To Seduce a Butler (Yaoi/BoyXBoy)

Chapter Eight--Sam

Sam had known as soon as he hopped on that bed that his relationship with Michael would change. But if he were completely honest with himself, he would have realized that he did want the friendship Michael was offering.

And the fact that Michael looked great in his jeans and Polo shirt might have had a little influence in Sam's choosing to act like a five-year-old and dance on a bed.

The bus ride back to the Days' house that morning had given Sam time to reflect on everything that had happened in the past few months, from being offered a full-paid scholarship to a prestigious university to having to go to work to support his family. From being ignored by Michael for weeks and then suddenly becoming his obsession. From being healthy not too long ago to biting his fingernails as he waited for the results of blood work.

And now, it looked like his life was about to change again. Judging by the expression on Ms. Day's face, he'd be back at the staffing agency that afternoon to apply for a new butler position.

Ms. Day glared at the two of them. "Sam, your doctor called. They need you to call the office ASAP." She gestured towards their hands, still interlocked. "What's this?"

Michael released his hold. "Sam tripped. I caught him."

"Really?"

"Why do you think his stuff's on the floor?"

Sam couldn't believe his ears. So much for declarations of want.

He gave Michael a sidelong glance. Michael met his gaze. His eyes had lost all the intensity they'd held when they were dancing. Now, he looked as if Sam disgusted him.

Sam hung his head. He should have known better than to trust Michael. To trust any guy after Troy.

Ms. Day put her hands onto her hips. "And then he feel backwards, and his ear brushed by your lip?"

"Yup." Michael went to his bed and sat down. He leaned back and propped himself up on his elbows. "Anything else?"

In that position, with his collar upturned, Michael looked like an arrogant bastard. Sam wanted to punch himself in the face for ever believing Michael could be anything more.

Ms. Day moved towards Sam. She pushed back his hair. "Is he lying?"

God, if there was anything Sam had prided himself on, it was that he rarely lied. His friends hated that he'd tell them if their clothing sucked that day, or if their art projects belonged on museum walls or underneath beds. Sonia had warned him, though, that to be a good servant, he'd have to bend the truth.

He could hear her clearly: "There are some things you never want to put yourself in the middle of." She then told him how Mr. Day had asked if the pool boy had ever come into the house, and Sonia had to smile and tell her boss that he did, but only to get his paycheck, even though the evidence Mr. Day was searching for could still be found in the garbage can.

Sam inwardly sighed, then stared her straight in her eyes. "Yes, ma'am. I haven't been feeling well lately. I must have blacked out for a second."

"You should call the office back. It sounded urgent." She walked to the doorway. She stopped, then turned her head to the side. "You'll do my room next, yes?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"That's a good boy." She left.

Michael sat up. "Sam--"

"Don't say my name." Sam clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms. "You sure can talk big, can't you?" Sam mimicked Michael's voice. "'You belong here. With me.'"

Michael winced. "She would have kicked you out. Why do you think she wants you to go clean her damn room next? She's going to test you."

"And then what?" Sam laughed softly. "Used by you now and your mom later. God, what a mess I'm in. This isn't how I imagined my stupid life would be."

Michael, standing behind Sam, placed a hand on the butler's shoulder. Sam quickly pushed it off. "I have to call my doctor."

"Here." Michael held out his phone to Sam. 

"I have my own." 

"So call now."

"I can't." 

Michael moved towards the door and locked it. "There. Complete privacy."

"You're still here."

"You really want me to leave?"

Sam didn't want Michael to leave. If he ever needed a friend, it was right now. 

Michael read Sam's thoughts. "It's bad, isn't it?"

Sam fell to his knees, his shoulders trembling. How could he tell Michael that it wasn't just bad? It was probably back. That was what terrified him just as much as letting someone like Michael into his heart.

Michael knelt next to him. "Whatever happens, you have me. Just please--don't give up on me. You need me to be strong for you now. I'll be strong for you right after. Hell, I'll go clean my mom's room so you won't have to see her."

Sam half-smiled. "Well, here goes." He took out his cell phone and found his doctor's number. Slowly, he pushed call.