Chapter 28 - Behind The Mask

Maverick massaged his nape. He kept on checking his phone to wait for Stacey's request for dinner. He reprogrammed the computer again and downloaded a few things for the software. He checked the other software on how to use it and since Kenzo asked for his help about it, he's going to study it first and discuss it with him by this weekend for their getaway. Caleb already set up a resort for their getaway. He's excited to finally go to the beach in one of the Provinces near this city.

The door opened and he stood from his seat and went outside and found her holding full of bags.

"What are those?" He asked and helped her carry a few of it.

"Just some things." She told me.

"Hey, we have a lot of stocks here." He brought the two big bags to the kitchen. She didn't follow him. He started taking out the takeouts from a certain restaurant and it looked famishing. He never tasted such a thing before. He used to look outside this restaurant and when he saw the menu, the food cost for his one-week food.

"Hey!" Stacey grinned at him. "I am up for seafood. These are up for mukbang and it's at least 3 kilos each."

"Mukbang?"

"Yeah, it's eating a lot of food in front of the camera. More like a vlog, eating only in front of the camera for the viewers.

"It's a lot." He mumbled.

"That wasn't a lot."

"Hey, guys!" Caleb entered with paper bags with him. "Here are the crab claws and mantis shrimps. We didn't want you to cook to surprise you." Caleb winked and put it over the counter and hugged Maverick from behind, by wrapping his arms around Maverick's waist.

Maverick couldn't help but grin. The two are full of surprises. They settled it on the table, put a big plastic over the table not to mess and they started eating it together. Maverick loves the spiciness and sweetness of the foods. He could make such things for them. He knew that these could be worth thousands.

"We should have this for our getaway. Victoria loves seafood!" Stacey exclaimed.

"We should." Caleb nodded.

Maverick removed the shells and gave the meat to Stacey.

"Hey, don't mind her. Just eat." Caleb told him.

"Stacey doesn't know how to peel it off," Maverick told him. Stacey acted cute in front of them.

"Are guys together?" Caleb asked.

"No." They answered at the same time.

"And what's with the picture?" Caleb creased his brows.

"Well, Maverick suggested that we should make my ex-boyfriend shut up. That's why I change my profile and my status to something like that. I just use his body for that."

"She pays me well," Maverick told.

"Oh," Caleb nodded and continued eating.

Once they were done eating, Maverick cleaned it all up and disposed of the shells properly. Caleb and Stacey let him do it since he likes doing it for them. The two feed him, clothe him, and give him stuff. He should at least repay them like that. He was full right now. And he has never been full like this for a very long time. Although he didn't eat a lot whenever Stacey was away, she would always surprise him with lots of food for dinner. He budgets everything around including the electricity.

"So," Caleb said, who came out of nowhere. He dropped the can cover, his heart pounded, and frowned at Caleb. He chuckled. "Do you like my cousin?" he asked.

"Yeah," he answered nonchalantly.

"Dude, I'm serious. Did you like her as a woman?"

Maverick sighed.

"She's an amazing girl. If you were asking if I would do it with her, the answer is no."

"Why not? You and Stacey alone in this house. Lots of things could happen."

"Bro, I don't do that. Besides, she's not for me." Maverick sighed. Caleb creased his brows and crossed his arms.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I never had sex and, I can't fall in love."

"Oh, bro! Is it because you have no money or something? Stacey isn't like other girls. She just needs attention."

"So, you are letting me do it with her?"

"No, I'm just saying…" He mumbled.

"Bro, Stacey is better off to another man who would pamper her. Besides, I don't want her to get in any trouble because of me."

"Now, that!" Caleb pointed to him. "Tell me, who are those people searching for you?"

Maverick shook his head.

"Bro, they made a young photo of a boy to look old and it comes out to be you! I saw it with my own eyes!" Caleb hissed. "Damn…" he mumbled.

"They are after me, to kill me." He said it in a low voice.

"What?" Caleb froze from what he said.

"I know… you can kick me out of here. I can leave…"

"No." Caleb squeezed both of his arms. "I can't do that. Stay here, and I'll think of something."

"I am checking everything around. I think someone will find out about me staying in this area."

"I have an idea!" Caleb grinned. He pulled him inside.

Caleb closed the door and locked it.

"I know a place to make a mask."

He thought about it. He wondered where Butler Paul from his childhood brought that mask too.

"So, whenever you go out, you can wear it! The mask would be a handsome man's face. I'll just search through the internet about that face. But you have to wait for days."

"It's fine with me. I owe you so much." He turned him down politely.

"Bro, you are my friend." Caleb grinned. "Besides, it's good that Stacey has someone who could protect her here. Her ex-boyfriend used to follow her around."

"Really?"

"It was past and that guy probably moved on."

"Boys! I'm up for wine!" Stacey called.

"I'll just wash up from my room," Caleb told. He washed his hands. Then, he took three glasses of wine glass and put them on the tray. He took a cold red wine and went to the living room where Stacey is sitting and wearing her silk peignoir. He set it on the coffee table.

"I forgot to turn off the computer."

He went to the room where he set up the computer. Stacey followed him.

"You already set it up?" She asked and checked on it.

"Yes, I did."

"Oh, wow." Her eyes widened. "When did you learn that again?"

He only smiled at her.

"You don't mind if I install a few software."

"Yes," She nodded. "Just tell me what you need."

"I will."

"Oh, you can go for virtual freelancing. I know such things. You can earn from there."

"Really?" He asked. Thinking about it, he could earn money.

"I'll tell you how it will work. Let's go to the living room."

He turned it off and unplugged everything from there. Then, he followed her to the living room and sat beside her as she took out her tablet.

"I'm going to make you an email and you'll just have to send your resume and ID."

"I don't have a good ID." He mumbled. She creased her brows.

"Really?"

"Yeah," She thought about it.

"But I have few files."

"Hmm, that will do."

"Is there such work that doesn't require an ID?"

"Well, no…"

"My ID wasn't completely valid."

"I'll let Caleb handle that."

"Or, we can use it ourselves!" She exclaimed.

"What?"

"Well, I can log in, and let's say I'll attend the interview and so on and forth but you are going to work for it."

"That's quite a hassle."

Stacey sighed.

"I'll search for something else then." Stacey exhaled.

"Thank you," He said. She smiled at him.

"It's nothing."

"I'll fix the computer first and find something better."

"Okay,"

"Don't start making out with those stares at each other!" Caleb exclaimed.

"We are just talking," Stacey told him.

Maverick poured wines on the glasses as Caleb turned on the television. The news is about the next King of Great Greivania. The current King is old. The next to it should be Lord Kenzo Ivan Etrama, but he's already dead as the family said from the murder sixteen years ago.

"It's a wreck in the Royal Family," Stacey commented as she sipped on her wine.

"Indeed." Maverick reached his wine and smirk. "They were after the throne when the heir was murdered. It was always like that."

"Etrama mostly holds all of the armies and police, they are more powerful than the parliament. Now it seems like the old man needs some heir."

"What if Lord Etrama is alive?" Maverick asked and shrugged.

"Hmm, how would that be possible?" Caleb asked.

"Mostly, the media would take turns and report whatever was reported to them," Maverick answered and sipped on his wine. He smirked for a while thinking that the Royals were cramming to get to that position. Even the family of Parson, which Victoria was with. But the next in line would be from the Baron. Some currently turned down that position. But the Baron's are only like a rich family. But this time, they can be next in line if there's a duel over the throne. He won't let them have it.

"You are right.." Stacey agreed to it.