Chapter 6
Sometimes Eric felt Andrei's eyes on him. His gaze was burning and intense, and though Eric pretended not to notice he always wondered what he was thinking. A man like Andrei wasn't simple at all, he knew, but he loved him all the more for it. His secrets, his scars… he'd patiently wait until his lover revealed them himself.
But as their relationship Eric was getting bolder. The feeling of being unable to contain his own affections was suffocating, and though Andrei was a gentle and considerate lover… he was afraid.
Laying against him in bed, he tilted his head up to kiss the man's sharp jaw. "I love you." He said with a soft, slightly hoarse voice. It was 7 a.m. and the city was quiet.
Andrei leaned his head down to kiss Eric's forehead. "I love you too."
Eric smiled. And though a small part of him remained cautious and unconvinced, he willfully drowned it out in a sea of ignorant bliss. Andrei said he loved him, so he would believe it.
*
The Aubert estate was very grand- almost as impressive as Andrei's home back in Russia. Neatly trimmed hedges surrounded the property and sparkling fountains greeted him at the foot of the marble staircase. Walking up to the door he was a few feet away when the butler opened it, bowing slightly before leading him inside.
As for why Albert had invited him here, the answer was rather obvious even before the two of them sat down in the Aubert patriarch's study.
"You've been in America for quite some time now. Have you applied for citizenship yet?" The elder asked, sipping at the glass of whiskey he had poured for them. It was strong stuff, and Andrei appreciated its quality.
"I don't intend to become a citizen of this country, or a permanent resident at that." He replied with a relaxed smile, causing Albert to raise a brow.
"When do you plan to return to Russia? I imagine it's difficult to run a business from another country."
"Modern technology has made anything possible, and I have capable subordinates."
However Albert truly wasn't so interested in Andrei's business.
"And what do you plan to do about my son?"
Andrei took another sip, then lowering his hand so that the glass rested on the arm of the couch.
"I have no plans to leave him."
"But you plan to leave the country? Do you expect him to drop everything and follow?"
His smile grew a little wider and a little sharper.
"Mr. Aubert, please don't disregard my consideration towards him so easily."
Albert's gaze was cold and critical, but not entirely displeased. For a moment Andrei thought he might have a problem, but the man's next words were a pleasant surprise.
"I'm getting older, and as I do my health is beginning to decline. In five years I plan to retire and pass the business onto Chancy. He is excellent, but even he can't manage all of my properties and lesser companies alone." The greying man took another sip of his whiskey, looking down into the amber liquid with a bit of fatigue, caution, and deep love. "Eric doesn't have the mind to manage a business. But if you marry him and handle them in his stead, I could be more at ease."
To outsiders Albert may have seemed a bit heartless, but everything had been carefully considered. Eric really didn't know how to run a company. Even though Albert's smaller projects and assets weren't particularly impressive on their own, altogether they generated a considerable revenue.
He trusted Andrei. Not that he was a good man, but that he was a good businessman. To receive so much, naturally he'd take good care of Eric.
There was a glint in Andrei's eyes. He liked this old man.
"It's an honor to have your blessing."
*
Fall came quickly, the leaves yellowing and becoming bronzed and fiery red. Eric's lighter clothes were exchanged for scarves and comfortable jackets, and his morning iced coffees were replaced with hotter alternatives.
He was also much busier. The company was getting ready for a new launch and every day he had new tasks and problems at hand. Andrei was equally busy, if not moreso, and so they saw each other less frequently. He was rather down about it on some days, but since they called each other every day the loneliness wasn't so bad.
At the moment he was on his lunch break, walking down the busy street with a warm cup of coffee in his hand. In his other hand was his phone, a smile on his lips as he listened to Andrei talk. "I miss you… when will you be back?" Andrei had been in San Francisco for the past few days for work.
"My flight leaves tomorrow night. After my work settles I'll take you on a little trip. How does that sound?"
The corner of his lips tugged up even more. "I suppose it's acceptable." He said in a sly, spoiled tone. Chatting with him for a little longer he then reluctantly bid farewell as Andrei had to go to another meeting. He'd be counting down the minutes until they could be together again, but until then he had work to do.
*
The "little trip" Andrei had mentioned turned out to be much more grand than that. When Eric asked where they were going as he boarded the jet, he was met with a vague answer. "A surprise." He was told, and didn't manage to learn anything else no matter how much he pleaded. Looking out the window he was mesmerized by the beautiful clouds beneath them, but eventually fell asleep for the remainder of the flight.
When Eric woke, he was in Italy.
"I haven't been here in so long." He said, looking out the window of the car as they were driven to their hotel.
"Are you happy?" Andrei asked, his strong arm wrapped around Eric's waist.
"I am." Eric replied, turning his head back over so he could kiss the man on the cheek. Andrei really knew how to travel, and when they checked into their hotel Eric was satisfied that it was "up to standard" (and that standard, of course, was absolute luxury).
The rest of the day was spent exploring Milan. Eric had previously visited Florence, Venice, and some smaller cities, so even this was a new experience for him. The busy metropolitan city was full of life, and also full of commerce. Eric bought several tens of thousands of dollars worth of luxury goods without every having to touch his own credit card, and also took several photos of the scenery to show off on social media.
However the highlight of the day was at sunset. The gorgeous Duomo was absolutely gorgeous in person, and stunning in scale. However surprisingly there was no one else around.
"I've never been religious but… cathedrals like this are really so beautiful." He said as he looked around the interior. It vaguely reminded him of the Notre Dame which he visited last year.
"It's impressive what people can do for the sake of God." Andrei said, looking around.
"Are you religious?" Eric had never seen any sign of it before, aside from the small wooden cross he'd seen in Andrei's home. He had been told it was a keepsake from his grandmother and nothing more.
Andrei's smile seemed a little off, looking at Eric but not seeing him. "No."
When they walked out of the building Eric thought that they'd just be on their way back to the hotel, but suddenly Andrei stopped him. Looking up into the man's intense gaze he felt a shiver go down his spine.
"Are you cold?" Andrei's warm hand reached up to cup the side of his face, thumb caressing his cheek ever so softly until a light flush formed.
"No, I'm alright." He replied, eyes fluttering shut as Andrei leaned down to kiss the tip of his nose.
"Eric, I hope you know how precious you are to me." His face only went more red, not saying anything. Andrei chuckled, leaning down again to kiss him on the cheek. And then, he got down on one knee.
Just as Eric figured out what he was doing, his mind went completely blank as he saw the ring in that black little box.
"Someone like you deserves only the best that life can give. Will you marry me?"
Eric answered with a resounding 'yes' as he threw himself into Andrei's arms. Clinging to his neck he buried his face in his shoulders, unable to help the happy tears that had formed in his eyes. He didn't like to think of himself as an overly emotional person but all the fears and insecurities that had been swirling inside him were suddenly gone, replaced by a glittering, beautiful warmth.
"Don't cry, котенок." Said the now standing Andrei. The Russian man was holding him around the waist, his free hand gently stroking the back of Eric's head.
"I love you." Eric said, looking up at him with teary eyes, trembling hands clutching the front of Andrei's shirt as the man softly kissed his face.
"I love you too."