Chapter 228

"Morning, guys, I bet you slept well. Storms are my best sleeping weather," Pole greeted as Andre and Cross approached the table.

"Like a baby," Andre answered immediately. He didn't want Cross acting weird due to what happened last night.

He plumped down on the chair beside Pole, nodding at Jeremiah, who was staring at him.

Cross paused behind Andre, he was relieved that Andre didn't say anything about his episode from last night, but he balled his fists as he recalled that it wasn't because Andre was protecting his insecurities, it was because he didn't even remember it.

He sighed quietly and looked around the table, Andre didn't even bother to find him a chair. All chairs have been occupied. Without speaking, he headed to the next table and sat down.

"Aww, look at that. Someone's acting quite mature this morning, no tantrums," Thomas said to Pole, moving his head in Cross's direction.

"Yeah. Maybe the storm took away the stubbornness," Pole stage-whispered.

"Guys, let him be," Andre said to his friends.

He glanced at Cross and saw him listening to music with his earpiece. No wonder he didn't reply to them. He was almost about to believe that Cross had changed for a second. 

He looked away from Cross as a staff member came to ask what he wanted to eat. 

"Yo, where's Jasper? Don't tell me he's still sleeping. The weather must have got him bad," Pole asked no one in particular. 

Jeremiah shrugged, "Maybe." He replied.

Earlier that morning, he had left Jasper's room while he was sleeping. It wasn't as if he did wrong. He didn't owe anyone a morning kiss or cuddle, or even his mere presence. 

They were nothing, right? Just some bros having a sleepover. So, when morning came, he left.

"Could you pass me the salt? This is tasteless," Ida smacked his lips as he tasted his food. 

Thomas handed Ida the table salt, "Hey, Cody, maybe you should have a word with whoever prepared the breakfast. Mine is tasteless as well." He said.

"Mine is perfect," Andre shrugged, eating away.

"I'm sorry, guys. I'll speak to Royal," Cody apologised, glancing at Ida, who had failed to look his way once.

It was starting to kill him, the silence between them. He could feel the heavy tension between them that needed to be resolved, but Ida wasn't even giving him a chance to approach him. For how long was this going to go on?

"Andre, you're training Cross today, right?" Pole asked.

Andre glanced at Cross, who was quietly eating his food and listening to his music, "Yeah, Ken will come by later, too."  He replied. 

Today, he was training Cross as Sebastian had asked. He hoped the boxing session went well. He really didn't want any confrontation with Cross anymore. 

The guy was a ticking time bomb. He could explode on you any time, anywhere.

"I wish I could go to the gym, too. But work calls. I have to be at the beach bar. Words got to me that Leon booked a room in the hotel for god knows how long. He better not cause any scene in my bar," Pole sighed.

"Word got to you? I fucking told you so, bro," Thomas scoffed. 

Andre couldn't help looking at Cross as he felt a heated gaze behind him. And as expected, Cross was openly staring at him as if he were the one who had asked Leon to book a room in the hotel. 

He couldn't understand why Cross would be angry because of Leon. Firstly, he wasn't the one who kissed Andre, it was Florence, so why was he taking it so personally? 

Secondly, Leon hadn't even kissed his lips, it was his cheek. 

Why was Cross acting as if he had wronged him?

Well, whatever the reason was, he had already decided to keep his distance to avoid getting hurt again like last night.

"Hey, Ida, can I ask you something?" Pole questioned.

"No," Ida replied.

Pole chuckled, "Great. Then, my question is, when are you leaving? You know you have to tell us something. At least, as your bros, we deserve to know when you're leaving since we can't know the reason for your leaving." He said.

Jeremiah nodded, "Well, he has a point, Ida. Give us a time frame. We'll miss you, you know?" He smiled genuinely, giving Cody a secret look.

Cody stood from his chair, "I'll go speak to Royal. See you guys later." He left.

He knew Ida didn't want him there. If Ida was going to tell them anything, he would want Cody gone from the table. So, without being asked, he excused himself to allow Ida to speak freely.

"Soon," Ida said.

"Oh, thanks, that was so specific," Pole rolled his eyes. 

"Hey, Cross, aren't you supposed to look into the power outage? Customers are going to be displeased with your nonchalance," Thomas stated.

"I already called Florence, the light will be restored in a few minutes," Andre replied instead, giving Thomas a look that made him back off.

Thomas shrugged, "Was just saying." 

"He can't even hear you. The young boss is chilling with some music," Jeremiah pointed out Cross's earpiece. 

"Right," Thomas murmured.

"I've got to take this, Claudia is calling," Andre said and stood, moving over to a distance to answer his call.

Cross immediately turned his head towards Andre, he thought he was leaving, but when he saw him standing beside the arched window with his phone to his ear, he sat back and watched him, wondering what Claudia had to say.

His earpiece was just a front. He needed to make people think he couldn't hear them. He wasn't in the mood to bicker with anyone that morning; he was busy thinking about his night with Andre over and over again in his head.

How could Andre say he couldn't remember? Was the storm effect even real? Was Andre playing with him?

He kept wondering what to believe as Andre walked over to him.

"Hey, can you hear me?" Andre waved his hand in front of Cody's face.

Cross took the earpiece out of his ear and raised a questioning brow at Andre. "What?" He asked.

"Ken's here, it's time to go," Andre said.

Cross simply nodded and stood, heading toward the exit without a word.

Andre sighed and followed him behind.

"Good luck, mate,"  Pole wished Andre.

Andre turned back to nod at Pole.

"I'll need that," he murmured as he stepped out of the dining hall.

Outside, Ken was saying something to Cross beside Claudia's car when Andre walked out of the resort.

The sun was out, as if the storm didn't threaten to pull the building down last night.

"Andre," Ken called excitedly and ran toward him.

Cross stood still, refusing to look back at him. He was treating him coldly, right? Then it was fine. Two can play the game. 

"Hey, little boss. Miss me?" Andre gave Ken a high-five and held his hand, leading him back to the car.

"Nah, I missed boxing," Ken replied, smiling.

"I'm hurt, thought we were best buddies," Andre said as he walked past Cross.

"We are, but I don't miss you," Ken persisted in his brutality.

Andre chuckled, "Thank you for your honesty." He said, pretending to be sad.

"Hey, handsome. His bag is in the trunk. I can't do your job for you," Claudia pointed to the back.

Andre was about to head to the trunk when he saw Cloud fastened behind in his infant car seat.

"Aww, hey there, little man," Andre opened the back door and kissed the baby's cheek.

"Be careful with your closeness, he -"

"Ah, woah, I guess I can take that as a kiss," Andre wiped his cheek with his hand.

Ken chuckled, "He does that a lot, drooling." He pointed out.

"He's teething, I tried to warn you," Claudia said, shrugging.

"I'm good, I love babies. I love their drools, too," Andre wiped his hand on his pants, narrowing his eyes at the baby, "You did me dirty, Cloud, not fair." He said.

The baby cooed in reply, clapping his hands as if he understood what Andre had said to him.

Claudia chuckled, "Aww, isn't he the best?" She asked Andre.

"Of course," Andre said and went to take Ken's bag from the trunk.

"Alright, I'll be back in two hours to take him back," Claudia said, as she pulled her door shut. 

Ken frowned, "Come on, Claudia, I told you I want to stay here with Cross and Andre." He looked at Andre for help.

"Not happening, sugar pie. Your fathers would kill me. Your safety first," She replied.

"Ugh," Ken groaned and marched away.

"Bye, Cloud," Ken turned and waved before he angrily continued inside the resort.

"Two hours, you hear me? Don't give me that look, I know you want him here, too." She narrowed her eyes at Andre. 

Andre smiled, "I hear you, ma'am." He replied. 

"Bye, Cross," Claudia waved and reversed the car, driving off.

Andre slung Ken's bag over his shoulder, "Come on, boss." He said and walked away. 

Cross followed, "You like kids?" He asked, falling in step with Andre.

Andre glanced at him with a questioning look, "Yeah, why?" He questioned.

"So, you like girls?" Cross continued.

Andre paused and turned to Cross, "As much as this is a personal question, I would like to know why you're asking. Got someone for me?" He raised a brow.

Cross scoffed, "No. I was thinking, since you like kids, you'll probably want a wife who can give you a baby, right?" He folded his arms on his chest, maintaining his arrogant posture.

Andre chuckled, "Whose kid is Cloud?" He asked Cross. 

"Sakura and Claudia," he responded.

"Ken?" Andre asked again. 

"Sebastian and Zeno. Why are you asking me stupid questions?" Cross frowned.

Andre sighed. Cross was the first to speak to him but it still ended up in insults and attitude, "The people you mentioned have kids, despite being together with the same sex. So, what made you conclude I like women?" He questioned. 

Cross shrugged, "Then answer my question, do you like men or women?" He stared into Andre's eyes, waiting for his answer.

"Both, Cross. I like both. Love doesn't have a form. Whoever I feel something for, I go for them, regardless of gender," Andre replied and continued walking. 

Cross stood for a while, he wasn't pleased with Andre's answer. 

So if Andre was attracted to both genders, his partner had to watch out for both men and women. No peace of mind.

He shook his head at himself. Why was he worried about that? He wasn't the 'said' to be Andre's partner. Still, he didn't like that answer. 

In the resort's gym, Ken was already practising with a punching bag while Andre and Cross stood at a distance, in front of a bigger punching bag. 

Andre made Cross change into shorts and a black tank top, the same as what he was wearing.

"Alright, let's hope you don't let a kid throw better punches than you do, boss," Andre said, stepping closer to Cross. 

"Hit it, boss, let's get this over with," Andre said, observing Cross's perfect stance. He hoped his punch was just as perfect. 

Cross nodded and swung at the bag.

It barely moved.

Andre couldn't help laughing. He held Cross's shoulder and laughed. He stared at the steady punching bag and started laughing all over again.

"Get off me," Cross shrugged Andre's hand off his shoulder, frowning. 

"I'm sorry, boss, I'm sorry. I couldn't help it," Andre tried to control himself, forcing himself to keep a straight face.

Cross wasn't smiling. He glared at Andre, angry, "I'm done here." He said and turned to leave.

"Wait," Andre grabbed Cross's wrist, turning him back to face him.

"Fine, I'm sorry. That was unprofessional. My bad. We can do this. You can do this," he gently drew Cross near the punching bag and held his hand. 

"Your stance is great, and so is your aim. You just need to put more force... a great amount of force into your punch. You punch like a pu..." he paused and glanced at Ken, "You punch like a kitten, Ken would rip you apart in a fight." He stepped back and stood beside the punching bag.

"Punch it like you mean, Cross, Harder!" Andre gingered.

Cross clenched his jaw and nodded; he hopped around on his feet before he threw a very heavy punch forward.

"Fuck!" Andre staggered back in shock and held his bleeding lips, his shocked eyes meeting Cross's unapologetic ones.

"So, hard enough?" Cross asked smugly.

Andre wiped his lips and nodded, "Nice try... but I meant the bag. Damn." He sucked his lips into his mouth.

Cross stared at Andre's mouth for some time as he sucked on his lips, wondering what it would feel like to be the one sucking them for him.

'Shit,' he shook his head and looked away.

"Why did you hit me, Boss? The punching bag was right in front of you," Andre tapped the punching bag for emphasis.

Cross shrugged, "Payback." He stated, smirking.

Andre cursed under his breath, sniffing, "Okay, fair." He moved away from the punching bag.

"I see you've had a few lessons before. Please focus on strengthening your blow. For the record, you still punch like a kitten. It doesn't hurt," Andre said to Cross before walking over to Ken.