THE DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE

CHAPTER 5.1 STAY WITH ME

''Today has to be special. I don't know if he will like it. I hope he likes it.'' George thought anxiously, his eyes falling on the bottle of wine as his car came to a stop in front of their condo, and he stepped out. Sam deserved the best, and he had been toiling all day, moving from store to store, and finally, he had settled on red wine, Amor. He now had to come up with an excuse that wouldn't raise an alarm for having entered one of the most exclusive private clubs to buy a specific, old, and expensive bottle of wine for Sam.

For the past three months, they had grown more familiar with each other, but a thick barrier still stands between them, filled with emotions and words that were left unsaid. They never really went beyond a hug, a warm embrace, a smile here and there, and the rest was ignored. They let their feelings and emotions build up, waiting to explode at any moment, but they both still avoided talking about it. The misunderstandings yet to be solved and assumed concerns kept them apart.

It's been three months now, and they were both feeling the unbearable pressure. Staying in one room together was intolerable; the thick s****l tension between them filled the air, leaving them no room to breathe. They avoided staying alone in one room much longer than needed. Each time their eyes met, Sam couldn't breathe; he craved his touch. He wanted to be held and loved by him. His lungs felt constricted, and he had to walk away to stop himself from falling into his embrace. Their gaze competition always lasted for more than ten seconds, but when they were about to move to the next stage, they both restrained themselves. It felt like a hidden force was keeping them apart. Blinding them to each other's feelings.

Amorous thoughts always crossed George's mind each time he looked at Sam, wild and full of need and want, and it took him a lot of strength to hold back and not pounce on him again. So he did his best to avoid meeting Sam's eyes if he could. If Sam walked away this time, he would go crazy. He couldn't take another separation from Sam, so he patiently waited. He gave Sam time to accept and love him back. They always left early for classes together, had lunch and dinner together, but when they came back to their small, quiet apartment, the tension rose, and when the lust temptation got too high, they both had to avoid each other and retire to their rooms awkwardly. Being roommates had increased their attraction to each other immensely, but eventually, avoiding each other was becoming harder and harder.

The eyes in Sam’s dream finally had a face to them. And Sam did his best to hide his desire. He couldn't bear to lose him again, and George, not wanting to lose Sam, never spoke of their past. Building tension between them. They had so much to say to each other, but the starting point and time never seemed right. Apart from staring at each other, which was uncontrollable, greetings and goodnight, it was very hard for them to have a complete, deep conversation.

George opened the door and entered their condo. "It feels warm," he thought. With that thought still in his mind, a little nervous, he pushes the door open and steps into Sam's room. His bedroom was scented; the fresh smell of lilacs attacked his nostrils. He liked the scent of lilacs; whenever he smelled it, he thought of Sam, and his mind calmed. He walks in quietly, his eyes on Sam. He was sitting quietly in the other room listening to a soft classical instrumental.

Sitting at his study table with only the desk lamp on, Sam is engrossed in his studies. He doesn't notice George walking into his room. He needed to pass his exams to match George's intelligence. George was good at everything he did, especially his studies, and when staying together, he didn't want to look too far apart from him. George had barely touched his shoulders when Sam jumped up out of fright.

''Aaaah! You scared me,'' Sam stammered, breathing out heavily. Can you make noise when you come in?'' Sam patted his chest gently. He was shaken by the sudden appearance of George in his room. George was dressed in black, from head to toe, amplifying his imposing tall figure, giving him a gorgeous look. A sweet smile appeared on Sam's face. George looked very good. He couldn't get angry at him.

This was not the first time something like this had happened, but Sam still couldn't get used to his stealthiness. Sam had tried to find out more about George and his weird ninja behavior, but his files were blank, and he never talked about himself. Sometimes it feels like he has just popped out of the earth. But coming from a military family, Sam knew George must have served in the army. He couldn't hide that from Sam.

''Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you.'' He gently murmurs, gazing at Sam with deep love. So obvious, how could Sam not see it? He composed himself, then laid it all out at once.

"Yesterday I attended a private function. 'I saved this bottle for you,' George said, handing Sam the bottle of red Italian wine. He tried his best to convince Sam that there was nothing special about the wine. The lie came out quite naturally; he believed himself. He signed, relieved and quite satisfied with himself.

Sam stretched out his hands and accepted the bottle, ''Wow, Italian, such an extravagant party, he doubted, This bottle is expensive, like really expensive.'' Sam blurted out, excited. They had a few bottles back home, but they were part of his mother's collection and out of reach. Are you giving it to me?'' Sam asks cheekily, looking at him encouragingly, his eyes widening in anticipation.

''It is your birthday, right?'' George inquires, raising his brows questionably. He was sure it was Sam's birthday. But Sam seemed not to know it.

''Oh, no ''Sam utters, shocked. He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten his birthday.'' Oh! No'' he repeats. He stands up and starts pacing around the room. Then he turned around abruptly and gazed at George like he had just realized something'' I don't remember, no one does, but you do?''

He had been so busy studying for exams, trying to match grades, he'd forgotten his birthday.

Back home, there was always someone surprising him. This time, no one did. Not even his brother. Sam felt so betrayed; they had a lot of explaining to do. Even though it was already late, he started calling. He needed to let out his anger.

''I can't believe they forgot me, they have a lot of explaining to do.'' he kept murmuring to himself.

''Sam? Are you okay?'' George calls him out of his imagination of how he was planning to punish his family. His pacing back and forth reminded George of that fateful afternoon when Sam had lost it.'' You should sit down'' he said, pulling him gently to sit. He dismissed the thoughts; he didn't want to go back to that hurtful memory.

''Yeah, I am okay, thanks. I can't believe I forgot, and they also forgot.'' Sam utters, staring into space, trying to come up with a reason why they have forgotten. Birthday parties were a big deal back home. Even though most of the time it was a cover to run the family business and connect with their partners, it still meant something.

Sam sat down. He remembered him. Sam thought, amazed that George remembered. He turned abruptly and looked at George ''Thank you.'' he murmured, smiling at him. George remembered his birthday. Blind to their feelings and trying their best to hide from each other, did not stop him.

Back home, seated at the dinner table, his parents and Edward watched as their phone vibrated with no intention of taking Sam’s calls. They had been so busy, they had forgotten Sam’s birthday. Sending gifts quietly later on was a better option than picking up Sam’s calls. At least not that night. Even Belle was not courageous enough to take the fall this time. If not for George, Sam would have taken a flight home to cry about his grievances. George had filled his mind and thoughts. He didn't even feel the need to go back home. Somehow, George made him feel contented.

''It is a good wine, but don't drink too much, or it will be bad for your health,'' he advised in a gentle voice.

Feeling like he had completed his mission, George turned around and was about to walk out of Sam's room when Sam stopped him.

Abruptly, Sam held his hands, looking at him nervously. ''Wait, don't go. Please stay and drink with me. I don't want to be alone tonight.'' He stammered, his voice barely audible. In his heart, Sam hoped George would say yes. He wanted him to stay, at least for just that night.

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