TOUCHED BY A STAR (M/M)

0.04

The loose hairs on my face sway from side to side, momentarily adhering to my forehead and eyes as I enjoy the sense of the gentle wind on my face. Only if the gentle wind could blow away the constant pang that clings to my chest. That can only be a wish though for time heals.

And I just hope that the time I spend away from Alex will heal my fragile heart that he shattered with his constant cheating and demand for something I wasn't ready for.

Or was I?

"Christ" I curse under my breath, a shiver running down my spine from the shocks I get from wandering too much in thought.

The jet ride was bad enough for my health. I shouldn't add salt to the wound by thinking of my selfish ex-boyfriend. Reassuring myself and taking in a deep breath, I let go of all my worries for now and will my eyelids to seal. I had to have at least earned this nap.

That familiar touch, whispers of sweet nothings, his chapped lips that always felt too rough against my soft ones make my skin abruptly tingle for his warmth and that familiarity. Getting too attached to his cuddles and his entire being was a wrong idea. I knew that much and I still let him in.

I opened my heart to him. Everything he asked for - even the worthless of all worthless things- I found and brought them to his feet just as he wanted. He used me till all his heart desires were fulfilled.

My respect, my loyalty, my mind, my heart. All these he had ownership of without laying a finger. Yet, he wouldn't fulfill my only request. A request many would have killed for. I just wanted to get married before s****l intimacy. But Alex had had enough of my countless excuses and left my life without a thought. Without looking back. And till now, even in my nap, he won't just leave me be.

"Venus, I can't keep doing this. A relationship with no s****l intimacy won't last, at least for me." He had said, standing a few meters away from me, "Not the automobiles, many gifts, and your little caresses can be compared to that emotion and high you get from your lover in bed."

I remember clinging to him, ignoring the foreign perfume and love bites littered on the side of his collarbone that the collar of his shirt couldn't cover. That was so foolish of me.. so foolish of a Vasech when I can get anyone I want without a blink. Mother would think of me as a disappointment if she ever witnessed how low I brought myself to someone of the working class.

Despite his growing irritation, I expected him to hold me like he always did, but instead, he let his hands lay by his side. That feeling of having a weight on my chest, keeping me from diving to the surface like I was being dragged down deep into the ocean by a rope, is exactly how I would describe how much his reaction affected my mental state. The moment I knew he had lost all hope for us.

He had added, his voice devoid of any emotion, "I know you're aware that I've been cheating on you."

Had he really fallen out of love for me? How long?

I found myself nodding to his statement. What was I supposed to do? Continue deceiving myself that he loved me for my naive self and not because of my wealth and last name? Continue pretending that I'm unaware of him sleeping with men and women here and there when I had countless physical evidence to prove so?

So stupid, I had yelled and sobbed into his broad chest,

"I don't care...p-please d-don't break up with me. I love you!"

Did I though?

I think I did and still do. This heartache proves so.

He then went rigid and I felt every flinch and tick in his muscles. Something he always does when he tries to control himself from falling into his violent tendencies. I should have let him go at that moment but I didn't. He had warned me to stay away when he hit me during one of our countless arguments. It happened sometimes. At times he gets violent with me but I'm lucky it never ended up in s****l abuse. A little make-up was always a solution to preventing Leo and Grandma from knowing Alex's violent side when it has always been my fault for getting hit.

Alex made me believe so. My clinginess and timidness always irritated him. So I took all the blame.

Always.

"Why don't you want to sleep with me? aren’t you sexually attracted to me?"

His question was stupid. Alex is gorgeous; Tall, muscular, brown-skinned, and with a sharp facial structure. He is the epitome of a dark Greek God.

"I want to but I-I can't. It's complicated." I remember whispering the last part, still clenching my arms around his neck when my toes hurt from depending on them for too long. He had scoffed at my response.

"If you're that scared, I'll take it easy and slow. I'll make you feel good, Venus. Don't you want that?." His whispered words masked with his deep vocals had made me sniffle. Yet, my secret had prevented me from giving in to him and saving our relationship.

I nodded into his chest, breathing in the cologne I got him for his birthday this year. At least he wore something of mine on his body.

"Can't we tie the knot first?" My arms were yanked away from his neck and I nearly lost my balance.

His handsome face had contoured in contempt, resentment, and bitterness. I swallowed hard, slowly backing away from him. Bringing up that topic again had been a reckless idea.

"Get out."

"Al-"

"Get out and it's over between us. I don't want you anymore. So selfish to not give your boyfriend just one thing he has always longed for. It might be that you're too loose by the numerous guys you've messed around with behind my back. You're nothing but a rich pretty doll face. You disgust me!" He had yelled out the last part in Spanish, turning deaf ears to my sobs and throwing me out of the penthouse I had got him with my money.

I wake up from my nap feeling groggy. I should visit Fernando for a check-up after I settle at home. Instinctively, I take out my phone, texting Leo.

"¿Cuántos minutos faltan para que lleguemos?"

I ask the chauffeur with my eyes fixed on my phone.

"Pardon?" He responds in a carefully trained voice, making me flush from forgetting myself. I shift in the comfy seat of the black Bugatti Chiron we're riding in.

"How many minutes until we arrive?" My words were never meant to come out slowly but my prominent Spanish accent made it that way.

"10 minutes after entering the mansion, sir." He answers and focuses on driving, shortly.

I take out my phone to pass the minutes left.

[He didn't answer my calls.]

[~Typing~ ...He isn't worth your love and time. Who knows? you'll probably meet someone better in N.Y]

Leo's text causes butterflies in my belly. Even through text, I can feel his care and worry. For all the butterflies to die with his next text.

[Or you can fly back home and I can be your baby daddy.]

[L.O.L I'm almost home now. Let's talk later. Luv u, Leo]

[...]

[I'll be expecting your call. later then. Luv u too bby.]

I put my phone in my little purse in time for the driver to pull in the open car pack right in the middle of two black Lamborghini Aventadors.

"We're here Sir," the chauffeur says the obvious, earning a lazy nod. I pick Cherry who's still fast asleep in my arms and get myself out of the car.

The two large fountains some meters away are what draws my attention from their unique sculptured design. The main house, a castle-like three-story building, sits right in the middle of the vast land dominated by vegetation, a large swimming pool located on the other side, and about ten variety of cars parked at the open parkway. And that's just about the front view.

I nibble on my bottom lip, feeling the anxiety slowly rising from my feet to my chest and diffusing through my bloodstream. It causes my hands to tremble. Only Christ knows how much I despise spacious environs. A painful cry from Cherry snaps me out of the trance, making me loosen the deadly grip I unconsciously held Cherry in.

"...Sir, sir, are you alright?"

"Ugh y-yes. Sorry."

A shy smile is sent his way. He leads me inside after ordering three servants to handle my many luggage including that of Cherry's too.

"Venus!" A flamboyant voice addresses me accompanied by the owner of the voice the moment I enter the large foyer hall. A tall, slender woman whom I've only seen through video calls welcomes me with a brief hug. She holds me at arms-length with hazel eyes roaming my entire body in such an intense manner that makes me self-conscious.

I'm aware of my figure. Barely standing at 5 feet 5, I'm pretty slender with hips that can easily be mistaken as that of a woman and waist too thin. I look fragile with straight blonde hair that rests below the nape and won't just stop growing. I'm always trimming the edges weekly. My skin is soft and my cheeks are naturally colored, making my pale skin obvious and my face too feminine.

I could go on and on about my insecurities as a man.

"You look good...and pretty," She coos, pinching my cheek which will probably leave her fingerprints.

"Venus."

I turn to see Dad approaching.

"Father." The corners of my lips pull up a little when he rubs my head.

I take in Father's handsome face, broad muscles, and a perfectly shaped beard.

"My baby brother!" Zendaya arrives, pulling me into a much longer hug.

Her black-painted lips form the widest smile, giving her a wild yet caring look. Carl steals me from Zen, pampering me with hugs and ruffling my hair. "And whose this?" He asks, intending to pet Cherry only to earn a wild meow and bared teeth from Cherry. Cherry curls into my chest, making her intentions clear.

Likewise, Cherry. Wish I could disappear too.

"Cherry. My friend."

"Seems your little pet doesn't like me."

"Friend" I hurry to correct Carl, later realizing my harsh tone that everyone probably thinks to be compared to an annoyed kitten. Even I think so. My thoughts are proven right by their amused stares as heat climbs to my face.

"Hey," The model of the family interrupts, saving me from further embarrassment.

"Hi," My cheerful smile is responded to with a forced one from Daniel.

Now surrounded by people I share blood relations with, I realize how everyone holds a resemblance to one another except for me. Hazel eyes but mine a deep shade of blue. The shortest among them is Zendaya and Mom standing approximately around 5 feet 9 with Daniel just an inch or two taller than both women. Everyone else is f*****g tall, probably above 6 feet. Even there's a difference in our dress code. While they're all in flashy clothes, I'm just in an oversized hoodie that belongs to Leo paired with sweatpants and sneakers.

Even Cherry is dressed flamboyantly and even that's Grandma's doing.

"Enough everyone, he's probably exhausted from his flight." Dad declares and turns to me, " Take a rest. Dinner will be at 7."

I nod.

"Erm what about Lewis?"

" Buried in paperwork and throwing commands here and there at his empire. That's even if he's at work" Carl exaggerates, receiving a slap on the back of his head by Mother after his hilarious saying.

"Don't talk about your brother in such a manner."

"Learn how to take a joke, Mom" Mumbled Carl before focusing on me with a bright smile, "He'll drop by for dinner. Don't worry."

"You should let Grandma know you've arrived home." reminded Mom.

"Alright," I reply.