Chapter Four

After hearing the announcement that their plane is close to the airport, Simon sat up on his seat and looked out the window. He booked a first-class seat on his way home, so he is enjoying a cozy and comfortable position inside the vehicle.

While staring at the clouds, he then recalled the phone call he received from Lee. His friend is inviting him to hang out at his guest house that week, and all their other friends are also invited.

After a stressful week that he had back in France because of his family, especially his father, Simon thought that accepting Lee’s invitation for a week-long getaway would be the best idea for him to relieve his stress. Besides, he is also missing his friends. He meets up with some of them from time to time, but ever since his family started living in France, all he can do is chat with them online.

He smiled to himself as he recalled the close-knit friendship he has with his friends which all started when they were still young. But in the midst of all that, he had a special bond with Hans, who is usually his roommate when they got separated from their other friends when they went to all-boys boarding school.

As they grew, his adoration as a friend towards Hans grew into something more, and for years, Simon kept it from him. All he could do was to show Hans how important he is to him, even though he comes off as someone obnoxious or clingy – two things that Hans dislikes. 

This is the reason why in the recent years, Hans became more irritated rather than happy to see him. He knows Hans isn’t mad at him, but his friend is automatically annoyed the moment he starts treating him like he is someone so fragile.

But Simon couldn’t help it. He sees Hans as someone he has to protect, and even though he tries not to, he just couldn’t stop himself from expressing how much he wants him.

In a way, Simon liked it when Hans is annoyed at him. Hans tends to ignore him when he is starting treat him like he is so weak, so when Hans is annoyed, it meant that the man will talk to him, or even argue with him. Simon knows it is petty, but that is his way of getting Hans’ attention.

While he is lost in his thoughts, the pilot’s voice started to echo inside the plane, telling them that they are about to land.

Simon’s heart thumped in anticipation. After several years, he is finally going home. He is finally going to see his friends again. He is going to get a glimpse of Hans, whom he truly missed.

For a while, he wanted to escape the stress and problems caused by his family. Just for a week, he wanted to forget the broken engagement he caused and be with the man he loves. 

As Simon left the plane and walked at the arrival area, he saw his assistant, Theo, waiting for him with a smile on his face. Taking his things, he went to the man who immediately took everything and placed it inside the car.

After that, Simon went inside, and checked his phone to see messages from his friends. As expected, he got several messages from Lee telling him to confirm his presence, and from Elliot who is informing him that they have Hans with them is surely to be there at the guest house.

A smile of anticipation appeared on Simon’s face, and he just cannot help but feel excited about it. Finally, he is going to see Hans again. 

He bit his lower lip, and felt butterflies flying in his stomach. He missed Hans so badly, and now that they’re going to see each other again, Simon will make sure that he will not lose him anymore.

Hans will know what he feels, and Simon will make sure of that.

********

When Lee’s yacht stopped at the seashore, the caretaker of the guest house he owned approached him immediately and helped him secure the vehicle he used in place. After that, he went down from it and helped his caretaker carry out the things and supplies he brought and brought it all inside the house. The back of the house is facing the seaside, so Lee has to go through the kitchen door at the back in order to get in.

Once the caretaker is done opening the gate and the door in the front of the house, he went back to Lee and handed him the keys to the house. 

“Here you go, Sir…” the caretaker said with a bright smile on his face, “It’s a good thing that you visited this, Sir. It’s the best time of the year, you know. The sun is shining brightly so you can really enjoy the summer. The waves are perfect for water sports if you want to.”

Lee smiled and nodded as he kept the keys inside his pocket, “My friends will definitely love this… Oh, and by the way,” Lee then took his wallet out and took some paper bills from it and handed those to the man, “Here you go. For your good service.”

“But Sir, you’re already paying me too well…” The caretaker responded, looking embarrassed, “I don’t think I can take –“

“I insist. You deserve it anyways. Now enjoy yourself for the whole week off since we’ll be here for a week. Go treat your family somewhere nice.”

The caretaker smiled brightly as he placed the paper bills inside his pocket. “Thank you very much, Sir… I’m going to go now. Enjoy your vacation, Sir Lee.”

Lee responded with a nod and smile, before entering the house from the kitchen door. Once he passed the fully-furnished kitchen, he went further and reached the living room. 

It has a massive couch, with some massive bean bags where people can sit on. The floor is covered with maroon carpet, and the television was so massive the whole placed looked like a mini-theater.

Lee then looked around the place and heaved a contented sigh. It may be empty for now, but soon enough, it will be filled with laughter and noise from his friends. Starting tomorrow, the friends he invited will be arriving, and together, they will enjoy a chill and fun weekend free from the stresses of their jobs and the city itself.

A smile then slowly crept on his face, and he cannot help but feel excited at the notion that he will see his closest friends again.