by Mima
“What? No, but look…can we talk about this?” Chase stuttered through his words and Diego stopped and leaned against the cupboard.
“We can talk about anything you wish.” His eyes were serious, full of compassion as if nothing out of the ordinary had taken place moment earlier. “Anything, always.” He appeared slightly vulnerable and Chase felt his defenses lower.
“Ok, I…I know its none of my business. I just want to know what happened here,” Chase asked calmly, his body suddenly exhausted. The smell of his food caused his stomach to gurgle, something that hadn’t gone unnoticed by Diego who pointed toward the plate.
“Eat my friend, this is not a concern anymore,” Diego replied with a shrug.
“I was just a witness so,” Chase stuttered and shook his head. “It kind of is.”
“Like I say, it was that man who gave me these bruises.” Diego pointed toward his eye then down toward his torso as his accent started to slip in. “I had to teach him a lesson. An eye for an eye, yes?”
Chase nodded in understanding and said nothing.
“I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about me,” Diego’s comment was breezy as he drifted toward the fridge and opened the door.
“I do, though,” Chase quietly replied and Diego turned, the door still opened, his eyes full of warmth.
“I am fine,” He insisted and closed the door. “Really, I am. He left some bruises on me and it was honestly, a bit scary but you always look your enemy in the eye and let them know that you will not be their victim. You know?”
Chase nodded.
“How many bruises are we talking?”
Diego looked away, a glimmer of shame crossed his face as he silently removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. The bruises were painful to look at, appearing as though a hand had squeezed just below his neck on each side. Slowly removing his shirt, Diego’s eyes expressed both vulnerability and humiliation, as he turned to show his upper back, covered in various shades of black and purple. His lower back also had some bruising and a small gash. It sent a shiver through Chase to see the wounds. He found himself look away as Diego put his shirt back on, his face dispirited as he turned around.
Pointing toward Chase’s face, he quietly replied. “See, that is why I did not want to show you. I don’t want your pity.”
“I don’t pity you,” Chase spoke earnestly. “But I’m glad you showed me now because if I had seen all that before that guy came here, I mightn’t have been so quick to stop you from hitting him.”
A light filled Diego’s eyes and he stood a little taller as if Chase had given him back some of his pride in a single comment. He looked as if he wanted to say something but instead patted his arm affectionately as he walked away and into his room.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Chase wasn’t certain if Diego’s bruises were the result of a business or personal relationship but he assumed the latter. They never spoke of it again and although Jolene attempted to find out some information, Chase refused to get involved and Diego simply made a joke of it.
“It is nothing, Jolene,” Diego said with a quick shrug on Monday morning when the two stopped by her office shortly after arriving at work. “You know, boys will be boys, sometimes things happen.”
“I do not like!” Jolene loudly replied as she rose from her desk and crossed the floor to inspect his eye closer. “Who do this to you?”
“Jolene, you really need to improve your English,” Diego casually attempted to change the subject and made a face. “You know, it’s been long enough that you’ve been in Canada, you have to start speaking like an American too.”
Glaring at her brother, Jolene made a face similar to her brother’s expression. “I am starting to see why they hit you.” She showed only temporary frustration which quickly melted away to concern. “Seriously, Diego, who did this to you?” She asked with a hint of sadness in her voice, as Jolene moved forward and pulled her brother into a hug.
“Jolene Jolene!” Diego sang out her name in reference to the Dolly Parton song, causing her to let go of him and glare. “I’m fine. You worry too much. If you don’t believe me, ask Chase?”
“I’m not getting into this,” Chase replied with both hands in the air.
“You think I look bad, you should see the other guy,” Diego spoke boldly and turned toward Chase once again, despite his disinterest in getting involved. “Am I right, Chase?”
Although he briefly hesitated, Chase reluctantly nodded in agreement as Jolene studied his face. Just then, Beverly entered the room holding a cup of coffee, she appeared slightly apologetic as she sat at her desk.
“Is this true, Chase?” Jolene asked pointedly, ignoring her assistant’s arrival into the room. She crossed her arms over her breasts and tilted her head. “Is he bullshitting me?
“No, he’s not, Jolene,” Chase felt confident in his answer. “He’s really not.”
Diego nodded proudly, a mischievous grin on his face. Crossing his arms over his chest like Jolene, he turned his attention back to her.
“Do I want to know more?” Jolene asked and immediately shook her head. “No, I do not.”
Turning, she returned to her desk and Diego immediately followed.
“Hey Jolene, do you have any makeup, the kind that covers dark circles or anything like that, you know?”
Turning just as she was about to sit down, Jolene made a face. “I do not think my makeup can cover that, you know, it’s not exactly dark circles under your eye.”
“But even, you know, a bit,” Diego asked and turned toward Chase, his lips squeezed together as he glanced in a nearby mirror. “Just to make it less obvious.”
With a loud sigh, Jolene reached for her bag on the floor and muttered, “I cannot believe I have to put makeup on my brother.”
“Thank you, Jolene,” Diego sang out and turned toward Chase, who simultaneously noted the humored look in Beverly’s eyes. “I will meet you next door.”
Chase merely nodded before heading out of the room and toward their shared office, he quickly unlocked the door, dropped off his laptop and turned on the light before heading toward the staff kitchen to grab a coffee.
Gracie was leaving the staff room just as he arrived. He was surprised to see her hair a dark shade of blue and unlike most mornings, it fell loosely to touch her shoulders rather than in her usual pigtails. She also traded in her long, frumpy skirts and hippie blouses for a fitted black skirt and white blouse. He also couldn’t help but notice the dark blue bra underneath but he quickly averted his eyes and pretended not to see.
“You look…nice,” Chase said, careful of how he worded this compliment. He couldn’t exactly tell her that she was sexy and that her new wardrobe was springing his desires to life but it was certainly a reality.
“Thanks, I decided to get some new clothes this weekend, maybe try something new with my hair.” She let out a soft giggle that only caused his desires to climb. “Diego probably won’t like the hair.”
“You mainly..ah, deal with people on the phone anyway, don’t you?” He asked, almost stuttering through his words. “I’m sure he won’t care.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” She shrugged and gave him a quick smile, as he awkwardly reached for the door and she followed him in the staff room. “I guess we have a meeting later.”
“We do?”
“Yeah, that’s what Jolene said, to talk about the party,” She commented and didn’t break eye contact with him for a second. “I’m not sure if Jesse will make it, though. I think Diego is sending me a list of things for us to do.”
He nodded and she gave him one last, seductive smile before easing out the door. He was left feeling dumbfounded but quickly shook away his thoughts and moved on with his day.
Later that morning, Diego flew through the office, shooting off demands to everyone, as the last details of their first party for gay men
rapidly came together. He excitedly announced that everything was ‘perfecto’ and that he would spend most of the afternoon out with Jesse and Jolene, first to meet with reps from the rum company and then drop by the venue to nail down the final details with the owner.
The black eye, although still there, was slightly toned down from that morning, so clearly Jolene’s makeup was somewhat helpful. Diego seemed satisfied and quickly forgot about it as he excitedly rushed through his day. It was only as Jolene and Diego left to meet Jesse that Chase remembered his meeting with Gracie.
“Now, the two of you,” Diego instructed as he and Jolene stood in the doorway and Gracie entered the room. “I want the two of you to go through the list that I sent Gracie earlier, get me some prices. We will order first thing tomorrow morning. Whatever it is we need. Also, we need to start thinking about a bigger storage area for the stuff we aren’t renting. That big closet off the staff room just isn’t going to cut it any longer.”
“We figure that later, Diego. Come on, we must go,” Jolene cut in and ushered him toward the door. “You two, research prices, try to think of anything we are missing and we will return later.”
Gracie appeared slightly apprehensive, if not shy, as she closed the door and walked toward Chase’s desk. Grabbing a nearby chair, she pulled it close and sat her laptop down and proceeded to open it.
“I’ve already got a list of prices, so there isn’t much for us to talk about,” She said, appearing bored, as her fingers rapidly clicked on the keyboard while Chase felt his desires from the morning melt away. “I sent it to you if you want to look at it.”
“Sure.”
A quick glance at the document proved that Gracie was on the right track and Chase couldn’t think of what else was left to discuss. They quickly reviewed the other upcoming parties but since most were in other cities, the details would be prepared by the two planners who worked remotely. Fortunately, they were reliable, working independently, receiving a commission rather than a pay cheque.
“As much as I hate to say it, Diego does run things well although he’s kind of crazy, you know?” Gracie said as she closed her laptop, a smile on her face. “So he’s your boyfriend?”
“My what? No,” Chase replied with a laugh. “Wait, do people think that he is?”
“No, I’m sorry, I misspoke,” Gracie muttered, her eyes looked down and a tinge of pink filled her cheeks. “Someone said this morning that you lived together? I’m probably wrong, though.”
“He’s gay but I’m not,” Chase quietly confirmed. “As for me living with him, it’s just because I haven’t found an apartment yet. I’ve been so busy with work and when I first got here, I guess I was a little overwhelmed.”
“I can understand,” Gracie said as she sat back in her chair. “It can be scary.”
Chase silently nodded.
“Do you have friends or family here?”
Chase shook his head. “The only people I know work in this office.”
“It can be difficult to meet new people in a city this big. I was lucky because my sister was here in university when I arrived.”
“That’s good,” He quietly replied and they both fell into an awkward silence.
“Well, I think I’m going back to my desk to work on some other things if that’s ok?”
Chase nodded but felt disappointment to see her leave. They had barely met for fifteen minutes and already she was ready to find a reason to go.
“Sure,” Chase replied, not sure of what else to say.
Gracie gave a hesitant smile and left the office. It was when she hastily returned a few minutes later and stuck her head in the door that alarmed him slightly.
“There’s something….going on in the bathroom.”
“Going on?” Chase asked with some hesitation as he started to stand. “What do you mean, going on?”
“I think you should come…see,” Gracie spoke slowly, almost stumbling over her words as Chase got up and rushed toward the door. He watched her scurry into the staff room and he followed her. It was immediately clear what she was referring to; a banging noise could be heard from inside the ladies room, as he exchanged alarmed looks with Gracie, he was hesitant to enter. He wasn’t sure if she clued on what was taking place until the animal like moans started. The moment she did, her face turned a hot pink and she stepped back slightly.
“Who the hell is in there?” Chase whispered.
“I don’t know,” Gracie said with an apologetic shrug.
“Sylvana? Benjamin?”
“Sylvana told Diego she was going to a dentist appointment and Ben’s out running an errand this afternoon,” Gracie spoke in a hushed tone. “I saw them both leave.”
“Beverly? Deborah?”
Without uttering a word, as the moans got louder, Gracie rushed out the staff room and quickly returned. “Deborah isn’t at her desk and Beverly has the door closed so she’s either in there or left the building.”
“Maybe,” Chase said and looked from Gracie to the door and back again. The noise stopped.
“You aren’t going to make me go in there, are you?” Gracie asked as she shrunk back. “I can’t…”
“No, no that’s fine,” Chase said and let out a loud sigh. “Just go back to your desk and I will take care of this.”
“Ok,” Gracie said in a little voice. “I still have to pee. Can I use the men’s room?”
“Sure, yes, that’s fine,” He awkwardly replied and watched Gracie make a beeline for the door.
Just as the men’s room door swung shut, the ladies’ room door opened and Deborah walked out followed by the young delivery guy from a well-known courier company. It was a toss-up which of the two appeared more shocked to see Chase waiting for them, as he stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
“I thought you said everyone was in meetings,” The delivery man muttered with some resentment as he passed Deborah and merely shrugged at Chase. “Sorry man, I…”
“Just go, please,” Chase spoke firmly and then turned to Deborah. “You, the boardroom, now.”
No longer standing as tall as she was when departing from the washroom, she followed Chase’s instructions as he followed. Once the two of them were in the room behind closed doors, he turned toward her and shook his head.
“Really? I mean, during work hours, at your workplace, you pull this shit?” Chase snapped at her before she could even sit down, she instead stood awkwardly with tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think anyone was here. I thought everyone was in meetings…”
“You do realize, that doesn’t make it okay, right?”
“I know, I can’t help it,” She continued while nervously picking at her nails. “I have a…I have a problem.”
Chase raised his eyebrows and didn’t respond.
“I am a sex addict.”
He shook his head in disbelief.
“I know everyone thinks it’s an excuse for bad behavior,” She attempted to joke but Chase wasn’t in the mood. “But it’s true. I have a therapist who would vouch for me and I go to a regular group. It’s not helping.”
“I see that.” Chase dryly replied.
“I’m sorry…it won’t happen again,” She continued as her eyes seemed to grow behind her dark glasses. “I promise. Please don’t tell Diego and Jolene.”
Chase didn’t respond.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Their voices could be heard booming through the hallway as soon as they returned later that afternoon. Jolene’s heels sharply clicked on the floor, rapidly growing louder while Diego’s voice dominated the conversation, much like an excited child that was on a sugar high, he was talking a mile a minute as they entered the office.
“I can think it’s sexy without being straight,” Diego was insistent as he walked toward his desk and Jolene leaned in the doorwa
y making a face. “It’s the same with men and women, we all like watching half-naked, sexy people dancing around. Come on, the entire music industry is built on it these days. Do you seriously think that some of those talentless morons on the TV channel, what you call it, with all the music?”
“I did not realize there was such a channel anymore,” Jolene said as a smooth grin crossed her lips. “Besides, that’s not the same Diego.”
“It is the same,” Diego insisted as he sat behind his desk. “Do you think some of those women would be famous if they didn’t have the hair, the makeup, the tits, come on! Sex sells and it’s the same with men. Half-naked men, with the abs, the,” he paused and turned his attention toward Chase. “Like this guy over here. Did you ever see his abs. Phew! To die for! Get him dancing on a stage, the men at the party would lose it!”
“Really??” Jolene turned her attention to Chase and raised her eyebrows. “I could always see that, you know, he had muscles and was strong but I did not know he was like…the belly, all flat and ah, what do you call?”
“Washboard abs.”
“Yes!” Jolene said enthusiastically and then her expression fell. “Why do they call them that? Washboard? I do not understand.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Diego said with a shrug.
“Ok, you know I would do a lot for this business,” Chase suddenly spoke up as he shifted awkwardly in his chair. “But I’m not taking my clothes off at one of these parties. No way!”
“Did I ask?” Diego asked innocently, his eyes widened and he made a face. “You’re family, we don’t want our family treated like that, am I right Jolene?”
“Of course not,” Jolene insisted and hesitated for a moment. “Your abs, are they like, I don’t know, are they like David Beckham’s abs, you know?”
“Ah no, they’re way better,” Diego insisted and sat up straighter in his chair, his eyes wide while he nodded his head. “Like way better but he’s like 20 years younger. Isn’t Beckham my age? Everything is easier when you’re 23.”
“This is true,” Jolene said with a quick nod. “Me, trying to keep in shape now, it is not so easy.”