"Congratulations", Aiden says with a crooked smile, unable to fake happiness for his companion.
Graham looks down at the box too, feeling it burn his skin even more than before.
"I'm sorry for not replying to the messages, I have been busy", he replies tiredly.
The green-eyed man discards the idea that Graham has been drinking too much tonight. He seems very conscious and the bottle of wine on the table isn't even open.
"I know. You're a busy man and all that."
"You have all the right to be mad at me. I should have told you before that I can't really keep up with friendships because of my job."
"And you think you can keep up with marriage?"
Graham leans his head to the side, lifting his gaze to meet Aiden's once again. Even though he rarely ever reads the people around him correctly, he easily identifies the jealousy in his voice.
"Let me explain."
"No, you let me explain first", Aiden cuts him off, not thinking about the words that flee his mouth anymore. "I like you. I have liked you since that goddamn day you got drunk here. I didn't expect much but then you kept coming back and I just kept falling for you. It's hard for me to control my emotions. I know I did something that crossed your boundaries and I'm really sorry for that. I don't expect you to like me back, not even to talk to me again. I only wanted to get rid of this guilt that has been killing me slowly…"
Larson gets up from his chair, interrupting Aiden's rant.
His brown eyes look at the other's apologetic features that are filled with regret. The red box has fallen on the table, now long forgotten by the owner. All his attention is focused on the broken man in front of him.
"What did you say?" The older man asks with doubt, thinking this could be just one of his countless dreams.
"I-I like you. Not as a friend, that is."
Graham blinks a couple of times to prove that this is actually happening. Once he's convinced that it's real, he takes a step forward to cup Aiden's face with a gentle hand.
This is the first time he doesn't care about the consequences of his actions. He had always chosen the best decision based on facts and experience. Now, nevertheless, nothing of that seems to be more important than being honest with himself, with Aiden.
"I like you too."
With no hesitation, Graham closes the gap between their bodies, bringing Aiden's face closer to him.
Instinctively, the younger male takes a step back. Of all the outcomes he had considered, this one never crossed his mind.
"Wait, no. Y-You just got engaged", he remarks quietly.
Graham frowns, finally realizing that the object that caused him so much conflict during the day is no longer in his hands.
"I didn't. I mean, I was going to but I regretted it in time. Look." He takes the red box once again and opens it in front of Aiden to show that the ring is still in its original place.
The chef can't believe what he's seeing.
"No. I was told that you were going to propose today to Elyse Walker. The whole staff was ready for it, how could they miss it?"
Graham feels glad that he didn't notice that it looks like he's proposing to Aiden. He quickly closes the box and saves it in the pocket of his trousers.
"I'm not sure. Maybe they thought I had proposed earlier because she was wearing a huge diamond in her ring finger", he explains with a chuckle.
"I don't understand anything", Millers claims with exhaustion, deciding to sit down on the closest chair he can find.
The businessman's smile grows wider when he sees the pout in his lips.
"Hey, all you need to understand is that I'm an asshole who didn't want to admit how head over heels I've fallen for you."
With an annoyed groan, Aiden leans over the table in front of him, resting his forehead on the clean tablecloth as his arms stretch over the cold surface, almost reaching the opposite end.
"Why were you even going to propose?"
Graham sighs before sitting down at the other side of the table. His right hand finds Aiden's left and he starts fidgeting with his fingers while replying.
"My father wants me to marry someone who can save our company from going bankrupt."
"Is Larson Enterprises going bankrupt?" Aiden asks with sorry, turning his head to the side so his left cheek is now resting on the table.
"No. Today, I decided to check thoroughly the research my father did on that matter", his hurtful eyes focus on his own hands. "It turns out that it's all a lie. That's why I didn't even consider giving her the ring."
"Why would your parents lie to you?"
Graham looks to his side, hiding his shame and pain successfully.
"They have never accepted that I like men. Especially my mother", he states with difficulty. "They want me to have the image of a perfect family, which, in their head, consists of a man with a woman, and a couple of children. Never a man with a man or anything like that."
"It must have been like hell growing up with that mentality."
"You're right. Fortunately, I always had my sister's support. She was the only one who would never judge me. If it wasn't for her, I would have never in my life confessed my true feelings for you."
"I must thank her when I meet her, then", Aiden says with a grin. "Unless your father decides to kill me first."
"My dad is not… He wouldn't do that."
"Would he kill us both?"
"No", Graham replies with a sad smile. "He would only delete me from the family tree; as if I had never been his son."
"Only that?" Aiden sits up abruptly and withdraws his arms when noticing the sincerity in Larson's voice. "It's not worth giving up on your last name just for someone like me."
"You're more than worth it, Aiden. I am willing to leave that life behind for you, but I'll only do it if you want me to."
Millers bites his lower lip with doubt, his mind still unable to find peace. He wants to say yes, but Graham wouldn't be the only one who is giving up on something important in his life.
If he gives a positive answer he has to stop doing any activities which could put them in danger. But how could he do that when he has already planned on killing a vampire tomorrow?
"I don't know."
"We can give it a try and decide later. I have 4 months before my parents give me an ultimatum. So, what do you say?"
Graham gives him a reassuring smile, reaching his hands with his once again and caressing his skin softly. This touch is enough to slow down Aiden's mind for just a moment, allowing him to think more about himself and less about the rest of the world.
"Would this be a free trial sort of thing?"
"You could say so."