After waiting for several minutes standing by the apartment door, Noah finally resigned himself. There was no way to leave unless Luc was with him.
"What could he be doing?" Noah thought angrily.
After a few minutes wandering around the enormous living room, Noah decided to call Mai, but after several attempts, he couldn't reach her. "What if this guy did something to her?" Finally, he sent her a message, but he felt uneasy.
"Thanks for waiting patiently, little snack," Luc said as he came down the stairs.
"Go to hell, you idiot," Noah had waited for over 15 minutes.
Unlike when he went upstairs, Luc was now wearing different clothes: black pants, a black shirt, and a black jacket. He looked elegant and sophisticated, unlike the two times Noah had seen him before. His hair looked neat and tidy. Noah's mouth went dry instantly at the sight of him.
"Are you stupid?" He thought to himself.
"Let's go," Luc added, and they both took the elevator that went directly to his apartment.
"So much luxury, I don't understand how I got here, I don't understand this guy." Noah thought to himself
Arriving at the parking garage, they headed towards a luxurious black car parked near the elevator. Everything Noah learned about Luc was more luxurious than the last, so much so that it was annoying. He felt uncomfortable; he just wanted to go home.
"You don't need to take me," Noah blurted out like a bark.
"I'm going to the city anyway, just get in the car," he said in a calm tone.
During the ride, Noah could only feel discomfort. The whole situation was ridiculous. This guy wasn't his friend; he had brought him to his house and had behaved strangely, and made Noah behave strangely. He couldn't allow something like this to happen again. Within a few minutes, they were back in the city. It was a sunny day, unlike the days lately. Perhaps it was one of the last sunny days of the year. The streets were starting to fill with people; shops and restaurants had already opened their doors. Another day was about to begin in the capital.
"I'll get out here," Noah said.
"I can take you home, little snack," Luc's gaze seemed full of affection.
"Shut the fuck up and let me go," Noah's patience had run out.
"Okay, little snack, you can go. I'll see you soon, okay?" His tone seemed playful and carefree.
"In your dreams, asshole," Noah got angrier with each passing second.
Luc parked the car on a street near the subway station, and just before Noah got out, he grabbed Noah's arm and said in a very serious tone:
"Don't go out with strangers, don't accept drinks, don't get into trouble." His eyes were dark blue again.
"Mind your own business, I'm leaving," Noah got out of the car and walked away decisively without looking back.
Luc watched Noah walk until he disappeared from his sight, then he took out his cell phone, which had been vibrating in his jacket pocket.
"Hello," his tone was curt.
"I'm on my way." He hung up the call and stayed for a couple of minutes looking in the direction Noah had disappeared, then with a sigh, he started his car and drove off.
Luckily for Noah, he worked near the subway station that day. A few times a week, he worked as a waiter in a small café. He walked briskly through the streets, and despite it being the sunniest day they had had in a long time, the cold air froze his face. He regretted not having his coat and gloves, all because of that idiot with a kidnapper complex.
"What was all that "I'll see you later" bullshit? Is he crazy?"
Noah didn't want to hear another word coming from Luc's mouth. He didn't like getting involved with people, much less with people like that guy. He had taken too many liberties with him, and Noah didn't like it at all. But even though he wanted to eliminate any thoughts about Luc, he couldn't help but wonder why he behaved so lewdly when he was near. As he walked briskly, his cheeks burned as he remembered what had happened the night before.
The day passed without any problems. Customers came and went all day. Noah served everyone with a kind smile. By the end of the day, he had made some good tips.
"Noah, it's late, you can go now. We'll clean up the rest," the café owner said kindly as she approached Noah.
"I'll clean up a bit more, and then I'll leave."
"You don't have to push yourself so hard. You've done enough. Did you even eat all day?"
"Sure, I ate a little while ago," Noah added with a bit of embarrassment. He often forgot to eat, and people worried. "There, all done," he said, finishing cleaning one of the tables. "I'll grab my things and go."
"Thanks, Noah. We love having you here, although I wish you'd come every day."
"Uh... It's no big deal, thank you," he said as he headed to the employee room.
Within a few minutes, Noah had left the café. The owner had given him some sandwiches and drinks. She was a very kind woman who always worried about him.
Noah had had a quiet day, but he was still worried. Mai hadn't answered his calls all day and hadn't read the message he had sent her in the morning. Even though it was a bit late, he decided to go to Mai's parents' hotel to make sure she was okay. He also wanted to ask her how that guy had ended up taking him with him. When he thought about the possibility that he had hurt her, his stomach clenched.
Arriving at the hotel, he could see a pale boy with straight black hair at the reception. He had never seen him at the hotel before and wondered if he was a new employee or something.
"H... Hello, good evening, I'm here to see Mai."
"Hello, she's not here," the young man replied curtly.
"Do you know if she'll be here tomorrow?" Noah tried to hide his discomfort.
"No, she'll be gone for a while. Are you a friend of hers?" The young man had a look that made Noah feel uneasy.
"Yes... well, no, but I wanted to know if she's okay. Yesterday..." He couldn't finish the sentence.
"She went on a trip. Do you need anything else?" His tone was curt.
"No, thank you. If you talk to her, tell her Noah came looking for her," Noah added, feeling dizzy. This whole situation was strange to him.
"Okay, whatever," he didn't seem to have any intention of continuing the conversation.
"Well, I'm leaving, thanks," Noah forced a smile and hurried out.
Just before closing the door, he looked back at the reception, but no one was there anymore. His skin crawled when he realized the young man had disappeared in a matter of seconds, so with a determined step, he walked home.