***

Alan smiles unknowingly reading the update. He shakes his head at Ben's childishness. It looks like Ben can't live one day without talking with these internet strangers.

He puts his phone aside. It will take time for the comments to flog in. He is curious what the suggestions will be. But right now, he is more curious about something.

He dials his PA's number. The call connects after the third ring.

"Hello sir !" Came the voice from the other side.

"I want the details of Fred's daily activities of the last three months. I want each and every detail by tomorrow. Where is he going, who is he going with, and what is he doing? Everything. And if you try to hide even a single truth from me, I will hide your existence forever."

"Ok sir." An almost frightened voice replies back.

Alan nods even though his PA can't see him. "Also, do a background check and find out what's Fred's connection with Ben Arnold."

"Ok sir."

Alan lets out a tired sigh after he cuts the call. It was a tiring day. He had so much work at the office that he initially planned to just head back home from the office and sleep. But suddenly Ben appeared with his apology dinner.

That kid doesn't even have money to treat him in Zodiac Bistro, yet he thought it was a good idea to offer that restaurant? He seriously needs to sort out his finances. Wasted all his money on his useless boyfriend, who doesn't even value his efforts. Now wasting all his money on apologizing to people.

Alan suddenly remembers the post. He picks his phone up and starts reading the comments.

My grandpa used to say if you really want to treat someone, then treat them with food that you love the most. That's like sharing or offering a part of you.

If your boss doesn't like Michelin star restaurants, then he would absolutely like street food.

Just ask your other colleagues. Someone must know the boss's preferences.

I have read it in dramas , most of the famous CEO'S have very sad childhoods. Like strict parents, study pressure, status maintaining, divorced parents, and all that. So they don't really get the chance to explore casual life. Why don't you treat him in a mall food court. Like pizza , coke and all that. He would love it.

Alan frowns with the last comment he read. Two thousand up votes and forty replies under that comment.

Well, he has divorced parents, but who is spreading these kinds of rumors about sad childhood. Alan clicks on the replies.

Alan nods seriously while looking at his phone. These people are really watching dramas too much. Also, very wrong kinds of dramas. Who watches a drama of a CEO with sad past ? Also, who makes these kind of dramas?

Alan was thinking all this when he saw Ben's reply on this same comment.

"Really? It will work?"

Alan shakes his head in disbelief. "No way... absolutely not. I will throw you out of the show if you even dare to think this about me." 

But Ben couldn't hear Alan's sound. That's how Alan finds himself standing in front of a mall the next day.

Ben gives a gentle smile at Mr. Scott "I am a regular in this mall. Their food court is my favourite."

Alan lets out a sigh. "What are you going to treat me this time?"

"Your choice, there are so many stalls , restaurants and fast food counters. Whatever Mr. Alan wants. Actually I don't really know what Mr. Alan likes, so I selected a place with so many options."

"Is it the only reason you selected this mall ?"

Ben nods simply.

"Looks like you got a little courage this time." Alan remarks.

Ben smiles. In mall food court, he doesn't need to worry about budget. Also after last night dinner, he realised Mr. Scott is really not that scary.  Mr. Scott is a good person. A little arrogant but he is rich as hell, so the attitude suits him.

Also if it's true, that all CEO people lives a sad and depressing childhood then Mr. Scott deserves to know the happiness of a casual life.

"Are you going to stand at the entrance forever ?"

"Uh .. no." Ben almost runs towards the escalator hearing Mr. Scott's scolding.

"I am sorry." He stands beside Mr. Scott. "I was thinking what Mr. Scott would like to have."

"I don't eat anything in the afternoon. Too late for lunch , too early for dinner." Alan huffs. He doesn't know why he even agreed to come with Ben? He must have gone mad.

Ben frowns at the side face of his boss "Supper?"

"I don't." 

Ben was about to ask something again when he stumbled forward. He gasps in horror. Shit ! Shit ! Shit ! He forgot that he was in an escalator. How can he not notice the ending? Ben closes his eyes, covering his nose.

But his body never hits the cold floor. A warm body circles his entire torso. Ben slowly opens his eyes. His face is hitting the black suit of a man. He looks up a little.

"Can't even walk straight?" Alan looks down at the body in his arms.

Ben's ears turn red. "I .... I didn't notice.."

"Alan tilts his head "Do I smell bad ?"

Ben hurriedly uncovers his nose. His entire face turns red "no no... I was .. just protecting my nose... Nose surgeries are ... expensive."

"Nose surgeries? What?"

Ben pouts. "I tried to fix my nose once..."

Alan was about to reply when a flashlight hits his face. He looks at his side.

There girls are standing just by the side with excited faces. One of the girls who has mobile in her hand replies, "sorry , you and your boyfriend are looking good together. So I clicked a photo. Tell me your id. I will send it to you."

"How long are you two dating ?

"You two look so good together."

Alan looks at the girls in confusion before realizing Ben is still in his arms. He blinks.

Ben also realized his position and hurriedly pushes Mr. Scott away. Shit ! H doesn't want another problem with Fred. "We are not dating." He clarifies to the girls.

"Owh !" One of them replies.

"So, talking stage ?"

"No no .. " Ben shakes his head "He is my boss."

"Office romance..... Huiii !" All the girls shout together.

Alan chuckles finally. "Girls , I would appreciate if you don't leak the photo in social media. We haven't come out of closet yet."

"Ok okk .. we wouldn't. We support you. Fighting."

Ben looks at Alan after the girls leave. "Why didn't you clear the misunderstanding?"

Alan shrugs. "They are delusional. You can't convince them of anything except what they want to believe."

"But what if your boyfriend misunderstands you?"

"I don't have a boyfriend." Alan starts walking around the mall.

Ben hurriedly follows, "What do you mean? You broke up with Fred?"

"Fred was never my boyfriend."

Ben almost freezes. "Fred isn't ?"

"No." Alan stops and looks at Ben "My family wants Fred to be my boyfriend. But I never wanted it."

Fred lied all these years ? Ben thinks in his mind but doesn't dare to ask it out loud "T.. then why didn't you deny it and stop the rumours completely?"

Alan starts walking again. "I never had a reason to do that."

Ben frowns "you don't need a reason to dismiss some lies ? You have the rights to live your life without any false allegations. You don't need to bear the responsibility of some free loaders like you owe them."

"I actually owe Fred's family a lot."

"So what ? Letting yourself be used isn't the way you repay. You are a human not a pocket tissue which anyone can use to clean their hands."

Alan raises his one eyebrow at Ben.

But Ben continues "the more you submit, the more they will dominate you. Now they are using the boyfriend tag, but one day they will be greedy and want to use the husband tag. What will you do then ?"

Marry on their terms ? Because by then it will be too late to deny. Even if you try to, they will say you used your boyfriend. You ruined your boyfriend's youth. You need to take the responsibility.

Otherwise, you will just be a motherless bastard who does not know what family is. Who only used the boyfriend when he was struggling in life, then just left his boyfriend."

Tears roll down on Ben's cheeks "They will ruin your reputation, your hardwork, your career in one go. Everybody will can you gold digger. Nobody will notice how the boyfriend cheated. How the boyfriend insulted , humiliated him for other man. How his boyfriend dismissed all his efforts ... How ... "

Ben stops as a pair of warm hands cup his cheeks. He looks up with blurry eyes.

Alan slowly wipes the tear stains from Ben's cheek with his thumbs. "If something is hurting you this much, you must let it go. Holding back wouldn't make things better."

Ben couldn't control his sobs. He doesn't why he feels like bawling.

Alan wipes the tears once again. "People will always talk about something. It's their job to talk. It's your choice which lot you want to entertain and which you don't."

"What .... if we ....fail ?"

"Then we will try something else. Just like the way you brought me because you failed last time ? That same way, we will try again and count all the options available."

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