CHAPTER 2-CHRISTIAN'S POV

"I love you."

I can't have heard him right. He can't have told me the one thing I've been desperate to hear from him for so long. But he has. And I know from his expression that he means it.

He loves me.

Syed loves me.

And knowing that makes all the hurt and suffering I've had to endure, completely worthwhile.

I'd been so angry with him the night before, after his cruel rejection at the engagement party, when he'd told me in no uncertain terms what he thought of me, when he'd thrown my feelings back in my face, told me he intended to marry her, that he loved her.

Only, I knew he was lying.

I've always known.

I'd stumbled out of the Masood house, completely heartbroken, knowing that he still wasn't being honest with me or himself, but powerless to do anything about it. All I could think about was getting to the Vic and drowning my sorrows with a double vodka or ten.

God, I shouldn't have got so drunk.

But I was so angry...so angry...with Syed, for rejecting me, and with myself, for loving him so much.

And boy, had I paid the price.

Funny thing was, the bastard who took it upon himself to beat me up for having the audacity to be gay, still didn't hurt me as much as Syed has. He only battered my body-Syed has battered my heart, so many times I've lost count.

But now...he loves me.

I can't stop the tears-and don't particularly want to-as I pull him into my arms. This is the moment I've dreamed of, it's...

But what about Amira?

"I'll tell her everything."

Oh, Sy, come on. It's not like it's the first time you've promised me that.

Please, don't get my hopes up, if you're only going to dash them again.

But he looks different from the last time he agreed to tell her. There's a determination about him now, as if he knows what he has to do. And when he takes my hand, and says firmly, "I will tell her, Christian. Right now.", I feel my heart soar, pounding painfully against my bruised ribcage.

The physical pain I suffered last night, and am still suffering today, no longer matters, because he means it, I can see it in his eyes, his gorgeous chocolate eyes that make my heart flutter every time I look into them.

He's going to tell her.

We're going to be together, properly.

I kiss him, and as always, I feel desire growing. I want him all the time, more than I've ever wanted anyone. We belong to each other, he and I. We both feel it, I know that now.

I watch him smile at me, all the love he feels shining from his face, and I feel myself start to well up again. Bloody Hell, I've never cried over a bloke before, but all I ever seem to do is cry over this one!

But these are happy tears, honest.

Safe in my arms, our hearts beating in almost perfect sync, I tell him I love him too, that I never want to lose him again. It's hilarious, really-I was always the first to laugh at people who talked about 'soulmates', and now, here I am, embracing mine.

I'm supposed to hate him, aren't I, for everything he's put me through? But I can't. I've tried, so many time, as I'm sure he has done with me, but somehow, we always end up here. We fight, we make up, we make love...and then the whole pattern starts all over again.

But something has changed now. This is different.

It has to be.

But, then he's gone, and wouldn't you bloody know it, I panic as soon as he leaves me, doubt setting in again. With all his newfound confidence, there's always a chance it'll disappear the moment he's faced with the reality of confessing all to his and ultimately, his family. It's a weakness Sy has, this fear of losing everything he holds dear if he comes clean. The notion of some archaic religion outlawing homosexuality, branding it as some sort of awful disease, angers me, almost as much as the notion of people getting beaten up merely because of their sexual orientation, as I have been.

I'm angry. And tired. And terrified.

What if he can't do it? What if he gets over there and loses all the courage he seems to have gained?

Oh, Sy. You've got my whole heart.

Please don't break it again...

(Yes, it's the big reveal next, lol! Hope you enjoyed so far!)