All Chapters of Love is War: But I'd bleed for you: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

RONALDThe elevator doors slid open with a quiet chime, revealing the soft golden lighting and polished marble floors of the bar. It was upscale but discreet, perfect for quiet meetings.A pianist played somewhere in the background, the low thrum of jazz blending with the clinking of crystal glasses and murmured conversations.I spotted Kyla before she saw me. She was already seated at a table for two near the far end of the room, facing the city through a tall glass wall that overlooked the skyline.The evening sun bounced off the windows of the opposite tower, casting amber reflections across her profile. She looked calm, and elegant.I walked over and she turned as I approached, offering a polite smile.“Ronald,” she said.“Kyla.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek. She smelled like orange blossom and white musk.I pulled out the chair across from her and sat. My eyes drifted to her fingers, where she was absentmindedly rotating the engagement ring we both pretended didn’t mean as

JEFFREYA few hours ago, I was ready to disappear.I was going to leave this situation with Ronald and never look back. I told myself he didn’t matter anymore. That I’d erase him from my head, and try to move on.But then Collins showed up. I don’t know what his deal was, but if he was friends with Ronald then he probably knew him better.My throat burned at the word friends, almost as if I was ignoring a bigger truth. He didn’t look at me like he was a friend to Ronald.It was almost as if he was telling me that Ronald was his property, and I should know my fucking place whenever he was around.He made me feel like I was nothing, like I was just another boy toy Ronald had pulled into his orbit and would eventually toss out.Now I was standing in front of him, desperate for him to say something that proved Collins wrong.Ronald didn’t speak. He just stared at me like he could see straight through my soul.My chest burned. I hated how much I needed to hear it. Hated how badly I wanted

THIRD PERSON POVRonald’s eyes widened when Kyla announced that Jeffrey had a girlfriend, but he kept his expression unreadable. His jaw tensed subtly. It was the only sign of the disturbance building inside him.A dozen thoughts raced through his mind. Had Jeffrey always been seeing someone? Was it a fling he picked up after storming out of his apartment? A rebound? He forced himself to sit still, nodding politely as Kyla laughed beside him, but his fingers tightened around his wine glass.Jeffrey never really belonged to him. He knew that.But hearing it framed aloud that Jeffrey has a girlfriend hit harder than he expected. Jeffrey had only just begun to peel his defenses down with him. He’d only just started accepting this gay side of him that is so inherently visible.And now he had a girlfriend?When Jeffrey picked his keys and announced his exit, Ronald knew he had to stop him.“Jeffrey,” he said, voice calm and low.Jeffrey froze.“I’ll walk you out,” Ronald added.“No, thank

RONALD I sat in my office, the dull sound of the air conditioning filling the silence. I had not seen or heard from Jeffrey since the dinner. Even though we worked under the same roof, it was as if Jeffrey had vanished. He used to pop in at least once a day. With an excuse about anything, client files, a question about branding, a sarcastic quip about my stubborn taste in suits, just to close the distance. Now, nothing. When he needed something done, his secretary Ruby would show up. He arrived at work right on time, and left the second his hours were over. I didn’t press it. I had told myself that the office wasn't the place to fix what broke between us. I wouldn’t corner Jeffrey at work anymore. If we were going to talk, it wouldn’t be in a place like this. I glanced at the time and stood, adjusting my sleeves. Before heading out for the day, I decided to check on the experimental agriculture project happening four floors below. The project manager greeted me warmly and gave a

RONALD I walked toward Jeffrey’s office, expecting the usual awkward tension we had both gotten used to performing in front of others. But as I approached, the first thing I noticed was that his secretary, Ruby, wasn’t at her desk, which was odd. She was never late. And never gone from her post without a reason. And then I got to the door. And saw exactly why. She was inside, bent slightly over beside him as they looked at something on his tablet together. Her hair fell over her face and she stood a little too close to him, and her voice was low, murmuring something I couldn’t make out. Jeffrey laughed. Then, he playfully tapped her forehead with the stylus like they were in on some private joke. I felt my jaw clench hard. When the hell did they get so close? I coughed loudly, just to make sure they knew I was there. The way she jerked upright was immediate. She looked guilty. “Good morning Mr. Ronald,” she said quickly, smoothing her skirt like that would make her look bett