Chapter 2. Stay Over

Chapter 2. Stay Over

Stay over..

"Wow, Jack, your apartment is so beautiful". Daniel put his bag pack on the couch putting his shoes in the shoe rack.

Jack smiled going to the kitchen to dish out the dinner they bought on the way.

"Let me help you ". Daniel asked him about the utensils and took the plates and spoons to the table as Jack dish out the food and brought it on the table.

They enjoyed their dinner with steak, dumplings, fried rice. And fried pork as Daniel loved it, paired with chilled beer.

"Jack, you live here alone"? Daniel asked once they settled in the lounge after doing the dishes.

"Well yes. It was a gift from my family. It is an escapade. Usually I would come here when I had to work on my late night assignments. Or when I would be so tired to go home after university I would come here. But yes now I stay more at home because Mom gets upset.

My sister in law, she is a strong woman. She never left us even after my brother died. She lost her baby too because of the depression phase. She took four majors. She has completed her degrees in Business Administration, law and two more to manage our firm. And we are so proud of her. Also I and she we are planning to start a small company too. But let’s see". He told Daniel while Daniel was looking intently at him.

"Wow. You have got so much in the plate huh"? Daniel praised him. Jack just chuckled.

"So what do you want? Is it movie marathon or games"? He asked going to the LCD and Daniel was fast to opt for games. He loved playing online games. So Jack set up the PSP and its consoles with Daniel's favorite games.

Time flew as they were deeply immersed in their games. They would shout, scream at each other. They would bro fist when their team won the game. They played against each other and it was a tie.

"Wow. You are a pro eh"! Daniel punched his arm while Jack was laughing. He really enjoyed the game.

"Come let’s sleep now. It’s past mid night. You can take bath in the guest room". He stood up pulling Daniel along.

"ii. Can’t I take bath in the morning? I don’t feel like taking bath. Pleaseeeee. Pretty please". Daniel pleaded but Jack shook his head.

"No bath, no sleep. Go go go". He pushed him in the guest room while Daniel was faking a pout. But he went inside to take a bath.

"Jack". Jack was in the lounge when he saw Daniel coming out of the bedroom in shorts and tee rubbing his head with towel.

"Hmmm"?

"Can I sleep with lights on? I cannot sleep in the dark". Daniel told him a bit sheepishly. Jack chuckled at his cuteness.

"Sure you can keep the lamps on. Bright light while sleeping is not healthy to sleep. Okay? Sleep now good night". Jack ruffled his hair while waiting for him to go to his room.

/*

Guys, he is such a stupid and boring. I am already bore. No drinks no p**n. How am I gonna spend three months.

Daniel sent a message in the group chat.

"Dont rush Daniel. Take it easy. Gain his trust. Try to get close. Don’t ruin everything in your haste. And for p**n, I have got new stuff. I will send to all of you". Mason said with a smirk.

"Oh hooooo. You f****. I asked you and you refused. And now you have new stuff in your mobile". Parker said teasing Mason and he just rolled his eyes.

"Guys...". He almost screamed at his chat.

"Okay okay wait. Now spend the night enjoying yourself until you get your hands on the virgin peaches". Wyatt winked before they all bid good bye.

*///

"Good Morning Daniel". Jack saw looking at the sleepy head coming out of the room. "How was your sleep"?

"Morning. It was good." He rubbed his eyes going to the table for breakfast.

".... It’s sooo yummy. You cooked"? Daniel was amazed discovering more sides of Jack's personality. "You are doing your PHD. You have a lush apartment. You cook so well. What else do you have in your sleeves "?

"Well we will get to know about that after breakfast okay"? He ushered him to start eating.

"Come". Jack took him to another room in the apartment after breakfast. It was arranged with all musical instruments. All the latest models.

"Do you play "? He was moving his hands on the piano.

"Well. I love music. I love to play music. It’s like my safe zone. Where I can be who I am". Jack said. Daniel looked around in awe. He was surely an amazing person.

"Can you play for me "? Daniel handed him a guitar that he accepted with a slight blush, because he never played for anyone. I mean his family would listen to his compositions, but not on request.

He took the guitar and sat on the stool whole Daniel took seat on the floor cushion. He was looking at him with so much excitement in his eyes. Jack smiled a bit before strumming the strings of the electric guitar.

He randomly picked a song by Ed Sheeran, singing the soft notes in his perfect angelic voice.

"Wowwww. Amazing. Can you teach me how to play too pleaseeee. Pretty pleaaseeee". Daniel kneeled in front of him holding his knees like a child.

Jack was laughing at his antics.

"What would you like to play"? He asked Daniel.

"Uhmmmm. Guitar maybe. I want to learn how to play guitar". Daniel said without a single thought. 

"Ohkeyyyy". Jack said. He held two guitars, simple, one for himself one for Daniel. He taught him how to hold it properly like a guitar and not a badminton racket.

He showed it to Daniel how to pick the Frets for the notes and when Daniel pulled the strings, the guitar shrieked with a horrific tone. Jack tried hard but he failed as he was rolling on the floor holding his stomach.

He saw Daniel sulking for a while and kept on playing wrong notes one after another until Jack raised his hands because he was tearing up for laughing out so loud.

"Oh... Hahahahha... I... Ahh. I guess we should. Hahhahaah. Move to piano". Jack said in between ragged breath due to heavy laughing.

"Oh no not at all. You mocking at me, is enough for today. Let’s keep it until next time when i visit you". Daniel stood up the stool smiling.

They had spent a good day together when Daniel received a call from his sister that they were back home and mom was asking for him..

"That calls the day. I got to go." Daniel turned to him who smiled warmly.

"Wait. Let me drop you". He took his wallet keys and mobile and locked the apartment as he was planning to go home too.

"See you at the university ". Daniel bid him goodbye as they reached the junction of the road where Daniel had to walk left and Jack had to drive right.

"Em. How are you? You are still awake"? Jack reached home and saw his sister in law in the lounge.

"Oh Jack. How are you buddy"? She left the files she was studying and went to hug Jack.

Em or Emily, she was the backbone of the Charles family. She was more like an elder son after the family lost their son. She was the best care taker of her mother in law. She was like a mom for the younger siblings. She got so much attached to Jane and Noah after she lost her baby.

For Jack, she was his best friend. A shoulder to cry. A buddy to celebrate. And a business partner. He was so lucky to have her in their life.

"I am good. Is mom sleeping? How's she doing"? He sat with her on the couch.

"Well, she is same as before. Sometimes she is just as before; sometimes she slips into her subspace. Doctor said we need to keep her happy so that she will regain her memories. Do you want to eat something"? She asked but Jack shook his head.

"No, Em, I am not hungry. Go to sleep. I will make coffee and will check Jane and Noah and will go to sleep. Let’s go picnic tomorrow hmm? Now sleep. Don’t tire yourself. Come on". He pulled her to go to her room and then went to the kitchen to make coffee for him...

"Jane. Noah". He knocked at their door as he saw light peeping out the door.

"Noahhhhh". The both ran to him to hug him tight. "You came after so many days". Jane said. They both were clinging at his left and right.

"Sorry babies. I know I am late. So how about we go picnic tomorrow"? He said and both children were happily jumping around.

He had to make sure to spend time with his family. He was getting too busy with his studies. 

Jane and Noah had to finish their assignments as they both were in high school so Jack left them after kissing their foreheads and making sure if they need any help.

He tiptoed to his mother's room. She was sleeping soundly. He sat beside her on the bed.

"Come back to us Mom. We need you". Jack softly kissed her forehead and her hands.

"I knew you would be here". He smiled hearing Em.

"She is thin ". He held her mom's hands.

"Yes she is... She misses dad and your brother. Try to come more often Jack. We need you". She laid her head on Jack's shoulder who nodded his head.

He would surely come home often.

**************

"So prince, how was it"? Mason held him as soon as he entered the cafe after 3 boring lectures. Well not boring but since his mind was wandering around, so he didn’t listen actually. And good thing he had no more classes for today…

"It was okay. He is rather domestic sort of a person. He is warm, gentle yet stern. He means when he says something. I am afraid what if it would be me sacrificing my ass for him". Daniel said sipping his Americano and his friends cracked up.

"That means my 50000 dollars are saved, because we did not bet on you sacrificing your plump ass". Parker said in between laughter. Daniel threw the chips at him.

"I am not gonna lose even a single penny. Just wait and watch". He stood up pulling his bag and left the cafe.

Wyatt saw him with a satisfied grin before turning back to the lunch. 

Daniel was on the way to Business block when he came across the flower shop in the faculty of arts. A thought lingered in his mind and he parked his car at the shop.

He bought a bouquet and went to see Jack. He knew he would be in the cafe. And just like he had assumed, Jack was in the cafe waiting for Daniel with lunch for both.

"Hey Jack". Daniel leaned down to back-hug him, wrapping one arm around him.

"Hi Daniel". Jack placed his hand on Daniel's arm.

"I have got these for you..." Daniel presented him the bouquet with 15 sun flowers. Jack looked at him with questioning eyes.

"Well. I... Uhh... You are like my sun. You light my life like the sun helps sunflowers to blossom. The sunflowers follow where sun goes. And they hang low when the Sun sets down.

My life gets dull and colorless too when I don’t see you. Umm. The shopkeeper told me 15 sunflowers are the sign of respect and loyalty. So I promise to stay loyal with you forever.

So please accept these with my respect for you ". Daniel said all while keeping his gaze low.

"Daniel, look at me". Jack lifted his chin with his finger to make him look into his eyes. "Who told you to be this serious hmmm? I like you all chirping around. Happily jumping like a kid. Trust and respect, these are heavy words Daniel. You have to earn them. We are at the beginning of our friendship. I respect your effort and I am really happy. So about loyalty and trust, let’s talk it when the time comes okay. Let’s enjoy what we have for now. What say"? Jack looked into his eyes and Daniel nodded with a smile.

"By the way, just to say, sun flowers are my favorites. Thank you". This time Daniel chuckled as he saw the pink dusting on Jack's cheeks.

"Aaawwweeee. My panda is blushing". Daniel pinched his cheeks and poor Jack could only get blush.

"Jack, uhm can I come over your apartment this weekend"? Daniel asked after their lunch. Jack thought for a while before nodding a yes. And to say Daniel happy would be understatement.

*************

They spend good time after dinner watching movies and even though Daniel had suggested watching horror movies, he was now trembling in fear to sleep alone in the room while Jack was pretending as he wasn’t concerned about Daniel while suppressing his smile.

One... Two...

"Jackkkk. Can I sleep with you"? Daniel finally spoke out while Jack busted into laughter.

"I knew it. I have arranged your pillow in my room. Let’s go". He chuckled while Daniel glared but he had no choice.

They slept peacefully well at least Daniel was no more alone and scared. He woke up in the morning with the sound of guitar. Doing his bathroom routine he went to find Jack sitting in the terrace playing a song with closed eyes. He was wearing a tank top and shorts and was looking so beautiful that Daniel couldn’t stop himself...

He walked to where Jack was sitting and cupped his face in his hands. Jack opened his eyes smiling but next moment his eyes open wide in shock was Daniel attached their lips together for a kiss.

For a moment Jack couldn’t move and the next moment all he knew was he slapped Daniel hard that he fell down with shocked eyes and hand on his cheek.

"Get the fuck out". Jack roared...

"Jack...listen... I am sorry..." Daniel held his knees stopping him to go. Jack clenched his fists.

"I said leave. Now. I don’t want to talk to you or see you. Leave.". Jack raised his finger and this time Daniel couldn’t say anything. He was so scared of this angry Jack that he saw for the first time. But he left the place as soon as he could, thinking he would talk about it later once Jack is calm down. But he didn’t know it was gonna be hell.

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Tabby