SECRET UNVEILED

ETHAN'S POV

I dropped by back pack on the gravel floor with a loud thud, as I struggled into the kitchen to clear my dried throat. I was tired and exhausted, my clothes reck of dirt, seems like I fell into a pit of mud. It was 11PM mid—night already and I was just coming back from school.

I dropped the cup on the table with a loud thud, as I ached my back bone.

“You’re just coming back?”

A voice cut through the thick silence of the kitchen like a blade, sharp and unexpected. I froze, my hand still clutching the glass of water I’d just slammed onto the table. My back stiffened, muscles tightening as I recognized the tone—Raymond. Of course, it was him.

My Dad.

I turned slowly, my sneakers squeaking faintly against the tile floor, still damp from the mud caked on the soles. My eyes met his—dark, cold, and unreadable. The dim overhead light cast shadows across his face, making him look older than he was, but the alcohol in his hand reminded me of the man he’d become since Mom left.

Pathetic.

“What does that have to do with you?” I shot back, my voice low but laced with venom. I didn’t bother hiding the disdain in my tone. I wanted him to feel it, to know how much I resented him.

He didn’t flinch. Just stood there, his broad shoulders slightly hunched. The faint smell of alcohol clung to him, mingling with the stale air of the house. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional drip of water from my clothes onto the floor.

“I was worried about you,” he finally said, his voice softer than I expected. That only made me angrier.

I let out a bitter laugh, the sound harsh and unnatural in the quiet room. “And I’ll advise you don’t be. Why the fuck are you worried about me?” The words tore out of me, raw and unfiltered.

He didn’t respond. Just turned away, his footsteps heavy as he walked to the freezer and pulled out two more bottles. The clink of glass against glass was the only sound as he left the kitchen without another word.

I watched him go, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. The man was a shadow of what he used to be—broken, defeated. And for some reason, that made me hate him even more.

The kitchen felt emptier without him there, but the tension lingered like a storm cloud waiting to burst. I sighed, running a hand through my damp hair before turning to the stove. The pots were still warm, and I lifted the lid to find a half-eaten meal inside.

"Helen was here," I thought bitterly.

Her presence was everywhere lately—her perfume lingering in the air, her laughter echoing down the hallways whenever she visited. My father’s girlfriend. The woman who thought she could replace Mom.

As if.

I scooped some of the leftover cavatelli onto a plate, the steam rising and carrying the faint scent of garlic and tomatoes. My stomach growled, but I barely noticed. Food was the last thing on my mind.

With my plate in hand, I headed to my room, my sneakers leaving faint muddy prints on the hardwood floor.

I slammed my bedroom door shut behind me, the sound echoing through the empty hallway. My bed groaned as I flopped onto it, the springs protesting under my weight. I stared up at the ceiling, my mind racing despite the exhaustion weighing me down.

Professor Kai.

His name popped into my head unbidden, and I couldn’t help but smile despite myself. His image floated in my mind—that perfect jawline, those sparkling white teeth, that effortless charm that seemed to draw everyone in.

There was something about him that made me curious, wondering what lay beneath that polished exterior.

It made me wonder if he's Gay.

Because I'm not!

My thoughts drifted to Karina, my girlfriend—or maybe ex-girlfriend by now. I’d forgotten to call her again tonight, and I knew she’d be pissed.

But honestly, I didn’t have the energy to deal with her drama right now. If she wanted to break up, fine. We both had enough going on without adding relationship problems to the mix.

I was straight, well I think I am, but lately, have being sexually and emotionally drawn to a man.

Professor Kai

I closed my eyes, letting my mind wander back to Professor Kai. Today had been a small victory—he’d spoken to me today, and I wished he'll remember my name next time.

It wasn’t much, but it was progress. Just a little more effort, and maybe I could get closer to him, figure out what made him tick.

And, and....

~NEXT MORNING~

"Ehan..." Jordan tapped my shoulder, and I snapped up from my sleep, wiping the haze from my eyes. The fluorescent lights of the classroom buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glow on the rows of desks. My neck ached from the awkward angle I’d been dozing in, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Again.

I’d fallen asleep in class—again.

"Yeah?" I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep.

Jordan held out a neatly folded stack of papers. "Can you submit this to Professor Kai's office? I really need to get back to the ICT room."

My ears perked up at the mention of Professor Kai. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a small thrill run through me.

Just yesterday, our paths had crossed at the back of the teacher department. And now, fate was handing me another chance to see him.

"You don’t want to?" Jordan asked when I didn’t respond immediately.

I snatched the papers from his hand before he could change his mind. "You don’t have to worry. I’ll submit it," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. I grabbed my backpack, already feeling a strange mix of excitement and nerves bubbling in my chest.

The hallway of the professor's office was quiet, the kind of stillness that only comes when classes are in full swing. The faint hum of the air conditioning units filled the air, punctuated by the occasional distant clatter of footsteps or the squeak of a door.

My own footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor as I made my way to find professor Kai office .

Today, I’d chosen my outfit carefully—a black shirt that hugged my frame just right and brown pants that I thought made me look put together. I’d even spent an extra few minutes on my hair this morning, though that effort was now probably ruined by my stupid nap.

Still, I wanted to look good—just in case.

At the end of the hall, I spotted Professor Kai’s office. My pace quickened, my heart beating a little faster with every step.

But as I got closer, I froze.

There were sounds coming from inside.

Strange sounds.

Low grunts, sharp gasps, and… the clap of skin on skin. My stomach dropped. I didn’t need to be a genius to figure out what was happening.

Ongoing sex? In Professor Kai’s office?

My breath caught in my throat, and I felt a sudden, sharp pang of something I couldn’t quite name. Jealousy? Hurt? Betrayal? I leaned against the wall, pressing my back into the cool plaster as if it could steady me. My mind raced, conjuring images I didn’t want to see—Professor Kai with a woman, his hands roaming over her body, his lips pressed to hers.

Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away furiously. I wasn’t going to cry over this.

I wasn’t.

That’s when I noticed the door. It was slightly ajar, not fully closed. A dim of light spilled out into the hallway, and I could hear the sounds more clearly now. My curiosity took the better off me.

I know I shouldn’t look.

But the temptation was too strong.

I reached out, my fingers trembling as they brushed against the edge of the door. Slowly, carefully, I pushed it open just enough to peek inside.

What I saw made my whole body freeze.

It wasn’t a woman.

Professor Kai was with another man, a tall, lean figure with dark hair—pinned against the desk.

Professor Kai’s hands gripped the man’s hips, pulling him closer with each thrust. The other man’s face was turned away, but his gasps were unmistakable, his fingers gripping the edge of the desk so hard his knuckles turned white.

My breath hitched.

Professor Kai is Gay!?