Why Does Everything Go Wrong?

Dean placed his right hand over his three-piece suite-covered chest with his gaze on the left. A camera clicks with reflectors around him. Small huts and greenery are in the background. His daze locked with Roman standing adjacent to his sight.Roman smiled while showing a thumbs-up. Ayan looked at his teacher and then back at his father. He made a similar gesture with his tiny fist. Dean chuckled, looking at the other side, which was captured too.Sabastian noticed this and doesn't have a good feeling about their decreasing distance since their first meeting. His eyes narrowed at Dean's smile. He knows this is not a professional smile but rather a smile from the heart; it is pure and contagious. However, he calms himself as his eyes fall on Ayan, who is a walking assurance that his father is a straight man with feelings only for his mom.He forced himself to smile at Dean, who stepped towards him with a warm smile. Damn the contagious smile of the happy Dean."Tian! You are up. The director is asking for you to meet him first." Dean explained, standing in front of the said male.Sabastian nodded his head and looked at Dean's hand. He clasped them with his own, catching the man off-guard. "Since this coming Saturday will be the last day, and-" He looks at the confused gaze of Dean. "I was thinking if we go out on a friendly date. Just you and me.""I-""We don't know when we'll meet again. So...""I was saying-""Just give it another thought. You're spending all the time with Ayan. I'm deprived of you. Ple-""Wait, wait. I was saying I'd be happy to spend time with my friend." Dean replied while pulling his hands away. "Ayan is my student and someone I'm familiar with." Dean reasoned while Sabastian looked away. He feels stupid for even having such a thought. He was getting jealous of a small boy."I got to know you during this shoot, right?" Dean further added, watching Sabastian nod his head. He sighed, placing his palm on the man's face, making the man look at him with wide eyes."I'm sorry too," Dean whispered, feeling guilty for leaving his only model friend alone. "Evening 5 is cool?" Sabastian could only nod in reply.Dean smiled and walked towards the table where beverages are present.Sabastian stood there with a hand over his cheek. It felt magical for him. It was a simple touch, but it left an impression on his thumping heart. His eyes fell over his black shoes. He can feel his cheeks warming up, and the reason is obviously not the sun shining brightly."Sweet, my love is so sweet." Mumbling to himself, he stepped towards the director, who was busy looking at the monitors and talking with Liam, who had Ayan on his lap.The boy curiously looked at everything and didn't disturb the elders, after the warning of his father and advice from his teacher. He'll always be a good boy to his teacher.A lady witnessed Dean and Roman's interaction. Her fists are clenched, her nails digging into her fair skin. She doesn't like that Roman could smile at an unknown person but can't look at someone who studied at the same college. She does not like the way Roman speaks formally with her. However, he is completely carefree with Dean.She looks at the table where the beverage is served, and Dean is drinking water with Roman next to him. She can't hear their conversation. However, the laugh surely reached her ears. She's not liking the deja vu feeling where previously it was Amelia.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Ready?" Sabastian asked as soon as the door opened, his eyes on his watch. He wanted to be punctual."Yeah, he'll be out in a minute," Roman replied with a smile. However, it wavered in the other person's dead eyes."Do you hate me or something? Last time I checked, we didn't have any issues." Roman spoke carefully, opening the door wider for him."Nothing sir. Just a little nervous." The obvious half-lie from Sabastian, because he sure is nervous."Nervous for talking with a friend?" Roman asked, looking keenly at him. He kind of does not understand the reason for being nervous."Are you..." Roman's voice lowered. "Perhaps gay?"Sabastian's eyes locked with the man, who offended him by lowering his voice as though being yourself was a crime.Sabastian inhaled and wore a fake smile. "Last time I checked, the requirement for this job was being an LGBTQ supporter." He crossed his arms. "How can you speak as though it's something bad?""Hey, I didn't do any badmouthing or anything. I was just guessing. You could have replied with either yes or no.""Yeah, I'm gay. So, what?""Nothing bro. What can I do? I just asked. You're overreacting. Chillax. Whatever you feel or like is none of my business. But, does it mean you like Dean?""That isn't part of your business either." Sabastian deadpanned."Ok, let's just drop it." Roman massaged his forehead. "We might start an argument, and both of us will have a sour feeling throughout the time.""Same to the same.""What is the same?" Dean emerges from the side while wearing his watch."Sir said that he liked working with me, so I said the same to him." Roman looks at Sabastian with amusement. He didn't stutter or take time to think. Such a smooth liar."Be careful," Roman whispered to Dean, who was passing by his side. He paused, glancing at Roman for a second, and walked out with a nod.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Freya's pink nails scraped the cushion. Her eyes filled with angry tears. The reason she joined this small company is apparent: 'Roman's attention'. However, nothing is going according to her wishes.When she spoke about joining this small firm, her manager was furious. She is a star who holds an image. She can't go around making decisions like this either. She has to do what is right; even a tiny mistake can crash her career. But she isn't understanding.At last, the manager gave up and agreed to support her while talking to her contracted company, convincing them that this was a significant issue. However, managers know how to handle such situations."Now, what're you crying for?" The manager asked, sitting in front of Freya with crossed arms."You wanted to join this firm; I made sure to clear the path. Now, what's the issue?" The manager snaps, pouring whiskey and ice and keeping the half-filled bottle on a tea table.Freya sniffs, harshly wiping her tears, and gulps the glass of whiskey in one go, which was made for the manager. While shaking their heads, they made another drink."C'mon, you're trying to hit on a married man." The manager rolled their eyes."His wife is dead." Freya deadpanned, though she was saying it more to herself."Doesn't change the fact." The manager raised a toast. "This is for your unrequited love."Freya looks at them with wide eyes. "You're so horrible.""Your thoughts don't matter to me.""Nor does yours!""Yet you are asking for my help.""You'll help me, right?" Freya looks at them with expectations. They sighed, shaking their heads."This is so wrong. Let the man be and choose someone else. If he wanted to love you, he would have done it long ago." Chugging down the liquor, they continued. "Moreover, he's a gentleman; like the previous night, he asked you to go back. If he wished, he would have taken you inside, and we don't know what could have happened, and you'll happily let it happen."Freya blushed with a slight nod. "That's why I love him." She whispered, hugging the cushion. "His gentleness is what took my heart. However," she grits her teeth. "Ami took his heart before me. She already took all the space and attention that he didn't see me and my love for him.""Chill out. She's no more; let her soul rest in peace." The manager whispered and leaned back on the sofa with their eyes closed."Give me ideas so that Roman notices me and only me; wherever he goes he should see just me. I want to stay in his memory, in his consciousness, in his soul, and in his heart.""Alright, he has a son, right?" The manager asked, watching Freya nod her head."Yeah, even that kid has taken habits from Ami. But the good thing is, he looks like a mini-Roman. His eyes, eyebrows, hair color, and ears.""Sometimes I wonder if it's love or obsession." The manager murmured while scratching his chin."Make space in the kid's life. Instead of Roman, make the boy like you, wish to stay with you, and stuff like that." The manager paused, taking another drink. "Because Roman loves his son very much. He will do anything for his son."They took a sip and looked at Freya, who listened attentively. "If his son asks for you to be his mom, then..." The manager dragged with a shrug.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Honey, I wanted to talk with you." Dean's mother spoke while sitting in front of his father. Mr. Rayden looks at his wife."Is anything troubling you?" He asked, holding his wife's hand with worried eyes. She shook her head with a smile."No, nothing is troubling me. It's actually about Dean.""What happened to him? Is he okay? Did his health deteriorate again? or--""He's completely fine. I wanted to talk about his future.""Future? Can you elaborate?""Uh, you see, previously, when we called, he was with Ayan, right?""Oh, yeah. He's a lovely child.""I agree. I saw the happiness in Dean's eyes. He truly seemed happy there.""Of course, he will be happy. Staying away from home has always been his wish.""Honey! Don't cut my words.""Alright,""I was thinking because Dean's health is improving and our financial situation is improving. Don't you think it's time for our sons to settle down in life? I mean, Ethan has always given his shoulder and best to bring the family up during crises. So, they should get married to a nice girl and be happy.""What you are saying is correct. They have reached an age now. But it is their life. We can only suggest and support them.""Of course, we should. Shall I start searching for brides? In the end, they'll choose. But we can suggest, right? Until we give a push, they'll never say. Especially Dean; he has become shy now. It's like the old Dean is back.""Yeah, I could see the changes too." Mr.Rayden smiled. "Alright, do what you feel is good for our sons."Ethan, who heard the conversation, didn't get a good feeling."Brother, a big plot awaits you," Ethan muttered, however, slapping his forehead. "Even I'm doomed." He quickly turns around."Mom, my sweet mom. The most beautiful," he held her arms while wearing a sweet smile.Mrs. Rayden frowns, wrinkles forming on the sides of her eyes. "What is it?""I love you," Ethan muttered and kissed her hand."Not happening. My decision is final." Mrs. Raydan said, taking her hand away."I didn't even...""I know you heard everything." Mrs. Rayden spoke, walking toward the kitchen with used plates.Ethan looks at his father, who is sipping tea. "Dad, you say something.""She's the boss." His father replied, making the man groan.Ethan followed his mother and back hugged her, making her sigh. "Doesn't it look cool when I find someone and court them?"Mrs. Rayden faked a smile, looking over her shoulder. "You don't fall in that category. They're a different breed."Ethan looked shocked. "Mom! How could you-""I don't like to lie.""Dean will not like your decision either." Ethan tried reasoning again."My boy is sweet, unlike someone here.""You always loved Dean more than me." Ethan sulked, leaning against the counter with crossed arms and looking away.His mother chuckled. "I can't deny."Ethan looks at his mom with wide eyes. "Mom, you're so mean."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇The friends, or more like one waiting to give his love and another party not interested or understanding yet, are walking next to each other."Tian." Dean looks around awkwardly. They're standing on the balcony of Dean's formal room with Sebastian. A blanket was placed on the floor, and lights decorated the roof of the balcony. The sunlight volunteered for now.Dean chuckled. "Man, even I can't think of this." He whispered and sat on the floor."It's quite calm here," Dean leans against the wall. "The work is surely hectic. But, fun too." He further added while closing his eyes and basking in the warmth of the sun. The chilly wind and warm sun are surely giving him the time of his life.Sometimes, just sitting and doing nothing can either bring calmness to you or frustration to others."Sit, sit." Dean pats on his right. "What're you waiting for?""Actually, change of plan.""Huh?""Since we have time to see the sunset, let's go for a walk," Sabastian suggested. "Only if you wish." Further added to not make the man feel as though he doesn't have a choice."Because this is your idea." Dean meant the whole plan. "Let's go then." Sabastian smiled. f*k, he doesn't have any clue what to do next. Out of nervousness, he just said whatever he could. Now what? He planned everything but doesn't know how to execute it.He slapped his forehead and banged his head on the wall and floor-of course, in his imagination. Because he is walking next to Dean with a stiff motion. All the confidence has just washed away, along with his hope to leave a good impression. Can he just abort?They walked with peace. Mostly Dean enjoyed the calmness before they stepped into the packed street. The hustle-bustle and quick dodging of people walking towards him. It felt more like an obstacle game to him.Sabastian held his hand. "Stay close." He whispered, pulling the man closer. "I didn't expect this street to be crowded." He muttered while Dean didn't say anything, walking next to him a little closer than before."It's a market.""Do you go out on weekends?" Sabastian asked looking at Dean."Sometimes I do. I prefer to stay home and plan to teach new things to kids and help them explore the world through their eyes. Sometimes I spend time with my family.""I see. How is your teacher's job going?""I have left the job. But I'm still needed until a new teacher is hired. However, I'm here, and my best friend is taking care of my students.""Alright, any fond memories with your students?""Fond memories, hmm..." Dean crosses his arms and looks around the area."We all went hiking, to farmland, pottery, a flower shop, and many more places. There are so many that I can't remember the right one." He chuckled while looking at the street with a fond smile. "I'll let you know when I remember pin-to-pin of the memories." He said, glancing at Sabastian, who quickly nodded.Sabastian noticed a man running in their direction at full speed. The man bumped into many people. Before Sabastian could pull Dean towards himself and have a cute moment of hugging the man.Dean stretched his left leg, catching both Sabastian and the man off guard, who tripped and fell to the ground with a thud."You!" A kick from Dean on the lower back stopped the man from speaking and made him whimper with pain instead."Hold him." A cop shouts as Sabastian looks at the cops, running towards them. The thief used his pocket knife to stab Dean's leg. His eyes showed pain for a fraction of a second. The thief removed the knife and stabbed it again, hoping Dean would waver and take his chance to escape. He grits his teeth and holds the twisted hand in an anti-clockwise direction, forcing him to release the weapon. He pressed his knee on the man's upper back.Sabastian's breath caught in his throat as he looked over at Dean, who was holding the man down with his foot.The aura around Dean was different. The calmness wasn't there. Sabastian felt chills go down his spine when he saw the expressionless face. It looked void of anything other than a frown and a powerful gaze."Thanks," a cop said and handcuffed the man. "Your injury?"Dean glanced at his leg, feeling the blood trickle down and probably getting soaked in his socks and shoes. It'll surely give off a burning feeling with time. "It's nothing.""You sure?" The cop didn't look convinced.Dean gave a nod and stepped back with his hands inside his pocket. Eyes locked with the man, throwing French words at Dean."Shut your filthy mouth before I rub it on the road," Dean said loud and clear, which froze many people on the street, and Sabastian rubbed his arms, getting rid of goosebumps.The man turned quiet and sat in the police van."Always ruining the mood," Dean mumbled, turning around. He froze, looking at Sabastian, who was a foot away from him.Dean's eyes widened with the realization of his actions. He eyed his foot and closed it tightly. Will he never change? His action surely made Sabastian rethink making him his friend. Can't anything go as he wishes?His instincts got the best of him, and his muscles moved with their memory. He knows; he did it unconsciously. Will Sabastian believe that he's a good guy and not as others did before?"Tian, I-""Let's head back." They both turned their heads toward the not-so-happy Roman standing with Ayan in his arms. Instead of focusing on the shocked-looking men, Roman looked at the injury.Roman was the last person Dean wanted to see. Sabastian's whole plan went for a toss. Roman didn't imagine seeing such a heroic act by Dean on a fine evening when he planned to take his son for a walk.Surely nothing goes as we wish..._____________________________________