The company’s annual party was packed, the kind of event where everything looked pristine—crystal glasses clinking, perfectly tailored suits, and laughter echoing off the high ceilings. The room was filled with familiar faces, a sea of people Zain’s dad called business partners, investors, and high-profile clients. Zain’s mom, ever the picture of grace, stood by his side as usual, smiling and nodding at the crowd. Ella was right beside them, a little too stiff in her posture, but doing her best to fit into the world she was about to marry into.
As the evening wore on, the conversation shifted, and Zain’s stomach twisted with the anticipation of what was coming. His father had been talking to Ortiga, a wealthy woman who had made a name for herself in the business world, when she turned to the crowd with a bright smile and announced, “I can’t wait until Young Master Zain marries Young Beauty, Ella. It will be a perfect union.”
Zain’s heart dropped into his stomach. He could see his mom, beaming proudly, and Ella, standing tall beside him, her eyes glinting with something like hope. It felt like the room was holding its breath, waiting for the announcement that Zain’s father had promised. The wedding was going to happen in just four days, and everything was set in motion.
Zain didn’t want to be here. He didn’t want to be a part of this life, not when it meant sacrificing his truth. Not when it meant sacrificing Theo. His eyes flicked over to Theo, standing quietly by the far corner of the room. Theo hadn’t been speaking much, just watching, his expression unreadable but calm.
Zain’s dad, noticing the pause in the conversation, stepped forward, his voice booming with pride. “And to everyone’s delight,” he continued, his tone almost rehearsed, “the wedding ceremony will be in just four days! Let’s celebrate the joining of two powerful families, one that will surely change the future of our company!”
The crowd erupted into applause, but Zain couldn’t bring himself to clap. The cheers felt like a distant noise, fading as he stood up, suddenly feeling suffocated by the whole room. His heart raced, every muscle in his body tight with anxiety and determination. He turned to face the people around him—his parents, Ella, and everyone watching him—and for the first time, he felt like he had to speak.
He cleared his throat, the noise cutting through the clinking glasses and excited chatter. “I... I can’t do this,” he said, his voice shaking but loud enough for the room to hear. His gaze flicked to his dad, who frowned, probably not understanding what was happening. Zain locked eyes with his mom—her shocked expression only made his resolve grow stronger.
“I won’t marry Ella,” he continued, voice stronger now, more confident as his words spilled out. “I can’t marry her.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “I’m in love with Theo.”
The room went dead silent.
His dad’s face turned red, eyes wide in disbelief. Ella looked like she’d been slapped, her face pale, her lips trembling as she tried to process his words. Zain could feel Theo’s gaze on him, but he couldn’t look at him just yet. He had to finish this, had to make everyone see that this was the only thing that mattered.
He took a few steps forward, his heart pounding as he reached Theo, who hadn’t moved, still standing silently in the corner. Zain’s hand trembled as he cupped Theo’s face, and without thinking, without any hesitation, he kissed him.
The kiss wasn’t soft. It wasn’t a kiss of apology or hesitation. It was bold. It was desperate. It was everything Zain had been holding back for so long. Theo didn’t pull away; instead, he kissed Zain back, his hands coming to rest on Zain’s waist as the room remained still.
The shock in the air was palpable, the sound of their kiss ringing in the silence that followed. Zain heard a gasp from his mom, and his dad’s angry voice—he couldn’t make out the words, but he knew his father’s rage was boiling over. But Zain didn’t care. He was done living for everyone else. Done living a lie.
When the kiss broke, Zain stood there, chest heaving, his heart still racing as he faced the room. He looked around at all the shocked faces, at Ella standing frozen, her eyes wide with hurt. He met Theo’s gaze, and for the first time, everything felt right.
“I love him,” Zain said, his voice steady. “And I’m not going to marry someone I don’t love, not for the company, not for anyone.”
The room remained silent for a long, painful moment, until finally, someone—a woman in the back—let out a small, shocked laugh. It broke the tension for a second, but the damage was done. Zain’s parents stood in disbelief, his dad glaring at him as if he had just torn apart everything they had worked for.
But Zain didn’t look away. He stood tall, holding Theo’s hand, the weight of the moment sinking in. He had no idea what would happen next, but at least for once, he knew what he wanted.
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