Here’s chapter 21 of the new book, “Dangerous Roommate.” Enjoy reading. Let me know your thoughts about this chapter in the comment section below.
Stefan watched Frank approaching his direction. But aside from that worry, he watched him out of pure curiosity. He couldn’t say Frank was scrawny because he looked healthy and well-fed by him. Still, he was small. He was too thin for his height.
But that thought vanished into thin air for a second when he pictured him with his hair down, wearing those clothes last night. His temperature rose. Remembering how his body, how his curves matched the cut of the fabric, how his eyes looked was enough to drive him crazy.
As he kept observing him, he noticed how the look on Frank’s face had changed. He looked like it was the first day he felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He looked even more relaxed with his usual T-shirt and sweatpants.
Stefan pulled himself together and continued what he was doing. He took a bowl as he scooped a serving of the steaming chocolate porridge. After he placed the steaming ceramic on the counter, he went on to the second bowl and did the same.
Then, he brought them and gave one to Frank before he sat on his seat. He took the can of condensed milk and poured a bit, forming a heart-shaped line. Satisfied and ready, he looked at him and caught him staring at him.
Stefan wasn’t thinking of the absurdity of what they did either. Instead, he remembered how nice it was to be that close to Frank’s body and how fortunate of a bastard he was for having such intimacy. He wanted more of that comfort. It would be better if he could get more of that addictive sensation from him.
“Why did you do it?” Frank asked. His voice was a mix of disbelief, awe, longing, and confusion.
“Don’t worry. I know what I did. I wasn’t drunk or drugged. Okay? I did it because I wanted it.”
“Why on earth would you want it?”
“Because I like you.”
Frank scoffed, gobsmacked, coughing. He cocked him an eyebrow. “How could you easily say something like that? We haven’t even known each other that long.”
“I don’t care. Unlike you, I don’t need an alter-ego to say what I want to say, to do what I want to do, and to feel what I want to feel. So, when I say I like you, I like you. Period,” Stefan replied nonchalantly but with determination in his voice.
Frank felt like he was on the verge of leaping off his seat. He didn’t expect such a reply, let alone having it for breakfast. He gulped. “Is it okay for you—I mean, to be me?”
“Of course. Why not? I’m also imperfect, just like you. So, why would I judge?” Stefan sighed. Dismay was all over his face. “It’s sad when society tells you it’s wrong to be who you are,” he said so calmly while scooping a spoonful of the chocolate porridge.
“Isn’t it just being human?”
“No!” He paused in his tracks and placed the spoon on the ceramic before he looked at him. “A true human being knows what he wants, not what everyone thinks is right or wrong. He is a conscious being created to love others and take care of this world. He is born to create and make beautiful and magical things from the heart, out of fantasy, out of love. More conscious and more capable than other living species. Yes, we are mammals. But not all mammals can talk and decide as a human being does.” Stefan paused and blinked when he realized what he was doing. He looked away and then cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. Got carried away,” he said, moving his attention to his food.
“It’s okay. Go on. Please.”
Stefan paused and gave him an awkward but concerned look. “Well, my point is we are born free to feel, imagine, and think. Not just being some pushover.”
Frank was speechless. How he wished Stefan knew how terrible he felt because what he said was true. He tightened his grip on the spoon he had in hand. He lowered his head and stared at his bowl for a second, thinking Stefan would understand he was on guard.
He supposed he had to figure out what it was he did want. For more than half his life, he’d done what he was told and accepted what he had as what he should want. And most of the remainder, he’d spent escaping from or ignoring all of that or sectioning it off as though it happened to someone else and not to him.
But to his surprise, Stefan didn’t budge. He continued. “You’re old enough not to care. And if this is what makes you truly happy, do it. I won’t mind at all. ‘Cause you’ve already spent most of your life listening to other people’s bullshit while loathing yourself for being you. It’s time, Frank. It’s time for you to shine.”
Hearing something like this from a man was odd, and it was even weirder to know those words came from someone like Stefan. He hated to admit that he had misjudged him. And that fact alone was a painful slap on his face. Because from the surface, he barely saw a smile, and even if he did show any sort of reaction, it would have looked different.
But everything had changed since last night. If he only knew how he loved the casual show of moral support to him, wishing he’d be pleased than feeling concerned for failing or giving up. Again.
Now, as they exchanged gazes, Frank felt like time slowed and stood still. From afar, he could finally see how his facial muscles moved, how wide his lips stretched, how his eyes widened and narrowed, how his nostrils flared, and how his cheeks peached.
To him, there was no shadow of a doubt Stefan had become more human than a robot. Even at this distance, he could feel the passion oozing from this man. And it went stronger when he raised his voice, expressing his truths and beliefs. Wow. He didn’t know there was something like it hiding inside him.
For the artist that he was, Stefan was a muse he needed. If he were a drug, he would love to take him all in and get high. Damn. His chest suddenly felt like somebody had sat on him, throbbing loud beats triple time. His whole body warmed up, feeling the electrifying tingles enveloping him from head to toe.
No. Please. No.
But despite his attempts to calm down while eating the porridge, he couldn’t. Though he was pleased with the warm rice filling his tummy, still, the conversation was unnerving, and he couldn’t get over it. When he felt more uncomfortable and was finished, he rose from his seat. “I think I’m done,” he said as he took the bowl and rushed to the sink.
Without waiting for Stefan’s reaction, he marched into his bedroom and almost slammed the door shut. He leaned his back, pressing his head against the hard surface, feeling the tingles from head to toe. His chest expanded as his eyes. He felt a sudden tremble blanketing his body, his legs wobbling. It took him minutes before the shudder left his body and calmed down. He clucked as he walked in strides and jumped on his bed. He sprawled, rolled to his back, and rolled again until his eyes were sealed on the ceiling.
Author’s Note:
Thank you so much for spending time reading this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did when I wrote this part months ago. This chapter, in particular, reminded me of those times when I sat before my desk, seemingly prepared to type in words, but I struggled to keep it up.
It took an external motivation to get it through, and, at that time, the NaNoWriMo event was upcoming. At that time, I thought, “This could be a great opportunity to try and give this a shot one more time. You’d done an excellent job with ‘The Rival,’ so you could do it, Mecyll.”
You know, it’s easier said than done because writing a chapter with a clear intent to finish it requires more than just a skill. Since I started writing fiction, I realized how much this work demands my ability to be naked and the guarantees to answer whether I was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared to face my fears, conscious or unconscious.
So, being able to write this down meant I managed despite the countless times dancing around with depression and enjoying the roller coaster rides my anxiety provided me.
This is why I don’t know how to thank you for your support, regardless of the scale or contribution size, from sharing my work with others or buying my books. It doesn’t matter because, for me, every small act you show is appreciated.
Again, thank you, and have a great day!
If you like to support my writing life, here’s what you can do:
- Get a copy of “The Rival” Uncensored Gay Romance Novel.
- Read “Dr. Clay” (Cult of Eros #1)
- Check out my latest book, “Non-Native Speakers Only.”
- Find more writing tips on my website (i.e., content writing, freelance writing, copywriting, self-publishing, novel writing, and many more!)
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