[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

"I love you too," Charles murmured back, a peaceful smile touching his lips.

Meanwhile, miles away, Maxwell stood in front of James’s apartment door. He raised his hand and knocked firmly against the wood.

James opened the door, a mixture of relief and lingering frustration crossing his face when he saw Maxwell standing outside. "Finally. You’re here. Where have you been? You called me this morning and said you were coming, and now you’re only just showing up?"

Maxwell offered him a soft, apologetic smile, lowering his head slightly. "I’m sorry."

James let out a breath and waved a dismissive hand. "Forget about it. Just come inside."

But instead of stepping over the threshold, Maxwell remained completely still in the doorway, his feet firmly planted.

James paused, narrowing his eyes as another flash of annoyance crossed his face. "What now? Don’t make me even angrier, Maxwell. Why are you just standing there? Come inside."

Maxwell rubbed the back of his neck, looking unusually hesitant. "Can you please... come downstairs with me for a moment?"

James stared at him, his brow furrowing with suspicion. "You’re acting really suspicious."

"Please?" Maxwell asked softly.

James sighed, shaking his head in defeat. "Fine."

He stepped back inside his apartment to grab his phone before returning to the hallway. They walked side by side in silence, taking the elevator all the way down to the underground parking lot.

When they reached Maxwell’s car, Maxwell walked around and opened the passenger door for James, gesturing for him to get in. James gave him a sideways, doubtful look but climbed inside. Maxwell quickly walked around to the driver’s side and settled behind the wheel.

Before he could even start the car, James turned toward him, folding his arms across his chest. The irritation was still evident in his expression. "Alright," he said. "Why did you bring me all the way down here?"

For once, Maxwell’s usual confidence disappeared. He hesitated, turning toward James with an unfamiliar nervousness stirring in his chest. "James..." he began quietly. "I have a few questions I want to ask you."

James let out an impatient huff. "Maxwell, what now?"

"Please," Maxwell whispered.

James softened just a little, rolling his eyes affectionately. "Okay. Go ahead."

Maxwell took a deep breath, keeping his eyes locked on James. "First... can you do a long-distance relationship with me?"

James didn’t even have to think about it. Without breaking eye contact, he answered smoothly, "If it means being with you... yes, I will."

Maxwell swallowed hard. "Can I trust you?"

"Of course you can," James replied, his tone growing more tender. "What’s going on with you today?"

"Will you love only Maxwell... and be completely loyal to him?"

James gave him a small, fond smile. "Yes, I will."

"And will you—" Maxwell suddenly stopped, his eyes darting toward the sun visor above James’s head. His expression changed instantly.

"Wait. What’s that on your head?"

James blinked, startled. "What is what on my head?"

"Look in the mirror," Maxwell urged, pointing frantically. "Check the mirror. Right now."

Instantly curious and slightly worried, James reached up and pulled down the passenger-side vanity mirror.

The moment the flap dropped, a cascade of soft, fragrant rose petals rained down from the frame, fluttering gently into his lap. Right behind them, a small, elegant card drifted down and landed softly on his knees.

James froze.

All the annoyance he had felt moments earlier instantly vanished, replaced by sheer shock. He stared at the rose petals scattered across his lap, then slowly looked over at Maxwell, his jaw dropping.

"Seriously? Are you for real?"

"Take the card with you, but don’t open it yet," Maxwell said quickly, his voice betraying the nervous excitement he was trying to hide.

He immediately pushed open his door and stepped out of the car.

Still completely bewildered, James grabbed the card and climbed out after him.

Maxwell walked around the front of the vehicle, gently took James’s hand, and led him toward the back of the car. James let himself be pulled along, a breathless laugh escaping his lips as they stopped in front of the trunk.

Maxwell turned to face him, his eyes shining with sincerity. "Now... read the card."

With trembling fingers, James opened the small card and read the neat handwriting scrawled across the paper.

WILL YOU BE MY BOYFRIEND OFFICIALLY?

Before James could even catch his breath, Maxwell pressed a button on his key fob, and the trunk lid slowly lifted.

The heavy boot rose smoothly, revealing a breathtaking, fairy-lit display. The entire trunk had been transformed with warm string lights, glowing softly around a massive bouquet of beautiful roses, carefully wrapped gifts, and a cluster of delicate red-and-gold balloons floating gently against the roof.

Maxwell stepped closer, his voice dropping to a gentle, vulnerable whisper. "James..."

James turned to look at him.

Maxwell took a slow breath before continuing. "I never thought someone could become this important to me. Somehow, you came into my life and became the person I look for, the person I miss, and the person I want beside me. I know there may be days when distance keeps us apart, but I don’t want distance to change what we have. I want to love you through the good days, the difficult ones, and everything in between. I don’t know what our future will look like, but I know I want you in it. James... will you be my boyfriend?"

The wave of emotion hit James all at once. The frustration from earlier, the mystery surrounding Maxwell’s delay, his heartfelt words, and the sheer romance and effort poured into this moment completely undid him. A single, shimmering tear slipped down his cheek.

"Yes..." James murmured, his lips trembling into a happy smile. "Yes!"

He didn’t wait another second. Dropping the card, James threw his arms around Maxwell’s neck and pulled him into a tight embrace, burying his face in his shoulder as a choked, happy sob escaped him.

"How... how do you even come up with something like this?" James cried softly against him, clutching the back of Maxwell’s jacket. "I never knew you could be this sweet..."

Maxwell wrapped his arms tightly around James’s waist, burying his face in James’s hair as a profound sense of relief washed over him. He held him close and pressed a tender kiss to his temple.

"This is why I took so long today. I wanted to make it right. I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting..."

James pulled back just enough to look up at him, wiping the tear from his cheek with a radiant smile. "It’s okay. It’s beautiful, and it was worth the wait. I completely understand. I love it."

Maxwell smiled back, his heart swelling with warmth. Cupping James’s face in his hands, he leaned down and pressed his lips gently against James’s in a lingering kiss, sealing their new beginning right there in the quiet parking lot.

When they finally pulled apart, James let out a soft, breathless laugh, his eyes still shining with happy tears.

Maxwell stepped back toward the open trunk and carefully lifted out the massive, beautifully arranged bouquet of roses before handing it to him with a proud smile. "For you."

James took the bouquet, his face lighting up as he buried his face in the soft petals and breathed in their sweet fragrance. "It smells amazing..."

"I’m glad you love it," Maxwell murmured, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "I know I can be a bit of a mess sometimes, and I couldn’t think of anything grander. But I promise you, I’ll do better and be better for you from now on."

James looked up at him, his heart melting completely. "Thank you, Max. But seriously... I love this. I really wasn’t expecting anything even half this thoughtful from you."

Maxwell’s smile widened, a mixture of pride and relief washing over him. He bent back into the trunk, picked up the neatly packed gifts he had prepared, and closed the trunk with a soft click.

"Come on," Maxwell said gently, offering his free hand. "Let’s head back upstairs to your apartment. There are still a lot of things I want to do and talk about with you."

"Alright," James agreed happily, taking his hand.

With James carrying the beautiful bouquet of roses and Maxwell carrying the bags of gifts, they walked hand in hand back into the building and toward the elevator.

Meanwhile, back at Frank’s apartment, the quiet room was filled only with the soft glow of his phone screen as he sat cross-legged on his bed, texting his boyfriend, Raphael.

Frank:Babe, I’m finally done now.

A reply came almost immediately.

Raphael:Okay, sunshine. Have you eaten?

Frank:Yes, baby.

Raphael:Have you showered?

Frank:Yes, baby.

Raphael:Are you tired from the trip?

Frank:Not really, but it would have been so nice if you were here.

Raphael:What would you make me do for you if I were there with you?

Frank:Maybe a good massage... Or maybe just resting on your chest, curled up against you like a baby, because I’ve missed you so much.

Raphael:I miss you more, sunshine... but what if I want more?

Frank:I’ll happily offer myself to you, my prince.

Raphael:So your wish is to see me right now, is that it?

Frank:Yes, baby. All I want is you beside me.

Raphael:Your wish is granted, sunshine.

Frank:What do you mean—?

Before Frank could even type another word, a sharp, echoing chime cut through the silence.

Ding-dong.