Under the Same Sky [BOYXBOY] - CHAPTER 39

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Thin shafts of golden sunlight wafted in through the windows, stirring Jayden awake. His eyelids fluttered gently as they slowly blinked open. He looked strangely feline as he stretched, shaking the remnants of sleep from his body. Sometime during the night, he and Samuel had managed to move from their position by the Christmas tree and into his bed in his old room.

He looked down at Samuel who continued to sleep peacefully beside him, his chest rising and falling steadily with every breath he took. Jayden’s eyes softened as he took in the sleeping boy by his side. His eyes roved over his face, memorising every detail as they moved downwards to his hands.

A strange look came into his eyes as he considered something for a moment. He quietly got down from the bed, hoping not to disturb the still sleeping figure on it and walked with bare feet towards the drawers at the side of the room.

He rummaged in them for a moment, frowning in concentration as he felt around. A small triumphant grin formed on his lips as his fingers touched it. He closed his hand around it and slowly pulled them out.

He blew gently on it to remove the dust before moving back to position himself gently on the bed. He stared at Samuel for a while before flipping the sketchbook open. Picking up a pencil, he stared once more at Samuel before moving it gracefully along the page.

The minutes flew by as he drew. He became so engrossed in his art that he was slightly startled when his eyes looked up briefly and they met Samuel’s hazel ones.

‘How long have you been awake?’ Jayden asked, putting down his pencil to stare at him.

‘A while now,’ Samuel murmured sleepily. ‘You look extremely pretty when you draw.’

Jayden didn’t know what mortified him the most; the compliment that came out of Samuel’s mouth or the blush it caused to slowly burn on his cheeks. Luckily, Samuel didn’t notice as he sat up with a tired yawn.

‘What are you drawing?’ he asked curiously.

Jayden hesitated before turning the sketchbook over. Expertly drawn on the page were a pair of hands lying elegantly on the bed. There was a window with sunlight streaming through, the golden glow seemed to softly kiss and caress the limbs that rested on the bed. The figure who the limbs belonged to was incomplete but they bore an uncanny resemblance to Samuel.

Samuel’s eyes lit up as he took in the drawing. He looked up at Jayden with admiration shining in them. ‘Is that…?’

Jayden nodded. Samuel looked back down at the drawing. ‘I’m flattered.’

He stood up from the bed. ‘And I’m also hungry.’

Jayden tried not to stare as Samuel stretched before him, his muscles rippling with the movement. He stood and followed Samuel as he walked into the kitchen. Samuel pulled open a few cabinets and his eyebrows caved in as he took in the pitiful contents lying inside.

‘Jayden, what happened to all the food we bought last night?’

Jayden tore his gaze away as Samuel bent down to rummage in the cabinets below. ‘I think we ate them.’

‘Of course we did,’ Samuel muttered as he shook his head. ‘Aha!’ he exclaimed triumphantly as he opened the fridge door. ‘I think I can work with this but we’re out of juice. You need to run down to the store and get us some while I make breakfast.’

Jayden raised a brow in amusement as Samuel stared at the stove in confusion, wondering how to turn it on. ‘Maybe I should do the cooking. The building isn’t insured against a fire outbreak.’

There was a sheepish grin on Samuel’s face as he stepped away from the stove, nodding in agreement. ‘Yeah, that’s probably for the best.’

Samuel moved as Jayden came to stand before the stove but the place was too narrow and for a moment, their bodies were pressed close together. Jayden’s breath hitched in his throat as he felt the heat that radiated from Samuel’s naked torso. He fixed his eyes on the thin silver necklace that hung around Samuel’s neck, tracing it as it fell on his muscled chest.

The moment passed and he cleared his throat awkwardly as Samuel looked at him with worried eyes.

‘Are you alright? You seem… flushed.’

Jayden nodded, unable to meet Samuel’s eyes. Samuel gave him a long look before nodding slowly. ‘Alright, if you say so. Guess I’m gonna get the juice then.’

Jayden nodded absently but paused when he noticed something. Samuel’s hand was already curled around the doorknob when he stopped him.

‘Aren’t you gonna… you know.’ Jayden gestured awkwardly at Samuel’s bare chest.

‘Oh right, yes. I need to put on a shirt don’t I?’ Samuel chuckled as he shook his head at himself in amusement. ‘Can’t believe I forgot.’

Jayden grinned self-consciously and a few minutes later, a fully dressed Samuel was out the door and making his way down the stairs. He hummed pleasantly to himself as he left the building and walked down the sidewalk.

He waved pleasantly at the people he passed, responding to their Christmas greeting with one of his own. The bell chimed as he entered the store and he smiled at the cashier before making his way down the aisles. He scanned the shelves thoughtfully before reaching up to pick a pack.

‘I would advise against that. Jayden isn’t a fan of avocados.’

Samuel whirled around to come face to face with a smiling Victoria. ‘What… how… where…’

Victoria ignored his stuttering and stepped up beside him. Her eyes roved through the contents on the shelf as she considered them. ‘He is not a fan of mangos either, maybe the pineapple? He is such a picky eater so one can never be sure with him.’

She grabbed the aforementioned juice and handed it to him. Samuel took it unsurely as he glanced fully at her. Victoria was wearing a loosely wrapped shawl over her head and she was dressed in a very unVictoria like manner. Which is to say that her clothes were rather simple not the highly expensive ones she always wore. Nevertheless, she still managed to look completely glamorous and breath-taking in it.

‘What are you doing here?’ Samuel finally managed to ask.

‘What else,’ she lifted her shopping basket like it was clearly obvious. ‘Doing a spot of shopping for the manor. We are running low on groceries.’

Samuel didn’t believe it for a single instant. ‘So it was just coincidence that we happen to be shopping in the same place so far away from Mills Manor?’

Victoria shrugged. ‘It is such a small world isn’t it?’

‘Right,’ Samuel answered in a disbelieving tone. He turned and began to make his way to the cashier. ‘I don’t believe in coincidences.’

Victoria fell into step beside him. ‘What a coincidence, neither do I.’

Samuel snorted but decided not to comment. They waited in line and when their turn came the old man at the desk blinked in surprise when his eyes landed on Victoria.

‘Ria! I can’t believe it, is it really you?’

Victoria smiled at him. ‘Hello Albert, it’s been a while.’

Albert chuckled warmly. ‘I haven’t seen you since you moved into that fancy place uptown. How is Jayden? I’m sure he’s grown up so much now. He was such a cute little kid, running about the place.’

‘He has. He’s doing well enough. How have you been?’

Albert shrugged dismissively. ‘Oh you know, the usual. Joint pains, backaches, dealing with the people that come in here everyday. Speaking off, what brings you to this side of the city?’

‘Just running a few errands.’ She placed her basket on the counter. ‘How much will these be?’

Albert shook his head vigorously. ‘No, no, no. For you, it’s on the house.’

Victoria reached into her purse a peeled a few hundred bills, placing them on the counter. ‘I insist. This should be more than enough to cover both mine and his,’ she gestured to Samuel.

‘I’m sorry but we must be going Albert. I’m sorry it’s been such a long time. I promise to come and visit soon.’ She reached over to place a kiss on his wrinkled cheek. ‘Goodbye.’

The old man’s eyes were bright as he waved at them both until they were out of the store.

Samuel glanced at her as they walked up the sidewalk. ‘No offense Mrs. Mills, but your husband is a world-class bastard.’

Victoria raised an eyebrow in amusement and Samuel was once again struck by how uncanny her resemblance to her son was. It was almost eerie.

‘Interesting thought, even if a bit out of the blue,’ Victoria mused. ‘How is Jayden?’

‘He’s… happy. Which is no thanks to you. I’m not going to allow you to see him. You’ve done enough.’

Victoria nodded. ‘I understand.’

‘How did you know where we are?’ Samuel asked suspiciously.

‘It wasn’t difficult to figure out. He’s not the only one with ghosts to face.’

Victoria became silent after that. Samuel glanced at her and felt something like pity. ‘What are you doing here Ria? The truth.’

They had stopped in front of the apartment building and Victoria looked up at her old apartment as the wind played with her shawl.

‘I wanted to make sure he was alright,’ she whispered. ‘He’s my son and I love him. I do love him you know, so much.’

Samuel nodded. ‘I do but I don’t think he does.’

Victoria sighed. ‘I know. I try to tell him, I try to show him but nothing seems to work. I just want what’s best for him.’

Samuel glanced from the building to her. ‘I think that maybe you should just let him figure out what’s best for him by himself.’

‘Maybe.’ She straightened up as a limo glided down the street, coming to a stop beside them. ‘Let me not keep you any longer. Your juice is growing warm.’

Samuel watched as Henry walked to hold the door open for her. She reached into her purse and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. She put them on and turned back to Samuel.

‘Can you let Jayden know that he doesn’t need to worry about the engagement anymore. I called off the announcement.’

She slid into the limo without waiting for an answer and Henry shut the door after her. The dark window slid down and she turned her head to Samuel.

‘Also can you do me a favour and not tell him I was here. It would be better if he doesn’t know.’

Samuel nodded as the dark window slid back up as the limo drove away. He stood on the sidewalk and watched it disappear around the corner before making his way into the building.

He opened the door to the apartment and immediately a heavenly scent wafted into his nostrils. He walked into the kitchen which smelt absolutely divine.

‘What kept you so long?’ Jayden asked as he came in.

‘I erm… I had to help a lady with something. The place smells good, I didn’t know you could cook like that.’

Jayden shrugged and finished setting the table. Samuel set the pack of juice he had brought down and took a seat. He took the first bite and let out a loud moan.

‘Oh my god,’ he let out. ‘This is so freaking amazing. I feel like my taste buds just had multiple orgasms. Where did you learn to cook like that?’

A dark look passed over Jayden’s face. ‘My father.’

Samuel stopped eating. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring that up.’

‘It’s fine.’

They ate quickly after that. It was when they were doing the dishes that Samuel brought up the issue that was in both their heads.

‘I think it’s time we go home.’

Jayden nodded. ‘Yeah, I guess so. Your parents must be worried about you.’

‘Come with me.’

Jayden turned to him in surprise. ‘What do you mean?’

Samuel looked straight into his eyes. ‘Come home with me.’

‘I don’t think-‘

‘Please,’ Samuel cut him off. ‘I don’t want to leave you alone.’

Jayden felt himself grow lost in those hazel orbs as he nodded. He felt a flutter in his chest and a warm feeling spread throughout his body. He blinked and turned away. He knew that Samuel didn’t mean anything else by it but it didn’t stop the sudden feeling of happiness from blooming in his chest. What was happening to him?

They finished up with the dishes and before long they were stepping out of the apartment. Jayden hesitated in front of the closed door as a mixture of emotions crossed his face.

Samuel nudged him gently on the shoulder as he gave him a reassuring smile. ‘Hey, it’s alright. We can come back anytime you want to.’

Jayden nodded and allowed Samuel to guide him away from the door and down the stairs. Soon they were leaving the building altogether and as they walked up the street, Jayden slowly became self-conscious of how hyper-aware he was of Samuel’s proximity to him.

He felt tingles everytime his hand brushed with his and electricity shot down his spine when Samuel grabbed his hand to stop him.

‘Jayden, are you sure you’re okay?’ Samuel asked worriedly, concern etched on his features.

‘I’m fine it’s just… is it hot out here?’

Samuel looked at him incredulously. ‘It’s ten degrees, maybe you’re coming down with something. Let’s get you home so mum can take a good look at you.’

Jayden smiled wanly and Samuel hailed them a taxi. He didn’t let go of Jayden’s hand as they sat in and Jayden could feel the heat begin to rise to his cheeks. He quickly let go and turned to the window ignoring the puzzled look Samuel sent his way.

The taxi swung up the short circular driveway of Samuel’s mansion home, pulling to a stop beside a sleek white limo.

‘Looks like mum’s home,’ Samuel commented as they alighted. They walked towards the main entrance and the large double doors swung open the moment they stood before it.

‘Morning, Franz,’ Samuel greeted the ramrod straight butler that held the door open for them. ‘Know where mum is?’

The butler frowned disapprovingly at their dirty sneakers before answering. ‘The mistress is in her laboratory, young master.’

‘Of course she is,’ Samuel shook his head fondly. ‘This is Jayden by the way. Also, would you mind paying the driver for us? I don’t have enough money.’

‘Of course sir,’ the butler nodded curtly at Jayden and left.

Samuel smiled gratefully at him and led Jayden deeper into the mansion. ‘That was our head butler. He’s a bit of a wet blanket but an all-around great guy. ‘

Jayden looked around with interest as Samuel guided him through the foyer and up the swirling marble staircase. He had never been inside the Asamoah mansion before and it was different.

Despite the imposing wealth the mansion radiated, there was a feeling of warmth and homeliness in every corner. It wasn’t as large or as grand as Mills Manor but it was still quite the structure. Whiles Mills Manor was more of a palatial residence, the Asamoah mansion could be described as a stately home.

‘This is my room,’ Samuel said as they stopped before a door. He smiled nervously before turning the knob and leading them inside.

Samuel’s room was exactly how you would expect Samuel’s room to look like. There was a large flat-screen TV with video games neatly stacked below it. A basketball hoop at the side of the room and shelves upon shelves of trophies and medals.

Jayden smiled when he caught sight of the stuffed animals in the corner, walking over to pick up a fluffy white bunny.

‘That’s Pickles,’ Samuel said when he noticed Jayden holding the bunny. He walked over to ran his hand through Pickles’ fur. ‘He’s so soft, isn’t he?’

Jayden shot him an incredulous look. ‘Who the fuck names a white bunny Pickles?’

‘What’s wrong with Pickles?’ Samuel pouted.

‘Everything is wrong with ‘Pickles’.’

‘Well, he likes it.’ Samuel took the stuffed animal and turned it to Jayden. ‘Don’t you Pickles?’

Jayden shook his head as Samuel answered in a high-pitched voice. ‘Yes, I do. And I love you, Sammy. Jay Jay, pwease give me a hug.’

Jayden rolled his eyes at him and walked away. He moved to the other side of the room and began thumbing through the stacks of video games.

‘I’ve got some really cool ones,’ Samuel said, walking up to him with Pickles still on his arm. ‘We can play a couple if you want. How about-‘

Samuel was cut off as his phone began to blow up loudly on the nightstand.

‘Oh shit!’

He thrust Pickles into Jayden’s arms and rushed over to the nightstand.

‘I’m sorry, Jayden but I have to go,’ Samuel apologised hurriedly as he scrolled through his messages and missed calls. ‘I need to shower first, Pearl is going to kill me.’

A beautiful red-haired girl with pretty blue eyes popped into Jayden’s head when he heard the name. ‘Pearl?’

‘Yeah, my girlfriend. I promised to take her on a date today and I completely ditched her last night at the ball.’

The phone rang with an incoming call and Samuel grinned apologetically at Jayden as he answered it.

‘Yes, yes. I know and I’m so sorry. I promise to make it up to you. Sure, whatever you want.’

Jayden watched as he entered the bathroom. He sat on the bed and looked around wondering what to do and at that moment he wished he hadn’t left his phone at the manor.

Samuel’s bed was soft and smelled just like him; a heady scent of lilac and roses. He ran his hands over the soft fabric of the sheets as Samuel stepped out of the bathroom, steam trailing after him. He walked straight into the large walk-in closet and emerged a few moments later fully dressed.

‘I’m leaving now, would you be alright by yourself?’

Jayden nodded absently but Samuel hesitated. ‘I can cancel and stay if you want. It’s no bother I’m sure Pearl would understand.’

Jayden gave him a reassuring smile. ‘Go, I’ll be fine. I don’t need you to babysit me.’

Samuel nodded unsurely and with a wave he was gone. Jayden waited a few minutes after he left before deciding to take a shower. He got up and walked into the bathroom which still had the smell of Samuel’s shampoo hanging in the air.

As the hot water fell down his back, loosening the tension in the muscles there, he tried to figure out the feelings that had been swirling within him. Is it possible that… No, he shook that thought from his head. He was probably just coming down with something.

He turned the shower off and stepped out of the bathroom. He walked to Samuel’s walk-in closet and scanned the clothes before picking a red and white hoodie that he remembered seeing on Samuel. That was the hoodie he had been wearing the day they had first met.

He smiled faintly at the memory and pulled the hoodie on. The scent of lilac and roses hit him more strongly than ever and he buried his nose in it. He didn’t know when lilac had become his favourite flower but suddenly that was all he could think about.

There was a knock on the door and Sandra walked in. She was wearing a lab coat with papers and test tubes overflowing from the pockets. A stethoscope hung around her neck and a pair of thick glasses was perched on top of her wild hair which had become frizzy from all the chemicals it had been exposed to.

‘Oh hello Jayden,’ she said when her eyes landed on him. ‘Samuel wanted me to check up on you. Make sure you are not coming down with something. Apparently, you have been exhibiting some strange symptoms.’

Jayden shook his head politely. ‘Don’t worry, I’m fine. Probably just tired.’

Sandra nodded. ‘Probably, but if you don’t mind I’ll still have a look at you. Samuel would go into a right fit if I didn’t and I don’t fancy taking a dressing down from my son. He gets really passionate about the things he cares about.’

Jayden fought hard to ignore how that sentence made him feel. He moved to sit on the bed as Sandra followed him, muttering to herself as she rummaged through her coat.

‘Okay, so how are you feeling?’ she asked as she felt his pulse.

‘Tired. Very tired.’

Sandra nodded and fished out a thermometer from her coat pocket and took his temperature. She hummed to herself as she made a mental note of the results.

‘So what are these symptoms Sam talked about?’

‘Erm,’ Jayden tried to ignore her fingers as she poked about. ‘Flushed skin, clammy hands, sort of strange feeling in my stomach and sometimes like there is a weight on my chest?’

‘Huh,’ Sandra commented vaguely as she listened to his heartbeat.

Jayden sat still as he waited impatiently for this to be over. Samuel was the only one that he was comfortable being this close with and though her smile reminded him so much of him, she was not Samuel.

‘Well,’ Sandra began as she removed the stethoscope from her ears and sat back. ‘There’s nothing wrong with you. At least,’ and a knowing smirk came upon her lips. ‘Nothing that science or medicines can fix.’

Jayden frowned in confusion. ‘What do you mean?’

Sandra stood up and grinned at him. ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll work out with whoever it is. Just don’t think too much about it and go with the flow.’

Jayden’s features were a picture of puzzlement as he watched her walk towards the door. She gave him a mischievous wink and then she was gone.

Jayden shook his head , deciding that odd behaviours must clearly run in the family. He placed his head on the pillow and a soft smile formed on his lips as the sweet scent of lilacs and roses floated up to him, slowly lulling him to sleep.

It was late into the night when Samuel strolled back into the mansion. He was on his way up the stairs when he heard an explosion from down the corridor. He retraced his steps and followed the scent of smoke till he reached his mother’s laboratory.

‘Mum?’

‘I’m fine, I’m fine.’ Sandra coughed as she stepped out. ‘At least this time nothing caught on fire.’

‘Erm,’ Samuel looked pointedly at her eyebrows which had been completely singed off.

‘Darn it,’ Sandra cursed as she felt for them. ‘Oh well, sacrifices must be made in the name of science.’

‘Sure,’ Samuel chuckled.

‘How was your date by the way?’

Samuel shrugged. ‘It was okay. Where is Jayden?’

Sandra considered the question for a moment. ‘He left a few hours ago. Apparently, he had some stuff to do at home.’

Samuel tried to hide the disappointment in his voice. ‘Oh.’

Sandra however noticed the crestfallen look on his face and tried to cheer him up. ‘I think he left you something in your room so that’s something.’

Samuel frowned in curiosity. ‘What?’

‘Well, I didn’t ask. I was a bit preoccupied at the moment as I am now. If you would excuse me I’ve got some very unhappy lab monkeys to placate.’

Samuel nodded and she disappeared back into her lab. He turned and made his way back up the large staircase. His room was dark when he entered and after tuning the lights on, he noticed a large neatly wrapped package on his bed.

He opened the lid and was met with the sight of two fluffy black and white rabbits. They wiggled their pink noses curiously as they blinked up at him and the black one placed his paws on the edge of the box as it tried to peer out.

There was a note lying inside and Samuel picked it up. It was written in Jayden’s beautiful cursive hand.

I figured that you’ve spent enough time with stuffed animals and it was high time you got ones that can actually you know, do stuff. It would give you a second chance to practice your name-giving skills and I swear to God if you give them a name as horrible as pickles I would have you arrested for animal cruelty. I couldn’t decide between the two so I decided to just get both. Anyway, hope you like it.
Merry Christmas.
Jayden.

Samuel couldn’t stop the silly grin that spread all over his face. He placed the note down and picked up the black bunny which was struggling to climb out the box. He nuzzled his face on its fur just as his phone pinged.

He held the bunny with one hand as he used the other to reach for his phone. It was a text message from Jayden.

‘Hey idiot, are you home yet?’

Samuel smiled and quickly typed out his reply.

‘Yeah, got home a few minutes ago. Saw your gift.’

‘Oh, did you like it?’

‘Are you kidding me! I absolutely loved it! Thank you<33.’

‘So what are you gonna name them? Please tell me it’s not something disgusting like pickles.’

‘Actually…’

‘I will fight you.’

‘Lmao calm down, I was just kidding.’

‘You better be. But seriously what names are you giving them?’

‘Well, I think I’m gonna call the white one Jay and the black one Sam.’

Jay hopped onto Samuel’s lap and tried to climb up his stomach. Sam sniffed Samuel’s hand as it wiggled its ears.

‘Are you still there?’

‘Yeah. Just surprised.’

‘Lol well they remind me of us. The black one almost jumped into my arms when he saw me while the white one took a while to warm up to me which reminds me of you when we first met.’

Samuel raised the phone and took a quick selfie. He sent it to Jayden.

‘I think Jay has a thing for me.’

‘Of course he does.’

‘I can feel you rolling your eyes all the way from here.’

‘And I can feel your yawn all the way from here.’

‘I’m not yawning.’

But as soon as he sent the text his mouth opened in a wide yawn.

‘Witch.’

‘Not witch, devil’ Jayden corrected. ‘Now go to sleep.’

But Samuel had already fallen fast asleep. Jayden shook his head when he didn’t get a reply after a while. He tossed his phone aside and stared up at his ceiling as he tried to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to engulf him.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Here’s a pic of Samuel’s family’s mansion. Don’t forget to vote if you enjoyed the chapter and lemme know what you thought in the comments.

Peace out. ✌🏾

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