Connor immediately joined the workplace with us, and all my coworkers didn't quite get it.

Some were aware that Connor and I made up, and that we had massive crushes on each other, but most of the others did not know this.

So he just waltzed in one day, working with both my brother and me. No one said anything, but honestly, they were all wondering what the Fuck was going on.

But we settled into a routine. And as my family, Connor and I all prepped for the press conference, all communications and business with The Grace's was dropped.

It came as a huge shock to everyone. Even when I was pissed at them before, when my family was pissed at them, we didn't stop business.

This was different.

And days turned to weeks and weeks turned into months. Three months after Connor got kicked out, the press conference was held.

It was lead by me and Connor, because it was between us.

"Now, many have been asking why my parents company had cut ties with Grace industries," I began, looking around. Connor was very obviously still close so it would definitely seem like a shock. "The CEO of the company, Richard Grace has not only shamed me, but my family and his own son."

That shocked them. Staff watched in confusion in the background.

"I personally cut off ties with the family after last year when I received negative reactions when I came out as gay." And bam, attention drawn. "My family knows, as does a lot of staff and business partners. I've dealt with this discrimination for years. And I was being picked apart like a lap experiment. Dissected by that family. My family was as upset as I was and we all cut personal ties. Only about half a year ago I became close to Connor Grace again, because he wasn't a part of what the rest did."

"But is that really enough to cut ties?" A reporter asked boldly.

"Of it was just that, maybe. But leading up to it, many members of the household made sexual advances towards me. I left feeling like a toy for their amusement. So of course I didn't wish to see them. But we cut off ties for a different reason."

I gestured to Connor, who stepped forward, taking in a big breath, "I reached out to Tim to apologize for what me and my family had done and made him feel. And I'm fortunate that he forgave me. But, getting close to Tim has gotten me kicked out of my own home. I'm dating Tim, and have been for some time. When my family, my dad found out, he kicked me out, said I wasn't allowed back. That is why I'm here and that was the final straw to cut ties all together."

I nodded, agreeing, "we do not choose to do business with a company that holds deeply discriminatory values. Any questions?"

Hands shot up like fireworks, all wondering a billion things.

I picked a nearby reporter, "were you romantically leading them on?"

My face scrunched up, "for the most part, I kept my sexuality to myself . I was approached, I did not approach."

"He's right. He was only friendly with the household, not flirty," Connor confirmed. "I will admit that my old household did not hold the same attitude."

"Next question."

"Why did you decide to date? Aren't you aware of the impact this will have?"

I took in a drop breath and Connor grabbed my hand, giving it a good squeeze. It gave me strength. "If either one of us was a women, this conference wouldn't be needed. The fact that I'm with a man shouldn't impact anything. I will still help my family run this company with all I've got. Who I love makes no impact on how I work."

"I've loved Tim for as long as I can remember, the impact shouldn't matter. We're happy."

The reporters muttered about.

"How can you expect male employees to feel comfortable?"

I rolled my eyes, and the annoyance was very much obvious, "there were only four people I liked in this life, and three of them broke all trust I had in them. The fourth was Connor. I've never set eyes on others. Besides, I still have standards, why would I try to be with just any man?"

My standards were pretty shit to be honest. Just... part of the grace household.

A reporter popped up that actually had a question not related to sexuality. Thank fuck.

"How does your company plan to move forward without the support of Grace Enterprises? Do you expect any lawsuits?"

"We've found good business partners we trust and we plan to continuously build. In terms of lawsuits, I don't think any case from Grace Enterprises would stick, so I'm not overly worried."

"Who will sucked as the heir of Grace enterprises if Connor Grace has been kicked out?" They asked again.

Connor said solemnly, "I don't think my father ever intended to let me inherit the company. Favor in the family fell to Mark Simons and Todd Owen. Mark was trained to succeed it, not me."

That sent unease through the crowd. It should've. How could a father treat their own son that way?

More and more questions flooded and Connor and I answered them as best as we could.

When it was over, Connor and I found a bench nearby to sit on, him leaning on me. I ran my fingers through his hair as the two of us took in what we did.

We called out Richard.

Mark and Todd let Richard get away with it, they didn't speak up when Connor needed it most.

We came out.

We assured that was were gay.

Life would be different. We rested on the bench for a few minutes, content in each other's company.

"God, I wonder what my mom would think if she was around," Connor said with a chuckle.

God, I forgot that Richard was married. I had little to no memories of his wife, but she seemed sweet in the little I could recall.

"I think she'd be proud of you for sticking up for yourself."

He chuckled, letting out a relieved sigh. "But now everyone knows I'm yours and you're mine."

"I love you, so I'm glad I have you all to myself."

Connor looked up at me, smiling, "I'm happy too." And he connected our lips in a very lazy kiss. It was short, but still full of love. It made me dizzy from happiness.

"We should head back. Work still needs to be done."

"Right, wonder how everyone will react," he joked as he sat up.

I simply smiled at him, getting up with him. And the both of us returned to the offices, where my family and many employees were waiting. My father greeted us first, smiling, "you spoke well! If those bastards try anything they'll have a scandal on their hand."

"Tim's always been a great speaker. I'm sure if he spoke more, people would see how lovely he is," Connor said politely, smiling kindly. He probably didn't mean to say it out loud, but it made me feel fuzzy.

"Hey, you did well too. You hate press conferences so it must've been hard," I complimented.

He chuckled, "I was fine because you were there."

We were being sappy.

Even my father thought so. "You two act so much like newlyweds. Please warn me when you do eventually get engaged."

"Dad. We would obviously tell you," I assured with a laugh.

He smiled and pulled me into a tight hug, then glanced up at Connor, "aren't you part of the family now? Get over here."

Connor's eyes went wide, but he walked over, being yanked into the hug, causing my brother to laugh and join it. My mother joined too, finding it hilarious. If my younger siblings or my sister were here, they'd undoubtedly join in.

When we all pulled apart, Connor and I were still close. It was as natural as breathing for us. While we had separate rooms at home, we usually shared a bed and we always ate together, showered together. We were hardly ever apart.

We didn't grow tired of each other like others would.

"You two seem lovely together," a coworker complimented aloud, not realizing her slip of the tongue.

We just smiled, heat on our cheeks, "thank you."

I'm sure Connor felt uneasy, just as I did. Both of us were out now. Openly gay and in a relationship that got Connor kicked out.

Yet, my coworkers seemed... relieved.

One of my brothers friends and right hand man stepped forward, smiling, "the both of you are very brave. And strong. When I came out to my family I was not met with kindness. Your family seems truly wonderful and I look forward to working beside you for years to come."

Odd, he was married, to a woman no less. But, he seemed honest.

"Ah, I'm not gay but I was not born a male. So I've found difficulty getting here."

Oh!

And then, another coworker, this time female stepped forward. "I'm so happy that I get to work with such lovely people. I wish I had the courage-"

Just like that, our coworkers opened their hearts to us, my family, the rest of the workplace.

We weren't alone.

We wouldn't be for a long time.