THE DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE

CHAPTER 1.2 LOVE INTEREST

Nate and his friends walk in majestically, Nate in the lead with four other young well well-known elites in the city. They draw attention to them as they walk in, which gains a few wows and squeals from the crowd. The rich and successful circle was huge, but when it comes to impressive young elites, only a few are counted, which has gained them a popularity badge.

Nate and his friends sit at the far side of the club, exactly opposite the VIP lounge, which gives them a better view and also exposes them to Sam and his friends. The three young masters, sitting in their usual private room elevated above the club's main hall, gave them the view of everything, attracting the attention and envy of all those who laid their eyes on them.

''I think they are checking us out.'' One of Nate’s friends comments loudly, causing the whole group to turn their heads upwards towards the lounge. Nate felt a flutter, a tingling sensation in his heart after the comment. He smiled gently. He shared a secret with Sam, and they were most definitely looking at him. The lights illuminated his face, long, narrow nose, sculpted mouth, and perfect jaws, his smile drawing the attention of his friends to tease him.

''Go ask if we can join them.'' One of his friends suggested excitedly, nudging Nate's shoulders lightly. He was one of those friends who attached themselves to those in power to rip off the free benefits. Nate didn’t like him, but there was nothing he could do to shake him off. He was one of them.

Sam is dressed in a light, see-through purple t-shirt, showing his delicate white skin. His perfectly curved collarbone is slightly exposed. His golden hair is a little overgrown, covering his right eye. Giving him an exquisite, feminine, unique look.'' Bewitching as always.'' Nate murmured, gazing up at Sam, his eyes filled with adoration. He had been in love with Sam since high school, and he even once confessed his love, but Sam acted too naive and even refused to acknowledge his presence.

Admiring him from afar brought back memories of the past. That night, Sam went stumbling into his room reeking of alcohol and heartbreak. Nate could still picture his messy look when Sam came stumbling into his room. Sam had followed him, thinking he was someone else. “Don’t leave me,” Sam mumbled, his voice thick from crying and alcohol. Tears running down his chubby cheeks made him appear like a toddler throwing a tantrum. He wrapped his arms around Nate, his face buried in his chest. Begging and complaining. “Why did you leave me behind?” Nate froze and deluded himself into thinking Sam was talking about him, as he had been watching him throughout the night. Sam whispered sweet nothings, "Hold me. Kiss me. I miss you. Don’t leave again. I am sorry, I shouldn’t have walked away." Sam kept mumbling until late at night, then he curled into his arms, clinging to him like his life depended on him, and fell asleep.

Back then, they used to call Nate the scholarship kid. A complete nobody at the prestigious school. And with such a status, he shouldn’t even have had the courage to approach the rich young heir. But he did, and something happened, but it all became a deep secret buried in their hearts.

''Nate, your crash is with them. Do you want to try? Maybe it's time you try again.'' His best friend teased, patting his back to encourage him while directing his gaze at Sam. Nate felt pressured; he didn’t want his friends to see his weakness. He laughed softly and looked away, 'If only they knew how hard it was to impress him or even get him to say a few words." Nate murmured silently under his breath, a little frustrated… and the secret they shared that Sam may never admit to. Like it never happened.

''That one is a hard one to crack; you will need to be more impressive to get him, and don’t forget Edward. He will be watching. If you mess up his brother, even just a little, he will have your head.'' His friend commented jokingly, and they all burst out laughing, but they couldn’t hide the fear in their eyes at the mention of his name. He was like a sleeping demon, and they knew better than to go pocking at him.

''Okay, watch me.'' Finally, after a few drinks, Nate utters very confidently as he sets aside his beer battle, standing up from his seat. He feels ready to try again. He summons all his courage, walks across the hall, and goes up the stairs to the VIP private room, his eyes on Sam.

Gary didn’t seem to pay him any attention. Zayn is all welcoming and merry, but Sam is blank, uninterested. His eyes are dull; they lack that special light. Rarely seen, it was fading away. He is staring out into the crowd, lost in his thoughts.

''He is coming our way, don’t look,'' Zayn whispers loudly, thrilled. Nate could hear him as he made his way towards them, walking majestically, his head raised proudly, smiling charmingly. He needed to get Sam's attention. He had achieved so much, and finally, he felt he could get a chance to be with him.

Even though their first encounter was warm and intimate, Sam avoided him afterward, and he felt it was all his fault, as he had nothing to show off, as he was just a poor senior. But he is wrong; his status was not why he got rejected, the magical encounter was not for him. The magical moment they shared was meant for someone else. A case of mistaken identity. Since then, he has worked so hard, gone through sleepless nights just to get where he was, worthy enough to walk up to Sam and exchange a few words, and hope for the best.

''I told you to stop looking, you know I don’t like it when others join us,'' Gary complained loudly, casually rolling his eyes. He intentionally lets Nate hear. Still trying to keep him away. ‘Now look what you have attracted.’

Zayn keeps his eyes on him as he makes his way to them, but Nate isn’t interested in his flirting, no matter how great Zayn was at it. Everyone knows he is off limits, and with Gary’s mysterious dark family background, everyone knew not to mess with what was his.

He is the youngest CEO in the financial world right now, and his company is generating billions. You should also be curious or at least interested in talking to him, as financing is your world, maybe exchange a few points, and he is gorgeous.'' Zayn keeps blubbering about how impressive the guy is, annoying Gary even more unknowingly, or maybe knowingly. Intentionally punishing him silently for something he had no control over.

''Yeah, I hear you, can you stop ogling him now?'' Gary retorted and looked away as Nate got to their table.

''Hi, I am Nate,'' he calmly introduces himself to the three. He pauses for a second and steals a glance at Sam, but he gets no reaction.

‘I can see him. He seemed too young for his age, with fair skin and piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through me, but he wasn’t paying his friends or me much attention. He was there, but his mind wasn’t present; it felt like he was somewhere else, staring out into the crowd beneath.’

''I am with a few friends and hope you don’t mind, we would love to join you…?'' he asks hesitantly, then turns and waves at his friends, and they wave back at him. Confirming their interest.

''Yeah sure.'' Zayn accepts sharply and instantly, then chuckles, very pleased with his answer. Which gains him a piercing, hard look from Gary. Not wanting to be part of their drama, Nate turns and gazes at Sam.

''Do you mind?'' He asks shyly, his gaze directed at Sam. He only wants Sam's acceptance, not theirs, but Sam is too quiet, lost in his thoughts. He hadn't realized there was someone else with them or even bothered to look. Curious looks from Zayn and Gary follow his gaze towards Sam, surprised at his courage. The guy had guts.

Nate had openly shown his interest in Sam, which elicited a giggle out of Gary. Which was very rare. Making both Zayn and Nate give him a questioning look. He was worried that Nate might snatch Zayn from him, but with how things were unfolding, it seemed Sam was the target, not his Zayn. Gary felt a spurt of satisfaction as Nate ignored Zayn's flirting. He relaxed in his seat, ready to enjoy the drama.

''Sam?'' he called him again, but no response came. Sam looks through him like a mirror. His presence is completely ignored. The silence scares him. His heartbeat picks up, pounding faster in fear. What if Sam dismisses him again, like someone who didn’t matter?

His face folded. The embarrassment and sense of failure felt overwhelming.