THE DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE

CHAPTER 4.2 SECOND CHANCE

''Most importantly, your identity here is a secret, and it will continue to be so, understand? William warns him, he is afraid that his enemies and ghosts of his past will try to find his son's location and take advantage of their situation to cause him harm. "It's for your good," he convinces him.

''This world ain't that nice. They might hurt you or even take advantage of you. Even though this institute is for elites, most of them are scandalous; they are out for your blood. They have been trained to be scheming and vicious. Keep your head and wait. Once everything cools down, I will come back for you." William looks down at his son. His rosy cheeks were now pale; it was too cold. He wondered if Sam would get used to the cold climate. His face folded. He didn't like the idea. His fragile son looked too young to be living away from home, away from his protection. He feels reluctant and worried about leaving his son in a foreign country where he doesn't hold much power. It hadn't been an easy choice when they decided to send him away, especially now when they felt he needed them most, but it had to be done. ''You know what, Dad, that's something scary to tell your son.'' Sam teases, faking a horrified look.

William stands still for a moment and turns, staring at his clueless son. He signs loudly, then quietly opens the trunk and remarks,'' Our family has some powerful enemies, Sam. Don't trust others easily, he warns, silently avoiding Sam's gaze. If only Sam had paid attention to his father's words, he wouldn’t have made friends with the likes of Julius, his Judas. Sam turns and looks at all the luggage they had prepared for him and shakes his head.

''Dad, just look at my luggage. Mum overdid it. How is this not telling everyone I am from a very rich, powerful family? Just the bags alone cost a fortune. "I am sure everyone is very interested in what it carries.'' Sam laments, and before he can even finish his statement, William flips his finger on his forehead.

''Tch, shut up, quiet." he raises his ring finger to Sam's lips." I am the one who packed these bags, and they are only essentials. I am still angry at your mum. She unpacked the other bags I had prepared for you.'' By now, Sam’s eyes had gotten watery, filled with tears. His family went crazy, frantic, and tried to pack everything they thought he needed. He gets all emotional. This was his first time away from home without his family. And they were making it hard for him.

''Dad, I am going to be okay. 'You are overdoing it. You have packed so many bags,'' Sam states as his glazed eyes begin tearing.

William walks to Sam, wipes his tears away gently, and holds him warmly in his arms. ''It's okay, you will be safe," he says, holding him close to his chest. Sam had been feeling a little worried that he was going to be left behind alone. He felt a little better after the hug, and that feeling faded away with the tears.

''Sorry, son, I am new at this. I just want to support you as much as I can. I want to be there for you. He parts Sam’s back gently and then proceeds to take out the luggage.

Sam’s family loved him a lot. If there was no other choice, they would never let him study abroad, especially his elder brother.

Even though Sam was a boy, they felt overprotective towards him, and his feminine features did not help at all. He always attracted bullies. His petite, delicate figure, wide hips, white skin, and starlight blue eyes gave him an angel-like appearance. Like a pretty doll, everyone wanted to touch him, especially before he cut his long golden hair. If one had not known him personally, they wouldn't identify him as a boy.

Two senior students exchanged compliments while looking at Sam. At the same time, George was walking past the students in the admissions block and thought they were exaggerating the words. So far, no one had surpassed the beauty of his young love. The one he loved, the one he yearned to see again.

''Who is that? Wow..... 'He’s gorgeous.'' George frowns. He never liked that comment. Only one person deserved it; only he fits that description, but he was far away, out of reach. He missed him a lot, and sometimes, when he was lucky, he saw him in his dreams.

''He is indeed very beautiful.'' Another student agreed, irritating him further. He increases his stride and rushes past them. Their conversation bored him.

He had not intended to look, but the golden hair caught his eye. It reminded him of someone. He turned where he stood and took a peek, then stopped, really looked at the young man. Sam looked so small from where George stood that he wasn’t sure what he was seeing.

He thought he’d wanted to see him so much that he was hallucinating. Then he turned around and looked. "He is here," he uttered as a gentle smile appeared on his face.

The familiar warmth he'd missed flows back to him like an avalanche, overwhelming him. The cold and dark walls suddenly felt alive and bright. George felt Sam was shining brightly like the sun, illuminating everything and flashing out all the shadows, drawing him in like a beacon. He was dressed heavily in purple. He would have to suffer for a few months before he gets used to the cold. He thought.

He gazed at the young, beautiful man and knew by heart who he was. His image was stuck in his mind vividly, like yesterday. Sam had not changed much; he only grew about an inch taller. And had gotten more gorgeous. George couldn't stop his feet from moving in that direction. He wanted him in his embrace, hold him in his arms, confirm to himself he wasn't dreaming. Was Sam here for him? He kept asking in his mind.

He walks towards Sam, taking long strides as all their beautiful memories come flowing back to him vividly. Is he here for me? Why was he here? Did he follow me here? Is he also looking for me? Does he even remember me? Countless thoughts run through his mind as he moves fast towards him. But the questions didn't matter anymore; he was there.

He walks right to Sam, excited, holds him in his arms, and lightly kisses him on his forehead. He was direct, his eyes on Sam, as if the five years had changed nothing between them. Surprised, time stops for Sam, and he feels like he is back there, under the umbrella tree. Falling for him all over again. George staring at him with so much emotion renders Sam mute. He couldn't react to his embrace; he didn't even have the chance to get angry at how familiar he was acting with him. His heart leaps; it knows and recognizes who he is. It feels so right, like he's meeting an old friend. He wraps his arms around him; he wants this. He needed it to feel him, real and hard against him, driving away the lonely thoughts. George stands there holding him close to his heart, tightly in his embrace, fearing he would get away again.

''Hello,'' he whispers next to his ear, his voice cold and commanding, but still feeling warm. Sending tingling sensations through his body. Brushing Sam's blond hair away from his eyes. Sam looks up to meet his eyes. There was a scar on his face now, just above his right eye, wiping away his teenage looks. He looked older now and a little disturbed, but his gray eyes still held the same deep meaning while looking at Sam. The years between seemed to have changed nothing. The young man was now a gorgeous, charming, mature man. And his looks were a hundred times better. Sam gets lost in his eyes.

''Hi.'' Sam stammers ''I know you.''he states, gazing back into George's eyes. He couldn't think of anything constructive to say; his mind was blank. For the first time in years, he felt no pain. A cold light breeze flurries by, and Sam willingly burrows into his embrace. He closes his eyes, subconsciously yanking at his jacket, desperate to feel as many sensations as possible. He curled into his warm chest, the feelings of loneliness fading away.

''Yes, I know.'' He answers back, smiling sweetly. A smile that only Sam could recognize. He gently brushes his hair back. ''I missed you. " He gently whispers.

''Where did you go? Why did you leave me? Why didn't you come back for me?" Countless questions crossed Sam's mind.

He wanted to ask so much, but now, standing next to him, in his arms, he couldn't utter a word. All he could do was stay in his arms for as long as he could and satisfy the yearning in his heart.

George, now twenty-eight years old, had gotten taller and stronger. His short, groomed dark hair highlighted his thick eyebrows.

His imposing, powerful figure and calm, stern appearance gave him a very majestic aura. And his mature appearance intimidated William. Who had been watching the drama unfold with an open mouth? He was furious at how a stranger acted entirely entitled towards his son.