Chapter 7

Jeffery and Parker were noticing Lucas being mentally absent in the virtual meeting through video call. He was constantly glancing at the clock. It was 12.05. Why was Liam late? Did something happen? Did anybody hurt him?

He picked up his phone to call Derek but then he got diverted by one of his clients on screen.

He had to resolve the issue and he wasn’t happy with it. Trying to sum up as soon as possible, he adjourned the meeting and stood up to pick Liam himself when the door opened revealing Liam and Derek on his tail.

"The fuck Derek. Did you see the time? Didn’t I say to bring him as soon as he finishes for today? What took you so long"? Lucas was roaring as he held Derek by his collar.

Everyone was shocked. Jeffery was the first to regain himself.

"Boss. It’s 12.15 pm. Master Liam finished his day at 12. He is back to you exactly after 15 minutes". He tried to calm down his fuming Boss.

"Huh"!!! Lucas turned to see the clock and then Derek who was still composed but Lucas knew he must be shocked.

"I... 'eham' you may leave". He coughed to ease the atmosphere and signaled him to leave while he turned to Liam who was standing with Oh Not So Amused expressions.

Parker hung his head low to hide his big grin. The Mighty Lucas David, looking at Liam with nervous eyes. Jeffery let out a little chuckle only to be smacked by Parker.

"What was it Sir? You ask me to stay strong but here you are acting like a scared cat"? Liam said and that was it. Jeffery and Parker bust out into fits of laughter. Lucas felt his face heating up due to embarrassment.

"And why are you both laughing eh? Don’t you have work to do? Sir Lucas was worried about me okay. Don’t laugh". This time Liam turned to Jeffery and Parker who were gaping at the change of events.

"I am sorry Liam. I was worried. I didn’t check time. How was your day? Hungry"? He smiled taking Liam to the couch.

"Day was okay. And I am hungry yes".

"Jeffery, call for lunch. And ask the bank when will they come"? Lucas turned to Jeffery.

"Oh... They will be here by 1. Don’t worry. We will be leaving now. We are going to the manufacturing unit Boss, will be back at home in evening". Parker informed and they shared a meaningful gaze before Lucas nodded for them to leave. 

Liam was noticing how everyone was respecting Lucas. There was a certain aura around him. He observed how everyone was walking on egg shells around him.

The bank officers came on time and Lucas instantly got busy filling in the formalities. He would only called Liam to sign the papers one after another.

He didn’t know the limit of cash in his account. He didn’t know what cards Lucas was talking about. All he knew was the bank officials came and went after completing the process of opening a bank account for him.

"What happened"? Lucas turned Liam after everyone left. He was noticing Liam was rather quiet. “Was it a hard day"?

"No. It’s not like that. Sir!!!" Liam was hesitant to speak.

"Hmmm? What is it"?

"What do you do for living"? Liam asked the question he wanted to ask for long.

"I run my business for Engineering Supplies, manufacturing and Import Export". Lucas replied calmly. He saw Liam still thinking over something. He sighed holding Liam's hands to make him feel relaxed around him.

"What is bothering you, baby"?

"Why everyone is so scared of you. I have seen people thinking a thousand times before talking to you. It’s...."

"It’s because I am the CEO. I am the owner, their Boss. It is the norm baby. I have to lead 7 of my main offices here and virtually two abroad. I cannot go lenient. They need to fear me. They are supposed to be scared of me. Or else I won’t be able to run this company that I made from sweat and literally blood.

Everyone here should know that I pay them. I support them. I give them a living to provide for their family. They are provided with residence, according to their job description. They are paid best. Their children learn from the best education systems. Their families get the best health facilities.

And in return, they are supposed to know who their boss is. That’s their job description baby". Lucas explained in a firm, warm, yet a commanding tone. "Are you scared of me too"? He asked Liam who was just looking at him with wide eyes.

"No... I am surprised yes, but not scared. I don’t care who you are for the world. For me, you are my Sir Lucas. The one who cares for me. Who is soft for me. Nothing else matters". Liam smiled before leaning, putting his head on Lucas's sturdy chest.

Lucas let out a breath of relief he didn’t know he was holding before putting his arm over Liam's shoulder. He didn’t know why it affected him so much to think about Liam's opinion about him.

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

"Sir when I will graduate, I will join you too". Liam said casually enjoying dinner with Lucas, and Lucas had to take deep breaths not to choke.

"You want to join me"?

"Yeah Sir, I am in Mechanicals, I am sure I can work with you. Can’t I"? Liam said twirling the pasta around the fork. He moaned at the heavenly taste of the creamy sauce. Lucas had a great hand in making Pasta and stakes.

And unknown to him, Lucas would make sure to make it as delicious as Liam like, just to listen him moan. And again every time Liam would moan and that would send an electric shock in his body, leaving a tingling sensation behind.

"Yeah sure you can join me. No issues at all. Finish the dinner and sleep. You have classes in the morning". Lucas said looking at the time. It wasn’t late to say but he had a problem to entertain.

"Okay. Sir, can you please make stake for me this weekend. Na naaaa". Liam clasped his hands, showing his best puppy eyes.

"You are such a cheater. You don’t have to do this". Lucas chuckled looking at him being so cute. "I will make one this weekend". He ruffled his hair standing up to go and wash the dishes.

"I know but you agree quickly if I do this". Liam winked at Lucas making him laugh.

'What are you doing to me Liam'.... Lucas thought to himself as he saw Liam going to his bedroom after bidding good night.

He was standing in the window of his room, looking down at the roads. Life was still moving, people were either leaving to go out or going back home. And there he was standing restless. He knew it was dangerous. He knew it wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t planned. It shouldn’t have happened. He knew that but he failed.

He helplessly leaned his forehead at the glass panels.

'It shouldn’t happen. It should not. Stop yourself Lucas'. He was murmuring to himself as in scolding his heart but he knew it was already late.

Meanwhile...

'I don’t know if Sir Lucas would accept my feelings or not? What if he asked me to leave him? How would I live without him'. Liam clutched his plush bear toy to his chest, curling on the bed.

It wasn’t long ago that he felt his heart changing towards Lucas. He felt Lucas had become much more than a friend to him. He knew he had fallen for Lucas. But he was scared, scared of Lucas's reaction.

He had seen Lucas too busy to have any relationship. He was cold. He was heartless to the world. Even Jeffery said that Lucas was never into anyone. He didn’t even know if Lucas was into men or not. Hell, he didn’t even know his own sexuality. But that was the least concern. Because he knew he only felt this way for Lucas.

Gay or not, doesn’t matter.

'I will make him think about me. Just a little wait Liam'. He consoled his heart and closed his eyes with a determination. 

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

Liam was adjusting good in the University. He had a good hello, hi, with his classmates and few of seniors. Derek would keep a distance, just to make sure everyone knows Liam was not unprotected. He wasn’t required to report Lucas about every single minute, but he would keep a tab. He got to know the boy was important to Lucas as he had reacted on the first day.

But, it wasn’t his place to ask anyway. He had to do as he was commanded to do.

Many boys and girls had tried to approach Liam but this time Liam was careful enough to keep a safe distance. Not that he was asked to, but he didn’t want to add up to his plate. He didn’t want to make Lucas worried about him anymore.

He wasn’t rude, he would smile politely but everyone could see an invisible circle keeping him away to intrude his personal space.

But all in all, it was a good experience, so far. And Lucas was happy to know.

His regular lectures had started so Lucas had ordered Pete to drive him straight to the Penthouse instead of bringing him to the office. But he had to change his decision as soon as he saw Liam asking for his permission to come to him, as he promised he would do his assignments and won’t miss any work. He couldn’t stay alone in the apartment till Lucas would come back.

Lucas thought for a while and set up a little work place in his personal office for him to do his work. It was a win-win anyway.

He was just free from meeting as he entered the office. He saw Liam holding his head in one hand. He had his laptop open and his books scattered too, seems like there was a problem with his assignment.

"What happened"? He asked Liam who startled at his voice.

"Whoa sir. You scared me". He placed his one hand on his heart, taking deep breaths.

And he was soooo sinfully beautiful that Lucas pinched his cheeks, shaking his face a bit.

"Hoyiii sirrrrr". Liam was trying to swat the hands away, pouting, and it only made Lucas chuckled more. He bent down and kisses his both cheeks like it was the most normal thing for him, but..... Liam was frozen.

Lucas had moved to his chair documenting the details about his meeting and there Liam was all shocked. He couldn’t move an inch. He couldn’t think a word. Lucas... had... kissed his cheeks. He cupped his cheeks in both palms. He knew he was red.

Pulling up the hoodie on his face he bend down to put his face on the book, trying to hide the blush spreading on his face, ears and neck. He felt like a princess squealing inside after a prince stole her first kiss, even if it was on the cheeks and not lips.

"Shiaaaaa". He hissed screamed, curling himself into a snowball. Unaware of the pair of eyes that turned from warm to worry and then mischievous in just seconds.

Ofcourse he knew what he did wasn’t a spur of a moment. At that moment he knew Liam was his, only his and he had staked his claim.

They went back home by night. Lucas picked up dinner from take away. The silence in the car wasn’t uncomfortable to say. Liam was just looking out from the window. His one hand was supporting his chin on the window and the other carelessly on the seat near gear handle.

Lucas saw his hand, must be soft, he thought to himself. How would it feel? Again a thought lingered. He stretched his hand on the gear and cupped the hand, fitting it perfectly under his own.

Liam turned to see their hands and then in those chocolate eyes. Lucas looked direct in his eyes. He was calm and composed. He was aware of every single detail.  Liam again glanced down to see how Lucas turned his hand, palm side up, and wrapped his fingers around Liam's.

Lucas waited for Liam to pull off, as he was looking for any reaction of disgust or discomfort or dislike. But he found nothing, except a firm hold of fingers that replied his movements.

Lucas sighed in content and for the rest of the drive; Lucas used his one hand to shift between gear and steering wheel, while he kept holding the hand of the most precious person in his life with his other hand. And as he had thought, it was soft. A perfect fit for his rough hands. He could see the owner of the hand was trying hard for the second time in a single night to control himself not to jump in joy. All he could do was failing to hide the smile in his lips that indicated he loved the advancement of Lucas and kept blushing all the way.

Lucas parked the car in the basement. Liam unbuckled the seatbelt and was about to leave but his hand was still caught. He glanced at Lucas who shrugged just like that. Liam raised his eyebrows, trying to understand what he was up to.

"My... Ha...hand". Liam stuttered. But again Lucas didn’t leave it.

"What would I get to leave your hand, bub"? Lucas said leaning closer over the center console. Liam moved back until his back touched the door but his hand was still trapped, and honestly, there wasn’t any space left.

"Wh... What you wa ...want". For the first time Liam got scared. Did he miscalculate Lucas? Did he misunderstand him? His mind was screaming and may be it was so obvious on his face that Lucas instantly back off. All signs of teasing were gone.

"Hey. Baby. Breathe. Breathe Liam. Hey. It’s okay baby. I was just teasing you. Relax, bub". He pulled Liam in his arms to avoid him going in a panic attack. He shouldn’t have done this. He mentally slapped himself and kept rubbing circles on Liam's back until he calmed down.

"I am sorry baby. I was just teasing you, bub". He cupped his face as Liam pulled off a bit.

"I am sorry, Sir. I ... I just…" Liam said biting his lips. He wasn’t looking at Lucas.

"Liam. Bub, look at me". He lifted his chin up to look straight into his eyes. "It’s okay. I will never do anything to make you upset around me. I just felt...home. Holding your hand, it felt complete. Like nothing was missing. I just got carried away baby. I shouldn’t have. I won’t step in your personal space okay buddy"? He asked Liam who nodded. Phew. Lucas sighed in relief.

"Let’s go. Dinner will get cold". He stepped out of the car, took the bags and waited for Liam to take his things before going to the elevator.

"Sir".... Liam tugged his sleeves to stop him.

"Yes bub".

"I ... I felt complete too". Lucas didn’t get what Liam meant until Liam held his hand and intertwined their fingers together.

That was the most genuine and relaxed smile on Lucas's face that Liam saw. He clutched Liam's hand tight nodding his head as if promising, never to let go.

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Tabby