Hurt Me Like You Mean It [BL]-Chapter 55: Scandal(4)

Ansel moved before he could stop himself.

His hand came down beside Lance on the mattress, body leaning in, his shadow swallowing him whole.

The space between them vanished in a breath.

Lance’s back hit the bed, a soft gasp leaving him as Ansel hovered over him, heat and tension crackling in the air.

Ansel’s lips were already inches from Lance’s cheek.

Close enough that Lance could feel his breath. Close enough that his heart started racing all over again.

Then.. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Bzzzt.

The phone vibrated loudly against the bed.

Both of them froze.

Ansel’s eyes flicked down to the screen, irritation flashing across his face like he’d been yanked out of something dangerous and intoxicating. Lance swallowed hard, chest rising too fast.

"I—" Lance fumbled for the phone, fingers shaking as he grabbed it. "I think... I think I’m going to take this."

Ansel straightened slowly, jaw tight, clearly displeased. He stepped back just enough to give Lance space, arms crossing over his chest as if restraining himself took actual effort.

"Go on," he said coolly. "Answer it."

Lance exhaled shakily, glancing at the caller ID.

It was his Mum.

Even if he wanted to ignore everyone else in the world right now, he couldn’t ignore her.

Before answering, he looked up at Ansel, nervousness flickering in his eyes.

"You might be surprised with what I’m going to say," Lance muttered, forcing an awkward smile. "So please... don’t kill me."

Ansel raised a brow, amusement slowly replacing the tension. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

Was he about to introduce him as his boyfriend again?" he thought to himself.

"You really are naïve." he muttered to himself as shook his head.

"Well I hope I don’t die of shock."

Lance didn’t answer. He just brought the phone to his ear.

"Hi, Mum."

"LANCEEE DIXIONNNNNN!" His mother’s voice exploded through the speaker. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO, BOY?!"

Lance winced and instinctively pulled the phone away from his ear, lips twitching despite himself.

"Mum—Mum, I’m sorry," he said quickly, voice breaking. "I know I always make you worry. I know I’m a failure of a son, but I didn’t do anything this time. Why would I get involved with a married man? Much less my professor.."

There was a pause on the line.

Then her voice softened.

"Oh, my dear son," she said gently. "I know you. You wouldn’t do something like that." She sniffed. "You have a boyfriend, don’t you? I went by your apartment—it was crowded, reporters everywhere. I couldn’t find you. I was so worried."

Lance’s chest tightened.

"I’m sorry, Mum," he said quietly. "I’m not at my apartment right now. I’m at my boyfriend’s place. He’s... helping me sort everything out."

Ansel, standing a few steps away, stilled then laughed.

Lexi—who had been trying to manage three calls at once—pushed her hair back with a tired sigh.

On the phone, his mother inhaled sharply.

"That boyfriend.." she said firmly. "Give him the phone. I want to talk to him."

Lance’s eyes widened

.

"Uh—he’s not in right now," he said weakly.

-_-

"Give him the damn phone, Lance," she snapped. "Don’t make me repeat myself."

Lance bit his lip, panic blooming. Slowly, he turned and held the phone out to Ansel with pleading eyes.

"My mother wants to talk to you," he whispered. "I kind of told her you’re my... boy—boyfriend."

Ansel stared at the phone.

Then at Lance.

Something unreadable crossed his face as he reached out and took it.

"I see you’re using my name as you please. That may warrant a punishment.."

-_-

Ansel brought the phone to his ears. "Good day, Ma’am."

Lexi registered the deep voice, it seemed her son had gone after an older man.

"Are you Lance’s boyfriend? This is Lexi, I’m his mother."

Ansel sat down on the bed. Crossing his legs.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ma’am"

"Enough of the pleasantries. My son is all over the internet. What are you doing to do about it? I’ve talked to some of the new channels and have taken down some malicious content. I plan on heading to his University so they can release an official notice and clear his name.."

Ansel knew Lance’s mother had some influence, she was a attorney general after all, she’s someone who has drank tea with the president, so if she wanted something she was certainly getting it.

But again, this king of scandal wasn’t good for her job. It was already scandalous to have a gay son.

"Don’t worry about that Ma’am, please don’t do anything and leave it to me. I’ll clear his name within three days."

Lexi sighed, she was literally on the verge on losing her job, she loved her son but she needed money.

"How can I trust you? You still haven’t told me your name."

-_-

"Pardon my manners. I am Ansel Lowell.."

-_-

Lexi’s eyes widened, Ansel Lowell? The Ansel Lowell of Lowell corporation?!

How did Lance bagged this gold mine?

But forget that, Ansel had a very messy personal life, she didn’t want Lance to get hurt in the process.

"My son is very soft hearted, if you have no interest in him. Please just let him go and save him the trouble of going through a painful heartbreak. This is the first time he’s told me about a boyfriend so pleased don’t mess my son up.."

Ansel’s gaze flicked toward Lance, who was still curled slightly against the bed, eyes wide, holding onto the edge of the mattress.

"No," Ansel said calmly, voice low but firm. "I have no intention of hurting him. You have my word."

Lexi exhaled shakily, still clutching the phone. "I don’t know why anyone would think he deserves this... he’s always been careful, always polite. He doesn’t deserve the humiliation he’s suffering now."

Ansel’s lips quirked into a faint smirk, though his eyes remained sharp. "He’s not alone in this. I’ll handle it. I won’t let anyone use him or shame him. His life is mine to protect for now."

There was a pause on the line as Lexi processed the calm authority in his voice.

"I... I hope you understand the responsibility you’re taking. He’s my son. I don’t want him to get hurt—physically, emotionally... in any way."

Ansel tilted his head slightly, a dangerous calm in his eyes. "I do. And I’m well aware of the consequences if I fail. You won’t have to worry. He’s under my protection."

Lexi hesitated, then said quietly, "Thank you. I... I trust you. For now."

Ansel ended the call and handed the phone back to Lance, who clutched it as if it were a lifeline. He exhaled shakily, relief and fear mingling in his chest.

"Lance, since when did I become your boyfriend?"