JAY'S POV
The moment I step out of that conference room with James—it feels like I can finally breathe again.
Not the controlled, composed breaths I was forcing inside… but real ones. The kind that fill your lungs all the way, the kind that make your chest rise and fall like you've just survived something big.
Because I did and before I can even process it properly—
"Okay," James says beside me, his tone light but proud, "we are absolutely not letting this pass like a normal day. This is huge, Jay. You don't just walk out after owning a room full of board members like that and go home."
I let out a small laugh, still a little dazed. "I didn't 'own' anything. I was two seconds away from passing out in there."
"That," he points at me, shaking his head, "is the most ridiculous thing I've heard today. You had them completely hooked. Even the ones pretending not to be impressed."
My mind betrays me for a second.
Even him?
I push the thought away immediately.
"I wanna hear absolutely no arguments," James continues, already pulling out his keys. "We're celebrating. Come on."
Then we left the Watson building and walked towards the parking and the moment I saw his car—my steps slow.
"Wait…What!???" I blink, walking around it slowly, almost in disbelief.
"JAMESON HAWTHORNE!!!!ARE YOU FOR REAL!!???"
I looked towards him totally shocked and he looked at me with a smirk lingering on his face....
"James… this isn't even released yet."
He grins, leaning casually against it. "I know."
I turn to him, eyes wide. "You're kidding."
"Nope."
"How did you even—"
"I had connections," he shrugs, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Now the real question is—do you want to sit… or drive?"
I stare at him for exactly half a second before holding my hand out.
"Keys. Now."
He laughs, dropping them into my palm without hesitation. "I was hoping you'd say that."
—
The engine hums to life like a promise and the moment I press the accelerator—
Everything else fades.
The road stretches ahead, smooth and endless, the city moving around us like a blur of light and motion. The wind slips through my hair, cool against my skin, carrying something that feels like freedom… and something softer too.
"God, I missed this," I murmur, more to myself than to him.
"Milan didn't have cars?" he teases lightly.
I smile, shaking my head. "It did. But it didn't feel like this. This feels like home."
There's a pause.
A quiet one.
Then he says softly, "You've changed, you know."
I glance at him briefly. "Good change or bad change?"
"Dangerous change," he replies, smiling slightly. "In a good way."
—
By the time we pull up to the café—My heart does something strange because it's still there.This cafe had been through our best and worst phases....We had been coming here since it opened....whenever one of us had the worst days of our life and didn't wanna talk just needed to sit in silence, not alone we came here and eventually felt better....
And it hadn't changed at all.....it is exactly the same.
"This place…" I breathe out, stepping out of the car slowly. "It didn't change at all."
"Some things shouldn't," James says, walking beside me.
The bell above the door rings softly as we enter, and instantly—warmth wraps around me. The familiar scent of coffee, sugar, something baked and sweet… it hits me all at once.
And then—
"Oh my God—JAY??JAMES???"
I turn, and before I can react properly, the owner is already pulling me into a hug.
"You finally came back!" she beams, holding my face for a second like she's making sure I'm real. "And with him too—just like old times!"
I laugh, hugging her back. "I missed this place so much and missed you so much Mrs.Sage...."
"You better have," she points at me playfully. "You two were my favorite customers and I missed you too Jay Jay....."
James chuckles beside me. "We still are your favourite right??"
Mrs.Sage laughed and said "ofcourse,come on your seats are still there in the exact spot."
We settle into our usual spot.Same table. Same corner. Same everything and somehow—it feels like no time has passed at all.
"I don't even need the menu," I say, leaning back slightly.
She grins from behind the counter. "Velvet and chocolate cupcakes and coffee?"
"Obviously."
The conversation flows easily.Effortless.
We talk about Milan—about the chaos, the pressure, the late nights and early mornings. I show him bits of my journey, the parts no one really sees.
And he listens.
Really listens.
"I'm serious, Jay," he says at one point, leaning forward slightly, his tone genuine. "Your designs… they're not just good. They're different. They have identity."
I smile softly. "That's what I was hoping for."
"You did more than that," he shakes his head. "You created something people will remember."
And for a second—I believe him completely.
"Wait," I say suddenly, narrowing my eyes at him. "Why weren't you at the party yesterday?"
He groans lightly, running a hand through his hair. "I knew this was coming."
"Obviously. I even met your parents. You were suspiciously missing."
"I was out of the city," he explains. "Business stuff. I got back this morning—that's why I was late to the meeting too."
I pretend to think for a second. "Hmm… acceptable."
"But," he adds quickly, standing up, "I didn't forget your birthday gift. It's in the car. Don't move."
I blink. "James—"
But he's already gone.
When he comes back—he's holding a box.
And the moment I see the logo—My eyes widen.
"No way."
He places it in front of me, smiling slightly. "Open it."
I don't even try to hide my excitement.The moment I lift the lid—
I gasp.
"JAMES—"
Limited edition Dior sneakers.Not even released yet and underneath—My favorite perfume.
"Are you serious right now??" I look up at him, completely stunned. "How did you even get these??"
"Told you," he shrugs lightly. "Connections."
I stand up instantly and hug him tightly. "I love it. I love it !!!!!I actually love it so much."
"Good, because if you didn't I would have made sure the person who recommended these to me would have been dead by the next morning" he says softly.
Somewhere between laughter and coffee—
The conversation shifts..it always does.
"So…" he leans back, a teasing smile forming, "Milan. Three years. Tell me—did you leave any hearts broken behind?"
I roll my eyes immediately. "Oh please."
"That's not a no."
I sigh dramatically. "I didn't have a boyfriend, okay? Not officially."
"Not officially?" he raises a brow.
"I dated," I admit. "Three guys in total. Two from my class, one senior."
"And?" he leans forward, clearly invested.
"And nothing,the classmates..." I shrug. "They were nice. Cute. Sweet. But it wasn't… it."
"What about the senior?" he asks.
I hesitate slightly. "His name was Isaac. I liked him. A lot, actually. We… kissed a few times and you know almost..did it.... It almost became something."
"Blah blah blahh...spare me the deets...what do you mean by almost something?" he repeats.
"He was graduating. Moving back to Greece. And I don't do long distance," I say simply. "So I ended it before it became harder."
He watches me for a second, then nods. "Aww don't worry Jay Jay...you'll find someone....."
I smile faintly. "Yeah. Maybe."
"Yes, don't worry I know alot of guys that you might be interested in and the clubs of London have missed your presence dearly..."
—
"Hahaha very funny....what about you?" I ask, tilting my head. "Anyone special?"
He freezes.
Just for a second.
But I see it.
His smile falters slightly, something uncertain flickering behind his eyes.
"Jay…" his voice softens. "There's something I need to tell you."
I straighten a little, suddenly serious. "Okay…sus but what is it?"
He exhales slowly.
"I don't know how you'll react," he admits quietly. "But I don't want to hide it from you."
"James," I say gently, "just tell me."
There's a pause.And then—
"I'm gay."
Everything stills for a second.Not in a bad way.Just… processing.
"You're… what?" I blink.
He meets my eyes, steady but nervous. "I'm attracted to men, Jay. I've known for a while."
And then—I smiled.
"Oh my God," I laugh softly, reaching across the table. "That's amazing."
His eyes widen slightly. "Wait—what?"
"That's amazing," I repeat, squeezing his hand. "Why are you saying it like it's a crime?"
Relief floods his face so quickly it almost hurts to watch.
"You don't think it's… weird?" he asks quietly.
"James," I shake my head, smiling warmly, "you being you is never weird."
His shoulders finally relax and then—I lean forward, eyes lighting up.
"Okay wait—who is he?? Who's the man who was able to move the invincible Jameson Hawthorne???"
He laughs nervously, a blush creeping up his face. "His name is Lorenzo… Lorenzo Martini."
My jaw drops. "You're kidding."
"Nope."
"How long has it been going on??"
"Six months," he admits.
I literally squeak. "JAMES THAT'S SO CUTE—WHY AM I ONLY HEARING THIS NOW??"
"Because,I wanted to tell you in person and also because....." he sighs, his smile fading slightly, "you're the only one who knows."
I freeze.
"What?"
"I haven't told anyone else," he says quietly. "Not my family. Not the relatives or the the company officials. No one."
"Why?" I ask softly.
He looks down for a second. "Because I don't know how they'll react. My parents might understand… maybe. But the rest? The officals? The family reputation…"
His voice trails off.
"I'm scared of what happens after because I really like him..no I love him and I just can't stop thinking about the things that can happen once I come out..m."
Something in my chest tightens.
Without thinking, I stand up and move around the table—pulling him into a hug.
"You're not alone,James" I say quietly. "You hear me? No matter what happens—you have me."
He exhales against me, holding on just a little tighter.
"I'm going to tell them," he whispers. "Soon. I just… needed one person to know first."
I smile softly. "Then I'm honored."
When we step out of the café—The world feels different again.He drops me home, the car slowing to a stop outside my house.
"Thank you," I say softly, turning to him. "For today. For everything."
He smiles. "Anytime."
I open the door—but pause.
"And James?"
"Yeah?"
"If anything happens—anything at all—you call me. I mean it and I wanna meet this Lorenzo who has captivated your heart soon okay!???"
"I will,Jay..... thank you....," he nods.
I step out, closing the door gently and as I walk inside—
I didn't realize it yet but somewhere between success, secrets, and old memories—
Things are changing.....