Another day, another evening. Kind had not realized how much time had passed by. By the time he left Swalha's place, he felt like a changed man. It had never occurred to him Cherry had despised him all these years, despite his efforts to keep his distance from their relationship; Of course, he put his hands in a lot of things...ideas, gifts, anniversary celebrations, he championed reconciliation whenever Cherry and Wale had had conflicts whether big or small.
Of course there had many temptations, opportunities that he could have taken advantage of but never did openly so why did Cherry hate him so? She had every right to dislike him but hate was such a strong word. He suffered too...he'd had to put up with their relationship and force himself to accept reality and move on. Unrequited love was a burden to the person in love, but he could have sworn, Wale truly cared for her. He'd praise her often, he'd seen him struggle on Cherry's behalf on many occasions, unknown to her and many. Whenever she'd have doubts about their relationship and couldn't handle it, they both came to Kind. That had put him in a position that gave him an upper hand to come up with the best solutions. All his recommendations had been honest, even though he hurt. Kind suddenly felt naive and stupid.
The taxi came to a halt. "I'm sorry sir, I'm not allowed to go beyond here," the driver said. Kind cleared his bill and with a thank you, he alighted and was received by one of Todo's butlers.
Todo lived in a bungalow in an affluent neighborhood. Kind thought to himself how Todo and Wale were similar yet so different. Wale hated showing his wealth since he believed it's what led to his parents death. Todo on the other hand was extravagant and loved the finer things in life. Todo loved attention, he didn't go looking for it, it followed him but Wale on the other hand loved attention from those close to him. He could care less about everyone else. They both came from rich backgrounds with a similar goal to monopolize him. They are also impatient and unwilling to wait for anything. They both have power over him and want to exercise it...only thinking of themselves.
Kind was informed of Todo's location. When he reached the door, Todo opened even before he had the chance to knock, pulled him into the room and closed the door, kissing him, caressing, pressing his body to Kind's. How long had he been up? Kind asked himself.
Todo didn't utter a word, he was aggressive and kept asking Kind to take him. He had been waiting for him all this time, he didn't want to imagine another moment without him. It had been two days since the incident that had them separated. From that moment, he admitted to himself he had nothing that he could use to keep Kind to him. Nothing held them together apart from his one sided feelings. He'd immediately fallen in love with Kind when he saw him the first time at the gym and followed him afterwards. He did everything he could to get his attention but was never noticed. Finally, he befriended Swalha who luckily turned out to be a great person then confessed his feelings for Kind to her. Swalha was a great help. Her only condition was to get to know him further before she introduced him to Kind.
After a passionate reunion, Todo turned to Kind, "You're loved...by many people...but I'm going to love you the most... out of them all." He said as he tried to catch his breath. Kind looked at him and smiled. "Then I'll do my best to honor your feelings, and look forward to a day when I can also love you for both of us." Todo's eyes widened, then he turned away. He was dying of embarrassment. "When did you become such a poet?" He asked rhetorically, his back facing Kind. "When you talk like that, it makes me shake and shiver that I want to believe your words."
Pulling Todo to him, Kind chuckled. He embraced him in silence. He felt happy and safe holding Todo like this. He could understand why Todo had wanted to keep him all to himself out of love but Wale had no substantial reason. After all, they were just friends and Cherry was mistaken in her assumptions. "I'm concerned how you're fairing. I was careful to not bruise your face any further. I can't imagine how much pain you woke up to."
"My former bodyguards informed me of your efforts to stop that man. He wound me physically, but my greatest pain was to wake up and find out you had been forcefully taken away from me." Sitting up, he continued, "My lawyers informed me of his compensation just before you came. Clearly I was wrong to have underestimated him and his networks which make me wonder, what kind of person is he?"
Kind got out of bed, stood up and put only his shirt. He had expected this to happen, however, today had been a day of many truths he just wanted to get it over with. Turning to Todo, he replied, "Wale might be considered as a narcissist. He is always looking for a reaction from me, it doesn't matter whether it is positive or negative, he just wants my attention. He knows how to set me off, and how to hurt me so he'll do anything to get exactly that. He loves it, that's what gives him his fuel, his fire, it's just what he thrives on...the conflict...the need to get attention. However, if he were a narcissist, dealing with him would be simple by keeping my distance from him, no contact as much as possible, at least that's what I thought and practiced from time to time. However, being friends doesn't involve constantly talking every single day since we both know we have each others back. So I've always kept my reactions to a minimum and that is what makes him go crazy. A narcissist would make me look like a villain and him the victim yet, it seems to be the opposite. If he were a true narcissist, he'd make himself a victim then make people think I'm crazy to get them to trust him and believe that he is the hurt one." Kind walked to Todo who seemed unmoved by his in-depth explanation. He kissed his forehead then sat beside him and said, "That is the kind of person he is."
After a long silence, Todo finally spoke, "Don't expect me to like him even though he is your friend. He sounds selfish and obnoxious I wonder why you have feelings for him."
"I ask my self the same question all the time." Kind placed his hand on Todo's shoulder then whispered in his ear, "Another round in the shower?" These words sent a fire all over Todo's body, he couldn't face Kind, neither could he deny he wanted to go all night with his lover even if it meant breaking his back.
Todo's reaction excited Kind. He was quick and strong , caring Todo in his arms as he quickly strode to the bathroom. Their passion was unquenchable and it excited them both. Kind loved it when Todo moaned his name multiple times. This kept his arousal longer, to know he badly wanted him just as much as he did. Their bodies hated up, the passion too much they could barely stand. Kind loved taking control and Todo let him have it, the rhythm the thrust, the tingling sensations that travelled through their bodies, the thudding of their hearts as they both climaxed sealed their desire for one other. and for a while, they lay on the floor looking at each other. They wanted more...they needed more.
A lot of time had passed by the time they had left the bathroom. Kind's stomach had been rumbling for a while, loud enough for Todo to hear it. "I should ask them to get dinner ready," he said while dressing up. "Your tummy is angry and hungry." Kind heard him, but Todo's smile is what got his attention. He smiled back, happy that the tension was gone and the fact that they both had good communication helped clear up misunderstandings. "I know, I haven't eaten much the entire day, I should have asked Swalha for something to bite when I was at her place."
"You were with her?" Todo seemed shocked. He had assumed Kind would be with his obnoxious friend hidden somewhere never to be found. Kind replied, "Yea, she called to see me today morning and I went over to her place. It has been one hectic day but that is a story for another day unless you wish to know." Pulling Todo to him, he continued, "I don't want to hide anything from you."
Todo placed his arms on Kind's shoulder pulling him close for a kiss. "No need, you're here and that is all that I care for now," he said then kissed him again. Suddenly, Kind flinched then placed his fingers behind his neck, gently rubbing it. "It feels itchy here I think something bit me."
"I noticed a mark there actually but assumed it was an injury you got when they took you away." Ending their embrace, Todo said as he walked behind Kind's back, "Let me have a closer look." There was a sudden silence from Todo's side and this worried Kind. "Is it that bad? I didn't feel anything before but after the shower, it itches a lot."
"No, it's nothing to worry about. I'll get you a bandaid." Todo quickly turned away to hide his reaction. Kind had been bitten...a love bite perhaps that he hadn't put there. As he gently placed a large bandaid on top of the bite mark, he remembered receiving a call from Swalha that fateful night asking if he was okay. His only concern was if Kind was safe and his location. Swalha seemed to be driving and her tone was frantic. She mentioned Kind had been drugged and was with his so called friend. Which meant if Kind had been with Swalha since morning then something must have happened the night of his abduction. Maybe Kind made out with his friend, but that was impossible. Kind had been honest with him since the beginning of their relationship and secondly, according to Swalha's explanation, a doctor had seen Kind concerning the drug and said he was to return to consciousness by morning which meant, he was unaware of the bite.
The mark had to have been put where Kind wouldn't visibly see but those behind him would...or was it for him since Kind came here freely? Had he allowed Kind his freedom just to send him here? That had to be it! The bite mark had to be a message...a warning to him.
Damn him! Kind's friend wasn't straight at all. He was jealous!