From the Beginning

Chapter 13: Cookies

"Yes. That's why I'm telling you not to do it."

"Why can't I smile?"

Because it makes my heart beat so fast, I get lightheaded. Bailey replied in his thought. "Just don't."

"Understood." Yulian complied. "Bailey, could I ask you a question?" Yulian finished up his porridge.

"What is it?"

"What does it mean to like someone?"

"Um...I guess you think about the person all the time and want what's best for that person," Bailey answered.

"I see. So, you like me," Yulian concluded.

"How did you arrive at this conclusion?"

"You don't know me, but you let me stay the night at your place. Now, you're treating me to food and you're going to buy me clothes. Therefore, you want what's best for me."

"I didn't mean it that way," Bailey claimed. He does have a point. What am I thinking? I should stop thinking. Oh, no. He's looking straight at me. He can hear all my thoughts. I must not think.

Yulian didn't say a word but smiled brightly at him.

Oh, gosh! He has such a beautiful smile. Bailey admired.

I'm not supposed to smile. Gasping inwardly, Yulian's smile faded at once.

Bailey pressed a palm over his chest. My heart is pounding.

"It means that you're still alive," Yulian enlightened. "Sorry. I thought you said that out loud."

"Never mind," Bailey stated.

They headed to the mall to get Yulian some clothes after breakfast. Bailey picked out some shirts and pants, along with some undergarments and socks. Yulian stood beside Bailey while he was paying and noticed two ladies in their early twenties standing outside. One stuck out a hand to the other and was given a cookie. Seeing this, Yulian walked over to them and stuck his hand out.

Shocked at first, the one holding the box then decided to take out a cookie and place it in Yulian's hand.

"Thank you." Yulian smiled and took a bite of the cookie. "This is very tasty."

Bailey took the bags after paying and turned around to discover that Yulian wasn't there. "White, where are...?" Before he could finish his statement, he spotted Yulian standing there with the ladies and hurried over to them. "White, what are you doing?"

"I saw her giving out cookies, so I came over," Yulian responded honestly.

"I'm so sorry," Bailey promptly apologized. "He's from out of town, so he doesn't know how everything works here."

"It's okay." She smiled with a sparkle in her eyes. Goodness, they are both so handsome. Taking another cookie out of the box, she handed it to Bailey. "Here. You could have one too."

"You don't have to..."

"I insist," she interrupted him.

Bailey hesitantly accepted it and bowed his head apologetically. "Thank you." Putting the cookie into his mouth to hold it, he used that currently free hand to grab Yulian's wrist. Let's go. We're going to be late.

"Okay." Yulian waved cutely at the two ladies as he was being dragged away. "Thank you." Finishing his cookie, he heard Bailey muttering something inaudible. "Huh?" Again, he couldn't understand what Bailey was saying. Realizing why, Yulian reached over and took the cookie out of the man's mouth.

"Don't do that again," Bailey ordered as he chewed the part of the cookie that had broken off inside his mouth.

"Don't do what again?" Yulian was completely clueless.

"Don't go up to strangers and ask them for food."

"Why not?"

"You're not a beggar," Bailey supplied.

"I am without a home," Yulian reminded.

"Aiyoh, we just don't do that. Okay?"

"But..."

"Stop asking and follow me."

"So, what are we late for?"

"What are you talking about?" Bailey threw him a bewildered look.

"You said that we were going to be late."

"That was only an excuse for us to leave."

"I see." Yulian aimed the cookie at Bailey's mouth. "You didn't finish your cookie."

"I'm still full from breakfast."

"Would you mind if I finish it?"

Bailey didn't know how to react to that. "If you're not afraid of my germs, I don't mind."

Yulian didn't say another word and ate the rest of Bailey's butter cookie in two bites. "Mm..."

***

Skye and Bowen started working on their part of the project when they got to Sion's place. Jensen made them some sandwiches for lunch and left to go take care of some things at his gym. He returned an hour before dinner and started preparing everything. Sion helped him wash the vegetables and peel the shrimps.

Leaning back on his chair, Bowen stretched his arms up and yawned. "Skye ge, I'm hungry," he blurted and glanced over at the workstation beside his. Ge's asleep. Bowen gently rolled his chair over to get a closer look at Skye, who was resting a side of his face on the desk, facing Bowen's direction. He's so angelic when he sleeps. A smile showed up on Bowen's face. Sweeping Skye's wispy bangs aside, Bowen traced the sleeping beauty's exquisite features with his eyes. I'm so glad that I have a second chance to make things right. I won't let anything happen to you.