CHOICES AND CHANCES

Chapter 1

Vincent POV

I transferred here to Suankularb Wittayalai Secondary School because I got involved in an issue at my previous school. I liked this new environment, the students are friendly. After I got enrolled, I joined the music club, and there I met Dark, the school band vocalist. He is a freshman student while I am in my last year.

The band almost disbanded because their drummer and vocalist graduated, but fortunately, Dark and I joined.

Everything went smoothly as days passed.

Music is in my blood.

Before going home, I'll go straight to the music building to play the instruments every morning and afternoon. Its building's wall was made of glass, and it has a botanical garden in front. I always noticed a certain boy sitting there for an estimated half an hour. Though I'm not sure if he's watching me or he just loves to sit on the swing.

I shook my head.

I know this is not the right time to like someone. 

I need to be successful to be out of my father's sharp claws. It is suffocating.

I remembered what happened when I got through a scandal with Lhong, my first love. He sent me away to my grandmother in China. I stayed there on our farm as a punishment and stopped my studies for two years. Imagine the two years of my life just focusing on our farm and updating my father from time to time? It sucks!

Lhong was my first love. I came out to my family that I don't like women. And surprisingly, my father was okay with it. But I started failing my grades because I was too focused on our band and my relationship with Lhong. I also learned to drink and smoke. Unfortunately, someone took a video of us doing that vices, and my father saw it. 

He made it a big deal. He said that I am already a shame for being gay, and now, I will ruin his reputation as a high-end business tycoon. At first, I thought he would disown me, but he just sent me away and made me promise to be better.

I sighed. I don't want to remember it. So, I continued strumming my guitar as I sang from time to time. 

I also noticed that Lance already left; probably he's going home too.

He is cute. No, scratch that. He's gorgeous, like a pretty man. How will it be possible? A pretty face and a man's body? But he has a permanent frown on his face. He looks like he will glare at you anytime he wants.

I smiled at the thought. I noticed that he was very shy when he and his friend greeted us yesterday, just like when I first met him and bumped into him. He couldn't look at me. His ears and face were turning red. How cute.

After everything, I decided to go home and put back the instruments in their designated places. I reached the parking lot and was about to press the car key when someone covered my eyes.

"Guess who?" A tiny voice whispered at me.

"Ace!" I removed his hands from my eyes, and then I turned around to face him. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, your dad asked me to fetch you. We're having dinner at our house. I sent my driver home, so I'll be riding you." He cleared his throat. "I mean, I'll be riding with you."

I sighed. I can't say no to this spoiled brat. I pressed the car key and got inside the driver's seat.

"Ugh! Are you even aware that you don't have any gentleman bone on you? At least, open the door for me," he said and stomped his foot.

"Nope. Not gonna happen. My car, my rule, Come on, hop in, or I'll leave you."

He's still blabbering something incoherent as he gets in.

"Spoiled brat," I teased him.

"Shut it! You're not even spoiling me."

He looked away and focused his eyes outside as we got out of the school premises. 

Ace is my childhood friend though I am three years older than him. Our fathers are best friends. His father owns the Juanchainat Architectural firm, where you can find the best of the best architects in town and abroad. While my parents own Jongcheeveevat Holdings, our construction company. I've overheard them before talking about merging the two firms. I couldn't help but wonder what this dinner was all about. 

We arrived at their mansion, and Ace was still not talking to me. He's like a brother to me, so it bothers me if he is cold like this. 

He's about to go out when I lock the car door. 

"What's wrong with you, baby Acey?" I cooed at him. 

"Don't call me that!" he snapped at me while glaring. 

"Why are you sulking? We're not going out of this goddamn car if you're not telling me the reason why you suddenly act like that."

He sighed. "Nothing, I just miss you. You know, we went to different schools now. You didn't text or call me like before, and when you saw me, you didn't have any reaction."

"Oh, I'm sorry. . . I just got busy these days. You know, I just got transferred. I have to get along, and I am in the school band".

"Whatever," he still doesn't look at me.

I don't know what got into me, but Lance crossed my mind. What would he be like if he sulked like this?

"You owe me an ice cream."

I knew it! 

He still likes ice cream after being a pain in the ass. After that, we will be back to normal.

"Great. Baskin Robbins?" I smiled at him.

"Yes. And I deserve a hug!" he whined.

"Acting like a baby again?" I hugged him and immediately let go.

Lance crossed my mind again.

I wonder how it will feel if I hug him like that?

Vincent, you i***t! I almost heard my mind scolding me.

We got out of the car and went straight to the dining room. Our parents were already seated there and were obviously waiting for us.

"Good evening, everyone!" Ace was back to his jolly self again and gave each one of them a peek on the cheek.

While me, I just bow a little.

"Good evening, Mr. And Mrs. Ledesma. Mom, Dad, how are you?"

"We are good." My Dad answered me as he pointed to the chair beside him. "Take a seat."

Ace sat beside me as usual. "Can someone tell me what this dinner is all about?" He broke the tension and the silence amongst us. 

"Later. Let's eat dinner first." Mr. Ledesma calls the house helper to serve the food. 

I feel awkward. I'm still in my long sleeve polo, my uniform, and Ace was wearing his casual clothes. While our parents wear proper clothing. My Mom always told me to dress appropriately for dinner like this. In my defense, Ace dragged me here. 

It was all planned and sudden.

As usual, our fathers are talking about businesses while our mothers talk about girly things. Sometimes, Ace and I will join the talk if we are asked. But that was too often that I wanted this conversation to end as soon as possible. 

After dinner, we sat on the porch facing the blue water of the swimming pool. 

I knew it would be a serious talk. 

"Vincent," my father called me, and I immediately looked at him. "My best friend here and I talk about our company's merging. You and Ace as the heir, we are expecting you to cooperate." 

"We have to talk about you and Ace to get married someday for us to be united," Mrs. Ledesma said.

I heard Ace choke on his tea. 

I gently pat his back. 

"Do I have a say on this? We are both men. How was that possible?" I looked at them flatly. 

"It is possible! You came out the true you, and Ace here did the same. So why are you so shocked?" I can sense the sarcasm in my father's voice. 

I look at Ace. He is gay? And he did come out? I thought he was straight and just a softy. 

"Dear, at least let them graduate before you decide," My mother said to my dad. I looked at her and gave her a tiny smile. She's always been, my supporter. 

"Fine. You finished your studies, and before you take over the companies, you'll get married," My father said with the stern of finality in his voice. 

How can a twenty-year-old senior high student say no?