The disturbing rumor

News channels and Billboards all over Country A were excited as they reported the greatest news the country have received in years.

[ "The world is watching, and many are jubilating that a company from Green City has made it into the World Business Association, which millions of companies all over the world are dying to be a part of," host one read.

"True. Being a member of such an association is no little feat. It means that the Yun cooperation now has the right to expand their businesses all over the world without intervention from other country's governments. The government also cuts down on taxes for them. Those are just a few of the benefits of being a member of the WBA. Whether the Yun cooperation has the talent to utilize this opportunity is another thing," host two added.

"Last time, the report we got was that five countries out of the hundreds of countries in the world were fortunate to have one of their business moguls in the WBA. Now that the Yun family has become one of those few lucky people, there'd be lots of people clamoring to become friends with them in any way they can," host one sneered.

"Hahahaha… That's too blunt, my friend. Even though it is so, as a podcast, we should also shower praises on the opportunists for having the talent and thick skin to beg for recognition from the Yun family that they've been competing with for decades," host three chimed in.

"Hahaha... Meanwhile, today is the Yun Cooperation's celebration party. We hope that nothing out of the ordinary happens like the last time." A lady on the round table contributed.

"That's right. We weren't able to cover the matter that happened last time... But come to think of it, is that foster daughter of the Yun family really a 'he' or a 'she'?" host one asked with his head tilted.

"It's not impossible for her to be a transgender. Let's watch and see what happens at the party. Rumor has it that she's also after the Yun inheritance..."]

....

Inside a small-sized duplex in the busy part of the city, Katherine in her late 40s, but with the appearance of almost half her age, wearing a red laced gown that stopped just below her knees, could be seen knocking on one of the doors in the house. She looked anxious as she waited for the door to be opened, but after a long time, the door was still tightly shut.

"Kai, open the door!" she yelled but nothing happened. She left and came back with a spare key.

The door opened with a creak to reveal a humble furnished bedroom: It looked nice, but not extravagant.

The woman's gaze swept through the room and froze as her eyes took in the lonely silhouette of a young man, who stood with his back to the room, staring out the floor-to-ceiling window with his hands in his pocket. Probably viewing the sparkling small pool, a distance away, or lost in a trance.

The young man's lone figure reminds one of an unworldly being devoid of cravings for material possessions. He gives one the idea that he was trapped in the wrong place and time. His long wavy hair shone against the lights. The Young man's shoulders fell with ease and his posture relaxed like he has no worries.

The woman gasped and turned to peep at the corridor to see if anyone was nearby. Seeing no soul around, she shut the door behind her and hurried to the young man.

"Kai! What are you–"

"Kaizer." The young man uttered plainly. His voice came out as it should be. Deep, bold, calm, soothing and reserved, with a bit of coldness... A typical man's voice!

"Wh– what?" Ms. Katherine asked with her head tilted. She couldn't understand what her son meant.

"I'm Kaizer, not Kai. We're alone, so please, don't normalize it." Although Kai is gender neutral, he seems to hate the name.

"Oh, ok. I came to see if you're ready for the party. It's almost time. We might not get–"

"Have I become a waiter too?" he threw an unfriendly question at her.

"That– that's not what I meant." The woman sighed. "Why aren't you wearing the dress I sent you?" her voice went a tad low as she changed the topic. Every time she tried speaking to her daughter... sorry, son, this is what happens– a fight.

"What for?" Kaizer asked, still not looking back at his mother.

Ms. Katherine walked closer and stood about five feet away from him, then started explaining like he had no idea what day it was.

"Today is a special day that your father intends to introduce you to the world as his daughter! Don't tell me you forgot about it." She paused to observe his reaction, then continued. "You know what's at stake. If you don't do this right and anger him again, we might be thrown into the streets. Please, don't embarrass your father–"

"When has he never been embarrassed? " Kaizer finally turned around.

The woman was dazed by Kaizer's spectacular face that left no room to distinguish whether he was a male or a female. Kaizer has one of the prettiest faces in the city yet, he is nicknamed 'stigma' because she exudes the characteristics of a sigma male, at the same time, confuses people with her love for male outfits.

If not that it is a well-known fact that Kaizer was born a girl, people would have believed that she was a man. There are few unfounded rumors that she transgendered though. A rumor that had ruined their lives and make her mother put in her all to get her a dress to prove to everyone that the rumor was a lie.

But with how things were going, it seemed she won't be able to get him to wear the dress. "Kai... Kaizer, don't be so strong headed! This is our future! Your future!"

"What does it matter... Mother?"

She hurried towards him and stretched her hand to touch him but paused and then slowly put her hand down. "I know you detest wearing dresses, but please, can you do this for your mother? Just this once, I promise I won't bother you anymore after this."

Kaizer pulled his hands out of his pocket and glanced at his fine fingers while saying: "You have no intention of giving up, do you? Fine. What if I tell you that I've destroyed the dress you sent, will that make you stop forcing it on me?"

"You did what?!" she yelled with widened eyes.

"Mother, I believe you don't want to be late. You should head back."

The woman knew that pushing it might cause their fragile relationship to strain even further, so she nodded. "Alright, I give up. But please, attend the party, will you?"

Kaizer kept staring at his mother without uttering a sound, leaving the woman second-guessing.

Ms. Katherine waited and waited for an answer that wasn't forth coming until she left the room, heartbroken.

The relationship between her and Kaizer used to be envied until he found out about his true gender.

The woman walked along the corridor with her mind blank like an inkless sheet. Regrets and remorse washed over her but what was done was done. Nothing can change it now, she thought.