Secrets and Things (MxM)

Chapter 17 - How high end can one be?

Once we reached the ground floor, the first thing Erwin and I observed was the destroyed couches (stuffing oozing out of them), whip-like marks on the floor plus floor and finally, Beatrice had pink strings floating around her as if she were floating underwater. It seemed she hadn't noticed our arrival and I observed her scowling at the front desk (which now has harden string coming out of it). Is someone behind the desk? More importantly, she broke the law and got innocent people involved on top of that. I finally gathered their attention after I demanded for an explanation quite loudly and surprise, surprise, the one who rose from behind the desk is Mr. Nerovsky Poston. Oh you're fucking kidding me. Once the recognition hit, I felt enraged because I played nice boss the first time and let him go, only for him to fuck up again. It had nothing to do with the fact that I was slightly interested in him and finding out he was the employee screwing shit up made me very disappointed. I felt a growl bubbling up my throat but I held it back in favour of an explanation from preferably both parties. Ms. Chase goes first and her story from the get-go sounds extremely biased, exaggerated and a bit fabricated. She makes herself the victim and I saw tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. Now, there wasn't any evidence against her statement so I had no choice but to believe her, leaving me to give a death glare directed at Nerovsky. That was short lived though because the man defended his honour which in return left me completely perplexed. At least he referred to hard evidence to back up his claims. Before I could even question him, he decided then and there that he was going to leave, which irked the hell out of him. I was going to stop him but Beatrice beat me to it by attacking him, which was swiftly avoided. Too swiftly... like he's used to be attacked out of nowhere. How peculiar... So at this point, I've had about 3 different mood swings and I'm not done.

Time skip to when Nero was about to enter the portal to the rooftop and you found my mind as well as emotions is more muddled than ever. Me, who is known to be cool, observant, level-headed and a great people reader was completely confounded by this one man. He wanted to move the rooftop to not involve bystanders. My heart warmed up to that and respected for him grew a little bit. It gave me a tiny insight to his aware and considerate nature. He's going to fight her on the rooftop... without an Oddity. The second thought got me into a bit of a nervousness and concern because he was my employee and my employee's safety is my number one priority. It was not because it was Nerovsky that I was bit more anxious than I usually would and it was not because of this fact that I grabbed on to his arm to stop him. When I did grab his arm, he initially gave me a shy smile with fondness hidden behind it which most definitely did not take a bit of my breath away. He did not look angelic at that moment. But that smile drooped a little after I said my worries and his eyes had coldness added to it. Did I say something wrong? Reassurance given, he disappeared through the portal. Except I wasn't reassured so I ignored his only request and got Erwin to take us behind the door of the entrance to the rooftop

We watch the fight in awe. Random thoughts were running through my mind as we watch the entire exchange. How on earth is he meant to go against her? He's good at dodging... is he a coward? Woah he can jump high... is he balancing on the pole?? Does he think he's Spiderman or something? Wait is he seriously appreciating the sky now? Can't see his expression though. I still don't get how he's going to- wait did she just say he possess an Oddity? Maybe I should've read his application. Anyway why isn't he using it? Why is Erwin smirking at me? Oh Chase forced him on the floor.. by bringing down my pole. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure she made all the damage so far... well at least Poston is on the ground now. And now he's frozen. Is he thinking of counter move finally? What in the of the queen? Just what is he doing... she sounds like she's dying... Well he explained it... why isn't he stopping, she clearly has had enough... ok now it's gone too far (I give a vocal growl and beginning opening the slightly ajar door to end the torture. However, Erwin stops me with a hard grip on my wrist and tells me to look ahead.) Oh he stopped... and apparently found out about us as well.

Once we were called out and face to face with Nerovsky, you could plainly see the newly forming eyebags and droopy ness of his eyes... and basically his entire posture due to exhaustion. Even the manner of the way he spoke was screaming fatigue. Kind of felt bad but not bad enough to let him go immediately. I had questions and I wanted them answered. And answering he did... well some of them. He said he would do the rest the next day. Once we basically finished, I was definitely siding with the employee but it brought many other issues such as Chase, the deal, the usage of Oddities and many more, which got me in a contemplative trance. Ultimately, I just could not be bothered dealing with it at that moment so I decided to leave it for future me. Instead, I put my attention on Nerovsky once again, only to see him in his own daze. He was once again gazing at the stars in the sky with an obvious appreciative smile, the brightest stars (and surrounding city lights) bouncing off his glasses. The light of the moon combined with the bright fairy lights as well as a gust of wind from behind him gave him an ethereal glow. It made him look breathless. Literally. My breath hitched and I was very obviously checking him out with enamoured eyes. I think I fell a bit in love with him was the first thought that crossed my mind, before I trashed it in my mental brain. Wait I'm straight... I think... hold on... Erwin is here. Yeah so I had forgotten Erwin was also there and when I turned to him, he had the most shit-eating smirk resting on his face and his eyes danced in blatant amusement. Fuck I got caught staring by probably the worst person ever. I felt my ears heating up and my cheeks became redder but that doesn't stop me sending death threats to him through my eyes. It was this moment that Nero looked down at us.

Now if jumped forward to when Nero got the phone call from his friend (very dodgy friend), it would mark the first time I had seen utter fear and horror cross his face. His hands were visibly shaking and he took a huge gulp. My immediate assumption was is that the mafia boss or your mother or something? Which was obviously not the case but the call regardless took Erwin and I was in a loop of pure confusion. We heard the screaming from the other side but couldn't once he kind of calmed down. That bummed the hell out of both of us because Nero's replies were cryptic and dubious as my non-existent mother-in-law. He asked for his video to be taken down everywhere and the dude just said yes? Where the fuck does he have that power. And why is dead body and killing coming up in the conversation so much? Are you a good guy or bad guy? By the end of it, my fascination just reached new peaks for Nerovsky and I found myself wanting to unravel him ASAP. God I don't think anyone has shocked and surprised me as this man and we only met twice... three times? But apparently he didn't believe he bomb shelled us enough because he proceeds to jump off the building. This sure reminds me of 6 months ago... I wonder how mystery man is doing now. As my best friend and I were looking down, Erwin simply commented, "Well that was fun. Good luck tomorrow." And walked away chuckling into his portal. I should drop him.

Which brought us back to present time. I currently had 2 minutes till Nero is supposed to come in and my room was very warm from the heater. With that in mind, I stood up (while stretching a bit), I began taking over the suit jacket and draping it behind my chair as well as rolling up my sleeve. Halfway of rolling up the second sleeve, there was a knock against the wooden door and I robotically said come in. Nerovsky steps halfway into the room by the time I'm loosening my tie and he just froze.

For the second time since meeting this man a month ago, I was being blatantly checked out with crystal clear desire crossing his face. Redness overtakes his neck and cheeks, covered up he freckles present, proved my hypothesis from earlier once and for all. Cute. Wait that's the wrong answer... but he looks adorable... I shouldn't find him adorable. That doesn't stop me as I tested him by purposefully unhooked the first button of my shirt whilst I directly stared at him with a bit of yearning from myself. His eyes widen a bit and I hear his breathing jerk in anticipation. It was at this moment I realise that other than my current girlfriends' at the time, I don't mind the look of hunger for me. In fact, it was the first time wanting to encourage it.

------------------------

Note:

- Ok so at this rate, chapter 17 will be ten thousand words and that's not a vibe so I'm just gonna break it up into two and post both at the same time