Chapter 314: Random, Totally Random Movie Choice
Micah sat slouched on a couch in a cosy entertainment room, the faint glow from the television washing over his face in shifting colours as he flipped through the endless carousel of movie options. He had fled here after his conversation with Clyde, retreating with a restless urgency, needing to escape before the shame burning in his chest consumed him whole.
He had gone with the wrong hope, he realised now. He had thought he could proudly recount his tale of Shinggunham to Clyde, perhaps see some flicker of admiration in Clyde’s eyes. He had imagined Clyde’s deep voice murmuring something like "well done" or "you’re clever". But reality had struck harder.
The moment Clyde pointed out the most glaring flaw in his plan, keeping Darcy in the dark, Micah had lost his composure, and the sour taste of humiliation had stayed in his throat.
He felt stupid. Yeah. What had he even been doing? Pretending? Fooling himself? In the end, wasn’t he just a villain?
Living in a life stitched together with lies, yet painting himself as some noble protector, as if his clumsy, half-baked schemes could shield Darcy from those twisted male leads circling them like wolves. He wasn’t a saviour, he was just easing his conscience with some childish failed attempts.
Micah dragged his fingers through his silver hair, tugging a little too hard at the roots before letting his hand drop back onto his lap.
He couldn’t bring himself to say more about his plans to Clyde. The shame was too sharp. The guilt was too raw.
When the time came, he would simply throw everything on Clyde at the last minute, leaving the man no room to argue. That, too, was cruel. Devilish, even. He knew he was putting the man in constant uneasiness, but Micah couldn’t just sit still and do nothing.
Micah bit his lips. He could have asked Clyde to eliminate those four men outright. Clyde would do it, but somehow, the thought didn’t sit well with him. It wasn’t Clyde’s battle but his. Yeah, he could ask for help when the situation became dire, but he couldn’t just hand everything to Clyde.
Love wasn’t supposed to be that. Was it? Depending on someone to shoulder all of your battles, stripping yourself of any strength, any responsibility? He didn’t want that kind of love. He didn’t want Clyde’s protection to turn into a cage, didn’t want to take advantage of Clyde’s power either.
A sigh escaped him as he stopped scrolling and settled on a crime movie almost as random, his thumb pressing the remote with absent-minded force.
The opening sequence began, but his eyes were glazed, his mind far away.
The soft creak of the door opening didn’t reach him. Clyde stepped inside, his gaze went immediately to the screen, where the lead actor was mid-scene, walking through a dimly lit hallway. Clyde’s lips twitched as he looked down.
Micah’s eyes were glued to the screen and a bit dazed.
"Are you sure you aren’t really his fan?" Clyde asked smoothly, setting down a tray of snacks and fruits on the low table before sitting down on the couch beside Micah.
Micah jolted, almost dropping the remote. "Huh? Fan of who?"
Clyde lifted his hand, gesturing toward the screen.
Micah turned his head. His stomach dropped when he recognised the familiar face. Leo McKay, dressed in a detective’s neat suit, searching a victim’s house.
"Shit!" Micah cursed under his breath, his whole body stiffening. "Why is he in this?"
"What? You don’t know?" Clyde said with amusement in his eyes.
"Like hell I’ll be his fan." Micah scowled, thrusting the remote forward. "I just pressed randomly. Let’s change it." His hand darted out, but before his finger could press on the button, Clyde’s arm moved effortlessly faster.
"Let’s just watch," Clyde said firmly, claiming the remote with ease.
Micah’s expression twisted with irritation for a second before he huffed and flopped back against the couch, arms crossed. His legs stretched out, his heel tapping against the carpet in restless protest, but he didn’t reach for the remote again.
The minutes passed. Against his will, Micah found himself drawn into the movie. The story was captivating, and Leo’s acting, damn it, was infuriatingly good. Micah chewed his lip, eyes fixed on the screen. "Why didn’t I hear about this movie? It’s... decent."
Beside him, Clyde picked up an orange, his fingers moved as he peeled the skin away. He separated a segment and held it out toward Micah without a word.
Micah didn’t even hesitate. He leaned forward, biting the piece from Clyde’s fingers innocently.
Clyde’s fingers trembled, his eyes glued on the juice drop remaining on it. "His agency didn’t want him to be too successful. They had boycotted the movie," he replied, voice slightly hoarse.
Micah frowned. "Huh? Totally ridiculous. Isn’t it better for him to be a superstar? Making more money?"
"No, not if you want complete control over your artist," Clyde replied. "You know, Jacklin was the one who scouted him. But unknowingly, she had passed him off to a friend who trapped him."
Micah blinked, tilted his head toward Clyde. "Oh... so that’s why they look so chummy together. But shouldn’t Leo hate sister Jacklin, then?"
Clyde shook his head, slipping another slice of orange into his own mouth, licking his finger slightly. "No. He doesn’t know. And Jacklin herself only discovered the truth recently. She’s been supporting him for years without realising. She even came to me for help. But I didn’t want to help someone who might later turn against her."
Micah nodded. "That’s understandable."
"But you could use this to your advantage. Win Jacklin’s favour," Clyde suggested.
"Huh?"
"Don’t you want to tell Jacklin and others the truth?" Clyde asked, one brow lifting.
"No way! It’s so humiliating." Micah’s voice shot up in pitch.
"Why?" Clyde asked mildly. "I see it as talent. You fooled everyone. Even I didn’t realise at first you were a boy. That’s a rare gift. You could be an excellent actor. And if you help Leo get away from that Twilight entertainment, both he and Jacklin will owe you. And you have access to Leo’s future. If he steps out of line, you could destroy him."
"Wait, wait! You mean you want to sign him to La Riviere media?" Micah asked.
Clyde nodded.
"No." Micah shook his head vigorously, silver strands falling into his face. "There would be a huge backlash if Leo couldn’t prove his case. They’ll smear him. Blacken his name completely. I don’t want that to affect your company. But thanks for the idea. I think I just got a better plan."
He rubbed his eyes, a long yawn breaking through despite his attempt to hide it.
Clyde took the remote back and switched the film to something slower, quieter, a movie whose pace was like a soft hum.
Micah didn’t object. His body grew heavier against the couch, his eyelids drooping until the room blurred. Finally, with a soft exhale, he tipped sideways. His head landed on Clyde’s thigh, his body curling instinctively into the warmth of the man beside him.
Clyde froze, the muscles in his legs tightening. He stared down at the silver hair brushing against his lap.
Micah’s breathing deepened, his lips parting slightly as he sank into sleep. Clyde reached out and took off his glasses. Micah stirred once, nuzzling his head unconsciously into Clyde’s leg, before going still again.
Clyde’s chest tightened with an emotion he rarely allowed himself to feel. He studied the curve of Micah’s face, the faint lines of exhaustion beneath his eyes. Micah had been sleeping too much lately. Something wasn’t right. Perhaps it was illness. Perhaps stress finally losing its grip now that he wasn’t carrying everything alone. Either way, Clyde couldn’t dismiss the worry growing in him.
Gently, with the tips of his fingers, he brushed Micah’s silver hair away from his forehead, revealing smooth skin pale in the dim light.
In that quiet moment, with Micah’s weight pressed trustingly against him, Clyde realised something stark. He had never felt this kind of happiness before, this calm, unshakable contentment, as if the world could fall apart outside these walls and it wouldn’t matter.
Because right here, with Micah asleep against him, he felt whole.