In the middle of the night

Chapter 6

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Gulf lied. He wasn't caught up with work appointments but was at home having an internal battle. 

He was struggling if he should act on his words or bail on this drama. The reason why he agreed to the plot was only because of Dean and his need to bury himself in work. 

He had known Som through another director, Dean, whom he had worked with previously and came to know that they were engaged, not too long ago.  

It was also out of respect for Dean that he agreed to act in this series. 

The storyline was another factor as well. He wouldn't be coupled with anyone and he would only be a supporting lead acting as the female protagonist's best friend.

Even if he had been working in series Y and being coupled with Up Poompat, he only longed to be shipped with Mew. MewGulf would always hold a special meaning to him as it was real off and on screen.

Even if he remained cheerful in front of the media, he was a different Gulf behind closed doors. 

There was no way to get over the break-up even if he was the one who had initiated it. The breakup wasn't a want but a need. 

The things he had said to Mew were all a bunch of lies he had concocted to make Mew believe that he wasn't in love with him anymore. 

The news shocked everyone that knew but Gulf had to do what he needed to do. 

Before the breakup, he kept it from everyone as he was afraid that he would falter at the last second if people tried to dissuade him. 

He had only relayed the news to close friends and family members a day after when he moved back to his family's home.

The first person to know aside from his family was Mild. 

Every night seemed incredibly long and arduous for Gulf after the breakup. He would cry himself to sleep and would wake up with a terrible headache. But still, he knew he deserved this for breaking Mew's heart but he couldn't deny that it was for the best. 

Gulf couldn't bear to see Mew suffer with him, especially after he's done so much for him. And knowing Mew's personality, he would drop everything just to be with him.

He couldn't be selfish, there was just no way.

Gulf missed him terribly. No amount of tears could wash away the anguish he felt after that dreadful day. 

Knowing the reason why Mew stayed away from the media and what had become of him from family and friends destroyed his heart. 

But Gulf needed to stay strong. He had to keep reminding himself of the reason why he did what he did each time he wanted to run back to Mew — his home, his anchor, the love of his life. 

Gulf had to summon every bit of strength in him to stop himself. Thus, he accepted any work he was offered just to burn himself out. 

It was a bad decision considering his current condition but that was the only way he could cope. 

Though no days ached more when reporters asked him about Mew. Some would tease his current partner for stealing Gulf away from Mew but he had to remain professional and laugh it off. 

While on the inside, he felt like someone had repeatedly slashed him and rubbed salt on his wounds. 

Misreports circulating online painted Gulf in a bad light and caused strife in both fandoms. They were calling him out for his traitorous act and that he was the cause of Mew's downfall. 

"They aren't wrong…" Gulf told his sister. "I'm at fault…" 

Grace sighed. She knew how stubborn her brother could be. 

Thankfully, amid evil, there are also angels around. Some fans remained by his side constantly giving him encouragement, love and support but as grateful as he was, they were not enough to fill the void and the space on the other side of his bed. 

Strangely, the smaller the bed is, the lonelier he felt Mew's prominent absence. And it doesn't help when he sees fans tagging him in old fancams with Mew. 

He was reminded that one night when Mew was sulking because he had thought Gulf was oblivious to his public display of affection. Gulf let him think that way just so Mew would increase his affection.

Gulf painfully smiled to himself when the memory played in his head. 

"I just want to receive your affection all the time, P'Mew…" He recalled confessing to the older man. 

All that's left between them are memories.

'Lovers', the fandom name for GulfUp would also tag them but since Gulf remained distant, there weren't as many as MewGulf. 

Before the breakup and being coupled, they shared wonderful chemistry. But things changed and they weren't as noisy and playful as before. 

Up, being a good friend, tried to ask Gulf but he would dismiss his question and change the topic. 

Waanjais are good at observing and dissecting information and what's saddening (or not) is how accurate most of them are. 

Both Mew and Gulf used to think they are being low profile but their managers and fans beg to differ, thanks to their overflowing love for each other. 

Though as compared to Mew, Gulf is reserved.

They liked it that way though, playing with the grey lines and letting fans think for themselves. 

Whenever Mama T could, she would try to persuade her son to get back with Mew but Gulf was as stubborn as his father and her persuasion always failed. 

To make his plan foolproof, Gulf made his family promise not to see Mew. 

Both sets of parents could only watch their sons agonise in silence while faking a happy facade in public. At times like these, the four of them wished they hadn't let their sons become celebrities.