Ricky sat on the bed in his room,his whole countenance screamed depression. He was still covered in the black long coat. Maxwell came to him with a pair of pajamas.
"Change your clothes,okay?"
Ricky looked up at Maxwell tiredly. "I want to take a shower"
Maxwell bent in front of him and held his hand. "You have too many injuries and can't get wet". He explained. "Let the doctor check first,okay?". Maxwell persuaded him.
Ricky shook his head slowly. "I don't want a doctor. I want a shower"
Maxwell stared into the dept of Ricky's eyes. He saw suffering and sadness. Maxwell felt guilty,this was his fault. He had told Edwin to get information about KB group by all means. That endangered Ricky. He touched Ricky's soft cheek and said softly. "Okay. Shower first. I'll wait outside. Call me if you need anything,I'll be right here"
Ricky nodded. He stood and went into the bathroom to shower while Maxwell watched his retreating figure.
After a few minutes Ricky walked out of the bathroom. Maxwell sat on the bed waiting for him with a first aid kit. Ricky sat down a bit far from him on the bed. His head hung low.
Maxwell moved closer to him. "I won't do anything. I just want to check on your wounds. If you won't see a doctor. Let me inspect your wounds. I need to know how bad they are,okay?". Maxwell tried to be as gentle as possible.
Maxwell unbuttoned the pajamas top, observed Ricky's chest and saw a very severe scratch on the left side like he was bruised with a sharp finger nail and a red spot on the left part like he was burned. Every other part were not as severe as those. His hand arms and shoulders had just minor bruises on them. Maxwell sighed at the sight of that, his eyes were red in anger and his heart was bitter towards Peem. He was going to strangle Peem wherever he saw him next.
Maxwell looked as though he would cry as he took out some cotton wool to clean the wound and apply some medicine. Ricky groaned through the whole process. When Maxwell was done treating him,he hugged Ricky whispering encouraging words in his ears while rubbing his back slowly. "Its okay. It'll be okay. Everything will be fine". His eyes were red with tears but he wiped them away. He wasn't about to let the weak Ricky see that he was crying,how can he be encouraged that way?.
"Mr Kant". Ricky called. "You want intel on the targeted therapy glandular cancer. Don't you?"
Maxwell was stunned but he held onto hugging him.
"Well,I've got it". Ricky continued. "The full list of core members from the research team. I'll give it to you,okay?"
Maxwell said nothing but wiped his teary face hastily.
When Ricky got no response he withdrew from the hug and stared at Maxwell's face. "You don't want it?"
Maxwell blinked back his tears. "Don't think about that now. All I want is for you to feel better soon"
Tears welled up in Ricky's. "But if you don't want it. I have nothing left. This is all I have"
"Don't say that". Maxwell's voice was shaky. "You have me". He cupped Ricky's face in his hands. "Ricky,you have me"
Ricky's tears finally gushed out of his eyes. Maxwell wiped away the tears and hugged him tightly.
The next morning Ricky stood in the living room,gazing at Maxwell's framed picture on the wall while little tears fell from his eyes. Maxwell who was looking around for him saw what was going on and quietly snuck behind him startling the crying Ricky.
Ricky turned around startled at Maxwell's behavior.
Maxwell smiled and greeted him. "Good morning"
"Good morning,Mr Kant". Ricky replied and quickly wiped his face.
"Why didn't you sleep much longer?". Maxwell inquired.
"I just couldn't". Ricky said quietly.
Maxwell stared at him and tried to be chatty and smiley in order to brighten Ricky's mood. "Then its perfect timing. I bought breakfast"
Maxwell walked over to Ricky and took his hands. "Let's eat together" He held Ricky and walked him to the dining table,pulled out a chair for him to seat,then started to empty the content of the takeout box. Maxwell decided to buy lots of dishes as he didn't know what Ricky wanted to eat.
Ricky on the other hand sat down with a sad expression plastered on his face. Maxwell sat down and studied his pitiful face.
"Didn't you loose your phone before?". Maxwell started to say and Ricky looked up at him. "Look,I got you new one". Maxwell brought out the phone from his pocket and handed it to Ricky who accepted it.
"Thank you Mr Kant" Ricky appreciated.
Maxwell smiled broadly at him. "Don't mention it. I already installed the usual apps for you and got you a new SIM card. If anything comes up,you can call me anytime"
"Mmm" Ricky nodded smiling faintly as he held the phone with both hands like his life depended on it.
"I'll stay home with you these few days". Maxwell said and began dishing food into plates for Ricky. "Once you feel better,I'll resume work". He smiled at Ricky sweetly.
"Mr Kant, I know you fell behind on your work looking for me. You must have a lot to do. No need to stay with me, I'll be fine". Ricky said.
"I can't leave you alone". Maxwell said.
"Why". Ricky asked.
"Because I like you a lot". Maxwell replied staring at Ricky square in the eyes.
Ricky was dumbfounded.