"It's me, all right. How have you been? It's been forever—since graduation, I think. We haven't seen each other at all since we started working."
Tyler's voice was bright as he gave Eren a quick, friendly hug.
Eren froze, too stunned to react.
"You haven't changed a bit," Tyler teased, stepping back to look him over. "Same style since high school. How are you ever going to get a boyfriend looking like that?"
Eren's lips parted, but no words came out. His eyes flicked over Tyler instead. As far back as he could remember, Tyler had always dressed simply—comfortable clothes, nothing flashy, because, as Tyler used to say, 'It's not about the clothes; it's about the person wearing them.'
But now… Tyler looked completely different. His outfit was sharp and expensive, with every detail carefully chosen. Even the bag slung over his shoulder was designer. Eren knew Tyler came from a well-off family, but seeing him now was like facing a stranger. Meanwhile, Eren himself—he hadn't changed at all.
"Come on, I want you to meet someone," Tyler said with a grin. He caught Eren by the hand and led him toward the table where James was sitting.
"I just met him earlier while I was touring the cruise." Tyler stopped in front of James's table, his voice brimming with excitement. "James, I'd like you to meet my friend, Eren. Eren, this is James."
Eren's chest tightened.
"I know him," he said flatly.
Tyler blinked, taken aback by Eren's serious tone. He glanced between the two, sensing the heaviness in the air.
James rose from his seat the moment his eyes landed on Eren.
"Well," Tyler said, forcing a laugh, "what a small world. You already know each other?"
"Yeah," James replied, his expression calm but guarded. "He's my colleague."
Colleague?
The word echoed in Eren's head, sharp as glass. His heart thudded painfully against his ribs. Colleague? Was that all James saw him as? No—was that all James wanted others to see? They weren't here as coworkers. They were here to get married.
Tyler's eyes flicked between them, clearly sensing the awkwardness but trying to keep things light. "Oh, right—you mentioned you work at the Ulrick Group," he said, smiling at Eren as if nothing were wrong.
But Eren barely heard him. His gaze was fixed on James, the word colleague still burning like a brand in his chest.
"Oh, you mentioned earlier that you work at Ulrick Group," Tyler said, turning to Eren with surprise in his eyes. "You actually work there?"
Eren could understand his astonishment. Ulrick Group was prestigious, notoriously difficult to enter. He himself still wondered how he had managed to pass the interview, especially since nerves had nearly undone him that day—his palms damp, his voice unsteady, his stomach in knots.
"Wow," Tyler said, clearly impressed. "That's incredible. I always knew you were smart. Almost everyone from our batch wanted a shot at Ulrick, but you're probably the only one who actually made it."
Eren gave a modest smile. He didn't know what to say to praise like that.
"So, what are you doing here? Are you with someone?" Tyler asked, pulling out his press ID. "I heard there's going to be a group wedding on this cruise before Christmas Eve. I'm here to cover the event."
Eren froze. Tyler's words struck a nerve.
"No way," Tyler continued, narrowing his eyes playfully. "Don't tell me—you're getting married?"
"Why? Is that a problem?" Eren asked, trying to keep his annoyance hidden. Tyler meant no harm, but the question stung.
"Of course not," Tyler replied with a grin. "Then introduce me to your fiancé already."
Eren's gaze shifted to James, who was standing at the table. His chest tightened. How could he explain to Tyler that this man, who had just introduced him as a colleague, was the very person he had come here to marry?
As if sensing his turmoil, James stepped in. "I'm sorry," he said smoothly, looking at Tyler. "But may I speak with Eren alone for a moment? It's work-related."
"Sure," Tyler replied easily, though curiosity flickered in his eyes.
James led Eren out of the restaurant and down the corridor until they reached their cabin. Once the door shut behind them, the silence grew heavy.
"Colleague?" Eren asked at last, his voice low but sharp as he turned to James.
James set his coat down and looked at him calmly. "Are you upset because that's what I told him?"
"Upset?" Eren snapped. "You're about to marry me, James, and yet to him I'm just your colleague? Who wouldn't be angry? Do you expect me to smile and thank you for it?"
"Don't be angry," James murmured as he stepped closer. His hand slid around Eren's waist, pulling him in. His voice softened, coaxing, almost disarming. "I didn't want to ruin our moment later. I just thought… it's better to keep things quiet for now. A little secrecy. A little surprise. You understand, don't you?"
Eren's brows furrowed, his chest still tight.
James chuckled lightly and touched a finger to his forehead. "And stop frowning. You'll ruin your handsome face."
He smiled, warm and teasing. "It's our wedding night later. I want you to be the most radiant groom on this ship."
Eren felt his anger falter. He hated how easily James could melt his defenses—whether it was genuine charm or simply his own weakness, he couldn't tell. All he knew was that, against his better judgment, he was already smiling.
Slowly, James leaned in, his face drawing closer to Eren's. Eren's breath caught; instinctively, he closed his eyes, bracing for the warmth of James's lips. But instead of the kiss he expected, James's lips brushed gently against his forehead—a gesture soft, familiar, almost brotherly.
Before Eren could dwell on it, the sharp trill of James's phone shattered the moment.
"Sorry, I have to take this," James murmured, glancing at the screen.
"Who is it—" Eren began, only to be cut off.
"It's Uncle Adriel," James said flatly.
"Work?" Eren asked.
"Seems so." James stepped back, sliding his phone into his hand. His eyes flicked briefly over Eren's face. "Let's meet at the venue later. Look your best, my groom." He pressed another kiss to Eren's forehead—quicker this time—before turning to leave.
Eren watched him go, a faint hollow ache lingering where expectation had been.
"I should get ready," he muttered to himself. He crossed to his suitcase and pulled out the simple white suit he had chosen. It wasn't as extravagant as the ones he had seen in glossy magazines, but he didn't mind. This wedding, this night—it would be memorable regardless.
This was his Christmas gift to himself: marrying the man he loved most. He clung to that thought, hoping James felt the same anticipation burning in his chest.
By the time the sun began to dip, its glow spilled across the ship's deck in molten gold. Eren stood before the cabin mirror, smoothing down the crisp white fabric of his suit. His fingers trembled as he fastened the delicate silver tie pin at his collar—a keepsake from his late grandmother. It was the only piece of jewelry he wore. Against the backdrop of luxury and spectacle surrounding him, it was his quiet act of defiance, a reminder of who he was beneath the surface.