Love's Dilemma: My Boyfriend /or My Crush

I ended up making my boyfriend, Asher Swanson, cry on his birthday.

Because the person who shared an uncanny resemblance to him-had returned.

1

When Leland White appeared unannounced, I froze. His familiar features sent me spiraling into memories.

Six years overseas, and now here he stood.

Asher's expression darkened when he noticed my lingering gaze, his fingers tightening around mine in a silent reminder.

I snapped back to reality and shifted my eyes away guiltily.

Someone from our group recognized Leland greeted him warmly.

"Leland, long time no see! You're finally back. Hey, Leland looks a bit like Asher, doesn't he... "

The speaker trailed off, laughter brittle as the unspoken truth hung heavy in the air.

"Haha, just a coincidence, right?"

"Yeah, just a coincidence. Handsome people do tend to look alike."

"Mm, genetics work in mysterious ways."

Everyone in the room laughed awkwardly. All eyes kept darting between the two men like spectators at a tennis match.

The truth was undeniable-Asher Swanson and Leland White could've passed for brothers.

2

"Michelle. It's been years. And who's 'this?" Leland approached with that familiar polished grace, his smile the same disarming curve I remembered from high school.

His attention locked onto Asher's features.

"Long time no see, " I replied calmly with smile, introducing Asher, "This is Asher Swanson, my boyfriend."

Leland's voice was as elegant and soothing as a gentle piano melody, exuding warmth. "I came straight from the airport when I heard you were here, so I thought I'd drop by to see you," his smile turned apologetic. "Didn't realize it was your friend's birthday party."

No wonder there was an unmistakable fatigue between his brows; he must still be adjusting to the time difference.

Shouldering past Asher, he went to the bar to pour himself a drink.

"Forgive my empty hands," he raised his glass. "Three shots now, proper gift next time."

I remembered he once said he couldn't hold his liquor well. "No need, you can't handle alcohol... "

Asher's fingers closed around mine, his smile slightly restrained.

He was like a hedgehog with its quills raised in alertness. "Michelle, who is this?"

At the same time, Leland put down his glass, staring at me intently.

My mind raced, and I chose to downplay the situation. "He's my senior from high school, Asher, you've heard of him. Leland White, heir to the White Group."

Leland's eyes dimmed.

While Asher stared at him with a complex expression.

3

The atmosphere at the party grew increasingly tense.

Everyone's smiles looked oddly forced.

When the party ended, I realized I'd forgotten my bag. I went back to retrieve it while telling Asher to bring the car around.

But as I headed toward the elevator with my bag, just before rounding the corner, I heard Leland and Asher's voices.

I froze mid-step.

Leland drawled in his typical measured tone, "You know Michelle was madly in love with me back then."

"She's with me now." Asher didn't even look at him, but brows knitted tightly.

"Really? Then why are you my carbon copy? A knockoff remains a knockoff." Leland taunted.

My heart lurched.

Had Leland grown this explicit over the years?

A fist connected with flesh.

Asher spun around wordlessly. Without letting Leland finish the taunt, his fist shot out.

I gasped and lunged forward, seizing Leland's arm. "Asher, stop!"

I knew Leland had trained in martial arts.

The crowd came running at the noise, prying them apart.

Half a minute later, I wedged myself between them to halt the confrontation.

The tension dissipated as both men regained composure.

Leland's demeanor shifted like turning a page. "My apologies," he said with a courteous smile. "I misspoke and provoked Asher."

Asher snorted, "Shouldn't I hit back when provoked?"

Seeing the onlookers' expressions of curiosity, I shot him a warning look. "You're drunk, Asher."

Asher stiffened, his lips parted slightly as he stared at me, but no words came.

As we departed, Leland dabbed at his bleeding lip and gave us a thin smile.

4

Inside the car.

Asher clutched me close, his face buried in the curve of my neck.

His voice cracked with anguish, "Michelle, tell me-what am I to you? What's Leland's place in this?"

How could I answer that?

My hands shook imperceptibly.

I managed a weak smile, rubbing his back in reassurance. "You've got this wrong, Asher."

Asher raised his head, eyes rimmed red, searching my gaze for truth.

I pulled him into an embrace, my hair grazing his collarbone.

Asher always melted at this.

"You're the only one, Asher," I whispered against his shoulder.

Mid-plea, I felt a dampness on my neck.

I jerked back, cradling his face in my palms.

Tears rolled down Asher's cheeks in silent streams.

5

Asher and I have been together for five years.

Those five years, he'd stood by my side through every struggle-outmaneuvering rivals, ultimately claiming control of Payne Group from my grandfather.

From the mocked "unpolished heiress" to Payne Group's undisputed leader.

Only Asher Swanson knew the bloodied path between those two titles.

Pride ran through his veins like mine. The man who never bent, never shows weakness in front of others-now trembling as tears tracked down his face. Not once in five years had I seen him cry-until tonight.

Guilt and tenderness flooded me like broken dam.

"You're my person," I murmured, thumb brushing his tear tracks.

He jerked away. All the grievances he had suppressed throughout the night came pouring out. "Do I even count as your boyfriend? You couldn't look away from Leland the second he appeared."

My lips parted to explain.

Asher interrupted me again. "Do I remind you of him? Do you still like him?"

"You just look alike, but your personalities are different," I replied.

"I don't like him," I added.

6

I thought I had explained everything clearly.

But come nightfall, he was still fuming-evident by his refusal to share the bedroom.

He dragged out a sleeping mat, spreading it across the doorway.

"Asher... "

"Leave me alone!" He yanked the covers over his head with a blanket.

Biting back a smile, I plucked at the quilt. "But you took the only blanket."

His muffled retort came through the fabric. "There's a spare blanket in the closet, go get it yourself."

"That one's too thin, I'll catch a cold with it."

He knew I hated sleeping with the air conditioning on.

Half a minute later, Asher slammed the blanket onto the mattress, turning his back to me without saying a word.

I silently laughed, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing against his back, slowly closing my eyes.

7

Lightning split the sky as my phone buzzed at 1 AM, flashing like a warning siren.

"Michelle, Leland is drunk and making a fuss, wanting to see you! I'll send you the location, so hurry over. You'd better come. He's two shots away from alcohol poisoning."

It was a call from Grayson Knight, a friend of Leland's.

I sighed as I looked at my phone.

Asher was sleeping soundly next to me, completely undisturbed by the commotion.

I opened the door to the private room.

Grayson noticed me, his eyes flickering for a moment.

"You came, Michelle." He let out a sigh of relief as he helped Leland, who was slumped drunkenly on the sofa, to sit up.

After that, he exited the room, closing the door behind him.

I took a wet wipe and cleaned Leland's face, then tossed it on the floor, staring at him intently. "What's the play here, Leland?"

He seemed to come to his senses a little, "Michelle, please don't leave me, please."

I took a step back, "We broke up six years ago."

"You promised you'd wait for me, Michelle."

Fragments of memories rushed into my mind.

At that time, I had just been brought back to the Payne family.

After years of dropping out to work, I entered school only to face exams, and my grades were awful. My ill-fitting presence clashed with the campus rhythm.

Maxine Payne, with her crew, constantly bullied and mocked me, even encouraging them to spread rumors that I was an illegitimate child.

At that time, Maxine and Leland were considered the perfect couple at school, admired by everyone.

However, when the whole school turned against me and insulted me, it was Leland who quietly stood up to support and encourage me.

Eventually, Leland confessed his feelings for me, and I accepted.

But it wasn't long before Leland was sent abroad by his family.

Before he left, he asked me to wait for him to come back.

I smiled wryly, looking down at him, "Six years-six years for you to return. I can't wait that long."

Leland stared at me, his eyes glazed over with longing.

His gaze was intense, filled with affection.

I wondered what he was looking at.

Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed my hand.

I was taken by surprise as he pulled me into his arms.

The heavy scent of alcohol surrounded me as he hugged me tightly.

Just as he leaned down to kiss me, there was a loud bang!

Suddenly, the door burst open.