "I have already told you that..."

"But we both know that isn't true." An evil grin appeared on Bruce's face. "Ever since you appeared in our lives, you've been trying to lure him into bed but you know what, I am never gonna allow that to happen because I will kill you before that happens."

To say Praveen was surprised would be an understatement. He felt really embarrassed, especially since he was with Adrian. What was he going to think of him? He wanted to open his mouth and say something but he felt a huge lump in his throat.

On the other hand, Adrian was caught off guard, surprised because of what was going on. He didn't need to be a genius to know that the man that was trying to cause a scene was none other than the idiot Praveen had told him. He reminded him so much of his cousin when he had gotten married. He could still remember it well and it got him really mad.

"We were all living happily until you came along with your schemes..." He yelled, drawing the attention of some people. "...both of us know that you are only after his money so you are trying to drag him into bed so that you can manipulate him. But our love is stronger and I will make sure that I throw you out of his life sooner than..."

"And this is coming from a man who is trying to destroy someone else's home." Adrian said with a teasing smile, folding his arms on his chest.

When Bruce heard that statement, it got him so angry that he started fuming, breathing like a predator. He furiously moved his eyes to the man that had just spoken and when he saw that mocking smile on his face, he simply lost it.

"How dare you?" Bruce grunted, breathing as if he was running out of air. "Who the fuck are you anyway?" He angrily pointed at him. "Stay out of this because it doesn't concern you."

"Really?" Adrian didn't even lose that smile on his face. "Praveen is my friend and..."

"Adrian, please..." Praveen spoke softly, looking all around. He noticed that some people were getting closer and it got him scared. He was now sure that a scandal was definitely coming. "Don't..."

"No, Praveen!" Adrian lost the smile on his face, staring at the man in front of him who wasn't even anywhere near Praveen's beauty. "Such disgusting people should be put in their places."

"What?" Bruce gasped, his mouth widening. "You shouldn't be speaking because you have no idea who I am. My name is Bruce and..."

"I don't give a damn about who you are." Adrian said harshly. "All I know is that you are trying to cause trouble for my friend and I won't allow that while I am here."

"Wow!" Bruce clapped, chirping softly. "So you've brought your dog with you, Praveen uh? I should have known that you've hired a bodyguard."

Hearing what Bruce had just said, Adrian took a deep breath and just smiled. "That is a great speech you know. But the only dog I see you here is you, a person who is going after what does not belong to him. You are so shameless you know and..."

"Enough!" Bruce said furiously, his voice echoing and bringing more people to watch the drama. "You are a stranger to me and that's why I am talking to you like this. You don't wanna make me mad so you better stay out of this. My business is between..."

"You see..." Adrian slowly walked towards Bruce with a serious look on his face. "...anybody that is causing trouble in someone's marriage is my enemy. You look like you are from a good family..." He chuckled bitterly, eyeing Bruce from head to toe. "Why would you want to cause trouble in someone's marriage and..."

"Marriage?" Bruce laughed in mock, giving Praveen an angry look. "He stole my boyfriend and..."

"He has more rights because the man in question is his husband." He said angrily. "But you had a relationship with him and we are not denying that. But right now, he chose to get married and that means you should stay away from him. Men like you only know how to cause trouble and trust me..." He chirped, nodding his head. "...I have handled someone probably worse than you so if you know what's good for you then..."

"You don't..."

"I am still talking..." Adrian stopped Bruce before he went further. "...I don't like it when people threaten my friends, especially if that person is in the wrong. I mean take a good look at yourself..." He said harshly. "...you are just embarrassing yourself here because everyone here will see you as a home wrecker. What will your parents think if they saw you right now? I bet they are ashamed for having a valueless person like you. What will you gain by destroying someone else's marriage?"

Bruce got really hurt and mad by Adrian's words. He felt as if a sharp metal had just pierced his heart. It was really painful and he felt tears building in his eyes. No one had ever insulted him the way the man had just insulted him. He looked around and saw the people that had gathered, speaking among themselves. He couldn't get humiliated. No!

"Look, I don't know you and..."

"I don't know you either but take this advice from me..." He chuckled. "...clean up your life because it stinks."

"You don't..." He furiously pointed his finger at Adrian. "...you don't wanna mess with me because you don't know me..."
"You don't know me either." Adrian chuckled. "There are a lot of people watching and if I were you, I wouldn't be embarrassing myself any further."

A tear went down Bruce's cheek which he furiously rubbed. He clenched his trembling fists, moving his eyes to Praveen. Praveen dropped his eyes because he didn't want to look at Bruce. Bruce on the other hand vowed that no matter what was gonna happen, Praveen had just drawn the battle line and he was gonna get him for.

With an angry look, Bruce furiously turned and left quickly, running away from that place. Adrian took a deep breath and went to Praveen. He held his hand quickly and took him outside, away from the people that were watching him.

"Praveen, why would you allow him to talk to you like that?" Adrian said, a little too loud. "You are the legal husband and yet he is acting as if..."

"What am I to do?" Praveen sighed. "I have already told you how everything is, haven't I?"

"Yes, but you shouldn't let anyone step on you like that." He said loudly as if he was arguing. "You should stand up for yourself and your marriage."

Praveen looked at Adrian. "I am really sorry that you had to go through all that but you don't seem to understand." He sighed, fighting off his tears. "This marriage that I have found myself in was arranged and..."

"I know that." He spoke softly. "You told me but I still don't get why you endure all this."

Praveen closed his eyes as a tear went down his cheek. He took a deep breath, taking a quick turn and then slowly walked away from Adrian. He was hurt but he had to talk to his new friend.

"Marriage is the most important thing that can ever happen to anyone in this lifetime." He said in between breaths. "It brings a lot of joy, happiness and unites the two families involved. I always wanted to live happily with someone that would love me and who I would give back my love."

He took a deep breath. "But when my mother told me about my arranged marriage, I didn't like the idea. I rejected the idea and I told her I wouldn't do it. But then again..." he slightly rubbed his face. "...she made me promise her and I loved her so much that I promised her immediately. I didn't know how my life would be but I still agreed to this marriage. Do you know why?"

He turned and faced Adrian who was quietly staring at him.

"Because I had hopes that even though my marriage is arranged, my husband would shower me with love and respect." He chuckled bitterly. "I had hopes that he would treat me like a prince and I eventually would love him and give myself to him. Everyone envies me... they think I am the luckiest boy on the planet but that's not true. When I got married, what I found was just the opposite of it all. Look at me, you said it yourself. I am the legal husband but... I am like the destroyer of their relationship. They are in love and even if I wanted to fight him..." He said dryly. "...I can't do that so you've got to understand me."

Adrian got closer to him, gripping his arms. "Even at that, I will still tell you the same thing." He said confidently, shaking Praveen slightly. "You've got to be confident and courageous. Don't let them step on you just because they feel they have to. You've chosen to stay in this relationship for the sake of other people so you've got to at least take care of yourself."

Praveen stared into Adrian's eyes, slowly rubbing his face. He knew Adrian was telling him the right thing but he just didn't know how he was gonna find his courage with Antonio and his boyfriend always finding ways to bring him down.

***

Bruce reached Antonio's room and he was breathing like a beast. He was so mad that he was ready to kill someone. He was gonna tell his boyfriend the insult he had just gotten and he was hoping that he was gonna do something to Praveen.

Without even knocking, he let himself in the room and the moment he entered, he found Antonio moving from side to side, probably thinking about work or something. He was looking really handsome in a black vest, white designer's short and white sandals. He had a band tied around his head and he seemed serious.

Seeing him, Bruce started rushing to him and almost bumped into him when he was about to turn back. They both stood still, staring at each other without even saying anything to each other. Bruce expected Antonio to grip his arms and pull him into a tight hug, a kiss, an apology for last night or maybe any word. But the man just stood still, staring at him without even a smile.

"Baby..." Bruce complained, feeling as if he was about to explode with the emotions that took control of him at that moment. "...thank God I have found you here. I am not happy right now because that boy just insulted me down stairs. I am honestly sick and tired of him..." He said angrily. "...we need to do something. You need to send him packing as soon as possible because I can't take him anymore."

Antonio kept staring at Bruce without even uttering any word which surprised Bruce because he expected his boyfriend to say something. And the way he was looking at him was really surprising. What was going on?

"Baby?" Bruce held his boyfriend's hand, rubbing on it sweetly. "Honey, did you hear anything that I said? I told you..."

"Are you done?" Antonio bellowed, furiously releasing his hand. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Bruce couldn't believe it. Antonio had actually snapped at him, for the second time.

"What?" Bruce felt tears building in his eyes. "Baby, why..."

"Oh!" Antonio chuckled bitterly. "Why do you like causing trouble? What's wrong with you? Did you actually think I wasn't gonna find out about your little drama down stairs?"

"Baby..."

"What's wrong with you? I was thinking you were gonna be here this morning to see me so that we could spend some time together but what do I find..." He chuckled bitterly, raising his voice. "...you were arguing with someone downstairs."

Bruce felt scared, especially with the tone Antonio had just spoken to him with.

"My love, I just went down stairs to..."

"To what?" Antonio scolded, making Bruce take a few steps behind. Antonio had never talked to him like that. "To cause trouble and drama? Do you know what you were even doing down there?"

"But Antonio, I just went down there to talk to Praveen because he is obviously causing trouble in our relationship." He explained, hoping his boyfriend was gonna understand him. "That boy is trying to seduce you and..."

"Will you please shut up?" Antonio yelled, stamping his foot on the ground. Bruce's heart gave a sharp pound as his breaths came out harshly. "I am sick and tired of this drama of yours. First it was last night and this morning too? I had woken up with so much hope that you and I will be together but you are obviously trying to cause more trouble for me and..."

"Trouble for you?" Bruce gasped as more tears built in his eyes. "Why are you blaming me for this? It is that boy that..."

"Well, I didn't see him arguing with someone else down stairs."

"But he was the one that..."

"I don't care." Antonio didn't care that he was shouting at the man that he loved but he was so mad that he couldn't just control himself. "For your information, I came down stairs and I saw exactly what was happening there, how you were arguing with that man like a cheap man."

"I went to confront Praveen and..."

"In public?" Antonio laughed, shaking his head. "When did you lose your sense of judgment? It's like you are going insane with jealous for that stupid boy? I have already told you that I can never fall in his trap so what is wrong with you?"

"I understand that but..."

"And did you even think about the impact of your stupid drama?" He didn't even give a chance for his boyfriend to speak. "My reputation could be at stake here. What if my family heard of what is going on here? You went to confront him in public? Are you insane? Wasn't my word enough?"

Bruce slightly closed his eyes as he tried to swallow his pain. "Look, I was just hurt."

"What about the pain you are causing me? If my mom and my granny got to hear of this, what do you think they'll do?" He reprimanded, pointing his shaky finger at his boyfriend.

Then he got closer and stared at him, feeling anger sweep him off his feet. "Don't make me regret bringing you with me here because you are annoying me even more than that stupid boy. If you don't stop this nonsense, I won't hesitate to send you back to the capital."

Hearing what his boyfriend had just said, Bruce felt really cold. Everything suddenly froze, his breath, his gaze and even his blood flow. His body gave a sharp jerk, making him feel colder than he had ever felt before. Tears of pain went down his cheeks and he tried to open his mouth to speak but how was he gonna find any word after what his boyfriend had just said to him. He was speechless.

He just stood still, staring into the eyes of the man he loved like crazy. He couldn't recognize who he was anymore. It had come as a shock to him and he felt pain slip through him. Then he took a deep breath as more tears poured down. He quickly turned and stormed out of the room, covering his mouth to prevent the harsh sounds that came out of his mouth.

Antonio sighed, staring at the door that his boyfriend had just left. He loved his boyfriend so much but he didn't appreciate what he had just done. What if his mother saw it and then decided to ask questions. It was gonna ruin everything, so many relationships.

With an angry groan, Antonio furiously sat on the bed with his hands covering his face. He needed to calm down and think straight. He couldn't just stay angry at his boyfriend the entire day. Of course, they were gonna make up somehow.

***

"Praveen, you really need to think about what I have said." Adrian said softly, taking Praveen's hands. He sweetly rubbed on them, smiling brightly. "I wouldn't want to hear that he insulted you again, okay? Remember, you had decided to stay in this marriage for the sake of your mother but please, don't let people bring you down."

Praveen sighed, rubbing on his hair. "I understand what you are saying and I honestly want to but I have tried and..."

"You need to try harder." He assured. "This might sound awkward but you are actually the closest friend currently. We just met less than 24 hours ago and I wish we had met sooner. You have become really important to me and I don't want to see my friend suffer."

Praveen felt tears building in his eyes as he stared at Adrian. "That really means a lot to me and I have no idea why a rich man like..."

"Uh, uh..." Adrian moved his little finger in the air, shaking his head. "Forget about what I have for now. I used to be just like you. You have a pure heart and that's what makes you special to me. You see..." He paused and took a deep breath. "... I have been through a lot and I don't want you to go through that. I know that I told you about the story of my mother in law and the people I thought to be my family."

"Yeah!" Praveen nodded. "You told me they wanted to kill you but the love for your husband saved you."

"Yeah," Adrian nodded, smiling. He didn't mind going back to the past for Praveen's sake. He needed him to be really strong. "Nicholas and I might seem to be a perfect couple but there was a time when everyone hated me so much including my husband. Everyone was working against me, my husband didn't want to see me or even mention my name. I was thrown out of my own house because of a terrible lie that broke my home due to my enemies. Only one person believed in me and that was Nicholas' granny. She gave me strength and helped me a lot. I used to be as innocent as you are right now but my confidence helped me gather the evidence I needed."

Praveen was paying attention to what his friend was telling. Although rich, Adrian had passed through a lot and Praveen couldn't even begin to imagine what he must have been through. It was painful.

Adrian laughed softly and held on tightly to Praveen's hand. "People that you are dealing with will try everything to ruin your reputation, destroy your relationship with your mother in law and make you look bad to the society. Right now, you need to prevent that because the moment that happens, you might experience something that may ruin your life forever. You need to be confident and trust in the almighty. You are a good person, Praveen and I am lucky to have met someone like you. My entire life, I have prayed for a true friend and I think I have met him. My trip to this country might have been for leisure but I have found something more than that and I really don't wanna lose you. That's why..."

He paused and opened his wallet, bringing out a small card. He handed it to Praveen which he took and looked at it. It was Adrian's card with all his details and contacts. Praveen smiled and then looked at the man who wasn't smiling anymore.

"Thank you so much but I..."

"Nicholas and I are going back to our country this evening." He said abruptly in between breaths. "We have spent more than the number of days we had told our family we would. Everyone is missing us and there is also an important meeting that I have to attend in two days’ time."

"Oh..." Praveen moaned, feeling sad. "Do you have to leave so soon?"

"Yes!" Adrian nodded. "We have no choice but that card has everything you might need to contact me. I would really love to keep in contact with you. You have become a great friend and I don't wanna lose contact with you. Maybe..." He paused and chuckled, raising his eyebrow. "...you and your husband might just visit my country."

Praveen lost the smile on his face. "I don't think..."

"Remember what the priest had said to you." He laughed, now taking both of Praveen's hands. "You need to trust in the almighty. He knows why he had gotten you married to your husband. Just don't change for anything in this world Praveen. You are a good person and I know that you will continue to be that person."

Praveen got really emotional to the point where he couldn't control himself. He quickly pulled Adrian in a tight hug and held on to him.

"Thank you so much." He sobbed as tears went down his cheeks. "You've really given me inspiration, Adrian. You are God sent and I will never forget about you. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me in the little time that we've know each other. You are really nice and I wish our moments together would have been longer. Thank you."

Adrian held on tightly to Praveen as tears went down his cheeks. "Thank you too because you have taught me a lot in the little time that we've known each other. I will never forget about you no matter what Praveen."

The two friends hugged tightly, getting even more emotional. They had grown so attached to each other that they didn't want to part from each other. Two days... they had only known each other for two days but the bond they had formed was really strong.

"I really hope your husband realizes the kind of person you are." Adrian thought as he rubbed on Praveen's back.

"If only he knew what kind of person you are, the kind of thing he is missing in his life." He smiled as he rubbed his tears. "Then he wouldn't even look twice at that guy that he calls his boyfriend. But I believe that sooner than soon, your love story will begin. I just hope you will get all the obstacles out of your way and fight for your marriage. Nothing is impossible. I was able to fight my battle and I came out victorious. I hope you will do the same with yours.

I know that your husband doesn't love... for now but I believe with time, you will charm him with your goodness and kind heart. He will see what kind of person you are and will love you. Just be strong."

Adrian held on tightly to Praveen, pulling him closer. He was gonna miss him a whole lot.

***

"You should have seen the humiliation I got because of that boy." Bruce glowered, gripping the phone as if he wanted to break it. "For the first time, Antonio got mad at me and we actually argued."

"What?" Andrea gasped on the other end. "Are you serious? Why would you allow him to do that? I thought I told you to keep an eye on the two of them. At this moment, I was expecting you to be telling me that you have put him in his place not..."

"What do you mean by that?" Bruce groaned angrily. "That stupid plain Jane is no problem. Your brother is the one who's not understanding me."

"Look..." Andrea was in her office, slaying her outfit as usual. She was really mad at Bruce for telling her that she had failed to handle the stupid boy. "...I expected more from you than what you are giving me. I told you to get rid of that boy, put him in his place before he returns here and not complaining about him each time you call me."

"Well, handling that boy is no problem." Bruce raged, sounding like a beast. "That was what I wanted to do, humiliate him and make him sit in a corner and show him who's boss until some stupid boy poked his nose and insulted me."

"What?" Andrea snapped, furiously getting out of her seat. "What do you mean by that? You mean someone else insulted you and..."

"Not just insult..." Bruce chuckled bitterly, getting madder by the moment. "...that idiot made me look bad in front of everyone. Right now, I am sure that everyone sees me as a bad boy."

"Who is that person and how is he related to plain Jane?"

"I don't know..." Bruce yelled. "...and honestly, I don't care. What hurts the most is that when I went to Antonio, he shouted at me and blamed me for everything. He literally threw me out of the room and I don't know what to do."

"What?" Andrea got a little scared. "Why would Antonio..."

"You shouldn't be worried about that." Bruce said harshly. "Right we should be focusing on how to get rid of that boy once and for all before he bewitches my boyfriend and get all the properties for himself. Antonio is mad at me for the first time and I don't appreciate it. We need to do something quick because I can't tolerate him anymore."

"Okay. I will do something but you need to go back to Antonio right now." She said in a serious tone. "I know my brother and you don't need to make him upset for a long time. But please, don't argue with him because I will not help you again if you do."

"But Andrea, I am not the one making him upset." He complained, groaning like an old man. "That stupid boy is doing this."

"Don't worry about four eyes." She said, an evil grin appearing on her face. "I will think of something before he comes back here. Do everything that you can to make him uncomfortable there. When you come back here, he will find a great surprise waiting for him. It won't be long before he will eventually get out of our lives. Right now, don't leave Antonio's side, okay?"

Bruce sighed angrily. "Fine! I will do everything that I can."

"Starting now." Andrea rolled her eyes in frustration. "Go and talk to him. You need to get more intimate with him to show that boy that he's yours."

"Okay." Bruce said softly. "Talk to you later."

Andrea cut the call and gripped the phone harder.

"Of course, I should have known he can't do anything productive without me." She complained, filling her voice throughout the office. "All he knows how to do is complain. I should have known that he can't handle a single thing. Must I do everything for him? This is really annoying."

She shook her head as she started moving about the room, thinking about what she was gonna do.

"That boy needs to leave very soon because I can't handle him anymore." She complained, rolling her eyes. "He just annoys me to the core. I hate him. But mom and granny are really making this work difficult. There has to be some way in which I can get rid of him for good and... Yes!" She almost jumped up when an idea hit her.
"Why didn't I think of this before?" She gasped in excitement, feeling all charged up as a ward of emotions took control of her. "This will definitely make my job easier. He will be out of our lives before he even have time to seduce my brother."

Andrea's face lit up with an evil grin. She quickly dialed a number and placed the call button. It wasn't long before she heard the phone ringing...

"Hello..." A voice was heard on the other end of the line.

Andrea's heart instantly jumped with joy, excitement and she felt a shiver run down her spine. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of that before. Had she done that before the wedding, it wouldn't have even happened.

"Hello..."

Her evil plan was now in action.

***

"Baby..." Bruce pleaded, holding on tightly to Antonio's arm. He wasn't gonna let go. "...I am really sorry for yesterday. It's just that I... I thought that boy..."

"Bruce, I told you that I love you and nothing will ever change." Antonio was still mad. "I will love you forever and no one else. You are the one I want to spend the rest of my life with but it seems like you don't believe any word I have ever said to you."

"But, it's just that you went out with him and..."

"Yes!" Antonio said harshly, pulling his arm free. "I went out with him because, because he hadn't eaten anything and besides, I just wanted to go out."

"But you could've taken me and..."

"What about today?" Antonio argued. "What was all that scandal for? Do you want to show the entire world that Antonio the star is having extramarital relations? Do you even realize what that would do to my mother and my granny?"

"What?" Bruce was really hurt by Antonio's words. "Extramarital?" He asked, feeling weak in the knees. "You consider yourself married now? What am I to you then, Antonio?" He felt tears building in his eyes. "Your side..."

"No!" Antonio yelled, scaring Bruce even more. "To the world, my family and my fans, I am married and that's what they would think. Only God knows what would happen if they got to find out I brought you here. That would ruin my reputation and..."

"Is that what you call it now." Bruce was really mad and he didn't care about the consequences. "Are you falling for that plain Jane now?"

"What?" Antonio chuckled bitterly. "Don't be ridiculous. You know that can never happen because you are the only one I have ever loved."

"Then why are you treating me like trash?"

"You know that's not true. I..."

"I asked where you came from because I care and I was worried." He said as a tear went down his cheeks. "I got hurt when I saw you with him when I was the one that was supposed to be with you and I went to talk to him today because ever since he came into our lives, he has been trying to seduce you and get you away from me."

Bruce moved closer to Antonio, looking deep in his eyes. "Put yourself in my shoes and answer me honestly. If it was you who was seen with some other guy, how would you have acted? I love you so much Antonio but maybe I made a big mistake by following you here and..."

"Baby?" Antonio spoke softly.

"No, Antonio..." Bruce yelled. "...you are acting as if I have committed a really big sin by protecting what's mine. I never went there to argue with him. I just went there to tell him to stay away from you because I know what he is up. I had no idea he was gonna tell his friend to insult me. You should be mad at him and not me. Ever since we came here all you ever do is take his side."

"No! Baby..." Antonio felt bad. "...that's not..."

"No, Antonio." Bruce furiously rubbed his tears. "Instead of looking stupid to you maybe it's better if I left you to have your honeymoon."

Bruce quickly turned and started walking away but before he even went further, he felt Antonio's arms wrapping around his waist, pulling him closer to him. Antonio had never been afraid like that before. He loved Bruce so much that he couldn't afford to lose him because of a stupid misunderstanding.

"Baby?" He said softly, pulling him closer while kissing his neck. "I am truly sorry if I have made you feel like that. It's just that I was afraid and..."

"Don't you think I also want your mother and granny's wellbeing?" He asked, not even turning to face his boyfriend. But deep down inside, he was jumping with joy. He had Antonio where he wanted him and he wished Praveen could see who owned Antonio. "Those two are gonna be my in laws soon and I want what's best for them. It just hurts that you don't trust me anymore."

"Baby? I am truly sorry." Antonio apologized. His love for Bruce was overflowing. "I apologize for that and I promise I won't be mad at you again." He slowly knelt down, gripping Bruce's leg.

When Bruce felt that, he got on top of the world, feeling like the luckiest man on earth. Antonio was truly his and no one else's. He loved him so much and he wasn't gonna let a moment like that pass. He took a deep breath, quickly turning.

Then he took his boyfriend's hands, helping him to get up. He looked straight in his eyes and smiled brightly, wishing he could look in them forever. Antonio was the most handsome man Bruce had ever set his eyes on and they were the perfect couple.

"Antonio, I got really hurt by what you did." He said in a soft tone.

"I am sorry." He apologized. "I never realized that was what happened."

"But I love you so much and I just wanna spend my entire life with you." He sighed. "Please, I really, really love you."

"I love you too."

Antonio smiled and then leaned down, capturing Bruce's lips in the sweetest of kisses. He took his bottom lips, sucking hungrily on it. Bruce let out a passionate sensual moan that made his body to burst into flames of passion. His body felt weak and he held on closer to Antonio as both of them moaned and enjoyed each other's mouths.

After what felt like hours, they both pulled away from the kiss for the much wanted air. Both of them were panting, smiling at each other. While Antonio was happy he had gotten back his lover, Bruce was glad he finally had Antonio where he needed him.

"Do you now forgive me for all those moments I failed you?" He said abruptly, not losing the smile on his face.

"Hmm..." Bruce moaned, licking his lips hungrily. "...I don't think I can forgive you yet."

"What?" Antonio couldn't have been more surprised. "Okay, what do you want me to do so that you can forgive me?"

Now they were going somewhere, Bruce thought as evil thoughts ran up in his mind. His breaths became harsh and he felt really hot that he started sweating.

"Well, ever since I returned, you and haven't..." He paused, taking in a deep breath. "...we haven't made love and I want you so bad Antonio. I want to feel your arms wrapped around me tightly while you make love to me..." He moaned, moving his hands up to cup Antonio's cheeks. "...I wanna moan your name like before... I wanna fill you inside of me and I wanna feel your mouth all over me while we make love." Bruce instantly got horny as he said that to Antonio. His cock was rock hard, pulsing and rubbing on his under wear. He was sweating terribly and he couldn't take it anymore.

Antonio on the other hand felt as if his entire body had just caught a powerful flame. His entire body felt hot and cold at the same. He had gone for a few weeks without having sex with anyone and it kinda woke so many emotions within him that he couldn't control.

Adrenalin took control of his body and he instantly started sweating, breathing as if he was being chased by his predator. His cock instantly got hard and he wanted to make love to his boyfriend. He wanted to make slow, sweet love to him. But...

"Baby..." He said in a courteous manner. "...are you sure we should do that now?"

"Why not?" Bruce kissed Antonio softly on the lips. "You love me and I love you too. Besides, you promised you'd do anything to make me happy. I just want us to be one again."

Antonio felt a part of him telling him to stop but he was defeated in that state. "Okay." He nodded as a bright smile appeared on his face. "I shall make love to you."

"Okay." Bruce smiled, moving his arms to Antonio's neck. He pulled him down and they started kissing again.

They were being driven by passion, a fire that couldn't be put out. Their tongues were at war with each other, fighting for dominance. Their moans filled the entire room as their hands moved all over each other's body.

They both couldn't wait to get started. In one swing, Antonio moved his hands to Bruce's waist, bringing him closer to his body. Bruce moaned deeply into Antonio's mouth, making both their tongues vibrate. Antonio felt his body vibrate.

Kissing Bruce even harder, Antonio moved his hands to the hem of Bruce's t-shirt. He pulled away from those sweet lips and then pulled the shirt from Bruce's body. He took Bruce's lips again and kissed him while his hands moved to the buckle of his belt. He undid the belt and then unzipped his skinny jean. He tore away from those lips once again and removed the jean.

Bruce was now standing in just a black boxer that stuck on him like a second skin. He was really sexy and that pulsing boner in his pants showed just how much he wanted Antonio inside of him. He was panting, in need of Antonio.

Antonio took Bruce's hand, leading him to the bed. He made him lie on the bed. Then he started unbuttoning his own shirt while smiling at the sexy boy beneath him. Without removing the shirt, he quickly slipped out of his trouser and climbed on the bed.

He lay on top of Bruce, taking his lips once again. Bruce moved his hand all over Antonio's back, moaning louder each passing second. He couldn't wait to feel Antonio's tool inside of him. It was gonna be magical.

He slowly started moving his hands downwards to Antonio's boxer so that he could remove it. He reached Antonio's boxer and when he was about to pull on it... a knock was heard on the door. They chose to ignore it but once again heard it, this time a little louder.

Hearing the knock, Antonio pulled tore away from Bruce's juicy lips but Bruce wouldn't allow him as he took his lips once again.

"Baby..."

"No!" Bruce sounded like a horny whore. "I... I want you so bad."

"But..."

"Forget about it." He moaned as he kissed his boyfriend like his life depended on it. "Ignore it. I don't care who is out there."

"No..." Antonio pulled away, looking deep in his lover's eyes. "...I need to see who is at the door. I am sure that it is one of the housekeepers. They were supposed to bring some extra sheets and..."

"Whoever is at the door will go away and..."

"No!" Antonio shook his head. "Each of them has a master key card to each room in this hotel. If we won't answer, they will think no one is in and they will let themselves in and you don't wanna let them find us making hot love, do you?"

Bruce sighed, rolling his eyes. He was really mad. "Okay, I will go and tell whoever is out there to leave us the hell alone. I am gonna spend the entire day making love to you." He tickled Antonio's nose, making him smile brightly.

"But maybe I should..."

"No!" Bruce nodded. "You are gonna stay right here, my love. I will handle it."

Bruce kissed Antonio on the lips and then got up. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. He was still sweaty and that smile on his face was just making Antonio crazy. Bruce rushed to the door with ever glowing smile.

He gripped the knob, opening the door wide but as soon as he opened the door... His heart gave a sharp pound in his chest... His breaths started coming out harshly, scaring the living hell out of him... adrenaline took control of him, making him feel weak and busted... his eyes widened. He got really scared to the point where he started trembling. He didn't know what to do.

"What... what are you doing here?" He stuttered. He was visibly trembling and it felt hotter than he remembered.

The man standing at the door was just as shocked as Bruce, maybe even more. He was standing still, like a statue. Only his eyes were moving, probably surprised because of the state that he had found Bruce in or maybe because he hadn't even expected to find there.

"Baby... Who is it?"

But Bruce was too shocked to even speak. His mouth was open but no word came out. Just when he was about to say something, the man furiously rushed past him, letting himself in the room. Bruce slowly closed the door and went after him.

"Oh my God..." Antonio jumped out of bed when he saw the man. "...Ethan... what are you doing here?"

Ethan was really surprised, shocked because of what he had just found. His fears had come true. What he had feared the most had happened. Antonio was truly cheating on Praveen and... He couldn't explain what he felt.

"What have you done?" He gasped, his breaths coming out harshly.

To be continued….