I never imagined I could upset so many individuals simultaneously. The media, a few famous elite girls, my rivals, my company directors, my family, and friends—well, I have pretty much covered everyone with one single statement. For the first time, I was proud of my work, neat and clean. There were another group of people who were enraged at me, like Shreya and family; my grandfather, Tristan; and, last but not least, Eddie William. I never intended to include him; that doesn't mean I had forgotten his actions. Nope, I am not the forget-and-forgive kind.
As I entered the bar, my smirk turned wider as I saw Eddie at the bar counter sipping his drinks slowly. I thought of entering the VIP section as usual, but this time I wanted to say hello to my dear old bully and check on his well-being after the news. For the first time, I was elated and excited to meet him. I made my way to the bar counter, sat opposite him, and ordered my drink. The drink flushed Eddie's face, and due to the drink, his whole body vibrated a little when he saw me. I chuckled when I saw him. As my order was served, I started sipping, facing him.
We stayed silent; the music buzzed, and the sound was louder as usual. His knuckles turned white; he was barely holding himself back. I had hit the right spot for him, and I am glad I covered him too. After witnessing their kiss, I can conclude that Eddie sustained major damage. I am generous while paying back; I have made sure that he experiences whatever I have gone through 10 times more than I have. My lips crooked a little while watching him.
"Hi, long time no see, my old buddy." I started the conversation; I wanted to converse with him, desperate to witness something. "Were we friends, Rowan?" He questioned with a sharp glare. "Oh, aren't we? Well, more of an enemy than it is. How are you, though?" I questioned him genuinely with a layer of pity in my voice. He chuckled by nodding his head. "You have grown balls, Rowan; I will give you that." "Maybe I have grown some, but you should confirm that with Dante." I fired back at him, and he was taken back at that. For a few seconds, his whole body froze on the spot. He took threatening steps toward me, approaching me face to face with pure rage. He was vibrating in anger, and this whole thing was satisfying me more than I could have imagined. "You have fucking nerves, Rowan." He spoke slowly while gritting his teeth. "Dante won't do a relationship, never," he added with the same burning rage. "I know him in and out; trust me when I say something about him. I have years of experience with him, especially sexually. I have studied every inch of his body and savoured it, and we have fucking history." He sneered and chuckled, watching my face.
He went silent, still holding the same burning rage in his eyes, never letting his eyes off me for even a second. There was a flicker of satisfaction on his face as he got the expected result. His confession stirred something in me; his words evoked a burning, equal rage in me too. It's my play; I have every intention of leading this how I wanted. I am not letting him win this time. "Drop this shit, Rowan; whatever buzz you have created will fire you back in any second." He further spoke, confidence oozing from him. "A single statement will ruin your future, and it's going to happen anytime soon," he added, now calm and composed. "Dante has never been in a relationship, nor will he ever be." His confidence was impeccable, and I wanted to crush it this instant.
I let him enjoy a few seconds' break; after all, he deserves it. "Things change when you meet the right person," I spoke in a confident tone. "I am not anyone, and things changed between us. I don't think anyone needs to confirm our relationship; it is what it is." I spoke the lies facing him without giving any hint. He chuckled at that. "Nothing confirmed, Rowan, nor is it going to." "Nor denied, Eddie, nor will it be in the coming days, too." Something flickered in him—doubt—and I was satisfied. As I said, it's my fucking play. "You are not a fool; how can you miss something like this?" "Well, because I was busy getting fucked by Dante." "So, you were the reason for our short breakups now and then." I don't know where this confidence was coming from, but I was acing this whole situation. "Shut this bullshit, Rowan. I fucking mean it. Dante would never do a relationship." The tone didn't hold the same confidence; it looked like I had shattered his confidence a little. "Well, I love to break the bubble; we are. No sane person would give the statement live in front of the world," I added, too calm with confidence. "Stay away from my boyfriend, Eddie. I don't want you being the reason for our short breakups; we will never have a permanent one in this life." I stood from the stool and paid for my drinks. This time I approached him with a slow, threatening step. There was only an inch gap between our faces when I spoke. "I think I made myself loud and clear. Back off while you can." I started walking toward the VIP room.
I didn't know why Davis would always pick this club as a meeting spot and also for every gathering. Now, I knew I could only grit my teeth at him. Today, though, I should thank him for choosing this shitty club. I barged into the room and saw Tristan along with Davis. I took a long sigh as I saw Tristan and glared at Davis, who just shrugged. "Can't a guy get a fucking break?" I shouted as I entered the room and sat in the furthest corner on the couch. Davis rolled his eyes and poured a drink for me. Well, I needed this to deal with another shit. The list is getting bigger and bigger; only one fucking statement stirred every moron on this planet. Give me a fucking break, already.
"You fucking lied. You fucking said you were not in contact with each other; why the hell did you lie to me? How can you backstab your friend? Please tell me this whole thing is just a big lie? How can you fucking do this, Rowan? How can you?" He will cry, and I don't know why. He is on the verge at least; again, I am not fucking getting why. Friend? Seriously! I sipped my drink slowly, watching the expression that was running on his face. He looked sad and hurt, and again, I am not getting why. This shit is turning hilarious for no reason. "You fucking lied to my face." He added, slowly, hurt evident. "I know this whole thing is a big lie, Rowan. It's an escape plan. I am not getting why the hell you are using Dante, out of all the people." He shouted furiously. I hummed slowly, taking in his every word. "You can't fucking use him however you want." In a resentful tone, he spoke. "Clarify this shit before it goes too far, and I fucking mean it." Is he fucking serious? Who the hell was he giving me order? Why the hell are people failing to mind their damn business? Especially these crazy assholes, who are crazy on someone like Dante for no obvious reason.
"Are you fucking done? Get the hell out of here; I don't have the patience to deal with your shit." He glared at me, and I matched his glare.
"You said you would never bring this shit, Tristan." Davis finally spoke, thank God, for that. "You should go." "Well, he fucking lied, Davis, in my face." Davis rolled his eyes, and I snorted. "Get out, Tristan, just get out." By clenching his fist, Tristan slowly got up from the couch. "Things never survive based on lies. Your lies will be exposed soon; I hope it happens sooner. Once it happens, mark my words, Rowan, things will get more miserable than they already are." He stated—no, he threatened—with a straight face, and still today, I don't know why he hates me so much. "Well, good luck with that. Dante and I are a match made in heaven." He gnashed his teeth at that and stormed out of the room; finally, I heaved a long sigh of relief. Everyone wants me to see my doom, waiting desperately; only one statement would accomplish their wishes, only one fucking statement from Dante.
I sighed in exhaustion and leaned on the couch. What a fucking mess. I had dug something deeper this time, with no way out of it. I should have fucking thought. A minute was enough, but one way or another, my life would be miserable. If I got a second chance to rethink this whole thing without wasting a minute, I would have made the same impulsive decision. I would choose this messy, chaotic path. I am done taking the bullshit; there is much more waiting for me in the coming days, and I am ready to show my middle finger to every one of them. If they are not ready to digest the news, I will make sure they digest it by shoving it down their fucking throat.
"We should talk, Rowan," Davis slowly spoke, testing the water. "We sure need to, don't we?" I retorted without wasting a second, and he grimaced, knowing what I was speaking about. "Well, let's fucking talk. When did things start between you two?" There was no need to beat around the bush. Davis averted his eyes immediately, and I sat patiently waiting for the answer while sipping slowly. I was never keen on Davis's personal life, especially dating history, but he would always share about it, and I would listen. That's how things work between us. He can fuck or get fucked by whomever he wants; that's really not my business. I always supported him no matter what, gay or not, but now the situation was different. That bastard Eddie was involved; I would let it slide, but after the fucking kiss I just couldn't. I am not getting why. I am not exactly angry at Davis; I am really not, but I am not getting where to direct my anger apart from him. I wanted to vent at someone temporarily; thank God Davis created the path.
"In college." Finally, he answered, but his answer only made me angrier because in college it all fucking started. "Can you fucking elaborate, please?" He sighed, displeased. "Rowan, I met Eddie at a party, and I was attracted when I was around 15. He never gave a damn about me every time I approached him. I was over the moon when he enrolled in the same college, but once again, he ignored me." He was rewinding his memories as his face looked sadder. "But things changed one day; we started fucking." Wow, I went on mute for a second at his explanation. "So, it's why you always try to defuse the situation rather than standing up for me?" "Rowan, I stood for you every damn time." "Right, by defusing or by dragging me away from Eddie." "You wanted to fight against him. We both know you never wanted that back then." "Hmmm." That's all left from me. Does it matter anymore? I just wanted to finish my studies without getting involved in bullshit, so he was probably right. "The fact is you were fucking or getting fucked by my bully behind my back." Once again, he averted his eyes. "Rowan, things were not in my control; I had fallen harder for him." "Well, look at you still in the same pathetic state." I couldn't help poking and enjoying his misery. "Please don't do this." He pleaded like hell I would miss the bloody chance. "Oh, come on, you can't expect me to forget everything just like that. He was enjoying bullying me, and I really don't know why. He was not only doing that but also fucking my best friend behind my back. You kept me in the dark all these years, damn it." I shouted at him, and his eyes were glued to the floor, not able to meet mine. "Whenever I was expressing my hate, you would always brush it off or sugarcoat it. Wow, now I am getting why." His knuckles were turning white, like I gave a damn about it. "I always thought someday things would work between Eddie and me, and you were my best friend, constantly being in my life. So, I wanted less beef between you two." I chuckled at that. "Well, why didn't things work till now? Let me guess, he is fucking into someone else, deeply, thoroughly," I mocked him. "Well, I never thought gay lives would be this interesting and entertaining. What a pathetic, tragic love story that's unfolding underneath me." "Please stop it, Rowan." "I am praising you; all these years you craved something deep, and that person was expecting the same thing from someone else. What a triangle bullshit story." I taunted him even more, but nothing was satisfying. "Please don't; it really fucking hurts." I wanted to pout as he was forcing me to put the brake on my taunting.
We went silent, sipping our drinks slowly. I don't know why things were getting to me when they shouldn't. In this whole bullshit, nothing affected me that much, yeah, except the bullying part. I exaggerated a little; Eddie was all talk to get on my nerves. Other than that, he never did anything. Ridiculing me, taunting when we faced each other, and yeah, that's it. I ignored his existence when I finished college, and Eddie appeared once again, kissing Dante. When things started between them, probably when Dante erased his existence from my life. I had taken Dante to a party because he was lacking a friend circle; Eddie and Dante looked cozy at that party, which I didn't mind much. There is so much gap to fill in, and only one person can fill that gap. I am not going to ask him any shitty thing; let the gap be blank forever, like I damn care.
"Fucking gays," I said louder; I couldn't stop the outburst. Davis squinted his eyes at me in confusion. "Did you get over him?" I questioned him, instead answering whatever was brewing in him. He averted his eyes, and I got my answer. "You knew he was into someone else?" He shook his head, well, and for a second, I felt bad for him, but not more than that. "You deserve that for keeping me in the dark for all these years." He chuckled at that.
Once again, we were silent, a good one. We were cool; I was somewhat ok with Eddie and Davis. As I said, it never bothered me; Davis can fuck or get fucked by whoever he wants, but it was Eddie, on top of it, that kissing scene only making things go crazy at another level. Something is burning in me; I let it out on three people in one day. I was ok but not able to get over anything. None of them was the culprit; they played minor roles in this play, and my main target was a different person. I would be satisfied if I vented everything out in front of that person; that means facing him. How I was included in their love story was beyond me. Nothing concerns me; on the other hand, I have already started my own play with my own script, so why the hell am I entangling with these three of them? Their love story is getting to me too much, not because Davis is involved; otherwise, I would love to get entangled. Oh god, I am going crazy.
I am fucking turning gay.
I am hooked on a love story that doesn't concern me. I feel like I was abandoned for many years when I shouldn't feel that way. The kiss scene is taking a bloody toll on me, and I am venting my bottled-up frustration on whoever I am meeting. Everything revolves around one person, and I am making a big deal out of everything for no reason. Something is not right, and I don't know what exactly it is.
"Rowan," Davis called my name louder, and I knew I was in my own world. That shit happens whenever I think too much about Dante. "We should really talk." I know we should, and I sighed at that, still my mind in turmoil over everything. "How are you going to handle this?" I have not exactly planned; handling means meeting him, and I would rather delay that shit. "Let us get involved, please? Your dad and I will meet Morris and sort this out." He was pleading, but I couldn't let them get involved in this. That means a clean exit, and I don't want that. "What about Shreya?" "What about her?" I rebuked, and he rolled his eyes. "You are testing her patience." I rolled my eyes at that. "What about other things, Rowan? Your future- someone is targeting you. Now what? Meridith's was your solution, Rowan." He spoke dejectively, and I didn't have any answer for any of his questions. "Did Morris call you?" I shook my head in annoyance. "Not even Dante?" I gritted my teeth and shook my head. "You are lucky no statement has been issued either by the son or by his dad." I rolled my eyes at the mention of Dante's dad. "What are you going to do? Please discuss with me before doing anything? I beg you." I snorted at that. "I will meet him, and I don't know when." "What are you going to talk about?" "I don't know, I never thought about it." He sighed at that. "We need to discuss this?" "Nope, no discussion required for now; let it be. I will let you know everything." He was annoyed. "You will let me know after you fucked up; that's for sure." I ignored his words. I don't know what I am going to discuss, but I would not prepare this time. Things never worked when I damn prepared myself.
"You should meet the princes, the sooner the better. The chaos started erupting from everywhere; she is gaining sympathy." Well, I saw the videos; the fake hurt is too evident, but no matter what, she is not able to cry, nor were fake tears on display. I can say that she was trying her best, but she just couldn't. "Your dad has not contacted her parents yet; he doesn't know how to cover your act." I coughed at that. "The directors have not started to make things more difficult for you because obviously they are weighing everything. No statement has been issued from Morris's side, so they are prolonging things." I hummed at that. They were waiting and calculating, or else, by now, the slogan would be repeated of removing me from the CEO's position. They can't take the bait right now; both surnames are stronger, so they need clarification before starting their revolt against me. "Meet her before she takes some drastic step." He cautioned me. My cell started ringing, and I made up my mind when I saw the caller ID. "It's time; I should meet her," I affirmed to Davis. Once again, I was cornered by her.
Looks like it was time to meet the bitch.