“Had enough of those fancy foods?” He asks as we’re moving to another booth and we made a line.

“It’s not all bad. Small portions, but it’s just not really the food that can be hands-on like fries or pizza. It’s rare when dad lets me order some Chinese food from a restaurant close to our house.” I tell him, looking at the people around us and seeing so many with their family. “It’s a bit boring honestly.”

Elliot didn’t respond until it was our turn to order and we paid separately then moved on to the side until our order number is called, “I don’t see what’s so great about this high status that your dad cares about.”

I shrugged my shoulders, “It’s all politics. Besides owning a company, you need to keep it financed with sponsors and large name brands that can give a percentage to their names. Having the whole key supplier and numbers of stakeholders that he has now needed to go up.”

Elliot sighed, “I still wouldn’t be happy with a career like that. Owning a small business sounds good, but being a CEO or working for a higher wage like that just isn’t for me.”

“I don’t like it either… But dad wants me to take my study seriously and start working at his company by the end of the month.” I said then paused when our number was called and we looked for a place to sit.

“That’s why you didn’t care about your birthday party…” Elliot mumbled.

“No. Dad has a bad reputation right now so he needs to do something about it now or things just won’t be good.” I said as I started eating and glanced over at him. “Is it bad that I don’t care if we go bankrupt?”

Elliot didn't answer right away as he ate a fry and turned to face me. “No, I don’t think it’s bad that you want a more normal life… And where is your mom?”

I reached for my soda and took a sip, “She left.”

I can see him still watching me. “It must be lonely being in that house…”

Putting my cup down, I shrugged my shoulders and continued eating. “It’s fine. I’ve gotten used to it.”

“By visiting the garden and making friends with the staff,” He added.

“Yeah.”

We didn’t say much afterward as we finished eating and when done we continued on walking down the street. We stopped for a second to see the petting zoo then I stopped him again once we came across a game booth and a fish as a reward. Elliot could think it’s childish, but this was on my list and I always wanted to play this game since I was a kid seeing it on tv or movies. The game was to boss the small plastic ball into the fishbowl to win the prize and it was an actual challenge than I thought it would be. I only played two games and none of my balls went into the bowl; Elliot couldn’t win as well.

“Do you want to try again?” He asks me.

“No, it’s okay,” I said, turning away to continue on walking.

“We can try again later before we leave,” Elliot suggested.

I nod and glanced around trying to find something to forget about the game. “Is there a Ferris wheel?”

“Yeah, it’s usually at the end of the fair. You want to go on it?” He asks.

“If you don’t mind. I know that is boring-”

“No, let’s head over now,” Elliot said, grabbing my arm and starting leading the way.

I smiled following along and he made sure to not lose me from the crowd of people that are passing by. Even if I didn’t win a fish or go on all the rides, this has been the best day I’ve had in a while and having to be out of the house for the whole day. It’s like Cinderella, enjoy my time at the carnival before my time is up and I have to go back home; back to reality. I hope I can convince Dad to let me see Elliot again or even have him visit the house a few times. We got in line and it took a while until it was our turn to sit together after giving a ticket for the ride. It moved slowly as they were exchanging new riders and once done the wheel started moving without stopping. It was so nice seeing the city when it reached the top and the sun was setting that the sky was growing dark.

“So, had fun today?”

I turned to him and nodded, “Thanks for this.”

“Consider it a birthday gift,” He said, smiling.

I opened my mouth wanting to ask him something, but I knew it was better to not change the subject. “I don’t think I’ve had fun like this for a while.”

“Doesn’t your fancy private school have trips or carnival?” He asks, laughing.

“Sometimes or boring college tours, but even if there was a school fair or some sort, I don’t attend them. I don’t bother going to the school dance because I don’t like the kids and I don’t have anyone to go with,” I said looking up at the sky and seeing the stars appear above us.

“Can’t find the right girl to go with?”

I gripped the rail and shook my head, “Can’t find the right guy.”

“Oh,” He mumbled and there was a silence between us for a second. “Does your dad know?”

“No.”

“Do you want to tell him?”

“No. Not right now.”

“Seems like he really doesn’t know you…”

I sighed and looked up at the sky before noticing that the ride was coming to an end. “He doesn’t have to know me to know that I’m unhappy.”

“Michael-”

“Can we not talk about it right now?” I cut him off.

Elliot nods, “Alright.”

The rest of the day went by quickly and before I knew it it was time for me to go home or my dad would start blowing up my phone. I already had a few messages from his secretary asking me where I am and when I would be home. I didn’t bother trying to win the fish before we left, even when Elliot insisted, and before it was eight we were parked in front of my house. There wasn’t much to say at the moment since our conversation on the Ferris wheel, but I didn't want the night to end this way and if tonight is the last time I’ll see him then I would rather fix this awkwardness that’s between us.

“Come by tomorrow,” I said, unbuckling myself and opened the door. “I’ll make sure Dad doesn’t flip-out and let’s watch a movie or something.”

“Are you sure he wouldn’t mind?” He asks me.

“If he’s going to make me get involved with his work then this would be a good way to negotiate with him to allow at least some visits,” I said, giving him a smile.

Elliot chuckled, “See, you got this whole business-thing down already.”

I held the door and tapped it, “I can learn if I have to… I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Michael.” He tells me before turning on his car.

“Night,” I replied and closed his car door.

I didn’t want to go inside my house and make the day end. When I closed the gate behind me, I looked over at the house to see the lights dimmed like there is no one home and I’m sure Dad is sitting in his study like he’s usually in. I stayed out in the garden, reflecting on my day and the things that I was able to do. I picked on the grass as I tried not to tear up. How did I fall in love so easily with a stranger and with someone that Dad won’t approve of? Covering my face, I tried to hold it in and by tomorrow morning I have to forget about my feelings towards Elliot. Besides, I probably have liked him because it’s been a while that someone has given me attention or showed me freedom.

I could just be fantasizing after everything that has been going on and it would be nice to just have him as a friend. After calming myself I went to my room after showing myself in front of Dad so he knows I’m home and laid in bed. By morning, we ate quietly together and I wondered how his reaction would be when telling him that Elliot is going to visit today. He might not like it, but I really want to see him today and to hang out with him as friends.

I reached for my cup and took a sip seeing Dad reading the newspaper, “Dad.”

“Mm,” He responds turning the page.

“Since I can’t go out today, Elliot will be stopping by,” I informed him and he looked up looking a little confused. “I’ll work with you in the office as long as you are okay with Elliot visiting over the weekend to hang out-”

“If you're going to take work seriously as I requested then that means no more playtime or these kiddish outings,” He said, setting his newspaper aside and looked at me with a straight face. “I will allow him to visit today, but that will be the last time that he will step foot on this grounds and that will leave his father employed. Do you understand?”

I looked down at the table and felt so belittled, “Yes.”

“Good. You can go if you're done,” He reached for his paper and continued on reading as if he just ended a business meeting.

I didn’t know what to do, really. I lost my appetite and know that today will be the last day to see Elliot. I pushed my plate aside as I stood up and made my way out wanting to leave the room quietly. How will I explain this to him? I decided to wait for him out in the garden and it was already sunny just sitting patiently looking over the roses. When Elliot came by, he sat with me for a while after seeing my expression and I couldn’t tell him just yet about my discussion with my dad. Actually, this was a good distraction from wanting to put my feelings aside towards him and I know there was no point in it because Elliot isn’t interested in a guy like me; he most likely doesn’t like guys.

“You want to go watch a movie?” I asked him.

“You finally feel better to leave?”

“Yeah,” I nodded as I stood up and turned to him. “I just didn’t have a good start today.”

“Well, a movie is a good way to make it better,” He said, giving me a soft smile, and we started making our way inside.

We were about to walk towards the stairs when I heard my dad call me.

“Michael.”

I saw my dad still sitting in the dining room and Elliot stood beside me waiting. “Yes? Elliot and I were planning to go watch a movie in my room.”

“Since we made this agreement this morning, I am going to make these changes starting tomorrow. You're going to end this carefree attitude you've been trying to pull. I’m hiring you a tutor starting tomorrow and changing your courses for advanced levels.”

I glanced over at Elliot and walked towards the table hoping to make this conversation more private. “Why this sudden change?”

“I need you to take your life more seriously after our agreement and now that you start work I feel like this is a good step for us. A really good step that I’ve set up a meeting with one of the students in your class, Miss Jennifer Perez.” He tells me, watching me from across the table. “Luckily enough, I know her parents and they agreed to arrange a meeting for an engagement. We have to wait until you are both overages, but this will be good for both you and the company-”

“An arranged marriage?” Elliot cut in and walked over to stand beside me. “Is that still allowed? You can’t force Michael-“

“I’m sorry Mr. Thompson, but this is a family discussion. I don’t believe I’ve hired you as my son's play-pal and this is considered your last visit. As you’ve heard, he’ll be busy starting tomorrow and cannot spend his time playing around like a child.” Dad said, turning away from me to look down at Elliot. “Don’t let your actions affect your father's career.”

I gripped the chair in front of me and cut in. “Dad, I don’t want to be married to Jennifer, and having to get married is unnecessary.”

“Honestly, this will be a great investment for our name and for the company. As long as you focus on your studies, you’ll have your own company by the time you're done with college. It can be one of the few companies we own or you can even be placed as CEO in a new building after we complete a contract with her family,” He said, sitting up and started collecting the papers he had on the table.

I turned away as I thought about what he said and I wasn’t sure exactly what I’m feeling. “I never wanted to be part of your company or be involved with any of it. When I agreed to work I thought I can show you how uninterested I am, but this marriage is never going to work.”

“You don’t have a choice in this matter and this will benefit you later on. You need to consider your future and they already approve of this marriage.” He said turning towards me.

“I should have a say in this because it is my future you're trying to get involved in and this won’t make me happy,” I said, my anger rising.

“It’s a marriage. What is there for you to not be happy about?”

I turned away. I couldn’t look at my dad or at Elliot who stood there quietly. “Dad… I won’t be happy even if I were married because I won’t love Jennifer whether I get to know her in the end or be financially stable for both of us.”

“You agreed with these arrangements so I’m expecting you to be taking a more serious attempt knowing our situation.” He retorts as he stands up walking towards the door.

“Why aren’t you listening to him?” Elliot said and I closed my eyes because I know what he’s going to say. “Your son is being honest with you and has been telling you how miserable he feels about your line of work. You're just stressing him out and someday you're going to lose him in the worst way.”

I can see my dad glancing over at him before turning to me. “Every Sunday, you’ll be spending your days with Jennifer. Monday to Wednesday, you will be having your tutoring lesson from three to six in the evening.” He began to inform me. “Work is every Thursday to Saturday.”

I tried to breathe through my nose because I felt my jaws clutch as I’m listening and I felt frozen listening to these ridiculous instructions. “Dad, you’ll accept the tutor and the work, but you better cancel that arranged marriage before it’s too late to fix it.”

“And why should I? Why can’t you just do this?” He asked, his expression I can read is annoyances.

“Because I’m gay. I’m gay and I would never love her even if I enjoy spending time with her.” I blurt out.

There was a long silence in the room before Dad sighed. “You're going to continue this plan even when you refuse by putting an idea like that into your head and creating lies. Now go do whatever it was,” He tells me then to Elliot. “And you won’t be returning to this house..”

I watched him step out of the room and waited until the door closed behind him before sighing heavily. An arranged marriage? How did our conversation from this morning change to something so crazy as marriage? I even tried coming out to him and he just brushes it off like I was using it as an excuse. I was lost in my thoughts that I almost forgot Elliot was still in the room and I closed my eyes ashamed that he had to hear the whole conversation. I’m not even sure if I want to hear his opinion and it might not matter because my dad will fall through with these plans.

“You should… You should just go home,” I told him, turning away from him to walk towards the stairs. “I’m sorry you heard all that.”

“Michael-”

“I don’t care. It doesn’t matter anymore Elliot.” I said facing him and I feel so angry that I know I’ll yell at him. I don’t want to say something that’ll hurt him. “You were a good friend and I had fun going out for the first time that it felt so…”

“Free?”

I nod, sitting down on the bottom of the steps. “I don’t want to get married,” I whispered and covered my face. “I don’t want this anymore.”

“Then don’t do it.”