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"Don't worry about Hank," he added, patting my arm gently. "Just give him some time. He'll come around. By the way, don't forget about dinner at the mansion tonight. You know how particular Daddy is about being on time, so make sure you're not late."
"Mansion?" I repeated, a hint of surprise lacing my tone.
"Right, I didn't tell you." Mike grinned sheepishly. "I'm used to living in a humble apartment, you know. But Daddy, he comes from money and owns a mansion. I think he's been feeling guilty about something lately, probably about not introducing me to his parents yet, so he asked me to move in."
"And you said yes?" I questioned, my eyebrows raised. "Isn't that moving a bit too fast?"
Mike let out a hearty laugh. "You must remember we're in a gay relationship. Our time passes in dog years. It's been a month, which is like a year in gay terms, so not really too soon. Oh, and one more thing. My cat, Bubbles, she's a big one on first impressions. So, be on your best behavior. She’ll hiss at you for the rest of your life if you don’t manage to impress her."
"Bubbles?" I echoed, amusement creeping back into my voice.
"Yep," Mike nodded with a serious face. "She's a tough one to please."
But despite the humor, I noticed a far-off look in his eyes. "Are you okay about Joe not introducing you to his parents yet?" I asked, my tone softer.
He was quiet for a moment before he let out a long sigh. "You know," he began, his voice dropping low, a sad smile playing on his lips. "I've yearned for the love of a mother and father for so long that I barely remember how it feels. Before I met Daddy, I sometimes hugged myself to sleep, pretending it was the warm embrace of my parents. I hoped to find parental figures in Joe's parents. But..."
Mike hesitated, averting his eyes, a frown knitting his brows. His fingers absentmindedly traced the surface of the desk.
"But, I don't know why Joe hasn't introduced me to them yet," he confessed, his voice carrying frustration.
I watched as he chewed his lower lip, a nervous habit he only resorted to when he was truly anxious. "Sometimes, I wonder if he's embarrassed to introduce me. You know, his flamboyantly gay boyfriend who doesn't come from money."
I found myself at a loss for words, Mike's doubts reflecting an insecurity I had never thought him capable of entertaining.
With a deep sigh, Mike turned to me, his eyes pleading. "Lina, I need your help. I need your opinion, and I want you to be brutally honest with me," he confessed, his tone almost desperate. "Do you think there's something about me that could be...unlikeable? Unlovable, even. Something that might make Daddy hesitant?"
"Mike, you can't--"
"Is it my jokes?" He cut me off, his eyes darting around the room, as if trying to latch onto something to justify his self-doubt. "Or the way I try too hard to be likeable? A kid at the orphanage told me that it was stopping me from being adopted. I trust you to tell me the truth. I need to know, Lina."
His voice trailed off, his usual confidence replaced by uncertainty.
"Mike," I began, my voice steady despite the emotional turbulence I felt. I reached out to him, my hands finding his in a comforting grasp. "Enough with this nonsense."
His eyes met mine, wide and questioning.
"You are one of the most lovable, endearing, and downright hilarious people I've ever met. And I'm not just saying this," I added with a pointed stare, reinforcing the sincerity behind my words. "Everyone here feels the same. You are a gem. There's no two ways about it."
His expression flickered, a glimmer of hope kindling in his eyes.
I pulled him into a warm embrace. He was stiff at first, his body rigid with uncertainty, but soon enough, he relaxed, his arms winding around me in a reciprocal gesture.
I let go after a moment, stepping back to look at him, my hands holding his shoulders. "Just like you told me about Hank, give Joe time, okay? Don't overthink this," I implored, my gaze holding his.
A slow, relieved smile crept onto his face, transforming his features. The sparkle was back in his eyes, that mischievous glint that was so quintessentially Mike. "Thank you, Lina," he said, his voice carrying a note of genuine gratitude.
In no time, his smile widened, a tell-tale sign that he was back to his jovial self. "Now, about this dinner at the mansion," he began. "I've been thinking of ways to pull a fast one on Daddy. You know, shake things up a bit."
I laughed, eager to be in on his joke. As he began to detail his plans, we slipped back into our easy banter, brainstorming hilariously ingenious ideas. His laughter, so light and infectious, filled the room, chasing away the remnants of his earlier vulnerability.
Chapter 16: Lina
My breath hitched as I took in the breathtaking grandeur of Joe’s mansion: manicured gardens and a pool that shimmered with the reflected hues of the sunset. I nervously pushed open the massive front door. The grandiosity was somewhat intimidating.
And then, there he was. My heart skipped a beat as I saw Mike on all fours, a blue binky bobbing in his mouth. A wave of familiarity washed over me, washing away the strangeness of the imposing mansion. My instincts kicked in as I stepped into my Little state, and I dropped to my knees, joining him on the floor.
"Mikey," I squeaked, crawling towards him. He let his binky fall to his chest, the string tethering it to his onesie keeping it from hitting the floor.
