Kith exuded an overwhelming sense of contentment as he immersed himself in the pages of a captivating book beneath the shade of a majestic acacia tree on the serene grounds of his esteemed university.
His scholarly endeavors led him to pursue his education at Humprey International School, located in the captivating city of Koronadal in the Philippines. Radiating an aura of unparalleled charm and comeliness, Kith resembled a character plucked straight from the pages of a captivating storybook, complete with an endearing dimple adorning his cheeks.
Possessing an innate ability to flawlessly convey his emotions, he consistently donned the ideal countenance for any given situation. Although romance had eluded him thus far, Kith devotedly nourished his mind by voraciously consuming the knowledge contained within the remarkable collection of five thousand books he had meticulously devoured.
Unbeknownst to all, he possessed an illustrious lineage as the progeny of a magnate of vast wealth. Concealed from prying eyes was his true identity as the scion of a renowned tycoon who oversaw thriving enterprises in foreign lands.
Not only was he an esteemed proprietor of a distinguished corporation in Manila, but his influence extended overseas to the captivating capital of Japan.
Maintaining an enigmatic facade, he guarded this invaluable truth from the knowledge of others, taking care to shroud it even from his best friend, Theron Amherst.
Behind Kith's unassuming demeanor lay the truth of his father, Miguel, being a prominent figure in a globally recognized company. His unpretentious nature cleverly masked his privileged lineage, ensuring that none would suspect him of being the son of the billionaire Miguel Prime.
In a moment of respite, Kith gently closed his captivating eyes, allowing the tide of memories to sweep him away. In that transcendent state, he found solace as the burdens of his day, from the words he had read to the troubles that plagued him, faded into oblivion.
His thoughts drifted back to that fateful day when he found himself in an unexpected encounter with Theron Amherst, a renowned heartthrob at the university. As their eyes locked, a sense of intensity filled the air between them. Amidst the charged atmosphere, one word resonated deeply within his mind - "intimate."
Kith found himself captivated by Theron's unwavering gaze, realizing that even a momentary break in eye contact would be perceived as a significant loss.
With butterflies fluttering in his stomach, Kith felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. Theron's eyes held a mischievous sparkle, adding to his undeniable allure. It was undeniable – Theron was incredibly handsome.
As their eyes locked, the world seemed to come to a standstill, leaving Kith feeling as if everything was thrown off balance. The pounding of his heart echoed in his chest, making it feel as though his heart was ready to burst out of his ribcage. And when Theron playfully winked at Kith, it intensified the fluttering sensation in his stomach.
Hidden beneath a carefully crafted facade, Kith concealed his true identity as a bisexual. The satisfaction of keeping this secret to himself provided a sense of accomplishment. Yet, the nagging fear of what might happen if his best friend, Theron, were to discover this truth lingered in Kith's mind. The mere thought of Theron potentially abandoning their friendship upon learning about his identity weighed heavily upon him.
Facing the harsh reality of societal prejudice, Kith understood the pain associated with accepting his true self. He recognized that not everyone would be open-minded enough to embrace his authentic identity.
In a society that deemed his sexual orientation as abnormal, Kith grappled with the challenging task of coming out as bisexual. This introspective journey evoked a multitude of emotions, including fear and anxiety.
However, amidst the disheartening lack of acceptance from society and others, Kith found solace and happiness in the unconditional support of his dad, who became the first person to wholeheartedly accept him.
Kith experienced love at first sight, while Theron Amherst remained somewhat aloof. Kith reminded himself that dating a best friend wasn't Theron's top priority.
Kith scolded himself, he was aware that rule number one was not to date a friend, especially a best friend. However, Kith's feelings were so strong that he was constantly tempted to break that rule and sacrifice everything just to be with Theron.
Kith's eyes fluttered open, accompanied by a deep sigh. Rising to his feet, he made his way to the rose garden, admiring the beautiful blossoms that had recently come into bloom. His hand delicately plucked one of the most exquisite flowers, bringing forth a smile upon his lips.
"He loves me," he whispered, gently pulling off one petal, his excitement growing with each fleeting moment. Anticipation surged within him as he approached the final petal. "He loves me not," he murmured, his grip on the tender petal becoming tighter and causing it to crumble beneath his fingers.
Frustration welled up within him as he observed the two remaining petals on the rose. He longed for the affirmation of "He loves me," but he couldn't bring himself to start with "He loves me not" and risk a disappointing outcome.
With a whisper of anticipation, he murmured, "He loves me," yet his furrowed brows betrayed his growing frustration.
Once again, he softly uttered, "He loves me not," accepting the final result of his love game. This ritual had become a constant since his first day at university, a bittersweet reminder that no matter how hard he tried, the desired outcome of "He loves me" remained elusive.
The story of love never ceased to astound him. It took unexpected turns, at times becoming grim and somber. As he whispered to himself, he acknowledged the painful truth: Theron didn't love him. How could Theron possibly reciprocate these romantic feelings when he had established a rule against dating best friends, not to mention his straight orientation, leaving no room for possibility in this seemingly impossible situation?
He made another attempt to pluck a rose from the bush, hoping for a different outcome. Unfortunately, his fingers brushed against a sharp thorn, causing a sudden jolt of pain. He couldn't help but let out a pained whimper as he stared at his now bloody forefinger.
"Be more cautious next time," Theron's voice boomed behind Kith, catching him off guard. It had been two years since their friendship blossomed and Theron had proven to be an exceptional best friend - someone who Kith couldn't help but love in secret.
He always abided by the rule, despite hating the idea of their friendship being ruined because of his feelings for Theron. But those feelings are just too strong to resist. He is stubborn, just like his heart.
I'm just his best friend Kith often concluded to himself whenever he contemplated confessing his feelings. How ironic.
Kith stood up and approached Theron.
Theron fixed his gaze on Kith's bloody forefinger. "Let me take a look," he said, reaching out to examine it. Swiftly, he pressed his lips gently against Kith's injured finger, applying just enough pressure to stop the bleeding. "There, all better now. The bleeding has stopped," Theron said with a smile, his eyes locked onto Kith's.