Remain By His Side (MxM)

Chance

Chapter 7: Chance

***

‘Why did he sit down… Isn’t he working?’ Jayden wondered as he stared at the kid.

“I hope I won’t be a bother!” Zack said with an almost apologetic expression. “I just thought I’d keep you company because you’re here alone…” The student seemed sincerely concerned for the other person. If anything his genuine concern made Jayden feel like he should be the one reassuring the other instead of the other way around. And after all Jayden was an adult, there was no way he could allow a child to reassure him.

“Um… Thank you, actually I’ve wanted to give you something…” Jayden said as he looked at the innocent looking student. Jayden continued looking at the student as if waiting for some type of answer from him.

“Hm? What is it?” Zack asked while tilting his head to the side. "Is it something on my face?" He asked while touching his cheeks in an animated manner. It was hard to tell if he was serious or just trying to make the other laugh.

“You seemed to have paid for my hospital bills so I want to repay you the exact amount.” Jayden took out his phone so he could transfer the money. As an adult Jayden felt embarassed allowing a child to cover such high expences. It wasn't like he was lacking money but then yet the amount really wasn't something anyone would happily pay, which made it all the more reason for him to return the money he was given.

“No, I don’t need it back at all!” Zack instantly rejected the offer. “I paid for it so please accept it as a gift.”

“That's way too much for a gift! There’s no reason you should be throwing away money like that.” Jayden said as he wondered what’s wrong with the kid in front of him. ‘How come he randomly gives strangers so much cash for no reason?!’ Jayden couldn’t help himself but be baffled at the student’s actions. 'I would have been happy receiving flowers or a get well card, but such a large sum of money isn't something I can just ignore!' He thought to himself as he insisted on paying back the other person.

“I don’t want it back so please don’t try to return it.” Zack said with certainty in his voice. The look he gave to the man spoke of nothing but determination to not take a penny from him. Which was very strange for a kid who looked like a first year high schoolar.

“Listen Zack, this is your own hard earned money, you should use it however you want to instead of-” Jayden was interrupted by the student’s persistent rejections.

“I am using it however I want and I chose to give them to you!” Zack had accidentally raised his voice. It wasn’t loud enough for the other customers to notice but still it was the first time Jayden had heard the other raise his voice so much.

“…..” Jayden had nothing to say in response to that. It was more than obvious he wasn’t going to be able to have a normal conversation with this kid.

“I’m sorry for being so rude just now… Uncle taught me better than this.” Zack apologized.

“It’s not a problem.” Jayden said as he rested his head on the palm of his hand. This day was just bizarre all around. He was just kicked out of his apartment and now he’s meeting up with the same kid that paid for his hospital fees. ‘That’s right…’ Jayden thought to himself. ‘What am I going to do about tonight… I should choose a hotel to sleep in.’ He quickly took out his phone to begin searching.

“Hm? Are you looking for something?” Zack asked curiously as he watched the man on his phone.

“Yeah…” Jayden answered as he went through various hotels out of which nearly all were already fully booked and he couldn’t get a room. ‘Just my luck…’ He thought to himself.

“Did something happen?” Zack seemed to catch on quickly and noticed the man’s disappointed expression.

“I’m searching for hotels, do you know any I could go to?” Jayden asked but then quickly realized he was talking to a high scholer. ‘What am I even asking… Of course he wouldn’t know any.’

“I don’t really think any hotels would be accepting right now…” Zack said as he thought for a bit.

“That’s a given…” Jayden said as he wondered what to do now.

“Do you not have anywhere to go?” Zack asked.

“Yeah… my ex lover kicked me out today. Not that it matters if I can just find a hotel-” Jayden was once more interrupted by the student.

“If you don’t mind how about you stay with me and my uncle?” Zack quickly asked.

“Stay with you? We don’t even know each other and I don’t want to be a bother.” Jayden felt like this was really too much. He first accepted money from him and now accepting to live with the student would be far beyond what normal people agree to.

“It won’t be a problem at all! Uncle is a really kind person I’m sure he’ll have no issue with helping you out!” Zack insisted as he stood up from his chair. “Come on, I’ll show you the way and we can discuss it with him as well!”

“Wait, aren’t you still working right now?” Jayden asked as he felt the student begin pulling him by the hand to drag him outside.

“No worries, I already told them I had other things to do, that’s why I changed out of my uniform.” Zack said as he continued pulling the man unbothered, dragging him to his car.

‘That’s a nice car…’ Jayden thought to himself, looking at it it looked pretty expensive. Even though he knew nothing about cars he still felt like it was worth more than he made in a year. ‘What the Hell is with this boy even?!’ He wondered to himself, driving an expensive car but working as a barista at a coffee shop somehow didn’t make sense.

Yet before Jayden could voice any of his concerns the student had already driven off to his uncle’s apartment. Leaving Jayden with no other choice but to go along with the other’s childish whims and in the worst case he’d have to beg to stay at his office on a day off…