My Sword Between The Alpha's Lips
Chapter 24: Maxim’s Pov: Sugar Baby

Chapter 24: Maxim’s Pov: Sugar Baby

Maxim looked at Alex, who was waving at him outside the bookstore. He walked towards him with cautious glances, and his eyes looked for carriages, but there were none.

"Ah, that was fast. I thought you’d be taking a while," Alex stated, grinning at Maxim. "It makes me happy."

Maxim forced a smile. He was only doing it since he had failed to do his job correctly and wanted to retain a wealthy customer.

"Let’s go," Alex gestured to Maxim as he started walking first. "There’s this restaurant I pass by, and I think they have delicious dishes."

"I see," Maxim nodded, staying behind because he was still cautious. He also brought some money in case he needed to be the one paying.

They arrived at the restaurant with barely any people inside. It wasn’t that fancy, but the prices would hurt a poor man’s wallet.

"Let’s eat here, and don’t worry; it’s my treat," Alex smiled cheerfully as he went inside. He sat down in the corner so nobody could disturb them.

Maxim’s hesitation vanished when he heard Alex would pay for it. He always liked free stuff.

"Have a seat, don’t be shy," Alex stated, gesturing for Maxim to sit before him.

Maxim complied and sat comfortably. He grabbed the menu, which was already beside the table, and was about to choose when Alex removed his hood.

"Ah, it’s a hot day today," Alex stated as he wiped the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief.

"Oh," Maxim was stunned. He expected Alex to be older than him, but the opposite happened.

Alex’s golden hair looked like the sun had blessed it, but his eyes were like a storm of grey clouds.

"Is there something wrong?" Alex asked after seeing Maxim staring at him intently.

Maxim immediately woke up from his trance and shook his head. "No, I apologize," he stated, immediately grabbed the menu and covered his face.

Maxim didn’t understand why seeing Alex’s looks made his heart beat faster, and he could feel his cheeks burning hot.

’Sh^t, what’s happening to me?’ Maxim thought as he tried his best to stay calm.

On the other hand, Alex’s lips smirked as he looked amusingly at Maxim. However, he changed his facial expression when Maxim put down the menu and saw that his face was deep red.

Alex tried his best not to chuckle since it would only embarrass Maxim even more.

"What do you want to order, Sir Alex?" Maxim asked, avoiding Alex’s gaze.

"I’ll just have a simple meal," Alex replied, leaning against his arm on the table. His eyes darted intently at Maxim since he liked how he reacted.

Maxim frowned. He actually wanted to eat more since he had skipped breakfast that morning and was extremely hungry. He was shameless but not too shameless.

"Then I’ll order the same... wait, are you really paying for it?" Maxim asked, wanting to make sure that he didn’t misunderstood Alex.

"Yes, that’s what I said," Alex replied, gesturing toward the waiter who was already waiting for them.

"Hmm, I already failed to find all the books you need, and yet you still want to treat me to lunch," Maxim replied with curiosity. He felt no one would do something extreme if they had nothing to gain.

"Nothing’s wrong with that," Alex stated, chuckling, but he saw how Maxim’s face turned serious. "And no, I don’t need anything else. You see, I am rich."

Maxim’s face turned sour as he looked to the side. Alex grinned, showing his pouch, which contained a couple of pieces of paper money and coins.

’This guy has a big ego...’ Maxim thought, sighing deeply. It wasn’t the first time he had encountered people who flexed their money, but that still annoyed him sometimes.

"Yeah..." Maxim replied to Alex, nodding his head, but didn’t say anything further.

At the same time, the waiter arrived with a paper in hand. "What can I get for you two?" he asked, but his eyes remained on Alex.

"I’ll get this... and oh, that one too," Alex pointed at the menu as the waiter wrote them.

"And what about you...." The waiter glimpsed at Maxim, but his behavior changed upon seeing Maxim dressed poorly.

"I’ll take the same order, thank you," Maxim replied, forcing a smile. Once again, he was used to the treatment based on his status.

The waiter nodded and barely gave Maxim a glance but smiled at Alex before walking away.

"What did you order, Sir Alex?" Maxim asked and peeked at Alex. However, he saw Alex glaring at the waiter before looking back at him with a smile.

"You’ll see. Anyways... can you not call me Sir? I don’t like it," Alex explained. He found it odd that Maxim repeatedly called him Sir.

"Then, what should I call you?" Maxim asked. It surprised him that a rich man like Alex didn’t want to be addressed.

"Just Alex. I prefer it that way," he replied, winking a Maxim.

Maxim looked at Alex with a flat expression. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, still trying to process Alex’s casual demeanor. He wasn’t used to that— rich people always maintained their distance, both in attitude and formality.

But here was Alex, the one breaking all those unspoken rules. Maxim didn’t quite know what to make of him yet.

"Alright... just Alex," Maxim said slowly, his tone cautious, still unsure if he should drop the honorifics so quickly.

Alex grinned in response, clearly pleased. "See? That wasn’t so hard. We’re just two people having a meal, no need for all that extra stuff."

Maxim nodded absentmindedly. He was grateful for the free meal, but the unease lingered.

Just as Maxim’s thoughts started spiraling, the waiter returned with their food. Plates of delicately prepared dishes were placed in front of them, the aroma filling the air.

Maxim’s stomach growled softly, and his mouth watered at the sight. It was clear Alex had ordered more than just a simple meal.

"Dig in," Alex said cheerfully as he picked up his utensils.

Maxim hesitated for a moment but eventually caved to his hunger. As he took his first bite, his eyes widened. The flavors were rich and unfamiliar, far beyond anything he could ever afford on his own.

"This is... really good," Maxim muttered, primarily to himself, but Alex caught it and chuckled.

"You’re cute," Alex whispered as he became mesmerized by Maxim’s facial expressions, especially when he was chewing his food.

"Huh, what did you say?" Maxim asked as he didn’t hear what Alex had said. His focus was on the flavor on his tongue.

"Oh, nothing. I’m glad you like it. You should indulge more often, you know," Alex replied, taking a bite as well.

Maxim looked up from his plate, meeting Alex’s gaze. "It’s not that easy," he said bluntly, the bitterness slipping into his voice. "Not when every meal is calculated to the last coin."

Alex’s expression softened, and for the first time, his playful demeanor faded. "I see. Then I have a question for you."

Maxim nodded, urging Alex to ask as he ate.

"Do you still need money?" Alex started, ensuring he wouldn’t make a mistake with his approach.

"Of course! Everyone needs money," Maxim replied, almost wanting to roll his eyes at the obvious answer.

"Do you want more money to earn than your current work?" Alex’s lips started to grin. His eyes twinkled as he was about to drop his intentions.

Maxim furrowed his brow, not understanding what Alex meant. "If I can do it, why not?" he shrugged, thinking it wasn’t serious.

"Alright, I bet you can do it and might do an excellent job at it," Alex leaned forward. He didn’t even touch his food as his focus went to Maxim.

"Then tell me," Maxim dropped his utensils and focused on Alex’s following words. He was starting to get annoyed by how Alex tried to evade the question directly.

Alex grinned as Maxim became interested, but he took it back. "Ah, maybe you don’t fit in this category. You look innocent."

"Innocent? That makes me laugh," Maxim chuckled while shaking his head. The thought of working in the club would certainly not make him innocent.

"So, you’re not innocent?" Alex asked, grinning wider.

Maxim pursed his lips in surprise. He was caught off guard. "That’s not what I meant, okay. But just tell me, and I’ll decide," he said, crossing his arms.

"Alright, since you insist," Alex said, leaning in closer, his voice dropping low enough that even the few other customers couldn’t overhear. "I’m looking for someone like you. Discreet. Someone who blends in, someone... hungry for opportunity."

Maxim raised an eyebrow, suddenly cautious again. "Hungry? What kind of opportunity are we talking about?" His tone was even, but the unease from earlier crept back. He didn’t like the sound of it.

Alex tilted his head, his golden hair catching the light. "Let’s just say... I want you to be my sugar baby."