Chapter 63: Christmas is coming soon too
Michael sat on the bed while Noah blow-dried his hair.
He had a towel on his head to roughly soak up the water on his hair while he took care of Michael’s hair. Since Michael was the one who would likely catch a cold if he didn’t dry his hair on time, he decided to dry his hair first.
"Hm-hmm," Michael hummed happily as he swung his legs. He felt so refreshed and energized after going one round.
"Hold still," Noah said, holding his head in place, and Michael laughed.
His tone was so toned down and calm compared to when they were in the bathroom.
"By the way, Noah," Michael called. "Winter is coming soon." He said.
"Yeah, it is." Noah answered, paying close attention to Michael’s hair.
"And so you’ll need winter clothes." Michael said. "At least a coat or two and some scarves."
"I don’t need it," Noah blatantly rejected, and Michael’s mouth dropped in disbelief.
"At least let me finish," he said. "Wait, what do you mean you don’t need it? You need it if we’re going to take strolls out once winter arrives."
"I can just use one of yours," Noah said. "I’m sure you have at least one oversized coat that I could wear,"
"I assure you, I don’t have anything like that," Michael confidently said, only for Noah to bring out an ash colored body-length coat that was far bigger than Michael’s size.
Michael’s mouth once again fell.
"I... I had no idea I had that," Michael said, watching Noah try on the coat.
It was exactly his size.
"There is no way I purchased a coat that big for no reason," Michael said, still in disbelief. "No way."
"Well, it’s here." Noah said and began to take off the coat. "So, no need to think much of it."
But Michael was sure he never had a coat that big. Where did it come from?
"This one coat is fine with me," Noah said, and Michael sighed, feeling disappointed.
He really wanted to get Noah a new coat and maybe a matching scarf with him.
Noah saw his sullen expression and wondered if it bothered him that much.
"Even if you do want to buy me a coat, where would you get the money?" He asked as he put the coat back in the hanger and kept it in the wardrobe.
"I was thinking of finding a job," Michael said, and Noah paused.
His hand, which was putting the coat back in the wardrobe, paused, and he turned to look at Michael in surprise.
Did he hear him right?
"I was thinking," Michael said, his eyes darting from one corner to another as he avoided eye contact in order not to feel too awkward about it. "The money we have isn’t going to take us another two to three months. And even if we spend wisely, we might still need to use money for other things. Christmas is coming soon too, and I..." His volume gradually decreased. "...really wanted to get you something nice."
After saying that, Michael felt even more awkward. He couldn’t even look at Noah to see the kind of reaction he had on his face, but he was sure Noah was stunned.
And indeed, Noah was stunned. He was stunned, speechless.
Michael had been so adamant about the fact that he would never work for anyone again. And once his money ran out, he would then commit suicide.
But that thought of committing suicide had long died from his mind and was wiped away from his to-do list.
So, after running out of money, what would he do?
They couldn’t possibly go into the streets and beg. That was silly.
He didn’t want them to starve, so he would need to start working again before their funds ran out.
But that was not the thing that got Noah’s breath hooked on his lungs, and his words buried in his throat.
He stared at Michael as if he were staring at a new creation.
Michael decided to work again, and it was not for the reason of putting food in their mouths, as he said, it was so he could get Noah a winter coat and get him a Christmas present.
He was doing this for him.
Somehow...badum... His heart wouldn’t stay calm.
Knowing Michael was thinking so deeply about him touched him beyond reasoning.
Was this the mark’s doing? He could no longer tell, but Michael’s actions were having a heavier impact on his heart by the day.
Michael was feeling even more awkward. It would be better if Noah had said something.
"Michael," Noah called, and Michael raised his gaze, only for his lips to meet Noah’s.
Noah had initiated a kiss, and it was one out of the blue.
"Thank you," he said to Michael as he pulled away, but Michael was stunned.
What just happened?
"As for money, you don’t have to worry about that for now." Noah said, turning around naturally as if nothing had happened, while Michael sat there stunned. "I didn’t tell you about this before, and I know I should’ve asked you first since it was your money, but I hoped I would give it to you the results as a surprise."
Michael was still reminiscing about the kiss, not even paying attention to what Noah was saying until he heard him say,
"I confidently bought some stocks with half of your money, and right now, I’ve made about triple the amount I invested." Noah said, and Michael snapped out of it.
Wait, did he just say triple? He made triple the amount he invested in just a few months?
Suddenly, it was as if a bright ray of light shone from Noah’s entire existence, and Michael had to cover his eyes so as not to get blinded by his brilliance.
The might of someone who was created for business. This was it, right there.
Noah was definitely made for business. If Michael had been the one to do so, he would’ve definitely lost his money.
"So, don’t worry about a thing." Noah assured him. "If things continue to go well, we can live off the money from stocks."
Micheal heard this piece of good news and after feeling good about it, he started to feel like shit.
He bowed his head, looking at his hands and legs.
So, now Noah was contributing so much. What was he good for?
Noah patted his head, and he raised his gaze to find Noah smiling at him, as if assuring him.
"Let’s lead a good life together," he said, and it almost felt like a life promise, touching Michael’s heart.
But he knew this wouldn’t last for too long. The people looking for him were already around their area, so it would only be a matter of time before they found him.
"Noah, I want to tell you something," Michael said, his eyes pleading with him to hear him out.
"What is it?"
"For the meantime," he said, "...let’s not go outside. I want us to remain indoors. Can you... Do that?"
