48. Tit For Tat

"You."

"Good morning Mr Liwasvalva."

"I understand you've been looking for me vehemently."

"I apologise for coming without an appointment, but I couldn't think of anyone else as informed as you are."

"Enough with the lip service. I've been briefed on the person you are looking for, and yes. I do know how to get to them. What I'm more interested in is what is in for me."

"I'm willing to accept the same offer you gave before."

"You think I'm stupid? After the spectacle you put up with that uptight nut leaving me alone at the bar? Mark you, I was left depressed and caused a stir that had me banned for life. You'll have to do better than that offer. But first things first, have a seat. You've picked my curiosity, and I need to know why I should be interested in helping you with this chase hunt."

"Thank you."

"Out with it."

Rey went on to explain what had transpired between him and Ari, leaving out the reason behind it yet emphasising the timeliness of it.

"From what I understand, that client has her personal marketing team. Your so-called beloved manager should have known better than to try collecting spilt water. Even so, she stands to make losses investing in a new business."

"The contract will take approximately three months to see results since it's a B2C. However, having worked with manager Ari, I can assure you his excellence in everything he does...."

"You look oddly fatigued." Mr. Vaswalva cut in. "Did you run here on foot?"

"I was pressed for time."

"Nonsense. I can smell your lust for that nut's attention from a distance. Besides, not long ago, I was trapped in that unsightly state for years. Either way, that day, if you had clung to me instead of grovelling every time I insulted your so-called mentor, I might have considered helping you out. Instead, the image of an intoxicated prey being dragged out of that bar by your beloved manager continues to linger in my mind like a stubborn burr."

Leaning forward, Mr. Liwaswalva inquired. "I'm curious. What happened after you two left the bar that day."

"He dropped me at my home."

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"How sad." He leaned back. "Perhaps he is impotent as the rumours have it. He used to be up for the taking, and every bottom loved him. Still, my instincts never lie. I feel the subservience in your words, yet the impression you give out right now is you promised to deliver something even though you don't have the confidence to give. I must warn you to act wisely."

"I'll do anything to help Manager Ari."

"That is not what I'm talking about, Mr. Rey. The affections you keep nestling for him, disguising them as mentorship, will soon pierce your heart like a blade. That bastard is not worth your pride."

Rey let out a wry smile. 'Of course. He can see right through me. Nonetheless, I'm the one in need here. Despite contacting numerous networks, he is the only person who got back to me. Not like I could contact Sir. Ned. It just had to end up with this perverted guy.'

Looking at his watch, Rey's smile flattened. He was down to less than an hour before his allocated six hours were up.

"You keep glancing at your watch. I'm I wasting your time with my generous warnings?"

"Not at all. As I informed you earlier, my time is running out."

"You slept with him that night, didn't you?"

Rey smiled again, glad the man in front of him called him right out.

"That fool has a way of enchanting anyone because that is how he is."

"I would be lying if I denied it."

Mr Vaswalva let out a loud laugh. "Yet you aren't candidly confirming it."

Rey bowed his head in humility. "I sincerely apologise for any offence from Manager Ari. Please, consider giving him another opportunity."

"He stripped me of my pride, and I went on a rampage, a lesson I detest to date. I would gladly accept his title if I'd been his lover, but to claim celibacy after fantasising about the famous top. Ari never got with anyone since that day, and I've laboured resentment towards him. Helping him disfavors me, and if anyone gets wind of it, I'll be the laughingstock of my gay circle."

"Why should you care what other people think of you?"

"Excuse me?"

"As deplorable as you may have felt then, don't you think it is time you just move on?"

"Is that so?"

"I'm simply stating the obvious. You won't be the first person to tell me of manager Ari's past escapades, but in truth, he was fighting his demons. When the three of us were at the bar, he had no idea you still laboured a grudge against him. So, in the end, the resentment you were feeling and still feel was being carried by you alone. From my perspective, you have been the one at a loss, unable to lose against yourself and still fighting within yourself.

Mr. Liwaswalva, I hated him for liking me sexually. I scorned him for it for a long time, yet he neither hated me nor rebuked me. He simply understood my prejudices. Perhaps the space he gave me put me to thought, and I began seeing him beyond my stereotypes. Forgiveness begets peace, and you can't expect to heal if you continue putting up walls of hate."

"You must think me a fool. I know what your beloved Ari is up to, seeking to consolidate with a big client as that with the hopes of attaching himself to the higher-ups. He may have outstanding negotiation skills, but his inferior background is a disadvantage. He needs to learn when to stop."

'What a way to change the subject.' Rey thought. 'Even so, I seem to have struck a nerve in him.' Looking at his wristwatch again, Rey sighed in defeat and for a moment, he felt as if he could breathe again. He hadn't known how tensed he was until now. His attention had been focused on achieving his objective, numbing his senses, and a light rumble of his stomach reminded him how hungry he felt.

"I'm afraid I have run out of time, Mr. Liwaswalva. Still, I respect and thank you for having an audience with me and perhaps reconsidering my request. It still stands despite my expired deadline..."

"The realisation that while I resent him, he blithely gets on with his life makes my blood boil. I'll forgive your uncouth need to offer unsolicited advice as long as your promise to watch your tongue next time we meet."

"Next time?"

"You're the one who came looking for me, was it not?"

"That's...correct."

Mr. Liwaswalva smirked. "You do seem to hide nerves of steel behind your handsome face. Perhaps I should continue pursuing you now that you have tasted a man. Do tell, since it was your first experience, is he a great lover as betold?"

"I...I can't...."

"If you are going to keep secrets and expect me to consider helping you, then you need to review your situation here, Mr. Rey. I'm not the one begging here."

"Should I assume you are considering helping me?"

"That is entirely up to your answer."

"Then... I..." Rey stuttered, unable to look at the eager man before of him. "He is a good lover."

"Is he a masochist?"

"Not at all. As you've said, it was my first time, and I might have been a little rough on him unintentionally. Perhaps...that's why he passed out after a while."

"Ari passed out?"

"S-Something like that."

"Do you want my help or not?" Mr. Liwaswalva threatened.

"I kept- I kept pushing him for more."

"You pushed him...for more...?" Mr Liwaswalva seemed surprised yet intrigued at the same time. "I never thought you'd have the stamina. You'll make a great bottom for my taste. It's no wonder that fool keeps panting after you."

"I never said he held me. Neither I'm I going to hold ever another man."

"Well, I'll be dammed." Mr. Liwaswalva's jaw dropped. "Your so-called manager would never let anyone bed him. This is a new development worth noting down."

"Please do not go about spouting stories about Manager Ari."

"Oh, do not fret. presently, I'm more interested in you. For that nut to let you overpower him, then it only means there is something special about you, and I intend to find out what it is."

Rey grimaced.

"Oh please, he's got the same behind as I do! And I'm better than him!"

"Please stop..."

"I'm vers, I can go both ways!"