Under the Same Sky [BOYXBOY]

Chapter 82

'For the thousandth time, stop apologizing,' Cissy was saying as she opened the door to her apartment.

She walked in and was followed immediately by an apologetic Noel, who wore a complicated expression as he looked toward Samuel's sister.

Another apology was already on his lips but, seeing the look on Cissy's face, he quickly changed his mind.

'Thank you for doing this,' he said instead.

'Stop thanking me as well,' Cissy said shortly before turning to the entrance of the doorway. 'You lot coming in or not?'

Charles' face soon appeared in the doorway, and there was a short pause as he hovered at the entrance as if debating whether to proceed or turn back.

'Well, what are you waiting for? A red carpet?'

He fidgeted with the hem of his shirt as he took a deep breath and took a hesitant step forward. He took another step, and he was finally inside the apartment. He let out the breath he was holding, and looked down at his feet as Samuel came in behind him.

Cissy huffed in impatience and turned to Noel. 'Is he going to be like this all the time?'

Noel frowned slightly and turned to look at Charles. Charles, feeling the weight of his gaze, slowly looked up and met his eyes.

'Come here.'

His eyes cleared as Noel's familiar voice broke through the haze of uncertainty and anxiousness that was clouding his mind.

Charles walked forward until he was standing right in front of Noel before stopping and looking down at his feet.

'Such a loyal dog, isn't he?' Cissy tutted as her eyes roved over Charles' figure. 'Where are your things?'

Charles' head raised slightly in confusion at the question. 'Th... things?'

'Did you lose brain cells in that prison? Where are your clothes? You are not planning on wearing that your whole life, are you?'

'I don't have any... things.'

The last word rolled off his tongue as if it were a foreign concept to him. Cissy shook her head as she tutted to herself.

'Come on then,' she said, turning to walk deeper into the apartment. 'Might as well show where you'll be sleeping. We'll figure out your clothing situation later.'

Charles hesitated and glanced at Noel. It was only after Noel had nodded before he followed after Cissy.

Noel let out a heavy sigh after they were out of sight and collapsed on a nearby armchair.

He glanced hesitantly at Samuel who was looking around the apartment with an odd look on his face.

'Everything alright? You've been awfully quiet.'

'Just thinking.'

Noel bit his lips and was about to open his mouth when Samuel cut him off.

'Don't apologize.'

Noel closed his mouth as Samuel gave him a knowing look.

'It doesn't have anything to do with you or Charles, so there's no reason to apologize.'

'I need to apologize though,' Noel protested weakly. 'I brought a convicted felon -no scratch that, I brought a rapist into your sister's home. I... I know he wouldn't do anything, but still... I understand if you're upset and want us to leave.'

Samuel snorted at that. Though he did feel a bit iffy letting someone like Charles close to his sister, if he had to be concerned about one of them, she wouldn't be the one he would pick.