Disclaimers: This work is a work of fiction and is my property.
The story and characters are fictitious and any resemblance to anyone or any actual event is coincidental. There are three distinctly different main characters that will appear as the story progresses.
You should be legally allowed to read this type of material before continuing.
As it is based on an actual book, I had published a few years ago -- free for your enjoyment -- the story will not contain explicit material in all the chapters BUT don't fret, as it is more the exception than the rule.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Stephen Jordan
The weeks pass by, and Eric and I are in a state of happy, domesticated bliss. I go to work, and he goes to work, which I eventually discovered was at his own psychology practice in the suburbs. It explains a lot about him and suits him of course.
We are very happy, but I still have that nagging and persistent dream of having my own restaurant one day. But it's clear that unless I win the state lottery, it's not going to happen. I can make money maybe going into the entrainment or modeling business, everyone keeps on telling me that, but I don't like the idea of selling myself based on my appearance or dealing with people's ideas about me being shallow, vain, or just an object. It doesn't feel right.
On the other hand, I could ask Eric to loan me some money if he's able and prepared to, but I really need to manifest my dreams on my own. Well, I've come to accept that my choices are limited.
I'm sitting in the restaurant at break time when Samantha tells me there's a phone call for me. Reluctantly I go to her office and she hands me the phone with a worried expression on her face.
"It's you brother Charlie," she whispers and leaves the office.
I swallow hard.
"Hello, Charlie." My voice is a bit hoarse from the sudden shot of nervous adrenaline surging through me, and I cough to clear my throat.
"Hello, Stephen." Not Stevie, I notice.
He immediately gets down to business.
"Since we've all realized you won't be coming back to your senses, we've decided, as a family, to buy out your share of the farm." He pauses.
"My share? I don't have a share unless Dad passes on. He's still ok, isn't he?" I panic at the thought of losing him, regardless of what our relationship has become.
"Yes, of course. He might be many things, Stephen, but a crook isn't one of them. We want to keep the farm in the family and to ensure no future claim is made on it, we'll buy out what is meant to be your share."
This makes no sense.
"I don't understand. You're obviously telling me I'm not welcome back. But then you tell me that you want to buy me out? You want to compensate me? You're crazy! You know, don't even bother with me. Just...forget about it." Tears well up, and I try desperately to control my shaky voice. I won't give him the satisfaction of hearing how fragile I'm feeling.
"Sure, but what happens when Dad dies one day? I don't want to deal with some claim on the farm and even if Dad cuts you out of his will, you could easily petition the court to challenge his wishes and claim that you're being discriminated against because you're...you're...one of them." Bitterness roughens his voice.
The thought never even occurred to me. Are these people completely mental?!
"Why would I do that? I would never do something like that, Charlie, and you know it," I say sternly. I'm now a little pissed off actually. They really don't know me at all.
"Well, we don't want to take the risk, and we'd like to avoid any public embarrassment."
Now I get it. They're afraid the family name will be dragged through the mud. How stupid. Well, if they want to pay to avoid it, then let them. "Ok. I'm listening."
Charlie tells me the figure they're offering. My eyes widen. That's a lot of money, but then I can set up a restaurant exactly the way I want to and still have some to spare. It will be a dream come true.
"I accept. What now?" My voice has become cold and calculated, matching Charlie's tone.
"I'll get the family lawyer to contact you."
"Ok."
Charlie hangs up before I even get a chance to say goodbye. This is weird, but in some way just the lucky break I needed.
I immediately call Eric and tell him what happened. He's just as perplexed and disappointed as I am about what they're doing, but understands their utterly stupid reasons for doing this to me. In the end, if it makes my dream come true and brings me some happiness, why not? The payoff is my inheritance after all.
I go back to work and for a long time I feel like I'm on autopilot.
Later on, Eric and I are sitting in his dining room, and we're mulling over what to do with this sudden windfall. I'm still quite shocked and not even sure anymore if I should use the money or just tell them to keep it. It doesn't seem right to use the money under these auspices. I'm totally rejected and insulted.
"I know it hurts, but you have to think of your future. In essence, this is your inheritance, Stephen, and whether you get it now or later, it's still yours to keep and to use any way you like." He leans over and gives me hug.
"I know, Eric. It's just that I know it's a payoff and not a gift." I sigh deeply.
"Give it a few days to absorb. You don't have to do anything about it right now and by the time it actually appears in your account, you may feel differently and have a much clearer idea of what you want to do. Either way, I support you." He kisses me gently on my lips.
"Ok."
We end up cuddling on the bed. I begin to feel more relaxed and allow the worry to fade away.
A few days pass by, and one morning I decide to speak to Mike to see what his take is on all this. I explain to him what's going on, without going into too much detail of course, and he is genuinely surprised by the events that have transpired. He knows about my dream to own my own restaurant one day.
"You know, Stephen, I might have an idea, but I will have to talk to Georgia first."
"All right." What does he have in mind?
The next day Mike calls me and says that he and Georgia want to meet up with me at a coffee shop close to the restaurant, so we can chat undisturbed.
When I get there, they're both waiting for me.
Mike stands. "Hey! Thanks for meeting us here."
"Don't look so worried, it's nothing bad," he assures me as he sits back down.
"I ran my idea by Georgia last night, and we both agree that maybe the three of us can do some business together and hopefully make your dream a reality, without it being too much effort on your part and at the same time, allowing us to expand our business." The way he talks to me is different. It is more business-like. It's like he sees me as an equal now and not just a member of staff.
I look at him intently.
"You know Georgia and I have the other restaurant in the city center and we wouldn't mind starting another one on the other side of town. To do that we need some capital. We agree that maybe it would be a wise idea to sell you half the shares in the restaurant you currently work in and with some of the capital, start a new one."
I gape at him. "You'd do that with me?"
"Yes. It makes sense. Instead of you taking on all the risk by starting a completely new restaurant from scratch, with your limited experience, you'd be able to be a full partner and take over part-ownership of an existing and decent business, without having to go it alone."
Such business-talk! He waits for me to respond.
"That sounds great, Mike, and, seriously, I'm grateful you're even considering it. I'll have to think about it, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued by the thought."
He smiles. "Great. I think the best thing to do is to get our lawyer to draft a partnership agreement between us, then you can review it and think about it in your own time."
"Sounds great!" I'm still a bit stunned and now a little anxious, too.
"Take your time once you have the contract and we can then sit down and finalize everything once you've agreed. Then you can pick any position you'd like to take up in the daily running of the business or maybe even decide to be a silent partner if you want. But I'm sure you'd want to be in the thick of things. It's your dream, after all."
I don't even hesitate. "I'd still want to be at the restaurant because I love it here and these people are my family now. It's sort of what I always wanted, just larger than expected."
"Sounds good to me."
Georgia smiles at me with such sincerity and after we say our goodbyes, I return to the restaurant to start my shift.
It still seems surreal.
Two days' pass, and I receive a copy of the agreement delivered to me at the restaurant by courier. We decided to keep the details of what's going on quiet for now. Eric is the only person who knows, other than Mike, Georgia, and I. We think it's best until anything concrete is finalized.
Eric advises me to get my own personal legal advice and after having gone through it with my new lawyer, we make some small changes to the contract. Mike and Georgia approve them, we sign and it becomes official.
It all seems to be happening so quickly.
I'm now an owner, well, in part, of my own restaurant! It might not be as I'd imagined it would turn out, but it sure is a step closer to fully owning my own restaurant. On the plus side, I still have a large amount of money left that I'll use to buy a car and then still some cash to spare and maybe invest.
A few weeks later, Mike and Georgia call a general staff meeting at the restaurant and introduce me as the new partner in the business. The staff is shocked and Samantha's a little perplexed. When we explain that I would fulfil the role of host and karaoke master, working alongside Samantha, everyone lets out a sigh of relief and things kind of go back to normal.
At first Samantha keeps more to herself, but when it truly dawns on her that I'm not treating her any differently, she goes back to being her usual self. Now and then she reminds me that she's still my "boss." For now, at least... I smile.
Being an owner changes me almost instantly. I take the job much more seriously. Now that I have some skin in the game, it makes the restaurant's success even more important to me. This used to be a place I only liked to work at, and now it's a place that I'm fully committed to. It's scary but important.
Eric is ecstatic and keeps saying that he can now retire and be a kept man, since his guy is rich enough to take care of him. I spanked him for that comment...and later, fucked him senseless. Just to teach him the responsibilities that come with that kinda life. He liked it a lot and even though he was only kidding, he nonetheless screamed his agreement to me as he came in waves.
Joshua Taylor
It's been heaven these last few weeks, and even Mary looked happy for us.
We try to only have sex when she isn't around, and I'm beginning to dream of us having our own place. It's all good living with her, but I'd like us to be able to walk around naked and fuck wherever we want.
I'm sure it'll happen eventually.
It's our two-month anniversary since our first night together, and I'd decided a few days ago to take Kyle out to a popular restaurant. I think I knew someone who worked there, but can't for the life of me remember who it is.
I don't give a shit if anyone I previously knew saw me now. Nothing can kill this dream I'm living. Being with Kyle is the best thing that's ever happened to me and he's the sweetest person I know. He sends me the most romantic messages and surprises me at every turn with a sentimental card hidden between my clothes or a love note in my shirt or trouser pocket. These usually appear when I'm at work. I'm aware of co-workers looking at me when I read them because my cheeks inevitably flush bright red and depending on the content of the note, I might have to "adjust" myself.
In the sex department Kyle is adventurous as hell. He once gave me a blow job while I was driving and I ended up skipping three red traffic lights before I came. Luckily, it'd been late at night so there wasn't much traffic. Nonetheless, he's a dangerous little shit.
He even gave me head under the table at our favorite Chinese restaurant. I had to try my best to look nonchalant while people were staring at me occasionally because I was unable to hide my loud moans of pleasure.
But tonight, I'll take him to this other restaurant and since he likes lobster, I'm sure it'll be a hit. Just to make sure we could get a table, I called the restaurant three days ago and made a reservation with a woman called Samantha.
So, again I get off work early and go home to prep myself for the evening. Kyle is thrilled that I remembered what this day means. He quickly takes a shower and gets dressed. He looks delectable in tight black trousers, a white button-up shirt, and sharp-toed black Chelsea boots.
We leave for the restaurant.
Samantha welcomes us. Her friendly voice matches her bubbly demeanor.
We're seated at a table in the far back corner, away from most of the diners, as I requested. We need to be away from any prying eyes just in case Kyle decides to pull a wicked stunt again.
I'm hard again. Damn...he just has that effect on me.
As we get comfortable, I scan the room and my blood turns cold.
To the left of us is an average looking twenty-something guy talking to the object of my dread.
It's Stacey.
I quickly look away but she's noticed me.
Shit no. I can't have anyone spoil this for me.
Kyle watches me with one raised eyebrow. "What's wrong, Josh. You look like you've seen a ghost."
I swallow hard. "That woman in black sitting to our left...is my ex-girlfriend."
Kyle glances at Stacey, and I turn. She's still staring at us. Her face is expressionless.
I have to do something. I don't want the evening ruined. "Will you please excuse me, Kyle?"
Kyle nods.
I get up and walk over to Stacey. "Hi, Stacey."
"Hi, Joshua." She tells the guy that I'm her ex-boyfriend, and he just looks me up and down with a bored expression.
"Can I talk to you for a second? Please?"
She hesitates and then gets up. "Let's go outside."
I follow her. Kyle and Stacey's date look at us as we leave.
Once outside and a few steps away from the main entrance, she turns to me. "Make it quick." Her arms are folded.
I take a deep breath. "I want to apologize for being such a bastard when we were together. I've learned quite a few lessons since then and have finally fallen in love. I know now how you must've felt then and realize that I'd be devastated if something like that happened to me. What I did to you is unforgivable. I'm truly sorry, Stacey."
She taps her foot. "You done?"
"Yes." I resign myself to what's coming.
"You did hurt me deeply, Joshua. I thought I would never get over you and it took me a while to trust anyone. But then I met Jim and my life has been amazing. It's almost surreal when you're with someone who loves you, who truly loves you." She gives me a pointed stare.
"I know. Kyle's that to me now."
"So, you're gay?" she asks dryly.
"I don't think I can classify myself as gay, because I used to find women attractive, and frankly I can still appreciate women in a physical way. However, Kyle is the man for me. Who knows, maybe I'm bisexual? I really don't care what people call me. As long as I have Kyle, my life means something."
Her face softens and she smiles a little. "You sound like a different man. Believe me when I say I'm happy for you. If I didn't have Jim, I would probably have ended up bitter and twisted but I did find him and if you guys feel a tenth of how we feel about each other, then I fully understand."
"Thank you. I'm not sure if you'll ever completely forgive me, but I hope that in some way we will become friends. I would love that because I owe you a great deal, and if being your friend will allow me to make up for the hurt I caused you, I would gladly welcome that."
"Thank you, Joshua, for saying that. I'll think about it. Come, let's go back to our men." She motioned toward the restaurant.
I like the sound of that.
I follow her back inside and she stops and asks a waitress for a pen and paper. She jots down her new number and hands it to me.
"Phone me next week and let's see where we go from there. You'll have to excuse me but it's our two-month anniversary so I want to spend it alone with Jim. Not to be rude or anything."
I laugh and she looks at me through narrowed eyes.
"It is our two-month anniversary too."
She smiles, her eyes lighting up. "Then let's get back to our significant others."
I pocket her number, and we both return to our separate tables.
I can see Kyle is a little worried but sit down and give him a kiss on his lips. "All sorted, handsome. I think we'll be friends. You'll like her."
He lets out a sigh of relief, and we enjoy our dinner.
A little later I look over at Stacey and she meets my gaze. She winks at me.
I smile.