Chapter 5

Dennis fumbled with the black tie around his neck and let out a frustrated sigh.

Beads of sweat coated his forehead and he felt suffocated in the black suit Alex had forced him to wear.

It was a miracle they were not in the hospital after he had lost control of the car earlier in the day.

Alex had grabbed the wheel in the nick of time and saved them from what could have been their deaths.

How did they find out?

This had been the question bugging him all day. Alex hadn't said a word since they got back to his place and Dennis didn't know how to feel.

Did they have a tracker on Alex? Could they have also found out that the marriage was a scam?

How much did they know?

A knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts and he turned to find Alex standing in the doorway.

“Are you ready?”

Dennis frowned as he saw him. His face was like a mask he couldn't read. “Can you help me fix this?”

Alex strolled towards him and took the tie from his hand.

Dennis stood still as Alex began knitting it. He was standing so close, he could see him.

He was startled by how green his eyes were, which was something he had never noticed before.

After all, he had no business admiring his boss. He still had no business doing it now.

He looked away and counted to twenty in his head hoping Alex would step away soon so he could finally breathe.

“Let's go.”

He walked behind Alex, his hands in his pocket while the other adjusted the tie around his neck which felt like a noose.

As they drove, an awkward and tense silence filled the space between them.

Alex was the one driving which was probably a good thing especially after their near death experience because of him.

Dennis couldn't sit still, he was nervous and his palms were sweaty and sticky.

“The pictures will be arriving tomorrow so we can choose which ones go where in the house.”

Dennis scoffed and turned to look at him.

Alex frowned. “Did I say something wrong?”

Dennis blinked. “Are you serious?”

“I don't understand. Why are you acting this way?”

“For goodness sake. You've barely said a word all day and now this?”

Alex clenched his jaw and his hands but didn't reply so Dennis continued.

“We almost died and even then you didn't say anything.” He continued. “Your parents already know we're married and you didn't say anything.”

“What did you want me to say?” Alex asked and Dennis leaned back.

What did he want him to say?

He thought about it and then came out empty. Maybe there was nothing to be said.

“Look once we get there, I'm sure there will be nothing to worry about,”

Dennis turned to look at him again. This was the first time he was seeing his boss looking so unsure.

He felt a prang of guilt after remembering the way he had mistaken Alex's silence as a lack of concern when in fact it seemed he was just as worried as he was.

On impulse, Dennis placed his hand on Alex's thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I'm sure everything will be okay,”  he said, portraying a confidence he didn't feel.

Alex stiffened at his touch and he quickly withdrew his hand, feeling embarrassed.

“Sorry,”

He turned towards the window and they sat in silence the rest of the way.

***

“Hello mum,” Alex greeted his mother, Trina Taylor with a stiff hug as they walked in.

Dennis stood by the door, feeling completely out of place.

“Good evening Mr and Mrs. Taylor,” he greeted them politely.

Lyon Taylor eyed him and smiled. He had always been curious about the young man who had worked with his son for years when previous PAs hadn't lasted up to a month.

“Let's go inside,” he said and Dennis walked behind them.

Alex left his mother's side after a while and slowed his pace allowing Dennis to catch up.

“Thanks,” Dennis whispered and they all walked into the house.

“Tell us about your Dennis. Besides being my son's husband and PA, what else is there to you?”

Dennis dropped the fork in his hand and snuck a quick glance at Alex. “Uhm, I'm an only child and I love my mother.”

Trina Taylor nodded as she twirled some pasta onto the fork. “What about your father?”

Dennis shook his head. “I never knew him. My mother said he left as soon as she told him she was pregnant.”

“Oh dear.” Trina sighed and glanced at her husband. “I'm so sorry to hear that.”

“How long have you been gay?” Lyon asked suddenly and Dennis choked.

“Dad!” Alex gasped and glared at his father. He turned to Dennis, a worried look in his eyes. “Are you okay?”

Dennis nodded but coughed a few more times.

“Oh dear, I think he needs some water.”

Alex immediately poured some water in a glass and held it in front of his mouth.

Dennis didn't like that Alex wanted to fed him but he let it go since his parents were watching.

“Are you okay my dear?” Trina asked worriedly. “My husband can be a bit too forward at times.” She glared at him but Lyon shrugged, unfazed.

“I just wanted to get to know you since you're the one my son has chosen to be with out of all the women in the country.”

Dennis felt his cheeks turn red and cleared his throat. “Sir I…”

“Oh Lyon, lay off the young man.” Trina scolded. “I told once before that I suspected Alex could be playing for the other team but you didn't believe me,”

Now it was Alex's turn to choke. He had been chewing some pasta that was now being sprayed everywhere as he coughed.

Dennis held a glass for him but Alex snatched it from his hand.

Had Alex lied about his sexuality?

“I told you Lyon. A mother knows these things,”

Alex wished there was a hole he could crawl into and die.

This was beyond humiliating. Now Dennis would think he actually was gay and back out of their deal.

“Excuse me,” Dennis said and stood up. He walked off without sparing Alex a glance and his heart sank to the pit of his stomach.

It was over before it even started.

“Go after him son,” his mother said and he ran after Dennis, almost tripping over his own feet.