Vice Versa (BL)

CHAPITRE 16 : TALAY

I rushed to the event as if I had a mission of great importance to carry out. It was no less true. The turn of this day was going to define my future with Puen. I rushed towards the entrance and a giant blocked my way.
''I'm expected inside.''
He looked at me from top to bottom.
''You don't seem to be a guest.''
''I accompany Puen. You know... the handsome brown actor of the Made of Stars agency...?''
''Yes, I see who it is. But I can't let in without a pass.''
Fuck, I don't have a pass badge anymore. I took a look at his stature. I had no chance of passing. This guy could put me down in less than two seconds. I stepped back, nodding my head.
'' I understand, man.''
I put myself away from the tumult of fans and photograph to call Randy.
'' Hi, my dear?''
'' Randy! I need your help. I am near the beach at the launch of Puen's new perfume. I couldn't get in.''
'' You didn't waste any time. I'm proud of you. I'm coming in a short time. My presence was asked to support Puen. Wait for me, Romeo.''
I waited ten minutes before seeing a red BMW arrive at the place where all the cars stopped to drop off the guests. Of course, Randy was wearing a custom-made red sequined suit. I joined him.
He looked at me.
'' You are not very glamorous.''
'' It was not planned.''
He made a sign to his assistant.
'' Give him your jacket.''
He gave me the black jacket that, by chance, fit me. It was slightly too long but I preferred it than feeling tight like a sausage.
Randy arranged my hair.
'' There you go, you look like a guy who has every chance of reconquering his prince charming . Let's go.''
I let Randy play the model for the photos, then we came back. It was dark in the room, giving an intimate atmosphere. Pop music was playing in the background. There were plenty of photos of Puen on the walls doing different poses while holding a pink perfume.
''Do you see him? I asked Randy.''
''No. Go get him, I have to go make contacts. Your fairy godmother is busy.''
I went around the room several times without finding him. I thought and then remembered that Puen liked to slip away for a moment during parties or events of this kind. I saw a door with the image that meant that there were stairs behind. It gave on the roof and with a view of the sea.
He was there, from the back, all white. The wind was moving the sides of his suit jacket. He looked like an angel.
'' You are here.''
He turned around with a impassive face. But I saw the glimmer of surprise in his eyes. He drank in the glass of champagne he held.
'' You have to be a ghost. You can't be in front of me, because we had agreed not to see each other again.''
'' Yeah...and I think it was the worst decision of my life.''
He raised an eyebrow.
'' That and lying to you. I'm really a jerk, Puen. I'm sorry.''
'' I agree with you, you're a jerk. Are you done?''
''No.''
I advanced slowly three steps. He stared at me with a menacing glare.
'' You are a real selfish and a fucking asshole. You really dare to show yourself here, at my workplace to tell me all this bullshit? It's too late, you had to think about it before. I'm trying to move on. And I think I can do it. One day, I would have perfectly forgotten you. You will become a distant and...insignificant memory.''
I had never seen him so cold and cruel. But I took his words, because he had every reason to tell me that. But it hurt like hell.
'' I will never be able to forget you.''
'' Since you can't move on, you're coming back, right?''
'' No, that's not true. I ended up understanding my mistake and I stopped being a coward.''
He sent his champagne glass crashing to the floor.
'' I don't believe you ! How do I know you won't change your mind again?''
'' Because I'm going to regret not giving us a chance even more. If we met in the parallel world, it was for a reason. Between us, it was always something obvious. It's always been destiny.''
'' You're not afraid of my life as a star anymore?''
'' I didn't say that. I'm really afraid that it won't work out, that things will get complicated for you professionally. I don't know what the future holds. But you deserve someone who's not afraid to try.''
'' Damn it, Talay!''
His eyes shot lightning bolts at me.
'' I'm not a toy for you to play with. You lie to me, you throw me away and then you want me back.''
'' I know it's hard to trust me again, but give me a chance. I won't let you down.''
'' It's too late, Talay.''
'' It's not too...''
'' You know I'm in a relationship and I've moved on. '' He interrupts. '' That's why you come back.''
'' W-What?''
He frowned at my genuine astonishment.
'' I'm in a relationship with a man. I'm surprised you don't know. It's been all over the papers. I...I thought that was why you'd come...''
'' Well, no.'' I said dryly.
I didn't feel well, as if I had a weight on my chest.
'' How long have you been with him?''
'' About a month. But everyone's known for a week.''
'' And... and how did people react?''
'' There were a few idiots who didn't agree, but on the whole, the news was well received. The only person who turned his back on me was you.''
'' You've known this man for a month and your relationship is already public...''
'' Yes. I wanted to prove you wrong.''
'' So this is all about pissing me off...''
'' No, it's about finally living my life the way I want to. I want to be who I am, and I've been able to do that without you. You didn't want to do it with me.''
Oh God, I screwed up.
'' Please...I want to be by your side.  I don't want it to end this way.''
'' I don't trust you, Talay.''
A tear fell from his eye, and he quickly wiped it away.
'' You were my world.'' He said in a trembling breath.
He looked at me through his long eyelashes...With a look that squeezed my heart about to crack.
'' Now it's over. Please don't bother me anymore. I can't stand seeing you in front of me...Please.''
He passed me and disappeared into the stairwell. I took a moment to digest the information. He'd come out. And it had gone well. I was happy for him. But I wished I'd been there with him. He had shown himself as he was to the world. It must have been a moment of liberation, but also of fear. I should have been there for him.
I returned to the party. I easily spotted Randy in his glittery outfit.
'' How'd it go?'' He asked.
'' He's got a new boyfriend.''
'' Yeah, that sucks.''
'' Why didn't you tell me?''
'' I thought you knew. Everybody knows.''
I made sure to stay away from newspapers and social networks. I cloistered myself in my room like a hermit.
'' I was on vacation. My psychologist advised me to detach myself from social networks during my breaks. It wasn't until I got home today that I knew. I decided to call you to find out what the hell was going on. Are you going to give up?''
'' No. But I'm a little shocked, so I'm gonna head home.''
'' All right, Romeo. Just think of the next strategy.''
I nodded without answering.
'' When I got home, my mother and brother were watching TV.''
'' What's with the long face? My mother said.''
'' Puen's in a relationship.''
'' Yeah, so what?''
'' Did you know?''
''Yes.''
'' Me too.'' My brother said.
'' You didn't tell me.''
'' You asked us not to talk about him.'' My brother replied.
'' Yeah, I forgot about that.''
'' Don't be discouraged, bro. You'll figure it out.''
'' What are you talking about?''
''Do you think we're blind and stupid?'' Mom retorted. '' You're in love with this boy.''
I smiled.
'' Yes.''
I sat down between them and rested my head on my mother's shoulder. Then an idea popped into my head.
'' Prikyuak! Didn't you want to become a model?''
'' Well, yeah...''
'' Perfect. I'll give you Puen's number.''
'' Why did you agree all of a sudden? You said no last time that I asked.''
'' Because I'm going to need you.''