[EROS' POV]
"Where is Eryx?"
I asked as we're walking to the elevator.
"Mr. Beckett, he has a meeting in his office-"
"Good, I'm going to his office."
"But, he has a meeting-"
"Griffin, I need to resolve this issue."
I can feel that he's looking at me with worried eyes, I don't even know what to say to him.
Should I ask for some advice?
No. I don't want to.
"Do you need a friend?"
I looked at him while we're in front of the elevator, "This is different."
Ding!
The elevator opens and we both walked in.
"I can help you." He says.
The elevator closes.
"You don't need Eryx." He says.
I sigh.
I'm controlling my anger and the things that I'm thinking. It's really hard for me to control it if I lose it... I may break down.
"You just want to distract yourself from Ellis, aren't you?"
"What if I am?"
"This is not the right way, Eros."
"And what is the right way? We're brothers and I'm acting selfish and stupid. I know it's not my business to meddle in his private life. I have my own life to worry about but... you can't help me not to worry about his." I looked at him and I know he wants to be my friend right now and not my secretary but...
I just want to distract myself and then think things through after.
"Knowing Ellis has a boyfriend, maybe he has a reason why he didn't tell you. You need to ask first."
I sigh.
"You're right," I said.
But we've kissed! Not just once but twice!
We've kissed in my office twice!
And also his office! There's an intimate moment that happened there.
But during those moments, he has a boyfriend! Is he thinking about his boyfriend during those times?
"Is that better?"
I didn't reply.
"He may be struggling too, just like you."
He's right. I may not know it but Ellis maybe, faking smiles and laughs just to be positive but deep inside of him, he's struggling with something.
Like me.
•••
[ELLIS' POV]
"Ellis, baby, what do you mean a break-up? You're kidding, right? It's a joke, right, baby?"
"I'm sorry, Castor."
"No. I don't understand. Why? Why are you breaking up with me? Did I do something?"
"No, you didn't. It's my problem, not yours."
"But, we can fix it. I can fix your problem, okay? Let's, not break up."
Castor holds my hand.
We're in my room, talking about breaking up while I'm removing the things that he gave me.
"Ellis, why? What's the problem? Tell me please." Castor is not crying, he's begging me to stay... but not crying.
It's not him. Or maybe, he's taking this not seriously.
"I'm not happy anymore. I'm in love with someone else now. That is why I'm breaking up with you."
That's the truth, but telling him who... is not the right thing for now.
"You're in love with someone else? I can't believe you. I mean, at first, you don't want to be in love but now... you're saying you're in love, you never said that to me. Ever."
It's true. I only tell him, 'I like you.'
But I've never been in love with him.
"I'm sorry, that's all I can say."
He sighs, "Well, if that's what you want."
I looked at him.
WHAT. Is he okay? I mean, this is not what I expected. What just happened? What happened to him?
"Really? You're serious?" I'm surprised.
"Yes, Ellis, I'm not forcing you."
"But why?"
"Nothing. I want you to be happy."
He's acting normal.
At first, he's begging me but now it's not.
It's okay for him.
Is he okay?
Ring! Ring!
His phone is ringing and it's on my bed.
"Who's Janina?" I asked.
"J-just someone." He's about to get his phone but I quickly got it.
I answered his phone and the girl speaks.
"Did you arrive safely, babe? I hope you can come back soon. Remember what I said okay? Break up with your boyfriend and get his safe money. Don't forget. I miss you!"
WTF.
"Oh hey Janina, let me tell you something, I already broke up with him and my money? HE WILL NEVER GET IT! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"
"Ellis, w-wait-"
I hang up.
WHAT THE HELL?
Even my money?
I stare at Castor who is looking at me dumbfounded.
"E-Ellis. Let me explain-"
I punch him in the face before he even got to explain.
"Shit!" He reacted and I can see the blood on his lower lip. I thought I punched his cheeks, but it got on the lower side of his face.
"Ellis, baby, please..."
"When was it?" I asked him.
He didn't speak.
"WHEN WAS IT, CASTOR?" I repeated.
"2 months of our relationship. But Ellis, I've been meaning to break up with her-"
"So, you're in a relationship with the two of us? And you've been cheating on me when we're still new? What the fuck?"
"But I can break-up with her-"
"And she's a girl! When did you become a bisexual?" I shouted.
Okay, I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed that I thought I'm the only one who got the problem but guessed what, he's the one!
"I'm sorry, Ellis, I lied to you. I didn't mean to cheat on you. She seduced me and it's just a one-night stand and it did not mean anything! You are my sunshine, okay? Baby, please, we can talk about this-"
"Oh? Well, let me tell you something too, Castor, thanks for cheating on me. Now, here's your things and be gone!"
I throw his things on him and I grab my jacket and my bag, I left him from my place and went to the elevator.
Shit.
This is full of emotions.
I don't have time for Castor or his issues. I still need to be ready for tonight's party.
I still got a brother issue on my hand.
•••
[EROS' POV]
"How're the preparations going?"
I asked Griffin while we're in the office.
"They are already preparing in Hotel M."
"That's good."
"Are you still thinking about it?" He asked.
I lean in my chair and I closed my eyes.
"The truth is, Griffin, I'm surprised that Ellis, my little brother grown-up like an adult and already have a relationship with another person. He has his business and living a normal life. I'm proud of him."
I say to him.
"But, the thought of not being there for him in those years, made me sad. I want to be that person by his side, I want to take care of him more than anything. I want to love him endlessly. But... I can't."
"I understand your point."
"Maybe, we're not meant to be together. We just met to be an eye-opener for all the things that we have now."
"Do you think so?"
I open my eyes.
"Yeah. So, whatever happens, I'm still his childhood friend and a brother. Nothing more."
He sighs, "It's too dramatic for me, I don't even know what to say now."
I chuckle a little, "I'm sorry."
"But Griffin..."
"Yes, Mr. Beckett?" Now, he changed himself to a working friend.
It's his normal routine.
"Can you buy me a suit and tie for tonight's party?"
"You already have one."
"It's not for me."
•••
[ELLIS' POV]
"Dione, I'm fine, okay? I'm busy preparing for tonight's party." I said to her while we're on the phone, talking.
"Are you sure? Because I can go there and comfort you."
"I'm fine, just work there and we can see each other later at the party."
"Okay, tell me the details later. Bye."
"Bye!"
I hang up the phone.
I sigh and I'm helping my employees finish our final touch for tonight's party.
We're not going to use the hotel's kitchen, so we are preparing here at the store instead.
It's cheaper and comfortable.
We already prepared the things that we needed before we bake our pastries.
"Are 500 pieces of these are enough for the formal party, sir?"
"Dione said it would be enough, there are more desserts there other than us. So, this will be enough." I said to them.
"We can be an appetizer to them or a dessert, so we better work it out." I smile at them, "To 500 pastries!"
"To 500 pastries!"
They said.
The company of Eros already paid us for the pastries which mean, we must do our best to serve them.
My phone vibrates.
I got my phone from my pocket and it's a message from Griffin.
I'm in front of your store, come outside.
He's here?
"I'll be back," I said to them and they're working hard while the store is closed.
I made it close for us to make our pastries, it would be a hassle for everyone if we're still serving the customers while making the 500 pastries which is short for manpower.
But our sales today is for the sales that we made up from the company, so it's okay for me.
I went outside and the car of Eros is parked in front of the store. Griffin is already outside carrying a box.
Eros is not here.
"Where is Eros?" I asked.
"He's at work, preparing for tonight's party."
Oh.
"H-how is he?"
"He's been struggling."
I looked down.
"Ellis." He calls and continues, "Wear this tonight."
He gives me a box and it's a branded one.
"H-he gave this to me?"
He nods.
"Why? Why isn't he here? Is he mad? Does he hate me now? Tell me, Griffin, I'm going to see him again right?" I said to him.
I don't want to cry but imagining Eros leaving me again, I can't. I don't want to.
He pokes my head and I stopped for a moment.
"G-Griffin."
"Why are you two so dramatic? Stop making things complicated, Ellis. I know you have a reason why you didn't tell him and he's at fault for overthinking things. You have to make up, okay? Tonight. Wear that and talk."
"O-okay."
"Good. I'm off." He said and went inside the car and they went away.
I brought the box inside the store and I went to my office.
Griffin is right.
I should not complicate things. I will tell Eros everything and why I didn't tell him about these things in me.
A boyfriend.
Gay.
My life, after he left.
•••