Chapter 66: The Secret I Finally Told Him

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: The Secret I Finally Told Him

~Reynold’s POV~

"Alright," Julian said, lowering his voice. "We’ve eaten, we’re settled, and you look like you’re about to confess to a crime. What is it you wanted to tell me?"

I looked at him for a long moment, struggling to find the right words. I could launch into a long, complicated explanation, but somehow, words didn’t feel like enough. Besides, I just wanted to get it over with.

Before diving into a messy explanation, I decided that showing him the truth would be easier. Still, a heavy wave of guilt washed over me. I needed to clear the air, not because I felt I had done anything wrong or because I had "stolen" someone’s man, but because I knew Julian liked Frederick, and I hated keeping it from him.

I took a deep breath. "Julian... I want you to know that what I’m about to tell you wasn’t planned. It just happened. I’m really, really sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I wanted to tell you, but I wasn’t allowed to until now. So please... forgive me."

Julian blinked, his eyebrows drawing together in genuine confusion. "Forgive you? For what, exactly?"

"For keeping a secret from you," I whispered.

"What secret?" he asked.

Instead of answering, I picked up my phone, unlocked it, and opened my gallery. I scrolled through my photos until I found one of Frederick and me, a rare candid shot of us standing close together, our lips gently touching in a soft kiss.

I turned the phone face-up and slowly slid it across the wooden table toward him.

"Look at this," I said quietly.

Julian let out a light, bewildered chuckle as he reached for the phone. "What are you showing me—"

His words trailed off the moment he looked at the screen.

For a few seconds, he simply stared at the picture, as though his mind was struggling to process what he was seeing. The smile slowly faded from his face, replaced by stunned disbelief. His fingers tightened around the phone, and the color gradually drained from his face.

He looked up at me, then back at the picture, his eyes widening as the realization finally sank in.

"Is this... is this real?" he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.

I swallowed hard and gave a small nod. "Yes."

Julian stared at the photo for another moment, as if he were trying to convince himself that what he was seeing wasn’t real. Then his gaze slowly lifted back to me, disbelief still written across his face.

"You and Frederick..." His voice faltered before he looked down at the picture again. "Together. Kissing."

A tremor of disbelief ran through his voice as he looked at me again. "Don’t tell me... the young boy everyone’s been saying Frederick is dating—it’s you?"

For a moment, Julian just stared at me, as if he was waiting for me to deny it. When I didn’t, the disbelief in his eyes slowly hardened into something I couldn’t quite read.

I shrank back slightly in my seat and nodded. "Yes. But... it’s not what people think, Julian."

"How long?" he demanded, his voice suddenly tight. "How long have you two been together?"

"Just... recently," I stammered.

Julian’s gaze dropped back to the phone, and he stared at the picture for another moment. Then his eyes lifted to me again, a new realization dawning on his face.

"He’s the one who bought your car for you, isn’t he?"

I bit my lip and nodded. "Yes."

"And that place you refused to let me visit," he continued, his tone becoming sharper. "He rented that apartment for you, right?"

"No," I corrected quickly. "I’m not living in a rented apartment. I’m living in one of his main houses."

Julian went completely still.

He stared at me for a long moment, his face giving nothing away. The longer he remained quiet, the more uneasy I became.

"I’m sorry, Julian. Please," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "Don’t be mad."

"Is that why you refused to let me visit?" he asked, his voice suddenly calm.

"No—not just that," I rushed to explain. "Yesterday, Frederick was actually at the house, and I hadn’t told him I was bringing a friend over. That’s why I couldn’t let you come with me."

Julian exhaled slowly, his gaze dropping to the phone again. "So you both stay under the same roof?"

"Yes," I whispered. "We share a bed, too... we do a lot together. But you have to forgive me, Julian. I didn’t mean to keep it from you like this."

He said nothing.

The silence stretched between us, and I found myself bracing for the reaction I had been dreading, the anger, the questions, maybe even the feeling of betrayal I knew he had every right to feel.

But instead, Julian slowly placed the phone back on the table.

The corners of his mouth lifted into a small smile, but something about his expression made me uneasy.

"I’m happy for you," he said smoothly.

I blinked, completely thrown off by his reaction. "I’m really sorry, Julian."

"It’s fine," he said. "You haven’t done anything wrong, and I understand why you couldn’t tell me sooner. Now that you’ve finally told me, can I come to your house sometime? At least let me know where you live so I can visit you and pick you up occasionally?"

A wave of relief washed over me, though a strange uneasiness still lingered at the back of my mind.

I nodded slowly. "Yes. But... you’re really not mad at me?"

"Why would I be angry?" Julian asked. Then he paused, his curiosity getting the better of him. "But how did you even manage to meet Frederick?"

"That’s a long story," I replied with a small smile. "But he’s really helped me a lot since the day we met. He’s been there for me, and honestly, he’s such a sweet man."

Julian chuckled lightly, keeping his eyes on me. "I’m happy for you... You really managed to catch yourself a big fish."

He reached across the table and gently patted my hand.

I smiled faintly, reassured by his words, though I couldn’t quite shake the strange feeling that something about his reaction wasn’t right. There was a subtle edge to his voice that made me uneasy.

"Alright," Julian said, his smile lingering. "So, when we’re done with our lectures today, can I come home with you, or do I still have to wait?"

I hesitated for a moment, remembering Frederick’s warning. But now that I had finally told Julian the truth, I figured there was no reason to hide my home from him anymore. "You can come over."

His eyes lit up briefly before he quickly settled back into a casual expression. "Alright. So, tell me everything about Frederick."

I shrugged, keeping my expression casual. "There’s really not much to tell. All I can say is that he’s a nice man."

Julian gave a quiet chuckle. "You’re in love with him, aren’t you?"

I lowered my gaze, careful not to let my panic show. I couldn’t tell him about the strict five-year business agreement. That was one secret I still needed to keep to myself.

"Why not?" I said lightly. "Anyone would fall for someone like him. I’m no exception."

"You’re right about that," Julian agreed smoothly, resting his chin on his hand. "So, tell me... have you two slept together?"

I blinked at his blunt question. "What? What do you mean?"

He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. "Have you had sex with him?"

Heat rushed to my face, and I gave him a shy smile. "I already told you we share a bed. So, yes, we’ve done it several times."

"Is he good in bed?" Julian asked, his gaze fixed on me.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and looked away. "I can’t really explain it, but I can tell you that I feel good whenever we’re together."

Julian smirked, though his jaw tightened slightly. "Sounds like he’s good in bed. And I’m guessing he was your first, right? You were still a virgin last semester, but I guess that’s not the case anymore."

"Yes, he was my first," I admitted softly.

A sudden wave of protectiveness came over me, and I gave a light, defensive laugh. "And honestly, I can’t really sit here and explain whether he’s ’good’ or not. Sharing that part of him feels like sharing a piece of him, and I don’t want to share my man with anyone."

Julian’s smile faltered for a brief moment before he quickly recovered. "Joke’s on you, Reynold. You’re only lucky enough to share a bed with him. It’s not like you two are actually in a real, public relationship. If he’s so in love with you, why is he hiding you away like a dirty secret?"

His words hit me harder than I expected. A sharp pang of doubt twisted through me, but I refused to let him see it. I lifted my chin and kept my expression calm.

"You’re right about that," I replied smoothly. "But at the end of the day, I’m the only one sharing his bed, even if he chooses to keep things private for now."

Julian let out a short, humorless laugh. "You really think a man like Frederick is only sleeping with you? I bet he has a dozen other people on the side."

I kept my expression steady. "I really don’t care. As long as he takes care of me and I don’t have to deal with anyone else, I’m fine with being with him."

Julian opened his mouth, clearly about to say something else, but I quickly glanced down at my wristwatch.

"Alright, look at the time," I said, cutting him off. "We need to get back for our second lecture."

Julian paused, then forced a smile. "Alright. Let’s go."

We stood up from the table and walked side by side toward the lecture hall. But as we made our way through the crowded corridors, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.

Why would Julian say those things the moment I told him I was with Frederick?

I tried to brush it off, telling myself that maybe he was simply expressing his own opinions. Still, the strange edge in his voice lingered in my mind, leaving me more unsettled than before.

We arrived back at the lecture hall just as the professor walked in. I forced myself to focus, listening closely and taking notes while Julian acted completely normal, whispering comments and sharing his opinions about the lecture just like we always used to do.

After several long hours, the final class ended, and the professor packed up his things and stepped outside.

I immediately turned to Julian. "Are you going to ride home with me, follow me in your car, or just come to my house later?"

Julian thought about it for a moment. "I’ll ride with you. I can come back for my car later."

"If that’s what you want, alright. Let’s go."