Chapter 71

 

CHAPTER 71

 

Alexander reluctantly woke up that morning after having the strangest dream of his life. He had dream that he was leading a cavalry charge across a river to fight against a huge army ready to kill him…maybe he should stop watching the Rome TV series before going to sleep or next time he would dream he was at the Forum Romanun. He moved his arm over the rumpled sheets to embrace Hephaistion, but when he didn’t found him at his side, he frowned… until he heard the sound of the shower.

 

With all the laziness in the world over his shoulders, he looked for his cell phone on the nightstand an opened one eye with difficulty: 8:30 a.m. Who, in his right mind, gets up at this ungodly hour on Saturday? He puffed out and closed his eyes again with all the intensions of continue sleeping until he heard Peritas barking. He buried his head under the pillow, almost at the same time that someone jumped over his back, taking the air out of his lungs.

 

- Dad, dad! Wake up! Look what I did! –said a very excited Achilles jumping on his back.

 

Alexander sighed, apparently there was a cosmic conspiracy for not letting him sleep, so he decided to stop fighting against the world, took out his head from under the pillow and turned. Achilles sat at his side.

 

- Dad, look, I draw it –the boy showed him his sketched book, getting it so close to his face that he almost hit him. Alexander took it to have a better look at the drawing.

 

- It’s a…very beautiful bear, Aki.         

 

- It’s Peritas.

 

- Oh, my mistake –Alexander yawned. He truly wanted to sleep with one look at Achilles face told him it was impossible now—Are you hungry?

 

- Yes, I want chocolate pancakes –said Achilles immediately.

 

- Chocolate… pancakes –repeated the blond without emotion, he hated pancakes and was genetically disabled to make them. But the two big uneven and expecting eyes that were looking at him, made him reconsider. He sighed—All right.

 

Achilles ran to turn on the TV and Alexander went to the kitchen; the first thing he did was to look for his coffee, until his eyes settled on the window and he found there 7 cats seated on a row as if they were expecting something.

 

- HEPHAISTION! –he shouted in his best parade voice, and his beloved appeared fully dress, with a towel covering his head. 

 

- What?

 

- I told you to get rid of your cats –said Alexander, pointing at the cats that looked at them innocently.

 

- And I told you that the poor things don’t have a home –answered his beloved, drying his hair with the towel.

 

- Poor things? Poor…? They are a pack of miscreant cats! –said the blond angry—They destroyed my favorite sofa.

 

- That’s because you are very mean to them –explained Hephaistion, cocking his head.

 

- So now is my fault? –Alexander couldn’t believe it—They scared the living hell out of Peritas.

 

- Don’t be ridiculous –Hephaistion, put the towel over his shoulders, and opened the refrigerator to look for the juice— Peritas is perfectly capable of taking care of himself, he is a very big dog –he opened the box and drank from the pack.

 

- And they are 7! –he pointed to the cats again—As far as I know they could be a gang.

 

Hephaistion shook his head, left the juice back in the fridge and went to the window to caress his cats. All the cats started to purr at the same time, stood up and rubbed themselves against him affectionately. 

 

- How are you today? –he asked the cats in a sweet tone—How are you Xerxes? Have you been a good kitty? –the big white Persian cat meowed—And you Tissaphernes, Arsites, Ariarathes, Oxathres, Vashti and Drypetis? –all the cats answered him when they heard their names.

 

- Why did you give them Persian names? –asked Alexander, preparing everything to make pancakes.

 

- Because their leader is a Persian cat –explained Hephaistion, looking for the cats’ food in the pantry. The cats rubbing themselves against his legs—Are you making pancakes? Why? –he asked frowning, last time Alexander had made pancakes he had ended in the ER.

 

- Aki wants pancakes.

 

- Good luck with that…the emergency numbers are on the fridge –his beloved reminded him.

 

- Are you suggesting that I’m going to intoxicate our son? –the blond asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

- You said it –Alexander narrowed his eyes, and saw the cats again. 

 

- You know what was a good name for that Persian cat? –his beloved wasn’t very sure that he wanted to hear—Top Cat; I would have named these cats: Benny the Ball, Choo-Choo, Brain, Fancy-Fancy and Spook, after all they are alley cats.

 

- And you are surprised that they destroyed your sofa –the cats went happily to eat from the plates that Hephaistion had bought them, and he put the food back in its place.

 

- Why are you dressed? Where are you going? –asked Alexander, reading the instructions behind the pancakes’ box, his back against the stove.

 

- To the Starbucks with Leon.

 

- Why you didn’t tell me? –the blond settled his eyes on him, putting the pancakes’ box aside.

 

- I forgot –Hephaistion combed his wet hair with his fingers—Next time I’ll send you an email 24 hours before to let you know.

 

- That would be nice –Hephaistion saw him through narrow eyes—I’m joking –his beloved wasn’t very sure about that, but he said nothing—At what time do you plan to come back?

 

- In a couple of hours –Hephaistion saw the kitchen’s clock—So, I’ll better go now –he kissed Alexander’s cheek, but before he could go, the blond took his hand and pulled him to kiss him properly.

 

His beloved smiled against his lips, and soon, one kiss evolved into several and before they noticed they were kissing hungrily, as if they competing for the first post in a kissing contest. Hephaistion’s back against the refrigerator, feeling the blonde’s body against him.  

 

- Are you sure you have to go now? –asked Alexander between kisses, and his beloved smiled.

 

- Mm…not now –he sighed, feeling the blonde’s hands sliding under his T-shirt, and he rubbed his hips against Alexander’s making him moaned softly…

 

- Daddy!!! –they jumped apart so quickly that Alexander struck the table throwing the chocolate pot to the floor, scaring 2 cats.

 

Achilles came in, wearing his blue romper suit, and he saw them with curiosity. They both were panting and with their cheeks slightly pink.

 

- What are you doing? –he asked.

 

- Nothing –they answered at the same time.

 

- I better go this time –Hephaistion kissed Alexander’s cheek, lingering more than was necessary to enjoy him; then he kissed his son’s head.

 

- Don’t be late, so we can…you know finish “this” –said the blond and his beloved licked his lips making his nervous system tremble.

 

- I’ll be back soon –and off he went.

 

XXX

 

- Are you going to tell us now why all the mystery? –asked Nikandros when they were all together in the Starbucks. It was very early, and his brother was still a little dizzy after a wild night clubbing with his friends. He was wearing sunglasses in a vain attempt to hide his puffy eyes.

 

Leonnatos, Berenike, Thessalonike, Kleitos, Ptolemy, his girlfriend Thais, Nikandros, Perdikkas, Nearchos, Koinos and even Krateros were there. No one had a clue of why Hephaistion wanted to see them all or why he had insisted in this secret meeting, threatening them all with a very painful death if they say a word to Alexander.

 

- Yes, why did you call me pretty boy? –asked Krateros, his massive arms crossed; he had only came because he was curious, but he wasn’t going to stay long—And be quick I have things to do.  

 

Hephaistion decided to ignore him and went straight to the point.

 

- Alex’s birthday is next Saturday –he reminded them.

 

- So? –asked Perdikkas, playing with his coffee.

 

- I want to give him a surprise birthday party, at the Karaoke –said Hephaistion and his sister smiled excited.

 

- Phai, that’s a great idea! –she exclaimed, applauding and jumping on her seat.

 

- But you don’t like the Karaoke –said Thessalonike; she still liked Hephaistion, even if she knew he would never love her. She liked him the same way a girl like his favorite movie star, knowing that he would never be hers.

 

- But Alexander does, and is his birthday –said Hephaistion, to whom his hate to the Karaoke was only compared to his hate for Krateros.

 

- It won’t work –said Koinos, shaking his head and Berenike frowned—Alexander is too clever, he would find out…he always finds out, it’s impossible to hide him something.

 

- Not if all of you cooperate –Hephaistion insisted—Please…—he used his always-infallible puppy eyes technique.

 

Nearchos sighed.

 

- We can try –he said— It’s not a bad idea.

 

- Sure, why not? –exclaimed Kleitos, but he was only agreeing to be able to spend more time with Berenike.

 

- Ok, but what if he finds out? –asked Leonnatos.

 

- He won’t…This is the plan –said Hephaistion leaning to the front—I need that one of you keep Alex busy all Saturday afternoon, while the rest of us prepare everything.

 

- I can do that –said Krateros at once, he didn’t like the idea of decorate or go shopping.

 

- Excellent –said Hephaistion, thinking that, for the first time Krateros was going to do something useful with his useless life, besides stealing oxygen—Now, we have to divide the tasks, and remember don’t say a word to Alex, no matter how much he insists.  

 

Berenike imitated closing a clasp over her lips.

 

- Kleitos, can you go tomorrow to…?

 

- No –Kleitos answered before Hephaistion could finish—I have plans for tomorrow.

 

- O…k –said Hephaistion.

 

- What plans? –asked Perdikkas with curiosity.

 

- That’s none of your business.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion had only 1 minute of leaving the Starbucks, after giving each of them instructions of what he needed them to do; when Ptolemy's cell phone rang.

 

- Alexander?! –exclaimed Ptolemy, and the rest went pale. For a moment all the present thought he had developed psychic powers—Aha…in 15 minutes? Yeah, sure…I’ll call the rest –he closed his phone.

 

- What did he want? –asked Thais, as curious as the rest.

 

- He wants to see us all in 15 minutes at the Pancake’s House –said Ptolemy, intriguing his audience.

 

- Why? –asked Leonnatos and his friend shrugged.

 

- I don’t know, but he said he doesn’t want Phai to know.

 

- Do you think he knows? –asked Thessalonike.

 

- How? –Berenike couldn’t think why would Alexander know about her brother’s plans.

 

- Lets go and find out –said Kleitos.

 

XXX

 

Alexander had given up after 5 intents of trying to make pancakes, and took Achilles to have breakfast to the Pancake House; it was easier and safer. He sat the boy on a chair at his side, and cut the tower of chocolate pancakes, with chocolate chips and chocolate syrup.  

 

- There! You are going to eat pancakes made by a professional –said the blond, when a beautiful girl stopped at his side.

 

- Aww! What a cute boy! Is he yours? –she asked with a big smile, making him turned.

 

- Yes, he is mine.

 

- I bet your wife is very beautiful –she said.

 

- He doesn’t have one –answered Achilles before Alexander could say something, and the blond saw the boy as if he didn’t knew him.

 

- Oh really? –exclaimed the girl with interest.

 

- Yes, really but my boyfriend is very handsome, thank you –the girl blushed and returned to where her friends were waiting—Why did you tell her that? –asked Alexander to Achilles, when the girl had gone. 

 

- Because Ptolemy and Perdikkas told me to –answered Achilles, swinging his legs on the chair.

 

- Told you what? –Alexander insisted.

 

- That if a beautiful girl comes asking if they are married or if they had a girlfriend, I have to say no –explained Achilles—Perdikkas asked me once to call him “dad”, he said that I’m a…”chicks magnet”…what does that mean?

 

Oh, I’m going to kill them –thought Alexander, when his friends arrived, taking all the chairs available to sit around the overcrowded table.

 

- So, what’s new? –asked Kleitos, while a very happy Achilles ate his breakfast. 

 

- You came very fast –the blond observed.

 

- Yes, well…we were near here –said Nearchos.

 

- All of you? –Alexander insisted.

 

- What’s this? What are you, a cop? Why did you call us? –said Nikandros, changing the subject.

 

The blond thought they were hiding something but he decided to let it pass.

 

- I want to give Phai a surprise this Saturday –his audience exchanged glances.

 

- What kind of surprise? –asked Koinos with caution, he was sure that Alexander new about the party.

 

- I want to marry him –he left them speechless. Berenike jumped on her seat, Thais took her hands to her mouth and Thessalonike sighed dreamily—And I’m going to ask him this Saturday, but I want to give him a surprise and I need your help. 

 

Krateros laughed truly amused with this situation, but he was a man of honor and since he had given his word to Hephaistion that he wasn’t going to say anything to Alexander about the birthday party, he just laugh and kept his mouth shut.

 

- Why this Saturday? –asked Perdikkas, trying to help Hephaistion and his plans for the surprise birthday party—Why not Sunday?

 

- Because Saturday is my birthday, and he is not going to expect this –Alexander explained— Phai is very smart, if I delay this anymore he is going to find out.

 

- So, what are you planning? –asked Nikandros, yawning. He truly wanted to sleep. 

 

- Well, I was planning to take him to this new place to dinner –again his audience exchanged glances. Hephaistion was planning his surprise also at night…this wasn’t good.

 

- I have an idea! –Berenike interrupted him, raising her arm as if she were at class—Why don’t you propose at the Karaoke?

 

The rest turned to watch her as if she had gone crazy.

 

- Phai hates the Karaoke, Eni –answered the blond confused.

 

- Yes, Eni; he HATES the Karaoke –said Leonnatos, making special emphasis in his words, as if trying to say: “have you forgotten about the birthday party?”

 

Berenike shook her head.

 

- Alex, think about it –she insisted—It’s your birthday, and you like the Karaoke, so he would never suspect. Besides, is too common to propose at a restaurant, think of something more original.

 

- I proposed to you at a restaurant –said Leonnatos, making things hard for her.

 

- Em…yes sweetie, and, and…that was very cute –Berenike didn’t know what else to say, so she just felt silent.

 

- Eni is right, brother –said Thessalonike—If you don’t want Phai to find out, just pretend you want to spend your birthday night at the Karaoke.

 

The blond fell silent, thinking about this.

 

- Actually, it could be a good idea –said Alexander after a moment—I can go to the Karaoke and prepare everything on the afternoon…

 

- NO! –all of them exclaimed at the same time, confusing him.

 

- No?

 

- I mean –said Nearchos—Why don’t you leave it to us.

 

- Yes, just like Nearchos says, we can have everything ready and you can spend the afternoon with Krateros –said Perdikkas, trying to mix things with Hephaistion’s plan.

 

- Why with Krateros? –asked Alexander confused.

 

- Because my house is the last place in which the pretty boy would look for you –answered Krateros, and Leonnatos and Perdikkas watched him as if he were a ghost; was he helping Hephaistion?

 

- You can’t stay at you apartment –said Thais—I suppose you are going to prepare something, and Phai could see you and suspect. Go with Krateros, and we’ll meet at the Karaoke, say…around 8 o clock. 

 

Alexander nodded.

 

- Ok.

 

- Alex, tell me –said Berenike excited—Have you bought my brother a ring?

 

- Not yet.

 

- Can we go with you to choose one? –asked Berenike, Thessalonike and Thais at the same time, extremely excited with the whole thing.

 

- I…suppose –but as soon as Alexander said those words he started to regret it, watching the eager faces of the 3 girls—By the way, Kleitos and I need a favor tomorrow…

 

- No, tomorrow I have stuff to do –answered Kleitos, catching his audience’s attention.

 

- What are you doing? Why the mystery? –asked Ptolemy intrigued.

 

- Stuff.

 

- What kind of stuff? –Nearchos insisted.

 

- What are you, my mother? Stuff! –said Kleitos in a hostile tone.

 

- Oh! I forgot, you are going to the movies –said Alexander, and Kleitos saw him with eyes wide open, like saying “shut up”

 

- All of this because you are going to the movies? –Koinos didn’t understand.

 

- He is not just going to the movies –said Alexander, enjoying Kleitos expression of terror.

 

- Don’t you dare! –his friend threatened him—Remember that my sister was your nurse and I have an arsenal of embarrassing baby stories about you. 

 

- He is going to watch Harry Potter –all his friends turned to see Kleitos as if they didn’t know him.

 

- Why? Did you lose a bet or something? –asked Krateros to a very embarrassed Kleitos.

 

- He is a Harry Potter fan –said Alexander with an evil smile.

 

- No, I not –Kleitos lied.

 

- Yeah, right. Why did you cry then when Sirius died in the fifth book? –asked Alexander making the rest laugh.

 

- I didn’t cry –Kleitos was blushing by now.

 

- No, of course not –said Alexander enjoying this—And if you are not a fan, why did you call me at 1 am to tell me that Dumbledore was gay and in love with…

 

- SHUT UP! –exclaimed a very angry Kleitos, hearing the rest roar in laughter.

 

- Kleitos don’t be mad –said Berenike sweetly—In fact, Thessa and I are going to watch that movie too, do you want to come with us?

 

Finally, at least he got something good after this humiliation.

 

- Fine –he said, refusing to see her.

 

- Maybe after watching this movie I would be able to finish my story –said Thessalonike excited.

 

- What story? –asked Thais.

 

- Thessa is writing a fanfic about Harry and Draco –said Berenike very happy—I’m her fan. Her story is called Magic Tricks.

 

- No kidding? You are Beautiful Macedonian Princess? –asked Kleitos and the 2 girls watched him with eyes wide open.

 

- You…did you read my story? –asked Thessalonike in astonishment.

 

- No –lied Kleitos but it was too late.

 

XXX

 

Next day, the apartment’s doorbell rang and Hephaistion went to open the door. He had something to do for the birthday party and was ready to leave when someone arrived.

 

Oh, please no –he thought when he saw the woman standing there at the threshold. 

 

- Hi Olympias, what a surprise and is not even Halloween –said Hephaistion.

 

Olympias saw him through narrowed eyes, and gave him the carrying case of his pet snake, a white and yellow Pithon, and her baggage as if he were her servant. She entered while taking off her leather gloves and sunglasses.

 

- Is my son at home? –asked Olympias, in that haughty tone that irritated Hephaistion so much.

 

- I’ll call him –he muttered, taking her baggage and snake with him.  

 

He found Alexander in their room and before the blond could ask him something he put the snake and the baggage on the floor.

 

- Your mother is in our living room –Alexander lifted his eyebrows in astonishment.

 

- Why?

 

- I was hopping that you could tell me –Hephaistion wasn’t happy, he was never happy when Olympias was around, she hated him and the sentiment was mutual.

 

The blonde’s mind worked quickly and then he found his answer.

 

- I’ll talk to her.

 

- I’m going out then –said Hephaistion looking for his car keys. The bright side of this was that now, he had the perfect pretext for leaving the apartment without being questioned.

 

- Oh! Phai –Alexander stopped him—I forgot to tell you, I want to do something for my birthday.

 

Hephaistion’s inner alarm system started functioning.

 

- What do you have in mind?

 

- I want to go to the Karaoke –for a moment his beloved thought he knew about the birthday party, but Alexander didn’t look as if he knew, so he played along.

 

- You know I hate the Karaoke.

 

- I know, but I truly want to go –the blond insisted.

 

Now Hephaistion was sure that he didn’t have a clue about the party. He sighed.

 

- All right, I’ll go but first, do something about your mother –Alexander smiled.

 

And as soon as his beloved was gone, the blond went to see his mother. He had a very good idea of why was she here, and knew this was going to be tough. 

 

- What are you doing here? –he asked, before saying hello.

 

- That’s all? Not even a kiss? –the blond sighed and kissed her cheek—That’s better –his mother took a seat, and looked for her cigarettes inside her bag—And my grandson? 

 

- Aki is at his friend’s Cyrus house –answered Alexander.

 

- The son of that rich man… —she snapped her fingers several times, while searching for the name inside her head—Darius?

 

The blond nodded.

 

- You haven’t answered my question.

 

- I came because of your phone call –said Olympias, the cigarette between her lips, the lighter in her hand.

 

- And of course you don’t approve my marriage with Hephaistion –the blond had guessed correctly—I know that you are concerned about my future…

 

- About your future? –she took the cigarette between her fingers—Things always have to be about you? What about me? Have you any idea what my friends are going to say if they found out that you married your best friend? –said Olympias as if this were the end of the world—And what about my grandchildren? If you marry him I would have none.

 

- Mother you already have grandchildren, Cloe gave you 2: Neoptolemus and Cadmeia, and you also have Aki –explained Alexander. 

 

- Three! Your sister gave me 3 grandchildren –she corrected him—I don’t care if you think you gave birth to Achilles, Achilles is not your son, and I want a grandson from you.

 

He sighed.

 

- Whatever, the point is Cloe still can give you many more grandchildren with her husband.

 

- I don’t think so, not without this being necrophilia.

 

- What are you talking about? –asked Alexander, frowning.

 

- Your uncle is dead –said Olympias, leaving the cigarette in her makeshift ashtray on the table.

 

- Dead? How? When? –asked her son in shock.

 

- Two months ago, he went to Italy on a business trip, had a bar fight and he died –explained her mother, as if she was telling him about some movie she had watched.

 

- And how is my sister? –asked the blond concerned.

 

- She was sad when she heard the news, but now she is very well –his mother explained—Cloe inherit her husband’s company, and she is doing very good with Epirus Corp. 

 

- Why didn’t you tell me before?

 

- Because you never answer my phone calls –said Olympias in a recriminatory tone—And you are changing the subject. I don’t want you to marry Hephaistion –she enunciated— Keep him as your lover or boy toy, but please don’t marry him.

 

- Mother, there is nothing you can do to stop me from marrying Hephaistion –said Alexander, in tone of voice that left no room for further discussion.

 

Olympias shook her head.

 

- Well I tried, but if you insist in ruining your life…—she brushed her hair back and made a pause before continuing—So.

 

- So?

 

- You don’t notice me anything different? –he truly hated when women asked him that, he always gave the wrong answer.

 

- Eh…you cut your hair?

 

- I had a boob job –said Olympias proudly—You know at my age there are things that begin to fall and…

 

- MOTHER!

 

XXX

 

Finally the great Saturday arrived. Alexander had gone out since early in the morning to Krateros’ house, and Hephaistion was still thinking that he knew something because everything was perfect...too perfect. His friends were of great help, and thanks to them everything was ready in time, and not only that, the Karaoke would be just for them. That afternoon, Hephaistion called Kyros, a high school boy who baby-sat Achilles every time they had to go out.

 

- Are you coming back late, Mr. Amyntoros? –asked Kyros, sitting at the living room.

 

- Yes, Kyros; today is Alexander’s birthday –explained Hephaistion, he was looking very handsome that night thanks to his friend Xsayarsa’ help, that had the teenager daydreaming—But if you have to go…

 

- No, it’s ok; I can wait.

 

- Thanks.

 

At 8 o clock Alexander arrived at the Karaoke to find there all his friends with an enormous banner where he could read: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And a big chocolate cake. Even if Koinos was very skeptical about the surprise party, Alexander didn’t discover them thanks to be very busy with his plan of proposing that day. And Hephaistion for his part was also so busy with the surprise party that he didn’t suspect anything.

 

- You were planning me a birthday party? –asked a very happy Alexander, embracing his beloved—That was why you were going out alone all week.

 

Hephaistion smiled and kissed him.

 

- I feared you were going to find out, that was why I asked the help of these maniacs –he explained.

 

- All of them?…

 

And then he understood why they had insisted that he should propose at the Karaoke, not to ruin Hephaistion’s plans. The blond smiled, they were good friends.

 

Berenike, who that night was wearing and extremely short dress of white and pink flowers, ran to the stage and asked for the microphone. She hit it 2 times to test it and then she said:

 

- Dear brother-in-law –she caught the attention of all the present, especially of Kleitos, who now had a pretext to watch her without rising suspicious— Happy Birthday!!! –she screamed with a big smile—And, since today is your birthday, I’m going to sing a song especially for you.

 

- I have a bad feeling about this –said Leonnatos. His girlfriend was extremely outgoing, sometimes he wondered why was she with him because they were very different. Berenike had a lot of friends, liked dancing a lot and to go clubbing; she was studying Graphic Design and had a part time job at a fashion magazine. While he preferred to be in his house, playing video games and he was studying engineering. And as if all this weren’t enough, Leonnatos didn’t dance, not even if his life depended on it.

 

The music started and Berenike began to sing.

 

I know that we are young

And I know that you may love me

But I just can't be with you like this

Alejandro

 

Hephaistion couldn’t avoid smiling, if there was something his sister could do, was to sing and dance. Berenike knew the entire choreography of Lady Gaga’s video, and the only thing she needed at that stage, were the male dancers in black uniform.

 

Don't call my name

Don't call my name, Alejandro

 

The only one who wasn’t very happy with all that show was Leonnatos, starting with the extremely short dress of his fiancée and the way in which Koinos, Nearchus, Krateros, Perdikkas and of course, Kleitos were whistling. But Berenike was having the time of her life.

 

- Phaiii!!! –she called her brother from the stage—Come here and help me with the chorus!

 

All his friends laughed and applauded that. They all knew how much he hated to sing, and how bad he was at it. Last time they had been at the Karaoke, Perdikkas had taking a video of Hephaistion trying to sing From Yesterday by 30 Seconds to Mars, and he and Leonnatos had uploaded it on youtube.

 

- Oh, no, no, no –Hephaistion shook his head, but Kleitos and Krateros dragged him, literally, to the stage, where his sister embraced his arm not letting him go.

 

- Come one, Phai! –said Berenike—Sing the chorus with me!

 

That was humiliating, and he knew he was going to regret this, but since he had no other choice he sang with his sister. 

 

Alejandro

Alejandro

Ale-Ale-jandro

Ale-Ale-jandro

 

Alexander laughed really hard, not only because his beloved terrible singing, but also because of his face that said: “I’m going to kill you all for this”. When they finished the song, everybody applauded. Kleitos even stood up.

 

- Did you like it? –asked Berenike to Alexander, with her cheeks pink when she returned to the table.

 

- Yes, thank you Eni –Berenike smiled.

 

- I don’t see the fun in this –Hephaistion grumbled, taking a seat again and making them laugh—And if I found this on the web, I swear I’ll kill you. 

 

- I think it was great –said Alexander.

 

- Oh, shut up!

 

Next, Perdikkas and Ptolemy sang together Get Back by Ludacris, but they danced exactly as Tom Cruise at the end of the Tropic Thunder movie, and they laughed themselves to tears. Especially when Ptolemy pretended to spank Perdikkas.

 

They needed a moment to recover after their laugh attack.

 

- But, now is my turn to sing –announced Alexander and his friends applauded. Thais whistled.

 

Alexander took the microphone.

 

- Well, this one is for my soul mate –he said, his uneven eyes on Hephaistion, making him blush and Berenike, Thais and Thessalonike sighed.

 

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile,

The whole world stops and stares for awhile

Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

 

And Hephaistion blushed even more when he heard how Alexander had re composed Bruno Mars’ song changing the word “girl” to fit that moment. The blonde’s plan was to propose at the end of the song, but since he was so concentrated in what he was going to do after the song and his eyes were on Hephaistion the whole song, that he didn’t watched his step, got entangled in the microphone cord and fell from the stage.

 

XXX

 

- You broke your leg –said Hephaistion latter, at the ER. He was sitting at Alexander’s side waiting for the doctor—I can’t believe it, my sister danced and jumped with high heels and she didn’t fell, how was that you did?

 

- I was watching you –he explained and his beloved fell silent—I wanted to give you a surprise but after this…—he saw the hospital walls frowning. He wanted to make everything perfect for Hephaistion, and now his plans were ruined.

 

- What surprise? –Alexander sighed. After a week planning this, and he would have to propose in the ER. He looked inside his pant’s pocket and took a small box. Hephaistion watched him with curiosity while he opened the box—A ring? All of this because of a ring? –he truly didn’t understand.

 

- I’m not giving you just a ring.

 

- No?

 

- I want you to marry me –said Alexander, successfully making him blush and leaving him speechless. 

 

So, after all he didn’t knew about the party because he was planning this –he thought, feeling his face burning.

 

- I…I…don’t know what to say –Hephaistion answered, still in shock.

 

- Say “yes” –they both turned and found that all the nurses of the ER were there, watching them with big smiles and dreamy expressions.

 

Hephaistion brushed his hair behind his ear.

 

- So? –Alexander insisted.

 

- Yes –he said at last.

 

XXX