Chapter 271
Cody pulled his hand back and nodded, avoiding staring directly into Ida's unreadable gaze.
"Thank you," Ida said softly, sensing abrupt withdrawal from Cody.
Before he could think deeply about the situation, Andre tapped his shoulder, "Hey, you said you were getting in tonight. Did you realise you had some urgent matter here?" He questioned in a lowered voice.
Ida chuckled, "Perhaps." He shrugged.
"So you knew he was returning today?" Jeremiah asked.
"I knew too, and you would've too, if you used your phone for communication," Jasper teased Jeremiah.
Jeremiah rolled his eyes, "Whatever. I'm glad you're back, we missed you, some more than the others, but we missed you all the same." He winked at Ida.
"I'll ask Royal to bring our meals," Cody said calmly and walked away from the uncomfortable scene.
Everyone was trying to create a moment for him and Ida but he knew Ida would be uncomfortable with the whole scenario so he simply excused himself and headed into the kitchen. It was better to stay away fromIda to avoid making him uncomfortable.
Back in the restaurant, Cross held Andre's hand and tugged him very slightly, "You said you had work to do." He murmured.
He needed to be alone with Andre, he wasn't in the best of moods to banter with everyone.
"I'll just take my stuff out of your room," Andre said, shaking Ida one more time and walking away, allowing Cross to hold his hand as they left.
They reached Ida's room and Cross watched with secret happiness as Andre picked his few things from the wardrobe and put them into his backpack.
Finally, the threat of Andre leaving their room was out of the way. He was now sure that Andre would be beside him every night, in the same bed.
"No, drop that," Andre said and walked over to Cross to take the backpack away from him, "You don't have to carry it, your wrist is still healing," Andre said, slinging the hand of his backpack over his shoulder.
"Okay," Cross replied, smiling.
Andre raised a brow and shook his head, he then turned and walked out of the room.
Cross followed quietly as they entered their room, his eyes falling on the box he had left on the table, the present Andre had given him on his birthday.
His heart surged with warmth as he picked it up and stared at Andre. He never really hated the gifts, he loved them. He was hurt because he believed that Andre had cheated on him, but that wasn't the case. Now that he had learnt the truth, he could finally appreciate the gift for the thought and love put into it.
He dropped the box on the table and unbuttoned his first three buttons so the golden chain of the necklace would contrast with his skin when he wore it.
Andre dropped his items in the wardrobe and turned around, pausing as he saw Cross staring at him in front of the dressing table, the gift box in his hand.
He sighed and moved toward the door, "I'm off to the casino." He said, looking away from Cross.
He didn't want to stay and play a push-and-pull game with Cross.
"Babe, wait," Cross said, facing Andre.
Andre paused in front of the door, "I've got work to do. Can we not chat now?" He asked tiredly.
Cross nibbled on the side of his lip, "No, I just want you... to help fix this around my neck.
He extended the box toward Andre, "Please, I can't fix it myself." He lifted his wrist that now seemed almost healed.
Andre stared at the box for a while before he quietly took it and walked over to stand behind Cross in the mirror.
He kept his eyes only behind Cross's neck as he put the necklace around his neck, locking it. He could feel Cross's longing gaze but he was no longer going to let himself fall for them.
He needed to think about the real world, not this fleeting feeling between them.
"Done," he said and was about to take his hands away from Cross's neck but Cross caught his hand, causing him to lock his eyes with Cross in the mirror.
Slowly, Cross lowered Andre's hand over his shoulder to place it over the initials beneath his collarbone, "Thanks for the gift, Andre. I love it." He murmured.
Andre slowly nodded, "It's fine, Cross." He replied, his eyes glancing down to their joined hands over Cross's chest and he felt his oqnhwart sting.
Moments like this make him question if it was really sensible to break up with Cross. Cross made him human, made him want to care, protect, and love. Did he really have to suffer them both just because of a few thoughts in his head?
"I don't get to receive the boyfriend treatment anymore, right?" Cross whispered.
Andre furrowed his brows, "What do you mean?" He asked quietly.
"You should kiss my neck, my lips, and then tell me how beautiful the necklace looks on me. But did none of those. You hate me now, don't you?" He pinned Andre with his vulnerable gaze, making himself open for anything Andre had to say.
Andre frowned, "I never said that." He said.
"Your actions do," Cross whispered, chuckling, "this mirror reminds you of our first time together, doesn't it? We were so perfect, so in love... but I understand, I fucked up." He sighed and released Andre's hand.
"Come on, I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable. Let's go, I'll accompany you to the casino." Cross spoke gently intertwining his fingers with Andre's, leading him out of the room.
Andre's head was loud with voices, decisions overriding one another.
He was so confused, so hurt, and so fucking in love with Cross.
But, if he was doing this again, they had to be as open as possible, no more secrets, no more omissions, that is... if, he was ever getting back with Cross
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