Ethan had finally been able to pay a little of his mother's hospital bill but was still on edge; after all, he had taken the salary for next month in advance and had only a few dollar bills left for food and transport. It felt like he was finally crumbling, but at least his sister's school fees could wait for now.
He sat on the sofa with a few papers spread in front of him on the wooden table, sighing as he tried to make this month's budget. To be honest, working at Atlas logistics wasn't the only thing keeping him afloat; he also worked on various online jobs and investments. Recently, one of his foreign investment companies had collapsed, which had brought him a huge loss.
But online investments weren't something you could rely on because they could always collapse or even be a scam.
But money wasn't the only thing on his mind; the meeting with Lucien a few days ago had him on edge, and he still had yet to find a solution. The days were slipping away like water.
Ruffling his hair, he huffed, lying back on the couch and relaxing himself a little bit as he closed his eyes.
This was the reason he had no time for relationships. He used to, though. Those days where things were a little better, his mom being a teacher and all, even with that being a single mom brought her struggles.
He had time for relationships then, not serious relationships, just someone by his side. His name was Lucas, the man who made him realize he was maybe into guys too, although he had never been in a relationship with a woman, just hot make-out sessions during parties his friends had forced him to go to.
Lucas was a close friend of one of his closest friends, and they had hung out many times here and there.
He remembered that day clearly when Lucas had pulled him close when none of his friends were around and whispered seductively into his ear.
"I've wanted you for a long time, Ethan," he whispered, which made Ethan widen his eyes; he had never been with a man before, and it was shocking.
He pulled back to look at the other boy's face as the two stared into each other's eyes, with Ethan's lips slightly parted, and soon they were going in for a kiss, but their moment came to a halt as it was interrupted by the opening of the door.
The two rushed back to their positions with Ethan's cheeks coated in red.
But they had gotten another chance again, and this time Lucas didn't wait another moment as he smashed his lips with his. It was intoxicating, his first kiss with a man and one he would never forget.
They had been together secretly for a while, Lucas saying he didn't want to damage his reputation for being with a guy. Although Ethan felt sad about it, he understood him.
They continued with the relationship secretly until a picture of them kissing was released anonymously.
Even though Ethan had told him it wasn't he who released it, Lucas was clearly angry as he called him an attention seeker. That day they broke up and didn't talk for months.
During that time, he heard Lucas was going out of the country for his Scholarship in France. He hadn't even come to say goodbye, and he left. He had not seen him since then.
That's when he moved on, dating different people throughout college, only for it not to end well, either with men or women.
They always had this term for him.
"You're too vanilla," they said, meaning he was uninteresting. It broke his heart too, but maybe it was his fault nothing had worked out. Was he too soft or too boring for his partners?
But that was not the time to think about that; the past had to be forgotten.
But his mind drifted unto Lucas.
Was he back in the country?
Ethan had not been in touch with his friends after school; it just felt suffocating. While some were living their best lives, here he was, struggling to even get food on the table. It made him mad at the world and himself. He was lonely—quite lonely—apart from calling Caleb, his closest friend, once in a while just to be polite.
Ethan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't afford to let these thoughts distract him. He needed to focus on the task at hand. Lucien's ultimatum loomed over him like a dark cloud, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this was about more than just business.
.....
Lucien had been waiting for the days to pass, but it seemed like time was moving slower than expected. He couldn't wait to see Ethan again; the boy really knew how to push his buttons.
A smirk formed on his face because he knew what he had done. Ethan wouldn't be able to do anything about the mistake their company had committed because Lucien had made sure of that.
He had subtly manipulated the situation, ensuring that the problem was too complex for Ethan to solve alone. It wasn't just about the business; it was about control, about bending Ethan to his will. Lucien relished the thought of Ethan coming to him, desperate and willing to do anything to fix the mess.
Sitting in his office, Lucien stared out the window, lost in thought. His office was a pristine space, reflecting his meticulous nature. The city skyline stretched out before him, a testament to his power and influence. But today, none of that mattered. All he could think about was Ethan—how he would react, what he would say.
Walking back to his seat and sitting down,he leaned back in his chair, his eyes still fixed on the door where Ethan had exited. A satisfied smirk played on his lips as he relished the tension he had created. Just as he was about to immerse himself back into his work, his phone buzzed with a new message.
He picked it up and saw it was from Robert, his assistant. The message read:
"Mr. Belmont, the arrangements for tonight's gathering at Club Noir have been confirmed. Your usual room has been reserved, and the necessary precautions have been taken. The special guests you requested will be arriving at 9 PM. Let me know if there's anything else you need."
Lucien's smirk widened. Club Noir was one of the city's most exclusive and discreet establishments, known for catering to the elite's darkest desires. It was a place where power and pleasure intertwined, and Lucien was a regular patron. Tonight promised to be particularly interesting.
He replied quickly: "Thank you, Robert. Everything sounds perfect. I'll be there at 8:30."
After sending the message, Lucien set his phone down and stared out the window, the city's skyline reflecting in his piercing green eyes. The thrill of manipulating Ethan and the anticipation of the night ahead blended together, creating a heady mix of excitement and control.
He stood up and walked to the large windows, looking out over the city. From his vantage point, he could see the people below going about their lives, blissfully unaware of the machinations and power plays happening in the upper echelons. It was a game to him—a game he always intended to win.
The hours passed, and as evening approached, Lucien left his office, his mind already shifting gears to the night's activities. The drive to Club Noir was short, and as he stepped out of his sleek, black car, he was greeted by the familiar, dimly lit entrance.
The bouncer nodded respectfully as Lucien walked past, and he made his way to his private room. The room was lavishly decorated, with plush seating, low lighting, and a well-stocked bar. It was a place designed for indulgence and secrecy.
Lucien settled into his usual seat, his eyes scanning the room. Everything was exactly as he liked it. A few minutes later, the door opened, and Robert stepped in, accompanied by the night's special guests—beautiful, handpicked individuals who knew the rules of discretion.
"Good evening, Mr. Belmont," Robert said with a slight bow. "I trust everything is to your satisfaction?"
"Perfect as always, Robert," Lucien replied, his eyes gleaming. "You may leave us now."
Robert nodded and exited the room, leaving Lucien and his guests.
In this private room, Lucien indulged in activities that few knew about and even fewer would understand. The "special guests" were individuals who catered to a variety of Lucien's desires—both physical and psychological. These evenings were not just about physical pleasure but also about exercising his power and control over others. He reveled in the knowledge that these individuals were there to fulfill his every whim, bound by contracts and mutual understandings of absolute discretion.
Lucien leaned back, enjoying the anticipation of the night ahead. He relished the feeling of control, the power to manipulate others into submission, and the pleasure of seeing how far he could push the boundaries. This was his sanctuary, a place where he could explore the darker aspects of his personality without fear of judgment or consequence.
As the night progressed, Lucien's thoughts occasionally drifted back to Ethan. The boy's determination and vulnerability intrigued him. He knew Ethan would soon be back, desperate and willing to do anything to fix the mess. And when that happened, Lucien would be ready to push him further, to see how far he could bend before he broke.
For now, though, he immersed himself in the pleasures of the night, savoring every moment of control and indulgence. Soon, he would deal with Ethan again. But tonight, he was the master of his own dark kingdom, enjoying the power he wielded over others in a world hidden from the public eye.