“They didn’t, they would never…” Taylor murmurs to himself, trying his best to brush off every gut-sickening scenario that is created by his frenzy mind. Desperately, finding a reasonable explanation for this photo.

Betrayed by two people he cherishes the most, two individuals who keep him sane until now. His anchor and his love…

That can’t be true. Absolutely impossible.

They may know each other coincidentally, somehow. But Taylor convinces none of them might expect each of them to relate to him. Noah is supposed to be had no idea about his affair with Oliver, Taylor is cocksure because he makes sure so. Meanwhile, Oliver has never met Noah in person, there are myriad people named Noah, and he doesn't know this Noah is the same person Taylor often refers to as his best friend. That must be it.

But how can they be this close?

How did they meet? and what is Noah for Oliver?; A friend? A mere customer? Or something more?

Taylor regrets not paying more attention to Oliver’s acquaintance, he doesn’t know Oliver’s circle that well, including people in the bakery. Oliver’s co-workers only think of him as one of those customers who happened close with Oliver. Taylor can’t afford any mistake which could possibly taint his reputation so he sets barriers from outsiders and intentionally refuses to get too close to them.

He can not ask Oliver’s bakery staff without arousing suspicion. If he shows the slightest interest in others outside the publicly known part of his close circle, the community will start wondering. Creating their own puzzle pieces to match the image they want. Paranoia promptly takes over Taylor’s logic. Despite being close with the pastry chef, there’s no guarantee Oliver’s friends and co-workers are not part of those leeches who desire a piece from Taylor. He can not let any mistake ruin the career he has built until now.

Then where should he look for answers to his questions?

“Why are you surprised?” Jackson snickers, enjoying the sight of Taylor’s eyes staring blankly at the photo while his head wreaking havoc searching for a denial excuse.

“No way you never think he will do this to you right?” Jackson examines his fiance's baffled face which he wishes to capture in a big painting, not every day he can find Taylor’s cold face become this frantic. “Oh come on Taylor~ I know you never date anyone but I never expect you will be this naïve. Have you ever thought about your so-called lover's feelings? Watching his only boyfriend being chummy with another guy in public. We talk about our engagement, sweet presents, romantic dates, and even marriage. Meanwhile, you just keep him in the dark, hide him from people like he is a disgrace in your career that could ruin your life. This poor guy takes whatever you gave to him. Every man has pride and dignity. How long do you think he can stand being treated like that? That’s why people like us should be with someone on the equivalent level and someone like him should date someone on his level as well” Jackson scoffs.

Taylor rumples the photo on his fist, casting a hostile glare at the pompous man before him. He is angry, upset, and disappointed but not sure where those feelings are directed at. Who's to blame for this?

Despite this tangled-up mess, Taylor knows where he can vent his anger at. Someone who will swallow all his rants and the blame he throws at him without complaint.

“You just made it up! I know all of your sly tricks, you will do everything to get what you want. You set them up and took their picture to trick me!” Taylor almost shouts, the vein on his neck all pops out, jawbone tenses to the point it feels quite hurt.

Anger is his best denial attempt, his best explanation so he can sleep better tonight. He wishes Jackson to admit it, regardless of the truth, Taylor hopes Jackson will play along with his pathetic baseless argument.

“I never lie to you, Taylor. You can ask whoever works in his bakery that Noah has been visiting them regularly, every single morning before they open to eat his breakfast there. They said, your best friend likes the pastries that your boyfriend made. Noah admires him as a person, not just part experiment to find love,” Jackson sighs frustrated “we are raised in a realistic environment and you should make a rational decision. I’m still waiting for the answer to the 2 choices I gave you. You know I can’t wait forever”

‘Regarding your engagement that surprised the entire nation, people are getting curious about your relationship with Mr Lewis. Can you please tell us a bit about what you guys have been doing lately? If I may ask’

Taylor laughs, covering his mouth, his eyes are beaming full of mirth as if he has been waiting for this particular question to be asked

‘We have a lot of chances to get to know each other even more. We spent more time together, went on dates, spent time having dinner and lunch together, and he also often visited me at the house. My mom even cooked his favourite steak herself whenever he came,’ he gladly answers.

‘How sweet, glad to hear that. I heard that you guys already have the date for the wedding. By chance, will you invite the press to cover your wedding?’

With his usual sweet smile, Taylor answers, ‘of course, we will gladly share our happiness with press colleagues’

Oliver takes a deep breath. Closing the magazine and putting it on the table. His eyes are fixated on the window as the sun’s rays seep through the glass and the warmth soothes his hazed mind. A plethora of people passes by ready to start the day. He wonders how many of them are through the same problem as he is. Is there anyone who can give him some advice?

For gods know how many times Oliver checked his phone. Contacting Taylor first would be too risky – as he said, it could be read by the wrong people and cause trouble. Hence, he will follow their agreement by waiting for Taylor to contact him first. Although, waiting is easier said than done.

This is not the first time Oliver found the shell-shocked news from a random morning newspaper Jonah brought on his way to work, or the gossip channel Evie watched in the morning while getting her make-up done. It did not even surprise Oliver if he accidentally eavesdropped on the customer talking about the couple. Why are people so invested in them? He would never understand.

 “Eve,” Oliver calls his employee between his wandering thoughts.

 “It’s Evie, and what is it, boss?” The girl pauses from drawing her eyeliner to wait for Oliver to speak which she assumes about their increasing revenue these past few days, the cashier kinda wishes for a new part-timer since working behind the counter and serving the dine-in order become too hard to handle especially in the lunch break. “If you intend to recruit a new part-timer, I suggest a boy-“

 “No, no more boy, we already have too many boys hanging out in this bakery.” Oliver refutes sternly just to return to his angst state while staring out of the window forlornly. “That’s not it. I want to ask, do you follow the most recent news these people keep talking about? He clears his throat.

Evie huffs. Her boss certainly knows nothing about marketing. Many of their customers are female, considering they are famous for their cute desserts and tasty sweets. Taking that fact into account, a bakery with a cute helper boy with a sweet smile and wearing a chic Barrett and apron surely will satisfy the customer’s imagination.

 But wait…

 Evie’s eyes widened. Just because the majority of the customers are young women doesn’t mean they will be attracted to cute boys. Evie remembers she got a few cell phone numbers written on the money she received. Does this mean Oliver’s gay radar is stronger than her? As expected, her insensible boss has been changed, seemingly feeding the cat is not completely useless since he becomes more attentive to his surroundings. Evie feels proud for some reason so she might as well answer Oliver’s question thoughtfully.

 “Ah, do you mean that crazy rich couple's wedding?”

 “What do you think about them? Do you think they are…real?”

 Evie tilts her head for an unusual question coming from Oliver, but she knows Taylor Kim sometimes paid a visit to the bakery and seems to know Oliver personally. She assumes Oliver might be worried since they know each other, although he is usually not the type who puts his nose in someone else’s business.

 “Well…” Evie puts down her eyeliner pencil and carefully threads her words. “People want to believe they are real. I mean they are not a celebrity or anything but their back story about being childhood friends then lovers and fiances is the reason people keep romanticising their relationship. A couple from the two wealthiest families in this nation, their relationship is a dream scenario for us commoners,” she giggles, “But whether or not they are legit…I am honestly not sure. I told you, boss, money will always come along with drama. They said their love is pure and genuine and whatever… but a single scandal can cause fluctuation in their company's stock. Bet their petty love quarrel can cost a year of my salary”

Evie’s opinion picked Oliver’s interest. “So you think there’s a chance they will call off the wedding?” he asks.

 Evie gasps, “Boss, you better not say that to Mr Taylor, or he won’t let us take care of the wedding cake.” She shakes her head, done with her boss, who doesn’t think before blurting out his unfiltered words. “Also marriage is not always about love. Who cares if they are genuine or not, as long as it benefits the two parties…all is good,” she shrugs. “People are simple yet complex at the same time”

 Oliver agrees.

People are mysterious, mystifying, hard to read, impossible to interpret, and inscrutable. Unlike bread, which will get a nice texture if made with precise composition and proper treatment, reading people is a bizarre formulation that needs an infinity calculation. Because no matter how nice you treat them, they won’t guarantee you a mutual.

 “You are surprisingly wise, Eve” Oliver compliments her for the first time since she works here.

“I’m flattered Boss, although stop calling me with my childhood name!” Evie retorts.

“Then stop calling me ‘Boss’! For heaven’s sake, I’m a chef specialised in sweets not some leader of a mafia gang” Oliver fires back.

“Then do you agree I call you ‘uncle’?”

Oliver groans, he had enough of this argument with his bratty niece.