Chapter 5

Chapter 5

****SHUN WAS humming happily while walking down the street. His lips were stretched into a big smile, both hands were inside his pockets. He was very happy he was able to pay his sister’s bills today. His sister will be operated on soon.

Yesterday, Lincoln transferred the money he promised Shun. Because of that money, he was able to pay Shaine’s bills and his apartment rent. What a good day. Although today is also the day he will meet Lincoln’s parents, he wasn’t nervous. It’s a really good day for him to be nervous.

Not until he passed on a alleyway, and heard voices of some men.

“Is that him? He doesn’t look like that one.”

“That’s him I sure! Haven’t I told you he’s always changing his appearance?”

Shun turned to look at where the voice is coming from, and his eyes immediately widened in horror.

There was a clusters of men on the alleyway, looking so ‘gangster-ish’ as some of them leaned on the wall of a building, a few were crouching on the ground. Most of them had tattoos on their arms, wore some grudge and rugged looking clothes, and held cigarettes in their hands. The sight was so familiar—even those men were familiar. Shun can’t be mistaken.

**It was Joe’s gangmates!

His heart pounded against his chest. Last time, they were able to almost kidnap him, but he managed to escape. Are they going to continue their bad deeds today?!

Not can happen! Shun immediately turned his back on the group of men and walked faster. He wasn’t wearing any disguises now, but the last time they met, he was wearing one. How come they recognized him?

“He’s fleeing!”

“Don’t let him get away! Chase him!”

“Fuck,” Shun cursed and started running.

He can’t afford to pay his debts to them today! He spent all of the money on Shaine’s bills!

“You damn kid, come back here! I will beat you up!” He heard someone saying, but Shun doesn't look back and kept running. He also can’t afford to be caught by these guys! Not today! They were at least 7 and also burly! He’ll die! He still has to meet up with Lincoln later to have dinner with his family!

SHUN SMILED at Lincoln when they met in their meeting place.

Yup, he got away from the gangsters earlier. Shun doesn’t know if he was just lucky, maybe he is. The gangsters got lost sight of him when he ran as fast as he can. He can sigh in relief. For now.

Shun pressed his lips tight. He was currently wearing a stunning casual dress, just right for dinner. His face was full on make-up, he made sure his face doesn’t had a bit of masculinity in it—which is highly impossible for him anyway because his face is androgynous.

The physical cover wasn’t bad, almost perfect—maybe it is—but Shun wasn’t sure if this dinner would go smoothly.

“Are you nervous?” Lincoln asked him while ushering him towards his car.

“A bit.”

“Don’t be. You’ll do well,” Lincoln assured him.

Shun just smiled, it barely relaxed him.

Lincoln drove for half an hour. While driving, he, as usual, fired his flirts away just to ease Shun’s tension. Shun was a bit thankful; it managed to make him less nervous. But that doesn't last long once they stood in front of a white elegant mansion. Shun gulped. He expected Lincoln’s wealthiness already, but he can’t help to be overwhelmed because of how rich he actually is.

“Let’s go.” Lincoln held his hand and they entered together.

Shun roamed his eyes to the interior of the mansion. He saw a lot of expensive furniture and paintings. They’re so extravagant. Shun knew those were worth hundreds of thousands—maybe even million.

“Lincoln, dear?” A woman’s voice was heard.

Lincoln pulled him gently towards where the voice is.

Shun blew a breath before they entered the dining room. He saw a  middle-aged man and woman sitting in the dining. They were both gazing at him.

“Mom, Dad.” Lincoln greeted his parents. He went to his mom and kissed her cheek.

Mr. Vega looked at Shun. “Your girlfriend, Son, I believe?” His father’s voice has a hint of suspicion.

“Yes.” Lincoln smiled at him, urging him to introduce himself.

Shun was nervous to the core but he held a calm and charming expression outside. “Good evening, Sir, Ma’am. My name is Sheen.” He flashed a smile that can warm Antarctica.

Lincoln’s parents were stunned by Shun’s beauty. Lincoln’s father us the first to recover. “O-Oh, sit down, sit down.”

Lincoln’s mother spoke. “How beautiful you are Sheen, no wonder my son made you his girlfriend.”

Shun smiled awkwardly. “A-Ah, yes… thank you, Ma’am.” Dammit, how do girls usually do in this kind of situation?!

**“You can call me Tita Lynda. This is your Tito Collin.” Lincoln’s mother was smiling sweetly at him.

The next few moments, all of Lincoln’s parents attention was on Shun.

Lincoln’s lips tightened as he stared at the three. He was completely ignored because his parents were so overjoyed with ‘Sheen’!

“So, how did you meet, Sheen?”

“How did you fall in love with my son, Sheen?”

“Did Lincoln force you into loving him? You’re too beautiful to be Lincoln’s girlfriend!”

“How did he win your heart?”

Shun was bombarded with questions which he answered while playing the role of a ‘sweet, charming’ girlfriend of Lincoln. Lincoln didn’t have the chance to speak. Shun was really thankful for Lincoln that he had tell him everything his parents will ask about them, so Shun answered everything confidently.

Lincoln frowned. “Mom, Dad, easy with your questions. You’re scaring her.”

Shun was stunned at Lincoln while his parents turned to look at their son. “I see. Sorry, Lincoln, baby. We’re just…” his mother trailed and shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m just surprised.” His father suddenly spoke. “The last time I remember, you don’t swing this way.”

Lincoln froze.

Lincoln’s mother quickly elbowed her husband. She turned to Lincoln and smiled. “We’re happy, darling. We know you’re not really like that.”

Lincoln’s face darkened, and Shun was confused. What’s happening?

**“I know you’ll eventually find the right path, son. I’m proud of you.”

“I see...” Lincoln dropped his gaze at the empty plate in front of him. Shun sensed that something was wrong, so he quietly excused himself.

He went to the kitchen to give the three privacy. It seems like Lincoln doesn’t want him to hear what his parents are saying, so he volunteered to go. He doesn’t understand what they are talking about, but he thought that he was not in a position to ask Lincoln about it. They’re just pretending to be in a relationship anyway.

“Sheen?”

Shun was startled when Lincoln entered the kitchen. Lincoln followed him. “Eh? I thought you were talking about something…”

Lincoln didn’t answer and just smiled weakly. This smile was in mixed bitterness and sadness.

“Is something the matter?” Shun can’t help but ask.

“No, uh, nothing. They were just... happy, I guess.” Lincoln laughed.

Shun’s brows furrowed at how fake his laugh sounded, but didn’t say anything.

Silence filled the kitchen. Shun leaned on the kitchen countertop while Lincoln was in front of him, smiling. Shun looked away and gulped. His heart beat loudly because of the strange nervousness. Why?

He was about to say something when Lincoln stepped forward. He grabbed Shun’s waist and pulled him closer.

“I’m sorry for this.”

“What—”

Lincoln pressed their lips together.

Shun’s eyes widened.

He was so shocked he doesn’t notice the footsteps coming towards them. And Lincoln didn’t give him the chance to notice it.

He kissed Shun deeply.