🔞🔞Please refrain from opening this chapter if you are under 18 years old. Exercise discretion; this is a work of fiction with all its imaginative elements.
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Gavin shrugged, feeling a bit awkward as Alaric praised him. His cheeks tinged slightly pink.
"What's all this, huh!" Gavin exclaimed, brushing off the compliment with a smile.
"It's nothing," Alaric responded, clapping him on the shoulder. "I'm just proud to have you in our club. With any luck, we'll turn this club into a legitimate corporate business, and I hope you'll still be by my side."
"The income I get from coding is actually greater than what I earn here, just so you know. But—"
"But you enjoy this work. You get to step away from the solitude of coding and connect with real life. I get it," Alaric interjected, his tone warm.
"That's why I trust you so much here. I'm lucky to have you around." He offered a genuine smile, making Gavin's cheeks flush even more.
Gavin laughed, feeling appreciated.
"Uh, what time is it? Oh, darn, it's late already." Alaric glanced at his watch. "I need to go see Raven. You can head home, Gavin, it's fine."
"Sure thing," Gavin replied, still smiling. "Take good care of Raven!"
After Alaric left, Gavin sat back down, his mind wandering back to his tasks and the club's finances. He also reminisced about his first meeting with Alaric.
They had been friends since middle school, a time when Gavin was a shy, quiet kid who barely stood out until he came into his own during puberty. Those early years had forged a deep bond between them, one that had only strengthened with time.
Alaric had always had an eye for potential, a trait that became evident early on in his friendship with Gavin.
They had bonded back when Gavin was frequently the butt of jokes among the popular kids at school.
Alaric had seen beyond the surface, recognizing qualities in Gavin that others overlooked. This keen perception was one of Alaric's defining strengths.
As time passed, however, Alaric's talent for spotting potential began to feel less unique to Gavin.
After all, this was the same approach Alaric applied universally. He had never been one to forge deep personal relationships outside of his professional interests.
Alaric had never had a significant other, nor had he shown romantic interest towards anyone. His focus was solely on individuals he could bring into the club.
Gavin had been his first recruit three years ago, followed by Ryder, Dhimas, and most recently, Aiden.
Now, as Gavin held Raven's profile photo from the copy of the police report that Aiden had retrieved, he studied the young man's face intently.
Raven's expression was hard to read, and Gavin found himself contemplating what it was that Alaric had seen in him.
Raven was the least cooperative and most enigmatic of all the potential members they had considered. His recruitment had required considerable effort, more so than any other.
And yet, Gavin knew Alaric had his reasons.
Despite Raven's uncooperative demeanor and the potential for trouble he brought with him, Alaric had pushed for his inclusion. This decision made Gavin reflect on the complexity of Alaric's judgment.
Perhaps, he mused, Alaric saw a challenge in Raven, or maybe he saw untapped potential that only someone with his unique perspective could nurture.
Despite his reservations, Gavin couldn't help but feel a sense of inevitability about Raven's integration into their group.
He was convinced that Raven would prove to be a handful, but Gavin also trusted Alaric's instinct.
Alaric had never steered them wrong before, and Gavin felt a mixture of apprehension and intrigue as he considered what the future would hold with Raven among them.
*
Ryder double-checked the contents of his bag one more time before exiting the car. He arranged the items on the passenger seat: condoms of various sizes, several bottles of lubricant each with a different scent, and a few beginner-friendly sex toys.
Everything was organized neatly, ensuring that each item was easily accessible and ready for use.
As he went over the attached documents, Ryder carefully verified the age listed on the ID photo attached. The client, named Haidar, was 22 years old and worked as a private employee.
The age difference between them was just few years. Haidar's ID photo revealed an attractive man with a strong jawline and sharp, compelling eyes.
"Not too bad," Ryder murmured to himself, approvingly assessing his new client.
He then popped a mint candy into his mouth, freshening his breath before he stepped out of the car and walked towards the building.
A banner above the entrance declared "Exclusive Boarding House - Rooms Available." Ryder sent a quick text to confirm his arrival, and almost immediately, the door opened.
The young man who greeted him matched the photo on the ID—this had to be Haidar.
Ryder guessed as he entered, "Haidar?"
"Yes," the young man replied, ushering Ryder inside and locking the gate behind them.
Without much preamble, Haidar led the way to his room on the second floor. Ryder noted Haidar's wet hair—a sign that he had complied with the Club's rule to shower before their meeting.
Haidar had opted for a three-hour sexual intercourse package, indicating his preference for a straightforward and no-nonsense encounter.
His room was located at the far end of the hallway, and upon entering, Haidar merely nodded, his gesture indicating the beginning of their session as he stepped aside to allow Ryder full entry.
As Ryder stepped in, Haidar closed and locked the door behind them, the click of the lock amplifying the room's sudden tension—a common atmosphere at the start of such meetings. Knowing the importance of easing into the situation, Ryder attempted small talk.
"This boarding house looks nice, huh? How much is the rent here?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Haidar simply stared back at him, his expression unreadable, offering no response. It was clear he wasn't much for conversation.
Shrugging off the silence, Ryder casually placed his backpack on the table, not waiting for permission, and began to unpack the items he had meticulously prepared.
As he arranged the items, Ryder kept the atmosphere light, continuing to speak despite Haidar's silence.
"You know, a good setup always makes things go smoother," he commented offhandedly, hoping to make Haidar feel more at ease as they moved forward with their arrangement.