THE DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE

CHAPTER4.1COMING OUT

''Let it out, it's time you were straight with us. 'Do you not trust us enough?'' Belle starts to mumble, the usual mumbling of all mothers that always makes their sons talk. Once they stare at you with their teary, round cat eyes, they can convince you to do anything. Sam preferred to think of it as the most natural order. Mothers rules. Their weakness. She stretches out her hands and holds Sam's hand gently.

''We love you, you are precious to us. Whatever it is, we still love you so much.'' She utters gently in a loving tone, gazing into his eyes. She was truly skilled at manipulating emotions, skills she earned from years of experience. She parted his hand gently, staring at him lovingly. Sam could feel the pressure he was feeling to hide away fade. He talked fast before his mother moved to the second stage, dramatically crying. Whether her tears were real or fake, they still worked, always. It had to be today. He had to come out, though he felt like he needed more time. But Bella was not so giving; he could hear it in her tone. She needed him to say it.

''I think I am different?'' Sam blurts out almost immediately and stops Bella from adding new heartbreaking sentences. He feels the emotion overwhelm him so strongly that he can taste the bitter feelings in his words. He was different; he knew it, but admitting it out loud was just too hard. He'd been having a hard time expressing himself. Letting out his secret that he'd been hiding for so long, which had felt so hard to utter until now. He keeps silent for five more minutes, darting his eyes from his parents to his brother, trying to read their expressions, but he can't tell what they are thinking.

"I am gay. 'I am so gay it hurts not to admit it.'' He states hesitantly, a little worried, then silently stands up, walks to the sitting room, slumps down on the couch, and waits. His eyes were teary-glazed. He was feeling so much, but hoped his parents wouldn't turn out like Zayn's. His coming out was a disaster. The secret was finally out, and now that he has admitted it, it feels like nothing mysterious. Just words. He feels his shoulders relax, as his body sinks into the couch, and feels like a huge burden has been removed from his chest. His body felt light.

In the dining room, his parents and Edward exchanged looks, and if Sam hadn't been so sad, he would have noticed his mother’s suppressed smile. She had won the bet. Smiling, she stands up and walks gracefully towards her husband. ''Pay up, love.'' Belle cheers, looking very satisfied with herself. "I told you guys, I always win". She brags loudly, her tone raised a key higher in her English accent, to show how classic she was.

Sam looks up to see their beaming faces, and he can't help but get angry and happy at the same time. He is so stupefied, they even dared to bet on his coming out. ‘Mum! 'Dad!’ Sam cries out, feeling aggrieved, but a small smile appears on his face. He looks at his brother angrily, feeling betrayed.

"Don't look at me, I wasn't in on it,'' Edward sips his tea, smiling, totally ignoring Sam’s sharp looks." I really wasn't in on it," he insists.

'All this is Mum's doing?' Sam thought, staring daggers at his mother. His brother and dad love him too much to bet on his feelings. Especially right now. Not saying that his mother didn't love Sam, but she is a little crazy, like most moms. But maybe a little extra.

"Was that so hard to say?" Belle brags proudly. Her acting was superb. Even the teary eyes seemed real.

''It seems you don't know, but we know, we've always known you and your brother here play for the same team. Hahhaha, it’s not a big deal.'' She mocks ''We would have sold this problem long ago, but your father here just had to insist you come out, out of your own will. Now pay up". Belle mockingly scolded, stretching her hands out towards their father. If she hadn’t tricked Sam, he wouldn’t have admitted to it. She deserves the pay. Belle was quite misunderstood; she had crazy ideas for solving problems, as she didn't like the emotional path. It felt burdensome to process the complex feelings.

William shakes his head quietly, takes out his wallet, removes his black card, and hands it to his wife. He smiles gently as she snatches the card. She was still so youthful.

"Yes, I won," Belle cheers delightfully, snatches the card, and kisses it.

She looks happy as she bounces away hurriedly before Sir William gives her a limit on the card. Sam knew she would do crazy stuff to get her hands on his dad's card. He just didn't expect to be one of them. All in all, Sam is glad they did that; it gave him a light feeling of love, like the issue wasn’t even a problem. They watch her as she runs out the door. She was a big spender, and unless the card maxed out, she would not be coming back anytime soon. They most probably won't see her again until a month later.

Coming from an influential, rich family under restrictive societal rules, coming out would have been a family-breaking discovery, but not the Kian. It didn't stop his family from supporting Sam openly. Sam's father, Sir William, to protect him, decided to send Sam out of state to his brother's former university to study until things cooled down. Away from their rule-bound community. He was cold, and his icy demeanor scared many, but he had a soft heart and was a great father. Edwards's cruelty and indifference were definitely not inherited from him, but maybe from his grandfather, whom he spent a lot of time with.

The media was going crazy with all kinds of scandals that Sam was involved in. In particular the accident, the police at the scene reported Sam being drunk while driving, neglecting human life, and causing lots of damage because of the blackout. Even though lots of money was used for a cover-up, the reporters and the public couldn't be bought.

Coming out was not a shock to his parents, but before coming out, he had created a mess, leaving a mark and quite a reputation behind him, which needed to be swept under the carpet. The blow to his family's reputation was not taken lightly by his father, though he did understand Sam, identifying as them usually takes a lot of courage. All in all, Sam has to be punished to quell public opinion.

They take a private flight out of the country to Iceland. A small country covered in snow through the seasons. The weather is bad, but their schools are great. When they arrive, a vehicle is already arranged with all the luggage inside. When Sam left home, all he knew was that he was going to study abroad. After the airport, they had driven for miles, and Sam was not talking to his dad as he didn't know where he was taking him. He was given no say in that matter. Unknowingly, he was being banished to his dream elite university. He had always wanted to study there like his brother, Edward.

''Dad, you seem to have driven me to the wrong destination. Sam could hardly believe his luck. ''This is Great Valley University!!'' Sam blurts out, opens the door, and rushes out of the car excitedly like a child to admire the beauty of the school. The university building is tall and magnificent, like an old castle. The ambiance of the ancient filled the air. The university was situated in the middle of a fifty-mile forest from the city, giving it a serene and quiet atmosphere.

''Wow, Dad, it's beautiful. How did you know I wanted to go here?'' Sam beams with happiness. He never grew tired of all the legendary stories his brother told him about the place. He couldn’t wait to be part of it. It felt more like he was being rewarded. His beautiful, crazy family. Most rich families would hide their children away. He swiftly walks to his father and hugs him.

''Thank you, Dad.'' He whispers, thrilled at the turn of events.

Great Valley University was an elite institute equipped to train elites in all the influential careers available. It was a great place for Sam to stay until things cooled down. His scandals were posted on all media sites. And him being a public figure, it wasn't good at all.

"This great idea. I am sure my brother suggested it. Only he knows I want to study at his former school.'' Sam thought loudly, delighted.

'You had better learn to be an upright young man. No more trouble from you, okay? 'Unless you want to join the special unit at the military academy,' his father warns him as he gets out of the car. He walks to the back of their truck and unloads the luggage.