The night was dark and still, with a gentle rain having just let up.
Car headlights flashed briefly outside the courtyard before being extinguished. The door creaked open, and a cool breeze carried in with it.
Ethan was back.
He shed his coat, a few raindrops clinging to his shoulders. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, and the silver cufflink on his wrist glimmered softly in the light.
Of course, Adrian was spoiling his hubby with good stuff that worth good money.
"Hubby is back," Ethan heard Adrian say from afar, making his ears flush.
Adrian walked towards him, smiling as he took the small apron and money bag from his hand. "You've been busy all day, haven't you? The maid prepared dinner before hand, so dinner is ready."
Ethan's gaze met his, his eyes dark and deep like the night itself. Liam Hayes was giving him this much attention, it was getting almost impossible to not reveal that he, Ethan Forrest was falling in love with him.
"Let's eat together then," Ethan said.
They sat down at opposite ends of the long table, the soft light casting a warm glow over the scene. As Adrian scooped up a spoonful of soup, he could feel Ethan's gaze still fixed on him.
It wasn't a scrutinizing look, but rather a suppressed, long-awaited tenderness. Adrian noticed it and he felt his heart throw a backflip.
"I thought you wouldn't be coming back tonight," Adrian said softly.
Ethan put down his fork and replied casually, "I finished up at the restaurant and thought I'd come… come see you."
He paused, pulled out a small box from his pocket, and pushed it towards Adrian. "For you. A new phone."
Adrian was taken aback for a moment before looking up. He hadn't expected Ethan to buy him a phone while pretending to be a struggling cook in a small restaurant in the country side.
Ethan's expression was calm as he said, "You said you couldn't find the old one, so I got you a new phone. My number and Butler Ray's are already saved."
Adrian's smile softened as he accepted the gift. "Thank you."
He was touched that Ethan had remembered such a small detail. Actually he couldn't remember how he lost his phone and was going to get one with the limitless card his father just gave him.
For a moment, Adrian forgot about the complicated boundaries between them and began to have thoughts of nasty things to do to Ethan to show appreciation. What a slut!
After dinner, Ethan who totally felt like he had a chance to pursue Liam Hayes again suddenly asked, "Do you remember how you got the ring on your finger?"
Adrian looked down, examining the silver ring. The two rings were identical—his and Ethan's.
He noticed it immediately he was reborn but had no idea behind it, so he didn't bother taking it off yet.
"I noticed we're wearing the same ring," Adrian said, looking up with a curious gaze. "Why is that?"
Ethan's fingers drummed lightly on the rim of his cup. "If I told you... we've already gotten married, secretly… us… will you believe me?" he said casually.
Adrian's eyes widened in surprise, and he repeated the word "Married?" with a raised eyebrow.
Wouldn't that be cool if it was actually true? It would be troublesome too following that Ethan Forrest wasn't gay and was solely interested in women. Could this body owner have forced Ethan into it, if it was in fact true? Then again why would Ethan lie or joke over something like this?
Adrian couldn't help but smile. His smile hinted at amusement rather than ridicule.
It was sad he could remember getting married to Ethan in this lifetime or how he got the ring. This was not his fault because even the body owner didn't have memories of it. So was it really true?
"Did we get a marriage certificate?" Adrian asked. "I don't recall us getting one."
Ethan's eyes flashed with surprise, seemingly taken aback by Adrian's response. Instead of rejection or denial, Adrian's tone was soft and almost... inviting. Liam Hayes has truly changed! Was he possessed?
Adrian's gaze held Ethan's as he spoke, his voice measured. "Since I've forgotten, why don't we get married again? I promise not to forget this time."
Ethan: "…"
Ethan's hand clenched, his knuckles turning slightly white. Adrians words had so much effect on him—body, heart and soul. He stared at Adrian's faintly smiling face, then let out a low laugh. "Are you sure?" he playfully asked. But actually meant it.
Adrian nodded. "I'm sure." Meaning what he said too.
That night, the rain started again. The bedroom lamp was dimmed, casting a warm glow on the carpet. Ethan leaned against the bed, his gaze lingering on Adrian for a few seconds before looking away.
"Sleep on this bed. I'd take the couch," he said in a low, husky voice.
Adrian paused, slightly surprised. "You're sleeping here too?"
Ethan raised a quizzical brow. "It's my room."
Adrian rolled his eyes. "Of course it is. I mean… aren't you going back to the restaurant dorm?"
"It's too late to go back," Ethan replied, grabbing one of the pillows from the bed. "Besides, it's raining."
Adrian: "…"
The air was silent for a moment, and it was Adrian's turn to be gobsmacked.
Late? The time was barely 9pm. Wasn't it this same Ethan who went to sleep in the restaurant dorm after dropping him off at 10pm? The rain? Wasn't it same Ethan Forrest who rode a bicycle back to the restaurant after the news had casted that the rain was going to be disastrous!
But these were before Liam Hayes was possessed by Adrian's soul. Then, Ethan by all means wanted to stay away from that kid who wanted to be a woman and not listening to anyone, going on being stubborn!
Adrian blinked back to reality when he saw Ethan was about to lie on the small couch that definitely would cause him pain by morning. "Sleep with me."
"Huh?" Ethan's ears burned as they flushed red.
"I mean, the bed. We can share. I mean, it's not the first time," Adrian reasoned. "Plus, the rain… it's cold. And we have just one duvet. Sleep…. With me."
Ethan swallowed. "Okay."
The two of them lay facing each other, separated by a layer of bedding yet close enough to hear each other's breaths.
Ethan kept his eyes closed, as if restraining something; Adrian turned his back, his heartbeat unsteady. He shut his eyes tightly. Soon, he was feeling drowsy and sleepy.
Ethan on his own part, just as he was about to drift off, a phone in his pocket suddenly lit up.
Ethan frowned and reached for it.
It was Liam Hayes's old phone. Good thing he put it on silent mode before now.
Adrian didn't loose his phone. Ethan took it. Now that he was changing and becoming a good person, Ethan didn't want this good moment to end. And this phone held numbers and contacts of people and places that will spoil everything.
For example, the plastic surgery doctors and whoever Ethan give two fucks about.
An unknown number flashed on the screen.
Ethan picked it and said nothing as usual but the person at the other end of the call was talkative. "...Adrian Cross."
It was the same familiar young, cold voice that called that day when Ethan was with his grandpa. That same person that kept saying Adrian Cross, you stole my life. That dared say the name Ethan hated the most: "Lilian."
"You think you can steal my life and I'll just let you get away with it?" The person on the other line rambled on.
Ethan's brow furrowed, his fingers tightening around the phone before he abruptly hung up with a sharp click. It was indeed wise of him getting Liam Hayes a new phone, wasn't it?
The silence was brief because the phone lit up again with the call of the same unknown caller. Ethan didn't answer.
This person calling was either calling a wrong number or he was one of those people who encourages his Liam Hayes to transition to a woman, Ethan thought.
A follow up message popped up soon after by same number: "Turn on your TV and watch the news!" It read.
Ethan frowned and switched off the phone. "You don't tell me what to do!"
After a brief hesitation, he pressed answer.