Cynefin

4. Boy Next Door

"Good morning boys!" Mrs Xylander wished the three of them cheerfully. It was too damn early for so much exuberance. Their heads were pounding because of all the alcohol they had consumed the previous night.

"Good morning, Mom," Damien deadpanned.

"You seem awfully cheerful, son," stated Laura sarcastically. Damien just groaned in response. He regretted having so much to drink. He needed two aspirin at least and made his way to the medicine cabinet to procure them.

"Good morning, Laura," said both Maxime and Rafael which surprised them both a bit. Maxime also flashed a small smile as Laura placed a kiss on his head and ruffled Rafael's hair. She was like Maxime's second mother but the thought of even considering Damien a 'brother from another mother' made him nauseous.

Damien came back with pills for both Maxime and Rafael and slipped them carefully out of his mother's sight. She was busy arranging breakfast.

The house help started serving the breakfast to all of them as Mr Xylander found his seat at the head of the table. "So, boys, partied a little too much last night I guess," he said, chuckling. Of course, he wasn't the Founder and CEO of a Tech Giant just like that. "What? You guys thought I wouldn't notice the empty and missing bottles of whiskey and vodka?" His blue eyes gleamed with humour.

"Dad, no please," groaned Damien, covering his face with his hand. Maxime and Rafael just laughed awkwardly, feeling caught in mischief.

"So, anyway, Damien, we wanted to tell you that around noon we have a small gathering along with BBQ at our house," said Laura, ignoring the previous allegations put forth by her husband. "So, please be ready before that. Some friends and neighbours of ours will be coming, even the ones who moved into the house next door recently."

Then, she turned to look at Maxime said, "I wish your parents could come to but they are out on a business trip, aren't they?" Maxime nodded in affirmation. His parents travelled very frequently on these work trips.

"Okay, mom." Damien smiled though from inside he was groaning. He was tired of keeping up appearances, especially at such parties. He sometimes felt like a robot programmed by his parents. His parents loved him and vice versa. But he was done with these boring parties that his parents made him attend. They always thought it was a good way to introduce him to big shots in the world of business so that he would be all prepared to take over their company when the right time came. But they didn't ask him what he wanted nor did Damien ever say anything to them. He was so used to being this perfect boy that his parents brought him up as that he sometimes forgot what he was.

"Maxime and Rafael, you are welcome to join as well," added Mr Xylander.

"Thank you, Mr Xylander," Rafael said, politely. "But I have to go back home soon."

"What about you, Max?" Laura asked. Damien sent a pleading look towards him and it was very difficult to ignore him or not give in to his wish for Maxime.

Maxime thought for a second whether he had something important to do and couldn't recall anything. "Yeah sure, why not?"

Thank god, Damien thought and Maxime noticed the sigh of relief that escaped his mouth.

After they were done with breakfast, Rafael had left immediately. Maxime and Damien were on their way up to get ready for the BBQ party. Before Maxime could go to his room to take a shower, Damien stopped him by grabbing his arm. For Damien that small action meant nothing but Maxime felt a shock run down his spine and through his arm.

"Thank you so much, Max," Damien said, grinning widely. "I don't know what I'd have done if you wouldn't have decided to stay back. You are a saviour!"