Chapter Five

For Ivan, it was both a sense of right and wrong. It felt incorrect to lead Sara on when his feelings for her were not based on sincere love, yet it felt appropriate to seize the opportunity before him with wisdom.

Ivan had made a vow to never hurt Sera in any way, but instead to provide her with abundant care and attention. As time passed after proposing to her, which she eagerly said Yes to, he gradually realized that what he felt for her was not mere likeness, but rather a sincere blossoming of love for Sera Grayson.

However, everything changed on that fateful evening when he received a message that would completely upend his life, reopening a chapter he had believed to be closed forever.

The moment Sera laid eyes on that message, and read it out loud, Ivan ceased to be the Ivan he had been two years prior to when he had known Sera. This time, he transformed into the Ivan he once was during his college days.

"Pardon me, did you say something?" Ivan inquired, this time looking directly into her eyes.

"What occupies your thoughts, Ivan?" Sera interrogated, distancing herself from his chilly embrace. She despised having to revisit this conversation. Ever since that text message arrived on Ivan's phone, which she had the privilege of reading to him, he had been behaving peculiarly. It had become increasingly apparent compared to when they first started dating two years ago and recently became engaged.

She vividly remembered how Ivan's body tensed up as she recited the message to him, how his hand slightly trembled while gripping the fork during dinner. In their two years of dating, she had never witnessed Ivan masturbating until that fateful evening. Sera could sense that his usual demeanor didn't sit well with her, though Ivan had, in his own way, attempted to dispel her doubts.

"I cannot fathom the fact that I am right here with you, while you seem to be elsewhere!" Sera responded heatedly, allowing her anger to surface and making it evident that Ivan was getting on her nerves.

"Are you not comfortable with me attending your college reunion? You were thrilled to attend mine, and I had no objections. Now it's your turn, and I desire to join you. Is that a problem for you? Is there something I should be aware of, Ivan?" Sera asked, crossing her arms while locking her gaze on Ivan.

Ivan shook his head, rose from the bed, walked towards her, and stood naked before her. He cupped her face in his hand. "Come on, Sera, you know I am excited for you to attend the reunion. Why would I deprive you of that? I apologize if I was not giving full attention to what you were saying, and it's perfectly alright for you to be angry," Ivan assured, planting a peck on her cheek, his face adorned with a smile as he looked at an enraged Sera.

Sera released her arms and closed the gap between them. She could feel Ivan's penis mildly touching her bare folds, his tip delicately brushing against her scant pubic hair. "Is this about a former college girlfriend you will meet?"

That question caught Ivan off guard, and he raised an eyebrow. He chuckled softly as he embraced Sera. "Girlfriend?" he repeated.

"Yes, girlfriend. It is evident that you are not into men, or am I mistaken?" Sera inquired.

Ivan swallowed nervously, meeting Sera's gaze. "No, Sera, there is no girlfriend. Trust me, if there were any, they would be married with children by now."

With a sigh of relief, Sera leaned into Ivan, her arms enclosing his neck as she planted a kiss on him.

"Do you think we should make our wedding announcement there to everyone? I want them to be invited," Sera asked, giving Ivan another peck and heading to the wardrobe to choose an outfit.

Ivan stood in silence, his throat suddenly dry as he observed Sera. This was not the scenario he had anticipated for the past three weeks, publicly declaring their marriage in front of everyone at the gathering, including...

Shaking his head, Ivan removed the bed cover, feigning ignorance towards Sera's words.

He couldn't even imagine the expression on Shawn's face if they were to meet tonight. why the hell is he even bothered about what Shawn would say, hell! he might also have someone in his life already.

Unable to decipher if it would be disgust or betrayal, his heart ached. Shawn had made no effort to contact him in any way, never calling or searching for him.

Ivan knew it was deserved punishment for making Shawn appear foolish and unwanted.

Recalling that fateful day, being secretly involved with Chloe after rejecting Shawn, although they hadn't made it known to the public. He did have genuine feelings for her, just not to the extent of his affection for Shawn.

Ivan and Chloe were seated together at the college cafeteria, conversing while enjoying their lunch. Suddenly, Shawn and Madeline approached their table and placed their food in front of them.

Ivan noticed that Shawn averted his gaze, refusing to acknowledge his presence at the table. Madeline gave an apologetic look.

Ivan directed his attention back to Chloe, who remained unaware of the situation within their small gathering. Before Ivan could comprehend what was happening, Chloe leaned in and planted a deep kiss on his cheek.

This caught Shawn's attention, his jaw clenched upon witnessing Ivan's reciprocation. Ivan gently held Chloe's face, engaging in a passionate kiss directly on her lips.

Feeling sick, the taste of food turning bitter in his mouth, Shawn lost his appetite as he abruptly stood up and left the cafeteria.

Ivan quickly broke off the kiss and stood up, avoiding eye contact with Chloe before exiting the cafeteria, running after Shawn.

Meanwhile, as Chloe prepared to rise from her seat to go after Ivan, Madeline held her hand, signaling for her to stay seated and not pursue Ivan.

Hot tears brimmed Shawn's eyes as he walked into the boys' changing room. He felt his world torn apart, a pang of pain in his heart seeing Ivan kiss a girl right in front of him.

"Shawn..." Ivan called him softly, his eyes showing remorse and slight regret, not because he kissed Chloe, but because he did it right in front of Shawn, a way to intentionally taunt him, and now it backfired.

"I want to be alone," Shawn responded, not bothering to turn around to look at him. He could not allow Ivan to see how hurt he was after what he just did. The more he tried to hate Ivan, the more he yearned for him.

Gently and softly, Ivan reached out to Shawn, touching his shoulder. "I am sorry, Shawn, I did not mean to kiss her right in front of you."

Goosebumps grew on Shawn's arms as he felt Ivan's flesh touch him. Shawn's body ignited with a fiery heat he had never experienced before. When Ivan slid his hand gently down Shawn's arms, Shawn turned around to look at him, seeing the look of sorrow in his eyes. Shawn decided to do the unthinkable.