Confusions, Questions, and Doubts

Theo's heart sinks as Lorenzo's words hang in the air, reverberating through the once tranquil rooftop. The force behind his shouting shook the entire being of Theo, leaving him in a state of shock and despair. With wide and terror-stricken eyes, Theo watches helplessly as Lorenzo storms away, his retreating figure becoming smaller and smaller, until he disappears into the distance.

Time seems to stand still as Theo stands frozen in place, unable to comprehend the magnitude of what had just unfolded. The echoes of Lorenzo's hurtful words replay in Theo's mind, each one a dagger that pierces through his heart. The brunette tries but fails miserably to understand why the words of a mere stranger are like poisonous darts to him— strangers, are they?

Theo stares towards the direction where the older man has vanished, a sense of emptiness washes over, extinguishing the warmth of the moment experienced before. One by one steps of tears drizzle down from his dull grey eyes, caressing his cheeks as if trying to comfort him in their very own, caressing way.

"Theo," soft murmur of the almost forgetting presence of Zoey breaks Theo's gaze away from the trance.

Theo slowly turns towards Zoey with despondency dripping from every nook and corner of his entire being. Even before he can utter his first word of despair, he is engulfed in the protective embrace of the taller man.

"Why are you crying, sunshine? You don't need to waste your precious pearls for some jerk," Zoey utters through gritted teeth, trying to suppress his bubbling anger just for the sake of the fragile man in his arms.

Theo sniffles and tightens his arms around the ultimate source of his comfort. Then slowly looks up with the utmost broken expression, "I don't know, Zoey. I just thought he looked really sad and maybe… maybe this beautiful scene would have cheered him up. I just tried to help him. Believe me it was not my intention to hurt or irritate him," he narrates in one breath and proceeds to bury his face into Zoey's broad chest.

"I know it wasn't your intention. And I also know that you can't see others in pain but Theo… , " Zoey cups Theo's face in his rough palms and lifts his face up, "Everyone is not welcoming to the hearts like yours. If you believe that the world is grey, neither black nor white. You need to understand that you will still encounter the black mixed in the grey," he wipes the trail of tears from the cheeks of Theo and places a comforting and feathery kiss on his forehead. A habit which he has developed through the years of his life with Theo.

Theo closes his eyes at the warmth of the gentle kiss. The warmth from his forehead spreads throughout his body dispelling every ounce of coldness that he was feeling a moment ago. What is this feeling? Why does he always feel so homely and content with Zoey? A 'home' is not just bricks and Zoey proves it oh so well! Theo definitely loves his friend and saviour but this feeling is just… something else.

"Now that we are done with the drama of the day. How about we go to your apartment for a little pizza party and movie night? Will you like that?" Zoey suggests with a playful wiggle of his eyebrows and cheeky grin.

"Like it?? Oh I will love it, Zoey," Theo almost screams in excitement and takes hold of Zoey's hand and drags him downstairs to the parking lot.

But before anyone of the two can open the door of the car, both of their cellphones dings of text notifications simultaneously. They both look at each other with confused expressions and take out their devices to check.

The mood again backflips, their expressions inflating with shock, perplexity, irritation and… fear?

***

The chestnut strands flow like cascading rivers down the woman's back, their rich brown hue catching the faint rays of sunlight that filters through the room. Lorenzo, standing behind her, couldn't resist the temptation to lower his lips to her nape, planting subtle kisses that sent shivers down her spine. She hums in contentment, a melody that resonates with the love that envelops them in that moment.

"Renzo, where have you been all morning? I've been trying to reach you for ages!" The chestnut lady playfully taps Lorenzo's arm, her tone filled with equal parts exasperation and affection.

"I-" the advent responds, the door bursting open with an explosive bang, interrupting their private sanctuary.

"Who is this woman, son?" His mother's voice cut through the room like an icy wind, full of disapproval.

Lorenzo rolled his eyes, the annoyance flashing across his face. "What the hell are you doing here, Mom?" he retorted, his frustration barely veiled. As his patience waned, wearing thin, he gestures toward the door with an urgency that beg for privacy. "Please, just leave us alone. Can you!!??"

His mother's concern, however misplaced, speaks volumes. "What about Emilia? Are you really willing to risk losing the sponsorship? Hell bent in fact?" Her words carry a hidden weight, hinting at something deeper than financial stability. Mr. Andros, Lorenzo's father, has insisted that Mrs. Andros make Lorenzo believe that his homosexuality was merely a "mental illness" to protect the family's reputation. But deep down, all she truly wanted was for her despondent son to believe in love... again. To find happiness. And all Mrs. Andros could do is... follow?

"MOM! CAN YOU PLEASE JUST LEAVE US ALONE? PLEASE?" Lorenzo's exasperation boils over, his voice tinged with desperation. He can not let the world discover his true self, his hidden casanova ways of survival.

The unnamed chestnut woman's shock is palpable, her eyes widening as she questions Lorenzo and his apparent unwavering 'loyalty'. "Wh- who is Emilia, Renzo? What is that old woman saying? Can you just tell her that you promised to marry me, as soon as you can? Huh?"

Mrs. Andros, unable to contain her mischief, chuckles and crosses her arms over her bosom. "Oh, my dear, you're in for a surprise!" With a flick of her wrist, she moves closer, "Just wait until you find out about Amelia, Sydney, Claire, Helen, Paula, Anne, Georgia and of course... Noé..." Her voice trails off, leaving a trail of intrigue and curiosity.

"Mom..." barring that, silence falls over the room, hanging heavy like a shroud of mystery. Lorenzo, with eyes brimming with unspoken intentions, takes a step back, retreat--- his only aim to retreat.

"Yes, son?"

Shall Lorenzo say something? Nah. Either it is neither worth it or it is of too much worth. Without uttering a single word or leaving the tiniest clue about his desires, he gracefully fades into the shadows.

As he retreats, his figure seems to merge with the darkness, becoming one with the evening. The air thick with anticipation, as Lorenzo's enigmatic aura swirls around him like smoke from a clandestine fire. Where is he headed? What secrets are concealed within the depths of his enigmatic soul? The answers lay veiled, for the moment, as he slips away.

Each measured step resonated with an unspoken resoluteness. His body language speaks volumes that words could never convey. Every shift of his weight, every flicker in his eyes, hints at a thousand untold stories yearning to break free from the shackles of his silent world. He is an enigma, an unreadable masterpiece of intrigue, leaving the minds of those left behind to unravel the cryptic riddles he had woven.

The room hums with the energy of the inexplicable, an invisible force compelling the curious to chase after him. But the elusive allure of his departure pinn them to their places, their hearts pounding with a mix of bewilderment and fascination.

"Mrs. Andros?"

"Yes?"

"Who is... Noé?"

***

Theo stands in front of the imposing building, the only source of light on the dimly-lit street. As the city's night falls upon the deserted sidewalks, the building seems to exude an eerie presence, amplified by Theo's hesitance and fear that intertwine within.

What else can be expected during this odd hour of night. . . ?

Taking a deep breath, he approaches the entrance, his nervous hands reach out towards the cold metal door handle and pushes it open.

He eventually enters the building. With each stride, the sound of his echoing footsteps seem to magnify the silence that envelop the building, creating an ominous atmosphere that only intensifies his apprehension.

"Ugh! Come on Theo, this isn't a horror movie," he tries to toughen himself up and tries to block out all the unreasonable reasons for his summoning here.

He ventures further into the building, the narrow, dimly-lit corridors seem to stretch endlessly, creating an eerie maze that leads him towards his ultimate destination. The muted sound of his footsteps echo against the vacant walls, reverberating through the stagnant air, as if reminding him of the loneliness that permeates every inch of this place.

In the fullness of time, Theo arrives at the door leading to the domicile. The polished wood, sign of power and authority, is the only foreboding barrier standing between him and whatever awaits him on the other side.

His hand trembles meekly with anxiety as he slowly pushes the door open, revealing a room veiled in shadows.

The air grows still and heavy as Theo cautiously enters the room, his footsteps barely audible against the lush carpet. The scent of aged leather and aged secrets fills his senses, further intensifying the enigmatic atmosphere that envelopes the room.

In the centre of the opulent office, a large desk stands as a bastion of authority, its intricate carvings casting elongated shadows across the room. A tall-backed leather chair sits behind the imposing desk, turned away from Theo, seemingly concealing the presence of whoever occupying it.

A beam of moonlight pierces through a gap in the heavy curtains, illuminating the desk in a pale, cold glow. On its surface lay scattered sheets of paper, their contents indecipherable in the dim light, adding to the mysterious aura of the scene. The sound of Theo's pounding heartbeat echo in his ears, filling the silence that hangs between him and the only other living presence.

As he nears the desk, his gaze fixates on the back of the chair. It seems to loom larger with every step, as if urging him to uncover the truth hidden within its shadowy embrace. The authoritative and powerful presence of the owner is tantalisingly close, yet far beyond his grasp.

Theo musters up his courage in a cluster in his throat and almost curses himself for even trying to break the silence. He can surely turn back and run away without anyone's notice and Zoey will definitely hide him away like... always... right?

But he decides against it. It's definitely just his nervousness making things hyperbolic. This barely speaks of any risk at all... or does it? He takes a deep breath and opens his mouth in an almost inaudible whisper,

"I am here…"