Double Date

- Joelle -

The final week before my return to Malta was a whirlwind of activity. With only three days between the end of my contract and my departure, I had numerous loose ends to tie up and people to see. My colleagues had kindly organized a farewell party for me, although it meant sacrificing valuable time for running errands. Thankfully, Kevin arrived a week before my flight and, as had become customary, he stayed with Aksel. Their relationship had grown increasingly serious, and it was heartwarming to witness Kevin finding someone who respected him and allowed him to be his authentic self in public. While Kevin was open about their relationship here, I suspected that very few people back home knew about Aksel. The fact that he hadn't even disclosed it to Jason, a close friend, concerned me. I empathized with Kevin's hesitation but hoped Aksel would be understanding if the truth ever came out.

On the third day of his visit Kevin called me. He apologized for not calling earlier but