Maxen
We've been in a relationship for… what? Three days? Yeah. Just three days of calling someone my boyfriend, and somehow, it already feels magical—almost too perfect to be real.
But love doesn't erase scars. Wounds don't heal just because someone cares. Healing is slow, especially when life decides to reopen what you thought was closed.
Like what happened in college.
Ryan was my roommate. The first person who made me feel seen. He helped me discover parts of myself I didn't know existed. He didn't just make me realize I was attracted to men—he made it feel okay. He gave me confidence. Safety. Hope.
And then he left.
Just like that, the high vanished, and I was left to deal with the fall alone.
You don't forget someone like that. Someone who you gave your heart to, only to learn they were never planning to stay.
That's when I learned: love can open doors, but it can also leave you in ruins.
Coming back to Aurélie Bay, I never thought I'd love again. I had buried that part of me… until Adrian.
Adrian—confident, grounded, warm. He swept into my world and somehow made everything feel possible again.
It's not that I don't want him to tell Rossie about us. It's just—maybe I panicked. Maybe I flinched at the word friend, like it was a dagger when I know we're more than that.
I hate being called "a friend" when I know I'm not.
I try not to compare what I have with Adrian to what I had with Ryan. They're different. But trauma doesn't draw clean lines. It just lingers, quietly reminding you of what went wrong last time.
Adrian loves me—I believe that. But he's a public figure. A man who lives in headlines. Will I always have to wonder if I'm part of the shadow behind his spotlight?
I want to trust him fully. I do. And I think… tonight, I will.
After the dinner with Mr. Gavin, I'll tell Adrian everything—about Ryan, about us, about why I flinch sometimes when things get too good.
Maybe that's what I need for closure. Maybe that's how I truly move on.
A breath left my lips. I was done avoiding it. It was time to stop letting ghosts drive my decisions.
"Adrian," I called, steady this time. "Let's get ready. We don't want you to be late, do we?"
"Oh—okay," he said. "Let me say goodbye to Ms. Lena, and then we'll go."
"Don't worry about your mom. I already informed her. Go ahead, you can do it."
As we walked toward the entrance, we ran into Rossie.
"Rossie, I'm leaving early today," Adrian said.
"Okay." She gave him a quick hug.
And then we got into the car, silence hanging between us.
---
At Adrian's apartment, something felt off—but in a prepared kind of way.
"Rahel already brought your suit?" I asked, eyebrows lifting.
"Yeah," Adrian nodded. "I called her earlier. She set everything up. Maxen, go inside and get ready too."
I hesitated. "Wait—you mean… I'm coming with you? To the dinner with Mr. Gavin?"
He nodded again, calm and sure. "Yes. I already asked Rahel to confirm with him. Mr. Gavin said it's fine."
"But… don't you think bringing me might come off as unprofessional?"
Adrian turned to face me. "Why would it? You're my partner, Maxen."
He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around me.
"I'm not hiding you," he said, voice soft but certain. "You're in my life to stay. Whether I get this deal or not, I'm not going to compromise us. You matter more than any contract."
Then he added, "I love you. I really, really love you."
It stunned me—not just the words, but the conviction in them. This wasn't hesitation or pressure. It was real.
"Okay," I breathed. "If you say so. I just… I don't want to be a hindrance."
He smiled. "I know, Maxen. But you're not."
---
We arrived at the restaurant exactly at 6 p.m. Mr. Gavin and his wife were already at the entrance.
"Adrian!" Mr. Gavin greeted him warmly. Then his eyes landed on me. "And you are?"
Adrian stepped forward with his usual confidence. "Mr. Gavin, this is my partner, Maxen."
Mr. Gavin blinked, surprised—but pleasantly. "Well now, that's refreshing! It's rare to see young men so bold about love these days."
Mrs. Gavin added, "That's true. It's nice to meet you, Maxen."
"It's nice to meet you both," I said, polite but steady.
"Well then," Mr. Gavin grinned, "this isn't just business—it's a double date!"
We laughed. The tension eased.
Surprisingly, Mrs. Gavin and I hit it off. She was warm, funny, charming. Meanwhile, Adrian and Mr. Gavin talked casually—nothing too deep about the project. Just four people sharing a meal.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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Next updates: Friday at 7:30 PM GMT. Adjust for your local time!
From 💜Maxen
"Love doesn't magically fix the past, but it can give you a reason to face it. I've learned that healing isn't about pretending you're not hurt—it's about choosing to show up anyway, scars and all. If someone sees you, truly sees you, and still stays… that's a love worth trusting. So don't be afraid to let the right person in—even if the past still whispers. You're not broken. You're growing."