***

Alan taps his pen on his desk. He reads the reports of Fred's activities carefully.

Fred and Ben attended same high school. Ben's boyfriend Luke used to study there too. Fred joined entertainment industry just one month after Ben joined.

Alan frowns. He realised something so sudden. Fred was never interested in acting before. Then suddenly he became super interested in acting and wanted a role within one month. Could it be?

Luke is childhood friend of Fred. Fred always had contacts with Luke even after high school but the contacts were virtual until Luke's office party.

Right now, Fred is almost living in Luke's appartment everyday. 

Alan was busy reading the reports when his phone rings. He picks up the call casually "Yes aunty, how is mother ?"

***

Ben scrolls through his phone absent mindly. He sighs hard before opening his reddit account.

Hey folks,

I finally know who my boyfriend is cheating with. He was one of our classmates in school.

I met them in a mall last night. They were going for the movie. They saw me and came at Me. Yes, they were not really guilty and pretended play it casual. Like they are friends.

But when it comes to your lover, You already know what's their relationship with other person. Just your sixth sense work instantly.

I thought I would be upset. I was for that moment but right now, I am numb. I am not feeling anything. Maybe, I saw it coming from a miles ago.

I knew that classmate used to like my
boyfriend but he never approached him because my boyfriend isn't rich. And I still think, that classmate would marry or come in a relationship with my boyfriend. He will marry his rich fiance but he will continue to enjoy the attention of my boyfriend.

I don't know if I am overthinking it, but I feel he is doing it to hurt me too. Maybe it's exciting to him to snatch my boyfriend. I don't know.

I am not asking for advise. I have decided to break up with him already but I am just waiting for a solid proof of their adultry so that that classmate can't ruin my future.

If I break up right now, they will distort the truth and use it against me.

Ben closes his mobile after posting the long update.

***

Alan reads the update sitting casually on the sofa. He smiles unknowingly. He has seen people destroying their life over a sweetheart who doesn't deserve them in the first place. The biggest example of this is his mother.

Destroyed her entire life for his cheating father. His father moved on and created a new family. his mother never moved on. But Ben seems stronger than his expectations.

Well, a little bit stupid, doesn't make any smart financial decisions, easily gets bullied, shares his entire life with a bunch of internet strangers, takes those stranger's advices but he is practical.

Maybe more practical than Alan. Ben faced the bitter truth that his boyfriend cheated on him. But Alan never faced the bitter truth that he isn't Fred's boyfriend in fear of breaking his mother's heart.

He actually let himself to be used by Fred wrongly just to save his mother's face.  He avoided the topic like a coward. Alan lets out a sigh. Now that he is already here, he must confess to him mother.

Alan smiles at his mother as she appears at the top of the stairs. "Mom !"

Elena climbs down the stairs with a big smile on her face "you are finally here."

"Sorry mom. I had some pending works. Anyways anything important? You called me urgently?"

Elena smiles "Yes, I have something important to tell you."

Alan nods "ok. I have something important to tell you too. But you go first."

Elena holds Alan's both hands in her hand "Fred said he will wrap up his movie within 5th. And he needs 10 days for preparations. So I have fixed the date of your engagement on the 15th of next month."

Alan's body becomes stiff "what?"

Elena smiles sheepishly "What? You don't believe your mom ? Then ask Fred, he is playing with Ethan in your bedroom."