Chapter 18: Actor / 3.11&12 : The only constant in the universes
Eden woke up in someone’s arms. He held onto him tighter, a few seconds later he felt Luka caressing his head. It doesn’t matter what happens Gege is always going to be here and he is the only person he needs. He needs to tone down the body’s inherent feelings or he’ll go insane. He used Versem and after dissociating himself he felt a release. Every one of his past life was a nightmare, he’s bound to go insane if he feels this deeply each time.
He looked up meeting Luka’s eyes. Luka caressed his cheek and he asked:
"Are you okay?"
Eden nodded. He stood up and walked to the bathroom. He stopped before entering and turned around. Luka was standing behind him as if it was normal that they would shower together. He said expressionlessly:
"Go shower in the guest bedroom."
Luka looked at him with puppy eyes but Eden didn’t react, he entered the bathroom and quickly locked it.
When he finished showering and dressing he met Luka who was done as well. They went to the dining room. Before Eden could seat at the head of the table Luka did and he pulled him on his lap. Eden lay on his chest and let him feed him. When they finished he was about to stand up but Luka held him.
"What?"
"What happened yesterday?"
"Why do you care? And why did you show up at my house unannounced?"
Luka felt bad hearing those questions. Doesn’t Eden care just a little bit about him?
"I wanted to see you."
"Why?"
"Because I like spending time with you."
"We spend all day on set together what more do you need?"
Luka looked into Eden’s indifferent eyes and he felt a pinch in his stomach. He wants to spend every minute of every day with him but it doesn’t seem like Eden does.
He asked:
"What am I to you?"
"A colleague."
Luka’s face fell and he looked down. Eden felt no remorse saying that. In the original timeline not only did he marry someone else but it was his evil twin brother. He doesn’t like it when Gege touches someone else let alone marry. He doesn’t care if he’s being unreasonable Gege’s the same. He lost it when Cillian was on top of him acting so can you imagine how he would react if he married someone else?
He’s pissed and he wants him to pay it’s that simple, plus he was a douche when they were trying their costumes on. He stayed silent until Luka looked up, you could see the pain and hurt in his eyes.
"Don’t you want to be in a relationship one day? You said you wanted a kid."
Eden smirked:
"I do when I meet the right person, not someone who’ll get bored of me after a few days."
Luka felt his heart beating faster. Is that why he won’t consider him because of his words that day? He should’ve kept his mouth shut. He held him tighter and he said:
"I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that. I’m not bored of you and I know that I’ll never be even if we met in every one of our lives. Will you please forgive me, Eden?"
Eden looked into Luka’s pleading eyes and after a moment he nodded.
Luka smiled and his beautiful grey eyes lit up. Eden felt his heart beating faster, why is he so cute? Luka was so happy that he was vibrating in excitement. When he saw Eden’s blooming smile he couldn’t stop himself from kissing him. He captured his lips and entangled their tongues. It made him happy when Eden kissed him back. He hasn’t been able to be close to him since that night and he’s been wanting to kiss him for so long already. They broke the connection when they heard a sound.
Rune looked at them wide-eyed. He woke up when Eden said:
"You better not have broken my new cell phone."
He picked up the box and he gave it to Eden. Eden checked the cell phone and when he saw that it wasn’t broken he said with a smile:
"Thank you."
Rune turned around and left in anger.
When Eden told him to buy a new phone and bring it to him he thought that he wanted to spend time with him since he could’ve sent his assistant. He was such a fool, since Eden is with Luka then he has no reason to betray Storm. His eyes flashed ruthlessly.
Alaric was in his walking closet getting dressed. When he finished he walked to the room, he looked at Colton who was sitting on the bed waiting for him just as sad as yesterday. He understands since he still feels terrible, actually, he feels worst. He pulled Colton in his arms, he held onto him as if he would drown in all this sorrow. He let go of him when someone knocked.
He opened the door and a maid said:
"I’m sorry to bother you master but a man wants to see you he says that he is Eden’s manager."
Alaric looked at Colton worried. Did something happen? He never came to see them before so it must be urgent.
They ran down the stairs and they took a seat on the couch in front of Rune. Colton asked:
"What’s wrong? Is Eden okay?"
Rune looked at them surprised and he said:
"Yes of course he is okay."
He is more than okay he is in love with that whore Luka.
They both took a breath and Alaric asked:
"What can we do for you?"
Rune handed them three papers and he said:
"Eden wanted you to have those."
Alaric looked at the papers and he felt his heart shatter.
Colton could tell that something was wrong but before he could ask Alaric said:
"Will that be all?"
Rune nodded and left. When he was gone Colton asked frantically:
"What is it?"
Alaric swallowed and he said:
"Eden signed his rights for Rgency away. He also gave us the deed of the house after putting it under your name. He..."
Colton was already stunned with everything he was hearing but he still asked:
"What?"
"He notarized a letter stipulating that we don’t have to give back everything he’s given us over the years. All the documents are legally binding."
Tears ran down Colton’s face, Eden doesn’t want anything to do with them anymore. Alaric pulled him in his arms.
"It doesn’t matter we won’t give up. Let’s first talk to Luka okay?"
Colton nodded.
Luka looked at Eden acting. He’s truly one of the most talented actors he ever met. He can’t believe how blind he was before their audition together. That day it felt like a veil was lifted off and he could see the real Eden. He knows that it will take time but he’ll make Eden his, at least he’s not angry at him anymore. He’ll officially ask him to be his mate tonight. He picked up his ringing cellphone when he was further from the shooting spot.
"What is it, father?"
"Come home."
"I’ll be right there."
He knows his father he wouldn’t call him at work unless it’s urgent. After letting the director know he changed and left. When he arrived home he went to the living room and was surprised to see Eden’s parents sitting in front of his father. He took a seat next to him and he said:
"Hello."
He looked at Colton and he could tell that he had been crying.
"Hello, Luka."
He smiled at Alaric who didn’t seem to be in better shape than Colton.
Cedro said:
"Colton and Alaric would like to ask you a favor."
Luka looked at them and he said:
"Sure if I can help you I will."
Even if Eden isn’t close to them they are still his parents. Alaric said:
"You know that Storm has cystic fibrosis right?"
Luka nodded.
"Actually both he and Eden have it."
Luka gaped, Eden never told him that and they spent hours on the phone together. Colton said:
"He is sick and he hasn’t been to the doctor in a while can you please make sure he goes?"
Luka frowned, his heart beating faster. He can’t lose Eden he has finally forgiven him and he finally has a chance. If he has to force him to go there he will. Is that why he was upset yesterday? No, he’s been sick since he was a kid it’s not like it’s a surprise.
He is sure it has to do with his parents though. He asked:
"Why aren’t are you doing it yourself?"
"Luka!"
Luka looked at his father, then he looked at Colton waiting for his answer. He was looking at him teary-eyed and he could see guilt in them. He knows that Eden had a difficult childhood and it seems like they finally feel guilty about it. When they had dinner they all acted like Eden was the bad guy.
He wants to know what happened.
"What did you do to him?"
They both looked at him stunned. Alaric asked:
"What?"
"I know that Eden had a difficult childhood and suicidal thoughts but it ends there. I want to know what you did to him."
"Luka it concerns their family."
Luka looked at his father.
"It concerns the person I love and I want to know."
He wants to know why Eden was so upset yesterday and make sure it never happens again. He can’t bear the thought of him suffering the smallest grievance.
Alaric looked at his wife to decide whether they should tell him. Luka might be of help to mend their relationship with Eden.
Colton nodded and Alaric explained everything. When they finished talking Luka was trembling in equal part anger and fear. Not only did they keep defending Storm but they kept taking every cent that Eden would give them. He slaved off for his family at the expense of his health and now he might die. He stood up and said before leaving:
"I’ll make sure he gets the care he needs."
Colton and Alaric let out a relieved breath.
Eden was in his dressing room waiting for his next scene. He looked up from his cellphone when Rune came in. He closed the door and asked Eden:
"Do you love Luka?"
"I do."
Hearing that Rune felt like his heart had been broken in half.
"How could you love him when you know all the people he’s been with?"
Eden said:
"Everyone has a past."
Rune frowned.
"What if tomorrow he changes his mind? I’ve known Luka for a long time he can’t stand anyone for more than a few days."
"I’m not just anyone."
Rune took a step forward.
"I know that’s why I’m telling you. Don’t you want to be with someone who will worship you and love you forever?"
"Like who?"
"Me."
Eden smiled.
"I understand that you’re worried about me but I’m okay."
Rune said:
"No Eden I’m serious. I love you and if you accept me I swear I will never let you down."
He was impulsive after he saw Eden with Luka so he gave the papers to his parents but he regrets it. He still wants to be with Eden and he’ll fight for him.
"Are you saying you don’t have a salacious past like Luka?"
Rune immediately said:
"I don’t!"
Eden burst out laughing.
"At least Luka didn’t sleep with my twin."
Rune took a step backward looking at him wide-eyed. Is that why he’s refusing him? Does that mean that maybe he likes him? Then he can make him change his mind again.
"I swear it meant nothing, you’re the one I’ve always wanted."
"You’re fired."
"What?"
Eden said expressionlessly:
"You breached clause 5 article 1. You disclosed confidential documents to someone else."
Rune looked at him stunned.
"What are you talking about?"
"Didn’t you give the papers I told you to keep safe to my parents?"
Rune stared at him. How does he know?
His parents wanted the company away from Eden so they wouldn’t tell him.
"Get out!"
Rune begged:
"No please Eden listen..."
"There’s nothing to talk about leave."
Rune looked into Eden’s determined eyes and he left. He looked for Storm and when he found him he pulled him into a closet. Storm pushed his hand away with disgust.
"What do you want?"
"I can help you tomorrow with your plan. Once the chandelier falls, I’ll immediately say it’s Eden. I’m his agent everyone will believe me."
Storm asked for his help but he refused but since Eden is with Luka and he fired him he needs to get revenge. Storm smiled and he jumped in his arms. The chandelier is put on a timer and at the end of it falls automatically the only thing missing was the person to point a finger at Eden. Now that Rune is onboard he’ll get rid of him tomorrow.
Eden walked back to the set, he stood in place waiting for the director’s cue. He looked at Luka but he was looking down. What’s with him? Since this morning he’s been glued to him. He focused when the director yelled:
"Action!"
Wei Ying ran to Lan Zhan. He was on his knees and his chest was covered in blood. He knelt in front of him and he closed his eyes after putting his hand on his chest. After a few minutes Lan Zhan let out a breath, he didn’t seem to be in as much pain as he was before. Wei Ying sat on the ground and he looked at him teary-eyed.
Lan Zhan looked up expressionlessly.
"Don’t you care if you live or die?"
"I don’t."
Wei Ying felt like Lan Zhan had slapped him. He asked in a trembling voice:
"What about me?"
At that question, Lan Zhan’s impassive veil fell off.
Wei Ying closed his eyes and he said:
"I love you, I’ve been in love with you since I first knew what love was. I would rather die than be in a world without you even if you don’t feel the same way. I know that to you I’m just a pass time or something to throw on the rightful sects’ face but I don’t care. As long as get to be by your side I’ll accept whatever you desire. If you don’t want to live for yourself can you live for me?"
Wei Ying felt that the only way he would be able to say those words was if he wasn’t looking into Lan Zhan’s eyes.
He knows he doesn’t love him and that he just like the idea of having the mighty high priest under him. It’s a way to show all those from the rightful sect that he can do anything including sleeping and corrupting their leader. To him, Lan Zhan is more important than his duty and it’ll never change.
Lan Zhan felt heartbroken hearing that. He loves Wei Ying how can he not know that? Then again he kept telling him that he would love to see the face of the cultivators from the rightful sects if they found out. He’s been on this mission for so long that he doesn’t know how to stop to the point where he almost died. He doesn’t want to die he just never thought Wei Ying would accept him.
If he wants him to stop he will. When he lost his family and his sect he thought that nothing will ever be able to fulfill the gap they left but every time he was with Wein Ying he felt complete. Lan Zhan stood up and Wei Ying helped him. Wei Ying grabbed his sword and he flew to the High Priest Manor holding Lan Zhan.
After helping him wash up and cleaning his wounds he lay him on the canopy bed. He put up the covers and stood up to leave but Lan Zhan held onto his wrist. Wei Ying looked at him, he pulled him and he sat back down. Lan Zhan reached out caressing his cheek his eyes full of affection and love.
Wei Ying felt his heart beating faster and he found himself unable to blink scared to miss a second of it.
"When I lost my family and sect I thought that I would never care about anyone ever again. I was obsessed with getting revenge and even when I was done I couldn’t stop. I knew that the only thing I wanted in this world would never be mine because of all the pain I caused."
Wei Ying asked his voice shaky:
"What do you want?"
Luka swallowed and he said:
"I want you."
Wei Ying’s eyes moistened. Luka looked at Eden intently and he said teary-eyed:
"I would rather die than be in this world without you even if you don’t feel the same way, Eden."
Eden frowned. The crew looked at Luka not understanding what he is doing, since that day they are well aware that he likes Eden but this time it felt different.
"But I can’t sit still as your condition worsen, please go to the doctor with me tomorrow."
"What are you talking about?"
Luka said:
"I know that you have cystic fibrosis."
The entire set gasped in shock, they knew that Storm had it but they had no idea about Eden. He never made a fuss about it while they felt that Storm was using it to get away with everything. Eden narrowed his eyes. He used Versem to see what he had been doing since he started to keep his distance. He watched as Colton and Alaric told Luka the truth. He closed Versem and he looked into Luka’s pain-filled eyes.
He grabbed his hand and he begged:
"I already made an appointment with Dr.Cheng for tomorrow morning, please come with me."
He took all the information from Eden’s parents, he can’t be without him so even if he has to drag him he will but first, he’ll ask. He couldn’t understand when Eden looked at him with anger. He just wants him to be well and live a long life.
His hold around his wrist tightened:
"I love you Eden and I don’t want to be without you."
Eden pulled his wrist and he asked furiously:
"Really? Is that what you said to all the people you slept with?"
Luka felt like he had been slapped.
"Eden..."
Eden stood up.
"No enough! I don’t need you okay? I’ve been able to get through without you before so why would it change now that we met?"
He was barely starting to forgive Luka but he dared speak to his parents and made them tell him everything that happened.
He should’ve been the one to tell Luka when he is ready. He can’t just do whatever he wants when he wants. He trusted him and this what he gets? If he dared to do that what else won’t he do? He should’ve at least told him when he came back. Luka felt that Eden was angry about something more he just couldn’t tell what exactly. He stood up.
"I know that, I know you don’t care about me but it won’t change how I feel about you. I love you and I’ll do anything for you to become healthy and have a long life."
Eden yelled:
"It has nothing to do with that!"
Luka took a step forward and he asked angrily:
"Then what is it about? Eden, we’ve been talking for weeks but you’ve never opened up to me when you know everything about me. Why can’t you trust me?"
Eden yelled:
"How can I trust you when you went to talk to my parents and kept it from me?"
"They called me because they were worried."
"I don’t give a damn I won’t tolerate anyone keeping anything from me! If they had something to say they should’ve said it to my face just like you should’ve told me right away when you came back instead of acting the way you did."
Luka looked at Eden intently.
He could tell that Eden was a closed-off person but he had no idea him much until this moment. The fact that Eden is this upset that he kept it from him for a couple of hours shows that he’s used to everyone keeping everything from him. Trust and honesty are important to him.
"I’m sorry."
Eden looked at him silently his eyes moistening. He can accept a lot but he’ll bever accept Gege keeping anything from him. All his lives everyone around him would keep things from him that would eventually be his downfall. He thought that Gege would never do that, he knows that him keeping it a secret for a couple of hours doesn’t seem like much but to him it is. What if it starts with that then escalates?
He can’t live without this person and that scares him. He doesn’t want their relationship to be like the one he has with everyone around him fake and full of lies. Tears ran down Eden’s face.
"You’re the person I trust most in the universes if I can’t anymore I won’t be able to trust anyone."
Luka pulled him in his arms his heart clenching in pain.
He never meant to make him feel like he can’t trust him. He didn’t tell him right away because he was worried he might be angry but then every word coming out of Eden’s mouth when he played Wei Ying was how he felt. He can’t live without him, no matter what he has to accept to be with him he will.
"I’m sorry I should’ve told you right away even if I was worried you might get angry at me. "
He pulled back and after wiping his tears he swore:
"I swear I won’t keep anything from you ever again. Please trust me one last time Eden."
When Eden nodded he let out the breath he was holding.
He pressed his forehead against Eden’s and he closed his eyes.
"I love you."
"I love you too Gege."
Luka opened his eyes and he looked at Eden stunned. He asked with a trembling voice:
"You’re in love with me?"
Just because he loves him doesn’t mean he is in love with him. Eden met his eyes and he said with a slight blush:
"I’m in love with you."
Luka felt a lump in his throat. This person who he loves so much loves him back.
He didn’t say it in the hope Eden would say it back but he did. He leaned in kissing him tenderly. He pulled back and he said:
"You’re the only one I ever said I love you to beside my father."
Eden smiled.
"Me too."
Hearing that Luka felt like the wait was worth it. He’s the only person Eden said I love you to.
He knew they were meant to be, he doesn’t doubt that Eden is his soulmate. He kissed his forehead devotedly, he met his eyes again when Eden said:
"I’ll go to the doctor with you tomorrow."
Luka let out a shaky breath
"Thank you."
He hugged Eden tightly and he hugged him back. He could feel Luka trembling slightly, the fear emanating from him was palpable.
"I’m okay I’ve been going to another doctor I just didn’t have time to tell Dr.Chang."
Luka pulled back and he immediately asked:
"How are you doing?"
"Much better."
He felt better when he saw the relief on Luka’s face. He doesn’t want him to be scared. He’s been healing himself slowly using Versem he just didn’t go see Dr.Cheng or he would’ve got better results and his plan wouldn’t have been as effective.
"We’re still going to see him tomorrow."
"If you want."
Eden laced their hands then he looked at them with a smile.
He didn’t think that Luka keeping the smallest thing from him would set him off but it did. Gege has been with him for more than 600 years and he knows that he’ll keep following him so the thought of him acting like everyone around him frightens him. He knows that someone is responsible for everyone always betraying and hurting him and now that he found Gege he’s scared that he’ll get to him somehow.
But he can’t keep living in fear or holding grudges when the whole setting of his terrible life was made by whoever’s after him. Gege is proof since when Eden was finally free he always fell in love with him when before they would barely look at each other. He is the only constant in his life and he’ll never let go of him no matter what.
