19

The night had grown late, and Ryan Carter waited and waited, but the person he longed to see still hadn't returned.

He had called her home phone relentlessly, yet no one answered. Where on earth had she run off to this time?

Recalling everything she had done for him, it seemed that all this time, he hadn't been performing a solo act after all.

But when would she—so oblivious to matters of the heart—finally say those three words he had been yearning to hear?

As the night deepened, so did Ryan's worry.

Tired of waiting pointlessly, he grabbed his car keys, determined to go out and find her.

The moment he opened the door, Chloe Johnson stood right outside. Their eyes met, yet neither could see the depth of affection in the other's gaze.

Ah, those in love—always as clueless as newborns.

"Why didn't you come in?" Ryan asked, staring at Chloe outside the door. Was she afraid to face him?

Chloe lowered her head and stepped inside.

By now, she had lost the fiery determination she once had—the vow to help Ryan return to "normal." That morning, the truth had become painfully clear. The fact that he was gay was now undeniable. No matter how hard she tried, it would all be in vain.

She was terrified of facing him again, but Chu Lin's words had given her a sliver of hope. Yet, after pacing outside the door for what felt like forever, she still couldn't decide whether she should go in and confront him.

"Where were you? Not even a single call—do you have any idea how worried I was?"Ryan Carter shut the door and lightly scolded Chloe Johnson, who sat stiffly on the couch.

"None of your business!" Chloe snapped, glaring at the car keys in his hand. The thought that he might be heading out to meet his "special friend" again made her blood boil.

"Are you mad because I'm gay?" Ryan sat down on the coffee table, watching her expression closely.

He admitted it? Just like that?

"I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted." Chloe shot up, desperate to escape into the bedroom—away from the truth she couldn't handle.

"Chloe, look at me." Ryan blocked her retreat, gripping her shoulders and forcing her back onto the couch. His eyes locked onto hers.

Reluctantly, Chloe lifted her gaze and stared into Ryan's.

"What do you see?" he asked softly. Why was she always blind to the love in his eyes?

"I see my own damn reflection!" she yelled, wrenching free from his hold. Snatching her clothes, she stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Ryan sighed, watching her flee. He'd known all along that waiting for her to figure things out would be painful.

Why Won't She Face Her Own Feelings?

He'd always known she was emotionally dense. The hardest days were behind them—why rush now? Ryan Carter tried to console himself with that thought.

Not long after lying down, he felt Chloe Johnson climb into bed. But she kept her distance, turning her back to him and clinging to the very edge of the mattress.

It suddenly struck him—he'd never actually confessed his feelings to her. He'd assumed his actions spoke for themselves, that she'd slowly piece it together. Yet everyone around them seemed to know, while she remained clueless.

Had his expectations been too high? For someone as oblivious as her, deciphering his heart might take forever.

He was almost certain of her feelings. But if he hadn't even said the words, how could he expect her to?

Why keep waiting pointlessly? Why not just tell her the truth?

Ryan made up his mind. Tomorrow, he'd say it—that he loved her, that he wanted her to marry him, to spend their lives together.

In her sleep, Chloe shifted closer. Ryan pulled her into his arms and drifted off, holding her tight.

When Chloe Johnson woke up, the first thought that flashed through her mind was— When did I end up in his arms again?

After last night, she'd told herself to let go. But faced with his sleeping face, she couldn't stop her heart from racing.

She carefully lifted his arm and slipped out of bed. As much as she longed for him to hold her like this forever, what exactly was he holding her as now? The bitter thought crossed her mind—maybe he saw her as just a "sister."

Ryan Carter stirred awake at her movement, pulling her back against him. His eyes fluttered open. "Morning."

"You're gay. What's wrong with you, hugging me like this?" His tenderness irritated her now.

What used to be his greatest charm now filled her with resentment. Was this gentle warmth just part of him being gay? For once, she wished he'd be rougher, more demanding.

"Chloe, I love you." Ryan held her bewildered gaze, ignoring her anger as he spoke the words he'd held back for so long.

What did he just say? He loves her? Had she misheard? His voice snapped her scattered thoughts back into focus.

"I love you. Marry me." The look on her face told him she still hadn't processed it.

Yes, he wanted her as his wife. He wanted to wake up to her every day, to give her his name, to claim her as his before the world.

Did he even know what he was saying? Chloe Johnson stared at Ryan Carter like he'd grown a second head.

He loved her? Wanted to marry her? If he'd said this before yesterday, she would've thrown herself into his arms without hesitation—because she'd already realized she loved him too. But now... his proposal felt like a poorly disguised cover-up.

Was he only doing this to silence the rumors? No, not rumors—more like whispers.

"Chloe." Ryan called out. Why was she looking at him like that?

"If you want me to marry you to stop the gossip, fine. But don't say you love me. You're making a mockery of something sacred." For the first time, Chloe sounded painfully mature.

"I'm not gay." Ryan repeated firmly.

"Relax, I won't tell anyone. You don't have to keep insisting." She sighed.

Why bother? All it did was make him sound defensive.

"I'm really not."

What the hell was wrong with this woman? She'd believed Jake Thompson's lies without question, yet refused to accept the truth from him!

"Fine, I believe you." Chloe patted Ryan's shoulder like she was humoring a child, then got up to get dressed.

Ryan would bet his life on it—she didn't believe him for a second. She was just brushing him off!

Furious, Ryan snatched up the phone and dialed Jake Thompson's office. The moment the line connected, he roared: "Jake Thompson, get your ass up here now!"

Hearing Ryan's thunderous command, Jake hesitated—should he really "roll" up there? Just the tone alone made it clear Ryan wanted to tear him limb from limb. But you can't hide forever. With a resigned sigh, Jake obediently headed for the penthouse. Mustering his courage, he knocked.

"Get in here already! Should I send out a red carpet?" Ryan bellowed from the couch without looking up.

"Morning, boss." Jake entered with exaggerated deference, then added with his trademark irreverence: "Couldn't exactly roll up here from downstairs—had to walk like a pleb. What can I do for our illustrious CEO?" Even facing certain doom, Jake couldn't drop his smartass demeanor.

"Clean up the mess you made," Ryan snapped, just as Chloe walked in.

"What are you doing here?" Chloe stared at Jake in surprise.

"Came to personally clarify something," Jake said, suddenly serious. "About Ryan being gay? Total fabrication. My deepest apologies for the deception." He watched Chloe's reaction carefully—his hope for leniency rested on her believing him.

"Let me guess—he made you come up here to explain, didn't he?" Chloe pointed accusingly at Ryan Carter.

"No! I came clean out of guilt," Jake Thompson insisted, avoiding Ryan's gaze and hanging his head in exaggerated remorse.

"Then why lie to me in the first place?"

"I just..." Jake hesitated.

Should he tell the whole truth? Ryan's right here! As he scrambled for a response that wouldn't set Ryan off, Chloe cut in.

"I believe you." She waved a hand dismissively. Seeing Jake's uncomfortable squirming, she decided to spare him further interrogation—even if she didn't buy it.

Ryan and Jake exchanged glances. She believed him? Just like that? But her expression still screamed "I'm not fooled."

Her "belief" was clearly just lip service.

Unbelievable. This woman swallowed lies whole yet dismissed the truth without a second thought.

"Ryan," Chloe took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders with sudden resolve, ​"even though you're gay... I'll marry you."

Because she loved him. And if that meant becoming his beard to protect his secret, so be it.