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“Sebastian!”
Sitting at his desk, lost in thought, the shout pulls Sebastian from his reverie. “Here we go.” He grimaces, waiting for the door that bursts open with a fuming Grace standing behind it. “I take it you aren’t pleased, Grace.” Sebastian speaks after watching her saunter into his office with a displeased look plastered on her face.
“You turned down an orphanage, Sebastian. You can’t even leave this building without being hounded by the media.” She taps the top of his desk, disturbing the clean, polished glass with fingerprint smudges.
“Screw the backlash. The company is growing into something bigger. Just give it some time to get back to charities. We already fund twenty-two of them statewide, and twenty-nine worldwide.” Sebastian throws up his hands, befuddled by the media’s spin on him turning down a charity for children.
Sebastian was always good at ignoring hi
-While he stands in the center of a spacious living room, James scans the integration of wooden, metal and marble furniture. The entirety done in colors that remind him of mocha coffee’s eclectic shade and tone. The wooden floors are glossy, with a hint of tile and granite, forming crown moldings against walls of paneled dado. It was a ballroom by night sometimes, when parties get hosted at Jameson Manor. Its source of light, an exquisitely crafted chandelier that glistens like diamonds.“You might like this house if you take me up on my offer to give you a tour.” Anton Boleyn walks into the vast living room, dressed in his expensive slacks and loose, tan button-down shirt.A handsome man that had barely aged after becoming thirty. Blessed with chiseled, dark features, matching that of his equally elegant son who bears a striking resemblance to him.James lets out a grunt, then says. “It is a delightful
-River lies on his couch, pondering the ceiling while E Business plays on the television set—showing an ad for some random moisturizer. He checks his phone, then lays it back on his chest, not even a grimace on his face for he was too weary. A second later, the advertisement finishes and begins playing live coverage of Sebastian Black, speaking to the press outside of the Black & Co. building.The moment River hears his voice, his attention gets drawn to the television set. Eyes squinting in annoyance yet intrigue. Entranced by a man that turned him down, just the day before. He glares at Sebastian Black for a long moment, then almost calmly straightens up in a seated position.“Mr. Black, what do you have to say about the Merge with Merit Global?” A female News Reporter approaches Sebastian Black at the live television broadcast before the Black Co. building.“For now, it thinks it’s safe to say ne
-The landline rings, shaking River out of his mental ramble as he rummages through emails on his laptop. He stands, then walks towards the table to pick up the phone and glances at the number on the screen, baffled by the thought of who could be calling. “Hello?” River rests the phone against his ear, unaware that his day was about to change.“Hello, Mr. Kennedi, this is Grace Keller from Black & Co.” the woman’s voice chirps on the other end of the line, and River’s brows scrunch up in limpid bafflement.“Mrs. Keller, hi. How are you?” He asks, facepalming himself, mouthing curse words at himself.“I am doing great! Thank you so much for asking.” The woman speaks with enticement I’m her voice. “How are you?““Not so great. I have a few regrets and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some complaints.” He sits, sighing, but covers the receiver with his right palm.“Yes, I apolog
-River and Sebastian emerges from the center elevator of three, into a massive foyer made with black marble, and wall to wall views of Manhattan. A beautiful space with very little furniture and plenty of space, like a posh furniture Ad—Only right before River’s eyes.“It’s just another boilerplate prospectus. Since the merger is moving through its quiet stages, the standardized methods are coming together.” Sebastian conveys, and he nods, remaining attentive. “Wait here,” he orders and River replies with a curt nod.Sebastian strides over to the reception area, where a young, beautiful receptionist stands to greet him with a blushing smile. River watches the exchange with curiosity, noticing how the man glows under the glare of the sun, with deep dimples and shimmering eyes. He was handsome—a man with a life behind his eyes, and experience to match.After working at the prestigious company for just a couple months, River ha
-For all of five minutes River stands at his door frozen, sweating from trepidation. He can hear the loud shuffling inside his apartment, the boxes at the door a clear sign that James had returned after a week. He expected it, but not so soon when the wounds were still ripe with blood and still ached like the burn of hellfire. River wanted to confront James, who could explain him just up and leaving. To get things off their chest and fix things before they got too sour.The second River turns the key in the door, it flies open revealing Cassie Malacca, a stunning Samoan with long, wavy black hair. “River, hi.” She greets with a lack of enthusiasm, but even with that expression she has an enviable beauty.River forces a smile, but Cassie doesn’t return it. “Why are you here?” He questions, standing on his toes to look inside the apartment. Instead of answering, she peers at him as if intimidated by his very existence.&n
-After going out with the one friend River knew himself to have outside of James’ posse, he knew he had to get out more. So, when Andi invited him over to his place for dinner, he felt inclined to accept. Even if he stood at the entrance uncertain, he wanted to be there, or if he wanted to be anywhere but in his bed. He knocks three times and waits, but when the seconds tick by and he gets no response, he knocks four more times, seconds away from giving up.The door swings open, revealing Andi, moist from the shower he’d just hopped out of in a hurry. “River, you’re here.” Andi announces and River smiles.River couldn’t help but stare at the man’s body, all chiseled and cut. Taut from his consistent visits to the gym, three times per week. River’s eyes widen the moment his eyes drift lower and a minute gasp escapes his parted lips when a rather distinct bulge below the white towel reveals itself. River’s eyes remained
-“Can I kiss you, River?”The question halts River’s thoughts, but he remains quiet because of his rising libido. It attracted him to the doctor, but he didn’t know how to respond or react.“I don’t-, I don’t know.” River stutters and Andi chuckles.“I like you,” the man states outright and River mutters, capturing a breath after swallowing the lump that lodges itself in his throat.“Andi, that’s-,”“You don’t have to say anything, River. I know you may not feel the same way.” Andi steps back, and River feels the warmth growing colder by the second.“It’s not about feeling the same way.” River begins, and Andi sighs, nodding his head in the pretence of his understanding. “I
-After countless hours of muddling, Sebastian felt galled, and helpless. Exposed to himself, and witless to handle his obscured introspection because of the countless clashes with family members.After visiting his father’s grave, the entire family had gathered in his penthouse, leaving trails of their visit in every room. As he wipes water droplets from the master bathroom floor, his head spins in reproach, but Jonathon knocks at the entrance and leans against the doorframe.“Vera is already halfway through your liquor cabinet.” He chuckles and Sebastian huffs. “This won’t last all evening, you know.”“I didn’t ask for any of this, Jonathon.” He says, discarding the wet paper towels into the waste container that stands between the toilet and the large vanity sink close to the entrance of the bathroom.&nbs