Adrian
The restaurant buzzed softly around us—glasses clinking, quiet laughter, the hum of gentle music overhead. But for me, all of it faded behind the single goal in front of me: make this dinner count.
Maxen sat beside me, calmer than I expected, his smile polite but cautious. I could feel it—the effort he was putting in to be present, to be strong. I reached under the table and brushed his hand lightly. He looked at me, and that look said it all: I'm trying. I'm here.
Mr. Gavin raised his wine glass. "To honesty and bold beginnings," he said, and we all clinked glasses.
"Cheers," I echoed, though my thoughts were already spinning toward the proposal Rahel and I had been refining for weeks. Still, timing was everything.
Mrs. Gavin turned to Maxen with a warm smile. "So, how did you two meet? I'm always curious about love stories."
Maxen hesitated just slightly and glanced at me. I gave him a small nod.
"Through the charity my mom manages," he answered smoothly.
Her face lit up. "Oh, really? So your mom runs a charity? That's wonderful."
She looked to me next, her eyes twinkling. "And you've been attending? Adrian, I'm impressed. That's so good of you. You know, most young people these days don't get involved in that kind of work. And with your status in the entertainment industry—well, that's even more admirable."
Mr. Gavin nodded. "Exactly. Your generation tends to get lost in superficial things. But if someone like you is giving back, then there's hope."
I smiled, trying not to shift in my seat. "Thank you, sir. Honestly, it's not about publicity for me. I just want to help. That's all."
From there, the conversation flowed effortlessly. We laughed, shared stories, and to my surprise, Maxen and Mrs. Gavin completely hit it off—talking about little surprise gestures and conspiring against me with innocent glee.
It was strange in the best way. Easy. Comfortable.
By the time dessert came and went, the evening had gone better than I could've hoped.
Outside, the night breeze wrapped around us. Maxen's hand brushed mine again—more confident this time.
Before getting into her car, Mrs. Gavin leaned toward Maxen with a warm smile. "I'll be sure to stop by your café one day. And the charity too. You're fun to talk to. I'd love to continue our conversation."
"Of course," Maxen said, clearly surprised but pleased.
I watched them drive off, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
But that peace didn't last long.
By the time we reached Aka, my phone started buzzing like it had a personal vendetta. Missed calls. Notifications. More missed calls.
Rahel.
My mom.
Roderick.
All of them basically screaming: Check online.
I sighed, pulled up my browser… and froze.
There it was. Front and center:
"The Admirable Elio Adrian Veymar: Spotted Romancing His Boyfriend—Charity Work or Love Affair?"
I stared. Blinked.
And blinked again.
A slow burn lit in my chest. Not just disbelief—but anger. Not the loud, explosive kind. The quiet, boiling kind. The kind that simmers under your ribs because someone took something sacred and tried to turn it into spectacle.
They couldn't even get a decent photo. If they're going to try to embarrass me, at least make the effort to make it look good. This one looked like it was taken by a dying phone camera mid-sneeze.
Poor headline. Poor quality.
And honestly… just poor judgment.
My phone buzzed again—a voice note from Dad.
> "Come to the mansion. Now."
I clicked off and tossed the phone into my lap.
Maxen glanced at me nervously. "Do you think this… will affect you? I mean, the deal with Mr. Gavin?"
I exhaled. "I don't know, Maxen. Maybe it will. Maybe it won't. But even if I lose this… it's not the end. There'll be other chances. Don't let it eat at you."
"I wish I could help not worrying," he murmured. "But I hate that this happened."
I hesitated, then decided he deserved the whole truth.
"They've seen you before, you know. A few months ago… someone sent my dad a photo of us. We were standing in front of the charity center. He didn't know who you were—just that I was with someone."
Maxen turned sharply toward me. "What?"
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," I said, gently. "I didn't want to worry you then. But yeah—he's seen your face before. He was furious, but I played it off. Said it was nothing."
Maxen looked down at his hands. "So they already know about me?"
"They know what they've seen. But they don't know we're dating. Not officially."
A long pause settled between us. Then, quietly, he said, "Are you sure I should come with you? Maybe talk to them first. I don't want to make this worse."
I shook my head. "No, I want you there. I don't want them thinking you're hiding or running from anything. I know you want to protect me, but showing up—that means something. It means you're real in my life."
Maxen reached across the center console and pulled me into a tight hug.
"I love you, Adrian," he whispered. "And yes—I'll be there. We'll face this together. Whatever comes… I'm not going anywhere."
"I love you too, Maxen," I said, holding him close. "We'll get through this. And we'll come out stronger."
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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Next updates: Monday at 7:30 PM GMT. Adjust for your local time!
From 💜Adrian
What Adrian Hopes You'll Take With You This Weekend:
Love isn't always convenient. It might pull you into uncomfortable places, expose you to judgment, or challenge the image others have of you. But when it's real—when it's yours—it's worth standing up for. Be bold. Be honest. And most of all, don't hide from the truth that matters. Let love make you stronger.