Theodore Bradford didn't expect the American-Arabian man he helped to be Malik Kent, his business partner. His mother had told him of someone named Malik Kent to be one of their investor, he didn't actually remember the surname but the name stuck in his head since that was the name of his old friend.
'We are here' Marcus, his bodyguard and secretary announced, their car had stopped in front of a mansion.
'Home sweet home' Theodore said with sarcasm
'He isn't that bad, sir'
'You saying that because of you are getting paid for your job, try being his son, he's hard to please'
'It's just one dinner and you are back home' Marcus assured before Theodore stepped out of the car and Marcus drove the car to the garage.
The blonde man might be an adult but he definitely fears his father and would do anything to please him, actually he got no choice but to do so, not after his incident. He had to change out of his Dior suit he wore that afternoon to a tailor suit his father had sent over, he took a breather and went in.
'It's been a long time, Henry' he greeted the aged butler who had worked for his family for years, sometimes he even wonders if he has a family. He went straight to the dining room which looked unnecessarily huge. There was a long table situated in the middle of the room and had a chair at the head of the table and two other chairs close to it across each other, extravagant. He took his place on the seat not long his mother showed up, she was surprise to see her at the arranged dinner, she wasn't sure he would show up because she was used to her son been rebellious but obedience still had a good look on him. The master of the house entered ending all small talks between mother and child. The dinner was filled with an awful silence and hostility, mainly between the father and son but that was how the Bradford family were without the mask of the happy family they portray to the world.
It's been years since he ate with his family, not since the incident that happened ten years ago. Dessert was served right after dinner at the same time his father, Roderick Bradford revealed the main reason behind the dinner.
'You are getting married, Theodore'
'What?! I haven't found someone to marry' Theodore refuted, using his eyes to ask his mother if she knew about it but she shook her head in saying no.
'I've found someone' Roderick said
'I hope you aren't thinking of marrying off to a lady'
'Who said anything about a lady' his father said with a satisfying smile he got from Theodore's reaction.
'I'm not getting married to a total stranger who I don't love and I don't know I would love, come on, mom help me here'
'Roderick…'
'You don't get a say in this matter neither does he' his father interrupted
'But dad this isn't ancient times' the young heir tried to convince
'I'm willing to go back to ancient times if that's what it takes to make you responsible'
'Being responsible is what I have been doing for almost two months' he raised his voiced a little
'Being responsible is having a terrorist in your bed, right?'
'Don't call him that, I was just helping a drunken man, nothing much' his words were not heard as his father left the dinning. He knew that talking to his father was a lost cause but he was also being a racist.
'So much for family dinner, maybe you and I can catch up without him' Theresa said, cleaning her hands with a napkin
'Maybe later, seems that dad have forgotten I'm rebellious, see you when I see you' he said and left the dining room, meeting Marcus at the door.
'Let's have dinner at home maybe you could stay over since it's late' the young heir said, he knew that Marcus would always refuse his offer to stay over even though they've had dinner together but that didn't stop him from trying.
'What are you ordering' Marcus asked surprising Theodore
'Pizza, your choice'.
FLOOR 11, FORD HOTEL
'I'm getting married' Theodore dryly staring at the movie playing on the TV but not paying attention to it.
'What?' Marcus choked out
'Dad found me a man' he said, shoving a slice of pizza into his mouth
'Ooh' his bodyguard said quietly
'Don't worries you can still be my bodyguard'.
There goes a loud heartbreak but loud enough for the young heir to hear. It was Marcus turn to have a hard time swallowing his pizza; he went to kitchen for water before he chokes on his food. After a few glass, it felt more tolerable, not the heartbreak though. He took some time to calm himself before going back to the couch where he and the young heir were having dinner. This time he didn't eat the bitterness in his throat won't let him.
'We've come a long way, how long is it?' Theodore suddenly said
'Ten years'
'Didn't think you would last a year, now you are my bodyguard and my only friend' Marcus remained quiet.
'When are you planning on living your life?'
'Hmm?'
'I mean, you're thirty, won't you start your own family, get married and all? He said to which Marcus remained silent, staring at the glass of water in his hand like it was the most important thing.
'Don't tell me you are planning on living like Henry' the young heir said finally peeling his eyes from the muted TV to look at Marcus
'Henry had a wife and son before they were killed' Marcus corrected
'I didn't know that but that's not the point, you can also have a wife and a son' Marcus went to being quiet.
"If I tell him, he might look my way" Marcus thought
'I'm gay' the bodyguard finally said before turning to look at Theodore reaction.
'Ooh, you hide it well and you don't look gay'
'Why? Because I'm black?'
'No, you look more masculine, something I wish I had'
'You don't need to be masculine, you're cute, that's your charm' Theodore could almost feel emotions in those words, that it was more than a compliment but it brushed it off, no need for awkwardness.
'Thanks' the young heir said with a genuine smile and they both sat staring at the TV in silence even though none of them were paying it any attention.
'Are you agreeing to the marriage' Marcus asked breaking the silence
'Dad, I have forgotten how rebellious I was, I just have to remind him' the young heir said with a thoughtful smile on his face. From experience, Marcus knew he was cooking up some plot in his head like he did when they first met.
'Call Malik's secretary to schedule a meeting tomorrow, an urgent one' he ordered, Marcus stepped out of the sitting room away from Theodore before bringing out his phone to fulfill the task and kept it in a cabinet when he was done.
'Are you done!' the young heir asked heading to his bedroom as Marcus came out of the kitchen to pack the remaining pizza.
'You can't hide from it forever' the bodyguard said following him into his room but stood by the door as he went into the covers and laid on his side.
'It's it fault, I'm like this' Theodore said remembering how he had smashed phones after his incident.
'The phone is innocent, it's him who made you like this and it's about time you accept it and buy a phone' Theodore shook his head, 'Don't tell me you are still in love with him?' Marcus said felling the piercing pain in his chest
'I don't know'
'Don't sleep in the second bedroom, come here' Theodore said patting the spot beside him. Marcus removed all uncomfortable clothing and complied, he wanted more than just to sleep beside him but that was just his fantasy.
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In a pub house, nineteen year old Dore sat with some group of friends, all guys, some were around his age while others were slightly older. They were in a private room which was expensive on a norms, the table was filled with different type of alcoholic drinks, coke and drugs. Some smoked, drank and snorted but Dore stuck with the drinks, mainly beer as he was busy on his phone. The rest crack jokes and talked about girls until they noticed he wasn't joining in or dropping his usual short comments like he always does.
'Hey man, you've been on your phone since we skipped the academy' one of his friends said
'I'm chatting with my boyfriend, you single assholes' Dore replied then chuckled at a cheesy message sent by his said boyfriend.
'Strange how you got a boyfriend when your father won't let you out of his mansion' another said and snorted a line that made him go high.
'Found him on a dating app two months ago, we sync so we exchanged numbers now I'm so in love' he sang along his last words
'Hey cutie, I thought you like me' a muscular guy with tattooed arms said before taking a smoke
'Ew, you're ugly, maybe okay but not my type' Dore said and everyone went "boo"
'Now I'm pissed, I'm leaving' the muscular guy said moving to door even though he was a bit high.
'Still angry?' Dore said waving his dad black card he stole and a smile embrace the guy face.
'Let's go for round two!' another shouted and they left the pub house for another place of enjoyment.
As usual, Dore pays for their hangout, he knew that they hang out with him because of his money and not because they like him, who would like to be around a loser? But if the loser is rich, they might take it into consideration. He didn't care if he was used as a wallet, he was happy he wasn't alone. He returned home by one in the morning, past his curfew, he exhale happily that he returned home safely even though he was drunk but unknown to him he was being followed. He silently sneaked into his room only to find an angry father waiting for him.
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'I'm glad you came' Theodore greeted Malik who came as requested
'We're business partners so I did come' the billionaire said and sat down on the sofa
'If so I would like to do another business with you, Marcus, bring the contract' the young heir ordered and sat across the billionaire, giving him a thoughtful glance. Marcus felt ultimately unhappy with this said business and no matter how tried to talk the young heir out of it he won't bulge; he complied and gave the contract to Malik. Maeve, with her curiosity at its brim, she leaned close to look into the contract, her eyes widened as she read the heading of the contract. Malik was shocked and couldn't find his words for some minutes as Theodore looked at him in expectant.
'A marriage contract' Malik voiced