AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m not sure who’s more eager to be sitting at this table. Reid, or maybe me. Judging by the reaction on his face, it seems like he’s calmed down considerably since the last time I saw him. But my inherited extra sensory gifts from Tuti are telling me that he’s still peeved.Serves me right, I suppose.
Penny collects the menus before tottering back away, leaving us to stare intently into the other’s eyes. I take a sip of iced pineapple tea, setting the glass back down while formulating my apology.
“Well—” I pause. “First of all, I’m incredibly sorry for violating your trust,” I add with conviction.
Reid’s brow practically reaches the ceiling with a scoff. “You’re goddamn right you violated my trust,” he hisses. “Do you know how much of a fool you’ve made me feel like—” he pauses, allowing me the moment to rebut.
Once my lips engineer their next syllable, Reid extends his flattened hand to shut me up. “I thought you were developing genuine feelings for me,” he says. “Did Saturday night meanabsolutely nothingto you?”
He’s right to be mad after the wild sex from that night. There’s a certain degree of thrill associated with his playroom. Mostly an abundance of trust building, given it’s lack for a better word, a sex dungeon. But as time has passed since his cock plunged deep within me, I’ve felt a deeper connection with him. And it seems selfish for me to give into my occupational interests, over trusting that we’d have a fair shot at a relationship.I understand that now.
I nod. “Of course I have feelings for you, Reid,” I reply, briefly glancing away from the table. “But I just—” my vision returns to his solemn gaze. “I wasn’t sure if we’d be successful taking our dynamic to the next level,” I add, reaching across the table for his hand. “Since I have to help out with the household groceries and bills, I couldn’t risk going back to my boss empty handed.”
Reid seems hesitant to accept my grip, but finally gives in. “Why me?” He asks vacantly. “Why my company?” He adds with a shaken head. “What deep, dark secrets does your publication think we’re hiding?”
A thought from earlier this weekend pops back into my mind.I bet he has no clue what a Ponzi scheme is.Reid didn’t even go to business school. So he’s been overseeing that company, relying on every other suit and tie to lead his footsteps. And now it’s going to bite him in the ass.If I don’t intervene like he did for me last night.
I contend with a frog in my throat, taking another drink of my tea before replying. “You do know what a Ponzi scheme is, right?” I ask, studying the empty look in his hazel brown seas.
“Huh?” He replies, tilting his head.
“Hello???” I blurt, rapping my knuckles against the table. “Schitt’s Creek—the whole reason The Roses were excommunicated from their wealthy lives—”
Reid’s expression has evolved into shock from being incensed only moments ago. “Are you saying—” he pauses.
I nod in agreement as if reading his mind. Finally, he understands. I just had to make it relatable for him.
“Mmm hmmm,” I acknowledge. “And I’d like to help you save your father’s corporation from ruins,” I add, squeezing his hand. “If you’ll let me.”
He bites his bottom lip while breaking my stare. In this moment of pause, all I can hope for is that he accepts my apology. But he hasn’t said anything to mollify the worry inside me that I’ve gone and fucked everything up entirely. Penny returns promptly with our plates. Or bowls, rather. It seems Reid is having what I am—an entire bed of white rice covered in teriyaki chicken with vegetables.
“Here you are, boys,” she says, teeming with amusement. “Third time in three days is a new record, Mr. Reid,” she adds with a wink.
All Reid seems to be able to reply with is a humble grin, if even genuine at all. I know if the tables were turned, I’d be worried about a cataclysmic chain of events leading to the collapse of my entire world. So, he’s right to feel how he does in this moment. Penny departs from the private booth, allowing us to dig into our meal. I’ve already shoveled two bites down my hatch, where he’s yet to so much as pick up his fork.
Reid clears his throat before a most liberal gulp of champagne. “You think it’s too late to save the vote?”
Surely the company can be saved from total ruins. I barely skirted by four measly years studying English, Journalism, and the like. Let alone any basic business course at all. I’m unsure how the corporate structure shit like this works. But if proving my affection can be best expressed by helping him seek a positive resolution, then Reid can consider me involved.
I click my tongue, all the while rubbing the circumference of my glass. “It’s possible,” I reply. “My liberal arts degree couldn’t be farther from an M.B.A., but I’ll do everything I can to help you save Fairchild Resorts Group.”
Reid clutches my hand tightly. “I’d really appreciate the support,” he says, glowering down at his food as if he’s not even hungry.
“What else can I do to prove how sorry I am?” I ask, dropping my fork in the process.
The subtlety in his gaze beams from across the table, while a glint at the corner of his aperture dances from our table’s light overhead. “If you’re serious about wanting my forgiveness,” he replies, momentarily scanning the surroundings. “Banana Boy will have to prove his remorse in my playroom.”
“You wanna take me back to Mauitonight?” I ask, my head matching the tilted direction of his.
He blows the few wispy bangs dangling over his forehead. “No, little boy,” he replies intently. “I have one in my Kuhio Beach penthouse as well.”
So all is not lost?It seems there’s still a chance for redemption. And in order to regain his trust, I’m supposed to hand him every last bit of mine, in another new environment, submitting to yet one more world of pain. And since I’ve been a bad boy, this is bound to hurt.Do I trust Reid?A sigh falls from my lips.
“And if I—” I reply, pausing as I glance around to ensure nobody’s close-by. “If I accept my‘punishment,’then all will be forgiven?”
Reid blinks in a short succession. “No, but it’s a start,” he retorts. “You have to quit that ridiculous job and move in with me.”
Is he a mind reader? Because no joke, I’m about to—or planned on—explaining to him that I decided to leave the paper.Not that quitting would be optional at this point. Certainly better than being fired. The likes of which, something Reid probably hasn’t ever had to worry about in his entire privileged existence. But I can’t move in with someone whom I’ve known for less than four days.That’s fucking bananas!
