Chapter Thirty Three

The next morning, Jake overheard Josh calling Owen and asking him to go over to the office immediately for a photo shoot.

"I'm in my holiday break ...can't someone else do it" Owen said.

"No...the designer used your size and pictured you wearing it" Josh replied.

"Hmmm...do I have to "

"Yeah...I'll pay holiday bonuses too" Josh offered.

"Okay fine" Owen said and hung up.

"Was that Owen ?" Jake asked.

"Yeah...work just came up...the last job of the year" Josh said.

"Ok are you guys celebrating an end of year party?"

"Yeah my manager is organizing something but I won't be there"

"Why ? "

"I'm traveling with Trevor today"

"Oh ok..should I stand in for you at the shoot"

"Why would you do that and besides you guys broke up and won't your company have one too ?" Josh inquired.

"Yeah we did but I wanna get back with him and the staff at my company went on their holiday breaks a few days ago so..."

"I don't know ...what if you make him feel uncomfortable or something"

"I won't "

Josh's phone rang, it was a call from Phoebe.

"Hey sis "

"Hey...do you know where Jake is ?" She inquired.

"Yeah he's with me "

"Tell him Kiki came by and she found out about him and Owen and that she's flying home right now"

"Why did you tell her when I clearly asked you not to "

"I didn't know when it slipped out of my mouth..I'm sorry...I was a bit tipsy"

"Oh my gosh Phoebe when are you gonna change this bad habit of yours?"

"I'm sorry okay " she apologized. She felt really sorry but at the moment of spilling she enjoyed every bit of spilling before her conscience ate her up.

Josh hung up the call.

"Who was that ?" Jake asked as he was sure whoever it was spoke about him.

"It was my sister and apparently Kiki is around "

"She is...my phone was dead last night"

"She found about...you and Owen"

"Why would you do that ?" Jake asked.

"It's my sister that did and I'm really sorry " Josh apologized.

Trevor came out of the room in just boxer briefs, looked at them and went to the fridge to get water.

"It's fine she had to find out anyway...I'll speak with her." Jake said and entered the room to have his bath.

He called Kiki but she was unreachable.

'She can wait for another day now I have something more important to attend to ' Jake thought to himself.

After dressing up and getting ready, he went straight to J-unique as the fake stand in for Josh. He got into the studio and Owen was there shocked to see him. He was modeling a workout outfit, short shorts and handless jersey. The heater was turned on high to battle the cold of winter. Jake stared at Owens sight and gulped, reminiscing when that body was all his.

After the shoot was concluded, Jake followed him to the locker room making sure to lock it shut as he entered behind him.

"Please just hear me out...I beg you" Jake pleaded.

"Stop this Jake..."

"Please...I was engaged to her yes but we didn't have a relationship....we never did and we never will. I got engaged to her for the sake of my mother..."

"Don't bring your dead mother into this Jake...why add her in your lies, pease respect her memory....and I told you I don't care whatever your reason was...we're done"

"I'd never do that with the person I love the most.." Jake affirmed. " my mom didn't want me to ever come out and it was my decision to stay that way even after she died...I agreed I lied a lot about Kiki...What we had was true, I really loved you, I still do and I swear it in my mother"

"Really Jake ..you'll tell me all this crap...I'm not the slightest bit interested in why you did what you did...you did it and it's done..."

"I'm sorry though..." Jake went closer to him as Owen was ruffling through his locker and hugged him from behind.

"Stop this Jake" Owen shrugged him off and unlocked the door.

"Can't you forgive me ?" Jake asked one last time.

"No...I can't " Owen said and left.

"It...is...over" Jake registered.

Jake resigned " love hurt like hell...shit...why didn't I stop this earlier...why didn't I break up with her the moment I realized I loved him...I've lost him now...forever...our love has flown away like a winter flake...forever lost in a sea of snow'

******

Two days later, Jake had a Christmas client. He gladly agreed to work to get his mind off things. During the cause of the work he was distracted with thoughts of Owen and his mom as her death anniversary was a week after the New Year. He didn't concentrate properly so he messed up big time. Was unable to effectively do the job and. Three days after the job, the clients site got hacked and lost a lot of Money and so he immediately sued Jake. Jake had to call his lawyers one was out of the country and luckily the other was still in town. The lawyer came over and they were able to reach a settlement instead of going to court and Jake was asked to pay a settlement of double the price the client paid. He was heartbroken and now he also lost a lot of money too.

The money loss made him snap out of the heartbreak and move on the way he could.

******

Josh and Trevor travelled to Sunnyvale for Christmas. Josh had finally accepted to give them a chance...test the water before actually dating him and Trevor was more than happy to hear this. They were cuddled up in bed when Josh got a phone call and the phone was closer to Trevor than it was to him so Trevor passed it on and saw the caller id'Monty love love' He gave it to Josh and left the room. Josh answered the call.

"Merry Christmas Eve..." Josh said.

"Josh are you in New York?" Monneteni hurriedly asked.

"No...why ? what happened ?"

"It's Vegas I got a call that he was in a ghastly accident and I'm on my way to the hospital and I'm a wreck right now "

"Oh calm down, he'll be fine"

"Can you come to New York"

Trevor was back i the room, arms crossed and staring at Josh. When he noticed the worry in Josh's face he went closer and sat beside him.

"I don't know...all flights have been canceled due to the snow storm last night but once I see a chance I'll fly over"

"Okay thank you...I just needed someone to talk to ...I'm at the hospital now"

"Okay take care of him and yourself"

"You too" Monneteni said and they hung up.

Trevor kept staring intently without saying a word.

"Vegas was in an accident"

"Oh sorry about that"

"Yeah I feel so bad for him, I wonder how serious it was"

"I wonder too" Trevor sarcastically said.

"Why are you sounding this way"

"Why did you still save his number that way ?"

"Is that what you're worried about ? I'm with you right now ain't I"

"Yeah, so shouldn't you change it"

"Trevor stop being petty, my mood is ruined already" Josh said lying back in bed.

"Okay I'm sorry...Montenni must love this guy very much"

"Must you rub it in ?" Josh snapped and put the covers over his head.

******

On Christmas Eve, Kevin's Aunty came home and she sent for him. She had been in the city for a while but had been hanging out with friends. She drove her car from the maintenance mechanic she usually kept it whenever she traveled out. She drove to Gilbert's house that evening. She rang the doorbell and Gilbert's mom opened the door.

"Hello how may I help you ?"

"Hi...I'm Kevin's aunt, Yonda"

"Oh nice to meet you Yonda....come on in" Gilbert's mom ushered her in.

"Thanks for having Kevin over but what exactly was the problem " Yonda asked sitting on the sofa.

"Uhm...he said he was being stalked and my son had him come over and stay with us"

"Okay. Where is he now ?"

"He went to the supermarket with my son"

"When will they be back, I have a flight to catch"

"Okay is he leaving with you ?"

"Yeah we have to go to our family Christmas retreat, his grandparents want to see him"

"Alright...I'll call them"

Gilbert's mom dialed Gilbert and told him the status of things. Minutes later Kevin and Gilbert hustled into the house.

"Aunty good evening " Kevin greeted and hugged her.

"Good evening ma'am "

Yonda gave Gilbert a piercing gaze sensing something was off. She nodded at him and Kevin went up to get his things. Gilbert followed suit.

"When will you be back" Gilbert pouted.

"Next year"

"So I don't get to spend Christmas with my baby after all"

Kevin hugged him and they kissed. Kevin packed his bags and Gilbert assisted him in carrying it out.

Yonda kept watching how close they were, after all she had spent a lot of time in Paris, the city of love so she knew a thing or two.

They left the house.

"Who is he to you" she asked.

"Huh...he's my friend" Kevin replied.

"So you have a boyfriend?"

"Maybe" Kevin laughed.

"He's cute!"

"I know right...are you cool with it"

"I have no say in your sexual preference but if your grades drop I'll knock senses into your head"

"Aunty you're the sweetest"

"I know i am" she smiled at him. She had always loved him since he was young.

*****

Jake spent Christmas and New year chilling at Jules bar and on those celebration days she FaceTimed him in the morning. She couldn't make it back after all due to the snow storm and the fact that Jake looked much better than she thought.

"How are you coping with everything ?" Jules asked on Christmas day.

"I'm good, much better than I thought"

"That's good to hear Jake"

"Yeah how's everything over there"

"All spice and sweetness"

"Hmmm enjoy yourself"

"I'll try "

"Okay goodbye"

"Yeah sweetie"

"Now who is she calling sweetie" Hamps teased over the phone and Jake hung up the call with a smile. They sure we're enjoying married life.

*****

Jakes mom's death anniversary finally reached and he got ready for his flight to San Jose.

On the flight home, he kept replaying the memory of his mother in his head and it was heartbreaking...he would have relied on the happy moments to suppress the bad one but there were too little happy moments. He fell asleep on the flight and dreamt about his mom.

"She was in the parlor of our house seated on dad's chair which was very odd as dad hated people sitting on his chair not even Rome his favorite person was allowed to sit on it. She was as pretty as she was when she was young, chubby cheeks and looking healthy and her hair flowed, brown and shiny, she wore a white floral gown and yeah my mom was really pretty. She smiles at me when i came into view and i sat on the floor and rested on my moms laps and she stroked my hair, telling me how much she loved me and I smiled hugging her and I enjoyed her warmth...the steady rhythm of her breath and her sweet voice, I craved this when she was really sick...mom was humming a lullaby...."

"Sir...sir" the hostess tapped Jake" We've arrived San Jose"

"Oh..."Jake was startled awake and he gave her a murderous glare. This hostess just ruined his dream...shit.

He arrived at sundown when a prayer was held for her. He purposely chose an afternoon flight so he wouldn't spend too much time at his father's house. He got into the mansion and passed through the security filled house. Chairs were arranged in the compound of the mansion for the memorial. Jake headed inside where his father, brother and brothers family and Kiki were in. Kiki was litting some candles that had gone off and replacing the ones that had melted.

This was the moment of silence hour, where the whole family bowed their head in silence to the deceased.

She noticed Jake's entrance and did what she was doing hurriedly and stood by his side.

"I came by your place the other day...why did you change your door code..." she whispered.

Jake snubbed her and shifted from her side, going closer to his moms picture. Pictures of his mom was displayed on a counter.

"...I was embarrassed by sec.." Kiki followed and continued whispering, clearly showing disrespect to Jake's mom.

"Kiki can you shut up and stop ranting for a minute.." Jake snapped as quietly as he could.

"Hey...that's no way to talk to your fiancée...apologize" his father said overhearing their whispers.

They both shut up till the moment of silence ended.

"I came by to say goodbye to mom...this is the last year I'll be visiting home" Jake shared as they finished the prayers for her.

"What do you mean " Rome asked with worry creased on his forehead.

"I'm calling of the engagement...and cutting off ties from this family" Jake revealed.

His father landed him a slap.

"You don't have to do this Jake...even if you're gay I'll still marry you...we'll work things out" Kiki pleaded. She was willing to compromise for him....

"This is the last time you get to slap this face...it's funny how I disgust you but you're quick to hit me" Jake spat at his father.

"You're still gay?" Rome asked.

"Shut up Rome..I proudly am, I'll love whom I want to love and you guys can't do a fucking thing to change that" Jake said

Kiki was crying now.

"You're such a disgrace " father said with bitterness.

"I know that's all I'll ever be to you...have a wonderful life...Ever since I was born you just hated me...well just so you know I hate you too and I hope the good people of San Jose is not stuck with a mayor like you...a man who can't love his own son is incapable of loving other people...you couldn't even take care of mom that you're pretending to love now. She'd still be here with us if not for your carelessness" Jake stormed out.

"What is he talking about ?" Rome asked his father.

As Jake got out he released the tie he wore and undid his shirt top buttons. He could hold memorial for his mom on his own...it was the good heart and thought that mattered not the people.

Apparently people outside had heard the commotion inside and a reporter outside had gotten the video of everything. He hated himself for ruining his moms memorial but he had to leave...

Jake got into his car and he dialed see Rome follow after him but what good could that brother have to say. He hailed a taxi that sped off.