Henry Stickmin: Secret Criminal (Mr Henry Toppat Book 1)

Chapter 2- Never Fall Apart (Part 1)

Breaking out Reginald was the easy part with my kind of skills. No one suspected me at all. In fact, I made sure the blame was pushed to the guard that was circulating the cell block.

"Where will be eating tonight, Charles?" I asked, when we were headed towards his car.

"I found this new restaurant in town and it got high reviews online! So I figured maybe we could go try out the food. We're going to surely enjoy ourselves!" Charles turned around and showed me the restaurant's website.

"Looks like a fancy restaurant, better dress well, then." I replied, and got into the car with Charles. He always gives me a ride home.

Sitting next to him, I starred at the road ahead, and started feeling sad. I guess I was starting to regret my decision on joining the Toppat Clan.

I sighed and asked, "Charles, if there was going to be a time when it would be our final meeting, what would we do?"

"Gosh Henry, what a tough question. But it would be inappropriate for me to answer that." Charles replied, keeping his eyes fixed on the road.

"And why it that?"

"Because, we will never fall apart."

Hearing those words made me shed a tear, but I instantly wiped it away. More tears rushed down my face, so I turned my head away.

"Welcome home, Henry! See you tonight!" Charles shouted as he drove away from Henry's apartment block.

I stood there until Charles drove far away. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realise I was still standing in the middle of the road. When a driver almost ran me over, he got out of his car and gave me a good scolding. His words entered through one ear and went out the other.

I entered my apartment and fell to the floor with my bag beside me. Hugging myself, I pondered on Charles's words "never fall apart".

What a kind boy. He doesn't deserve heartbreak. But yet...

When I was just a young child I wasn't very bright. I was failing all my subjects in school and my parents didn't take it to heart easily. My mother would often force me to sleep late to do the new assessment books she bought on the way home from work. My father just kept quiet.

I decided to rob that bank after I got kicked out from home. I really needed the money, and fast.

These aren't my smartest life choices. Maybe that decision I made this afternoon was really foolish.

No time to cry. I had to unpack and get ready before Charles picked me up.

"Henry sure is a good friend." Charles said to himself in his home. He smiled and got up from his desk with a piece of paper in his hand. Charles looked at it one last time before putting it outside he felt very confident about tonight's dinner.

I was dressed in a dinner jacket with a collar shirt underneath. Long jeans covered my legs. I looked very smart in the mirror, and I really wanted Charles's opinion of my outfit.

I took in a fresh gulp of air outside the window, trying to temporarily relive my stress when Charles texted and said he was just a minute away.

I was standing in my living room, once again submerged in my thoughts, then I heard knocking on my door. It was Charles, looking up at me happily.

Charles was dressed in a formal shirt with a tie, belt and long pants. He looked so beautiful...

"So, how do I look?" Charles asked in excitement.

"You look so amazing, Charles."

"Thanks! You look great too. Now quickly lock up the door and let's get going! I'm trying not to be charged for parking fees."

I walked behind Charles, who was skipping down the hallway in delight. He was also humming a song, a song that I taught him.

"As long as the world still has colours, I don't mind my troubles. I have you by my side, even in high tide. Towards the light we go, never turning back, I promise a very peaceful land."

He must be so excited for tonight's dinner. Suddenly, he turned backwards, but was still skipping.

"Take my hand, Henry!"

I smiled softly, and placed my hand into his, and he pulled me along. His hand was so warm and comfortable, I never want to let go of it.

We arrived at the restaurant after a 20 minute drive. That whole drive was simply a blur to me.

"Welcome to the Ami Seafood restaurant." Said the attendant at the front door.

"I made a reservation this afternoon, under Calvin." Charles showed his online receipt and identification card.

"Right this way, Sir."

The restaurant had a tall ceiling with a huge chandelier hanging from it. Charles was so amazed by it, that he kept starring up at it. All I could stare at was him.

"Nice work today, Henry! I'm so proud of you. You are so skilled." Charles commented, placing his hand on mine after the waiter took our orders. I tried to come up with a response.

"Let's not talk about work, since we are here to enjoy ourselves." I replied strictly.

"Oh, okay then! Wait, I just remembered something!" Charles reached into his pocket and took out that piece of paper he was writing on at home. He took a brief look at it, then placed it on the table.

"Henry, you know, we have been friends for a very long time, and we have done amazing things together, completing all those missions. And maybe over time, I felt closer and closer to you. Now, it's not in my nature to say this, but..."

"Will you be my boyfriend?"