"I am in a relationship with Giulia."

Silence.

That's what happened. She stared at us and we stared back. The air was so thick I was afraid that I might burst out in laughter. Though the situation was anything but funny. I stole a glance towards Brandon, his expression incomprehensible, and thought of something to break the silence.

Bella was waiting, scrutinizing us under her laser gaze, and I knew that this was a land mine with only one correct answer. And I really didn't want to be blown away today.

"Uh..." I stalled, trying not to make a stupid comment or query. So I settled for a safe one. "How long?"

Brandon exhaled, and even Bella leaned back, her offensive stance turning into a more relaxed one.

"Four years." Though her reply was short and crisp, a small smile bloomed on her lips. Bella never smiled, not like these real ones. This momentary feeling gave me the courage, and I asked more.

"You said we were the first ones to know?" It was funny how from hating each other we were actually attempting a conversation.

"I told no one. Not like this," she whispered, gesturing to the room with her hands. "So, you understand what this means right?"

The cold steel tone was back in her voice and Brandon shifted in his seat. To anyone looking upon us, no one would have dared to suggest that Bella was the one coming out of her closet. It felt more like Brandon and I were here to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. The threat was clear, and being the wiser, I took it in stead.

"Of course." I knew if I showed weakness, she wouldn't think twice about crushing me. There had to be a trade. "But tell me why. What does Francis have to do with this?"

She narrowed her eyes, contemplating to answer or not. Her eyes flitted to my hand intertwined with Brandon's and then back up at me.

"He tried to pay off Giulia."

"Who? Francis?"

"No, my papa." The words were like poison on her tongue, and the loathing for her father was clear on her face.

"But why?"

"I am a billionaire's daughter. He wanted a son for his business, and now I can't even give him a son-in-law." My head swam for a moment at her dismissive attitude towards such discrimination, but I decided that it was a battle to fight for another time.

"So you thought if you'll marry Francis...?"

"I just need his name, oui. We won't have to oblige each other." The pieces fell together, and it was like a fog had lifted off my mind.

I felt better, I don't why but I did. Maybe because there was finally a reason, a concrete thing on which I could put all the past actions on to. Not that they made it any less hurting or better.

"But all this time? You could have told the Fre—, Francis. He would have understood," Brandon spoke, saving himself in time with the tongue slip.

The cold sneer and a look of pure hatred was what we received for this question. "I did. You think I didn't try?"

I frowned, cowering a little at her accusing tone. Brandon squeezed my hand, and I returned the gesture, finding what little solace we could under her seething gaze.

"Why do you think I came to the filthy town of yours?!" she snapped, and I almost retorted back in anger at her statement but Brandon held me down.

Through clenched teeth, I asked, "Why?"

"To ask him! But all he thought of me was a weepy weak girl trying to get him to marry her—" Her anger rose, and I tried to interject and nullify her claim but she kept on speaking.

"But I was fine with that too. I knew that getting my shares of the company would definitely make him marry me. I was prepared to tell him everything. That day, at the fair." Her voice just a whisper now, she avoided our eyes.

"Do you know how nervous I was? Papa only got to know about it by spying on me. Even then he was not sure. But this time, I was going to tell someone. That I was different."

"Giulia kept helping me, supporting me saying that he would understand that and respect that. I believed her." She bit her lower lip, and it quivered. Even I felt a lump in my throat, a small tightening in my chest.

A feeling was gnawing on me. That some way or the other I had a big part in this mess. And I knew that Bella's next words would only prove them so. Brandon must have guessed too because his hand was holding mine in a death grip.

"When I saw him," she pointed towards Brandon, "with Francis, though I maintained a straight face, I was ecstatic. For a second, everything was so simple. I thought, I thought Francis would certainly help me."

Horror was what I felt. Bella had been there to ask for help, for someone to accept her. Accept her sexuality and help her. And what did I do?

"It started out okay. I asked them both to dinner. But then it started. When the first one came to the table, I thought it must have been a coincidence. I was ready to overlook that." She glared at me this time, and I could feel it all the way to my toes, like a chill passing through me. "I even thought that Francis was serious. But you know how to prove me wrong, don't you?"

"Then another one came and another. Do you think I was happy? Or I would be fooled?" Her words cut me across like knife. It would have been so much better if she had shouted or screamed or thrown a tantrum. But she spoke with a wavering voice, devoid of all hope.

"Here I was, trying to admit that I was g-gay. And you were making fun of the same fact in front of me? How do you think I must have felt?" The last words were drowned by a soft sob from her, breaking my heart into two.

"I-I-" I stumbled with my words, head spinning with the bombardment of thoughts. My mind went back to the time when I had begged Brandon to act gay and go on a date with Francis.

And then onto the next one, when I had suggested Liam, Leo and Seth to help me out again. They had created a spectacle in the restaurant and all I did was enjoy it.

Bella hadn't been there to flirt, or have fun. She had been there for a purpose and my insensitive plans had ruined it.

"Do you get it now? Why I loathed you? I saw you sitting there at the table, laughing at the mess you have created. I had to get back to you. I had to marry Francis. So I did the only one thing possible. Challenge you."

Goosebumps went through me, and I felt like I had received a good scolding, or maybe should receive one. The impact of what I had done was too vast for me to grasp then and there.

"You can't put it all on us. That was insensitive, we get it. But—" Brandon paused when Bella put her hand up to stop him.

"It doesn't matter. What's done is done. Giulia attempted suicide second time today. She promised she won't do it. But with the way the competition is going..."

"Do you want us to back out?" The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I regretted saying it instantly.

But Bella's eyes softened. "I don't think we'll continue."

"You what?!"

"Why are you surprised? Giulia and I, I don't think we should remain toget—"

"Stop!" I startled both of them and myself with my shout. "What did you say? You two won't be together?"

I huffed, releasing a harsh breath. "Are you saying that these two weeks of torture was for nothing? Bea fucking broke her arm trying to help you guys! She hid it all for you, she didn't even tell me."

"And you say you are going to give up? Can't you see what people are sacrificing for you just so you can achieve your dream? Do you know how many competitions I have lost? That doesn't make me stop from participating in them. And this is just one fucking competition. Just because you are not winning, doesn't mean you should give up!"

"Tyler, you don't know my situation."

"So what? Maybe I don't! Four years, four years you were together. But I guess now it means nothing to you." Anger flashed in her eyes, but I kept egging her on. "Giulia needs you now more than ever. Can't you see that the stress is breaking her? Have you ever thought that maybe she is afraid of losing you more than you losing your image?"

My words hit her like a dagger, and I knew I had hit a soft spot. Her image. That was what was stopping her from coming out in public.

"Tyler—" Second time in a row she was using my name. I must have really affected her to do that.

"That's it, isn't it? You don't care about your dad's company. Not that much. But you do care about your image. That's why you need Francis."

"I think we have talked enough for tod—" Brandon tried to intervene both of us, but we both gave him a death stare and he backed off. But thankfully didn't leave me alone with the devil.

I realized that Bella and I was standing almost nose to nose, fuming with accusations and glares. She took a step back first, and I rejoiced in my small victory.

"You're right. That's the problem." She arched her eyebrows as if wanting me to give her a better alternative. "So what are you going to do about it? You are certainly well equipped in giving speeches."

Her face was a hard mask, but I knew that my questions had awakened a whole lot of more questions in her mind. But she was a master in hiding that well.

"I will help you win the competition." That was it. I didn't need to win this; I hadn't even planned to compete. But Bella needed it. Why everyone had agreed to help Giulia, albeit her method had been wrong, was not such a mystery anymore.

"And so I can marry Francis? Smart. Thank you for such a brilliant idea."

I rolled my eyes at her attempt at sarcasm. "No, Bella. You won't have to marry Francis."

Surprise flickered in her eyes, but she suppressed it by narrowing them towards me. "I won't?"

"Uh-huh." I nodded. "But you can marry Giulia."

"What?" It was hopeful and cautious at the same time.

"How are you going to do that?" Brandon had been listening patiently so far, but now he spoke up, the curious tone in his voice evident.

"We can't tell everyone. That's obvious," I said, "But half the teams already know. I don't know exactly what. But they know. And I think they will help you."

"Help me how? I don't need help—"

"Shut up, Bella. You know you won't be able to do anything alone." She pressed her lips together, actually doing what I said for the first time. "Just leave everything to me. There will be such a sensational finale this year."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. But Bella? You can't give up. Whatever I do, just support me. It'll work out." I patted her back, feeling awkward touching her, but she let me.

"Whatever. It's better than nothing." She shrugged, and the talk ended like that.

Brandon and I walked back down, and I fidgeted with my phone the whole walk. He kept silent for a while but I could feel that he was trying hard to maintain that.

"Shoot," I whispered, and he spoke at once.

"What's the plan?" We turned a corner, stopping outside our hotel room. There were no voices coming from inside and I knew that it was empty by the text I had received from Francis. Brandon took out the room key, swapping it and opening the door.

He gestured for me to go in first, and I did. The door closed behind us and I could feel his body right behind me. "So?" he murmured.

I didn't speak again, but just sat down on the bed. When he took a seat next to me, I knew there was no getting out of it.

"There is no plan, Brandon. I faked it." A dejected sigh left my mouth before I could stop it and even Brandon's shoulder slumped down, as if he expected that much.

"I knew it." He confirmed. "So, what about the promise?"

"I don't know. I'll have to think of something." My back hit the bed, and I sought the momentary relief.

"No."

"Huh?"

"You don't have to think. We'll think together." His hand found mine, and he intertwined his fingers with them. A small smile curled up on my lips, amazed at how he knew to say the right thing to make me feel better.

"Do you think we must tell Francis?" I looked up into his green eyes, which were staring back at me with the same intensity.

"Yes, I think. He deserves to know. If he hasn't figured it out yet," he replied.

"Oh, I am pretty sure he hasn't." I giggled, and Brandon arched his eyebrow at my sudden change of mood. "Don't you think it's funny?"

"What? That that French stick is stupid?" he questioned, and I shook my head. He sighed and copied my gesture, lying back on the bed. "Then what is?"

I turned to my side, looking at his side profile. My left hand stayed in his, and I had the sudden urge to trace my fingers on his face. I resisted. "Just what happened today? Did you expect that?"

"Honestly?" He turned, drawing soft circles on my hand with his thumb. "I kind of expected it."

"You did?" I was intrigued.

"Yeah. I mean, Bella was so rigid and uptight. There had to be something bothering her. No one can be evil just like that." He shrugged. "As far as I know."

"Hmm," I murmured, lost in thought. But the only thoughts were of what I had said to Bella. And how I would fulfill it. I was clueless.

"Brandon," I called him, shaking his hand.

"What? I am awake." He disengaged his hand from mine and used it to prop his head up on it.

"Please distract me; I don't want to think about Bella right now." Though I said it, I gave him a side glance that meant no funny businesses.

A playful smile was already on his lips and he searched my eyes before sitting up straight. His eyes never left mine, and I felt a flutter in my stomach. I could see that something was running along in his mind but I could not guess what.

"Sure. Let's play a game," he said and the way my face dropped at his statement was certainly drastic and comical.

"A game?" My voice was filled with skepticism, but I still sat up, kicking off my shoes and crossing my legs under me. "What game? Tic tac toe?"

He rolled his eyes but let me be. His hand found mine again, opening my palm and playing with my fingers. "It's not a game really. But more like a bet. It'll divert your mind for sure."

"What bet?" I asked, when suddenly Brandon shifted forward, leaning towards me. My breath caught in my throat, but he only placed the lock of hair framing my face behind my ear. His fingers lingered behind my ear for a few extra seconds before he took them back.

"A very interesting bet." His breath fanned my face, and I looked down, my face burning. He didn't move back, but leaned in and whispered directly into my ear. "If I win, you'll have to kiss me."

My heart beat felt a speed bump at that, stopping for a minute second before pumping along at a triple rate. I didn't even want to confirm what he had said, too embarrassed to repeat, and simply nodded along.

"Good." He moved back, obviously pleased by the effect he was having on me. I bit my lip, and looked up at him, waiting to hear the bet.

"I'll ask you two questions, okay?"

"Okay," I said, clearing my mind to hear him out better. But my attention was focused on his lips, and how they moved when he spoke. Not a good thing when you wanted to focus.

"You have to answer no to both of them. That's simple. If you win, I'll give you...?" he trailed off, and I looked up at him, his eyes brows arched in that I know it all way.

Whoa, I gulped, feeling the heated atmosphere in the room. His words repeated in my head, and I acted like I was thinking hard, instead of ogling him, and blurted out the first thing I thought. "Oh, I know. You'll have to watch a Barbie movie."

I laughed, but he just smirked.

"I'll watch a Barbie movie." He finished with a shake of his head. "But if I win I get a kiss, okay?"

The way he said kiss, sent tingling sensations down my body. His heated gaze and overconfident attitude wanted me to throw the bet away and instead throw myself on him.

This was my chance to get him, I thought, with a shake of my head. I couldn't just waste such once in a blue moon opportunity. Barbie movie it is. And the fun when people from the school will know about it.

"Okay! Deal." I brightened, making up my mind.

"Should I start?" he asked with an amused smile.

"Yes!" I snapped back to the present and grinned, ready for the question.

"I won," he murmured, not wasting another second. His hand came up, combing back my hair away from my face and almost touching his nose with mine.

"Wha...?" That's all I could say before he shushed me. And I realized with horror I had said yes to the very first question he had asked. So intelligent of me.

Brandon leaned over me, one hand gripping my hair, pulling my face close to his. I couldn't get away, not that I wanted to. But I still tried to speak. "Hey that was low, even for you!"

"Stop complaining." He breathed in a deep breath, his nose tingling my jaw line.

"You fooled me," I whispered, our lips touching lightly as I spoke.

"Sorry not sorry," he groaned back, colliding his lips with mine. My eyes stayed wide open, and I took a few seconds to understand what just happened.

But as his lips moved against me, all coherent thoughts left my mind and I focused on kissing him. The softness of his lips brushing against mine in a slow, hypnotized pace. My hand sneaked up his chest, holding his shirt firmly. I took a breath, unable to stop myself from breathing in. The fact that I had been missing on this goodness for weeks was not lost on me.

He smelled like pool and some secret male formula. And I was drunk on his scent. Call it teenage hormones or just pure need, but I was as unwilling to let him go as he was to let me go.

"Brandon." His name slipped from my lips, as I struggled to breathe.

"Yes?" he murmured, his lips moving erotically against the side of my mouth.

"I can't breathe," I answered honestly, my body a tingly hot mess. There was a slight light-headedness as I stuck close to him.

"Can't stop," he whispered with a husky voice. Not giving me time to catch my breath, he slid his hand around my waist, teasing the exposed skin between my top and jeans. Goosebumps rose where ever his fingers trailed. His hands unwind from my hair to caress the side of my face and I melted under the attention.

Heat generated between the both of us, and I held on to him with my dear life. He had me in such a situation that if I were to let go of his shirt, I would fall flat on the bed. My eyes opened and I saw that Brandon was looking at me with the same intense emotion as I was. His were so full of confidence and want, something I had overlooked the past week. But it was back now, full force, and no suppression.