Game of Love - 4. Chapter 4: Sergio is going in too deep. Is it about the game now?

“Did you get ahold of him?” Henry asked as he came into the living room, stretching his arms.

Steve shook his head. He seemed worried. “I tried this morning too but his phone is not going through.”

“What about his mother’s line?”

“It isn’t going through too.” He said softly. “Maybe she’s out of the country on a business meeting. But it’s not like Sergio to go out without telling us where he went. I am so worried. What if something bad happened to him?”

“Sergio?” Henry laughed, shaking his head. “He’s probably just fucking someone while you and I are worried sick here. You know the way he is, right?”

Steve sighed in frustration, throwing the phone on the couch. It was already 8. Am and he was supposed to be back even if he had hooked up with someone, right? Steve rubbed his head and was about to sit when all of a sudden, the door flung open and the first thing they heard was someone singing.

“I feel good… tana nana…. I feel good…..”

Sergio was really happy. He was dancing like a little child that had just found a toy that he’d lost. He had a smile like they’d never seen on his face before. The look on his face was priceless and he was a bit sweaty.

Steve and Henry got up from their couches, looked at each other and at the guy that was coming closer to them. They’d never seen him act the way he was acting before. Did he win a lottery or something? But he was super rich so a lottery meant nothing to him.

“I feel good…” He even did a breakdance as he neared his friend. “…so good… so good. I feel good.”

He pinched Steve’s cheek, laughing. “And good morning to you too. I will take you out for lunch and shopping. My treat. You can get anything you want. Come on!” He took Steve’s hand and span him slowly. “Come on, dance with me!”

“What’s going on?” Steve asked, a frown appearing on his face. “Are you okay?”

“Why not?” Sergio enthused. “I am more than okay.”

“Okay…” Henry sounded not so sure. “What’s going on? Where did you sleep?”

“Where else but at my boyfriend’s place?”

“Boyfriend!” Both Steve and Henry gasped, their eyes widening. “You mean Trevor is back in town? When?”

“Who’s talking about Trevor?” He chuckled happily. “I am talking about Eric.”

“Eric!” Henry felt his heart pound. “That’s impossible. There’s no way….”

“Maybe but…” He took out his phone and showed a picture to both his friends.

It was a picture that Sergio had taken a few hours back. Both of them were lying in bed with Eric on Sergio’s chest, smiling at the camera. Shit! The both of them looked so damn good together that Henry felt a surge of jealous go through him. He felt pained and a bit betrayed.

“Oh my God,” Steve gasped, covering his mouth. “Wow! This is… this is so sweet. You did it. You were able to woo Eric, the iron boy. Wow, dude….”

“Calm down!” Sergio chuckled happily, getting the phone from his friends. “I will tell you all about it later. But today, I officially tell you that the most beautiful boy in the entire university is my boyfriend. He now belongs to me.”

Steve gripped Sergio into a hug, literally jumping. “Congratulations. I am so happy for you, man. You two deserve each other, I swear. You look so sweet together.”

“Thank you!”

Henry was quiet. There was a lot that was going on in his head and he couldn’t just accept that Eric had accepted someone like Sergio over him. He was jealous.

“You do realize that this is just a game, right?” He muttered. “We betted on it and he’s not your boyfriend, right?”

Sergio pulled away from the hug, raising his eyebrow. “Cool, down man. I know exactly what you’re talking about. I haven’t forgotten about it. I just proved that I can get anyone I want and…”

“You haven’t proved anything yet. You still…”

“What’s this talk about games and bets, come on?” Steve frowned. “It doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is that Sergio has finally proven a point. Now come on, let’s go inside so that we can hear how our friend did it.”

“Yeah!” Henry chuckled nervously. “Let me just make a call. I’ll be there soon.”

“Cool!”

The two friends went inside, leaving Henry there alone. Tears welled up in his eyes and he clenched his fists, feeling like someone had just stabbed him in the heart.

‘No!” He thought, breathing heavily. ‘This can’t be happening to me. Eric is supposed to be mine, only mine. How could he accept Sergio so easily? What does he have that I don’t? Eric humiliated me… he insulted me in front of everyone but I didn’t say anything because I love him.

Now he accepts my best friend? I will not allow this. I have to do something to break their relationship. There’s no way I’ll let your relationship continue. I swear!’

Henry vowed to break Eric and Sergio’s relationship at all costs. That was a promise.

***

‘Baby, you know I was so worried about you the entire night. I didn’t even sleep and…’

“Mom!” Eric sighed, rubbing through his hair. “Please, calm down! I am absolutely fine. I was just pissed off with what happened yesterday at the restaurant but I am absolutely fine. I am so sorry for leaving the way I left and I’ll make it up to you.”

‘No!’ Laurel sobbed on the other end. ‘I am the one that should apologize for what had happened yesterday. I shouldn’t have let things get as far as they did. It is my fault. And I am so sorry for that, baby. Please, forgive me!’

“Why are you apologizing, mom? Anyway, let’s do this. Let’s just forget everything that happened. We’ll come and talk about it when I come home next weekend, I promise.”

‘Okay, baby.’ Laurel sighed. ‘I love you so much.’

“I love you too.”

He cut the call and sighed, covering his eyes with his hands. He was feeling a bit worried about his mother. He just wished there was someone there to help her. Anyway, there was Eric’s nanny and she had been like family. So he wasn’t that worried about her.

“You gave me quite a scare yesterday, Eric!” Smith said with his arms folded. “I came back as quickly as I could when Riya told me what you did.”

Smith had arrived in the morning and he was with Riya at Eric’s apartment.

“I am so sorry.” Eric apologized. “It wasn’t intentional. I think the drink was laced or something. You know I have never tasted beer before.”

“You have never tasted it but you should have known better.” Riya sighed. “You don’t know how scared I got. You should just thank your lucky stars that we arrived at the time we did otherwise, right now you’d have been at the hospital.”

Eric didn’t even want to think about what would have happened if he’d gotten raped. He just didn’t wanna think about it because it was still scaring him. But then again, he started thinking about how he had woken up to the sight of the hunk, how he had shown concern for him, and the kiss that they had shared. Fuck, if only he could reverse everything and be with him again, he would have done it because it had been romantic.

“And now he’s smiling!” Riya said as she sat at the edge of the couch. “What’s going on, Eric?”

Before Eric could answer, there was a knock on the door and Smith rushed to see who was there. When he came back, he was holding a really big teddy bear with a bouquet of red roses and a small basket. He looked lost and when Riya saw it too, she got confused.

“Oh my God,” Riya gasped. “Who is that from?”

“I don’t know,” Smith said. “But it’s for Eric!”

He put everything on the couch closer to Eric and Eric first opened the small basket and found a variety of chocolates and a small note. He didn’t know who sent them so he took the note and started reading it. But as soon as he started, a smile popped up on his face.

‘My lovely baby, I didn’t know what kind of chocolates you love so I bought a variety of them. I just hope you’ll love them. And as for the Teddy, it is to keep you company and so that it can cuddle you while I am not around. Thank you so much for making me the happiest man on earth. Love, Sergio!’

Eric held the note closer to his heart, taking in a deep breath. He didn’t even know he was blushing but his friends already saw it. They looked at each other before both of them rushed to him and sat beside him.

“Eric!” Riya’s voice was barely above a whisper. “What’s going on? Why are you smiling like that? Who are these from, your mom?”

Eric looked at Riya, shaking his head. “No! They’re from Sergio.”

“What?” Both Riya and Smith gasped. “Sergio!”

“Yes!”

Riya looked at the things that were there and she felt her heart jump into her throat. “But you don’t usually like anything from him. The last time I checked…. Wait!” She gasped, her fingers finding her chest. “Oh my God, what happened when I left here? Did you two…” She paused, finding the right word to use. “….oh my God, Eric, did you…”

“No!” Eric shook his head. “Nothing of a sort happened. We just kissed that’s all and… now he’s my boyfriend.”

At first, it was silent. Riya and Smith both looked like they’d just encountered a ghost. Then after what felt like forever, both of them screamed at the top of their voices, hugging Eric tightly.

“Finally!” Riya shrieked. “Finally someone has swept him off his feet. This calls for a celebration.”

“Hey, you’re suffocating me!” Eric breathed in deeply.

“Oh sorry!” Smith said as he finally let him go. “But really? Did I miss a lot in just a day that I left? What’s going on?”

“Well, I just… I just realized that he’s a good man.” Eric said as he remembered the passionate kiss that they had shared. “I feel that he’s genuine and will make a really good boyfriend. And besides, I like him too.”

Riya covered her mouth. “Finally, he admits it. Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening. I never actually thought a day like this would come. I was kinda thinking my friend was gonna die a virgin.”

Eric chuckled nervously. “And who said I was a virgin?” He laughed. “Come on, stop being silly.”

“Sorry!” Riya gulped but honestly. “This calls for a celebration.”

She rushed to the kitchen and came back with a bottle of champagne. It was time to celebrate. Eric was really happy and he knew that it was time to start new, something sweet. He had finally let go of his fears and give in to the love of a man that truly deserved him.

***

Eric was rushing down the stairs as fast as he could, breathing in harshly. When he eventually reached down, he got pulled back.

“Eric, I am begging you!” Diego said, putting his hands together. “I am truly sorry for everything that had happened. I don’t know what came over me.”

“Really?” Eric chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. “If you had managed to do what you wanted to do to me that night would you be here, huh?”

“Eric, I already said I am sorry,” Diego said, trying to hold the boy’s hand but he pulled it away. “I miss you.”

“Can you hear yourself right now? It’s not like we grew up together or we have been that close. I already told you exactly my feelings towards you. Why don’t you understand and leave me alone?”

“Eric that’s because I am not ready to give up on you.”

“Well, you’re gonna have to give up.” He said harshly. “Because no matter what happens whether, in this life or the next, I will never, can never and may never be yours. Get that? Now get lost.”

He started going away but Diego pulled his arm painfully, gripping it harder.

“Let me go, Diego!” Eric said without even looking at him. “Let me go right now. You’re hurting my arm.”

“When will you realize that we’re meant to be together, huh?” Diego said harshly. “When will you…”

“Hey!” came an angry voice. “Didn’t you get what the fuck that he just said? Get your freaking hand off my boyfriend, right now!”

Eric moved his eyes towards the direction of the voice and saw Sergio standing a distance from them with a huge frown on his face and his fists clenched. A smile brightened his face and he got excited. He withdrew his arm from Diego, rushed to Sergio, and held him tightly.

Diego felt like a chicken when Sergio’s arms wrapped Eric. His eyes were still on him and he got really scared with the look that Sergio gave him. He remembered him from the night when he had tried to take advantage of Eric.

“You!” Sergio pointed angrily at the man that stood at a distance from them. “Didn’t I warn you the other night to stay away from my boyfriend? Do you want me to kill you now?”

Eric moved away from Sergio’s chest, looking into his face. “It’s okay, Sergio. Diego just came to apologize and now he’s leaving.” He said, glancing at Diego in disgust.

Diego felt foolish and stupid. He made a quick turn and stormed out of there.

“Are you okay?” Sergio cupped Eric’s face, staring into his face. “Did he hurt you?”

“No!” Eric shook his head. “I am fine and besides, I am even better now that you are here.”

Sergio felt his heart go cold instantly and he smiled brightly, taking in a deep breath. “I still feel like I am dreaming. I can’t believe I am holding you like this, being so close like this, and looking into your beautiful blue eyes. If this is a dream, I don’t wanna wake up. I just want to be asleep forever as long as you’re with me.”

Eric blushed, dropping his eyes to the ground. He was feeling a bit shy.

“No!” Sergio moaned, slowly raising his head with his chin. All this might have been a game but the pleasure that he felt at that time was amazing and something that he hadn’t felt before in a long time. “Don’t hide that beautiful smile of yours from me, baby. That smile is making my whole world spin. That smile is making my heart race and mostly… I wanna kiss those lips and confirm that this is true. May I?”

Eric’s heart started melting with Sergio’s words. No one had ever spoken to him in that way. When he felt Sergio’s finger rub his bottom lip, he felt a surge of electricity and he moaned softly. His body was on fire. Their faces were pretty close, their eyes locked on each other and those hot breaths bouncing on their faces. God! Eric didn’t even know where he was anymore.

“I believe I asked for a kiss.” Sergio moaned. “I am still expecting an answer.”

Eric licked his lips softly. “Yes!”

Sergio smiled and then he grasped the back of Eric’s head and started getting closer to those lips that he was dying to taste again. With each space that he closed, he felt like something was pulling him closer and closer. His heart raced so much that he felt like he was gonna have a heart attack.

Those lips met his and his world exploded into shards of molten light. His grip across Eric’s shoulders tightened, pulling him closer. The other hand at the back of Eric’s head brought even those lips closer. The tip of Sergio’s tongue brushed his lips, insisted, and Eric opened to let him in. When their tongues melt, Eric simply melted into that kiss as his senses exploded in the raw emotion that he felt at that time.

He felt really weak and he held on to Sergio’s arm as he allowed the man to do his thing. A wave of darkness washed over them as everything disappeared. There were only two of them. Everything seemed perfect as their tongues danced and Sergio started sucking on Eric’s tongue softly. He was in a world which he never knew existed, the second heaven. It was ecstatic.

Then after what felt like hours, the two men broke the kiss for much-needed air. They were breathless. And it was right at that moment when the two of them realized that they were not alone. Some students had come to watch and they were clapping and cheering for the two of them.

Eric felt shy and he buried his face in the hunk’s chest, holding on to him tightly. But he had a gorgeous smile on his face. Sergio on the other hand hadn’t planned on kissing Eric for so long or even French kissing him. It was meant to be just a peck on the lips. But what could he do, the boy was irresistible and his kisses were so sweet. He smiled at the people that were cheering for them, some happy and some jealous.

Others were happy because the two most popular guys on campus had started dating. But no one knew the truth of what Sergio was really after or what he was trying to prove. Question is, ‘was he still playing the game, or was he starting to fall for this beautiful boy?’

***

Sergio was seated on the bed, staring at his laptop because he was watching a gorgeous movie. He was only wearing a white muscle shirt, showing his gorgeous abs. He was putting on a pair of black jeans with the belt unbuckled. He had a smile on his face and he couldn’t wipe it away.

Suddenly, he heard the door to the bathroom open. He quickly moved his eyes to take a glance but what he saw got him hooked. Eric was coming out of the bathroom toweling his wet hair. He was wearing a black t-shirt and white skinny jeans that showed off his gorgeous curves. He was looking sexy as he slowly came inside. He didn’t see that Sergio was checking him out because he was busy with what he was doing.

Sergio was caught in what he was seeing. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. The way Eric was moving… the slowness with which he wiped his hair and some ends of his wet hair on his face. Shit! Sergio had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. He didn’t wanna look but he couldn’t help it. It was only the third day since they’d started being together and everything was amazing already.

Eric was busy wiping his hair when he decided to take a glance at his boyfriend. Their eyes met and he felt them piercing through his. With the look that Sergio gave him, Eric couldn’t help but blush. He smiled sexily and went to the mirror where he continued toweling his long hair.

Even through the mirror, he could see that Sergio still had his eyes on him. It got him really excited and he bit his lip seductively, still blushing. The guy didn’t even blink. He loved what he was seeing.

He chuckled softly and then did something crazier. He flipped his hair seductively, smiled, and then glanced at the guy before he went back to toweling the hair again. But he didn’t know that by that single act, what he did to Sergio was something that he couldn’t explain. He simply took his breath away.

“Will you stop staring at me?” He said in the sexiest tone Sergio had ever heard.

Sergio chuckled, got off the bed, and slowly walked to the boy. “How could I? I can’t stop staring at you even if I wanted to.” He locked his arms tightly around Eric, bringing his body closer to his. “I am staring at my boyfriend because I still can’t understand how someone could be so beautiful!”

He kissed Eric’s neck, making him nervous. “I am staring at the person that I love so much because I still can’t believe that you’re mine. A few days ago, I used to stare from a distance but now I have the right to stare at you as much as I want. It is my right.”

Eric dropped his neck and turned his head, looking directly into his boyfriend’s face. Shit! Sergio had a way with his words. He’d never met anyone so romantic before. It had only been three days and he was making him feel like an angel.

“You are sweet.” He moaned. “I never actually thought I’d be this happy in my life. Had I known this is how I would be feeling, I would have accepted your proposal on the very first day.”

“But that wouldn’t have brought as much fun as I have while trying to make you accept me,” Sergio said as he turned the boy so that they were face to face. “I have never felt as happy as I feel right now. Everything about you makes me wanna scream to the entire world how perfect you are. I know this is my final bus stop!”

Eric locked his arms around Sergio, brushing his nose on his. “And you’re the best boyfriend ever. So thank you too.”

“You don’t have to thank me!” Sergio moaned. “I should be the one thanking you for accepting me even though I am not worthy.”

He planted a kiss on his forehead and held him tightly. “Now are you ready?”

“Ready?” Eric raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

“Well, my dear darling boyfriend, I want to take you somewhere I think you’ll love it.” Sergio chuckled softly. “It will just be the two of us.”

Eric smiled. “Where?”

“You ask too many questions, Eric!” He said, pinching his nose lovingly. “Just finish dressing up and we’ll be on our way, okay?”

Eric nodded and then quickly rushed to his wardrobe. He had no idea what Sergio had planned for both of them but he was very happy.

***

“Hey, be careful!” Sergio held Eric’s hand sweetly, helping him walk. “It is a little rough here.”

“Where are we?” Eric asked, looking all around.

It was dark though not so much. He could see everything though not clearly. They were in a bush of some sort on the outskirts of town and they were about 5 minutes’ walk from where the car had been parked. Eric was a little worried although he completely trusted Sergio. But they were mostly surrounded by trees and he was a bit scared.

“Come, we are almost there.”

Sergio held Eric until they reached the place where he had planned to take Eric. It was at the edge of a mountain like area. There was wind blowing and it was a little chilly and that was what made the moment even romantic.

“Here we are, Eric!” Sergio opened his arms widely. “Welcome to one of the most beautiful spots in Zelda.”

Eric looked in front of him and he was so impressed with what he saw. While he stood at that mountain peak, Eric realized that it gave the most beautiful view of Zelda city. God! It was beautiful and he couldn’t help but cover his mouth in happiness.

The way the city lights looked like… the magnificence in which the buildings were shown and the sight of cars moving in the distance. God! Eric had never seen any view so beautiful in his life before. It brought tears of mirth to him.

“This place is beautiful, Sergio!” He exclaimed, glancing at his smiling boyfriend. “I have never seen anything like this my entire life. It’s so quiet and peaceful here.”

Sergio raised his head and just smelt the night wind. “I am glad you like it. I thought since you’re a student from the school of arts, you might love it and appreciate it, probably get some ideas from it.”

Eric looked at his boyfriend and he blushed. “This is amazing, I swear. But… how do you know of this place?”

“I love exploring!” He said simply, staring into his boyfriend’s face. “And I have known of this place for quite some time but I never got a chance to see it. I thought it would be nice to see it with the love of my life. I am glad you like it.”

He went closer to Eric, locked his arms around him, and just held him closer to his body. God! He felt really warm on the inside and having his body closer to Eric’s was a little too much for him. He could already feel himself getting out of control.

He started closing his eyes, enjoying the feelings that over flooded him. But suddenly, he felt his phone vibrating. He slowly took out his phone to see who was calling him and the moment his eyes landed there, he felt his body go cold instantly.

‘Trev!’ He thought as a shiver went down his spine.

Sergio felt scared and his heart began pounding in his chest. He quickly let go of the boy and took a step backward, staring at his phone like he was expecting something to come out of there. It was already 8.pm and that was usually his time with his boyfriend, Trev.

He was probably calling him to remind him that they were gonna be video chatting.

‘Oh my God!’ Sergio thought as he rubbed his forehead. He suddenly felt hot. ‘What am I going to do now? I can’t talk to Trev right now when I am with Eric. And if I don’t talk to him, he’ll get really upset. But if I answer the call, everything will come crashing down.’

He quickly cut the call and wrote a quick text to Trev.

‘Sorry, baby. I can’t answer your call right now. We are having a very important seminar. I will call you as soon as I get out! Love you so much.’

Having sent the message, Sergio switched off his phone and slipped it back into his pocket. That had been a close one.

“Are you okay?”

Sergio quickly raised his head and found Eric staring at him with a smile.

“W-what?” He stuttered. He was nervous as fuck. “S-sure! I am okay. But you cannot see the complete beauty of the city from here. I will show you a place where you’ll appreciate it more. Let’s go!”

The two guys coiled their arms and started going away from there. Sergio was still recovering from the fear that he had felt. He was glad that was over.

They walked a short distance from their initial place and came to a place which was flat and it had a few trees. But what Eric saw shocked him. It was really beautiful. The city, the buildings, and the lights were now in full view. But now they looked like a lot of hot coals on the ground. It was beautiful.

“Oh my God!” Eric gasped, touching his chest. “This is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen. Oh my God, this is really amazing. It’s almost… magical. I didn’t know a place like this existed.”

Sergio crooned. “It’s all for you, my baby.”

Eric was so excited. He just wished his friends had been there to see what he was seeing. It was really beautiful and as an art student, he knew beauty when he saw it. He had never been as excited as he got at that particular time.

Then suddenly, Sergio took his left hand and he felt him putting something cold there. He quickly moved his eyes and found Eric putting on his hand a really beautiful golden bracelet. It was so beautiful that it glowed in the dark and he could already read the words, ‘From Sergio to Eric.’

Eric felt his heart racing and he got emotional. “Sergio, I…”

“Don’t say anything,” Sergio muttered as he took Eric’s hand and kissed it. “Just enjoy the moment baby. Would you like to seat?”

“Sit?” Eric asked, still staring at the beautiful bracelet.

“Yeah!” Sergio gestured.

That was when Eric saw it, a really beautiful hammock just a little distance away from them. It had beautiful flowers decorated all over it. They both went and lay there, facing the city. It looked extremely beautiful from where they sat.

Eric had his head on the hunk’s chest, breathing in his cologne with his arms tightly wrapped around him. God, everything felt really beautiful and real. Eric didn’t wanna let that moment go. He was ready to spend the entire night there.

“Whoa! This feels so good.” Sergio moaned as he placed a kiss on Eric’s head. “I just wish in future, we’ll be just like this, seated in a place like this while holding hands, probably at the beach with David, Lily, Liam, and Zoey.”

Eric frowned, raising rising from the guy’s chest. Then he stared at him in confusion. “David, Liam? Who are those people?”

Sergio chuckled happily, slightly pinching Eric’s nose. “They’re our future kids, silly! 4 kids with a beauty like yours.”

“You’re crazy, you know that, right? We just met and…”

“But it doesn’t take any time for one to know that he’s met his soulmate,” Sergio said in a sweet tone as his hands cupped Eric’s cheeks. “And you baby is my soulmate. We must start from the beginning”

Eric felt his cheeks getting hot and he blushed. When he looked at Sergio, he found him getting closer. His face bent down into his in slow motion. He shivered, cold penetrating the rest of his body. Sergio’s nose brushed on his and he slowly closed his eyes as emotions overcrowded him. He could already feel Sergio adjusting his body, trying to get on top of him while he slowly laid him on the hammock. He was scared but he couldn’t control what he felt.

Just as Sergio got one leg on him, Eric’s phone gave a sharp vibration in his pocket and he almost jumped up. He quickly came back to his senses, looked away, and took a deep breath. Then he quickly took his phone and found a text. It was from Riya. He just began staring at it.

Sergio on the other hand cursed himself for what he had been about to do. He could already see that the boy was now a bit shy.

“S-sorry!” Sergio apologized softly.

Eric turned his head and found Sergio gripping his hair.

“I… I just got carried away by the moment. I… I didn’t… I didn’t mean to…”

“What are you saying?” Eric smiled, taking his hands. “It’s not your fault. Both of us were just…”

“No, Eric!” He shook his head, smiling sheepishly. “Don’t try to cover up for my mistakes. Actually…”

Eric quickly locked his lips with Sergio’s, kissing on them softly. “I don’t want you to say anything, Sergio. I am not complaining, okay. Please, let’s just enjoy this moment.”

Sergio smiled and nodded. He laid Eric’s head on his chest and the two just continued watching the beautiful city. It was romantic and they talked and talked until Eric eventually slept off. Sergio smiled when he looked at him. He locked his arms around him, kissing his head. It felt so heavenly and he didn’t wanna let it go.

‘If this is all just a game, then why does it feel so good when I am with you? I just hope you’ll understand me eventually when you find out the truth.’

He kissed Eric and then just enjoyed the moment he was spending with him.

***

A week later

*

Laurel came inside the fancy office with a smile, slowly walking to the man that sat comfortably on the comfy chair behind the table. She was dressed sexily in a black suit with a white shirt inside and her hair tied in a bun with black high heels on her feet.

The man that she was staring at was dressed in a dark brown suit with his fingers hitting softly on the table. He was the CEO of the firm that she had been working for a long time. He was a highly respected man.

“Yes, sir!” laurel said with a smile. “You called me?”

Mr. Rivera nodded right before he threw an envelope on the table. “That’s for you.”

Laurel nodded and she opened the envelope. She was smiling but the moment she laid her eyes on the letter inside, she didn’t need to even go further. She quickly looked at Mr. Rivera and just shook her head.

“But sir, what have I done?” She asked softly with tears in her eyes. “You can’t do this, please? I haven’t done anything, sir. I always do my job well, you know me.”

Mr. Rivera sighed, putting his hands together. “Look, Laurel… you’re a really good lawyer, no doubt. But we have to let you go. We have no choice but to let you go.”

“Why sir?” Laurel said as a tear went down her cheeks. “You know very well that…”

“Just consider it as a break. We’re suspending you while we make our decisions.” Mr. Rivera said softly. “I am sorry Laurel but your scandals are ruining our reputation as a firm. We’ve lost so many clients because of you and we can’t risk it anymore. Although you’re the best attorney we have here, we can’t risk losing our clients.”

Laurel threw herself on her knees, putting her hands together. “Please, sir. You know that this is the only way that I can support my family. You know I am a single mother and my son needs this, we need this.”

“I am sorry!”

“Can’t you at least give me a month?” Laurel pleaded. “Please, I am begging you. I am ready to do anything just to keep my job, sir. I will work twice as hard. I will do anything please.”

Mr. Rivera grinned like an evil man. “Anything?”

“Yes!” Laurel said, nodding. “I am desperate here, sir!”

Mr. Rivera sighed, rubbing his hands. “In that case…” He paused and got up from his chair. Then he walked to where laurel stood and he passed around her, looking from head to toe. Then he put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it lovingly.

“There’s something that you can do.” He chuckled manically, making laurel nervous. “If you can help me then I can help you.”

Laurel frowned, wondering where all this was going. “What do you mean, sir?”

“Come on, Laurel!” Mr. Rivera chuckled. “We’re both adults here. If you fulfill my needs then I will fulfill yours. I can convince the board members to change their decisions, make them see reason.” He traced her neck with his finger. Then he looked at her cleavage and leaked his tongue.

“What?” Laurel moved away, quickly covering her cleavage with her jacket. “How can you ask me this, sir?” To say she was shocked would be an understatement. “Is this the kind of man you are?”

“What kind of man?” Mr. Rivera asked. “Just be reasonable. I like you and I have always wanted to have a taste of you…”

“Disgusting!” laurel spat, shaking her head angrily. “Is this what you do with your other employees? I trusted you. You’re a married man with three beautiful kids. Is this what you do?”

“Oh please!” He snarled, getting a bit angry. “Haven’t you heard of giving what you have to get what you want?”

“I know these are times of exchange, sir!” laurel said with a raised voice. “But I believe my skills are good enough to….”

“What fucking skills?” Mr. Rivera snapped. “Who needs them when I can have you? And please, don’t act all righteous when we all know you’re a mistress? We all know the number of clients that you’ve been fucking to earn extra money!”

“How dare you!”

Laurel didn’t know what entered her but she furiously raised her hand and gave him the dirtiest slap that she had ever given anyone. The impact of the slap sent him flying to the table with a thud. It hurt.

Laurel’s tears started rolling. “How dare you insult me? Just because I work for you doesn’t mean I have sold my soul to you.”

Mr. Rivera touched his cheek and then looked at his hand. It stung a lot and he felt like he was bleeding. He furiously rose, looked at her angrily, and groaned. “Who the fuck do you think you are, bitch?” He snarled, clenching his fists. “How dare you lay your dirty hands on me? Is this what I get for trying to help you?”

“Help?” Laurel yelled. “What help are you talking about? You call trying to sleep with me, insulting my dignity help?”

“You can call it however you like. But right now you just exhausted your chances of staying here. I will destroy you, Laurel.” He vowed. “I will make you wish that you never did what you just did to me. And you’re fired. Get the fuck out of my office and this company.”

Laurel rubbed her tears furiously. Then she turned angrily and stormed out of the office. The moment she got out, she got the shock of her life when she almost bumped into Giada who was busy smiling evilly at her. Her pain increased and tears started flowing again.

“I should have known,” Laurel said, shaking her head. “It was you? What kind of woman are you, Giada? What have I done to you?”

“So what if it was me?” Giada grinned, eyeing the woman from head to toe. “You don’t expect to touch the tail of a tiger and get spared, do you? I warned you to stay away from my husband, didn’t I, both you and that illegitimate son of yours?” She yelled, her face getting stern. “I warned you but you didn’t wanna listen. This is the payment for everything that you’ve done. And if you think I am done then you’re dead wrong. I will not rest until I destroy you.”

“How do you live with yourself?” Laurel asked. “Didn’t you get satisfied when you killed my child? Didn’t you get satisfied when you caused my son so much pain? When will this be over?”

“It will never be over,” Giada said harshly. “It will never be over until I see you crawling on the ground like a worm.” Then she smiled teasingly. “Have a good life.”

She waved her fingers in the air and entered Mr. Rivera’s office, leaving Laurel there. Laurel felt scared. She couldn’t believe Giada had done that to her. She needed to do something quickly. She needed to find another job because aside from the fact that she needed another job, she was scared Eric was gonna find out and she didn’t want that to happen.

***

Eric was smiling as he slowly kneaded the dough for the cookies that he wanted to make. He was just so happy that he felt like God Himself had taken all the happiness in the world and poured it all on him. His heart was racing and he felt hot all over. The happiness that he was feeling at that moment was something that had been with him ever since he met Sergio. God! If only he could share that happiness with his mother.

“Hey, you!” Eric heard a raw voice right before he felt arms tightly locking around him.

Eric turned his head slowly to look into the eyes of the most handsome man he had ever met, his happiness. He felt shivers run down his spine and he moaned. The area where Sergio’s hands locked felt like there was a flame burning him there.

“What are you doing here?” Eric asked softly, biting his lips.

“I missed you so much and I decided to come and help you.”

“Help me?” Eric chuckled. “You’re just here to disturb me. You know what you do to me whenever you’re around, Sergio. Go back to the living room or the bedroom. I will find you there as soon as I am done here.”

Sergio slowly turned Eric that they were facing each other, their bodies pressed against one another.

“But you won’t be there, babe.” He complained as he leaned to kiss those tender lips. But Eric moved his head and he kissed his cheek instead. “And besides, I wanna be with you like this. I wanna kiss those lips and cuddle with you.”

“We just kissed like five minutes ago.”

“More like five centuries ago.”

“You’re crazy!” Eric moved away and went to the fridge to get some milk.

But Sergio closed the fridge and pinned Eric there, pressing him hard against the fridge. Then he got closer that their lips were almost brushing. His breaths sounded like a washing machine and his heart was pounding violently in his chest. Shit! Whatever had happened to him in the past week was something that he couldn’t even understand himself. It was like Eric had cast a spell on him.

“You don’t know what you do to me, Eric.” His voice sounded inhuman. “You’ve got no idea the crazy things I wanna do to you each time I am closer to you. You’re irresistible.” He leaned closer and his lips on Eric’s in a raw passionate kiss. “I wanna kiss you all over. I wanna please you and I wanna worship that body of yours.”

Eric’s cheeks pinkened and he held in a smile. His heart was racing so much that he felt like he was gonna have a heart attack.

“Sergio! Get away from me.” He said teasingly, pushing the guy away from him. He was enjoying the whole thing he couldn’t lie. He quickly turned to open the fridge but Sergio kissed his neck from behind and he felt like he’d been connected to a cable of electricity. “Sergio!” He moaned in a sexy tone.

“Hmmm…” That was all that came out of Sergio’s mouth. He was enjoying giving attention to Eric’s body.

“Sergio!”

“Coming!”

“The food!” Eric moaned, his eyes dropping into his head. “Please!”

Sergio was painfully hard. For the past one week, he’d been feeling tortured when he was with Eric. They hadn’t done anything silly of course. They just cuddled, kissed, and other stuff that couples did apart from sex. It had been a fun week and Sergio had enjoyed it.

“Hey!” Eric quickly moved away, breathing as he’d just escaped from a predator. “I am working here.”

God! Sergio was looking sexy as hell. He was wearing blue skinny jeans with an unbuckled belt and a black boxer inside. He didn’t have any shirt on and he was just exposing that meaty body of his to Eric. Eric was impressed.

“Can you go away?” Eric asked softly, putting his hands on his hips. “I need to work.”

“And I am not stopping you.” Sergio shrugged as he got closer to the boy. “You can continue working while I enjoy staring at you.”

“Really?” Eric raised an eyebrow. “You’re one crazy man. I won’t do anything if you’re around.”

Sergio smiled. He was about to grab Eric when he heard his phone ring. He quickly took out his phone and found a message from his boyfriend, Trev.

‘Baby, what’s going on? You seem distant lately and you’re always busy. I wanna talk to you, please. I miss you so much.’

Sergio sighed as he placed his phone back into his pocket. When he looked at Eric, he had a worried look on his face.

“What is it?” Eric asked with concern. “Is there anything wrong?”

Sergio shook his head. “No! Something just came up and I have to go.”

“Right now?” Eric gasped. “But babe…”

“I know.” Sergio sighed gloomily, taking Eric’s hands. “I know I said I was gonna stay till evening but I have to go. This is very important.”

Eric’s mood instantly changed. That wasn’t how he had planned his day with Sergio. He was a bit disappointed.

“Come on, my love!” Sergio leaned forward and kissed Eric softly. “I will make it up to you. I will call you as soon as I am done with what I am going to do. I promise.”

Eric sighed. “Alright!”

He coiled his arms around Sergio tightly and kissed him.

“I will see you.”

Sergio went to the bedroom, dressed up, and came back to the kitchen to kiss Eric one last time before he left. Eric felt empty and he remained in the kitchen standing there with a blank face.

About five minutes later, the door to his apartment flung open and his friends came inside and they found him in the same position.

“What’s with the long face? Are you okay?” Riya asked. “Your friends are here and you don’t seem excited? Come on!”

“Yeah, I am excited!” He sighed. “Maybe it’s because I was just looking forward to spending the entire day with Sergio but he left early. He said he had something very important to do.”

“I am sure he does,” Smith said as he leaned on the counter. “And besides, the fact that we are here should make you super happy. Come on, we’re here to cheer you up. We hardly spend much time together nowadays. You’re always with lover boy.”

That was able to bring a smile to Eric’s face. “Can you blame me? I am in a relationship now and…”

“Excuse me! We’re all in relationships.” Riya pointed, raising her eyebrow. “But anyway, you’re very lucky to have a boyfriend that gives you so much time. I have never seen someone like Sergio before. He is a perfect package if you ask me. And with where this is going, I am sure you guys will eventually end up together.”

“I know.” Eric moaned, touching his chest. “He’s just so different. He might have been arrogant and rude before but he’s a sweet guy and I feel so lucky. I never actually thought I’d be in a relationship again.”

“That makes the three of us,” Riya said with a wink. “The way you were always like, ‘I can’t get in a relationship. Men are cheats and…” She was doing great at imitating his voice. “But now, guess who is crazy in love?”

“That was then.” Eric chuckled. “But this is different. We’ve only been together for a very short time but what I feel for him is something that I can’t even explain myself. He makes me so happy when I am with him and he always makes me laugh and smile. Whenever he is not here, I miss him so much and I just want him back.”

“That’s love, kid!” Smith laughed. “So tell me.” He leaned forward as if to whisper. “How’s he like in bed? Is he rough, gentle or…”

Eric pushed him away before he could even finish asking. “Are you crazy? That’s private.”

“Yeah! That’s private.” Riya hit Smith slightly on the shoulder. But then she looked at Eric and raised her eyebrow. “But now I am curious too. How is he? What’s the size of his package?”

“Really?” Eric shrugged. “You guys are being unreasonable and childish.”

“We’re just curious…”

“Well, we haven’t done anything yet,” Eric said simply as he walked to his dough. “That’s a bit too early.”

“Hmmm, sexy and romantic,” Riya commented. “Where can I find myself a Sergio?”

“Really?” Eric laughed. “You’re insane, Riya.”

“What?” Riya shrugged. “It’s not wrong to wish.”

The three friends laughed and began making cookies together. Eric even forgot that he had been missing his boyfriend.

***

“Hahahaha…” Sergio laughed as he closed the door behind him. “…you’re very funny today. What’s wrong with you?”

‘You’re the one that’s causing this.’ Trev complained on the other end. ‘Recently, you’ve not been giving me much time as you did before and it’s making me sad.’

“Come on, baby!” Sergio sighed, smiling. “You know that I love you so much. It’s just that I am always busy nowadays. It’s the final year and it’s become a bit demanding especially with the seminars. I promise we’ll be talking a lot from today.”

‘Cross your heart?’

“And hope to die!” Sergio said in an assuring tone. “I promise.”

‘Alright, baby. Love you!’

“Love you too.”

Sergio kissed the phone and smiled brightly. He was lost in his thoughts again.

“Where have you been almost the whole day, Sergio?” Steve asked as he walked slowly towards him. “Remember that we were supposed to do something important.”

“Do you have to ask?” Henry said harshly with his arms folded. He sounded pretty mad. “It is obvious he was with Eric.”

Sergio looked at Steve and sighed. “I am so sorry, man. It’s just that Eric…”

“Eric! Eric! Eric!” Henry snapped. “That’s all you keep talking about. Do you realize that this whole thing is not real, that it is just a game right? You know that eventually, it’s gonna end?”

Sergio frowned as he looked at the man who was looking like he was ready for war. “Dude, calm down. I haven’t forgotten anything, okay? I know very well that all this is just a bet so you don’t have to worry about anything.”

Henry groaned. “Well, I also wanted to remind you that Trev will be back in less than two weeks, right? So you better…”

“Henry!” Steve gasped. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you acting like you guys are fighting? We all know it’s a game, geez! Just because Sergio proved you wrong doesn’t…”

“Whatever, man!” Henry said as he stormed out of there and went to his room.

“I don’t even know what’s wrong with him of late.”

He was talking to Sergio but the guy seemed to be lost in his world. He was really scared. Being reminded that he only had a short time to pull up with this made him a bit scared and confused.

“Sergio!” Steve rested his hand on his shoulder. “Man, are you okay?”

Sergio nodded. “Just what he said got me thinking. He’s right. How will I keep up with this when Trev arrives here?” He sighed in frustration, combing his hair with his hands. “You know how Trev is and you also know Eric. Eventually, one of them is gonna find out.”

“Dude!” Steve chuckled, shaking his head. “I am sure you don’t plan on taking this bet as far as that, are you? You know whatever you have going on with Eric is nothing but a lie, right? Eventually, you’re gonna have to stop it, come out clean.”

Sergio looked at Steve and he felt a shiver go down his spine. Fear swept him off his feet and he felt his heart begin to race. It was a really hot night but he got really cold.

“You’re gonna have to let this relationship go. Trev is your boyfriend and you guys love each other a lot.” Steve said softly. “This should be easy unless… unless you’ve fallen in love with Eric.”

Sergio gasped, chuckling nervously. “Me? Eric? No! I… I don’t love Eric.” When he said those words, he felt like someone had pinched his heart.

“Good!” Steve patted him on the shoulder. “Now get done with this quick so you can be free of him.”

He left the living room, leaving Sergio there alone. Sergio knew that he had to let Eric go but the question was, did he want to be free of him? That should have been easy but he found himself in a dilemma.

‘What are you doing to me, Eric?’ He gripped his hair furiously. ‘Everyone is right. I need to end this soon.’

The question again was how was he gonna end it?

***

Eric was seated on a small bench outside the apartment block, staring at the sky. The sky was really clear and there were a lot of beautiful stars out there. He had a brilliant smile on his face, enjoying the night. The night was a bit cold but to him, it was perfect.

Eric was only dressed in a black vest with white cargo shorts and black sandals. He had tied his hair with a band. He had his arms folded. He slowly raised his chin, taking the beautiful air in.

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” Smith asked as he took a seat beside Eric. “Do you mind if I join you?”

Eric shook his head. “Smith, you know you don’t have to ask me that? You’re always welcome to be with me. You’re one of my best friends.”

“I know.” He chuckled nervously. “But things change when someone is in a relationship. You might be needing some time to be alone and just daydream.”

“And miss out on your craziness?” He chirped. “No fucking way is that happening. Besides, no matter the relationship I am in, it doesn’t change anything between us. You’ll always be my best friend, Smith.”

“And so will you.”

Smith stared at the sky and he jumped up. “Hey! A shooting star.” He pointed. “Let’s make a wish.”

Both of them closed their eyes and with their entire hearts, they made their wishes. When they opened their eyes and glanced at each other, they laughed.

“What did you wish for?”

“I am not telling!” Eric crowed, shaking his head. “If you tell a wish, it won’t come true.”

“It’s okay.” Smith jabbered. “I know exactly what you wished for. It’s obvious. You know, Eric. I feel so happy right now knowing that you’re in a relationship with a guy that can protect you, someone that can give you the love that you deserve.

You’re one of the strongest people I know on this earth. Even if what you’re going through is harder, you still keep your chin up. You never let anything let you lose focus. I just feel like… like you deserve all the happiness in the world.” Smith was tearing up and he was always the strongest among the three of them. Seeing tears in his eyes made Eric emotional.

“I am your best friend Eric and I know we have the best of days. But seeing you smiling and happy the entire day makes me happy. It makes me happy that I always thank God for bringing Sergio into your life. Things are really difficult for you but I feel that with Sergio around you, you can conquer anything. You can be genuinely happy.”

Then he chuckled as a tear started rolling down his cheeks. “I never actually told you this but when that bastard broke your heart… I sneaked into his house at night and I beat him up real bad.”

Eric gasped, his eyes widening. “That was you? Oh my God…”

“I couldn’t bear to see you in tears, Eric!” He sniveled, slowly rubbing his tears.

Eric couldn’t fight his tears. “No matter the kind of life that I have, Smith, as long as I am with you, everything is bearable. I have been so happy because you’ve brightened my life and given me a reason to be happy and smile.

Never for once have you judged. You’ve stood for me and you’ve fought for me as well. That’s the reason why no matter what happens in my life, you’ll always be a part of me. I promise you that.”

Smith couldn’t express his happiness. “Thank you so much, my best friend.”

“Brother!” Eric corrected before he pulled Smith into a quick hug. “Anyway, why are you talking to me like this? Am I about to die? Do you want to kill me with emotions?”

“No!” Smith smiled, rubbing Eric’s tears. “I was just reminding you of how special you are to me and how special our bond is.”

Eric took in a deep breath and slowly laid his head on Smith’s shoulder, clinging closer to him.

“I remember us being like this back in high school. Those were wonderful moments.”

“Let’s just stay like this for a while,” Smith said softly. “At least, let’s take a break from crazy Riya. Let’s just have our Meric moment.”

Meric, a name that the two boys had made in high school which was just a combination of their names. It was cute. The two friends stayed outside just watching the sky for a long time. It was a beautiful reminder of the past and it was beautiful.

***

“Alright!” Laurel said with a sad sigh. “It’s okay, I understand. Thanks for trying to help anyway.”

She cut the call and threw the phone on the couch. She was so worried and disturbed over what had happened in the past few days. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing and the image of Giada at the firm hadn’t left her.

“God, what I am going to do?” She muttered. “Giada has blacklisted me in almost all firms and companies.”

“Just tell the truth!”

Laurel quickly turned and found a woman who was in her late 50s slowly walking towards her with a stern face. She was Regina, Eric’s nanny, and the woman that had been staying with her and helping her around. She was kind-hearted and beautiful too.

“When are you gonna continue keeping him in the dark?”

Laurel abruptly shook her head. “I can’t tell Eric what’s going on, nanny. No matter what, I can’t.” She rushed to her and held her hands while staring into her eyes. “You’ve got to promise me that you won’t say anything to him, please. I will find something soon and…”

“Laurel, you know I wouldn’t squeal even if that boy tortured me.” She joked. “But you know this is Eric we’re talking about. One glance at you and he’ll be able to know that something is wrong. And after that, it will only be a second before he can figure it all out. You know how much he hates Giada.”

“That’s why I am worried.” Laurel groaned angrily. “I don’t want what happened the other evening to repeat itself. I can’t bear to see my son hurt or sad.”

“But you’ve got to tell him the truth.”

“I can’t!” Laurel yelled.

“It’s either that or you find a job soon.” Nanny said softly. “But we all know this is impossible. Giada is very powerful and influential. Knowing her, she’s doing her best to make sure you never land a job again. I only see one solution in this.”

Laurel quickly looked at Regina. “What do you mean?”

Regina sighed. “There’s only one person who can help you with this. Why don’t you ask help from Brice?”

“What?” Laurel gasped, shaking her head. She couldn’t believe Regina had suggested even that. “I’d rather be jobless than ask that man for anything. I don’t wanna be indebted to that man. No! He is the reason why all this is happening.”

“But what are you going to do?”

Laurel took a deep breath. “If it proves difficult, I only have one other option. I had thought about it long ago but I never thought it would come to this. But I will have no other option than… than to accept.”

Regina frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Laurel just stared at her without answering? Was there anything she was hiding?

***

“It’s okay, baby,” Giada said with a smile, holding on to the phone. “I miss you too.”

‘I will be back in two days. The meeting is going well and eventually, in two days, we are gonna have the contract.’

Giada smiled brightly. “Alright, honey! Goodnight.”

She cut the call and start cat walking down the stairs where a man who was dressed all in black was standing waiting for her. He was one of her henchmen and he had sent him to get really important information.

She was dressed in a sexy tight black dress with high heels on her feet. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and she had an evil grin on her face. She had just arrived from the office and she was a bit tired.

“Well…” She said with her arms folded. “How did it go?”

“As a thought, she’s been trying to find a job, my lady.” The guy said in a deep manly voice. “But she’s not getting lucky. They’re rejecting her everywhere.”

“Good!” Giada smiled evilly, taking in a deep breath. “Now we’ll see how she’s gonna survive. It will only be a matter of days before she comes crawling. She’ll know who’s boss. And has she contacted my husband in any way?”

“None that I know of ma’am.” The man slowly bowed. “Some of my men are keeping an eye on her.”

“Good!” She took a bundle of hundred dollar bills and handed it to the man. “What about her spoilt brat of a child.”

“Oh yeah,” The man took out a small envelope that he gave to Giada. “Those are all the things I was able to gather about him. It contains what he’s been up to the past few weeks and also about his boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” Giada asked as she opened the envelope. “I thought that brat was single.”

“Yes, ma’am. But all the details are in there. You can check them out.”

Giada chuckled bitterly as she opened the envelope. However, when she got her hands on the pictures that her man had brought her, she remained frozen where she stood. She was staring at the picture like she had seen a ghost.

It was a picture of Eric and a guy kissing in public. Giada was shocked. She looked at the man and then the picture. Then she began laughing at the top of her voice like an evil queen in a fairytale movie. She was filled with joy.

“Ma’am… is everything okay?”

“Nothing is okay.” Giada laughed. “This is more than okay. This is the best information you have ever given me and I am gonna make sure I reward you for this. I am so impressed right now.”

“Ma’am?” The man said with a smile. “I am humbled.”

Giada looked at the man and gestured for him to leave. She remained alone there, looking at the pictures that she was holding.

“Well, well, well, Eric…” She chirped as she passed her hands on his face. “…what a handsome man you’ve got over there. You look really happy. But there’s just one problem, dear…” She laughed. “…I am allergic to your happiness. I don’t like seeing you happy. Your happiness is my sadness and mine is your sadness as well.

How will it be if I take your happiness away, little Eric?” She started ripping the picture in enough. “I will wipe that smile off your face. Just you wait and see, Eric! I will wipe it off for good.”

She stood there, bringing in deeply. Then she took out her phone quickly and dialed a number.

‘Hello!’ The voice said on the other end of the line.

Giada’s face lit up with an evil grin. What did she have up her sleeve this time?

***

“Ah….” Riya screamed, jumping up and down. “Oh my God, I made it. I made it!”

Riya had never felt the happiness that she felt at that time. She was holding a script for all the continuous assessment exams that she had taken for a design that year. She had passed and she was really happy because it meant she was gonna sit for the exam.

“In your face bitches!” She screamed. “In your faces!”

“Riya, calm down,” Smith said, trying to make her quiet but she wouldn’t stop. “You’re making unnecessary noise.”

“What?” She laughed. “You know very well how hard this course is and I made it. Of course, I have to make noise. What did you get anyway?”

Smith smiled, raising his script. “69.”

“I even beat you!” She chuckled, pointing at him.

“Only by 4,” Smith said, sticking out his tongue.

“Still means something. Anyway…” She looked at Eric. “What did you get? Many people failed this course and are not sitting for the exam. You can't fail.”

Eric chuckled, raising his script.

“97!” Both Smith and Riya gasped as their eyes widened.

“Dude! Are you a wizard or something?” Riya asked. “Do you know how hard this course is for you to get an overall 97? I am impressed.”

Eric just smiled brightly. “Thanks but this calls for a celebration. Are you guys up for it?”

“Up for it?” Smith asked. “Even if I broke up with my girlfriend today, this celebration must go on.”

“Yeah, just pray she doesn’t hear that,” Eric commented. “Let’s go!”

“Can I join?”

Eric quickly turned as soon as he heard that voice behind him. And when his eyes landed on the handsome face of his boyfriend, he rushed to him and locked both his arms and legs around him. Sergio held him tighter, chuckling while he winked at Riya and Smith who were smiling at him.

“Oh baby, I missed you so much.” Eric moaned.

“I missed you too.”

They hugged for what seemed like forever before they eventually broke off.

“You just came at the right time, babe,” Eric said with a smile. “We’re going to grab something to celebrate. Come with us. It will make it even more special.”

Sergio nodded, caressing Eric’s cheeks. “Of course, baby. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. But first, do you mind if I visit the men’s room?”

“Not at all.”

Sergio smiled and then kissed Eric’s cheek before he left. Eric remained standing there, smiling to himself. He was feeling really happy again and he couldn’t wipe that smile off his face. He didn’t want to.

“There he goes again,” Riya commented as she came in front of him with a raised eyebrow. “He’s smiling to himself just like before.”

Eric chuckled. “I can’t help it, Riya.” He sighed. “It’s just a feeling that gets to me whenever he is around. It’s like he always knows how to lift my mood just by his presence alone.”

“I know,” Riya said. “But you’re smiling like an idiot!”

“I can’t help it,” Eric said with a smile. “I feel him in my head, my heart and my…”

Before Eric finished his sentence, he heard someone’s voice behind.

“And you think he is the right guy for you, huh?”

Eric slowly turned and lost his smile as soon as he saw the guy that had just spoken. He was wearing a black t-shirt, ripped jeans with white sneakers, and a backpack. He looked really angry and his fists were clenched.

Eric had never thought he’d have an encounter with him. “You?” He gasped, a frown appearing on his face. “What are you doing here? I thought…”

“And what do you think, Eric?” The guy chuckled. “That you’ve found your dream guy, someone that loves you genuinely? You are a fool because…”

“Excuse me!” Eric snapped, suddenly losing his temper. “What the fuck do you want from me again? If you’re still hurt about what happened at the cafeteria weeks ago then I am sorry. But please, leave me alone. Don’t insult me because I won’t take it. Is loving someone by force.”

Eric couldn’t believe the guy that he’d rejected had followed him again. What the fuck was his name again, Henry or something?

“Loving someone?” Henry laughed. “What do you think? Do you think I am jealous of your relationship? What’s there to be jealous about if it doesn’t even exist?”

Eric felt a cold wind blow on his face. He tried to speak but he couldn’t find his voice.

“Open your eyes and realize that he doesn’t love you.” He said in between clenched teeth. “He is just using you. No one can love you like me. Come to me and…”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Riya sneered, breathing harshly. “Wasn’t the humiliation you got the last time enough that you came to look for another? Men like you do not like good things to come to other people. You always want to destroy other people’s relationships. Well, guess what?” She chuckled bitterly. “You’re too late because it will not work on us.”

“Leave him, Riya!” Eric said softly. “He is not worth talking to. And you!” He raised his finger at the guy. “For the last time, leave me the fuck alone. I am not the only boy on this campus. I am in a relationship and I am happy.”

Henry laughed when he heard Eric’s words. “You’re happy? He loves you? You should be happy that I am here to save you. The truth is that…”

“Eric!”

Sergio came rushing towards Eric and his heart was racing in fear. He was giving Henry angry eyes as he reached Eric and held his waist. What the fuck? He got really upset because the idiot had almost ruined everything for him.

“What’s going on?” He asked.

Eric glanced at Henry angrily. “It’s this idiot. He can’t leave me alone. I have already told him that I am not interested in him but he just wouldn’t go away.”

Sergio clenched his fist when he looked at Henry. He was definitely. “It’s okay, baby. You go ahead. I will find you outside. I will handle this.”

Eric shook his head. “No, babe. It’s okay.”

“No!” Riya shook her head as she took Eric’s hand. “It’s about time your boyfriend told these motherfuckers that are disturbing you that you belong to him.” Then she smiled at Sergio. “You handle this, Sergio. We’ll be outside.”

The three started leaving although Eric was worried that Sergio was gonna do something bad, cause trouble. He had seen the way he had reacted when Diego had approached him.

Sergio was looking at Henry angrily with his fists clenched. Once he was sure that Eric had left, he furiously gripped Henry by the arm and took him to the men’s room. When they reached, he shoved Henry into a wall.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Sergio glowered. “You almost blew my cover and ruined everything. Are you insane?”

“Yes!” Henry barked, breathing like he was in labor. “Yes, I am insane. You’re forgetting that this all just a game and it was supposed to come to an end a long time ago. You shouldn’t be with him.”

“What?” Sergio couldn’t mask the surprise in his voice. “Are you being for real right now? How is it your business if I am still with him? I haven’t forgotten about the bet and I also know exactly…”

“Forget about the bet!” Henry bellowed. “Fucking forget about it. I am no longer interested. You win. You can ask me anything you want but I want you to leave Eric alone. Tell him this is all just a game, a bet.”

Sergio glanced at the door. “Can you keep it down? We don’t…”

“And so what?” Henry snapped. “So fucking what if he hears it? It’s the truth anyway and he has to know. It was meant to be a game like you said but you’ve totally forgotten about that. You’ve lost your trail. All you’re now doing is rubbing it in my face that you’re better and you got Eric.”

Sergio was getting more surprised with each word Henry used on him. “Is this what this is all about? I thought you did not mind. You forced me into accepting this bet, remember?” His voice was rising.

“And now I am telling you to stop.” Henry said angrily. “You’ve got a fucking boyfriend and it’s not fair. Trev doesn’t deserve all this. He loves you so much. And besides, you’re playing with Eric, making him fall for you. Trev is coming back soon and you should remember that.”

Sergio felt trapped. He leaned on a wall and sighed, combing his hair with fingers. He’d never felt so trapped in his life before. He knew that although the approach that Henry had used was wrong, everything that he had said was probably right.

“You’re right and I understand you, man.” His voice sounded weak. “I shouldn’t have let it go this far. But I just want you to understand me. I will tell him soon but I want it to be just the two of us when I eventually break off the news to him.”

“Well, I don’t care how you do it or where you do it.” Henry shrugged. “But I am just giving you little time. If you don’t tell him then, I will tell him myself.”

He looked at Sergio and grimaced before he left. Sergio stood there alone, feeling like he carried the weight of the entire world on his head. He had a huge lump on his throat… his hand was shaky and he felt a coldness that he had never felt before. He was the type of guy that always came out with the truth no matter how hard. But this was the first time he felt tongue-tied. What was going on with him?

He quickly fixed himself and went to meet Eric and his friends outside. Of course, he pretended he was alright when Eric asked him what was going on and told him the guy wasn’t gonna bother him anymore. But he wasn’t alright. They went to celebrate.

***

‘Some days, things just take way too much of my energy.

I look up and the whole world is spinning. You take my cares away,

I could so over-complicate, people tell me to medicate.

Feel my blood running, swear the sky is falling.

How do I know this shit’s fabricated?

Time goes by and I can’t control my mind, don’t know what else to try but you tell me every time…

Just keep breathing and breathing and breathing…’

“Yes, baby… right there,” Riya said happily as she sang along with Eric, moving her body with the beat.

Sergio was right there, staring at Eric nonstop. God, he looked so cute as he sang. They were at Riya’s place after having the best good. Now they were back and were busy doing karaoke. They were having fun and Eric looked so damn sexy and his voice was angelic. If Sergio hadn’t heard the song before, he’d have sworn it was Eric’s.

Sergio watched as the boy sang the song happily, moving his body sexily. The more he watched, the more he found his smile fading. He had tears in his eyes and he didn’t even realize it. God, this wasn’t supposed to be as hard as it was at that time. Why?

‘If you don’t end this, I will end it for you.’ Henry’s voice rang through his brain. ‘Your boyfriend is coming back… before Eric falls for you, end it. You win. I am no longer interested.’

Sergio sniveled, chuckling softly. He was acting like an emotional fool.

‘Eric, I know I had started this as a game but after spending these few weeks with you, why is so hard to end it?’ He thought as his heart began racing. ‘It’s not like I am even in love with you. This should be easy but it’s not. How will you even take it? This might make you hate me forever but I gotta stop it before you get hurt. I am truly sorry for taking this so long.’

He smiled just as the boy started singing higher.

‘I know I gotta keep, keep on breathing.

Sometimes it’s hard to find, find my way up into the cloud. Tune it up they can be so loud.

You remind me of a time, when things weren’t so complicated. All I need is to see your face.’

That was Eric’s song. He’d been singing it since it came out but it felt like he’d known it his entire life. That was the song that always made him so calm whenever he was feeling so terrible and it helped him get through some of life’s toughest times. He could say he was now happy. It was still the same song he was singing even after falling in love.

He glanced in the direction of his boyfriend and when their eyes met, he blushed and looked away. He didn’t wanna make a mistake while singing along and besides, he felt like laughing.

“Yeah, baby…” Riya shouted as she got up and went to where Eric stood. “…let’s keep on breathing.”

They started singing the chorus together and it felt so damn beautiful but funny at the same time due to the way Riya was dancing. Eric almost burst into laughter.

“I hope you don’t mind all this craziness?”

“Huh?” Sergio gasped, looking at the guy that stood beside him.

“All this!” Smith said softly. “This is just the way we are.”

“Oh not at all.” Sergio chirped. “I mean it’s so cute seeing all of you having fun like this, especially Eric. I have crazy friends too so I understand all this.”

“That’s nice, man!” Smith said, patting on Sergio’s shoulder. “This is the first time during karaoke when I have seen Eric smile like that. He loves you, man. Trust me when I say this. It is coming from the person that knows him.”

Sergio felt shivers all over his body and he gulped. He looked at Eric and he even got more scared.

“What do you mean? Weren’t there other boys?” He asked. “Didn’t you have them over for karaoke?”

“Well, you’re not his first relationship. But…” He warned, raising his finger. “…don’t tell him I told you. All I am saying is that the effect you have on him is so very different. You are a special one and you’re very lucky. Make him happy. Don’t hurt him, okay. Otherwise, I am gonna crack your nuts, man! I am not lying to you.”

Sergio chuckled nervously, still staring at Eric. “I got you, man.”

“Thanks!”

Smith shook Sergio powerfully before he went back to where he sat, cheering for his two friends. He loved it when they were doing karaoke. The other students living in other apartments had complained severally over the noise that they made but they paid a deaf ear.

‘God, why is this happening?’ Sergio thought as he gripped his hair. ‘Why is everyone making me feel guilty? Before this thing matures into something else, I need to come out clean but I need to get him alone first.’

Eric held Riya’s hand as they neared the climax.

‘Just keep on breathin and breathin

And oh, I gotta keep, I keep on breathing.

Feel my blood running, swear the sky is falling… I keep on breathin

Times goes by and I can’t control my mind…. I keep on breathin!’

They ended the song with a bang and Smith clapped like he was going insane. Eric smiled brightly and rushed to his boyfriend just as Beyoncé’s ‘Spirit’ started playing and Riya took over the stage.

He rushed to his boyfriend, sat on his lap, and smashed his lips on his, sucking on them softly.

“I am sorry for leaving you for long.” He apologized, rubbing on his lips.

But Eric noticed that his boyfriend wasn’t looking as he should have been or rather expected him to.

“Babe, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing!” Sergio smiled, caressing Eric’s cheek. “I was just so happy that my baby has a great voice. Maybe you can sing for me alone in the future.”

“Sure!” Eric nodded. “That was my favorite song. It helps me when I am stressed and even when I am happy. You’ve made me happy so that song was indirectly for you.”

“Whoa, really?” Sergio chuckled happily. “I will always remember it, my baby.”

“But I won’t take that yet. I want you to sing, babe, come on! Let’s have fun? I wanna hear your voice.” He insisted, wrapping his arms around his neck. “Please!”

“Maybe later!” Sergio said as he took in a deep breath. It was suddenly hot. “Right now, I wanna talk to you. It’s very important.”

“Okay!” Eric shrugged. “Shoot!”

“Err…” Sergio cleared his throat. “I wanna talk to you alone. It’s very important, like right now.”

Eric’s smile started fading. “I hope there’s no problem, my love? Are you okay?”

“No! There’s no problem but I wanna talk to you alone.”

Eric smiled, getting off his boyfriend’s lap.

“Alright! Let’s go to the rooftop. We can talk there quietly.”

Sergio nodded and he coiled Eric’s hand and they left the room. As they went to the rooftop, Sergio’s heart was racing miles and miles. He felt like he was gonna have a heart attack. He had never been as scared as he was at that time. He felt like a coward for the first time in his life.

It didn’t take long and they found themselves in the room. It was a really beautiful night and the sky was clear once again. The wind was a bit cold just as Eric loved it. As soon as he stepped there, Eric slowly spun around with his hands stretched.

“The night is really beautiful tonight.” He said as he closed his eyes and just breathed in the breeze. “The moon is out and it’s showing once that we’re really in a new month.”

“Yeah!”

Eric turned and smiled.

“So what did you want to talk to me about?” He asked softly. “We’re alone now. No one is here.”

Sergio took a deep breath, holding Eric’s hands. His heart was already racing and his fears had taken control of him.

“Well, please don’t be mad with what I wanna tell you.” He said abruptly. “I just hope you’re gonna understand me, Eric!”

Eric frowned, wondering Sergio was telling him that. “What’s wrong? Did you do something wrong? Did you get into trouble?”

Sergio opened his mouth to speak but no word came out.

“Sergio!” Eric shook him slowly. “Hey, you’re scaring me.”

Sergio breathed in deeply. “Eric… I… I…” He paused and Eric shrugged, staring at him. “Eric, I want us to go out for a day, just the two of us alone. I want us to go to a very special place where we’ll have fun. It’s just for a day.”

Eric chuckled. “Is that what you were afraid of telling me? Why would I be mad at you for that? You’re my boyfriend and if you want us to spend time together alone, it’s your right. And yes…” He smiled. “Yes, I will go with you. Just tell me when you want us to go.”

“Tomorrow morning,” Sergio said abruptly. “I want us to leave tomorrow morning so that we can come back.”

Eric smiled. “Cool! Ready at any time.”

Sergio nodded. “Thank you so much.”

“No!” Eric threw himself on Sergio’s chest, holding him tightly. He felt safe and secure. “Thank you so much for being the best boyfriend ever.”

Sergio slowly moved his shaky hands and locked them around, Eric.

‘I don’t know how I am gonna tell you that after tomorrow, we’ll no longer be together.’ He thought as he closed his eyes. ‘By the time we return, our relationship will no longer be there. You might hate me forever, Eric but this is the right thing to do. That’s it. Tomorrow is the day I will tell you everything. There’s no turning back.’

Could this be the end of it all?