Do you believe in love at first sight?

Chapter 4.1

Ethan tried to hold back his smile, his lips twitching as he forced himself to glare at Maxwell in mock seriousness. “Doubting me? If you doubt my cooking, then don’t eat it! I was planning to make Wellington steak, but now I think we might as well stick with vegetables.”

Maxwell panicked and said “Ah! I was wrong, Ethan! I definitely won’t be full on just vegetables. Look, for the sake of my handsome face, please cook the Wellington!”

Ethan couldn’t hold it anymore. A soft chuckle escaped his throat, though he tried to muffle it, his laughter barely more than a breath.

Maxwell’s heart skipped a beat at the sound. His gaze softened as he instinctively reached out, fingers gently brushing across Ethan’s cheek. His thumb traced over Ethan’s lips, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with tender curiosity.

“Have you ever tried making any sound?”

Ethan’s heart raced at the unexpected touch, caught off guard by the sudden closeness, but he quickly calmed himself. His expression turned a bit melancholic. “I’ve tried. But Liam says it’s too hard to understand. The sound comes out broken, and I don’t know how to use my throat properly. I’m afraid of hurting my vocal cords, so I avoid trying. And even if I did, I wouldn’t hear it anyway. So… what’s the point?”

There was a deep sadness in his eyes as he spoke. It wasn’t something he could change, no matter how hard he tried. This had been his reality since childhood—a silence so profound it felt like an endless void.

Maxwell remained quiet, his heart swelling with a protective instinct. He wanted to shield Ethan from the world, from anything that had ever caused him pain. But he didn’t know how to express that, so instead, he focused on the moment at hand.

“Could you help me get that jar of mushroom sauce?” Ethan pointed up at the top shelf. “Having a tall person around is useful,” he added with a smile.

Maxwell sighed softly, grabbing the jar with ease and tossing it into the cart. His heart was still heavy, though he couldn’t quite explain why. There was something about Ethan, something that made him want to know everything about him, even if they’d just met.

“Take a few more jars,” Maxwell suggested. “It’ll save you from coming back too often.”

Ethan smiled and nodded. He continued picking out vegetables—potatoes, cherry tomatoes, broccoli—while Maxwell wandered alongside him, looking lost as he picked up a carrot, turning it over in his hand with a puzzled look.

“I don’t usually come to places like this. I hardly ever cook for myself,” Maxwell admitted, his tone somewhat sheepish.

Ethan’s mind drifted back to his friends—Liam, Drake, Michael. They rarely cooked either, always coming over to his place instead. It was because of them that he’d gotten so good at preparing meals. If it were just him alone, he’d probably settle for something simple foods most nights.like Tomato Spaghetti.

“You seem close with them,” Maxwell remarked casually.

Ethan offered a small, soft smile. “They’ve been really good to me.” There was so much gratitude in his words. Without those friends, he wasn’t sure where he’d be today—if he’d even still be around.

Maxwell nodded slowly, eyes thoughtful. “You’re good to them too, though. Always letting them go at your home and eat your food. ”

“It’s nothing,” Ethan said lightly, but the brief shadow that crossed his face didn’t go unnoticed.

Maxwell watched him carefully. “It’s not ‘nothing,’ Ethan.”

Ethan hesitated, his hand stilling over a pile of fresh vegetables. His bright blue eyes seemed to darken, worry and sadness flickering just beneath the surface. “If it weren’t for Liam to help me, It’s possible that I’m already de…,” he started, but then abruptly stopped himself, realizing what he was about to reveal.

Maxwell noticed the sudden change and frowned. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Ethan replied too quickly, forcing a smile.

“You don’t want to tell me?” Maxwell’s voice was gentle,but curious.

Ethan’s smile wavered, a bitter hint creeping into it. It wasn’t a story worth telling, not something he wanted to relive, especially not in front of Maxwell. Liam was like a brother to him, someone he could confide in without fear. But Maxwell… he was different. Ethan didn’t want to see pity or judgment in his eyes. The idea of that made his stomach churn.

“I’m sorry,Are you upset?”

Maxwell’s chest tightened at the sight of Ethan’s worried expression. He reached out, taking Ethan’s hands in his, squeezing them reassuringly. “I’m not upset. You don’t need to force yourself , okay?”

Ethan blinked, a little surprised by the kindness in Maxwell’s touch and words. For a moment, his hands tensed, but he didn’t pull away. Maxwell’s warm, firm grip was comforting.

Maxwell smiled softly. "Really, I'm not angry. Everyone has their own story, and not all stories should be shared. ”

The little jealousy he felt in his heart? Liam has been by Ethan's side for two years. I know Liam well, which is unreasonable, Liam is not such a gentle person.......

He chuckled and shook his head at himself. What was he thinking?

"What's wrong?" Ethan's soft hand slipped from Maxwell's hand, and the worry in his eyes was palpable.

Maxwell gave a sheepish smile, trying to brush it off. “Nothing. Just… I’m probably overthinking things. Maybe I’ve been idle for too long, and my mind’s getting restless.”

Seeing that Maxwell truly wasn’t angry, Ethan’s face brightened with relief, his usual gentle smile returning. “That happens to me too.”

Maxwell chuckled, though he couldn’t shake the odd sense of longing that tugged at his heart.

As they headed to the checkout with their cart full of groceries, Maxwell took over, pushing it easily with his strong arms. Ethan walked beside him, feeling an unusual warmth in his chest. He liked this feel, having Maxwell there, helping with such simple, everyday things. It felt good. It felt… right.

Later, after they’d shared a meal together,one Maxwell could only describe as heavenly,because It tastes great. Ethan quietly knocked on the guest room door. “Need help unpacking?” he asked with a smile.

Maxwell looked up from a small pile of clothes hanging in the closet. No. I'm almost done.

Ethan sat on the freshly made bed and looked at him carefully, his lips moving silently curiously. "What do you do for a living?"

Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "My main job is model. A few days ago, Michael asked me to do some model’s job, and my side hustle was running a company.

Ethan chuckled softly. "You all sound the same."

Maxwell scoffed, pretending to be offended. "The same? How are we the same?”

"Liam's main job is dating, and his side hustle is running the company. Drake's main job is photography, and his side hustle is running a company. Michael's main job is graffiti, and his side hustle is running a company. Willian’s main job is fighting, and his side hustle is running a company.”

Maxwell smirked and shook his head. "It's a miracle that the company hasn't gone out of business yet, isn't it?"

Ethan laughed again, so cute and sweet that Maxwell's heart pounded loudly in his chest.

"That's because you're both great at what you do," Ethan added, giving him a small, genuine smile.