At the same time, Mark had already left the house early that morning.

He drove straight to Charles’s place, intending to pick him up and drive him to work.

Mark knew perfectly well that Charles usually drove himself, but he was determined to start somewhere.

His driver pulled into the parking lot, Tony seated in the passenger seat, while Mark waited in the back for Charles to come down. His heart raced, caught between nerves and excitement.

For once, he wasn’t going to run from what he felt.

He was ready to stop fighting himself... and finally go after the man he couldn’t get out of his head.

When Charles finally came downstairs, he wasn’t alone.

He was with another man.

They were close. Their hands were intertwined.

Mark’s expression shifted instantly.

But then he looked again.

The man pulled Charles into a hug, then kissed his cheek before heading toward his own car. Charles stood there for a moment, smiling as he waved him off.

Mark’s excitement vanished. "It looks like he’s in a relationship," he muttered to himself, his shoulders slumping. "Drive. We should leave. I don’t want to disturb him."

Tony turned his head, studying him. "I don’t think judging based on a quick glimpse makes any sense, Mark. You’re already this jealous before the relationship has even started."

"I’m not jealous," Mark snapped. "That guy could be his boyfriend, and I don’t want to overstep."

Tony didn’t let him finish. He signaled the driver to wait, stepped out of the car, and opened the door for Mark.

"Go ask him," Tony said, his tone firm. "Let him tell you himself if he’s in a relationship. Don’t make that decision for him based on what you think you saw."

At that moment, Charles was already heading toward his car.

Mark stepped out.

Charles noticed him immediately. Their eyes met, and Charles paused, looking surprised.

Mark raised a hand and waved. "Good morning," he called out, his voice a bit tighter than he intended.

Charles waved back awkwardly, his expression a mix of confusion and mild surprise at seeing Mark there so early.

Mark noticed it.

He walked closer, the cool morning air doing little to steady his nerves. Stopping in front of him, he cleared his throat.

"Sorry... I didn’t mean to catch you off guard this early."

Charles studied him for a moment.

"You’re Mark, right?"

Mark nodded. "Yeah."

He hesitated briefly, then continued, his gaze fixed on Charles. "I... I was wondering if you’re free this morning. I came to pick you up... maybe take you out for breakfast."

Charles paused, glancing back at his car before turning to Mark, confusion flickering across his face. He raised an eyebrow.

"You came this early... just to take me out for breakfast?"

"Yes," Mark answered, then added quickly, "I can also drop you off at your workplace afterward, if you don’t mind."

Charles hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay." He reached into his car to grab his personal belongings, then followed Mark to the waiting vehicle.

They sat together in the back seat, with Tony in the front passenger seat and the driver at the wheel. The rest of the security detail followed in the car behind them as they pulled out of the parking lot.

Inside the car, the silence was heavy. Charles glanced at Mark, and Mark looked back, but neither of them found the words to break the quiet.

When they arrived at a nearby café, the driver stopped, and they stepped out.

Inside, they were guided to a quiet, private corner away from the morning crowd.

They sat across from each other.

Mark picked up the menu first and handed it to Charles.

"Go ahead," he said.

"Alright," Charles said, scanning the menu. After a moment, he made his choice.

"I’ll have this," he added, pointing it out.

"I’ll take the same," Mark said.

The waitress came over, took their order, and left.

Once the waitress walked away, a brief silence settled over the table. Charles leaned forward, curiosity getting the better of him.

"So..." he said. "Why were you here so early this morning?"

Mark took a breath, meeting Charles’s gaze. "I came to see you."

Charles nodded slowly. "Alright."

Mark hesitated, then spoke again, more carefully this time. "Before anything... this morning, when you came out, I saw you with someone."

He paused, watching Charles’s reaction. "I’m sorry if this is too direct, but... are you two together?"

Charles looked at him, surprised.

"I mean," Mark added quickly, "is there something going on between you?"

Before Charles could answer, the waitress returned with their order. The clinking of plates and the steam rising from the coffee filled the space for a moment until she stepped away again.

Silence lingered for a moment.

Then Charles spoke.

"We’re not in a relationship," he said. "But... there’s something between us."

Mark’s expression fell, and he nodded. "Oh. Okay. I’m sorry for—"

"I haven’t finished," Charles interrupted.

"Right. Sorry. Please, go on."

"It’s an agreement," Charles explained plainly. "Just sex. Nothing serious. We’re just bedmates. No feelings. No commitment."

Mark felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Alright. So you have no feelings for him, and you aren’t in a relationship?"

"Correct," Charles said.

Mark leaned back slightly. "If you were to get into something serious," he asked, "would you stop seeing him?"

Charles nodded. "Yes. I’m a very jealous person when I’m in love," Charles admitted. "I wouldn’t cheat on a partner because I wouldn’t want them to do the same to me."

"So you would end it immediately?" Mark pressed.

Charles nodded. "Yes. I wouldn’t continue something like that if I’m in a real relationship."

"Then what if I asked you to end it right now? Would you?"

Charles stared at him for a few seconds, his fork hovering mid-air. "Why?"

Mark didn’t hesitate. "Because I like you. I want something serious between us, something far beyond being bedmates. I want to love you, and I want you to love me back."

Charles sat stunned, speechless.

"I’m serious," Mark said. "I want something real with you. I’m not giving up on this. So... would you end things with him and give us a chance?"

"Are you... confessing to me right now?" Charles asked.

"Yes, I am. So, will you tell him it’s over?"

Silence stretched between them.

"Just like that?" Charles asked softly.

"What do you need to know I’m serious?" Mark asked, his intensity growing. "Flowers? Gifts? Tell me what it takes for you to stop sleeping with anyone else. I don’t want you smiling at other men, or holding their hands, or waving at them like you did this morning. I’m not here for something temporary. I’m here to stay, Charles. So, what do you say?"

The silence stretched on as Charles processed the sudden confession. Finally, he spoke. "Give me time."

"Alright. How much time do you need?" Mark asked.

"Just a little," Charles replied.

"Okay," Mark said.

Mark leaned back, trying to lighten the mood. "Fair enough. But tell me... am I your style? The kind of guy you like?"

Charles teased him with a small smile. "No."

"I don’t believe that," Mark grinned.

"Why not?"