XANDER'S POINT OF VIEW:

I feel like shit.

I feel like shit because my heart skipped a fucking beat when I bumped into him earlier.

Seriously, what's wrong with me? This man in front of me used to lie a lot to me and now I feel like I became a teenage boy again, getting all flustered and nervous just because he's in my house.

I wanna kill myself right now, argh! This is so embarrassing.

"By the way, your manager called earlier. I told him to pick you up," I said as I looked at him.

Ah, just look at those eyes of his! His fluffy brown hair, his cute nose, his plump lips, everything!

I don't even watch TV because I might see him. Now that he's in front of me, I've already confirmed that once I see his face, the negative feelings I had for him suddenly disappears as if nothing happened before.

I gotta act cool. Keep your cool, Xander.

"O-Oh... Is that so? Then, I'll just... I'll just wait here for a while if that's okay," he said as he fiddled with his fingers.

I really wanna get mad right now and throw him out of my house because of the trauma he gave me before, but I can't! Not with him acting like that.

Does he even know that I never dated anyone seriously after him because I was literally so scared of history repeating again? Does he even know that I kept dreaming about him for years and how it tormented me? Of course, he doesn't!

"Where else should you wait? It's dangerous for you to go out on your own. Just stay here," I said without any emotion, trying to mask my nervousness.

Awkward silence filled the entire room.

"Won't..." I looked at him again as he spoke. "Won't your lover get mad at me for being here?" He continued as he lowered his head.

"I don't have a lover," I replied defensively as if I did something wrong. "Oh..."

We were quiet again. It was even more awkward when I realized that I was just standing in front of him this whole time. Why didn't I even bother sitting somewhere? Am I stupid? Yes, I am.

The doorbell rang and I used it as an excuse to leave.

I took a deep breath, feeling a lot better that I can now breathe properly.

"Hello, I'm Troy's manager," he said as he handed me a plain business card where his name was written.

Peter Lewis.

"Oh, hi! I'm Xander. Troy is inside. Don't worry, he's safe. I didn't do anything to him," I said to reassure him that nothing happened between us. "Well, that's great news. If something happened between you, I would have filed a case against you and do everything to put you behind the bars," he said as he smiled with a hint of warning.

"A-Ah... Yes." I avoided his gaze. I understand where he's coming from, but that's no way to treat someone you just met.

"Pete!" Troy jumped up from his sitting position and hurriedly went to his manager. "Did the director get mad? What happened to the filming? I really caused trouble for everyone... I'm really sorry," he said as he lowered his head.

Ah, now I remember.

I suddenly remembered why I didn't like Troy before.

He acts differently when he's around me compared to when he's around with other people. This and how he acted with me earlier is the same as how he acted with other people before.

Back then, he was a bit and... wild? I'm not really sure with the term I'm thinking of right now, but his attitude before was so different from what I'm seeing right now.

"Never mind that. Are you really okay? Nothing really happened, right?" Peter said as he scanned Troy's body. "Yes, yes, nothing happened," Troy said as he smiled reassuringly. "I told you nothing happened," I mumbled as I rolled my eyes, annoyed.

"Whatever you're thinking, that would never happen because it's Alexander we're talking about," he said, still smiling at his manager.

"How do you even know that?" Peter looked at him with doubt, not believing what he just said.

Uh... Should I just stand in the corner and watch them argue?

"We know each other. That's it. Now, let's leave and prepare something to apologize to the staff and actors," Troy said as he pushed Peter towards the door.

"Alexander, thank you for letting me stay. I owe you a favor. Just call me," he said and smiled.

"You're welcome. I'll walk you out," I said and walked them outside the house.

The two of them thanked me once again before leaving. As I watched the van disappear from my sight, a thought popped into my mind.

Wait... What did Troy say?

'Just call me.'

I chuckled as I covered my face with my palms.historical

"How can I do that when I don't even have your number...?"

TRISTAN'S POINT OF VIEW:

December 23rd, it's almost Christmas.

We just finished decorating the house, and it's now fully decorated with Christmas decorations.

Justin told me that his family was supposed to decorate at the beginning of December but he asked them not to decorate yet so we can help them as well.

It's almost time for lunch and Daniel is currently cooking in the kitchen, Justin's parents are giving their dogs a bath, and Justin and I are sitting on the sofa in the living room, resting.

The phone that was inside my pocket vibrated and just from that, I could guess who texted me and what the text says.

It's him again.

"Darling," I called him as I held his hand. He turned his head to look at me and raised his brows as if asking why I called him.

This wasn't supposed to happen right now. I thought he'd call me over after Christmas. Haaa...

"Hey, uh... I have to leave for now. I promise I'll be back tomorrow. I forgot to bring the gifts I bought for your family," I whispered as I smiled awkwardly.

There's no way I could leave here without making up an excuse.

He laughed at what I said. "I thought it was something serious. Yeah, you can do that. Let's just eat together for now and you can leave after. Just make something up later so you can leave," he said as he smiled.

"Uh... The thing is..." I swallowed hard as I tried to think of a reason to leave ASAP. I should go and see them unless I want them to cause a mess and get Justin and his family involved.

"Troy. Yeah... Troy's manager also said that he got in heat in the middle of filming. I also have to go see him since he can't handle his heats well," I said as I scratched my cheek with my forefinger.

"Oh, is that so? Can I come with you? I also want to che..." I cut him off as I said, "No, no, it's fine. I'll just call you later and inform you about his condition. You should spend time with your family since you won't be staying here for a long time."

"Oh... Yeah, that's right..." His eyes trembled as he lowered his head.

I didn't want to do this. Really...

He looks hurt because of what I said. It was like I was pushing him away.

We went to the kitchen and at the back of their house to tell them that I'll be leaving for a bit and that I'll be back tomorrow.

"Take care," Justin said as he gave me a peck on the lips. I pulled his waist gently and hugged him.

I'm not even sure if I'd really be back tomorrow...

"I will," I said as I kissed the top of his head. I let go of the hug and went inside my car after I said goodbye. I then drove off and headed to... that hellhole.

*****

"You must be having a lot of fun right now. Painting, dating, pretending to be someone with low status..."

I clenched my jaw as I listened to him speak to me. He was reading the daily newspaper without even sparing a glance at me.

"You know you'd be in a higher position in the world if you just took over the company just as I told you to," he said as he put the newspaper down. "Why are you so hard-headed?" He shot his eyes up, glaring at me.

"Dad, you said if I make it big, you're gonna let me live my life," I said firmly. He scoffed. "I said if you make it big before you turn thirty. You're already twenty-eight years old but you're still a nameless painter. How can you make it big before you're thirty if you're turning twenty-nine on January?" He said as he leaned his back against his swivel chair.

"There's still time left. You can't just tell me to—"

"Time left for what? Screwing that omega you picked up somewhere?" He said as he raised his brow. "Do not talk about him like that!" I yelled, finally losing my cool.

"Is it not true? Do you even have plans of marrying him?"