Dean looks at the man's back with disbelief. His palms felt colder compared to the weather around him. He closed his eyes and inhaled sharply. This is unexpected.It's Nathan, right? But when did he get here, and why didn't he see Dean? Did he forget about him or something?Dean took a step to talk with Nathan. However, he paused when he noticed the guards around Nathan. The man holding everyone's attentionSuddenly, he felt the difference between them, which he often tried to avoid, even during college."What's with that look?" Sabastian whispered out his thoughts as he glanced at Dean and the CEO dude. There is surely something wrong here.Freya tried her best to stay out of Nathan's sight. The man is always full of surprises. Even the director is shocked to see him. She subtly glances at her manager, who is fidgeting in his place.She narrowed her eyes. Did this man ask Nathan to get here? She quickly shook her head, like Nathan would reach here with just a few words. There must be something else that brought the man here."Sir, we are ahead of schedule," Liam informs Nathan, standing in front of him as he looks through the pictures provided through Pendrive."We'll surely launch the winter collection before Christmas," Roman added further, standing next to Liam and looking back at Nathan, who is sitting on a chair and whose guard has opened an umbrella for him.Why will you need an umbrella in the coldness of winter?The team waits for the CEO to respond to something, at least. The man hums, nods, and keeps it short.Roman narrowed his eyes when he saw a reflection of a photo in Nathan's aviators. He saw Nathan looking at just one picture. He couldn't grasp which photo intrigued the man."Okay," Nathan said, giving the laptop back to Liam.What does this okay mean? Okay, as in approval to continue the project, or Okay, as in the photos, it's good."Also, thank you for investing in our project," Liam said while nudging Roman to follow suit.Roman nodded along and said, "Yes, thanks to you. Our budget led us to this beautiful site."Nathan nodded and said, "I had my reasons to invest in this project too." His eyes glanced at a distant figure of Dean through the aviators, where he noticed the thought man was avoiding him. As though he was trying his best to not meet even by chance."Please continue with your shoot. I won't bother." Ethan spoke, glancing at his manager, who quickly placed a file on Nathan's stretched arm. While the secretary inspects the site for any mistakes."Dean and Sabastian, the shoot is ready," the director says, looking back at the cameraman and the reflectors.Dean and Sabastian stood in their positions. "Camera, action."Nathan bites his inner cheek and looks away while heaving a deep sigh.The secretary noticed and whispered. "Sir, please don't forget you're the CEO. Please don't lose your composure.""You know what he means to me." Nathan fisted his palm. "I am seeing him after four years and sixty-four days." He looks at Dean, who is giving his shot. "Just the same, who steals attention without any effort?" He looks around with a small smile. "He bewitched everyone present in the set.""Sir, you must...""Clear all the misunderstandings. I know, and I will. I will bring my angel back into my life. The brightness of the star soothes me." Nathan looks back at his file and diverts his mind from getting emotional."I should also seek forgiveness." The secretary looks at Dean. "After all, it was me who lied to him."[PAST]"I hope my love finds you." Dean read a note kept in his locker with a frown. This looks suspicious. Who kept it in his locker, and when?He looks around, hoping not to be framed as a fool. He couldn't see anyone suspicious. He licks his lower lip and bites it. Who could this be? He shook his head and took his books."Hi, Dean." Sebastian greets Dean with a small smile when he sees Dean crushing the note."Wh-what's this?" Sabastian asked, pointing to the crushed paper in Dean's palm."Oh, this? Someone is playing a prank. Total bullshit." Dean said this and threw the paper in the dustbin kept at the end of the locker section.Dean subtly looks around to see if anyone is looking at him or even having sad emotions. He made sure to speak loud enough for anyone looking at him to hear him. What he didn't see was the person standing next to him, looking at the crushed paper with glinting eyes.Was he wrong? He should have just kept his emotions to himself. Why would he be so stupid?"Moreover, I like someone." Dean further added, lighting the end of Nathan's heart with fire. He could feel it burning with pain.Nathan masked his sadness with a wide smile. "That's nice." He looks at his watch and continues, "My class will start soon." He didn't wait for Dean's reply and turned around to step away from his life too, for the betterment of his feelings. He hopes that with time, he'll move forward."The fuck? What are you doing here? Ain't you going to confess?" His friend whispered to him, who was peeking at them from afar."Nathan shook his head. "He likes someone," he mumbles as a reminder for himself too."So? You won't fight?" His friend followed him.His friend's words made him halt his steps. He shook his head and said, "It will sadden him. He will never appreciate his friend, and they will always love fighting with each other. Moreover, I'm the third wheel here. He likes that person, and I'm sure they will love him back. I should just step away and be happy for him."The other person shook his head and slung his arm over Nathan's shoulder. "It's ok, man. There are many fish in the ocean, pond, and sea. The sea is not salty, right? Because they can't live in too much salty water.""When did you become a biology teacher?"His friend scoffed. "I hate bio, man."Dean looks at the retreating figures with a blank face.That evening, after the classes, Dean waits in front of Nathan's locker. His eyes focused on the tampered note of the morning. Now he knows who placed this note in his locker.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Alright, that's a wrap. Pack up."The staff can't be happier. They were waiting to hear this sentence from the director. They heaved a sigh and quickly started packing."You guys can change and return the clothes to the stylist," Liam instructs the models, who nod and thank him.Liam is quite happy that everything turned out well. Now, it's all in the hands of the production team, and marketing will be nailed under his guidance. A raise in salary will be a wonderful Christmas gift. He fished for his phone to inform the CFO about the current update."No, cakes." Roman's voice held finality, leaving no reason for the pouty boy to convince his dad."One cupcake, papa?" Ayan pinched the air. "Small like this."Roman huffs and looks at his son. Surely, the boy got his sweet tooth from his mother. Even she loved cakes and chocolates the most."Where can you find that size of cake?" Roman asked, picking the boy up in his arms.Ayan pouts, wrapping his arms around his dad's shoulder. " Uh...shop?"Roman couldn't hold back his chuckle. "My baby is the cutest." He smooched his son's cheek."Papa," the boy whined, hiding his shy face on Dad's shoulder."So, chocolate as always?" Roman asked, taking Ayan's sling bag. The boy won't take a step without his bag.Ayan nodded over his shoulder. Roman smiled at the staff and bid them goodbye. Ayan's eyes caught two figures standing afar."Papa, teacher?"The question paused Roman's steps. Looking around the place in search of the mentioned man."Maybe he went with others?"⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Life is known to be full of uncertainties. You never know whether the current step or decision is correct. Where would this lead to?Sometimes it's good to look back and reflect. However, the harsh emotions scratch the heart with despair. Whenever we look back at the past to reflect on ourselves, why do we see the negative before the positive memories?Perhaps the mirror could only reflect when there is a mixture of tin, nickel, and chromium, just like sadness, anger, and happiness.Dean couldn't grasp the situation. The confusion is etched on his forehead. He thought he had accepted the bitter truth that Nathan was no more. He wasn't blessed to see him one last time. The dark filter in him wishes to punch the man and throw him in the grave, the place he assumed that guy would be.Wasn't he dead then? Where was he all this time? Where was he when Dean became the worst filter of himself?"Dean. My angel."Dean looked at the source and couldn't control his emotions from showing on his face.What the hell does he want now to appear out of nowhere?Dean just shook his head to remove the negative thoughts. He stood up, ignoring the eyes waiting for his attention.Dean thought to be polite as the other person held power over the project. Moreover, always keep your private and professional lives apart from each other."I have work, sir." Please excuse me."Nathan didn't like the emotionless tone. Moreover, the man doesn't look as chirpy as he did in college. He noticed the maturity on Dean's face. The stern look and polite voice"I missed you," Nathan voiced out his thoughts with a tender smile. He noticed Dean's flickering eyes, as though judging him. He doesn't mind.He doesn't mind as long as it's his angel of light. He knows that no matter what, Dean was never a judgmental person. He will never say anything hurtful, either. He is full of positivity."You got the wrong person," Dean replied, turning around to search for Roman. Suddenly, he has the urge to hug the man tightly and calm his running emotions."I did not. I have been searching for you, my angel.""Do not continue." Dean snaps his head back. He locks his angry gaze on Nathan. "I'm not yours.""I know, you're upset." Nathan holds Dean's hand. "I'm sorry. I—" Dean pulls his hand back."Don't bother me."Nathan's eyebrows twitch with anger. He is trying to keep his cool."Look, just listen to me once.""You are the CEO of whatever company, and I'm not your employee. I don't need to listen to you.""I'm listening to you, right? Even you can—""Why the hell are you bothering me, huh?" Dean fists Nathan's shirt collars.The secretary, watching them from afar, steps forward to help. But he noticed the subtle shake of the head from his boss. He steps back and looks around, hoping nobody notices them.But how wrong was he? Because Ayan's gaze never left Dean's figure. His father is busy discussing unknown things with Uncle Liam, while his back is facing Dean.Ayan straightened his back when he saw his teacher fisting another person's shirt. He knows this gesture means fighting."Papa, the teacher is fighting," Ayan says, gaining the attention of the duo.Roman chuckled, looking at his son. "Your teacher never fights, ok?"Liam smiled and added, "Your dad is right. Your teacher has great moral values."Ayan frowns and looks back at Dean, who doesn't hold the collar now. In turn, he pushed the man away."No," Ayan said, shaking his head. "The teacher is upset."Roman narrowed his eyebrows. His son's tone didn't sound happy but rather distressed. He realized Ayan was looking behind him. He turns around to follow the gaze.Dean walked towards them with calm composure and steady steps. Although his clenched jaws showed that something was surely bothering the man, his eyes locked with Dean. Noticing the trembling lips."Ayan, please go with Uncle Liam and buy your favorite chocolate cake," Roman said, looking at Liam with the hope the man would understand.Liam smiles and says, "Of course, we will go, right?" He takes Ayan in his arms instead. The boy looks at Dean. "Uncle didn't spend time with Ayan."Dejectedly, the boy nodded. Roman saw this and patted his head. "Order for us too." Ayan looks at his father. "For me and one for the teacher, ok?"A bright smile plastered the boy's face. "Yes, orange cake for the teacher. Yellow cake for Papa.""What about me, your uncle Liam?" Liam steps away. "What did I do to not be on the list?" Ayan giggles, noticing Liam talking with him in a whiny tone.Roman smiled, observing them, and turned around to feel a body hugging him tightly. He knows the arms are wrapped around his upper back. Without hesitation, returning the hug too."Would you like to share?" Roman whispered, caressing the back of the man. He felt a tiny head shake. "Ok, take your time. I will be here for you, hmm?"An unknown calmness fills Dean's head. This time, regardless of his unstable emotions, he has someone who will listen to him. Someone who doesn't know him fully Yet he's here to hug his whole being. But will the man be there after knowing the truth?Dean looks at Roman after breaking the hug. although he felt Roman's arms around his waist."Feeling better?" Dean nodded at Roman's question.Roman's gaze dawns on the red lips. "You didn't use remover or something?" Noticing Dean's confused face. "Your lips are not pink. As though you ate red lipstick."Dean's cheeks flared with red hues. Wasn't I disturbed a while ago? How could he divert my mind so easily?"It's make-up for the shoot," Dean replied, looking away. What the hell is with this weird emotion? Roman is just saying his thoughts; there's no reason it reacts this way. But he has never spoken this way.Dean thought about asking a question and stopping these unwanted thoughts from harboring in him. "What's Liam's lip shape?"Roman cringed, "Who knows?" scrunching his nose, "Why will I see his lips anyway?"Dean chuckled, pressing his pointer against Roman's nose. "Wherever you cringe, even your nose agrees with it."Roman moves away from the finger. "Hey, stop pointing at my flaws.""It's rather cute, though," Dean says. Roman smiled and shook his head."But, how did you notice mine?" Dean looks at Roman, waiting for a reply.Roman tries to hold back the smile. "It's you who always hugs me and looks up with big eyes, as though a lost puppy. If someone stays so close to you, obviously you'll notice it. Now, I can see tiny mustaches and---"Dean pushed Roman away and started to walk away from the laughing man. "I'm not done explaining." Roman followed him and soon matched steps with the man.Nathan witnessed everything and didn't have the right to question Dean about his actions. How could he hug someone else?"Sir, according to the data, he is a single father. The tiny boy roaming around the site is his son named Ayan." The secretary informs after gathering information from the staff.Single father. Single...Single! That's even more troublesome.Nathan buttoned his coat as he stood up. "Somehow make all the models visit Emricon."_________________________________