Beneath The Orange Sunset ✔️

22

~22~

The fresh scent of the roses sweeping the morning air had gradually diffused into the surroundings.

Joey was in the kitchen baking cake and preparing more pasta slops for Maxime. She had a brief conversation with Samuel and he had informed her that they will be leaving any moment but Joey insisted they wouldn't be going empty handed.

Maxime felt at home and safe. He was sitting on an old couch at the balcony behind Joey's home, taking his pills one at a time. Samuel had put the tablets in a small saucer where he picked them from.

Samuel leaned on the balcony rails and rested his sides with his elbows while he watched the young heir with keenness. The entirety of his bare face made him more fascinating to look at.

He finally saw the color of those eyes. It was darkest of brown, round with a glitter like the full moon. He could get lost just staring at them.

Dr Henri had suggested that Maxime remove the bandage for a few days to let the strained muscles build vigor again. During the medical examination, Maxime's eye had responded to minimum light invasion. Luckily for him the muscles around the eyes have not atrophied.

A small clot has formed in his eye creating a blockage in his retinal artery. Henri said it might be temporary and prescribed some medicines that will help break down the clot.

He had taken his blood samples to run a test, possibly he will detect the chemicals that have been poisoning Maxime's system.

He mentioned a few other things that shone a ray of hope into Maxime's heart. Right now he was on the path to recovery. There was hope.

Maxime's eyes seemed inanimate. His pupils was constricted and dark. His eyelashes was thicker and curly. Henri had noted that he blinked at least trice in fifteen seconds. That was a great improvement.

For a moment Samuel almost forgot the problems Maxime was facing. He didn't want to spoil this rare moment.

"Samuel?"

"Yes, I'm here."

"So quiet..."

"Sorry I can't stop thinking about you," Samuel admitted quite easily. He had guarded himself from exposing too much about his feelings of affection but he couldn't hold any longer.

Maxime tilted his head towards the direction of Samuel's voice. For a moment Samuel thought he could see him. Maxime chuckled and curved his lips to a warm smile.

"You shouldn't say that."

"I've been protecting myself ever since the day I met you," Samuel continued. "But lately my life seems to be a rollercoaster of unpredictable moments with you in the middle of it."

"Rollercoaster, indeed,"
Maxime laughed silently. He rubbed his soft palms together.

"Did I say anything funny?" Samuel asked. "I'm trying to be honest."

Maxime tilted his head away, his cheeks flushed red.
"Hey, your sister is going to hear you."

"News flash, she knows everything about you."

"I can't believe you told her." Maxime raked his fingers through his dark curls. "Do I need a hair cut?"

"No you don't need one," Samuel retorted. "How are you even calm in this whole situation? I can't imagine the pain you are going through."

Samuel breathed. He turned his gaze to the short crushed stone path leading to a beautiful kitchen garden at the side of Joey's home. Summer crops including lettuce, ginger sprouts and tomatoes sprang up lustily in neat rows.

Maxime held out his left hand in the air. "Pull me up."

With a stretch of his hand, Samuel pulled the young heir to his feet. But he still held on to his soft hands.

He raised his eyebrows and looked directly into Maxime's eyes. His pupils was small and beautiful, so pure and charming.

Maxime's voice quavered. "I died Samuel, remember. I know I don't even deserve to live. You are the reason I'm still alive. I'm really  thankful to you for your kindness," he breathed. "I promise to repay you, Samuel Jacquet. It's a promise."

You don't have to pay me.

What's with the sudden change in the tone of his voice. Samuel wondered. Maxime's face was dangerously etched close to his and it took lot of energy to restrain himself from tasting those lips.

He watched as Maxime slowly traced his right fingers from his arm to his chest, then gradually crawling  up to his neck.

Samuel caught his hands halfway up his face.
"I'm a very handsome man, Maxime. If you go any further, you might fall for me."

Maxime felt the muscles in his neck vibrate as he spoke.

"I don't care..." Maxime's eyes fluttered. "Don't ever leave my side, Samuel...I don't know what I will do without..."

Samuel swept the handsome heir in a powerful embrace. He had let his affection for the heir linger for too long. He just had to let it out somehow.

"I will do every thing in my power to protect you, I swear to you, Maxime."

Maxime inhaled the mild perfume on the shirt as he rested his head on Samuel's shoulder. He surrendered completely to the embrace. He went went it, feeling so wonderful and alive. For a long, long time he had wanted to feel this - a human touch. He had yearned for one such as this and never believed he would be getting it from a complete stranger.

A sly cough from the house got their attention. Samuel led the heir back inside where he met Joey holding a food bag.

"Here you go, Samuel," She handed the bag to her brother. She shook her head in excitement and signalled to her brother about what was going on? She wanted to know if they kissed already.
Samuel hushed her playfully and collected the bag.

Joey stood beside Maxime. She reached her hands and touched his forehead.

"How are you?" Joey asked softly.

"Very well."

"Please do take care of yourself, Maxime," she said. "I think you should go now. I don't want any of you getting hurt."

Joey led them to the front door. She watched the two men sniggering as they got into the car. No doubt they looked good together.

Samuel had barely driven a pole when his phone rang out. He fished it out from his pocket; a number not stored on his contact list flashed on the screen.

Who could it be?

He tapped the screen. "Hello..."

"Am I speaking with Dr Samuel? Where have you taken Maxime?" A coarse voice spoke from the other end.

Maxime's forehead creased quickly when he heard his brother's enraged voice.
"What's wrong?" he asked Samuel as the call got disconnected.

"There's a little problem," Samuel breathed. He tightened his grip on the wheels. "I think we should head to the hospital."