Ari couldn't endure the silence any longer. He'd thought Ned would raise a few questions, but after Rey's sudden visit, there was no doubt an uncomfortable cloud of awkwardness existed between them.
That very day, Mun had been his lifesaver, calling Rey to the side to give Ari a chance to clear the misunderstanding. He'd warned Ari that Ned was possessive despite being subtle about not showing it. In the end, whether that was true or not, Ari couldn't tell, for not once did Ned act bothered by Rey's sudden interest in bedding him. Another day, another date. Ned had requested Ari to spend the night for a couple of days, and out of guilt, Ari couldn't turn him down.
Even so, it was an opportunity to bring the topic up and address the elephant in the room. Still, Ned maintained his silence about the matter, his usual charm in place and his jealousy or feelings over the case undetected. The funny is, whenever Ari was about to bring up the subject, he'd immediately distract him and only afterwards would Ari realize he'd been baited.
"Let me take your coat for you. I'll hang it by the door, or if you want, I'll inform the help to take it for dry cleaning since you'll be spending a few days here."
"S-Sure." Ari obliged, sliding his coat off his shoulders. 'He still treats me gently, and that makes me anxious. I hope my body language is not so obvious to give me away.'
"Uhm...Ned. After much contemplation, I've decided I want to discuss what happened two weeks ago."
"Are you bringing this up because we haven't had sex since then?"
"Wha- Wait... It's not about that."
"Then enlighten me. Due to my busy schedule, I hardly had time to ponder over personal matters. For one, I've been in over thirty meetings, having chaired three-quarters. As I speak to you, my mind is already juggling how to prioritize pressing ones over those my secretaries can sit in on my behalf so that I can spend more time with you."
"Ah..." Ari could feel his chest stiffen again, his guilt growing even more. 'Seems he doesn't want us to break up. Even so, he is still evading the subject.'
"Are you afraid I might ask you to bottom again?"
"What- No... That isn't the issue at hand."
"Well, my dear, it was our last conversation before my impromptu trip, which unfortunately ended up with me marrying someone."
"That's-That's not what I wanted us to talk about. You keep changing the subject, interfering with my train of thought."
"I only asked a simple question, Ari. You may answer it then we can talk about whatever you want."
"Okay, I..."
"Speaking of marriage," Ned interrupted, walking past Ari and placing his coat on the hanger. "It appears I shall be getting a divorce soon.
"That was fast."
Ned laughed at Ari's sarcasm. "Take a seat; then, I will clarify everything."
Ari seemed doubtful but, at the same time, wanted to hear Ned out. He kept repeating to himself not to forget to address the future of their relationship.
"Some tea?"
"What?"
"I took the liberty to find the finest of your premium favourite tea selections under Mun's guidance."
"I would rather we clear the air first before anything else."
"I'm not going to break up with you if that is what you are worried about."
"W-What?"
Ned chuckled. "You seem frequently surprised these days." He then walked opposite towards where Ari sat then bent down to his eye level, trapping him with his hands resting at each side of the armrest. "That's the third time you've said 'what' in a span of ten minutes. Are you really that bothered by what happened?"
"Shouldn't it bother you the most?"
"Why would it? I'm the one dating you."
"Exactly!"
"Ari dear, you seem not to understand. I'm the victor who gets to keep you." Ned stated, but his partner remained unconvinced. "I've been with a lot of people, you see, until recently when I decided to end my life of debauchery. I want to date someone I actually like, and that person happened to be you."
"Empty fluttery is not helping my guilt."
Ned smiled at Ari's flustered expression and stood up to them. "Ari dear, I'm a great negotiator, so I use my words sparingly. Asking you where we stand just because you got a little boy excited is a waste of my time. For things to have proceeded, he must have provoked you."
"That is...partially true..."
"A-ha." Ned frowned, then raised his chin to look up at the ceiling. "Partially, you say? Now I'm partially disappointed."
"I don't want to get into the details... I presume you wouldn't want to listen to it either; otherwise, it will sound as if I'm making an excuse. All I wanted was an opportunity to apologize for losing my temper that day. I felt cheated, and my trust in you deplated. Even now, I haven't initiated any intimacy because I feel you belong to someone else by law, business or otherwise."
"And you don't want to be the side piece. Is that it?"
"Yes."
Ned chuckled, then squatted to rest his chin on Ari's knee. "You are so naïve. I envy you."
"I prefer to come clean and own up. It's been my policy to do things right."
"I'm aware. You sacrificed your career so I would cease becoming your client. I'm guessing that is one of the many sacrifices you've made. It's a known fact how meticulous you are. That is why you were recommended to me by someone who admired you too for a long time."
"What?"
"I get it. That's all I'm saying, but then, of everyone you've rejected, you chose me for the said sacrifice Ari, which makes me feel special. Surely, you can't take that away from me just because another man unsure of his sexuality caused a ripple in our relationship."
"Ned, it's not just a ripple. I used to like him for many years."
"Do you still like him?"
"I won't answer that question if you don't mind. I don't want to lie to you..."
"...And you think I'll give you up that easily? Honey, I've never lost any battle in my life."
"Rey isn't putting up a fight with you. He is just confused."
"Then let him figure out his sexuality on his own. Why do you want to get involved?"
"I don't wait to get involved with him! I'm saying that whatever he is going through is not my business. I just wanted to make that clear with you."
"If that was your intention, not to make it your business, why bring it up when we were about to enjoy some good premium tea?"
"Ned, please..."
"Accompany me to some of my meetings." Ned stood up instantly. "It is a great opportunity to network."
"What...?"
"That's the fifth time you've said that."
"Then stop taking this conversation in circles."
"I thought we were done discussing this issue. Whatever happened was a mistake? Besides, you didn't do anything wrong in my book. You felt cheated, and I'm to blame for provoking you. I should have called you and informed you of the sudden last-minute change of plans, but I didn't because I knew you'd still fight me. Moreover, the poor boy looked shaken. I'm aware of his unwarranted perception of us. If I were in your shoes, I'd have probably done much worse to him out of spite and watched him hate himself for letting a man bed him."
"How can you be so understanding of this matter?"
"Ari dear, if you were to marry someone else for whatever reason, I'd bring hell over your life; therefore, your anger was justified. People like me make such agreements and are part of negotiations to cripple an opposing opponent or common enemy, no matter the gravity of the sacrifice. However, now that I have something more valuable to lose, that will be the last time I sign such a contract unless it's with you."
"What?"
"Sixth time..."
"Will you stop counting!" Ari scoffed. "And stop taking things very lightly."
"I'm serious, Ari. I'm spearheading my divorce under irreconcilable differences so I can become yours completely."
"Unless one of us plans to adopt the other, I'm afraid that will remain only a dream whilst in this country."
"Who said we'll do it here?"
Ari briefly studied Ned's stern expression, then asked, "You are serious about this, aren't you?"
"Yes. I've never had to propose to anyone in my life. Until now."