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Jayden was scowling at the scene that was playing out before him. Crowds of richly dressed people milled about and glasses tinkled in the air. The spring day was bright and full of promise, a perfect day to throw a birthday party. Or, so his mother had said.
The second term had flown by quickly after the incident in the forest and the students of Lumière were on their spring break. It was Easter Monday, the day Jayden was born sixteen years ago.
He normally didn’t make any fuss about his birthday and usually, his mother didn’t interfere.
Usually.
This year, as she had put it so succinctly, he had a lot to be thankful for after almost escaping from certain death. He needed to celebrate his life and so she had turned a deaf ear to all his protests as she threw an Easter picnic-themed birthday party on the garden in their vast luxurious estate.
She had really gone all out. The world-class garden was lined with ice sculptures depicting various animals and myths. Canopied tents dotted the green lawn of the garden and water fountains sparkled brightly in the sun’s happy light.
The entire Noble 52 and the continent’s upper class were out in full force. Several dignitaries and invited guests from other continent also made an appearance.
He stood at the entrance to the estate, welcoming incoming guests with his mother. Victoria Mills was dressed in a flowing garden dress of gold silk which accentuated her curves. Her hair was wrapped up in a turban with a diamond pendant in its centre.
Her beautiful face was free from any makeup-not that she needed it- and an exquisite emerald necklace adorned her elegant neck. Her smooth rich voice rose and fell with laughter as she made small talk with the guests before welcoming them in.
‘Jayden,’ she warned, smile still in place. ‘You’re scowling.’
Jayden sighed and rearranged his face into a polite mask of cold indifference, nodding at the guests who trickled their way in. He already wanted this dreadful day to be over.
Samuel was in his room playing video games when his mother barged in. She was dressed in an elegant flowery dress and her hair was coiffed perfectly down her back. She did not look happy.
‘Samuel Kwabena Joseph Fredrick Adepa Asamoah, how many times do I have to tell you not to play around in my laboratory? For the last time, it’s not a playset!’
Samuel removed his headphones and turned to her. ‘You look nice,’ he noticed suspiciously. ‘Where the hell are you going dressed like that? You never go anywhere nice.’
Sandra walked over to the large mirror mounted at the corner of his bedroom wall to inspect her makeup. ‘Your father and I have to go to this Easter picnic. All the members of the Noble 52 are required to attend so as much as we want to blow this off we can’t.’
She turned to face him, walking over to straighten out his hair. ‘Do you wanna come?’
Samuel dodged her invading hands and turned back to his game. ‘Definitely not.’
‘Lucky you,’ she commented wistfully. ‘If I only I had the same choice you do. Your father is far less happy about it than I am but even he knows not to refuse an invitation from Victoria Mills.’
That grabbed his attention. ‘Wait, did you say Mills?’
Sandra hummed absently. ‘Yes. It’s their son’s birthday. Jayden, I think it was. Since his birthday is falling on Easter Monday, they’re holding an easter picnic-themed party. Everyone who is anyone would be there.’
She sighed. ‘Anyway no more playing in mummy’s lab, okay darling? I love your enthusiasm but keep it away from my test tubes.’
She left his room and an hour later she was almost out the door with her husband when Samuel bounded down the grand marble staircase fully dressed.
‘Oi, wait for me!’
They paused at the doorway and Sandra looked curiously at him. ‘I thought you didn’t want to come?’
He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Changed my mind, home is so boring anyway. Come on let’s be off, we don’t want to be late.’
Jayden had been nodding to guests for the past hour. His head was beginning to hurt.
‘How long of this torture do I have to take?’ he asked his mother through gritted teeth.
‘Not long now, dear- why, your highness I’m so glad you could make it!’
Lady Sylvia approached them and smiled. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’ She turned to Jayden. ‘Happy birthday, Jayden. The sixteenth year of one’s life usually ushers in the best years of your life. Cherish it.’
A small frown appeared on her face. ‘I’m sorry that Paul couldn’t make it though. He is with his father on a royal state visit to England.’
‘It’s fine dear, I’m sure the boys would make up for it another time.’
Lady Sylvia smiled before disappearing into the party. Victoria was about to comment when her eyes settled on him.
‘Hmm, looks like the Asamoah boy is here,’ she noted with interest.
Jayden’s eyes widened in panic and he cast an anxious look around before he also saw him. Samuel was dressed in black jeans and a simple white shirt, with the sleeves rolled to the elbow. The top buttons of his shirt was open, showing the upper part of his chest and a thin gold necklace.
He seemed to be searching for something and Jayden let out a loud groan when he realized he wasn’t going to be leaving anytime soon.
Victoria was studying his reaction with interest. ‘I don’t get it, what’s wrong with him? He seems to be a nice boy. I thought you were friends.’
‘Acquaintances,’ Jayden corrected. ‘Cover for me, tell him I’m not around, or I’m sick, hell you can even say I’m dead just get him out of here!’
Victoria rolled her eyes at him. ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
She turned just as Samuel walked up to the entrance.
‘Hello, Mrs. Mills. Is Jayden around?’
‘Yes, he’s right her-‘ she paused midway as she turned to find Jayden gone. ‘He was here just a second ago.’
‘Don’t worry, Mrs. Mills. He does that to me too. I’ll go look for him. You look amazing by the way, that belt sash is beautiful.’
Victoria smiled at him. ‘Thank you, it was a gift from the Dalai Lama. Please make yourself at home and enjoy the party.’
Samuel smiled at her and nodded before making his way inside. He stood in front of the garden as he took in the sights. People were walking about, laughing, drinking and dancing. An orchestra played in front of the lake as the swans glided on its glassy surface. Peacocks strutted about, occasionally unfurling their tail feathers proudly.
He looked around but saw no sign of Jayden. He decided to walk around and passed by a couple making their way into the hedge maze. He turned to follow them when he caught the reflection of a figure dashing behind a statue.
He smiled to himself and continued walking, giving no indication he had noticed anything different.
Jayden peered behind the statue and was relieved to find Samuel gone. He took a deep breath and leaned against it, sliding down to sit on the grass. That was a close shave.
The shadow of a tall figure fell on him. ‘I didn’t know we were playing hide and seek.’
Jayden scowled into Samuel’s beaming face. ‘We weren’t.’
He got to his feet and walked away. Samuel followed beside him much to his annoyance.
‘So why were you hiding from me?’
‘I wasn’t.’
‘Mhh, yes you were.’
‘No, I wasn’t.’
‘Yes, you were.’
‘Look,’ Jayden began, swinging around to face him. He didn’t finish the sentence, however. His eyes widened when he caught sight of a figure behind Samuel.
Samuel turned to look behind him in confusion, when he felt Jayden grab his hand and pull him as he ducked behind a table, dragging him with him.
Samuel had his back to the table with Jayden facing him as he peered occasionally over it.
‘You know,’ he commented amusingly. ‘We do seem to get into this situation a lot, you pulling me behind things. Why Mr. Mills, you are not trying to seduce me are you?’
Jayden’s cast a quick, unamused glance at him before turning his attention back to the top. ‘Shut up.’
That’s when Samuel realised how close they were.
Extremely close.
Samuel for the first time noticed how perfect and smooth Jayden’s skin was. At this proximity, he could appreciate how flawless his face was. He stared at the perfect arch of his eyebrows, his eyes trailing down to his cute perfect nose, his plump full lips, his sharp jawline, his collarbone and the dip in his shirt that showed hints of his chest underneath.
He never really noticed how black Jayden’s eyes were. They were like empty black holes that kept drawing you in. He marvelled at how they could express absolutely nothing yet at the same time, absolutely everything.
‘Samuel.’
‘Mhh,’ he replied absently.
‘You’re staring.’
Samuel immediately snapped out of it. ‘Am I?’
An evil grin worked its way onto Jayden’s face. He planned on teasing him mercilessly about it and he didn’t intend to let it go anytime soon.
‘You were. Like what you see?’
‘Yes,’ Samuel responded simply. ‘You’re beautiful.’
He had never thought a boy beautiful before but to his surprise, he realized as he said it that it was true. Jayden was definitely the definition of beauty.
Jayden had the wind knocked right out of his sails. The tables had now turned. Intending to make Samuel flustered, he now found himself to be the flustered one.
This wasn’t the first time someone had called him beautiful, in fact he was aware that he was far too pretty for a boy but this was the first time it had actually gotten to him. He had always dismissed it as hollow compliments but he couldn’t seem to do the same now. Samuel had stated it so honestly as if it wasn’t a compliment but a blatant fact.
He stared at Samuel curiously and was grateful for his complexion which hid his slowly growing blush.
Samuel couldn’t help but notice that anytime Jayden was considering something or thinking deeply he would cock his head to the side as he was doing now, furrow his brows in the cutest manner and bite his lip. He couldn’t help but find it extremely cute and adorable and would have raised his hand to pinch his cheek if he wasn’t dead certain that Jayden would break his wrist without even thinking about it.
Their moment was soon broken when a high pitched squeal broke through.
‘JAYDEN! There’s the birthday boy! What the hell are you doing down there? It’s a party and we are supposed to be PARTYING! WHOO!’
Jayden winced and stood up. ‘Hey Mimi, what are you doing here?’
‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT AM I DOING HERE? It’s my Jaybear’s birthday, of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world! What are we even doing talking, come and give me a hug. I haven’t seen you in like forever.’
Samuel got to his feet as Mimi pulled Jayden in for a tight hug. Jayden looked uncomfortable but didn’t pull away, opting to pat her back awkwardly.
Mimi pulled back and fixed Samuel with an appraising eye. ‘And who’s this hot stuff?’
Samuel smiled awkwardly. ‘Hi, I’m Samuel.’
‘Rebecca Rowlings but everyone calls me Mimi.’ She looked between the two boys. ‘So my Jayden finally found a boyfriend. Wow, you two make an awesome couple.’
‘Oh, we’re not dating,’ Samuel jumped in quickly. ‘I have a girlfriend. We’re both straight.’
Mimi raised an eyebrow at that statement. She looked at Jayden and her mouth parted into a wide ‘o’.
‘Sorry my mistake,’ she chuckled awkwardly. ‘Although,’ she leaned in to whisper to Jayden. ‘I would have been able to live with it if he’s the reason you want to break off our betrothal. I mean look at him.’
Jayden rolled his eyes and flicked her forehead. ‘You mean our farce of a betrothal.’
Samuel frowned. ‘Wait did you say betrothal?’
Mimi laughed. ‘Yes, betrothal. We were betrothed to be married when we were young but for some reason this idiot wants to let me go. I mean if it weren’t for the betrothal I would be the number one bachelorette in the country. I am FREAKING AMAZING!’
Samuel smiled and said nothing whiles Jayden rolled his eyes and patted her head. ‘Yes you are Mimi darling, now go get drunk.’
Mimi giggled and pulled Samuel in for a hug. ‘Got to roll but I’ll definitely be seeing you again.’
She giggled again and hugged Jayden, whispering in his ear. ‘That’s a fine piece of man ass over there. Don’t let it walk away.’
She pulled back and smiled. ‘Au revoir, mes amis.’
She went back to the party moving from one place to the other like a whirlwind, laughing and smiling as she went. Jayden stared after her and shook his head.
Samuel looked at him curiously. ‘Why have you taken to hiding from your guests?’
‘Not all of them,’ Jayden corrected. ‘Just you two.’
He snorted. ‘Let’s just say Mimi is someone who is best taken in small doses.’
Off in the distance, a high-pitched scream that could only belong to one person filled the air and Jayden shuddered at the memory it called into his head.
‘Very, small doses.’
AUTHOR’S NOTE: So…
Interesting chapter I think.
This is part of my birthday, triple update surprise for 1k reads.
You’re welcome. And yes, Jayden was born on first April, specifically Easter Monday, same as I was.
What do you think about Samuel and Jayden’s relationship now?
And Mimi? What’s up with her?
Lemme know in the comments and please don’t forget to light up the shy little star if you enjoyed it.
If you would like to give me a birthday present, you can post this book amongst all your friends and social media platforms. Let’s get to 2k!
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