After Daisy left, Rosy quickly rushed her son through a shower and dressed him. Trist Tan was pale and running on empty.
"See, you don't need to talk much in front of the media," Rosy instructed, her voice low. "If they ask any questions, talk confidently. Don't panic."
"Rosy, he's Mr. World! He's faced international interviews," Stone argued softly.
"Stone, this isn't professional! This is his personal life," Rosy worriedly insisted. "After what just happened, he needs two days' rest. I don't know how he will manage tonight."
"Mom, Dad, don't worry. I'm used to it," Trist said, forcing confidence. "Most important, I'm safe and back. Let's go."
Antonio, guided by a rigid nod from Sabastian, walked straight toward the media pit. He firmly took his husband's hand. The media went wild; flashes popped everywhere.
"Mr. Antonio Cir, you are newly appointed Director of the Criminal Detective Agency, and now newly married. How will you manage two new, major commitments?" a reporter asked.
"It's professional and personal. Both are different fields, and even though they are new to me, I will give my all to my profession, and I will give my all love to my personal life," Antonio said boldly. Sabastian beamed with pride.
Another reporter pressed: "Mr. Cir, you are openly gay. How did you approach your parents about your gender?"
"I don't fully understand your question—it's too deep," Antonio replied calmly. "But I didn't need to approach my parents. This is how I was born. This is me. And my parents supported me just as I am. There was no request or petition. I married how I wanted to marry."
The crowd applauded; Daisy and Sabastian looked proud.
A reporter turned to Trist: "Mr. Trist Tan, you are a pageant winner, dedicated to modeling and media. Now you are married into the President's family. Will your life change? Will you dedicate yourself to family and house?"
Trist was tired, but he forced the pageant-winner smile. "As my husband already said, professional and personal life are separate. There's no change at all to my life. I will continue my professional work, just now with my husband by my side."
Rosy and Stone swelled with pride.
Then, a rude reporter lobbed a grenade: "Mr. Cir, the whole country knows you loved the ballad dancer Ryan Star. He died just four months ago, yet you're already married. Did you move on that easily, or did your political parents force this marriage?"
"Excuse me, sir, mind your tongue!" Sabastian roared, standing up. "This is about marriage only. Martin, get these reporters away from here!"
"Dad! Dad! Calm down," Antonio said, holding up a hand.
Antonio looked directly at the camera. "As for my ex, yes, I loved him a lot. I dreamed of marrying him, and I still regret that it didn't happen. It was destiny. But now I am married to Trist Tan. No matter what, he is my husband now. There is nothing about past force or anything. My mother approached his family, Uncle Stone and Aunt Rosy, to arrange this marriage." Antonio paused, his voice firm. "Did I move on fast? Yes, it looks fast. But I had to move on. And I already made this decision."
Antonio stood, held his husband's hand tightly and boldly, and walked them away from the media.
It was late night. Stone placed Trist's hand back into Antonio's.
"Ah, dear Antonio, I have to tell you something," Rosy said, bursting into tears. "Five years ago, he got into an accident. After that, he lost all his childhood memory. My son is suffering a lot. Please, don't leave him."
"Don't worry, Aunt. I will take care of him with my life," Antonio vowed earnestly.
Antonio and Trist walked toward their room. Stone and Rosy remained outside, praying to God.
Inside the room, Antonio emerged from the shower, wearing only a towel. He saw Trist sitting stiffly, holding his tab. Antonio walked straight to him, taking the device away.
"Change your clothes. You can see this in the morning. And look at you, you're looking exhausted," Antonio said gently.
"Ahhh… yes… ahhh…" Trist stumbled over his words, his mind focused only on the cross necklace hidden under his shirt. How does he talk like he knows me so well already?
"Ha! Now you act innocent, but you're the one who kissed me in the restroom," Antonio teased, rubbing his wet hair.
"M-Me!?" Trist asked, confused.
Antonio turned, catching a glimpse of Trist's bare, beautiful back as he tried to remove his shirt. Antonio quickly turned away, his heart racing. In his memory, the sight triggered only images of Ryan Star.
No, no! Please go away! Please go away! Antonio closed his eyes, fighting the memories of his ex. He suddenly turned back and rushed to Trist Tan, pulling him into a desperate hug.
"Ahhh, Tan! I love you!" Antonio swore, the words fueled by desperation and denial.
Trist Tan smiled, shyly embracing the hug.
Antonio turned Trist toward him and kissed him deeply, passionately. "I promise you, I will take care of you no matter what."
He picked Trist up by the waist and carried him toward the bed. Antonio looked deep into Trist's eyes, trying to forget every memory of Ryan. He dropped his towel.
Trist gasped, his exhaustion and fear momentarily forgotten as he accepted Antonio's purpose. They dissolved into an affectionate, passionate night, seeking solace in each other.
It was the middle of the night, 1:00 AM.
Suddenly, a strange, faint crying sound made Antonio jerk awake.
Trist was sleeping soundly on his chest. Antonio gently moved him onto the bed, then quietly went to investigate the noise. He opened the window.
Out in the distant darkness, someone was crying.
"Ahhhhhhhh! Ahhh!"
The sound got loud and loud—a piercing, heartbroken wail. It sounded exactly like the grief-stricken, agonizing cry of a ghost.