Do you believe in love at first sight?

Chapter11: Go for it

The next day, both of them received separate faxes from Liam, as if he already knew how everything would unfold.

When Ethan wasn’t around, Maxwell got a short message—“Go for it.”

Later, when Maxwell was out, Ethan received his own fax. It simply said—“Maxwell likes you.”

Ethan stood in front of the fax machine, stunned. Before he could even process it, another page came through—“Trust me, I wouldn’t lie to you.”

What did that mean? Ethan’s mind raced. If he told Maxwell that he had fallen for him at first sight, and that he was still in love with him, would Maxwell accept him? But Maxwell had mentioned before that he liked girls, hadn’t he?

Ethan stared at the two sheets of paper, Liam’s bold handwriting clear on the pages. After a moment of hesitation, he fed the papers into the shredder, watching them turn into tiny pieces.

Having slept late the previous night, and after crying so much that his eyes were swollen, Ethan had woken up early to open the shop. Exhausted, he spent about an hour downstairs before handing things over to the part-time staff and heading upstairs to take a nap. When he woke up, he walked past the study and only then noticed the messages on the fax machine.

It was almost noon, and he realized he had slept for nearly three hours. Looking around, Maxwell still hadn’t returned. Ethan wondered if there was enough time to make lunch before Maxwell got back.

As he pondered this, he stepped into the living room and noticed the small bear-shaped light blink. Since he couldn’t hear the doorbell, they had installed these signal lights around the house. If someone rang the bell, the lights would blink continuously. If someone opened the door, it would blink once when the door opened and again when it closed.

Sure enough, the light blinked again. A moment later, Maxwell stepped into the living room.

"You're back," Ethan said.

"Yeah, I saw you upstairs to rest when I went to the coffee shop, so I went to the company and came back. Are you feeling better?" Maxwell asked ,he is approaching Ethan and lifting his chin to see more clearly.

"I'm much better now, although I overslept. I haven't even started lunch yet, so you may have to wait a while," Ethan replied, his eyes still a little red, but much better after the nap. He can see more clearly now, without the previous tension.

"Not hurry. I still have things to deal with anyway. Come find me when you're ready, I'm in the study." Maxwell nodded, and Maxwell's thoughts briefly returned to the unfinished business before - he sent people to deal with a rebel group. Although the mission was basically successful, a few pawns managed to escape and needed to be caught before they caused more trouble. How could they slip away like this? It felt wrong.

"Okay." Ethan agreed, thankful that Maxwell didn't follow him into the kitchen this time. He was still thinking about Maxwell's strange behavior last night, and this time Maxwell seemed happy to let him cook alone, which made him feel relieved. Just as Ethan turned and walked towards the kitchen, Maxwell gave him a knowing smile, as if he had guessed exactly what Ethan was thinking. Ethan hurriedly retreated to the kitchen, embarrassed by that look.

When the sound of cooking sounded, Maxwell returned to the study to continue working. When he walked in, his eyes fell on the shredder. There were a few pieces of paper in it that he had not put there when he checked the fax in the morning.

He walked over curiously and took out the shredded paper. Since Ethan did not mix them up, Maxwell easily pieced the information together. As soon as he recognized Liam's handwriting, the words were clearly pieced together.

Maxwell smiled knowingly. So Liam had guessed that Ethan liked him. Was this Liam's way of encouraging him to take action? This interference from Liam was typical. But wait - Maxwell thought back. Wasn't this the first time Liam and Ethan met? No, it couldn't be. Maxwell recalled that he had been to Ethan's cafe once, although he didn't pay much attention at the time. But Ethan must have seen it clearly. So, it was really love at first sight? The thought that Ethan might have fallen in love with him at first sight filled Maxwell's heart with a calm joy, eliminating his previous frustration about those who had escaped. Now, all of this suddenly became insignificant.

Yes, his heart longed for the same thing. When did he start overthinking everything, becoming so hesitant and cautious? If he was going to do it, he should just do it. He wasn’t someone who shied away from consequences. Whatever happens, he’d deal with it. After all, things would work themselves out in the end.

With that realization, his mind cleared, and a sense of lightness filled him. Smiling, he began typing away on his keyboard, feeling refreshed and determined.

When Ethan came into the study to call him for lunch, he found Maxwell working with a cheerful expression, completely immersed in his task.

"Lunch is ready. What makes you so happy?" Ethan walked over and waited for Maxwell to look up from his computer before asking the question in sign language.

Maxwell responded with a mischievous grin. Without warning, he reached out, grabbed Ethan by the waist, and pulled him onto his lap.

“Ah!” Ethan gasped, flustered, his hands frantically moving in random gestures, unsure of what he was even trying to say.

Maxwell quickly caught Ethan’s hands, stopping the frantic movements, and adjusted his hold. He lifted Ethan slightly, then placed him facing him, straddling his lap.

“I. Like. You.” Maxwell deliberately mouthed each word slowly, ensuring Ethan could read his lips clearly.

Ethan blinked in disbelief, wondering if he had misread. Did he really just say that?

Understanding Ethan’s confusion, Maxwell signed the words again slowly: I. Like. You.

Ethan’s eyes widened in shock. He pinched his thigh, then let out a small yelp of pain.

This isn’t a dream?

“No, it’s not a dream,” Maxwell chuckled. And the best way to prove it…

Ethan stared as Maxwell’s face drew closer. His lips were suddenly enveloped in warmth, Maxwell’s hand gently covering his eyes, deepening the kiss. The heat of it, the deliberate teasing, made Ethan’s heart race.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ethan slowly lifted his arms, finally wrapping them around Maxwell’s shoulders. The rapid beat of their hearts against each other’s chests was undeniable.

No, this wasn’t a dream.

Maxwell had really said it—he liked him.