Ta da!! Another update! Told ya I'd write like a fiend now, didn't I?😉 Anyway, no more rant today; sitting at the office and updating when I should be eating.😑 Anyway, many things are happening in this chapter. Pay attention, peeps!😚

👆That gorgeous manip on the cover? It's a gift from my pretty baby, Sammy!😚 Her IG is- @mrandmrhuang . Go follow her for more wonder YuZhou pics!😀

Okay, off with the read now! I apologize for all the mistakes.🙏

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"And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be alright
I know everything is alright..."

- 'Storm' by Lifehouse

************************

Chapter-24

“JingYu? Someone is looking for you.”

He was in the middle of demonstrating a move to his students when another instructor came and informed him this.

“Now?” He asked, surprised because no one he knew would visit him during his training time. And he just talked to Timmy fifteen minutes ago who was at a teacher’s house, safe.

“Yeah, the lady said it was urgent.”

Lady? That got him even more curious. He disliked to be interrupted while training but this sounded important enough to demand his attention. Moreover, he was curious to see who this lady was.

He apologized and excused himself from the class and went for the outer room, where usually the meetings with the parents of junior members were held.

However, his feet froze on the doorstep, as if cemented with the floor.

The lady that wanted to meet him was a middle aged woman, elegant, beautiful, had the air of entitlement that came with money and power. And whose eyes were that of ZhouZhou’s.

Both stood still at their own spots, staring at each other. Finally, the lady broke the stalemate by smiling tightly and JingYu stepped inside the room.

“Hello, you must be....Huang JingYu?” She inquired. Redundant, as both knew that she came here fully knowing who he was.

“Yes, I am,” JingYu confirmed, playing along.

“I’m Timmy’s mother.”

JingYu secretly thanked his observational skill that prepared him for this shock. He bowed slightly as a greeting. Though, he was not raised to disrespect any elders, he did not have much respect for Timmy’s parents after how they abandoned their only child.

“Is it all right if we talk here? My car is outside-“

“No, it’s fine. We won’t be interrupted here. And please have a seat,” JingYu quickly botched her offer to have a talk inside her car. He also noticed how she did not say anything about interrupting JingYu at work. Entitlement indeed.

“Good, then,” she gave another tight lipped smile taking a chair on one side of the table while JingYu took the one on the other side. She sat with a calm, composed face, both of her gloved palms rested on her lap. JingYu took everything in and could not help but compare how drastically opposite this lady was from his poor, unrefined yet perfect mother.

“No point in dilly dallying, so, I will come straight to the point,” she started, a smile that looked faker than neon pink nylon hair still dangling from her lips, “What are your intentions for my son?”

Straight to the point indeed. “He is not some sort of personal project of mine upon which I can impose my intentions.”

“No? Then why are you keeping him with you?” She asked, her voice still maintaining the peace that her questions lacked.

“No. He is an adult and is with me on his free will. Keeping implies imposition which we do not have between us.”

“But you could have denied to shelter him, could have convinced him to go back home. You are older and more experienced than him, are you not?”

JingYu completely disregarded her last question, it was rhetorical anyway, and chose address the others. “What made you think that I did not try to reason with him about not leaving his home? And as I have been informed by ZhouZhou, the conditions he was given to stay at his house were impossible for him to follow through. And I could not, in any way whatsoever, snatch away the only resort he had to have some support.”

The mask of calm was gone from her face. Narrowing her eyes at him she leaned towards the table, “It was empathy, then? That was your reason to shelter him?”

JingYu was not someone to be stared down either. He did not even blink before saying, “It was my love for him and empathy for his situation that was created by his own loved ones.”

They locked eyes in a remorseless staring contest, neither willing to back down. And suddenly, out of the blue, Mrs. Xu clucked. JingYu tried but could not find any malice in it.

She leaned back on the chair once again, taut face relaxing, “I can see why he likes you. You have a fire within you. Timmy’s been always attracted to fire.”

The childish side of JingYu wanted to correct her and say that Timmy loved him but his adult side kept his mouth shut. He did not react to her statement.

She exhaled a deep sigh that spoke of a bone deep weariness; the first and only sign so far that told JingYu she might be affected by her son’s absence, after all.

“Look, I did not mean to come here and pick a fight with you-“

But you are doing a wonderful job anyway, JingYu thought sarcastically.

“-but my son is my first priority. I cannot see him unhappy. He has been raised with utmost care, among comfort and receiving everything he lays his eyes upon. Any kind of hardship is alien to him. And I do not mean to be rude-“

Which exactly what you are going to be.

“-but I presume you are not currently in a position of providing him with the same level of luxury?”

“No, I am not,” JingYu agreed truthfully, “but he never complained.”

Mrs. Xu smiled which had a winning quality to it, “Timmy has never even made his own bed for once in his life. He will start complaining sooner or later. It is obvious.”

The last statement hit straight at home. The images of ZhouZhou making their bed, washing dishes, flashed by him and his insides clenched with an unnamed fear.

“Then, we will deal with it when the time comes.” But he still refused to succumb to her.

“And what about his future? His career?”

“He will be sitting for his post graduation admission next month.”

“Will you be able financially support his studies?”

“Yes, I will.”

“How?”

“That’s my concern. I will support him in every way I can.”

She smirked, “I admire your enthusiasm but it is not enough to overcome a hurdle. What happens if you fail to provide for him?”

This time JingYu could not answer because he himself did not know. He only knew that he had to do it anyhow; he never looked at it from a negative aspect. Therefore, he just tightened his jaw and kept his eyes on her.

“What happens when the charm of a different life style, a life with unfulfilled demands, wears off and it begins to weigh on Timmy?”

JingYu’s hands fisted into balls under the table but he kept his stoic expression on, with much difficulty.

“Don’t you think,” she continued, knowing that she had gotten the upper hand at long last and wanting to take full advantage of it, “that you are holding him back from a life he truly deserves? That you are ruining his career? His chances to happiness? Why do you want to bind him to a futureless relationship?”

Feeling stripped down of all his defences, JingYu’s poured the anger that burned within him into his voice, “I cannot and will not force him. You might be willing to take everything away from him in order to corner him to have your way but I will never do that to him.”

“Even if it is for his own good?”

That did it. JingYu slammed his palm on the tabletop.

“Good? His own good? It has been two months! Two months since he had left your home. Have you ever made any sort of contact with him? Ever asked him how he was holding up or where he was staying at?”

Mrs. Xu’s face hardened, “We were fully aware of his whereabouts. Just because we did not talk to him did not mean we withdrew ourselves from him.”

“Does he know that? Does he know that his parents still care about him? Does he? Have you ever showed him that after he left?”

“We have our reasons.”

“Then I have mine too. This conversation is over.”

The way Mrs. Xu’s face ashaned JingYu was pretty sure the lady was not in the habit of being shunned like this. Especially from someone who did not fall under her own societal strata.

Well, JingYu could not give a flying fuck at the moment.

JingYu stood up, she did as well.

“JingYu, I am here only for my son’s happiness. And-“

“He would have been happy if only you could give him a call and let him know that he mattered to you.”

Her jaw muscle throbbed at she stared at him. Then said in a whisper, “He matters the most. Above everything. He is my child.”

JingYu opened his mouth to give another snarky reply but was stopped as she held up her hand.

“Though you are not a polite person but after talking to you, I do not doubt that you have good intentions for my Timmy. But you must know that his father will not let his son go so easily. I came here in order to avoid that.”

Being reminded that he was indeed acting very rude, irrespective of the reason, JingYu sobered up. After all, this woman was still his lover’s mother and someone around his own mother’s age.

“If you think that I or ZhouZhou want any of you to let him go, then you are wrong. I honestly want him to patch up his relationship with you because I can see how it is eating at his heart.”

Mrs. Xu bit her lip for a fraction of a second and clutched her purse more tightly.

“I have one request. Do not tell Timmy about this meeting.”

Any hope JingYu had of Timmy finally getting to reconcile with his parents blew up like a puff of smoke with that request. But he nodded once in agreement. If they were not going to contact ZhouZhou, then the knowledge of this meeting would only make his boyfriend more miserable.

She gave a corresponding nod and headed for the door. However, she stopped and turned at the door.

“Take care of him.”

And just like that, she left, leaving JingYu alone in the room with all his frustration, insecurities and fear.

“FUCK!” JingYu’s fists slammed hard on the wooden table, making it jump a little.

XOXOXOX

When JingYu took the last turn to his home, the apartment, standing like a black patch on a lighted wall, came to view. A long tired sigh whooshed out of JingYu. Another electricity outage in their apartment building. Third time this week. It was really getting annoying.

The doorbell won’t work, so, he took out his set of keys and opened the door.

One of those battery powered lampshades was on the table and Timmy was leaning on a book, trying to read in that scanty light.

JingYu’s throat closed up.

“What happens when it weighs down on Timmy?”

“ZhouZhou?”

That gave the boy a good startle and he jumped.

“JingYu! You scared the hell outta me!” Timmy said, thumping his chest.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” JingYu said sheepishly and went to put the food on the kitchen counter. “How long the light’s been out?”

Timmy had toddled to the kitchen and hugged him from behind, “An hour or so.”

“Damnit! It’s been going on for so long. And baby, let me get fresh first. I’m dirty.”

“Nnno, You’re not,” Timmy was rubbing his face against JingYu’s back now, “I missed you.”

Heart melting like a sap, JingYu dragged Timmy from behind and held him in front of him. In the faint glow of the room he looked ethereal.

“I missed you too, love. I’m sorry, it took me a bit too long today,” JingYu apologized while brushing Timmy’s hair unnecessary. He loved to play with Timmy’s silky, ebony strands.

“You’re working too hard. You’re never home. I don’t like it,” Timmy pouted and hugged JingYu back.

“Just for a few more months and then you will be even busier. No time for me, then,” JingYu teased, shuffling from feet to feet, rocking Timmy with him.

Timmy’s lifted his head from JingYu’s chest like a baby bird and said, “I won’t ever be busy for you.”

XOXOXOX

At night, when Timmy lay on JingYu’s chest, lazily nibbling and licking a patch of skin closest to his mouth, JingYu held him with extra force than usual. As if Timmy might float away if JingYu’s grip loosened.

“ZhouZhou?” He called softly.

“Hmm?” Came a sleepy reply.

“Things will get better soon. I promise you. Everything will be better, our living situation, our lives, everything. I’m working on it. It’s taking me a bit long but I’ll give you everything you need and deserve, all right? So, have some patience with me, okay?” JingYu told his lover in a rush and waited with bated breath what his boyfriend’s response would be. Would he agree? Would he stay if it takes longer for JingYu to arrange everything?

But nothing came from the boy in his arms.

“ZhouZhou?” He nudged him again.

“ ‘Kay,” came a sleepier mumble, telling JingYu that his baby boy was on the verge of falling asleep.

Biting his lip, JingYu whispered a, “Nothing, love. Sleep now,” and dropped a kiss over Timmy’s head.

He stayed awake with his fear, uncertainties and never ending worry for future while his love slept peacefully resting over his heart.

XOXOXOX

“Are you shitting me, dude? That’s the third time in a row you missed that note!” Pip exclaimed in frustration.

“Then the note is fucking wrong!” Timmy shouted back.

“Woah woah woah,” Pip held up his hands in a placating gesture, “What was that for?”

Timmy ran his fingers through his disarrayed hair. His every posture screamed frustration.

“I don’t know! I can’t seem to concentrate on anything.”

“Okay, all right, get up, let’s go for a smoke,” Pip extended his hand to give him a lift.

But Timmy glared at him instead, “How many times do I have to remind you that I’ve quitted? Must you tempt me like this all the time?”

“Oops!” Pip said without the least bit of remorse and sniggered when Timmy glared some more.

But they did go to the rooftop to get some fresh air.

“What’s the matter anyway? You seem bothered by something lately,” Pip asked, biting a Popsicle.

Timmy was looking at the horizon without actually seeing anything, evening breeze rustling through his hair.

“I think unknowingly and unintentionally I have imposed a burden upon him.”

“Who, your boyfriend?”

Timmy did not answer. He did not need to.

“How do you know? Did he say something?” Pip asked again, licking the last drops of the flavoured water from the stick.

Timmy stared at him with an “are you serious?” expression.

“What?”

“Do you honestly think JingYu would say something like that?”

Pip shrugged, “Dunno. He’s your boyfriend, not mine.”

“And thank fuck for that,” Timmy shot back and turned his face away.

They were quiet for a while before Pip broke the silence with another question.

“Trouble in paradise?”

This time also, Timmy did not answer his friend, instead asked, “Pip, do you know somewhere I can work part time?”

“Dude,” Pip slipped beside him, “Tell me what happened.”

Timmy’s hesitation lasted less than a minute and he began to speak.

“Ever since I have moved in with him, he is working his arse off. He is taking any and every modelling assignment from his friend, doing extra classes on Dojo and I suspect that he is looking for another job too. He goes out in the morning and comes home late at night, looking haggard but still with enough energy to cook, to ask after my day or apologize if he missed to call me once. It unsettles me, Pip. He is wearing himself off and I know it’s because of me.” He gripped the edge of the roof wall and bowed his head tiredly, “I don’t want to be a burden. I want to prove that I can take responsibilities too. And moreover, I want to spend more time with him. I miss him.”

“Dude.....” Pip squeezed and patted his shoulder, “He is doing this so that you can have a better chance at life and-“

“I know that!” Timmy shouted again. He hated when people treated him like a stupid. “Don’t you think I fucking know that?! I am the one that told you about it! Stop thinking I’m stupid. I know why he is doing this. It’s just- It’s- I miss him so fucking much.”

Pip nodded in understanding, “Then...maybe you can create chances to spend more time with him rather than whining your dick off? I mean, it would break the long absence into short parts and will be easier for you.”

Liking how that plan sounded, Timmy frowned at him, “Like what?”

Another Pip-like shrug, “I don’ know, like, maybe go to his workplace when his shifts end and walk home with him or have dinner out then go home. I don’ know,” Pip shrugged again.

Bulbs lit up inside Timmy’s head. That actually was a brilliant idea! Instead of wasting time on thinking about it he could make it happen. With a jump he ran towards the stairs.

“Hey! Where’re you running to?”

“To JingYu! He’s at the company tonight,” he threw back over his shoulder, not stopping to answer.

“Slow down, you moron. Don’t think I’ll pay if you fall down and claim for insurance!” Pip hollered after him but Timmy had disappeared already.

XOXOXOX

Timmy went to the reception, asked for Huang JingYu and was told that he was having a meeting with the Boss. Having known from JingYu that his friend, Boris, had this standing order of never to interrupt him while in a meeting, Timmy took a seat in the waiting area. JingYu would have to pass from here anyway.

Fortunately he did not have to wait for more than ten minutes as he saw his boyfriend, along with a roguishly handsome guy, stepping out of the elevator. Timmy had no idea that Boris fellow was this handsome! And considering that JingYu spent so many hours with this disgustingly good looking man gave Timmy a sudden surge of grumpy jealously. He quickly stood up. The way these two men were immersed in conversation, JingYu might not notice him at all.

The men stopped in front of the reception desk and JingYu moved his head towards the waiting lounge.

“ZhouZhou!”

The initial surprise that turned into a blooming smile swept all Timmy’s grumpiness away. For the time being.

“I finished my rehearsal early.”

“And why didn’t you go home?” JingYu asked, more curious than anything else.

“Because I wanted to walk home with you.”

More happiness spilled out of JingYu’s face. His boyfriend was so devastatingly handsome, with his canine teeth and magical smile and kind eyes and, goddamit!

“Let’s-“ Timmy could not finish as another presence joined them.

“A friend of yours?” Boris asked JingYu, although his eyes were mapping Timmy up and down.

“This is Timmy, and Timmy this is Boris,” that was all the introduction JingYu gave, sealing any further questions.

Timmy did not mind. They had talked about this early in their relationship. Due to the illegal status of homosexuality in their country and society as well, they could not outright profess their relationship to others. So, they both agreed upon giving vague yet acceptable introductions, thus dodging invading questions. And if anyone got nosier, they decided to play the senior-junior card. Which might be what they needed to use tonight as Boris asked, “Friend?”

Ah! So, you are one of those overtly inquisitive morons, huh? Timmy groused mentally. And why the fuck he needed to know whom JingYu associated with? 

“Yes,” JingYu replied. Just that single word, nothing more, nothing less. “Well, Bor, we should get going-“

“Let me give you a lift,” Boris offered, then with a quick look at Timmy, added, “both of you.”

Timmy wanted to take out his guitar and smacked this bastard’s head. Why the fuck did he want to give his boyfriend a lift? And why the fuck JingYu was not ref-

“Thanks but we have something we need to do. And we must leave now. But hey, thanks for the offer,” JingYu politely declined the offer making Timmy purr with delight. He thought of sticking his tongue out at Boris who looked downright displease at the moment.

He would make JingYu very happy tonight, Timmy resolved.

Outside, JingYu stood still and took a long breath, then exhaled it out. “That building, the atmosphere inside suffocate me,” he explained.

“Maybe you should quit?” Timmy offered, a little too eagerly but as soon as those words left his mouth, he regretted it. He knew how impossible it was for JingYu to even contemplate of quitting his job considering their current situation. And Timmy’s eagerness would only help to make him more pressured.

“I mean, not now but if you get a better opportunity elsewhere,” he quickly amended.

“Oh, you can bet. The pay is really good here and Boris has connections everywhere which helps to bring a steady flow of work. But the moment I get a better offer, I’m going to quit it.”

“Great!” Timmy exclaimed in joy then immediately sobered up, “I mean, good, that’s good. Yeah, good plan. Okay. Yeah, umm...”

JingYu narrowed his eyes at him, “Are you hiding any-“

“I’m hungry,” Timmy made his face as pathetic as possible and mumbled with a pout, knowing very well exactly how effective that gesture was.

There was a blur of movements and he was being dragged by JingYu to a food stall.

Bingo!

Timmy suppressed an impish laugh and happily followed his gullible boyfriend.

XOXOXOX

“Soooo...”

JingYu looked down at the head that was against his shoulder. They were inside the metro and thankfully the compartment was empty except for them, which gave Timmy the chance to wrap himself around JingYu’s left arm, head resting on his shoulder.

“Hmm?” JingYu asked.

“You two have been friends for long?” Timmy asked without lifting his head.

JingYu arched an eyebrow because he clearly remembered telling ZhouZhou about Boris.

“Yes, we’ve been friends for many years now. We met right after I came here. Remember, I told you about it?”

“Mmhm,” came a noncommittal affirmation.

“What is it, ZhouZhou?”

Timmy did not say anything right away. He squeezed JingYu’s arm more snugly and burrowed closer.

“Is Boris straight?”

“What?” JingYu did not mean to but that snort of laughter slipped out of him with the word.

Timmy sat up straight with a scowl, “What’s there to laugh? It’s a simple question.”

“But where did it come from all of a sudden?” JingYu asked again, voice full of mirth.

“Can’t a guy be curious?” Timmy scoffed.

This time JingYu’s smile slid off his face, “Why? Do you....like him?”

JingYu was not a jealous person but the thought of Timmy liking someone else was....well, it was not something he wanted to face. And he could not deny that Boris was indeed a good looking chap.

“He is not really your type, you know,” JingYu informed somewhat tersely when he saw Timmy looking at him with a gaping face.

“You serious? You think I- You-“

And the boy burst into laughter, cackling in unknown glee. JingYu felt awkward and grumpy.

“You honestly thought I was asking after him because I fancy him?” Timmy asked in between his giggles, “And here I was going green with jealously thinking that guy fancied you!”

“What? But- Oh God!” JingYu slapped his forehead. Honestly, love could make a fool out of everyone. “No, Boris has no interest in me and as far I know he is straight as a pole!”

“He seemed pretty intent on taking you inside his car,” Timmy stated cockily and snuggled into JingYu once again.

“And that made you jealous?”

Timmy shook his head at first, then, nodded, “Hm.”

Fond affection flooded JingYu’s insides. He ruffled Timmy’s hair and pinched his cheek, “You are really a crazy kitten.”

XOXOXOX

As the day went by, September gradually came to an end. Their cohabitation taught them many things about each other during this time. JingYu came to know that making Timmy not to drop the wet towel on the bed was a futile effort. Timmy learned that texting while in bed with JingYu could result into him not being hugged by his irate boyfriend for the rest of the night. JingYu’s tendency to dodge communication after an argument irked Timmy. And Timmy’s knack of jumping into conclusion without getting the whole story was troubling for JingYu. But none of these made them love each other any less. They did not even matter to them.

What mattered and what made an impact on their relationship was JingYu’s increasing busy schedule, which often became the reason behind their arguments.

......

“Why didn’t you receive my calls? You didn’t even reply any of my texts?”

“The phone wasn’t with me, ZhouZhou. You know we are not allowed to keep the phone with us while training.”

“Then why did you ask me to meet you at eight?

“Because I thought that was the time I was getting off the shift. Do you think I intentionally kept you waiting?”

“You were two fucking hours late! People don’t end up being two hours late unintentionally!”

“They were new kids and one of them got injured! I told you everything, ZhouZh-“

“I don’t fucking care. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“ZhouZhou, please-“

“I say I. Do. Not. Want. To. Talk. About. It. You go and be busy all fucking day. I’m done waiting for you.”

......

“ZhouZhou?”

“What?”

“Where are you? It’s- it’s late! Why aren’t you at home?”

“I’m out.”

“Out where?”

“At Pip’s”

“What? Why? And why didn’t you tell me so?”

“Oh, you were interested in knowing what I was doing? I’m sorry I didn’t know!”

“ZhouZhou....”

“If you have nothing-“

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it, I-“

“Did I ask you? Did I demand any explanation?”

“No but let me-“

“I don’t wanna-“

“ZhouZhou-“

“One night, JingYu, one fucking night I wanted you to be there! At my show! For one fucking night! And you promised! You fucking-“

“I was called for a job interview!”

“And I-....what?”

“I was on my way but then one of my friends called and informed me that someone wanted to meet me for a job and-“

“At night?”

“It’s-“

“It’s...?”

“It’s another job...I mean, other than the two I have-“

“You have applied for another job?”

“I didn’t actively apply for it. I told one of my connections-“

“And you did not think of telling me?”

“I wasn’t sure-“

“You weren’t sure about telling me? You are looking for another job, even when you are working yourself ragged and you weren’t sure of telling your own boyfriend? Because I know very well that you are taking this job so that you can support my studies.”

“Because I knew you would be upset and your exams are approach- hello? ZhouZhou? Hello? Fuck!”

.....

But they still survived all these emotional upheavals because these all stemmed out of their love for each other.

XOXOXOX

Timmy came out of the bathroom and saw JingYu texting, half lying in bed. He scowled and jumped onto JingYu’s spread legs getting an “oof” from the other man.

“Remember the time when you kicked me out of the bed for texting? That reminds you of anything?” Timmy asked with narrowed eyes.

Dropping his jaw JingYu stared at him with an exaggerated shock, “Kicked you out? I kicked you out?” and he began to pinch his belly, “You lying imp! When did I ever do such a thing?”

“Sto- stop- it- tha’ was- stop- aaaaa- JingYu- stop-” Timmy threw his lanky limbs everywhere to stave JingYu’s pinches away. “That was as bad as kicking me out!” He grumbled once JingYu relented, “And now you are texting. Hypocrite much? Shouldn’t I kick you out now?”

JingYu put on a kicked puppy expression, “Sorry baby, it’s just Boris is really annoying me.”

“What does he want at this hour?” Timmy’s tone carried the hostility he always felt while talking about Boris. He could not stand that man.

“There is this project that requires location shooting and I don’t want to take it.”

“Location shooting? But didn’t you do it before?”

JingYu put the phone down and manhandled Timmy, setting him within the V of his legs and hugged him from behind.

“Yeah, I did but that was within the city.”

“And he wants you to go out of Beijing this time?” Timmy wanted to turn but JingYu held him tight and pressed his face on Timmy’s nape.

“Yes,” JingYu mumbled, “but I refused the offer and now he is nagging the hell out of me.”

“Why did you refuse it?” Timmy asked quietly, afraid that the answer he was hoping for may not be the reason that drove JingYu to reject the offer.

“Do you even need to ask that? Can’t you guess?” A sharp bite on his nape followed JingYu’s question.

Relief poured in Timmy’s heart and he sagged back in JingYu’s warm chest.

“What if we both go there?”

A moment of silence.

“I don’t think they will allow you into the shoot.”

“No, I mean, what if we stay at a hotel? That way you can do your shoots and we will have a short vacation.”

“Hmm, that sounds like a good plan.” JingYu nuzzled at his neck and began to drop butterfly kisses, “I’m not sure if it’s allowed; I’m still not acquainted with these things but I’ll talk to him tomorrow. But now,” a wet kiss to Timmy’s ear, “I want you.”

Well, what could poor Timmy do other than to comply with his demanding boyfriend?

XOXOXOX

The next day JingYu met up with Boris for the sole purpose of talking about what he and Timmy discussed last night.

“I am sorry but no, you can’t do that,” Boris said sipping his coffee.

JingYu did not have much hope to begin with but he still tried, “But I would stay near the location-“

Boris shook his head, cutting JingYu in short, “No, that won’t do because even I don’t know when the time for the shoot will be proper. You might be called for an early hour shoot or a midnight shoot or at all sorts of time.”

Sighing dejectedly, because he had no other option but to decline the offer and the pay was damn good, JingYu was just about to slip his own coffee when Boris began.

“Is this because your boyfriend doesn’t trust you to spend the night with other models?”

Cup in hand, JingYu froze.

Because he clearly remember not telling Boris anything about him and ZhouZhou. Then.....how?

His shock must have been painted all over his face because he heard the man opposite him gave a dry laugh.

“What, you didn’t think that I would figure it out if you didn’t tell me?”

JingYu put down the cup before he spilled the beverage inside and asked, “Didn’t tell you what?”

Boris was circling the rim of the cup with his forefinger, “Playing dumb won’t suit you, my friend.”

JingYu kept his silence. Listening was more important than reacting at the moment and he did not want to lose his calm.

“You have to be blind not to see that there is obviously something going on between the two of you,” Boris continued, “The way you two look at each other...” He snorted out a laugh that sounded more sarcastic than anything else. “So, what is it? Your reason for declining the offer?”

“It’s personal,” JingYu gritted out with much difficulty; his head was going blank with an alarming speed.

A smirk quirked up one side of Boris’s lips. The condescending aura that he emitted made JingYu’s skin crawl.

“I know it’s personal but whose reason is it? Yours or....um...what’s his name again, Jimmy?”

“That’s none of your business, Boris.” Keep calm, keep calm, keep calm, JingYu internally chanted.

“Oh? But I think it’s every bit of my business, JingYu.”

Boris had sat up straight now. Eyes sharpening like a shard of glass.

“What do you think would become of the reputation of my agency if words get out that one of my models having a live in relationship with a boy? A boy quite younger than him? Clients will cancel their contracts with me. Can you imagine the damage and scandal I would have to deal with?”

“Your claim is baseless,” even knowing it would not work, JingYu refused to give in and said, “And in that case, I will terminate my contract with your company.”

“Tsk Tsk Tsk,” Boris clicked his tongue, “JingYu, you misunderstand me.” He said it in such a suave way that it made hard for JingYu to believe a word of him. “You think I want to lose you as a model as well as a friend? Of course not! Okay, let’s not talk about my reputation at all. Let’s talk about yours, hm? What will happen if the cat is out of the bag? Will people around you accept you?  Will you be able to secure other jobs? Oh, and will your Dojo keep you? Won’t your career in BJJ be over forever?”

JingYu’s blood ran cold. Staring at this man, his long time friend morphing into something ugly and vicious, telling him the horror tales of ruining his career made his heartbeat stop. But no, he could not afford to show fear, not now, not in front of him. His nostrils flared with a renewed courage.

“Is that a threat?”

“Threat? Oh no, no JingYu! I’m just laying out the facts in front of you. It says that even walls have ears. Words might get out anytime, can’t they?”

“Then I will deal with it when it happens. If it happens.” And he made to get up from his chair but Boris’ voice stopped him once again.

“And what about your boyfriend? He is quiet young, just about to start his life, if I might say. How will he deal with all the chaos when the scandal gets out? Do you think he will ever have the career he wants? A secure life? Don’t you think he deserves better?”

JingYu’s already frayed nerves completely snapped at that last sentence. That was his biggest fear, his greatest insecurity.

“Thanks for your concern but it is not needed, Boris. He is mine to protect and I would die before letting anything happen to him.” And he got up, all ready to leave the place and this moment behind like a nightmare.

“That’s so like you. Always the brave protector,” Boris said with a mocking smirk. “Well, I have done my duty as a friend and warned you. Rest is yours to deal with. Just try not to show up with hickeys for the next assignment.”

“Excuse me?” Because as far JingYu was aware, he had never showed up with visible hickeys.

Boris lifted an eyebrow, “You had a love bite on your chest the previous day.”

Heat suffused JingYu’s face. “But the modelling that day did not require me to bare my chest.”

“Yes, I’m aware but it’s still unprofessional. Try to be more discreet next time. Less biting, yeah?”

JingYu stormed out of the room without responding.

XOXOXOX

“Dude, you are doing it again,” Pip’s drawl pierced through Timmy’s thoughts.

“Doing what?” He asked somewhat absently.

They were studying together at the library. JingYu went to meet that Boris fellow. He said they would have lunch together today.

“This zoning out. You have been spacing out a lot lately, you know?” Pip whispered again. Thankfully they were seated at an empty table.

Timmy chewed the end of his pencil.

“I don’t know, Pip, It’s just- It’s- I’m getting this- this weird feeling a lot lately.”

“Weird how?”

“Like something is about to happen. Something not good. And it makes me anxious. I get butterflies sometimes.”

Pip stared at him for a long moment, then, sniggered and hid behind a book. Timmy scowled at this moron.

“What’s so funny?”

“You are,” Pip cackled, “you sound like those middle aged, cake faced women with crystal balls at the carnivals. Something bad about to happen,” he tried to mimic Timmy and tittered.

Timmy gave him a hard shove, “Fuck off, you tosser!”

“You just need a hard shag, dude. That’s all.”

Timmy hit again with a book but still could not make himself relax completely.

I hope JingYu is okay. Hope That Boris is keeping his paws away from my JingYu.

XOXOXOX

JingYu stood at the mouth of the subway, shaken and dismantled, not feeling ready to face life just yet. Boris was being a nosy bastard and crossed all lines of friendship but what he said was all true. Every bit of it. If really their relationship came to the forefront he would lose his job, lose his license as the BJJ senior instructor, lose everything. But that fear was overshadowed by something even bigger- how it would affect ZhouZhou. He was just beginning his life and his career would be ruined completely before it even began. And JingYu would not be able to provide for him. What would happen to him? Would his parents interfere then? If they did, they would surely take him away from JingYu. What then? But at least ZhouZhou would be safe and secure. JingYu would survive somehow, wouldn’t he? Was he being cruel? Wrecking ZhouZhou’s life for selfish pleasure? But they loved each other. ZhouZhou would not be happy without him, would he?

“Oh God....” the whisper left him without warning. He wiped his sweaty palms inside his jacket pocket. When he said that he would die protecting Timmy he did not lie. But how would he safeguard his ZhouZhou from a storm that would shatter him to pieces?

Suddenly he felt a touch on his right shoulder. Jolting back with a start he turned to see who it was.

“JingYu?” Came a soft, female voice.

“Rebecca?”

[][][][]

Soooooo, any thoughts?😗