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31_days2013-09-01 01:38 am
lovefujitez.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2013-09-01 01:38 am
[Sept. 1, 2013] [An Original Story] Shopping for his Attention
Title: Shopping for his Attention
Day/Theme: Sept. 1 : Virtue is its own punishment.
Series: Original Story
Character/Pairing: Own characters: Vincent Bello; Jonah Heart; Armand Esperansos
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2,077
Author’s Note: A collaborative piece about three young men and how their lives intertwined with one another. This is how it all began…
“You should reward me for doing this favor for you!” The sultry voice barked, but the sly smile and devious sparkle from the bright almond eyes playfully glaring at Vincent Bello toned down the bite of his friend’s supposed angry stance.
Diva.
The word described his friend, Jonah Heart. More so now as the handsome flamboyant self-proclaimed prince of the cruise line industry posed before him. Both his delicate ivory smooth hands rest on each side of his hip hugging distressed skinny jeans. Faded blues with shiny silver studs adorned areas of his jeans that were not torn or elaborately disheveled. The dusting of gold dust on Jonah’s wife beater was so not the attire he asked his best friend, former lover to wear. To top this so inappropriate attire, Jonah had new extensions in his hair, blue extensions peeping through his dirty blonde shoulder length hair, which was usually kept in a braid or pony-tail. However, Jonah chose to allow the soft curly strands go wild, highlighted his eyes with dark liner, and applied sparkly gloss on his luscious lips.
“Business casual. I told you to wear something that would make us blend in and here you are dolled up!” Vincent chided his friend and walked away without waiting for a reply.
Jonah caught his arm before he could take another step. “Don’t you dare walk away from me, Bello!” the diva growled. The spectators around them continued walking but certainly didn’t hide their curiosity by their momentary pause. They were in the middle of the side-walk in the middle of the busy Time Square area in New York city.
“You called me to meet you here. Here, in the fucking middle of this crazy place and you dared walk away from me?” Jonah shrilled loudly. One would have mistaken him for a woman in a fight with his man.
Vincent’s eye widened as he noticed the increasing crowd around them. He hated crowds, always had. He turned his head from side to side as if searching for something, but it was someone that he was looking for. Within seconds, his bodyguard appeared from nowhere and dispersed the bodies closing in on him. HIs second detail approached and instantly, directed them towards the entrance of the glass building housing the newly opened smartphone center. Vincent didn’t seem pleased his details had to come out of their covert hiding, but he nodded his thanks for their quick response to what could’ve resulted to a panicky situation.
He didn’t mind crowds so long as the bodies moved, and he was not at the center of attention. After taking slow, calming breaths, he entered the glass building. He eyed his protectors and signaled them he was alright. When he was left with just his friend, Vincent turned his attention to Jonah and sighed.
“We were supposed to be inconspicuous,” he explained. “How could we mystery shop my store if you, one arrive in a stretched limousine, and two whatever were you thinking with these?” His hands pointed to his friend’s hair, face and body. “Three, rubber slippers, painted toes and,” Vincent had to stop and bend down for a closer look at the jewelry hugging Jonah’s middle toes, “are those diamonds?”
Now facing his friend, Vincent's usual cool and collected mask blew out of control. Jonah, on the other hand, widened the smile and gleamed at him.
“You like what you see?”
“Oh.My. Goodness!” Vincent suddenly had a desperate need to pace. His image walking the open space of the grand lobby area reflected from the well-polished granite floor.
Jonah sniggered. He was enjoying his friend’s hyper reaction. “I am beautiful, admit it baby and you like it!”
Eyeing the nearby coffee-shop, Jonah stopped his nerve-racked friend from pacing. “Let’s go get some coffee or something before you pass out from your own crazy worries.”
Yanking on Vincent’s arm, Jonah led the way towards the bar and sat his friend before he settled on the empty seat beside him. A smiling attendant approached and greeted them.
“Coffee shop with a bar, what a concept.” Jonah eyed the board menu, his smile slowly faded as he carefully went through the list. Frantic eyes turned sideways, “Vinney-baby, they’re only serving coffee and fruit shakes!" Jonah turned his attention the smiling, cute male attendant. " Where’s your beer and liquor list?” He bellowed.
Vincent apologized to the attendant before asking for two cups of latte and a basket of mixed biscotti. He finally released a frustrated breath when he was alone with his so gay friend. “Really? Vinney-baby? Did you just morphed out of the 60’s or something?”
“I saw Grease last night,” Jonah answered flatly. “Where were you, by the way? We had dinner reservations at L’Ecole last night. Dean Pepin didn’t appreciate your absence. The meal he prepared was heavenly delicious.” Playfully, Jonah caressed Vincent’s arm. “I missed you last night Vince,” Jonah confessed. “Your penthouse gets cold and gloomy when you’re not there.”
“Flight delays,” Vincent replied, smiling apologetically at his diva friend. “You know how it goes with private flights. We landed early this morning, I didn’t have time to meet you at the hotel, sorry.”
The attendant returned and set their latte and the basket of biscotti. Vincent smiled his thanks. He noticed the sudden shyness on the attendant’s face. His gazed turned to Jonah, not missing the flirtatious wink and air-kiss directed to the young male attendant. “Could you stop?”
Jonah calmly took a sip of his latte. Vincent sensed his friend’s irritation rising. “I am sorry okay. I wanted to be with you, honestly. But there was just too many bullshit fired last night, and we couldn’t close the deal. I wasn’t leaving until it was a done deal, you knew that!”
“Not acceptable!”
Vincent raked his hair with his hands. His frustration began rising, now. They were fuck-buddies and not in an exclusive relationship. That train had gone, passed and no more. Jonah was an ex turned best friend. Occasionally they hooked-up with Jonah initiating the rendezvous and sex happened only after hours of drinking. Were they on the same page with the terms of their current relationship?
“Jonah, you needed to be in New York City. In fact, you’ve been here for a week recruiting new staff for the new cruise ship launching. If anything, I am the one changing my schedule to meet with you,” Vincent complained.
Almond eyes widened as it stared at him. Jonah began stuttering, pointing a finger at him accusingly.
“Vincent Be…bel…lo! Did you just accuse me of being needy?”
The trick of tears was now on display for Vincent. He loves him dearly, his friend, ex-lover, whatever, but Jonah Heart is such a pill sometimes.
~0~
Jonah quickly dried his eyes. Although, he was playing with Vince, his friend’s words stabbed him a bit. He didn’t expect actual tears. But he couldn't fake the fact that he still yearned for his friend. He left himself wide open by waiting for Vince all night. Well lesson learned.
“Remind me next time to bring an entourage on our next meet up,” Jonah declared. He was about to lash more guilt words towards his friend but his gaze turned towards the approaching eye candy and he totally forgot what he was about to say.
Vince was no longer paying attention to him but concentrated on the text message that chimed in his phone. Jonah didn’t mind losing Vince’s focus on him, his interest focused on the tall guy at the end of the bar ordering coffee to go.
Olive skin, green eyes and what a body! The man noticed his gaze and for a moment eyed him before he looked away and focused on Vincent. Jonah looked at his friend, he didn’t even noticed the appreciating look from the man.
Jonah sighed. “Aren’t we doing some covert shopping in your store?”
“Huh?” Vince asked inattentively, still focused on his phone.
“Mystery shopping? The reason why I was pulled away from my busy schedule this morning?”
“Yeah, okay, well I can do it myself. You can wait for me here. My secretary just informed me that the store manager has returned to the store from corporate.”
“I thought you’re some sort of a ghost?”
A smile lit up his friend’s gorgeous face. “Such a perfect scenario for mystery shopping, isn’t it? Keeps employees on top of their game at all times!” Vince stood up as he pocketed his phone and reached for his cup of latte.
“I guess that’s perfect for bottoms like me to have you on top…”
Splat and the coughing followed.
"...of your game."
Jonah’s eyes watched his friend’s face reddened as he tried to stop coughing out his drink. Immediately he patted Vince’s back to calm him down.
“Are you alright?”
Vince held his breath. “You got to breathe slowly babe,” Jonah slowly patted his friend’s back. He lifted his gaze in search for an attendant, “May I have a glass of water please, for my friend?” He saw the handsome man at the end of the bar, eyeing them both, but more on Vince. Green eyes flooded with concern. When their eyes met, the man sauntered forward to where they sat.
“Do you need some help, I am a certified EMT,” the man announced.
“We’re good, thank you,” Jonah smiles at him sweetly, but the man had only eyes for his friend, which didn’t go well with Vince. Within seconds, Vince’s security personnel appeared from nowhere and surrounded Vince and him.
“Riley, he’s okay,” Jonah reported when Vince was quickly taken from his hold. Riley, the head of Vince’s security team frowned at him before gently leading Vince out of the coffee shop.
“I’m sorry, it was an accident,” Jonah voiced, but his friend’s security people didn’t bother to acknowledge him.
All alone. Again. Sometimes, Jonah hated Vince’s tight security coverage. But it was something he couldn’t complain about. He had his own security people, but if he was with Vince, he didn’t need his own around. He knew a third person stayed and kept an eye on him. He should learn to filter his words and not cause Vince undue attention. Vince hated being placed in such a situation. Of all people, Jonah knew. Sometimes, he just would do stupid things to rile up his friend. Blurt out nonsense to agitate him. Anything, to keep Vince’s focus only on him.
“Are you okay?” the handsome man standing in front of him asked.
“What?” Jonah forgot about the eye candy for a minute.
“I said, are you okay?”
Jonah smiled, stupidly at himself. “Yes. Yes, I’m sorry. My friend will be alright too. Just his latte went down the wrong way.”
He saw the man smile. He had such a handsome smile. “I’m Jonah, by the way.” He offered his hand to the man which in turn, the man accepted and shook his hand.
“Armand, I wish our meeting was of better circumstance.”
Jonah smiled at him, still holding Armand’s hand, firm grip, he thought. “Couldn’t ask for anything better. He released the man’s hand and asked, “So what do you do Armand?”
“School, for another month. Looking for work, actually.”
Jonah smiled. His attention diverted towards Riley. He stood at the entrance trying to catch his attention. Jonah nodded, and Riley turned towards the entrance of the building. He stood up and reached for his wallet from his back pocket. Jonah pulled his business card.
“Well, then this must be your lucky day, Armand.”
He handed his card to him, “I am recruiting to hire new staff. Why don’t you give my company a shot? You are just the kind of worker I’m looking for.”
Jonah gave him a last look and smile. The surprised look on Armand’s face was all telling.
“Wait, Jonah, ah Mr. Heart.”
Jonah halted and turned to face him, “Jonah, just Jonah is good.”
Armand padded towards him. “Thank you, this is awesome. Your friend, is he okay now?” Armand shyly asked him.
Jonah glinted at him flirtatiously. “Who? Vince?” he asked nonchalantly. “He’s fine. I should go, he is actually waiting for me outside.”
Jonah turned towards the lobby entrance. He closed his eyes and sighed. He saw the sparkle in Armand’s eyes when he mentioned Vince’s name. If Armand ends up working on his ship, what chances would there be for the two men to meet again?
Good or bad situation. He didn’t have a clear mind to rethink the situation.
Day/Theme: Sept. 1 : Virtue is its own punishment.
Series: Original Story
Character/Pairing: Own characters: Vincent Bello; Jonah Heart; Armand Esperansos
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2,077
Author’s Note: A collaborative piece about three young men and how their lives intertwined with one another. This is how it all began…
“You should reward me for doing this favor for you!” The sultry voice barked, but the sly smile and devious sparkle from the bright almond eyes playfully glaring at Vincent Bello toned down the bite of his friend’s supposed angry stance.
Diva.
The word described his friend, Jonah Heart. More so now as the handsome flamboyant self-proclaimed prince of the cruise line industry posed before him. Both his delicate ivory smooth hands rest on each side of his hip hugging distressed skinny jeans. Faded blues with shiny silver studs adorned areas of his jeans that were not torn or elaborately disheveled. The dusting of gold dust on Jonah’s wife beater was so not the attire he asked his best friend, former lover to wear. To top this so inappropriate attire, Jonah had new extensions in his hair, blue extensions peeping through his dirty blonde shoulder length hair, which was usually kept in a braid or pony-tail. However, Jonah chose to allow the soft curly strands go wild, highlighted his eyes with dark liner, and applied sparkly gloss on his luscious lips.
“Business casual. I told you to wear something that would make us blend in and here you are dolled up!” Vincent chided his friend and walked away without waiting for a reply.
Jonah caught his arm before he could take another step. “Don’t you dare walk away from me, Bello!” the diva growled. The spectators around them continued walking but certainly didn’t hide their curiosity by their momentary pause. They were in the middle of the side-walk in the middle of the busy Time Square area in New York city.
“You called me to meet you here. Here, in the fucking middle of this crazy place and you dared walk away from me?” Jonah shrilled loudly. One would have mistaken him for a woman in a fight with his man.
Vincent’s eye widened as he noticed the increasing crowd around them. He hated crowds, always had. He turned his head from side to side as if searching for something, but it was someone that he was looking for. Within seconds, his bodyguard appeared from nowhere and dispersed the bodies closing in on him. HIs second detail approached and instantly, directed them towards the entrance of the glass building housing the newly opened smartphone center. Vincent didn’t seem pleased his details had to come out of their covert hiding, but he nodded his thanks for their quick response to what could’ve resulted to a panicky situation.
He didn’t mind crowds so long as the bodies moved, and he was not at the center of attention. After taking slow, calming breaths, he entered the glass building. He eyed his protectors and signaled them he was alright. When he was left with just his friend, Vincent turned his attention to Jonah and sighed.
“We were supposed to be inconspicuous,” he explained. “How could we mystery shop my store if you, one arrive in a stretched limousine, and two whatever were you thinking with these?” His hands pointed to his friend’s hair, face and body. “Three, rubber slippers, painted toes and,” Vincent had to stop and bend down for a closer look at the jewelry hugging Jonah’s middle toes, “are those diamonds?”
Now facing his friend, Vincent's usual cool and collected mask blew out of control. Jonah, on the other hand, widened the smile and gleamed at him.
“You like what you see?”
“Oh.My. Goodness!” Vincent suddenly had a desperate need to pace. His image walking the open space of the grand lobby area reflected from the well-polished granite floor.
Jonah sniggered. He was enjoying his friend’s hyper reaction. “I am beautiful, admit it baby and you like it!”
Eyeing the nearby coffee-shop, Jonah stopped his nerve-racked friend from pacing. “Let’s go get some coffee or something before you pass out from your own crazy worries.”
Yanking on Vincent’s arm, Jonah led the way towards the bar and sat his friend before he settled on the empty seat beside him. A smiling attendant approached and greeted them.
“Coffee shop with a bar, what a concept.” Jonah eyed the board menu, his smile slowly faded as he carefully went through the list. Frantic eyes turned sideways, “Vinney-baby, they’re only serving coffee and fruit shakes!" Jonah turned his attention the smiling, cute male attendant. " Where’s your beer and liquor list?” He bellowed.
Vincent apologized to the attendant before asking for two cups of latte and a basket of mixed biscotti. He finally released a frustrated breath when he was alone with his so gay friend. “Really? Vinney-baby? Did you just morphed out of the 60’s or something?”
“I saw Grease last night,” Jonah answered flatly. “Where were you, by the way? We had dinner reservations at L’Ecole last night. Dean Pepin didn’t appreciate your absence. The meal he prepared was heavenly delicious.” Playfully, Jonah caressed Vincent’s arm. “I missed you last night Vince,” Jonah confessed. “Your penthouse gets cold and gloomy when you’re not there.”
“Flight delays,” Vincent replied, smiling apologetically at his diva friend. “You know how it goes with private flights. We landed early this morning, I didn’t have time to meet you at the hotel, sorry.”
The attendant returned and set their latte and the basket of biscotti. Vincent smiled his thanks. He noticed the sudden shyness on the attendant’s face. His gazed turned to Jonah, not missing the flirtatious wink and air-kiss directed to the young male attendant. “Could you stop?”
Jonah calmly took a sip of his latte. Vincent sensed his friend’s irritation rising. “I am sorry okay. I wanted to be with you, honestly. But there was just too many bullshit fired last night, and we couldn’t close the deal. I wasn’t leaving until it was a done deal, you knew that!”
“Not acceptable!”
Vincent raked his hair with his hands. His frustration began rising, now. They were fuck-buddies and not in an exclusive relationship. That train had gone, passed and no more. Jonah was an ex turned best friend. Occasionally they hooked-up with Jonah initiating the rendezvous and sex happened only after hours of drinking. Were they on the same page with the terms of their current relationship?
“Jonah, you needed to be in New York City. In fact, you’ve been here for a week recruiting new staff for the new cruise ship launching. If anything, I am the one changing my schedule to meet with you,” Vincent complained.
Almond eyes widened as it stared at him. Jonah began stuttering, pointing a finger at him accusingly.
“Vincent Be…bel…lo! Did you just accuse me of being needy?”
The trick of tears was now on display for Vincent. He loves him dearly, his friend, ex-lover, whatever, but Jonah Heart is such a pill sometimes.
~0~
Jonah quickly dried his eyes. Although, he was playing with Vince, his friend’s words stabbed him a bit. He didn’t expect actual tears. But he couldn't fake the fact that he still yearned for his friend. He left himself wide open by waiting for Vince all night. Well lesson learned.
“Remind me next time to bring an entourage on our next meet up,” Jonah declared. He was about to lash more guilt words towards his friend but his gaze turned towards the approaching eye candy and he totally forgot what he was about to say.
Vince was no longer paying attention to him but concentrated on the text message that chimed in his phone. Jonah didn’t mind losing Vince’s focus on him, his interest focused on the tall guy at the end of the bar ordering coffee to go.
Olive skin, green eyes and what a body! The man noticed his gaze and for a moment eyed him before he looked away and focused on Vincent. Jonah looked at his friend, he didn’t even noticed the appreciating look from the man.
Jonah sighed. “Aren’t we doing some covert shopping in your store?”
“Huh?” Vince asked inattentively, still focused on his phone.
“Mystery shopping? The reason why I was pulled away from my busy schedule this morning?”
“Yeah, okay, well I can do it myself. You can wait for me here. My secretary just informed me that the store manager has returned to the store from corporate.”
“I thought you’re some sort of a ghost?”
A smile lit up his friend’s gorgeous face. “Such a perfect scenario for mystery shopping, isn’t it? Keeps employees on top of their game at all times!” Vince stood up as he pocketed his phone and reached for his cup of latte.
“I guess that’s perfect for bottoms like me to have you on top…”
Splat and the coughing followed.
"...of your game."
Jonah’s eyes watched his friend’s face reddened as he tried to stop coughing out his drink. Immediately he patted Vince’s back to calm him down.
“Are you alright?”
Vince held his breath. “You got to breathe slowly babe,” Jonah slowly patted his friend’s back. He lifted his gaze in search for an attendant, “May I have a glass of water please, for my friend?” He saw the handsome man at the end of the bar, eyeing them both, but more on Vince. Green eyes flooded with concern. When their eyes met, the man sauntered forward to where they sat.
“Do you need some help, I am a certified EMT,” the man announced.
“We’re good, thank you,” Jonah smiles at him sweetly, but the man had only eyes for his friend, which didn’t go well with Vince. Within seconds, Vince’s security personnel appeared from nowhere and surrounded Vince and him.
“Riley, he’s okay,” Jonah reported when Vince was quickly taken from his hold. Riley, the head of Vince’s security team frowned at him before gently leading Vince out of the coffee shop.
“I’m sorry, it was an accident,” Jonah voiced, but his friend’s security people didn’t bother to acknowledge him.
All alone. Again. Sometimes, Jonah hated Vince’s tight security coverage. But it was something he couldn’t complain about. He had his own security people, but if he was with Vince, he didn’t need his own around. He knew a third person stayed and kept an eye on him. He should learn to filter his words and not cause Vince undue attention. Vince hated being placed in such a situation. Of all people, Jonah knew. Sometimes, he just would do stupid things to rile up his friend. Blurt out nonsense to agitate him. Anything, to keep Vince’s focus only on him.
“Are you okay?” the handsome man standing in front of him asked.
“What?” Jonah forgot about the eye candy for a minute.
“I said, are you okay?”
Jonah smiled, stupidly at himself. “Yes. Yes, I’m sorry. My friend will be alright too. Just his latte went down the wrong way.”
He saw the man smile. He had such a handsome smile. “I’m Jonah, by the way.” He offered his hand to the man which in turn, the man accepted and shook his hand.
“Armand, I wish our meeting was of better circumstance.”
Jonah smiled at him, still holding Armand’s hand, firm grip, he thought. “Couldn’t ask for anything better. He released the man’s hand and asked, “So what do you do Armand?”
“School, for another month. Looking for work, actually.”
Jonah smiled. His attention diverted towards Riley. He stood at the entrance trying to catch his attention. Jonah nodded, and Riley turned towards the entrance of the building. He stood up and reached for his wallet from his back pocket. Jonah pulled his business card.
“Well, then this must be your lucky day, Armand.”
He handed his card to him, “I am recruiting to hire new staff. Why don’t you give my company a shot? You are just the kind of worker I’m looking for.”
Jonah gave him a last look and smile. The surprised look on Armand’s face was all telling.
“Wait, Jonah, ah Mr. Heart.”
Jonah halted and turned to face him, “Jonah, just Jonah is good.”
Armand padded towards him. “Thank you, this is awesome. Your friend, is he okay now?” Armand shyly asked him.
Jonah glinted at him flirtatiously. “Who? Vince?” he asked nonchalantly. “He’s fine. I should go, he is actually waiting for me outside.”
Jonah turned towards the lobby entrance. He closed his eyes and sighed. He saw the sparkle in Armand’s eyes when he mentioned Vince’s name. If Armand ends up working on his ship, what chances would there be for the two men to meet again?
Good or bad situation. He didn’t have a clear mind to rethink the situation.