EPISODE 13
1353 Words
That evening, the world outside buzzed with headlines and speculation. Adrian sat on the couch, the TV flashing clips of Noah’s upcoming press conference.
The door opened softly—Chen walked in, dropping his bag.
> “You’re still watching the news? I think you should stay away from that, cous,” Chen said, concerned.
Adrian’s lips curved faintly.
> “I know… but I can’t help it.”
> “What did your boss say?”
> “We talked. I’m waiting for his decision. But honestly, I was ready for this the moment I said yes to Noah,” Adrian confessed, his voice steady but weary.
Chen studied him carefully.
> “Are you sure, Adrian? Are you certain you can let go of everything you’ve worked for—just for him?”
Adrian’s gaze softened, drifting to the TV screen where Noah’s smile lit up a fan video montage.
> “Yes. I can let go of everything… as long as he stands with me through it all.”
A small smile tugged at Chen’s lips.
> “Then I hope he never lets go. You two will need that strength.”
> “Thanks, cous. What about you? You’re not giving up either, are you?”
Chen hesitated, then chuckled softly.
> “Actually, I’ve decided to fight. I’ll look for him tomorrow and try to talk things out.”
Adrian laughed, the sound easing the tension in the air.
> “Good. You deserve some happiness too, you boring workaholic.”
Chen rolled his eyes, chuckling.
> “Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I’m exhausted. Going to bed.”
> “Alright. I’ll wait for Noah,” Adrian said softly, eyes still glued to the screen.
> “Oh, I see. Fine then, goodnight, cous.”
> “Night-night, Chen.”
When the room fell quiet, Adrian leaned back, the faint light of the TV flickering across his face. His heart was calm despite the chaos outside. Tomorrow, he thought, Noah will face the world. And I’ll be right here, waiting.
---
Adrian had dozed off on the couch, exhaustion weighing down every limb. The day’s tension, the news, the office drama—it had all caught up with him. The faint hum of the TV was the only sound when the door clicked open.
Noah stepped in, taking off his jacket and shoes, his movements slow, careful—like he didn’t want to disturb the fragile calm of the home he so cherished. His eyes fell on Adrian, curled up on the couch, soft and vulnerable in sleep. A tired smile spread across Noah’s face, warmth flooding him.
He sat beside Adrian, brushing a strand of hair from his face. Adrian stirred, murmuring in the half-light before sleep released its grip and he blinked awake.
Seeing Noah there, alive and present, Adrian pushed himself upright, sleep still clouding his gaze.
“Did I wake you?” Noah asked softly, his hand lingering on Adrian’s hair.
Adrian shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “It’s fine. I was waiting for you anyway. How was it… are you tired? Hungry?”
Noah chuckled, a soft, low sound that made Adrian’s chest ache. “No, I’m good. Just… being here with you washes away every bit of tiredness. And yes, I ate earlier.”
Adrian’s smile grew, genuine and tender, his fingers brushing Noah’s hand. “Tomorrow… the press conference, huh?”
“Yeah,” Noah confirmed, voice steady but calm. “Everything’s set.”
Adrian’s brow creased, worry flickering in his eyes. “Are you going to be okay?”
Noah cupped Adrian’s face, eyes locking with his. “Trust me. Everything will turn out just fine. Love… like I said, I’m not going anywhere. I’m not breaking up with you.”
Adrian exhaled slowly, relief and fear mingling in the soft lines of his face. Noah drew him closer, arms wrapping around him with protective warmth, pulling him into a closeness that made the world outside fade away. “Nothing will hinder us, Adrian. I’m with you… till the end.”
Adrian nodded, feeling the steady heartbeat of the man he loved against his own. “We should… go to bed,” he murmured, voice heavy with sleep.
Noah tilted his head, a teasing glint in his eyes. “We’ll go to bed… only if you say it.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what do you want me to say?”
“Tell me that you’re not scared,” Noah replied softly, holding him even closer.
Adrian’s lips curved into a faint, reassuring smile. His eyes softened, the lingering shadows of the day fading. “I’m not scared. Not anymore. As long as we’re together, we’ll be fine.”
Noah’s smile deepened, and he leaned in to press a gentle kiss to Adrian’s lips, a seal of quiet promise. Pulling back just slightly, he murmured, “Good. Now just sit… relax. Watch how everything unfolds tomorrow. I’ve got us, Adrian. Always.”
Adrian nestled closer, the warmth of Noah’s presence soothing the lingering fears. Tomorrow could wait. Tonight, they had each other—and that was more than enough.
---
The next day, Noah was the first to stir awake. He went through his morning routine, still half-asleep, when he decided to pick out clothes from Adrian’s walk-in closet. As he scanned the neatly arranged racks, his eyes fell on a row of clothes with his name carefully tagged on the left side—exactly the style and fit he loved. A warm smile spread across his face. The small, thoughtful gesture melted his heart and reminded him he had made the right decision being with Adrian.
After dressing, Noah headed downstairs. On the table, he had already prepared breakfast for Adrian and left a small note with a sticker on it. With a final glance at the cozy setup, he smiled softly before leaving for work, feeling lighter and more certain than ever about the path he had chosen.
At NovaStar Entertainment, Noah arrived with his usual confidence, but today there was a different edge—determination and defiance shining in his gaze. The staff hustled to ensure the press conference would run smoothly. His personal manager, Lily Wang, hovered, scripts in hand, whispering what to say and what not to say. Noah nodded absentmindedly, not intending to follow a word of it, his resolve firm but concealed.
Head manager Liam approached, reminding him the CEO wanted a word. Noah followed to the office, where CEO Yang Xiao sat, waiting.
“Noah, sit,” CEO Yang instructed, voice even but edged with concern.
“Yes, sir,” Noah replied, seating himself across from the CEO.
“You’ve made us understand how much you care for Adrian… but at least for the public, can’t you follow the script? Keep the relationship private. It’s better for the company,” Yang said carefully.
Noah leaned back, eyes flashing with intensity. “So you’re saying I should hide the person I love? Keep Adrian a secret? For how long? And have you thought about how that would make either of us feel? Not everyone wants to be hidden behind curtains, CEO Yang. I refuse to make Adrian a secret. He deserves better than that.”
Yang’s tone sharpened. “But Noah… what if this blows out of proportion? Think ahead.”
Noah’s voice rose slightly, a mix of frustration and conviction. “I’ve been here for over a decade. I’ve brought success and revenue. I’ve never broken a contract, never tarnished the company’s image. Tell me—when did loving someone become a crime? Being a celebrity doesn’t forbid me from loving Adrian. I won’t follow a script that demands I hide what’s true. If this press conference today costs the company, then I will gladly leave… and I will leave with no regrets. I will not compromise my heart.”
The room went quiet. CEO Yang exhaled slowly. “Your mind… is made up?”
“Yes. It’s made up,” Noah said firmly, unflinching.
- Writer
