From the Beginning

Chapter 24: Reality

"What? Really?" Bailey smiled.

"Yes."

"When...how...?"

"I saw Bowen at the shopping mall this afternoon. When I came home, I started remembering everything."

"That's great, White."

"My real name is Yulian."

"Your name really is Yulian?"

"It is."

"So, you know Bowen?"

"Yes, I do." Yulian sniffed to keep his tears from falling. "Bailey, I made a mistake and I have to fix it."

"What mistake?"

"It's regarding Bowen, but I can't tell you. It will deepen the damage to what has already been damaged."

"Okay." Bailey went along with what Yulian was telling him.

"Bailey, I'm from another planet," Yulian enlightened.

"Are you telling me that you're an alien?" Bailey chortled in disbelief.

"I am."

"Okay, did you learn how to put up hidden cameras to play a prank on me?" Bailey glanced around to see if he could locate the hidden cameras he was talking about.

"It's the truth, Bailey. I'm an alien. That's why I'm able to hear your thoughts."

Is he telling the truth? Then again, he doesn't lie.

"I'm telling the truth. I know that this is a lot of information to take in, but I have no choice. I must do so promptly. I can't waste anymore time." Yulian extended a hand over to caress a side of Bailey's face. "I love you, Bailey. More than human words are able to describe."

Bailey had a bad feeling all of a sudden. "I love you too, White...Yulian."

"Are you afraid of me, since I'm an alien?"

"I wasn't afraid of you when we first met. You being an alien won't change my feelings for you."

"You are a very peculiar human."

"And you're one good-looking alien."

"You're one good-looking earthling as well."

"Kido will beg to differ," Bailey added.

"As you humans say, eye of the beholder."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Yulian chuckled but his expression became serious seconds later. "Bailey."

"Hmm...?"

"I have to leave, because I need to repair the problem that I've created."

"I understand," Bailey said calmly. "Are you going to come back?"

Without answering Bailey's question, Yulian queried. "Are you willing to wait for me?"

"How long are you going to be away?"

"For me, it could be for a couple days to a few months; but for you, it might be for 2 to 3 years. Will you wait for me?"

"3 years, huh?" Bailey sighed in relief. "It's not like you're leaving for 10,000 years. Of course, I'll wait for you." Bailey wiggled his finger to display the ring and smirked. "Marriage is for a lifetime."

"I don't think that a lifetime with you will be enough."

"Did you learn how to say that from watching television?" Bailey teased.

"No." Yulian shook his head. "That came from my heart."

I was wrong. I did have something to lose when I agreed to be his husband. Bailey felt tears welling in his eyes as he blinked to keep them from seeping through his lashes. My heart...

Yulian leaned over and kissed Bailey's lips right before he vanished into thin air. "Wait for me..." His voice faded into a distance.

Bailey's eyes widened at Yulian's sudden disappearance. He really is an alien.

***

[2018]

Bowen walked out of his room early in the morning and searched for Skye. Where's ge? He wondered when he didn't see the man in the kitchen making breakfast. Is he still sleeping? Heading to Skye's room, he gave the door a knock when he got there. "Ge, are you awake? Ge..." There was no response, so he slowly turned the knob. "Ge...?" Noticing that Skye was still sleeping, Bowen approached him and realized that the man was sweating under his comforter. "Are you okay?" Bowen pressed a palm on Skye's forehead and gasped. He's running a fever.