Ethan hadn't visited his mom in such a long time, but at least he wasn't receiving those dreaded calls from the hospital about the bills. That was all thanks to Lucien. He smiled as he stretched himself, feeling a bit more at ease.
Today was Saturday, and he was determined to visit his mom no matter what. With a smile, he got up from his small bed to take a bath.
Just as he was about to head to the bathroom, his phone rang. He groaned and stretched out his hand to grab it from the bedside table. When he saw the caller ID, he gasped. It was Lucien. Clearing his throat, he answered the call, "Hi."
"Hey, Ethan," Lucien greeted him warmly. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good, thanks," Ethan replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite his surprise.
"Good to hear," Lucien said with a hint of amusement. "By the way, I'm at your door."
Panic surged through Ethan. He had just woken up and wasn't prepared for a visit from Lucien. His mind raced as he tried to quickly tidy himself up. But then he remembered that he had woken up at Lucien's place before; this wasn't entirely new territory.
Still, he rushed to the mirror, attempting to smooth down his hair with his fingers. After a quick glance to make sure he looked somewhat presentable, he hurried to the door and opened it.
Lucien stood there, looking as impeccably composed as ever. Ethan couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious, but he managed a smile. "Hi, Lucien. Come in."
Lucien stepped inside, his eyes briefly scanning the small apartment before resting back on Ethan. "Sorry for the surprise visit," he said with a small smile. "I just thought we could spend some time together today."
Ethan nodded, his initial panic subsiding as he closed the door behind Lucien. "It's fine, really. I was just about to get ready to visit my mom."
"That's perfect," Lucien said, his eyes lighting up. "I'd love to meet her."
Ethan's eyes widened in surprise. "You want to come with me to visit my mom?"
"Of course," Lucien replied, his tone sincere. "If you don't mind, that is."
Ethan blinked, still processing the unexpected turn of events. "I don't mind at all. Just give me a few minutes to get ready."
Lucien nodded, settling into a chair. "Take your time. I'll be right here."
Ethan quickly made his way to the bathroom, his mind racing. He hadn't anticipated spending the day with Lucien, let alone introducing him to his mom. But as he showered and got dressed, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness.
A short while later, he emerged from the bathroom, feeling more refreshed and ready for the day. Lucien looked up from his phone, giving him an approving nod. "You look great."
"Thanks," Ethan said, feeling a blush creep up his cheeks. "Ready to go?"
"Absolutely," Lucien replied, standing up. "Let's go visit your mom."
As they left the apartment and headed towards the car, Ethan felt a mix of emotions. The surprise visit had thrown him off balance, but Lucien's presence was oddly reassuring.
As they entered the car, Ethan couldn't stop himself from asking the question that had been nagging at him for a while.
"Why are you being so kind towards me?" he asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity.
Lucien rolled his eyes but smiled. "Why can't I be?" he countered, throwing the question back at Ethan.
Ethan didn't understand why Lucien was so insistent on helping him. The moment he mentioned visiting the hospital, Lucien had wanted to come along. It made him feel like maybe the other man was pretending.
The drive to the hospital was casual, filled with light conversation. Ethan pointed out a few landmarks, and Lucien listened attentively, occasionally asking questions that kept the conversation flowing smoothly.
When they arrived at the hospital, Ethan led Lucien through the hallways to his mother's room. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the soft beeping of monitors created a constant background noise.
Ethan's mother, Helen, looked up as they entered, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Ethan, my dear! And who is this handsome young man?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"This is Lucien, Mom," Ethan introduced, feeling a bit awkward. "He's...a friend from work."
Lucien stepped forward with a respectful nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Taylor," he said, his voice gentle and sincere.
Helen beamed at him. "Please, call me Helen. Any friend of Ethan's is a friend of mine."
Ethan watched, slightly unsettled, as his mother and Lucien exchanged pleasantries. Helen seemed to take an immediate liking to Lucien, charmed by his manners and respectful demeanor. They chatted easily, Lucien asking about Helen's health and listening attentively to her stories.
As they talked, Ethan couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. He appreciated Lucien's kindness, but seeing how easily his mother warmed up to him made him uneasy. It was as if Lucien had effortlessly slipped into their lives, and Ethan wasn't sure how he felt about that.
"So, Lucien," Helen said, her eyes sparkling with interest. "How did you and Ethan meet?"
Lucien glanced at Ethan, a small smile playing on his lips. "We work together," he explained. "I was fortunate enough to see Ethan's dedication and hard work firsthand."
Helen nodded approvingly. "My Ethan has always been a hard worker. I'm glad he has someone like you looking out for him."
Ethan shifted uncomfortably, feeling like he was on display. "Mom, do you need anything? Water? Another blanket?"
Helen shook her head, her attention still on Lucien. "No, dear, I'm fine. But tell me more about yourself, Lucien. What do you do?"
Lucien gave a modest shrug. "I run a few businesses. It keeps me busy, but I enjoy it."
Helen nodded, clearly impressed. "That sounds wonderful. I'm so happy Ethan has found such a good friend."
After a while, Ethan and Lucien helped Helen with her medication and made sure she was comfortable. As they prepared to leave, Helen took Lucien's hand in hers. "Thank you for coming, Lucien. You've made my day."
Lucien smiled warmly. "The pleasure was all mine, Helen. I hope to visit again soon."
Ethan could see the genuine gratitude in his mother's eyes, and it made his feelings even more conflicted. As they walked back to the car, the tension between his gratitude and unease grew stronger.
Once they were in the car, Lucien turned to Ethan. "Your mother is a wonderful woman. It's clear where you get your kindness from."
Ethan managed a small smile. "Thanks, Lucien. It means a lot to me that you came."
Lucien started the car, driving smoothly out of the hospital parking lot. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke again. "Ethan, I think it's time you moved into my penthouse."
Ethan's eyes widened. "What? Why?"
Lucien kept his eyes on the road, his tone firm but gentle. "Your place is too small, and I have plenty of space. It'll be more comfortable for you, and you'll have access to everything you need."
Ethan shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't just move in with you."
Lucien sighed, glancing at Ethan. "Remember our deal, Ethan. You agreed to follow my lead, and I think this is the best step forward for you."
Ethan felt a wave of frustration. He knew Lucien was right in some ways—his apartment was cramped, and the idea of living in a luxurious penthouse was tempting. But the thought of being so close to Lucien all the time made him uneasy.
"I...I need some time to think about it," Ethan finally said, his voice wavering slightly.
Lucien nodded, his expression softening. "Take all the time you need. But just know that my offer stands, and I only want what's best for you."
As they continued driving, the city lights flickering past the windows, Ethan's mind raced with thoughts and emotions. The day had been overwhelming, from the visit with his mother to Lucien's unexpected proposition. He glanced at Lucien, who seemed calm and composed, and wondered what the future held for them.
Would moving in with Lucien really be the best thing for him? Or was he stepping into something he wasn't ready for? As the car glided through the streets, Ethan knew he had some serious thinking to do.