CYNTM CHAPTER 54

Hunter walked up behind Winston, “Aren’t you going in to take a look?”

“You’re not interested in these things. Let’s go buy shoes and pants instead.”

“It’s fine…”

“Let’s go. We’ll stroll a bit more, then head to the Burj Khalifa. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel to pack and fly to New York.”

Winston’s indulgence filled Hunter’s heart with warmth. He couldn’t help but feel pleased with himself.

In that case, it should be okay for me to be a little more presumptuous, right?

They had a simple lunch at the Dubai Mall. Halfway through eating, Hunter told Winston he needed to use the restroom but instead rushed to the Vacheron Constantin store as fast as he could. He picked out the watch that had made Winston pause earlier.

The price was nearly $70,000. It wasn’t the most expensive Vacheron Constantin watch, nor a limited edition, but it was enough to make the usually unimpressed Winston stop in his tracks.

“I want this one! Wrap it up quickly!” Hunter generously pulled out his credit card. A flicker of worry crossed his face, but the transaction went through without a hitch!

Besides his parents’ villa, this was the most expensive item Hunter had ever wanted to buy on his own. He felt anxious—what if Winston didn’t like it? Or what if he thought it wasn’t valuable enough?

Who cares! He had already bought it, and even if he had to shove it into Winston’s hand, he would make him wear it!

Hunter dashed back frantically to the restaurant where the two of them were dining. He paused outside, adjusting his breathing and tidying his disheveled hair, then returned to their table as calmly as possible.

“Why were you gone so long? Did you have a stomach ache?” Winston raised his head to look at him. Winston, who usually didn’t show emotion, now had clear concern in his eyes.

“Are you worried I had a stomach ache from the kebab last night?” Hunter asked.

“I was afraid that crazy fan might have added something to your barbecue.”

As soon as Winston finished speaking, Hunter pulled out the box he had been hiding behind his back and placed it in front of Winston. “This is for you!”

Hunter couldn’t contain his excitement and gave the gift right away. He had planned to wait until they got back to the hotel, but seeing Winston’s face, he couldn’t hold back.

But presenting it like this felt tacky. And at the dining table, no less! Hunter suddenly felt like an idiot!

But carrying such a big bag wouldn’t escape Winston’s notice anyway!

“For me?” Winston’s expression remained stoic, but Hunter saw the surprise in his eyes.

“Well… you mentioned that time… I’ve never given you anything, but you’ve always taken such good care of me. You even treasured the rose I made from the newspaper… Not that a paper flower isn’t nice, I can always make you another one! But when the season ends, you’ll be going back to England… If we can’t see each other, it would be nice if you could take the watch I gave you…”

Why did you foolishly bring up the paper flower? Are you afraid Winston wasn’t angry enough at that time?

Winston’s fingers gripped the watch box. The box was thick and heavy, and even the bag it came in was both gorgeous and formal. When he opened it, Hunter felt as nervous as an elementary school student facing their secret crush for the first time. He even turned his head away, not daring to look.

“Thank you… thank you,” Winston said.

“Do… do you like it?” Hunter asked nervously.

“I like it, I like it a lot.”

Winston’s voice was gentle, but Hunter wasn’t sure if he imagined Winston’s throat tightening. Moreover, Winston rarely repeated himself, yet he said “I like it” twice.

When Hunter turned to look at Winston, he was stunned… Because he realized the watch peeking out from Winston’s sleeve was identical to the one he had just bought!

Fuck me—

Hunter’s eyes widened, and he almost flew up from his seat!

Oh my god!

Hunter! How could you be so dumb! You like Winston’s hands so much but why haven’t you ever noticed what kind of watch he wears!

So fucking stupid! Is there anyone more embarrassed than you right now!

“I’m… I’m sorry… maybe… we should exchange it for another one…”

The thought of Winston having to pretend to like the watch just to save his face made Hunter feel extremely guilty! His ears were burning red.

“Why exchange it?” Winston asked.

“You… you already have one… how can you wear two identical watches…”

“But this one wasn’t given by you. Moreover… it shows that you really understand me and know what I like, which is why you bought me a watch identical to the one I wear.” Winston’s voice was soft as if enveloping Hunter completely.

“But… it’s not necessary. There’s still time, we can go choose a different style!”

“But I don’t think it’s necessary. There’s a better way.”

Winston grasped his own wrist, the one wearing the watch, and took off the watch. He said to Hunter, “Where’s your hand?”

Hunter extended his right hand.

Winston shook his head and said, “Your left hand.”

Hunter placed his left hand into Winston’s. He didn’t expect Winston to put his watch on his wrist. Although the strap was metal, Hunter could feel Winston’s warmth on his skin.

Winston pushed the watch box in front of Hunter and extended his own wrist, “Now it’s your turn to put it on me.”

Winston sat opposite, a slight smile on his lips. Suddenly, everything felt sacred to Hunter. His heart raced as he took the watch out of the box, slid it over Winston’s hand, and fastened it around his wrist. When he closed the clasp, it felt like he had claimed Winston as his own.

“Thank you,” Winston said.

For Hunter, the lunch itself became unimportant. Even when they went up the Burj Khalifa to enjoy the view, he kept holding the watch with his hand. He wanted Winston’s body temperature to linger a bit longer. The longer the better.

“What are you thinking about?” Winston stood next to Hunter, who was staring out the window in a daze.

“Uh? N-nothing… It’s a bit silly, but can we take a photo together? This used to be the tallest building in the world!”

“Only used to be.”

“That’s why every height eventually gets surpassed.”

And so does speed.

But perhaps nothing can surpass the feeling of me liking you.

“Okay, let’s take one together.”

Winston, who usually disliked taking photos, was in a surprisingly good mood. He took out his phone, pulled Hunter’s head close, extended one arm to hold the phone, and pressed the shutter.

“Let me see!”

Hunter took Winston’s phone. The photo turned out great. Winston smiled slightly, and Hunter’s smile didn’t look silly. They seemed perfectly in sync.

“Send it to me.”

Hunter swiped through the photo gallery and found a picture of himself standing in front of an off-road vehicle at the desert camp with his head tilted to smile. Hunter hadn’t realized he could smile so brightly and freely. The distant dunes and clear blue sky gave the photo a sense of freedom and joy. He continued scrolling and saw another picture of him squatting on the sand watching ants, then another where he leaned against a car door while talking to someone… Winston’s phone gallery was filled with pictures of Hunter, not even a single landscape shot.

His heart pounded, feeling like he had accidentally discovered a secret.

Did Winston secretly take these photos of him? What was he feeling when he took them?

“Do you like them?” Winston’s sudden voice startled Hunter, nearly making him drop the phone.

“When… when did you take these?”

“Of course, I took them when you weren’t paying attention. Photos should be natural. It would look terrible if you made a peace sign like you usually do.” Winston spoke casually, showing no embarrassment at being caught taking secret photos. This made Hunter a little disappointed.

“I like this one best.”

Winston pointed to a photo of Hunter sitting with his knees hugged to his chest by the campfire, looking up at the night sky. Though the lighting was poor, his face lit by the fire and his eyes gazing at the stars gave an innocent yet sentimental feel.

Hunter hadn’t realized he could look so charming.

“You… you took these secretly!” Hunter exclaimed, wanting to see Winston’s reaction.

“Secretly?” Winston lowered his chin, “Fine, I was just trying to tell you that the most important thing in photography is to be natural. Besides, I was clearly holding the phone openly. But if you’re unhappy and consider these secret shots, then delete them.”

Winston lifted his hand to press the delete button, but Hunter quickly grabbed the phone. “I like them! I like all these photos!” Hunter nudged Winston with his elbow, “Hey, didn’t you say you don’t like taking pictures? Why do you have so many of me!”

“I only dislike posed photos. Isn’t taking secret photos your specialty?” Winston put his hands in his pockets and walked away, leaving Hunter no chance to argue back.

“When did I take secret photos…”

Hunter suddenly recalled the time under the London Eye when he had snapped a picture of Winston’s back while he was turned away while waiting for him. He didn’t expect Winston to remember it until now! But… Winston’s skill at capturing photos was truly top-notch. Hunter liked every photo. What a shame… if only there were more pictures of him with Winston. No, from now on, he would have to openly take a lot of “sneak” photos of Winston too!

Hunter sent all the photos of himself to his own phone.

After enjoying the view from the Burj Khalifa, their Dubai vacation came to an end. Back at the hotel, Winston asked the butler to bring back their laundry and Hunter watched as he expertly packed them into the bag. Hunter, who was used to throwing his clothes together haphazardly, followed Winston’s example and neatly organized his things.

“I’ll help you pack, you go open the red wine,” Winston said.

“Right! We didn’t drink the wine the hotel gave us! We must drink it now!” Hunter eagerly ran to the table. He opened the bottle, poured it into a decanter, and then walked back with a wine glass.

Winston had neatly folded Hunter’s clothes and was packing them into the suitcase. Hunter had never seen his luggage so well-organized before. Chuckling at the sight, Hunter filled the glass halfway, sat on the edge of the bed, and held the glass to Winston’s lips, “Thank you for helping me pack!”

It seemed Winston smiled. He bent his head slightly and sipped from the rim of the glass, and Hunter carefully lifted the glass, watching the red liquid flow between Winston’s lips.

“How is it?”

“Average,” Winston said.

“Humph. You’re so picky.”

Hunter took a sip from the same spot Winston had drank from.

“I don’t know if I’m picky, but it seems you don’t know how to distinguish good wine from bad?”

“…” Hunter shot him an unhappy glance.

However, the bottle of wine was destined to be wasted. After a couple of sips, Hunter still couldn’t understand the appeal of red wine. He followed Winston, carrying their luggage, to check out of the hotel.

After checking out, Winston drove the rental car from Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport.

“Hey! You just drank wine. Isn’t this considered drunk driving?” Hunter asked mischievously.

Winston had only taken a small sip, barely enough to count as drinking.

“It’s fine, if the police check, I’ll say it’s because you drank.”

“How does my drinking relate to you being tested for alcohol?” Hunter didn’t understand.

Winston just smiled casually, “I’ll tell you when you turn twenty-one.”

“Damn it! That’s so far away! You’re just making excuses!”

They continued their banter until they reached the airport and returned the rental car.

Once on the plane, Hunter realized they were heading back to New York. He suddenly missed his apartment. No matter where you go, there’s no place like home.

After arriving in New York, they would have a connecting flight in the evening. The US Grand Prix track was in Travis County, Texas.

“When we get to New York, I need to go back to my apartment first. Are you going to wait for me at the airport or come with me?”

“I’ll come with you; waiting at the airport is boring,” Winston replied.

“Huh? You get bored? I thought you liked being alone the most, and not being disturbed by anyone!”

“Maybe I’ve gotten used to your noise. I feel uneasy when it’s too quiet.”

“Am I really that noisy?”

“Aren’t you being noisy right now?”

Hunter couldn’t think of a comeback. He decided to stay silent, but as soon as he looked down, he saw the watch on his wrist. It was quietly pressed against his skin as if… Winston was holding his hand.

Hunter was the type who could fall asleep as soon as he got on a plane. It wasn’t long before he drifted off. Winston, sitting next to him, put down his newspaper and turned to look at Hunter, who was sleeping soundly with his head tilted back. This time, he wasn’t wearing an eye mask, and his right hand was loosely holding his left wrist, as if he was afraid the watch Winston had given him would disappear.

Winston lifted his hand and gently placed it over Hunter’s, interlacing his fingers with Hunter’s right hand.

When the plane landed in New York, Hunter was still half-asleep. Without Winston pulling him along, he might have wandered off in the wrong direction. As they waited in line, Hunter leaned against Winston, his forehead resting on the back of Winston’s neck. Hunter only took a step forward when Winston moved ahead, feeling the support shift away.

Winston wore dark sunglasses, and when they reached the customs checkpoint, he turned and squeezed Hunter’s neck, “Alright, alright, you can sleep again once we’re in the taxi. Take out your passport.”

“Mm.” Hunter opened his eyes and rummaged through his bag with one hand but couldn’t find his passport for a long time.

Winston reached over, held Hunter’s bag with one hand, unzipped it with the other, and pulled out the passport from a side compartment.

“No wonder I couldn’t find it… you packed my luggage.”

Winston didn’t comment and just patted Hunter’s back, “Go ahead and wait for me.”

After passing through customs, Hunter turned to look at Winston. Amidst the people, Hunter found he couldn’t take his eyes off him. The way Winston presented his passport, the way he calmly answered questions, the way he nodded and retrieved his passport—were all incredibly beautiful.

Winston walked over to Hunter and slid his fingers along his earlobe, “Were you spacing out just now, or were you staring at me?”

“Guess?” Hunter asked with a smile.

“Spacing out.”

“Why do you think I was spacing out?” Hunter became disappointed.

“What? Are you still not fully awake?” Winston asked.

Hunter huffed.

Outside the airport, Winston hailed a taxi and told the driver Hunter’s address.

“Eh? How do you even know my address?”

“Remember the Ferrari charity event? I took you home afterward,” Winston said.

“But did I ever tell you where I live?” Hunter scratched his head.

Winston showed no intention of answering the question, staring straight ahead.

They arrived at Hunter’s apartment building. As they stepped into the elevator, Hunter suddenly remembered something and rubbed his chin, “I wonder if the bodybuilder and his sexy girlfriend who love rolling in bed are at it again.”

“What?” Winston turned to ask.

Hunter slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out with a swagger. Then he turned around and walked backward, facing Winston. “They’re my neighbors. It seems like their purpose in life is to have sex! Morning, noon, and night! This building is old so the soundproofing is terrible. Every time I’m home, I can’t sleep because of them!”

Just talking about it made Hunter as angry as a fire-breathing dragon. When he walked past their door, he made a kicking motion and pressed his ear against it as if trying to listen for something. Winston walked past him, brushing his hand over Hunter’s head, signaling for him to stop doing such silly things. Hunter pouted and followed Winston, only to be surprised when Winston stopped right in front of his door!

“How… how do you know this is my apartment?”

“Didn’t you just say you’re disturbed by your neighbors to the point of not being able to sleep?” Winston pointed to the door Hunter had just leaned against.

“Oh… right.” Hunter fumbled for a while before finally finding the key to open the door.

It was a single-room apartment, with even the bed being a single bed. Winston opened the fridge, grabbed the trash can, and proceeded to throw away all of Hunter’s yogurt, cheese, milk, and half-eaten box of cereal.

“…Why does it feel like this is your place…” Hunter said, moving closer.

“They’re all expired. You never check the dates when you buy or eat anything. If it’s left in the fridge, you’ll definitely eat it, and then your body will suffer the consequences.” Winston’s face wore an expression of complete matter-of-factness.

“No, I mean the way you opened the fridge and threw things away, it’s like you’ve done it a million times before!”

Winston reached out and pushed Hunter’s head, “Maybe because in a past life, I threw away a lot of things for you.”

Winston used the term “past life” to explain his familiarity with Hunter. Previously, whenever Winston mentioned “past life”, Hunter found it absurd and felt like he was being teased. But at this moment, he wished that past life was real.

“So why were you so good to me in that past life?” Hunter suddenly asked.

Winston paused, then he continued throwing things away, “Ask Vann Winston from the past life.” With that, he headed toward Hunter’s bedroom.

Hunter, as if suddenly realizing something, rushed to block Winston, spreading his arms wide, “You… you better not go in…”

He remembered that when he left the house, he not only hadn’t made his bed but hadn’t even bothered to pick up the clothes strewn on the floor. He feared that once Winston opened the door, he’d be so overwhelmed by the mess that he’d pass out! Most importantly, his image would be shattered!

“We don’t have much time here. I already called for express laundry service to come pick up your almost moldy clothes.”

Hunter opened his mouth… Did he have no privacy at all in front of Winston?

Winston reached under Hunter’s arm and twisted the doorknob open. Fortunately, the room, though messy, didn’t smell bad.

“Not too bad, no pizza boxes.”

Hunter squatted on the floor while Winston crossed his arms and leaned against the door, supervising as Hunter gathered all the dirty clothes into a big bundle, even stripping the sheets off the bed.

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The author has something to say:

Hunter: Hey! You just drank red wine. Does that count as drunk driving?

Winston: It’s fine. If the police check, I’ll say you were the one who drank.

Hunter: What does my drinking have to do with you being checked for alcohol?

Winston: Because you kissed me.