47 A Bit Closer

While for any straight guy such an offer coming from a woman might be interesting, if it comes from a guy, it loses all its charm. So how could it sound in the ears of a man who was asexual? Didn't she sound like an insult by any chance? ‘Let's be sex friends even though you're not interested in sex.’ Yes, definitely an insult and a mockery.

So Damian did something wrong to him after all!

In no way, however, did he intend to resolve the situation through Janiszek. This was a private matter, solely between him and Rafał Brylski. Radosz did not even intend to show the woman that he might actually be guilty.

“Ms. Janiszek” said Damian in his heart begging the woman to leave “I don't think you have the right to ask, but I will tell you what happened today. Rafał and I drank beer and when a storm was breaking we went to the set to secure it. When we finished our work, it was raining, so we waited on the set. What we talked about during that time is none of your business. And I would really suggest that in the future you control your emotions. From what I understand of your status, you are staying with the production solely out of our courtesy. That could change at any time.”

“You're right," the young woman admitted, though she seemed like a bear trapped in a cage. “I am sorry.”

This woman really loved her friend. She really cared about him. That was exactly why Damian didn't want to hurt her. However, Janiszek had to learn the boundaries that she was not allowed to cross and one of them was Radosz's life.

After all, Anita and Rafał were like siblings and Damian couldn't simply banish her from their relationship like a dog. After all, she was family to Brylski...

“I really have no ill intentions towards Rafał.” He continued in a matter-of-fact but calm tone. “I think you should accept the fact that not every person you meet on your way has bad intentions towards him.”

“Yes, I apologize again.”

Damian had no idea if Janiszek really understood her mistake, but it seemed that from her side the topic was already finished. The young woman apologized again and left Radosz's room with a sullen look on her face.

Yes, Damian definitely had no bad intentions towards Rafał. But were his intentions really good? What did Radosz actually want from the young actor?

Brylski was very handsome, charming and talented and Damian sensed in him the potential for an international star. Rafał had something about him that attracted people, which is why productions featuring him will sell dearly and be a hit. If Radosz manages to establish and maintain a good relationship with him, they will both only profit from it. Damian in no way had bad intentions toward Rafał.

However, Rafał was a truly special person. His unusual charm and exceptionally pleasant personality went hand in hand with some minor ‘ailments’. Perhaps even one resulted from the other.

Damin's intentions towards the young actor were professional in nature. Yet, from the very beginning of their acquaintance, they both reached for more private relations. Radosz, infatuated with Brylski, did not think to keep a professional distance and led between them to a certain closeness, which in consequence resulted in today's kiss.

What then in the present situation?

Damian cursed himself for having made this immoral proposal to Rafał. But he really hadn't thought about its consequences for both of them then. After all, Damian had also been affected by the surprise and excitement of that moment. The moment adrenaline and a few more enzymes flow in the veins instead of blood, a guy stops thinking with his head and starts thinking with another part of his body. This has been scientifically proven. And Radosz, let's not kid ourselves, was just a guy.

At that moment a terrible sense of guilt came over him.

Rafal Brylski was a guy too, by all accounts, but he was one case in a thousand where a guy doesn't think with what's between his legs.

Rafał was thinking with his head and... perhaps with his heart.

***

Rafał found it hard to cool down. He felt as if, at twenty-five, he was going through what his friends were going through at fifteen-seventeen, that is, their first interest in another person.

But why just now? Why exactly Damian?

Was it because, supposedly in some romance, Damian had saved Rafał's life? That's how they met, at a dangerous, potentially tragic moment when Rafał was completely vulnerable.

Saving his life was a very heroic and... romantic act. No wonder that both men felt a certain attraction for each other after that event, which made them easily give up purely business contacts and start looking for their friendship. But today Rafał had crossed yet another line and this time there was no excuse for him. You can't just kiss a man who is your boss all of a sudden!

Okay, not strictly the boss, but close enough.

Rafał, all red with shame, had no idea what to do with himself, when suddenly it seemed to him that someone was calling him from the balcony.

Surprised, he lifted his head and looked at the landscape, covered by the darkness of the evening and the artificial light of the street lamps. Of course, there was no one there.

“Rafał!” he heard again, quite clearly. “ 'Come up to the fence as I am coming up too.’ “

Was that Damian's voice? Why was Damian calling him, at this hour, plus just through the balcony?

Rafał was intrigued, but an extremely fast heartbeat kept him from getting up from his seat. He was not ready to face Radosz yet. He knew he should, but he really couldn't.

“Rafał... don't be like that. I know I hurt you, but give me a chance to apologize...”

“You?” Brylski was surprised. “But it was me...”

Suddenly Rafal saw a shadow creeping onto his balcony from the side of the neighbouring one, just like before. Although ‘creeps’ was not the right term, because what Radosz was doing was not stealthy at all.

Brylski stood up surprised and, in a way, terrified. After today's downpour, the balcony was wet. If Damian slipped and fell...

It was a matter of seconds, when Rafal was already by Damian's side and, holding his arm, helped him get to the balcony. Radosz was already on Rafał's balcony, but their bodies were still in contact...

Rafał jumped back terrified, ashamed and... aroused. His heart was beating so fast it was causing him physical pain. He wanted to run away, but he looked fearfully at Radosz and saw his face. Seeing how worried she was, how much guilt was in her, Brylski froze motionless.

“Rafał, I...” Radosz said timidly. “I should not have made you such a rude, indecent proposal. I am sorry. I have only affection and great respect for you, and the way I behaved in this old building... Forgive me, your kiss did leave a mark on my body and emotions and I just... Well, it was really pleasant... Anyway, I apologize.”

Brylski didn't have the lights on in his room and at that moment he was grateful for that because he was sure that his emotions were being painted on his face.

Damian, who was now standing in front of him, against the backdrop of an already calm evening illuminated by the orange-yellow light of the street lamps, was at this moment so handsome and so charming that Rafał felt anxiety in his body again.

“Why are you apologizing?” Brylski asked helplessly, feeling every cell in his body ignite. “After all, it was me...”

Rafał closed his eyes. He was not yet ready to talk about today's events. His mind and his heart were still in turmoil…