A Love Mess: Who loves who?

Glasses clinked, soft chatter filled the hall as attendees laughed and socialized. This gathering wasn’t just attended by everyday individuals; it drew a mix of affluent and prominent figures from various fields. It was one of those parties that exuded wealth, fame and influence. Bright light reflected off their expensive jewelry causing some waiters to squint as they served drinks. Servers moved between the crowd trays balanced effortlessly, never once colliding despite the sheer density of bodies packed into the space. Every so often, the flash of a camera would go off near the entrance, capturing whichever celebrity or executive had just arrived, their names destined for tomorrow's society pages.

Only people with significant wealth and influence could host a gathering that attracted such high profile guests. And those people were Mr Stone of St Buildings and Constructions, Mr Clifford of Cliff Electronics, and the Mayor. They believed gatherings foster connections, lead to new deals, and provide a break from the stress of work. For the three of them, these parties were as much a ritual as they were a strategy; a place where handshakes meant more than contracts and a well-timed compliment could open doors no amount of money could.

“Have you thought about what I proposed?” The mayor asked Mr Stone, taking a sip of the glass of red wine held gently.

“Were you really serious?” Mr Stone replied, still surprised by what his dear friend had proposed last week.

The mayor grinned, “You know I am.”

“You don’t think we’d be crazy to arrange a marriage between our sons, right?” Mr Stone questioned, though he found the idea of connecting both families appealing.

“I don’t think so. Besides, their sexuality agrees with it. It’s not an unreasonable idea.”

“Well, Cade is currently single.”

“Arlen hasn’t introduced anyone to me yet. It’s a nice idea.” The mayor smirked.

“Are they even here yet?” Mr Stone asked, prompting the two of them to scan the hall for their sons.

At the corner of the room, around a stainless steel table, stood two sharply dressed men whose suits and accessories likely cost as much as an average person’s tuition. The table between them held an assortment of hors d'oeuvres that neither had touched, both too absorbed in their own thoughts to bother with food. Around them, the party carried on in its usual rhythm, a swirl of perfume, cologne, and quiet ambition disguised as small talk.

Brenon, the son and heir to Cliff Electronics, towered at 6 '0. His jet black hair sparkled under the chandelier’s glow, exuding a mix of playfulness and seriousness. With one hand plunged deep into his pocket, Brenon fiddled with a cigar stick, aware that he would need to light it soon. He had been to a hundred parties like this one, and each blurred into the next, the same faces, the same forced laughter, the same calculated networking dressed up as celebration. Tonight felt no different, except for the quiet tension radiating off his best friend beside him.

“I have so much on my plate, I’m not even sure why I’m here,” Brenon remarked as he looked around. His father had insisted he come to unwind, though he didn’t really feel stressed at all. The only reason he came was because his father reminded him of the kind of wealthy individuals who would be present.

Cade swirled the drink in his glass, his expression unreadable. “We’re already here; we should make the most of it.” He replied before taking a sip. Cade, the son of Mr Stone and the heir to ST Buildings and Construction, stood at 6’2. His black eyes, cold and calculating, surveyed the crowds as he identified contacts for his next business venture. Cade is undeniably an attractive man. His black buzz cut was styled by the finest stylist in the state. With two slits at the end of the eyebrows and a broad shoulder that carried the responsibilities of the company, Cade exudes confidence that couldn’t be bought.

But even now, mid-scan, part of him was elsewhere entirely, replaying the plans he had spent weeks perfecting, plans that, until a last week, he had been certain would change his relationship status.

“Your dad won’t mind if I smoke here, right?” Brenon asked still fiddling with the cigar stick. When he got no response, he turned to Cade, who seemed preoccupied scanning for something, or rather, someone. And brenon knew who that was.

“They’re not here yet,” he muttered into his glass of wine as he took a sip, already knowing what was coming.

“I’m not searching for them.” Cade replied, his tone sharp, as a frown settled on his brows.

Brenon knew he was lying, “just saying,” he said nonetheless, with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Then stop saying it,” Cade shot back weakly. Brenon only chuckled in response.

"What’s so funny? I’d like to join in!" A man strolled over. It was Nick, the mayor's second son. He was known for his relaxed and playful nature, taking life as it comes. Being the second son, there weren’t heavy expectations placed on him by his father, and even if there were, Nick was determined to live life on his own terms. Unlike Cade and Brenon, Nick never seemed weighed down by the pressures of legacy or reputation; he drifted through rooms like this one with an ease that both of his friends privately envied, even if neither would admit it.

Cade, Brennon, and Nick had been friends since middle school. Their parents; Mr. Stone, Mr. Clifford, and the mayor, were close friends and business partners. Which meant they often found themselves together at parties, events, business meetings, vacations, and family visits. They even attended the same middle school, high school, and university; friendship was inevitable.

However, Cade and Brennon shared a deeper bond as best friends. They relied on one another and kept each other's secrets close. The saying about two being closer in a trio of friends definitely applied to them. It was Brenon who had sat with Cade through countless late nights discussing everything from company mergers to matters of the heart, and it was Brenon who had known, long before Cade said a word, exactly who occupied his best friend's thoughts.

"Nothing," Cade responded to Nick while casting a quick glance at Brenon before looking away again. He didn’t want them to start joking about what was bothering him; it was already frustrating enough as it was. No, it made him furious. He wasn’t interested in discussing it.

"Is it about 'them'?" Nick air quoted. Brenon simply nodded in response. "I'm still shocked they're together." He said, taking a glass from a waiter. "Wait, it's only been two weeks, right? I honestly thought Justin was joking when he told us. Who knew they were actually serious?" Nick remarked, his tone laced with both amusement and disbelief.

None of them had seen it coming. Not a single person expected it, not even the one who got asked out. Just then, the topic of their conversation, Justin and Arlen, walked over to them side by side.

It annoyed Cade.

Cade had feelings for Justin. He found Justin attractive and smart. He appreciated how much Justin cared about him and enjoyed those moments when justin seemed shy in his presence. As Cade's feelings deepened, both Brenon and Nick picked up on it. After some persistent questioning, he finally admitted what they suspected. Their only piece of advice was to let Justin know how he felt.

That was Cade's plan. He wanted to express his feelings for Justin in a special way, by surprising him with an elegant dinner for two beneath the stars, just the way Justin loved it. Cade had already secured a reservation on the sixth floor of one of his family's hotels and made sure that no one could access that area for three days leading up to their dinner, ensuring they wouldn't be interrupted.

He had purchased flowers, informed the chefs about Justin’s favorite dishes, and let the waiter know about his preferred drink. Cade was fully prepared to confess his feelings to Justin. But he didn't get a chance to ask Justin to the date.

He could still remember how he felt on that fateful day, the shock and confusion that washed over him when Justin walked hand in hand with Arlen, revealing that he had feelings for Arlen and they had started dating. The memory still stung whenever it resurfaced, sharp and unwelcome. He had canceled the reservation and decided to bury everything about that day.

But watching Justin and Arlen approach now, easy smiles on both their faces, Cade felt that same old ache settle back into his chest, dull but persistent. It pissed the fuck out of him.