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So after you had your dose of drama and romance with Alex’ story, here’s a new story to fill in the fluffy gap in your hearts.
Book two of LITC will come after this book. Hang tight and enjoy.
Hope you’ll love this as much as you love the LITC!
Featured Character: Allister with Alex
(The 2 stories are not merged in this one, I just found this picture and said “Hey this looks like a transition phase picture from LITC to TRG.” Again, Alex and Allister lives in 2 different worlds.)
Song of the Chapter: Count on me by Bruno Mars
Just a little shoutout to Killingmeinside! 😀 Go check her story, “Brother Complex”! It’s so good! 😀
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Allister’s POV
“Dude!” Vincent shouted as he barged in to my house, going directly to where I am, in the kitchen. “You wouldn’t believe what just happened!” He paced back and forth as he ran his hands through his hair, repeatedly.
“What?” I asked as I was pulling out the fresh batch of cookies I baked for my customers. You guessed it, I’m a pastry chef and I sell whatever I bake. Add to that, I’m also an event organizer, nothing big though, just enough to live through the day and enough to save up for my future plans.
I placed the tray on my kitchen counter and let the cookies to cool down.
As Vincent smelled the enticing aroma, he stopped walking and stared at the newly baked treats, while resting his elbows on the counter. “Don’t even think about eating those.” I warned as I prepared another set of ingredients. “So what’s the problem?” I asked as I was preparing the batter.
“I’m getting freaking married!” He boomed as his eyes were dyed red.
If I was drinking while he said that, I’d probably spit it out to his face.
I gaped at him, almost dropping the bowl. Vincent Salvatore is getting married? But he hasn’t even asked me out! To whom shall my best friend slash ultimate crush get married to?
“Are you serious?!” I asked, shocked.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” He said as he pointed at his enraged face.
Suddenly I felt a sting in my heart. Obviously I’m in love with my best friend. Ever since High school I’ve been crushing on him that was the main reason why I wanted to be his friend. Lo and behold here we are now after ten years. Little did he know I’m gay, but I’ve been inside my closet for the longest time.
As you’ve already know, I’m a Pastry chef slash Event Organizer. I’m a busy bee, I know, but I love what I’m doing. Sometimes it gets intoxicating when I have deadlines to meet for an event while I’ll have to bake because of the number of orders piled up. Nonetheless, I love my jobs.
Vincent, on the other hand, is an Arts Major. He excels in most forms of art. He sings, paints, play instruments, and he makes songs and poems. He’s a very deep guy. You can never tell what’s on his mind, unless he’s really happy or really angry. Anyway, Vincent is too well off to be even working as a barista but he still chooses to because of his pride. He doesn’t want any help from his dad. But he can’t avoid the financial help he gets as he has his own account that get money every month from his dad. The guy has some needs as well, so he uses the money for it. Just don’t tell him that I know that. He doesn’t want to talk about it. And whenever he gets his salary he lends it to me, to help me sustain my business and live my dream. I refused accepting it most of the times but he kept on insisting until I accept it or up until we have a fight about it. So we grew tired of all that and I just accepted it without any argument. He’s too sweet, right?
I shrugged his rudeness and rolled my eyes. “Who’s the unlucky lady?” I chuckled
He snorted. “Her Unlucky? Please! She’s beautiful and all, but I’m not gonna make Vincent babies with her.” He kept on sighing and rolling his eyes at the thought of marrying her, and it scares me to him do it repeatedly, because he might go Emily Rose on me and I am sure to jump out of the window if it does happen.
“What’s her name?” I asked with curiosity and jealousy as I poured the cookie dough in blots on the tray.
“Why are you fucking interested?” He growled.
I placed the tray in to the oven and baked a batch of my red velvet cookies. “Well she’s going to be hanging out with us now, might as well know her name to skip the lame introductions.” I said as I rubbed my hands on my apron and mimicked his pose on the counter.
“No way! She’s not just gonna enter our lives, Alli!” He said in annoyance. “And her name is Amanda Laurentis, just so can have your peace of mind.” He snorted.
So Amanda is her name. Sounds pretty snooty to me. Plus being a Laurentis pretty much sums up that she’s a brat.
Awww! He said ‘our’ lives!
I walked back to check the cookies and hide the red pigments on my cheeks. Yeah I know, I love to think he meant it in a romantic kind of way.
“So what are you planning to do?” I asked, still with the butterflies in my stomach, as I faced him
“Make her hate me!” He said with an evil grin plastered on his face.
I gave him a questioning look. “And how are you planning to do that?”
“I still don’t know, that’s why I came here.” He said, replacing his evil grin with puppy dog eyes.
“As much as I want to help, I’ve got my hands full of orders.” I said as the oven ‘ding-ed’. I rushed to get the fresh batch and topped it with cream cheese icing. He tried grabbing one, but I swatted his hand away and gave him a glare.
“I’ll help you with those orders and after that, you’ll help me with my problem. Is it a deal? Or no deal?” He said with matching gestures.
He looks so cute. It’s hard to resist that smile. So I gave in. “Fine…”
And so he did help me. I gave him the measurement guide and let him prepare the batter. He made a quizzical look on his face, telling me to teach him how. And after minutes of head-smacking and question-throwing he finally got it.
I, on the other hand, packed the baked goods in a box then tied it with a ribbon which has the name of my business, ‘Sweet Indulgence’, and added a final touch, a small card.
Two orders down, five more to go. It’s a lot considering they are all different orders, Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Cookies, Brownies, Blueberry Muffins, and Oreo Cupcakes.
Stressing as it sounds, I love what I’m doing, and living the dream while making money is worth the countless back pains and headaches. Add to that, I have a best friend like Vincent, what more could I ask for.
Well, there is marrying him, a Lamborghini Aventador, and a huge mansion for the two of us. I don’t know why I wanted such a huge house, I just do.
“Batter Up!” He said as pushed the cookie batter across the counter.
I chuckled sarcastically. “Very funny.” I rolled my eyes as I grabbed the bowl and poured it on the cookie molds. This one I’m making is for the Pre-schoolers who studies a few blocks away from where I used to go to in Highschool. As what their teacher, Mrs. Thompson, ordered, animal shaped cookies. I was delighted to hear animal-shaped cookies, so I took the order. Why you may ask, because it’s animals and its cookies! Every kid would love that! I did and I still do.
–
After all orders were done, we went to the living room and there we rested our tired asses on the soft couch.
He groaned heavily as the weight of his problems slowly took place the tired feeling he had.
“So…” I trailed, breaking the silence.
“Make her hate me, Alli!” He wailed, keeping his eyes on the ceiling as he rested his head on his hands at the back of his head.
I stared at his profile. His brown eyes, though filled with anger, were like pearls that draw you in.
He turned his gaze at me and I shifted mine as soon as he did. “Alli, here they go again, meddling with this thing I call ‘my life’.” He sighed as he runs his hands across his face.
I placed my hand on his shoulder as I shifted in my seat, facing him. “Are you still not used to how your parents, specifically, your dad, has been manipulating your life and making all your decisions?” I asked, still amazed on how he was raised by two selfish people. “Lucky for you I was there when you guys were talking about what course you’ll be taking up in college. Or else you’ll be like those corporate robots, who makes coffee and Xerox files… The horror.” I shuddered.
“And I’m still thankful for what you did back then.” He sighed. “It’s not that that I’m not used to it, but at times it’s just too much.” He sighed again.
“I don’t know, maybe marrying her wouldn’t be such a bad idea.” He gave me a questioning glare. “What I meant was, your dad will be promoted, much more, will be a shareholder in the company, you’ll be wealthy enough to feed 10 generations of your family and will probably move to another state.” I said, making it sound as genuine as possible.
Me convincing him that accepting the offer of an arranged marriage, sounds like a great idea. NOT! This is just me and my masochist nature, playing tricks on my heart hoping it would get tired of hoping for something more to what Vincent and I already have. Sure, I thought that it would be nice if his father gets promoted, considering that Vincent and his family will be legally a part of the Laurentis’. But the thing is I love Vincent, and now that everything is starting to crumble for both of us, I can’t think nor do anything to stop this.
“I’m serious here!” He growled and smacked the couch making me jump out of my thoughts.
“So am I.” I lied looking away and avoiding his death glare.
“Let me get this straight. You, Allister James Parker, my best friend, wants me, Vincent Allen Salvatore, to just accept the deal and get married to a girl I don’t even love, just for me to be unhappier, richer, oh, did I mention unhappier than I already am. Add to that you want me to be away from you.” He said viciously as rage seethes from every word that came out of his mouth. “So much for having my back.”
His words pierced through my heart. I don’t want him to leave, but I can’t think of anything to say. I can’t think of ways how to hate him. I see no flaw from him. Sure he’s full of anger, quiet most of the times, and moody, but I love him so much that it didn’t matter to me anymore. There’s a lot to love about him, he’ll sing to you when you’re sad, cheers you up with his lame and cheesy poems, and his protective nature.
“You know what, fine, since you want me out of your hair so bad, I’ll go marry that bitch, and start the life-long torture that I will face.” He said as he stood up and started marching away, keeping the harsh look on his face. “Thank you Allister.”
Oh no! He didn’t call me Alli! He’s really pissed.
I stood up and grabbed his arm before he could get any further. “Vincent.” I called. Should I say it? How I really feel about him?
Maybe not now…
“I don’t want you to go, but I don’t know what I can do to help.” I said.
He turned to face me with a relieved look on his face. “You don’t?”
I let go of his arm. “Of course I don’t. Who would help me to bake; I can’t afford to hire help.” I said with a sly grin on my face.
He sighed before chuckling. “For a second there, I thought you wanted me gone.” He said it like he loves me. More than a friend kind of love. NAH! I’m just overreacting again.
I shrugged the thoughts and asked him. “Have you talked to your dad?”
“As if it matters, nothing is more important to him than his work.” He said as he slouched back to the couch.
“How about to your mom?”
“Pfft! Like she would fight my dad for it!” He rolled his eyes. “You know how she is.”
“Right…” I completely forgot how submissive his mother is to his dad. She told Vincent the first time he tried to ask her for help was that she’s afraid to lose her husband and that she loved him dearly.
Pathetic, desperate, and hopeless if you ask me.
“Can’t you call the cops or sue them at least?” I said with a tad bit of irritation.
“If only I could.” He huffed.
It suddenly became quiet…
–
Then suddenly a wild idea appeared!
“Vincent…”
“Yep?” He popped the ‘P’ in the end
“What if… This is just a crazy idea though….Nevermind… it’s a bad idea.” I stuttered as I tried to think of how to say it.
“Spill it Allister!” He barked.
“This is a really crazy idea, but she might just hate you for this.” I paused to loosen the grip of my shirt on my neck.
“I’m listening…” He said as he scooted closer to me. Ears directed a bit closer to my mouth.
OH fuck! He smells great! A hint of cinnamon was added to his already manly scent. I bit my lips as the temptation to kiss him reared its ugly head. It’s a good thing that he wasn’t facing me. Or else, I’d probably let out my biggest secret.
“What if we… uhmm… pretended to be… in a relationship?” I said hesitantly but still managed to barf out the words.
Silence, again, beckoned upon us. I suddenly felt awkward sitting next to him, I felt naked, exposed.
He turned his glance at me, and stared at me with a blank expression. Then again, it’s hard to read his face.
Then, on what I thought was my demise, his smile radiated from his face. He patted my back. “Not a bad idea Alli. Crazy, yes, but it wasn’t bad at all.” He exclaimed.
I cocked a brow. “Really?” I asked, puzzled, not because I doubted my idea, but because I thought he’d think it’s weird and that he’ll figure out my hidden desires. HAHA! But no! He finds it a great idea! Nice job tiny people in my brain!
“Yup. No girl ever dreamed of having a gay groom. Well there are some of those who are in to those kinds of things, but I’m pretty sure she’s not into that kind of thing.”
“Oh…” I pretended to be as if I doubted my idea.
He gave me a questioning look. “Why? Is there a problem?”
I shook my head. “I just thought what if it doesn’t work? We don’t even know how to act sweet.” I faked a shudder.
“Hmm.” He rubbed his chin, as if he drifted in to a deep thought. “Just follow my lead. And as much as I hate gender roles, you’ll have to be the girly one.” He pitched in with a sly smile and winked.
Easy enough for me!
I tried to hide the feeling of kissing him as I masked myself with disgust.
“C’mon! It’s your idea!” He shook my body wildly.
“Alright!” I said in defeat.
Finally, a chance of having a relationship with him. It maybe just for pretend, still it’s something, that for just a brief moment, I can call him ‘mine’.
“Thanks a lot Alli!” He said as he engulfed me into a bear hug. It was warm, sincere, and it made me want to melt in his arms. “And don’t worry, I’ll take care of you and try not to make you puke.” He whispered softly.
“You’d better! I’m much more valuable than your past girlfriends.” I joked as I pushed him away.
We both chuckled.
So what now? I’ll have to be act reserved? Like I don’t really feel that way towards him? Like I don’t love him the way I do? But how? I can’t make it believable without falling head first to the trap I’ve set up for myself.
“So…How are we going to do this? I mean, dating a guy is probably different from dating a girl, right?” He asked.
“Why are you asking me? Do I look like I dated a guy before? I thought you’ll be taking the lead?” I spoke a bit too fast as I looked at random stuffs in my living room. Oh look! A quarter!
I don’t want to say it, but I have so many things in mind. Cuddling, kissing, going out for dinner, watching movies, picnics, ughh, there so many.
“How about we go on a date? He asked as he beamed at me.
“And what are we supposed to do?”
“Dinner? Movie? You name it.” He offered.
“It will help you how???” I gave him a questioning look.
“Hey, I’m just throwing ideas.”
“How about we invite her and make her feel disgusted of our ‘love’?” I said with air quotes as I slowly crept up to him, a little bit too close for comfort, and winked.
He cleared his throat. “Uhmm, dude, you’re too close.” He diverted his gaze.
I laughed as I settled back to my seat. “You have to be more tolerant than that if you want her to believe that we’re legit.” I said fighting the laughter.
“Why do I get the feeling you’ve done this before?” He raised me a suspicious brow.
I choked. “What? No, I… I…” I stuttered
He chuckled. “I’m just toying with you. I would’ve known if you’re gay, we’ve been friends for too long.” He said as he slouched and raised his feet on top of the center table.
I chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah…”
“Alrigthy then” He pulled out his phone from his pocket. “I’ll call my sister to tell her about our little plan.”
I forgot to tell you guys, he has an older sister, Vanessa. She’s a great person, just don’t get on her bad side, or you’ll wish you just died. Same as Vincent, her life was manipulated by her parents, but as soon as Vincent came in to the picture, she was ignored, which is what she wanted. Given the fact that their dad is a control freak. This is why Van and Vincent are inseparable. They help each other out. Well most of the time Vanessa has to protect his little brother.
“Hey Van, Alli just had a great idea…” He said before I drifted into my own thoughts.
What have I gotten myself into? There’s no backing out now, not that I want to. Besides, I won’t lose him to just any girl, especially for the wrong reasons. I know it’s impossible for him to love me back, given that he’s straight and I’m gay. For ten years I wanted to tell him, but I’m afraid that if I do tell him, he’ll just hate me and leave me.
“Okay Van, make sure everything is set for Friday… Thanks Van, you’re the best!” He said as he hung up the phone. He grinned at me. “Alli make your Friday free, we’ll meet up with Van and Amanda for a double date, if you know what I mean.” He winked.
“Okay.” I nodded.
“Hey,” He held my hands. “There’s no backing out now. After she call the wedding off, we’re done, back to being bestfriends.” He beamed.
I eyed his hands on mine. He noticed where his hands were and quickly snatched it. Guess I’m not gonna wash my hands tonight.
What he said is true, after she calls the wedding off, we’re done.
“Better be believable then.” I smiled
He nodded and smiled back.
That’s easy enough for me.
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‘til the next upload! :*
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