Chapter 13

ERIC MAXWELL

How long I had been alone for every weekend? I lost count or rather I don't want to cling onto the issue. I am a nobody in his eyes. What the hell I was thinking? Did I want to be a special person in his eyes? Oh God, no. I rather fall in love with a kitten. At least they are so cute.

Russel is a cold emperor worse than ice queen. Getting closer to him enough to break your heart or would turned you as an ice stature. Both results are bad. I shook my head in front the mirror, satisfying with today appearance. Taking the duffel bag, I walked out of the bedroom.

"If Russel back, please tell him I am going to charity program. Also, I might back a little late tonight. So you don't need to cook anything. " Claudia nodded.

"Okay, be careful son." Our relationship becomes closer. Claudia was acting like my mum but Jamie a type of silence guy. I greeted Jamie at the door. He replied me with the same phrase as his wife. Wow they totally in synchronized.

Opening the garage and I drive out my car. The weather quite lovely and the road sure empty from the usually packed out situation. In one hour I arrived at the hospital. The receptionist greets me with sincerity. After small chatting, I took the lift to the fourth floor and entered kid section.

I sucked the air and breathing out before entering the room. The charity members already turned the room into a birthday party.

"Hey, panda, grizzly, polar, koala and kangaroo, how are you today?" I greeted the kids in the room.

"We are okay." They choruses answered me.

"Eric see we have a new member." Koala and polar cling at my hand like a little monkey.

"Oh yeah, where?" I asked.

"The one near window. His name is a Martin." The boy I called Koala pointed to the lonely figure standing at the window, staring at the outside.

"Oh, why not invite him into the party too?" I frowned.

"We did, but he just ignored our invitation. He also never speaks anything since admitted here."

"Let me try my luck." I said. The koala and polar release my hand.

I leaned in the window near the lonely yet unreadable boy who kept staring outside. He reminded much of my old self. "Are you waiting your family?" The boy kept silence as if he didn't hear my question.

"Your name is Martin, right?" The boy still silence.

"You should cherish the time as long you're alive than moping around. It wouldn't help you much, oppositely only let your condition become worst."

"Someone who has never been in our shoes, has no right to criticize how we behave." A small gave up voice replied in hint of an anger.

"Oh, has no right, I see. Boy, I have suffered more than you." I studied his face.

"Liar."

"Turn your head around." The boy stares at me with dead eyes. "This was the scar I got from a heart transplant. I wouldn't be here if I was moping around like you." A flash of curiosity appears in his dead eyes.

"You're lucky.' He turned around again.

"Nope... because at that time I used my family as an excuse to stay alive no matter what condition I was. And, I have so many lists I wanted to do. So, yeah the waiting was worth. The God sent the kind person for me. There was a time when I thought every effort was futile. Like when I almost gave up. And, when I cursed myself from born."

"...But no one know about the Creator arrangement. Not even the priest or head of influencing religious around the world. When it happened, people called it as a miracle. But they forgot who have been given the so called miracle. So, don't ever give up. There is a lot exciting things in the world and you would be the most pity person is you stop in the middle of life's road." I also watch the scene over the window.

"I hate this illness. I wanted my parents. I wanted them to be happy and proud."

"So prove them with your fighting spirit." I smile at him. The boy wipes the tears escape the corner of his eyes.

"Hey, baby, how are you today?" A gentle voice sounded at our back. I turn around, spotting a tired and sad woman with loving eyes watching Martin

"Ma, I am sorry." A boy run to his mother embrace. A slight shocked appear in the woman's eyes. I slipped past them quietly and going to the next ward.

My face is common around here as I had stayed almost eighty percent of my life here. I treated the people here like a big family. Although, they also suffered the terminal disease, they can still cheer and encourage their neighbours.

I also donate three newly pieces of arts to the hospital but nobody would recognize it as mine. Spending time with these patients made me forget about the man who lately pierced my heart. I knew this feeling and felt great uncomfortable. One reason is the said man is beyond my grasp.

Did I fall in love again? I can't put it in a word. I don't understand what I was thinking. Being like this truly the bothersome. What am I supposed to do?

I don't dare dwelling in the strange feeling longer as the consequence will cause me totally heartbroken in the future. One that is greater than my first love. I'd satisfying with current status as a bed partner and collateral thing. Better remained in clear boundary then stepping into vague relationship.

I don't want to think about hurtful stuff anymore. I don't want to suffer anymore. As a human being too much greedy only bring misfortune in the end. And I wanted to be free from any kind of suffering.

"Hey, are you tired?" Doctor George asked me. I remembered this old man had been my doctor since I transferred to here. From the handsome man, he had turned old with grey hairs. But his smile remained unchanged.

"Yeah, a bit tired because of the new workplace environment." I put a lie.

"Had you consistently taken the medicines? Although, you had heart transplant that doesn't guarantee as a normal as a healthy person. You need to take care yourself twice than a normal person. " Here come the golden lecture from this doctor.

"Yeah... I just a little tired. Really."

"Your dad told me, you already married. How heartless you were not invited me?" A guilt eat me from inside.

"That... hmm... you see my husband a little famous and people here not really accepting the gay relation yet. I don't want to make him lose face when facing these people." I shrugged my shoulder.

"A man should be true to himself. Unless you are married the coward asshole."

"Is it the right word as a doctor? Never mind, I felt enough with his super manly in the bedroom. At least his energy better than some old man." I smirked at him.

"Wanna try with me?"

"Eww, old man not in my strike zone. Sorry, but I am gonna pass." Doctor George laughed while clutching his stomach.

"One day, let him accompany you in medical check-up. I want to see who had snatched my precious patient."

"Okay." Doctor George excused his self when getting called. I sipped the green tea alone on the bench.

"Are you alone?" A familiar voice greet me.

"Yeah for now..."

"Did you participate in today charity?" Frank asked me.

"Yes." I throw the empty bottle into the nearest trash bin.

"I tried calling you many times but can't get through." Has this man's mind breakdown?

"Why? Weren't we only a stranger?"

"Is wrong to contact a friend?" Frank look like a fish out of water.

"Nope, but I just granted someone wished to stay as a total stranger. A dream can't be true in a real life." I stood and left him alone. Ridiculous! The word in the piece of paper appeared in my mind opening the old wound again.

Who dumped whom? Stupid jackass. I was leaving the hospital with the bitter feeling. That night I didn't go back to Russel's house. I spent a night at my apartment. Frank really had spoilt my mood. I log into Facebook and seeing new posts from Larry. The man and wild world really synonym as one.

God, I also wanted to caress these cute cubs and pups. Wishing one day, I had an opportunity to travel in the Savannah wild world. Maybe this was the reason why Larry kept his smile day to day. Because he doesn't need to bother with human stupid relation.

In other word, less contact, less problem, less headache. As far as I knew, Larry seems distancing himself from human in great length. Maybe the wound from his family rejection and asshole had made him lose faith in humanity. I left comments for each the picture. When browsing around the page, a message from Black Panther entering the inbox.

Black Panther: Happy weekend, buddy.

Me: Yea, happy weekend too.

I reluctantly replied the messages. After I sensed this person acted creepy, I stopped from replying him. But now, I need someone to release the tension in me. Russell! The man only thinks how to make the profitable around the world. Somehow, deep inside in my heart, I doubt all his weekends was for business. Likely, he just avoided to spend a full day with me. Not I really care.

I replied few of messages before giving an excuse having a night date. I just need to take a medicine like an obedient child and have a good rest. Sleep is a good way to eliminate unwanted troublesome thinking. The next morning I was rushing to exhibition arts campaign.

The crowded people filling the exhibition hall like an ant colony. Truthfully, I am not participating in this big gallery. I just wanted to enjoy the artworks and refine my own skill. Somehow, I am still lacking and immature in this field.

"Oh, sorry." A woman said but didn't pause to help the stumbling old man.

"Rude." The old man companion said once the woman left them.

"Are you okay, mister?" I collect the old man dropped items and gave it back to him.

"I am fine... just a bit sore at buttock.'" The old man smiles gently and dusting his pants.

"We really should not come here. People won't give a damn about a beggar even after they hit us to dead." The old man complained.

"A rude is still a rude mister, doesn't matter if they were rich or poor. Arts is for anyone to enjoy. Moreover if the person has a high perceptive in the arts. They are like an open diary from the painter." I told them. As a painter, I like to share my view with anyone without any boundary as an obstacle.

"That is a naïve thinking, young man. You know how much each piece cost? In this free exhibition, we truly have a chance to enjoy the arts." Their word sure has a true fact. The higher quality pieces of arts, the higher price its fetch.

"Yeah, right." I said in defeat.

"Hey, young man, willing to accompany us the old men?" I nod simply because it more enjoyable to discuss the arts with someone.

Accompanying two old men really not boring as I thought earlier. Both have a great understanding about the arts and the meaning beneath each artwork. The discussion really lively mixed with some argument. I shook my head helplessly when they started bickering.

Before we parted both old men giving me their contact number. Hoping we could meet in another art exhibition. I watched until their figures disappeared in crowded areas. It is still too early to back home. Into the empty house. I walked around aimlessly.

"Hey, Eric stop." I turned around and see Frank close our distance. Why this annoying man always appeared? Did he stalk me? Impossible.

"Date?" My eyes try to find his wife.

"I am alone... wanna catch a dinner with me?"

"Me? Aren't you supposed to eat dinner with dear wife?"

"She at her parent's house. I just can't fit there." I wanted to reject but out of nowhere he grabbed my hand and run along the pavement.

"Hey, what?" I asked while catching my breath.

"Here..." A steakhouse appear in front my eyes. He dragged me inside like we are a couple. Since when he dare openly held a man hand in public. Did he sick?

"This is your favourite steak house. I always buy your favourite steak from here." He grinned only put my heart in danger.

"Oh, okay." I tried to act indifferent. We looked the menu book and order the food. The environment here is good. One day, I plan to drag the Cold Emperor here too.

"Why are you keeping grinning?" Frank caresses my hand. Immediately, I grabbed my hand as if my hand touched the fire. Why is he so touchy?

"Sorry..." I paused, "How is your life now?" I asked to divert the chaos in my heart. We paused a second when the waiter served the food.

"Bleak... it is not exciting as the time I spent with you." I was taken aback by his sudden burst.

"Bleak? Are you joking? Wasn't this is the perfect life you dream of." I trailed off as a bubble of anger rise in me. "You dumped me like a thrash back then and had chosen your wife instead."

Calm down Eric! I calmed myself facing this shitty asshole. The man watched me with creepy eyes. Like an affection love. I felt like some worms crawling under my skin. He must have been insane after marrying the bitch. Damn! Why I didn't resisted hard before we entered the restaurant? Uncomfortably, I stabbed the steak without any appetite to taste it.

"I missed you... really missed our time together. I need you back, babe." Damn, my patience had broken. A vibrate in my pocket halted the anger in me.

"Excuse me." I quickly take the call. "Hello."

"Where are you?" Russel's voice sound in the line.

"At steakhouse with friend. Why?"

"Where?"

"Dustin's Steakhouse."

"Okay, I would take you home in five minutes. Wait me at the outside." The call ended. Five minutes? He must be around here too. Weird! He supposed to get back on tomorrow.

"I need to go now?" I put the napkin on the table with some cash.

"Wait? What? We still in eating?" Frank held my hand. I quickly pull my hand and run out. I spot the familiar black Audi had waiting me at the roadside. I am dashing there and knock the tinted window.

Russel unlocked the door and I get inside. "Why you look so nervous." Russel asked.

"Nothing. Can we go now?" I urge him as I saw Frank outside the restaurant with head turn left to right.

"Okay." Russel brings me to another steakhouse. He said haven't eaten anything yet. So, without option I accompany him.

At least this time I could enjoy the meals without anyone spoiled it. The dinner rather silent but I feel a cold glance over and over upon me. Seem like the cold emperor in front me in a bad mood. One of the reasons why I scared to face him right now.

The dinner ended after forty minutes of torturing period. During this period I think I had died a few times and reincarnation over and over as his sharp eyes keep slashed me. What I had done this time? Did his business trip not go well?

I just can speculate over nothing as the owner himself keeps silence like some stature. One of while I can spot slutty women threw flirtiest looks. They just don't know how scary this cold emperor yet. Nah, I don't think he would cold upon these people.

"Hey, where your mind wandering?" I felt Russel hand on me.

"Oh, sorry I just daze off because tiredness." I give a reasonable excuse.

"Have you take your medicine?" He asked me. A hint of concern appeared in his ashen eyes.

"Not yet..." I tell him.

"So, let's get back home. You need a good rest and remember to take your medicine properly." I pout on his tyranny order.

"Yes, your majesty." I rolled my eyes as he opens the car door. That night I obediently took the meds.

Next morning, I wake up in refreshing body and warmth embraces. The last thing I remembered was he needed to do something in his office. Thus, I took the rest first last night. I gently put his hand aside and going take the bath.

He wakes up after I bathed. The clock still earlier but the weather quite cold caused me cancelled today jog schedule. After five minutes daze off on the mattress, Russel finally takes the bathed. I found Claudia in the kitchen preparing the breakfast.

Claudia and Jamie were an odd couple. One is talkative but another one is a man with few words. However, they were a good person and doing their jobs with sincerity. In nowadays to find a trustful maid is a quite bad.

"What do you want to eat today?" Claudia asked me.

"I want a hot chocolate and pancake. For Russel, I didn't ask him anything."

"Black Coffee and sandwiches." The voice caused us jumped with slight shrieked. Jamie shook his head with a smile.

"Damn, don't plant a fear on us like that again." I glare at Russel as Jamie kept smiling behind him.

"Scary cat." He said with a proud smile containing double meaning. Russel actually more attractive if he did a lot smile and joke. I'd a feeling that he is not the type of cold person rather a very naughty. What had caused him to become a cold?

"Damn." I said when we arrived the garage.

"What?" Russel asked me.

"I forgot my car still at my apartment. Can you drive me to the apartment?" Hopefully, he will assist me.

"Okay." He looks me up and down before we get into the car. Halfway I realized we were not going to my apartment, but straight to the office.

"Hey, can we drop at my apartment first." I feel anxious as my eyes darted to the digital clock on the dashboard.

"I would be late if we go there and need to attend meeting board too." He looks calm that irritated me more.

"Russel, this is rush hour and I don't want to be a centre of gossip."

"Because the rush hour I can't turn the wheel to another side."

"Then, drop me here. I will hail the cab."

"Not a chance. Why are you so scared to let others know?"

"Because I don't want to be a target from your jealousy women." I rolled my eyes, "Especially from your beautiful secretary."

"What is about her?"

"Like I don't know she is one of your bed partner." I immediately cover my mouth.

"Great!" His word sending a shudder in my core. "What I did with her is not your business." Somewhat, his word hurt me. Bleeding me deeply caused me to lose any word to retort. So, I'd chosen to stay silent until he parked the car in the basement.

Luckily, nobody around even though the parking area. Once he unlocked the car, I rushed out without waiting him. Facing him only darkened my already foul mood. He had drawn another line in our life. A clear sign that I couldn't step in his personal space.

A/N

Hope you would enjoy this chapter as well. Thank you for every comment and vote on previous chapter. Happy weekend... too bad I'd infected by a worse cough for almost a week now. The most irritated when it disturb my sleep. Huhu

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