"I'm shocked." Mr. Rayden's seeping anger resonates through the cold walls of the apartment.Mother bites her lips, looking away from her pitiful son, who stopped chewing dinner long ago."So, your son is gay?" Mr. Rayden asks his wife with a mocking smile.The wife looks down at the almost empty plate with shocked emotions. She still couldn't digest the food or the identity her son wished to hold.Gay? Isn't that term associated with weirdos in the world? Why is her son a part of such a community? Dean is not like them. He isn't interested in sexual relationships with other men. He is just confused—yeah, just confused or primarily curious.Mrs. Rayden's eyes lit up with confidence. "He is not. Rather, he is curious." Looking at Dean, "Right son?""I'm done with dinner." Mr. Rayden stood up from his chair.Dean's teary eyes followed his father's. "Da—""Stop." Mr. Rayden warned, pointing his index finger with a firm gaze. "First, you were a terrible son. You managed to turn things around, but now this?!" He clenched his jaw and exclaimed, "Just leave!" He stormed away from the rest of the family in anger.Ethan gulped down the rice with force and glanced to his left, where he observed Dean's shaky hands. This is a natural response when one is trying to hold back tears or emotions.Ethan holds his hands. "Dean, maybe—""I'm fine, brother." Dean pulls his hand back. "Please excuse me."Ethan considered trailing the man to his room, but instead, Dean headed toward the exit. Frantic with the thought of Dean abandoning them, Ethan took a step forward to intercept him."I'm just going to get some fresh air. Don't follow. Leave me alone for some time."As Dean leisurely walked down the serene and quiet street, he couldn't help but experience a profound sense of wonder and confusion. Despite the tranquil surroundings, he felt reassured and content in his ability to navigate his way without any impediments or interruptions.In a sudden outburst of distress, a youth, seemingly on the brink of adulthood, implored for help and embraced Dean with fervor, causing the gentleman to momentarily lose his footing in astonishment."What happened?" Dean asked while looking around hastily."Help," The boy's voice cracked as tears welled up in his eyes. Then his eyes locked with two men who looked to be in their 30s. The grip tightens around Dean's waist."Those people!" The boy yells, pointing at them. Dean turns around and looks in that direction.The boy holds his head and shouts, "They touched me wrongly!" Stepping back, he ducks down with a red, teary face. Looks back at Dean and says, "Please trust me."Those men took the chance to flee there.Dean wished to follow them. But he stopped himself when he turned his gaze back to the crying boy. Here, choosing a priority is a must.With a deep sigh, he kneels in front of the boy. "Did you learn self-defense or any martial arts?"The boy shook his head, curling himself smaller. "They pulled my pants. He pushed me inside. The other one was holding me."Dean bites his lips. "You are a brave boy." Patting the boy's head and embracing the shivering boy, his eyes looking at the route taken by those men. Jaws clenched together."Let's file a complaint," Dean said, looking at the boy.The boy stops breathing for a second. With a slight thought, the boy shook his head.Dean narrowed his eyes. "Why? We shouldn't keep quiet in these matters."Biting his lips, the boy whispered. "Nobody would believe a boy or man could get harassed too."Dean closed his eyes and sighed. "Would it be okay if this same thing happened to someone else? I mean, they won't stop with you, right? They will eventually try to find their next target."The boy looks down, sniffing. He didn't have a reply for this. Surely he won't like anyone facing this type of situation. Yet, parents? They would be ashamed to call him their son.Friends? Wouldn't they mock him and call him a weakling?Neighbors? They will judge him and mostly avoid him like the plague.Society? They won't let him leave a comfortable, normal life ever again.This wasn't his fault, right? Then, why should he be suffering? Why should he drown in the dirt? Why should he be scared to face the world? Why won't anyone understand that it's not the victim's fault?Perhaps, scared. They're afraid to walk in a different light and become the next target, or worse, their family is next.After all, humans are selfish creatures for a reason. When the time comes, we will surely choose ourselves over others."I...I won't." The boy wipes his tears roughly. "I will forget this soon and—," he said, biting his lips to prevent a sob. He could still feel the fingers moving on his body.Dean raised his eyebrows and rested his chin on his right hand. "Wouldn't that be amazing if your close friend is next?"The boy's breath hitched, looking at Dean with anger. How dare he! How could he say something like this?"No wonder you were walking alone. Nobody would like to be with someone like you." The boy spat with anger.Dean ignored the pain in his chest. "Aren't you also best friend too? They wouldn't like this as much as you." Standing up, "Or, you're afraid to see their true colors?"The boy wiped his tears. "I will file a complaint."Dean smiled and said, "Your future self will be proud of today."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇A policeman looks at the duo with raised eyebrows. He looks at the register book, where every new case is filed or registered."So, you got harassed?"The boy timidly nodded his head."You are not wrong. Why are you afraid?" Dean whispered to the boy."Alright, what's your name, kid?" The policeman scratched his arm and pressed the nib of the pen on the table."Suvain Rathord." The boy's voice has gained a little confidence."Your parents know about this?"Suvain shook his head."Why were you out in the night?""I was returning home from my friend's house. We were working on a project together.""Projecting or sniffing drugs?" The officer shook his head with a sad face. "Teens these days have nothing to do except waste their parent's money.""I don't do that." Suvain looks at the officer. "My family is working hard for a living.""Yeah? So, you threw yourself at someone." A mocking chuckle left the officer's mouth. "Later, play the victim card to get money." Eyes landing on Dean. "You are part of this plan too?"Dean narrowed his eyes. "Sir, register a case of harassment and arrest those men," he said, realizing the tone. "Please," he added."What's the guarantee that he was harassed?" The officer crossed his arms and looked at Dean. "Did you see it?"Dean clenched his jaws. Why doesn't this man just file the complaint? If he's so doubtful, his job is to search for the truth, right?"If I had known or even heard Suvain's plea to protect him," Dean grinned. "You would have known their location by now."The officer raised one eyebrow. "Really? Where would that be?"Dean smirks and leans back. "One word: Hospital.""You are—"Suddenly, the door of the station opened. Fellow subordinates of the officer walked in while dragging two males.Dean and Suvain widened their eyes and looked at each other."They're the ones." Both spoke simultaneously while pointing at those men.The sitting officer hastily stood up and saluted the senior officer, who stepped in after the culprits."Officer, send them behind the bar and make sure they can't go out." The senior officer spoke while pointing at the two men, whose faces were bruised. probably tried to fight."Noted sir."The senior officer turned to Dean and smiled at him. "You guys, rest assured, those two will be punished for their crimes."Dean couldn't hold back his smile, feeling grateful. "Thank you, sir. We sure still have good officers protecting the public."The senior officer smiled and shook his head. "Please don't be thankful to me, but rather to the person who helped us." Dean looked at the officer with confusion.Noticing the confusion, the officer added, "He bought those two directly in my office with CCTV proof, taken from a nearby shop."Dean narrowed his eyes. "Can we know their name?" Glancing at Suvain "To reciprocate our thankfulness.""Ah! Sure, sure." The officer gestured for them to follow him. "He's still outside." Laughing as he spoke, "He doesn't trust officers. He followed me."They stood outside the police station. A luxurious car was parked at the right end of the station.Dean has a hunch about the owner of the car. He knows who it could be. His phone rang in his left pocket. Looking at the caller ID of his brother. He realized it was very late now, and his brother is worried the most."Let's return home; your parents must be worried too," Dean says, glancing at the boy, who nods."But we should thank the person, right?" Suvain asked, pointing at the white car.Dean shook his head. "If you wish. You may. I'll wait here."Suvain walked away. But what troubled Dean was the boy's calmness? A while ago, he was almost panicking, and now his temper is quite the opposite. Those men were found so easily. Moreover, how did Nathan know about the incident?Noticing the window sliding down and the blushing face of the smiley boy. The gut feeling is requesting that Dean return home as soon as possible.He looks back at the senior officer. "Sir, please make sure the boy returns home safely. I'll take my leave. Thank you very much for your help.""Alright, young man."Stepping through the street at a fast pace, Dean couldn't run away from the car."Dean, please listen to me." Nathan stepped out of the car. "Let me explain."Ignoring Nathan, he crossed the road and walked faster. However, Nathan followed him. The driver is following Nathan."I didn't fake my death," Nathan shouts, which pauses Dean's steps.Noticing the change, Nathan continued, "It was planned. It's all planned by my parents." He stepped closer to the frozen Dean, whose back was facing him. "I was given a sleeping injection." His heart felt heavy, remembering the day. "I was already on a jet plane, leaving the country."Nathan back-hugged Dean and whispered, "I was heartbroken too. I didn't have my phone or any connection with others. My parents just trapped me in the mansion." A tear slips from his eyes. "Please believe me. I didn't live my life either. With every moment, I held onto our memories together.""Done?" Dean's mocking, bored tone shocked Nathan. His hands fell on either side."Look, Mr.Nathan. I am not dwelling in the past." Dean crossed his arms. "If you are thinking I am upset or you're seeking forgiveness, Then I will forgive you. You might have had your reasons to do what you did." Inhaling deeply to calm his nerves "I don't want anything related to the past to haunt my present. Let us simply resume that our lives are as they are. As it should be, without your presence." Noticing his phone vibrating again. "I need to return home."Nathan stood there frozen, wide-eyed, watching Dean walk away with each step. He shivered, remembering the cold gaze of the man."Boss!" The secretary held his staggering boss, who almost fell to the ground."He..." Nathan whispered, looking at his secretary. "He doesn't want me." Inhaling deeply with a heavy heart, he said, "He... I'm no more important." With teary eyes, he whispered again. "He doesn't believe me.""It's alright, boss." The secretary smiled. "Take one step at a time. After believing all this while that you are no more," Watching the fading figure of Dean. "Give him time to accept this reality too."Nathan looks down with a nod. Except for waiting, he doesn't have any options. Patience is all that is needed here."Also, good news." The secretary showed him his phone, which had open mail. "The company agreed for models to visit Emricon."Hope ignites in Nathan's eyes again. This time, they will have a conversation. If Dean wishes, throw fits. He will not dodge them.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇A black van driving through the highway to reach Emricon. Surely, this visit has left bitterness in Dean's head. He couldn't deny the trip, Knowing personal and professional lives should always be separated.His constant sighs are being noticed by Sabastian, who is sitting in the front seat of the 7-seater car."Is anything troubling you?" Sabastian couldn't help but voice out his thoughts.Dean gave a smile. "I'm fine. Just..." Looking at the wide blue sky. "I just didn't get enough sleep.""Why? Yesterday was a day off, right?" Sabastian twisted his body to face Dean."Yeah, I just couldn't sleep."How could Dean just say that? His brother gave an earful of words for reaching home late, and the cherry on top is that his tongue slipped, giving out the real reason for being late. Another hour went by. Finally, lying on the bed Yet, negative thoughts about taking Ethan's job Taunting him, squeezing tears from his eyes. In the morning, getting ignored by his father; and mother is trying to understand him.Is it wrong to accept your preference?