“Bonanza” club was located just a few bus stops from Mika’s place. It was a very popular place, so it was crowded almost the entire week. Sometimes you couldn’t get in because there were too many people partying inside, and you had to wait in a long queue.

Mika checked the time on his phone. Only then did he realize why people were standing in line despite it being early. “Shit, I forgot the queue was usually long on Fridays,” he mumbled, standing on tiptoe and trying to estimate the number of people ahead of him. “What if I won’t be able to get inside?”

He turned his head to the right and noticed a familiar figure standing with his back in the alley. His mood brightened immediately.

Looks like my day isn’t that bad after all, Chris is still outside.

He left the queue and started walking towards his boyfriend when he saw someone's hands on his waist. The long fingers were moving up and down, reaching Chris’s bottom. Mika frowned. It didn't look like a friend's hug.

What the fuck is happening here? Am I imagining things? Mika said while moving closer to the couple. He was ready to approach them directly when he heard the other person talking. Without realizing what he was doing, he instinctively jumped to the left and hid around the corner. He could hear every single word from this distance.

“Babe, you promised me something,” the person said in a very seductive way.

“Yes, I know. And I told you that now is not the right time to bring it up.”

If Mika still had any doubts, he now got the final confirmation - the voice he just heard belonged to Chris. Mika’s chest tightened. He covered his mouth with his hand, afraid to let out even the smallest sound. Is this what I think it is? No… he wouldn’t do this to me…
 
“How long will I have to wait then?”

“I’m sure I’ll be able to talk with Mika in the upcoming days. He should be getting the final decision after his interviews soon.”

“Are you sure this is not another excuse?” the man asked impatiently.

“You don’t have to worry about that, I promise you.”

“You sure are cruel. You were the one sending his CV to that company.”

“Hah,” Chris laughed, gently brushing the other man's cheek. “Yes, I did it, but I’m sure he won’t be able to make it.”
 
“So why did you do it?”

“To put Mika in his place. He is always so proud of his entire career change and full of enthusiasm. But that’s his limit, he won’t be able to reach the top. He’s too naive thinking he will get hired.”

“Chris, what is the meaning of this?!” Mika stepped outside of the corner just in time to witness not only Chris’s words but also a passionate kiss that one placed on the other guy’s lips. “And who the hell are you?” Mika pointed at the stranger.

It was obvious that both men were caught off guard. Chris, who was clearly surprised and didn’t expect to see Mika here, moved away from the man he was just kissing. Mika’s eyes moved to the guy with a piercing in his lips and red, curly hair. He, on the other hand, didn’t want to let Chris go and tightened his embrace almost like he wanted to show the entire world that Chris belonged to him.

 The short silence was broken by the redhead's chuckle. “Me? I’m his boyfriend. Why are you so shocked? Ohhh, he didn’t tell you?”

Time stopped for Mika. He stood dumbfounded, unable to let a single word out of his mouth. He looked at both men, trying to analyze what he had just heard and seen.

Breathe, I need to remember to breathe, he told himself, his hand on his chest. One year together… one year… was it all a lie?

They say that when you’re close to dying, your life flashes before your eyes. That one year they were together had indeed passed in front of Mika’s eyes at that very moment. All of the sweet moments, all of the promises he heard, all of the words that came out of Chris’s mouth.

It was all one huge lie…
 
“You better go home, let me handle this,” Chris said, trying to send the red-haired guy away.

“Your wish is my command. See you later, babe,” the redhead replied while giving Chris a quick kiss on his lips before leaving both of them behind.

Chris sighed and turned his head in Mika’s direction. It seemed like he was analyzing in his head what he should say as the silence between them grew longer. They were standing like this for a moment before Chris decided to speak first.

“Should we talk about what just happened?”.

Mika, who was standing frozen just a few seconds ago, finally regained his ability to speak. “W-what...what is the meaning of this...” he asked with a trembling voice. Then he raised his head more to look into Chris’s eyes. He was searching for an explanation for what had just happened, but all he could see was an emotionless, cold gaze. “Is what he just told true? That he is your boyfriend?” Mika wished Chris would say that all of this was a joke. A cruel one, but still a joke.

 “I don’t think there’s any point in denying what you just heard. All of this is true,” he responded frigidly. After Chris’s response, questions started to come out of Mika’s mouth, one after another.

“How long?”

“How long, what?

Is he playing stupid?

“How long... have the two of you been together?”

“About 6 months.”

“Did you fuck him?”

Please say ‘no’.

“Yes.”

Mika shuddered. He was thinking about how to react, but after hearing Chris replying without the slightest hesitation and seeing the way he acted as if nothing had happened, he decided to leave his rational part behind and go with the flow.

“Wow, just wow. Bravo,” he clapped his hands. Unable to control his emotions any longer, Mika shouted, “You must think of me as a complete idiot! Not only have you been meeting him behind my back, but you also never took our relationship seriously! And you slept with that twink? How old is he? Is he even an adult?”

People who were standing still in a queue just a moment ago started to look in their direction. “Mika, people are staring at us. Should we discuss this in a more private place?” Chris answered, trying to make Mika lower his voice.

Mika’s face turned red, and his breathing became restless. “You were just kissing him in this alley and now you’re telling me to shut up?” he yelled back.

What should he do now? Should he really be standing there listening to all this bullshit?

Just 1 hour ago he was at his home, reading an email with happy news. He was ready to be the first one to reach out to Chris and clarify all of the misunderstandings between them. He considered him the love of his life and wanted to do everything he could to make things go back to how they were before.

And now he was standing there like a pathetic fool. Chris didn’t apologize to him and didn’t say anything to make Mika feel better. Almost like he didn’t care about what just happened.

Mika raised his head to look at the clear, dark sky. Countless thoughts were running through his head, and he couldn’t stop this process even if he tried hard. He could see stars shining above him. Mika decided to close his eyes and count to ten in his head.

When he opened his eyes, his gaze became piercing. The same eyes that were once filled with so much love were now lacking any emotion.

He pulled himself together and took a few steps towards Chris. They were extremely close -so close that they could feel each other’s breath.

Those eyes that betrayed me and those lips that were telling me sweet lies.

They stood like this, facing each other, before Mika let the words out of his mouth, making sure they were only audible to Chris.

“This is our goodbye, and this is where we part. I came here intending to clear the situation between us, but after witnessing this all, I no longer have such desire.”

And the rest of the words, he decided to keep to himself. Even though you have hurt me so much today, I’m not going to stop believing in real love. I’ll find it one day, and I’ll be happy with the person who will choose me. I’ll cherish each day and appreciate all of the beautiful moments. And I’ll never let a situation like this one happen again. This is the promise I’m making to myself.

“...”

Mika took a few steps back and was about to head home when he suddenly stopped. Then he quickly approached Chris, leaned forward, and whispered into his ear, “Oh, and one more thing. I made it. I passed the interviews and will be joining my dream company.”