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I stood in front of the entrance of a luxury hotel, wearing an expensive coat and tie.
Liam Brooks was waiting inside of the hotel’s restaurant and with him were no other than Sylvia and Natalia Robinson. It was the day that all our plans will finally come into fruition, it was the day where the end would finally begin.
That day, fate had something very unexpected in stored for me.
My heart was pounding strongly as I walked inside the hotel. I guess I was nervous I because had no idea how things would go. With the Robinsons, no one can ever be too complacent. I couldn’t let my guard down at all.
There were many things running inside my head. I kept on thinking about the things I wanted to say to those two, things that would shake them up, scare them, and make them give in to my demands, but at the same time, I was also thinking about the guilt I was harboring. Guilt for keeping things from my friends, my family, and Nico.
I wonder why I felt so reluctant about telling them about my stories. Maybe because some of my stories were based on them, and that I was scared that they might get angry because I used them as models for my characters, and their lives as inspiration.
After I got my stories back, I swore to myself, I would tell them the whole truth. I figured that there was already too much going on in my life that I needed to make it lighter. And revealing that well-kept secret of mine could make a lot of difference.
When I entered the restaurant, Liam was already having a small talk with Sylvia Robinsons.
“It’s really a big surprise that the president of Sapphire Pages Publishing would ask for a meeting with us. It is a well-known fact that our companies had been rivals for years, so I can’t help but wonder what this meeting is all about,” Sylvia Robinsons said.
“Well, there’s a proposition that we want to make, but that would have to wait until my partner arrives,” Liam said.
“Your partner?” Sylvia asked.
“Yes, you could say that we came up with this plan together,” Liam said and then saw me walking towards the table. “Ohh, there he is,” he said and then smiled.
“I’m sorry for being late,” I said as I approached the table.
Sylvia and Natalia’s eyes widened as they saw me. “You… what are you doing here?” Sylvia seemed very surprised.
“I suppose introductions are not needed,” Liam said with a smile.
“What is the meaning of this, Mr. Brooks?” Natalia asked. She sounded very irritated.
“Just a week ago, you came into my office for an offer,” I told Natalia as I sat down. “Now it’s my turn,” I said with a grin.
“This is an outrage!” Sylvia was angry. “Mr. Brooks, I never expected you to pull such underhanded tricks, how very unprofessional,” she added. “Natalia, we’re leaving,” she said and then stood up.
“Are you sure about that?” I said and then grinned. “If you leave now, you might lose control of your own company,” I said and then chuckled.
“What did you say?” Sylvia hissed.
“Mother, calm down,” Natalia said. “We’re busy people, unlike you, we have a whole company to run. We don’t have time to play around with childish people,” she said.
“Childish? Who? We?” I scoffed. “Just a few months ago, you were hiring reporters to follow Director Jovan Bellard and Emily Green around, and I’m the one who is childish.”
Natalia stared angrily at me. “What do you really want? If this about my movie offer, then don’t you think you are overreacting?” She said. “And why must you involved the president of Sapphire Pages?”
“Believe it or not, Kyle and I goes a long way,” Liam said. “You could say that we’re just helping each other out, as friends,” he said with a calm smile. “Now, are you ready to listen to our proposition?” He asked. “I assure you, you would regret it if you ignore this opportunity,” he added.
It’s been years since Liam and I met. I met him shortly after I lost my journal inside a bookstore café that Crown Robins Publishing was running. He just started as the president of Sapphire Pages, and no one was acknowledging him at that time, meanwhile, Victor Cox just released his new book whose story was stolen from my journal. I was in shock at that time, I was angry. I was ready to confront Victor front of all the people in a signing event, but then Liam stopped me.
He proposed something to me. He’ll help me get my stories back, and in return I’ll sign an exclusive contract with him.
That’s where everything started.
“You have five minutes.” Sylvia sat back down and then raised an eyebrow. “Don’t waste my time, I don’t have that much patience, especially with the likes of you,” she said while looking at me.
Liam placed a folder on the table and showed it to the Robinsons. “This is…? Impossible…” Natalia was shaking.
“You… how did you…? Are you mocking us?! Is this some kind of sick joke?! I won’t let you get away with this,” Sylvia said as she hit the table with her fist.
“You better hold your temper, or you might embarrass yourself,” I said with a grin.
“As you can see, those papers are proof that I now personally own 10% of Crown Robins Publishing’s shares.” Liam said. “I believe that there’s going to be a shareholder’s meeting by the end of next week, and I heard that your relations with the other shareholders are on the rocks right now because the acquisition of that printing company you wanted is taking quite longer than expected.”
“You… How did you know about that? Don’t tell me, you’re behind it, aren’t you?” Natalia said.
“Let’s just say that I am,” Liam said. “What would change now? You’re already in a risk of losing control of your own company, and right now we’re giving you a way to avoid that. I am willing to give this 10% to you, but…”
“What do you want?” Sylvia asked instantly. “Let’s stop the charades and we all know that you want something in return for that shares, stop wasting our time any further and tell us what exactly you want,” she growled.
“I want my journal back,” I answered. “I want the stories you stole from me. I want them back.” I said with sharp eyes and resolute tone.
“We don’t know what you’re talking about,” Natalia replied defensively.
“Stop with the act, Natalia. You know exactly what I am talking about,” I said. “Years ago I lost a journal containing seven short stories that I wrote at a bookstore café that you own, and months after that Victor Cox released a best-selling novel under your company. I read that novel, and was disgusted to learn that the premise was exactly the same as one of my stories. And through the years Victor Cox and your company published books using ideas from my short stories. You already published six, and I won’t let you mangle the last one. Let alone, milk more money in making a movie out of those stolen stories,” I said angrily. “Your thievery ends here.”
“Stop with your baseless allegations!” Sylvia said angrily. “We would not stand for this any further, I would be tricked by people like you.”
“I have nothing to prove to you. Those stories are mine, and you know it. Now you make a choice, give me back my stories or lose your company, it’s that simple,” I said intimidatingly.
“So, what you’re saying is that you’ll give us back the 10% of shares if we give back that journal to you,” Natalia said.
“I would consider that as a confession of your guilt.” I said with a grin. “Though, it’s not that simple. What I want, is not just the journal, I want my stories back. Give me back the journal and admit to the public that the past six books by Victor Cox was plagiarized from my journal. I don’t care about the copyrights of those imitation novels, you can keep them, I don’t want any compensation either, I just want the whole world to know that those stories were stolen from me.”
“Do you think that we’re that naïve?” Natalia said. “Doing that is like throwing ourselves into a pit of snakes,” she said. “Don’t think that I can’t see through your plan. If we admit to such allegations and announced it to the public, our company we’ll suffer, and surely our family would be blamed. Either way, we are at risk of losing control of our own company.”
“How very insightful,” I said with a smile. “Congratulations for figuring it out.” I added. “Let’s make it more difficult, then. If you don’t give me my stories back, then we won’t give back the shares, and you would lose control…”
Sylvia suddenly started laughing. “How very naïve… Do you think it would be that easy to defeat me? What made you think that I would lose my company with just ten percent of shares? Many of the shareholders are still loyal to my family…”
“Apparently, loyalty can be bought,” Liam said with a grin. “And with the delay of your acquirement of that printing company, those shareholders are losing confidence in your family. All I need to do is prod them more and they would surely turn against you.”
“You think too highly of yourself, young man,” Sylvia said.
“He’s not all talk, Sylvia.” I said. “How do you think he gained presidency of Sapphire Pages at such young age?” I added. “You have until next week, give my stories back and you can keep control of your company, or else prepare to lose everything that you worked for your whole life,” I said and then grinned at them. I stood up and then smiled at them one last time.
“This is not over, Stevenson,” Sylvia said. “You will regret crossing me, I assure you.” She said in a very threatening voice.
“Then you better make sure that once you get back at me, I won’t recover, because once I do, I will destroy you,” I said calmly. “And by now, we both know how easy it would be for me to do that.” I added before walking away.
Being at the same table as the Robinsons was really tiring. And showing them a strong personality was even more tiring. All through that ordeal, I couldn’t help but think of Nico. I just wanted to go back to the peaceful, serene, comfortable, joyous, and worry-free place that is Nico’s side.
When I’m with him, I don’t have to worry about anything else, when I’m with Nico, everything is perfect. It seems that my feelings for Nico had finally grew. Without me knowing, it became something more than just mere like.
“Kyle!” I heard Liam calling me. I turned around and saw Liam walking towards me with a smile. “You were awesome back there,” he said and then placed his arm around my shoulders. “I must say, I like that aggressive side of yours,” he said.
“Don’t get used to it,” I sighed. “Acting that way was really tiring, you know.” As much as possible, I wanted to continue my care-free life.
Liam chuckled. “Are you hungry? I know this great French restaurant nearby, I’ll treat you, for a job well done,” he said.
“Actually, I’m a bit hungry…” I said.
“Perfect. Ride with me then. That would be easier. I’ll drive you back here to get your car later,” Liam suggested and I agreed. If only I knew that Natalia was watching us, if only I knew that it would start a problem for me and Nico, I wouldn’t have agreed to that arrangement. In the end, I walked out of that hotel, with Liam’s arm still resting comfortably around my shoulders.
“Your name is all over the news, this past few days,” Liam said as we ate.
“Don’t remind me of it…” I sighed.
“Why? Are the reporters making you tired?” He asked and then chuckled.
“Really, really tired… You know, that’s one of the reasons why I kept this whole writing thing a secret, I’m not good at being in the spotlight. It’s just really tiring for me, and I have simply no patience for it,” I said.
“I think you should get used to it,” Liam said. “You’re in a relationship with a very well-known man. Not only is he a famous director, his family is also very well known in the business community, it would be impossible to avoid the spotlight all the time,” Liam said.
“I might not get used to it, but I’ll do my best to endure…” I sighed.
“If only I knew that dating another man is not a problem with you, then I would have taken you for myself,” he said and then chuckled.
“What?” I was pretty surprised by what he said. “Hey, that’s not really a funny joke. If anyone hears you, then they might think it’s true. You might ruin your chance for getting the perfect bride.”
Liam just chuckled at my comment.
At that time, we were still very oblivious to the fact that Natalia had sent someone to follow us around, it was only when we went back to the hotel that my suspicion grew. I mean, how else would Nico know that I was there without anyone telling him? After all, I kept that meeting a secret from everyone.
Liam walked me inside the hotel. “I’ll see you soon, then,” he said.
“Thank you, for everything,” I told Liam.
“Don’t thank me, the fight is not over yet,” Liam said and then walked closer to me and placed his hand on my shoulder and then squeezed it. “We’ll win for sure, though, don’t worry. I would make it happen, for you,” he said.
At that point, Nico suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He looked really angry when he slapped Liam’s hand away from my shoulder. I was about to protest Nico’s action, but when I saw the frightening expression on his face, I stayed quiet.
He was angry, and it would be no use if I argue with him at that moment. “We’re leaving,” Nico said as he took me by the wrist and then pulled me. His grip on my wrist was tight, my face contorted a bit because of the pain.
Suddenly, Liam took Nico by the shoulders. “You’re hurting him,” he said as he tried to stop Nico from pulling me away.
“I’m using all of my patience not to punch you right now,” Nico said threateningly at Liam. “So let go and get lost,” he spat out angrily as he glared at Liam’s hand. Nico strongly slapped Liam’s hand away.
“Nico, calm down…” I tried coaxing him down as I held his hand gently and pulled him away from Liam. His glare was so intense that I could feel hatred seeping out of his very eyes. “Let’s go, let’s talk somewhere else.” The only solution I could think of to defuse the situation was to take Nico away from Liam.
“Kyle, will you be alright?” Liam asked.
“Why wouldn’t he be alright? He’s with me?” Nico hissed angrily. “Why are you so concerned anyway? Just who the hell are you?”
“Nico, please, calm down,” I pleaded. “He’s Liam Brooks, he’s the president of Sapphire Pages, and we were just in a meeting.”
“Meeting? Then why does he act all so touchy to you? Why does he have to bring you to dinner? Why does he have to drive you? Why does he have to be so concerned about you?” Nico was very impatient.
“I see, so this is what this is all about? I never knew that the famous Jovan Bellard is such a jealous man. Or is it that you don’t trust Kyle at all?” Liam asked and Nico’s eyes became furious.
“Liam, that’s not helping,” I growled at him.
“How did you know all that anyway? That I was touchy, that I even drove him to dinner? Have you been actually following us?” Liam asked further.
What’s wrong with him? Why does he keep on provoking Nico?
“You’re right, I’m a jealous man, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t trust Drew,” Nico said angrily. “I trust Drew, but I don’t trust you, I can clearly see right through you. I don’t care what kind of business you have with my boyfriend, but don’t cross the line. Don’t even think of getting closer to him, because I won’t allow it. I can see clearly what you want from Drew, but don’t even dream about it. Drew is mine, only mine,” he added.
“Don’t worry, as I can see, Kyle is very happy with you, that’s why I wouldn’t do anything to destroy that happiness,” Liam replied. “Just a warning though, if you make one wrong move, if you hurt Kyle, there’s a lot people waiting in line to get their hands on him,” Liam grinned. “And I’m actually considering to line up as well.”
I saw Nico gripped his fist. The atmosphere around him felt really heavy. There was no doubt that he was angry. I instantly took Nico’s hand. “Let’s go, Nico. Let’s talk somewhere else,” I said as I pulled Nico away.
I looked back at Liam and he had this serious expression on his face. He then gave a small smile when he saw me looking back at him. He even chuckled.
Nico brought me to his car and practically pushed me inside. I guess I could forget about driving my own car home.
There was still an obvious anger around Nico as he drove away from the hotel. We were both quiet for a while and it was him who broke the silence first. “You must be really disappointed at me right now…” He said.
“Not really…” I replied in a low voice.
“Then why aren’t you saying anything?” Nico asked impatiently. “Why are you keeping quiet? If you’re angry then tell me. If you’re disappointed then say it. Say anything, just don’t keep silent.” Nico added. “Please, say something, Drew…”
“I’m not angry, Nico. I’m not disappointed either. The reason why I’m quiet is because I feel really guilty. If I just told you where I was going tonight, if I hadn’t been keeping secrets from you, then this wouldn’t happen. You wouldn’t get angry if I had just been completely honest with you,” I said in a very regretful manner. “I’m sorry, because of me, things got out of hand.”
“That’s not fair, Drew…” Nico said. “You can’t be the one apologizing,” he said as he looked guiltily at me. It wasn’t my intention to make him feel that way at all. “I know I’m the one who’s out of line, so why are you the one apologizing?”
“You don’t have to apologize. If the situation was reversed, and I found out that you’re having a dinner alone with Emily, I might’ve gotten ballistic,” I told Nico. “There’s one thing I’m curious about, though. How did you find out where we were?”
Nico sighed and then bit his lips. “I’m not very proud of this but…” He sighed. “Natalia sent me pictures…”
I sighed as soon as I heard his answer. “I should’ve known. Actually, Liam and I were on a meeting with her and Sylvia. We might’ve struck some nerve and pushed them too far to the edge. I guess, Natalia was childishly getting back at me.”
“Drew…” Nico said hesitantly. “I’m really sorry for losing my cool back there. It’s just that when I saw that guy touching you, I blacked out. I got angry, I got really jealous. The mere thought of any other person touching you that way drove me insane. I can’t take it, I can’t handle it, I don’t like it. It’s just that… I want you all to myself, I want to monopolize you. I know it’s a selfish thing to say, but, I can’t help feeling that way,” Nico explained. “I hope that you’re not angry at me. I can have anyone else hate me, except you. I don’t want you to hate me.”
He looked really apologetic, really guilty. The anger around him was replaced with pure guilt.
“There’s no way that I would ever hate you, Nico. No matter what you do or say, I know it’s because you care for me. Besides, I don’t think I can ever hate you, because…” I said as I looked at Nico and smiled brightly at him. “I love you, Nico.”
I said it. I finally said those words. As I did, my heart pounded with utter joy. I never thought that saying “I love you” could feel that good. I guess when you’re saying it to the right person, to that one true love of yours, it would feel as if you’ve won the lottery. And you don’t necessarily have to hear back the exact same words, saying those words to that person is enough to make you happy.
Nico’s cheeks flushed red in an instant. He stepped on the break and looked at me with teary eyes. And then without saying any words, he leaned closer to me and embraced me tightly. “I love you, Drew,” Nico said back and my heart almost exploded in joy. “I love you. I love you. I love you.” Nico kept repeating, and every time he would repeat the exact same words, my heart would fly to the point that my whole body almost went numb with joy.
When you are in love, even the most simple of gestures, even the shortest of words can fill your heart with the greatest joy you have ever experienced in your life.
I embraced Nico back and let my heart be filled with that joy, oblivious to the fact that the moment we confessed our love for each other, the wheels of fate begun turning and the ending to our love story has finally begun.
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