When We Collided

The Dilemma

"My love life is my concern. But you have to know from here on out that I'm part of a love team, and that means I have to be very discreet about anyone I'm dating. Management thinks I'll be more bankable if I'm single to the public," I explained to Rick. God, I hoped he bought it.

Rick was quiet for a few minutes. "Your partner is Onyx, isn't he?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

He shrugged. "I had this feeling, when he stood at my doorstep the other night. Like you had an invisible bond of some sort. The voice messages he left, they bordered on desperate. And when he saw you, it was as if a cloud had lifted from his shoulders."

"We're best friends."

"Are you sure that's all you are to each other?"

"I'm sure," I answered him emphatically. "He's head over heels in love with his gorgeous girl friend. And I think I like someone else very much..."

He turned to me and saw me looking at him shyly. He grinned.

"In that case..."

He parked at the curb and surprised me with a heated kiss. It was much better than the one in his apartment.

I ended it when a thought occured to me. "Someone might see us," I said breathlessly.

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"We can't have nosy reporters asking me why I'm kissing my cousin, right?"

"I still can't believe you cousin-zoned me," he joked.

"Rick!"

"I know, you're right. We do look similar. And Richie is close to Rick so if someone decides to dig deeper you won't sound like too much of a liar."

"That's right. Sorry again. I didn't mean to drag you into this."

"That's okay. I just never expected this to happen."

"I know. I'm not even that famous. I walk in the streets in broad daylight by myself and no one notices. I go to a secluded mall with a guy and someone confronts me with a camera." I shook my head at the irony. "I hope you don't get too turned off."

"Never. I think it's all worth it."

His words brought a smile to my lips.

When I got home, Mom was waiting for me at the gate. I said goodbye and watched Rick's car disappear.

"Who was that?" Mom asked with a frown.

"That was Rick," I replied slowly.

I saw recognition flash on her face but she didn't say anything. Instead, she took me by the arm and pulled me into the house. "Onyx is here."

I noticed his car parked in the driveway. "Why didn't he ring me?" I asked.

"He arrived only a few minutes ago."

He was waiting in the living room, his head in his hands. He looked up when I entered.

"Will you kids be alright here? I'm going to pick up the little ones." Mom said.

"Go ahead Mom. Thanks."

When Mom left, it was quiet for a while. I sat down beside him and tentatively held his hand. He intertwined our fingers. Despite his shyness, Onyx was a physical person, especially with people he felt comfortable with. He loved to hold hands, hug, and cuddle. I offered him the physical contact I knew would comfort him.

"You probably know who this is about," he whispered.

"Jessica."

"Yes."

"You had a fight today?"

"Yes."

He tightened his grip on my hand. "I told her before that the management wanted the public to think that we'd split before filming began. She'd told me she understood. But she still posted recent photos of us together on her Instagram account. Public account," he said in a frustrated tone.

I quickly opened my Instagram app. True enough, pictures of Jessica and Onyx in intimate poses were posted on her profile page.

"AccEnt got wind of it, especially when several fans pointed it out and called me a liar. They were not happy."

"Have you talked to her?"

"Yes. A very long, enlightening talk. Let's just say that she has changed her mind. She thought she could handle the arrangement, but now she realized she couldn't."

"I'm sorry," was all I could say.

He turned to me and hugged me tight. We stayed like this for an eternity, it seemed. He was shaking, like he was crying or trying not to cry. I rubbed his back, trying to comfort him in a soft voice.

He loosened his hold so he could look me in the eye. "My mind is telling me to end things with her. Am I right?" he asked.

If she did not cooperate, his career would be ruined before it had even begun. Maybe it was better if they gave each other space for a while so they could both see which was more important to them.

But I saw how much saying those words hurt him. It was like a stab to my chest as well. It was wrong. He was one of the most wonderful persons in the world. He wasn't supposed to get hurt at all.

I sighed. "I honestly don't know."

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