Fran took a sip of his pomegranate juice. He looked around his surroundings—the people who were lining up with them were busy chattering with their own companions. The workers were doing their jobs in a hurried manner. Some children were crying out of impatience. Fran looked at the back of the man standing in front of him. A smile automatically formed on his lips.
As if sensing that Fran was looking keenly at him, the man turned and looked at Fran. He looked devilishly handsome standing under the sweltering sun.
“Why are you smiling, boo?” Noah asked while his eyes started to wander around as if he was looking for something…or someone. Then, his eyes settled again at Fran. “Are you feeling any discomfort? Hmmm…”
“Not really…” Fran answered.
“Then, why are you looking at me as if you want to eat me, huh?“ Noah held Fran’s hand. “The children are looking. At least, let’s get a room first…”
Fran kicked Noah softly on his leg. “Quiet down your voice! The children will hear you…”
Noah laughed and kissed Fran on the cheek. “I know, boo. I’ll wait for the night to come, by then, you’re all mine.”
Fran squeezed Noah’s hand. He gave his boyfriend a naughty look. “Look forward to tonight. I’ll give you a reward…”
“Oh, fuck…” Noah’s face was so red.
Fran looked at his boyfriend lovingly. How could he deserve someone like Noah? He was such an incredible boyfriend, partner, best friend, and soulmate.
With the recent incident involving Chelsea Meyer and some people from Fran’s past, Noah played a huge part in helping Fran to sort out everything.
It was Noah who introduced Fran to the best lawyers in the country. Well, Uncle Steven offered Fran his help, but, Noah was first. Even Fran’s mom, trusted his boyfriend regarding the issue.
It was also Noah who discovered the dispute between Chelsea and an actress named Julia. Noah somehow convinced the actress to push through in filing a harassment case against Chelsea.
Then, they both learned about the case of the Jones family. Their heart broke in tiny little pieces upon discovering the horrors and nightmares Rafael went through because of someone evil like Chelsea Meyer. Fran and Noah couldn’t suppress their anger. So, they helped the Jones family to strengthen their case against Chelsea.
Then, several more victims of Chelsea’s evildoings revealed themselves to the public. Neither Fran nor Noah had something to do about the other victims’ decision to make their experiences public. They did it on their own accord. It only showed how Chelsea Meyer did bad things to numerous people just to get what she wanted.
Chelsea Meyer was in jail now. Although, there was still an upcoming trial, Fran was relieved to know that somehow, Chelsea’s victims already got the justice they deserved.
Fran’s thoughts came back to the present, when one of the staff announced that the aquarium was finally opened.
Together with Noah, they walked to the aquarium’s entrance while holding hands. It was Fran’s idea to go to the aquarium for their date. Of course, Noah indulged him.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
As expected, Fran and Noah enjoyed their time at the aquarium. They saw different aquatic animals and their marvelous artificial habitat. Fran and Noah even ate lunch at the aquarium café. Then, they bought souvenirs from the shop.
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It took Noah fifteen minutes to return. Fran was too engrossed with choosing books, he didn’t ask Noah about what he did. After hours of choosing, Fran felt satisfied with his purchased books. Noah helped Fran load the books inside the former’s car.
Then, they went back to the mall. Fran suggested that they should play at the arcade because he knew Noah was crazy about arcade games. Noah won almost all the games that he played. He even scored tons of plushies from the claw machine.
So, when they left the arcade, Fran and Noah both carried huge bags full of plushies. They decided to give some to the kids they saw at the mall. Fran would keep some, and the others were for Natalie.
After the arcade, Fran and Noah had dinner at their favorite restaurant. They ate a sumptuous meal and both of them felt satisfied. While dining, Fran teased Noah that he already booked a hotel for them to rest to after their meal. Fran was expecting for Noah to be elated. However, while Noah looked happy, he also said something confusing to Fran.
“Maybe we need to wait a little bit longer before I can devour you entirely. Let’s have a talk with someone first.”
“Someone? Who?” Fran asked.
Noah just shrugged the question off. They continued with their meal. The curiosity was killing Fran.
So, after their meal, Fran and Noah walked to the parking lot. But instead of getting inside Noah’s car, the two just stood there.
“What are you going to do, Noah?” Fran looked at his boyfriend for some answers.
However, Noah didn’t tell Fran anything. Instead, he spoke at the void. “You can stop following us now. Show yourself and let’s talk.”
“Who are you talking to?” Fran was confused.
Noah just smiled at him. Then, a couple of minutes later, someone did really show up. Fran saw a familiar face.
“Oh, it’s you…” Fran said nonchalantly.
It was Vince—still looked as awkward as ever with his spiky black hair.
*****
Fran didn’t say anything. He waited for Vince to talk first. But, Vince just kept on looking at Fran, then at Noah, then back at Fran. It was evident that Vince was nervous.
They were still in the parking lot. Fran didn’t even have the slightest thought to invite Vince inside a restaurant or even inside Noah’s car. They remained standing in the middle of the parking lot. Yes, it was okay that way.
Maybe Noah couldn’t take the silence anymore. So, he was the first one to break the silence among them.
“Your name is Vince?“ Noah said. “You’ve been following as since our date in the aquarium. You’re here to talk. Then, start running your mouth. We don’t have much time to spare.”
Fran laughed. “Don’t be mean, Noah.”
They saw Vince opened his mouth. But still, he uttered nothing. Fran and Noah looked at each other. They both sighed.
“If you’re not yet ready to talk. Just come back another day, Vince.” Fran said.
Vince shook his head. “I…I want to talk to you a-alone, Fran…”
Noah snorted. “You want me gone? Hell no!”
“Anything you say to me, Noah has the right to know, too.” Fran said in a firm voice.
Vince looked down. “I just want to apologize to you. I know, I hurt you so much, Fran. I wanted to be the person closest to you, but in your time of need, I abandoned you just like that.” This time, Vince managed to look at Fran’s eyes directly. “I am very much sorry, Fran. Leslie and I did something horrible to you. We deserve your hate. We—”
Fran cut in. “I don’t hate you and Leslie. Even in the past, I didn’t feel any kind of hatred towards you and your sister.”
He saw a spark of hope in Vince’s eyes. “Does it mean, you’ll forgive me and Leslie?”
“I can forgive you.” Fran said nonchalantly. “You and your sister can have all the forgiveness that you both want from me. I give them all to you.” Suddenly, Fran’s expression became serious. “But, I won’t ever forget how you made me feel when you betrayed my trust in you.”
“Fran—”
Fran felt Noah held his hand. “Vince, I used to blame myself. You were my best friend, my ally. After what you did, I started to hate myself…the way I am. What you and your sister did to me made me curse the very core of my being. It was painful. I wanted to cease to exist. I felt everything was wrong with me. It was my self who I hated the most. I just learned to cope with the pain as time went on.”
Vince started to cry. He looked pitiful.
“But today, I am so ready to face my past. I don’t hate myself anymore. Noah made me realize that I am worthy to be loved. The pain is completely gone. I am loving myself more and more. Because, I can only love truly, if I can learn how to forgive myself. I am happy now, Vince. Truth be told, I don’t really need closure from you. The only closure I need is from myself. I already forgave me. I am happy. I am loved. I am living my best life!”
“Fran…I…” Vince didn’t know what to say.
“No need to say any fancy words to me, Vince.” Fran smiled at his ex-best friend. “You don’t also have to show your face in front of me ever again. Although, I don’t hate you, it doesn’t mean that I want you in my life. Let’s make this the last time we’ll see each other. I wish you the best in life!”
Vince wiped his tears away. It was obvious that he wanted to say something, though, he ended up saying nothing.
“Oh…” Fran acted as if he remembered something important. “Tell your sister, the case against her will carry on. Nothing will convince me to drop the case—even if you both kneel in front of me. Goodbye, Vince. Have a good life!”
“Goodbye!” Noah said to Vince. Then he put his arm around Fran’s shoulders.
They got inside Noah’s car.
“Are you okay, boo?” Noah asked Fran.
Instead of answering the question, Fran started to laugh out loud. He was laughing so hard, his stomach hurt a little.
“You’re happy, huh…” Noah commented.
“Yes, I am!” Fran blurted out.
“And why is that?“ Noah’s face came closer to him.
Fran winked. “I am happy because of you.” He cupped Noah’s face with both hands. “I love you…”
“Then, kiss me…”
“Of course!”
Their lips met.
*****
Days later, a man named Vince Hall made a lengthy post on facebook regarding the slanderous twitter posts of Chelsea Meyer towards Fran.
In the post, Vince told the public that he was the ‘brother’ involved in the issue. He also told the whole truth about the issue and finally cleared Fran’s name.
The post created a huge buzz and it served its purpose really well. Chelsea Meyer’s remaining supporter completely turned their backs on her and cursed Chelsea to death. Her popularity and reputation were entirely reduced to dust. She was defeated completely.
Well, Fran and Noah didn’t really care about Vince’s post.
They could go on with their lives without it.
Here is to loving yourself❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks a lot for the chapter. It was a nice way to start the day.
<3<3<3
That was satisfying …
Thanks for the chapter 🥰
<3<3<3
Thank you for the chapter <3