Chapter 203: Gardener’s cousin

Moments later, a man stepped out carrying a small travel bag.

He looked slightly older than Alex, the same height, but rougher around the edges with a moustache. He had on, a cap pulled low over his face and simple work clothes covering his athletic build.

One of the workers frowned. “You must be the gardener’s cousin.”

The man smiled politely. “Yes. My name is Vince.

Inside the mansion, Lucas stood near the window. He was sipping juice absentmindedly when he noticed the man outside speaking with the workers.

His brows furrowed slightly.

“That must be the gardener’s cousin,” Mr Macho’s earlier words suddenly echoed in his head. “My cousin is a nice young man, try to keep him company sometimes.”

Lucas stared a little longer at the stranger for some reason he couldn’t explain.

Something about the man felt oddly familiar.

After settling into the gardener’s cottage, Alex tried his best to act calm.

He unpacked slowly, arranged a few tools outside, and even attempted watering the flowers the way Mr. Macho had instructed him earlier.

However, every few minutes, his eyes drifted toward the pathway leading from the mansion. He was waiting, hoping, and expecting that Lucas would appear at any second.

Three hours passed but there was no sign of Lucas. Not even a scent of him.

Alex finally dropped the watering can in frustration before pulling out his phone. The moment the call connected, he sighed dramatically.

“Sir, sorry to bother you…”

Mr. Macho chuckled immediately from the other side. “What happened now?”

“I want to know if there’s anything I can do to make him come around,” Alex complained softly. “I’ve been here for three hours already, but he hasn’t shown up.”

The old man burst into laughter.

“Aren’t you being impatient?”

Alex groaned and sat heavily on the small wooden bench outside the cottage.

“Maybe.”

“The fact is that Lucas is not acquainted with you yet,” Mr. Macho explained patiently.   “Remember, you’re my cousin now. Just because he’s comfortable with old Macho doesn’t mean he’ll automatically be comfortable with my young cousin.”

Alex rubbed his forehead slowly.

“Yeah… you’re right.” His voice lowered afterward. “It’s just that… I’m missing him badly.”

The old man’s laughter softened instantly. “I understand,” he replied warmly. “But don’t worry too much. You have one month to win him over, so relax, hmm?”

Alex leaned back tiredly and responded. “Okay, sir… thank you.”

There was silence briefly before Mr. Macho suddenly spoke again.

“Alright. I’ll give him a little push.”

Alex immediately sat upright.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll call him and tell him my cousin is looking forward to meeting my young friend,” the old man said casually. “I believe he’ll come over to at least say hello.”

Alex’s face lit up instantly like a child promised candy.

“Really?”

“Yes. I will call him now.”

“Thank you, sir.” The happiness in Alex’s voice made the old man laugh again.

“You truly have it bad.”

“I really do,” Alex admitted shamelessly.

About thirty minutes later, Lucas stood outside the gardener’s cottage carrying a small basket of fruits.

The afternoon breeze moved gently through the flowers surrounding the little house as he approached the door.

Mr. Macho’s words echoed in his mind. “My cousin is shy around new people. Go greet him for me.”

Lucas smiled faintly to himself before knocking lightly.

Inside the cottage, Alex nearly jumped out of his skin.

“He’s here,” he whispered to himself in panic.

He quickly checked his cap, and mustache. Then adjusted his loose shirt and forced himself to calm down before opening the door.

The moment the door swung open, both men froze slightly.

Lucas blinked.

For a strange second, his chest tightened unexpectedly while staring at the man before him.

The gardener’s so-called cousin looked rugged yet oddly attractive in a quiet way.

Meanwhile, Alex felt his heartbeat lose control completely at finally seeing Lucas up close again.

Lucas recovered first.

“Hi,” he greeted politely. “I’m Lucas.”

Alex swallowed hard before forcing a calm smile.

“I know.”

The words slipped out too naturally making Lucas frown slightly.

“You know?”

Alex nearly panicked.

“Uh… Mr. Macho talks about you a lot.”

Lucas relaxed again and chuckled softly. “That sounds like him.”

Alex stared at the smile on Lucas’s face for a second too long before stepping aside quickly.

“Please come in.”

And just like that Alex’s dangerous little plan officially began.

Lucas stepped inside slowly, his eyes wandering around the small cottage.

Everything looked almost the same as before, except for a few new items scattered around that clearly belonged to the gardener’s so-called cousin.

“It still feels strange not seeing Mr. Macho here,” Lucas admitted while placing the basket of fruits on the table.

Alex closed the door gently behind him. “He talks about you a lot too.”

Lucas smiled faintly. “Hopefully only good things.”

Alex almost said, mostly adorable things, but quickly stopped himself.

“Mostly good things,” he corrected carefully.

Lucas chuckled softly before finally turning fully toward him.    “So… how should I address you? Mr. Macho only kept calling you his cousin.”

Alex internally panicked for half a second.

“Vince,” he answered quickly. “You can call me Vince.”

Lucas nodded slowly. “Nice to meet you, Vince.”

The way Lucas said his fake name almost made Alex forget his own identity for a second.

To avoid staring too much, Alex walked toward the small kitchen area. “Would you like tea?”

“You know how to make tea?” Lucas teased lightly.

Alex scoffed. “I’m offended by that question.”

Lucas laughed softly again.

“God…” Alex whispered inwardly, "I missed that sound so much.”

“Tea is fine,” Lucas replied.

As Alex prepared it, Lucas leaned casually against the table watching him.

“You don’t really look like a gardener,” Lucas suddenly commented.

Alex nearly dropped the cup.

“What does a gardener look like?”

“I don’t know,” Lucas admitted with a shrug. “Less… polished?”

Alex turned carefully. “Polished?”

“You speak well. Your posture too is great.” Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. “You almost sound like someone raised in luxury.”

Alex’s heartbeat immediately sped up. That was a dangerous territory. Thinking quickly, he forced out a laugh. “My big cousin said the same thing.”

Lucas tilted his head curiously. “Really?”

“Yeah. He said city life spoiled me.”

That explanation seemed to satisfy Lucas a little.

“Well, at least you seem nicer than the workers claimed.”

Alex blinked. “Workers talked about me already?”

Lucas nodded innocently. “One of them said you looked too serious.”

Alex immediately defended himself. “I’m not serious.”

Lucas folded his arms. “You have barely smiled since I entered.”

Alex stared at him quietly for a second before a genuine smile slowly formed on his face.

“There,” he murmured. “Better?”

The sudden eye contact caught Lucas off guard. For a brief moment, the atmosphere shifted strangely. It became too warm and

too intimate.

Lucas quickly cleared his throat and looked away first.

“Much better,” he muttered.

Alex smiled to himself and muttered inwardly, “We're making progress baby.”

Trying to ease the tension, Lucas glanced around again. “So how are you adjusting here?”

“It’s peaceful,” Alex answered honestly. “I like it.”

“That’s surprising. Most people complain this side of the estate is boring.”

Alex looked directly at him. “I don’t think I’ll get bored here as long as you come around.”

Lucas felt that strange tightness in his chest again. Something about Vince’s eyes unsettled him.

Not in a bad way, but more like familiar.

Before Lucas could think deeper about it, Alex handed him the tea carefully.

Their fingers brushed lightly and both men paused instantly.

It was a tiny contact. It was barely a second, yet Lucas felt the warmth travel annoyingly fast through him.

His face flushed instantly.