Blue Flower (VegasPete)

Chapter 2

Pete had already imagined the "I told you so" expressions from Arm and Pol once they heard the news-or perhaps they had expected this to happen soon.

No one knew about the plan beforehand, it seemed like Joe had planned it himself. He proposed after a romantic candlelit dinner on top of the city's tallest hotel, accompanied by his soulmate's favorite orchestra and personal fireworks that erupted after Joe put the ring on her finger. Seeing her beaming face as she proudly showed off the diamond ring while being wrapped by Joe's arms, it was clear that last night's glow was still going strong for both of them.

No matter how happy they were, Pete could only stand still like a fool. Just like he always did.

Faking a happy expression was hard, but seeing he was the only one affected badly on the news was even harder.

Pete was furious, of course, he was super mad. Joe smiled and laughed without feeling guilty while Pete felt like he needed a proper explanation for this. But ever since he got here, Joe hadn't even glanced at Pete, like he didn't notice Pete at all.

What an asshole.

Yes, Pete wasn't his soulmate and they were having an affair, but the reason Pete stayed was because he thought Joe felt the same way about him and still respected him as his partner. If Joe decided to go the traditional route and stay with his soulmate, Pete wouldn't hold him back as long as Joe talked to him first and didn't just suddenly make an announcement like this.

The cheerful atmosphere lasted longer than Pete would have liked or time around him actually slowed down. It was already late in the day when he finally found Joe alone in his office. His soulmate had gone to get coffee outside the building, so Pete didn't waste the opportunity to finally talk to Joe.

"Oh, Pe-"

"You're engaged?!?" Pete cut him off impatiently. He usually brought his iPad with him whenever he went to Joe's office to be formal in front of people, but he didn't even bother with that anymore, "You're engaged and you didn't tell me?!?"

Joe blinked, as if he was completely taken aback by Pete's outburst, "Yeah, so?"

Pete snorted in disbelief, "Do you think of me as a fool? Why would you propose to her when we're still together?!?"

Joe's eyebrows raised, "Because I don't think it's necessary for you to know. It won't affect us."

"It won't affect-" Pete couldn't even repeat himself, "Joe, I don't want to be your side chick while you're happily embracing your soulmate. We agreed to keep our relationship going because you weren't ready to commit to your soulmate, but if you are, I'll back off."

Joe took a few steps forward and smiled simply, "Why are you being so serious? This is a normal stage for soulmark bearers. After this, we move on and nothing will change."

"But this isn't normal for me...." his voice became quiet, it seemed he was more devastated than he thought.

"Pete, come on." Joe snorted softly, his eyes rolling slightly as if he thought Pete's response was too much, "You knew from the start that our relationship was far from normal, what do you want from me?"

"I want you to be honest." Pete replied quickly, "If you think this kind of relationship is not normal, what about me? You suddenly proposed to your soulmate without telling me anything, have you ever thought about my position and how embarrassing this is for me?"

"What's so embarrassing?!? No one knows about us and no one will ever know."

"So you just expect me to stay hidden forever? Until when? Until you secretly have a child with your soulmate?"