Jab My Heart [Boy×Boy]

Chapter 21: Deceit

3rd person P.O.V

"Do you think she bought your story?!" Richard asked in shock of the events that unfolded at Jimmy's place. "...that Jimmy is obsessed with you!"

"She didn't ask any more questions after that so I guess that's a good sign." AJ shrugged it off. Whether Sam believed him or not wasn't his number one concern at the moment.

"So how are you planning to legally break up with Jimmy before the wedding?...because we all know you have to wait a year for a divorce." Richard's question snapped AJ back to the present moment. The answer to that question is why he was absent-mindedly having this conversation in the first place. After a while of thinking he answered.

"I don't know." He threw his folk on his full plate as he sighed. He wasn't really hungry, but not being able to go to the gym because of his suspension left him desperate for an escape from boring business talk with his father and the frenzy of last minute wedding plans. So he decided to have lunch with his friend knowing that he'd appreciate the free food.

"Didn't you speak to a lawyer?"

"I did."

"And?" AJ paused for a moment before answering, not really liking the fact that he was backed into a corner.

"He said I could annul..." Richard waited for AJ to continue but he didn't. He could almost see the war going on in AJ's head.

"...you don't seem too happy with the idea." Richard concluded. AJ looked at Richard without being preoccupied with his thoughts for what seemed to be the first time since they arrived at the restaurant. He leaned closer placing his elbows on the table.

"If I apply for annulment then I'd have to reveal that he committed fraud."

"Ohhh...then he'd go to jail."

"Exactly. Besides we'd be required to go to court. It would only be a matter of time before the media catch wind of what's going on." AJ leaned back on his chair again.

"I think you should just ask your father to help you." Richard looked away immediately to avoid eye contact, knowing that he just bruised AJ's ego with that suggestion. After a moment of silence he looked at AJ again to justify himself. "I mean with his power he could make your problem disappe--."

"I can solve my own problems Rich!" AJ slammed his fist on the table earning a few stares from their surroundings.

"Calm down. Forget I said anything... Although I have an idea." Richard munched the rest of the food in his mouth before speaking, AJ's little tantrum long forgotten. "Why don't you just have the ceremony. Then after a year you could divorce him and marry her legally."

"No." Adam deadpanned. Richard cocked a brow. He was not really sure if AJ even wanted out of his fraudulent marriage.

"No? Why not?"

"J wouldn't go through the trouble of marrying me if he knew I could easily divorce him later if I wanted to." Richard furrowed his eyebrows, not really following what AJ is trying to say. "If I divorce him he walks away with half of everything I own...including my shares."

"...And Mr H wouldn't like that one bit." Richard completed in realisation. "Wow I never knew Jimmy was so-- calculating." AJ drifted in thought again as Richard finished his lunch. Richard then decided to delve into his own thoughts. He thought back to the time when AJ admitted to having feelings for Jimmy. He knew it took a lot for AJ to even admit to himself that he's in love, let alone to someone else.

"Can I ask you something?" AJ nodded to give Richard a go ahead. "If there was a way to end your marriage right now...would you?" AJ stared blankly, the question catching him off guard. Before he could say anything a figure stood beside their table, earning the attention from both men.

"Hello gentlemen...or should I say the barbarian and his lapdog." The man spat the word 'barbarian' like poison.

"Excuse me!" Richard rose from his seat, feeling utterly disrespected. But when AJ gestured for him to calm down, he did.

"What do you want Daniel?!" AJ asked, not really interested in what he had to say. Daniel just smiled slightly and took a seat.

"I just came to congratulate you."

"You're only congratulating him now for beating you?!" Richard laughed before continuing. "That must've been a tough pill to swallow."

"First of all...I don't talk to lapdogs." Before Richard could react to being called a lapdog again Daniel turned to AJ before continuing. "Secondly that's not what I was congratulating you on. The way you retained your title was cowardly and uncivilized if anything."
AJ clenched his teeth as he thought of the last time he was on the ring.

"I was referring to your marriage." Daniel continued. AJ's mood plummeted further as he knew this was definitely about Jimmy.

"I'll ask you this again..." AJ asked, calmer this time. "What do you want?"

"Forfeit your title." AJ chuckled at the request, however, Daniel's smile hadn't faltered.

"Why would I do that?"

"If you do then I might just keep my mouth shut." AJ's smile turned to a scowl as he didn't appreciate Daniel's threat.

"If you want my title then take it from me, like a man."

"Like a man huh. Well you're a fine one to speak...because between you and me, you're the one getting dicked." Without a second thought AJ stood up so fast that his chair fell before grabbing the collar of Daniel's shirt and almost ripping it. Now it was Richard's turn to calm AJ down. AJ's anger subsided as he realised that people around had their phones out in hopes of a viral video. He reluctantly let Daniel go and sat back on his chair.

"Get lost Daniel!" Richard, who was still standing, admonished.

"Barbarian indeed." Daniel sniggered before leaving the two.

"Don't let him get to you." Richard said as he sat down again.

"What's getting to me is how he always knows what's going on in my life!" AJ whisper shouts while Richard casually exchanges his empty plate with AJ's full one. He knew that AJ was definitely not going to eat at his current state so why waste the food. "He probably knew I was married before I even found out." Richard suddenly paused for a moment.

"What if Daniel found out from the horse's mouth?" AJ looked at a pondering Richard for a brief moment. Richard's eyes widened as an idea poured into his mind. "What if the marriage scam was Daniel's idea and Jimmy was a pawn? What if they're in this together?!"

"Stop. Jimmy would never do something like that to me." AJ shrugged Richard's paranoia off.

"Yeah but Nathan told me something that makes me doubt that. And now that I put it in context it all makes sense!"

"And what is it that Nathan told you?" Richard paused again, contemplating whether or not he should tell him.

"Well apparently JP got a lot of money from Daniel that he even launched his photography career with it. Daniel wouldn't just give away cash like that. JP must've done something for him."

"Are you serious?!"

"Dead serious."

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