Don't Touch!

Chapter 3: Fate

Aidan's Perspective

One of the construction companies backed out at the last minute, and I couldn't believe how fast everything was going downhill. I threw my phone across the room at Justin. He didn't even flinch as the phone hit the wall next to his head. My temper is getting worse.

"Boss, keep your cool," Justin said, glancing up from his phone. "Throwing a tantrum right now isn't going to help."

I glared at him. "Don't talk to me like that. I'm not a kid!"

Justin laughed. "I'm older than you, boss. You're a kid to me."

I grabbed the book on my desk and threw it at him. "Don't test my limit right now!"

Muffled voices and footsteps made me glance at the door. I had forgotten about the private tutor we were hiring for the kids. If he doesn't run away after hearing what Daniel has to say, we'll be meeting shortly. I hope my anger doesn't mess anything up. I tend to get heated very quickly.

I rubbed the spot between my eyes and shook my head. "Just find another construction company and fast! We can't waste any more time with that house."

Justin nodded and started texting. "I know, I know. Don't worry about it. I'll find another company and have them in that house tomorrow morning."

I relaxed a little bit. Everything right now is falling apart, it seems. One of our men was shot down a few days ago, two of our construction companies have backed out, our loan fell through on the other house, and now I have to sit with an older man and talk about education. I could leave it to Daniel to take care of, but I can't let this fall on others. I was the one who was uptight about their education. It falls on me. I just hope this tutor works out.

Daniel swiftly came into my office. He had a sparkle in his eyes that I'd never seen before. Whoever this tutor is obviously made an impact on him. Daniel quickly closed the door, and he turned his attention to me; a smirk slowly emerged on his face.

"I have no idea where we found this tutor," Daniel said, his eyes bright with excitement, "but I like him."

I raised an eyebrow at his sentence. "I'm surprised, Daniel. You tolerate people. Feelings don't usually get into the mix."

Justin laughed out loud, drawing my attention to him. "I've seen that look twice before, and it usually involves other guys. Was he that pretty?" Justin mocked him.

Daniel chuckled, "Oh yes, he is pretty. He's young and naive as well." Daniel met my gaze. "I think you're going to enjoy him, boss." I was openly gay with these two. They were constantly with me, so they were bound to find out eventually. Justin isn't gay, but it's not like he hasn't tried it with another guy before. Daniel is bisexual, and we have the same taste. If Daniel finds him attractive, then this guy is definitely attractive. Maybe a little fun is due.

"While I do appreciate his attractiveness, I would appreciate it more if he was qualified for the job," I said, my voice getting louder. I didn't have time for playing around in the sheets with some pretty boy who's probably straight as they come.

Daniel grinned. "He's fresh out of college, no job, no car, no place to live. He needs money to start paying for his debt."

"So, what you are telling me is that he's going to be easy to manipulate in the future if he doesn't turn out to be what we need?" I asked, a smile appearing on my face.

Justin snorted. "Was the kid stupid enough to agree once you told him who we really were?"

Daniel nodded, "His exact words were, 'A job is a job.'" Daniel chuckled and glanced towards his office. "If you don't want him, boss, I'll take him. I'm sure I can turn him into a little errand boy for us."

I shook my head: Daniel and his pets. "I don't have time to train another boy. Plus, the last one didn't turn out so well." Justin and Daniel both flinched.

Justin cleared his throat. "We understand. Just focus on what you need to do. We have your back, boss."

Daniel nodded, his eyes going back to normal. "Sorry about that, boss. I completely got carried away. I'll bring him in now." Daniel left, leaving the door open.

I sighed deeply. I wasn't in a very good mood today, and I had no idea how this would go down. Pretty boys usually have a complex of sorts, and it shows at times like this. I wasn't in the mood to stroke anyone's ego today. If he does something stupid, I'm sure I'll snap and put him in his place. Footsteps grabbed my attention, and as I turned towards the door, standing up, everything froze except him.

His bouncing curly blond hair hugged his perfect face. Those warm blue eyes I used to get lost in all the time stared back at me in surprise. His delicate build trembled as he stared up at me. He started doing that around thirteen. It almost felt like he was afraid of me. Before I could say anything, Markus grinned.

"It's been a long time, Addy!" His soft velvet voice was music to my ears. I hadn't heard his voice in six years, and I missed it. I still have frequent nightmares about what we went through, but his voice wasn't the same in my dreams.

My whole body relaxed, and I ruffled his hair, "It's been a long time, Markus."

Daniel and Justin both gasped. I hardly touched others, except when I was beating them. I don't like to be touched either. It's a coping mechanism I developed from being in foster care. Markus was the only one who was allowed to touch me, though. His touch doesn't repulse me or make me want to kill him.

Markus's eyes relaxed some, "I should have known it was you, Addy. You did say you were going to make this city yours one day!"

My eyes widened a little bit. I used to talk about it all the time. He remembered. "I see we both have made our dreams come true." I dropped my hand, and I noticed the slight disappointment in his eyes. "It seems fate has brought us back together again."

Markus nodded. I noticed that he gripped his computer bag tightly. "It would seem so." Was he uncomfortable? Was I making him uncomfortable?

I gestured to one of the chairs on the other side of my desk. "Have a seat. We can catch up some before talking about business."

Markus hesitated before walking over and sitting down. "Thank you," he whispered. He was always polite, even when he didn't need to be.

"How have you been?" I asked and instantly regretted it. The look on his face said it all, and the tears that bubbled over made my heart squeeze. I gestured to Daniel and Justin to get out. They quickly left with shocked looks on their faces. Not wanting to put a wall between us, I sat in the other chair next to Markus. "It's just us now, Mark. You can tell me the truth." Markus turned away, embarrassed. When did Markus start not trusting me? Pain squeezed my body.

With a trembling voice, he spoke. "Sorry, I didn't mean to do this. Seeing you again means so much to me. I thought..." he sniffled, "I thought... you were dead."

I ground my teeth together. I quickly got up and stood in front of him. It's been too long for both of us. Of course, this was how he was going to react. I completely cut him out because I couldn't stand seeing him in foster care. I grabbed his hand and pulled him up and against me in a hug. His arms went around me as he really started to cry. God, what did I do to this kid? His whole body began to shake, and I tightened my hold on him.

"I'm so sorry, Markus." I whispered in his ear, "I regret not reaching out. I've missed you so much."

Markus nodded into my chest, his curls bouncing. "I've missed you too. It's been so hard without you."

With one hand on his lower back, holding him against me. I reached up with my other hand and held his head. I felt the wetness on his cheeks, and my hate for myself grew. I leaned down and kissed the top of his head. I held back my tears, knowing that crying wasn't going to change anything. Markus didn't have that thought process, though. He always wore his emotions right underneath his skin.

With a trembling voice, Markus said, "I know things can't go back to the way they were before, but... but promise me you won't push me away again."

I shut my eyes tight. "I promise, Markus. I promise I won't push you away again."

Markus looked up at me, and I caressed his face. His beautiful eyes sparkled more with tears in them. "Maybe working together isn't the best."

I chuckled, smiling down at him, stroking his cheek with my thumb. "Sorry, Markus. You got the job. I know how good you are with kids, and that's exactly what I'm looking for."

Markus beamed up at me. "Alright... boss."

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt heat spread throughout my body. "You call me Aidan, not boss."

Markus frowned at me. "But the others call you boss. Won't that be weird once the others hear me calling you Aidan?"

I shrugged. "I honestly don't care. My relationship with you runs deeper than anything I have with them."

Markus hesitated, staring at me. "Maybe we should take this slow." Markus took a step back, a wild look in his eye. "I don't want to hurt you or your company. I know I could be in the way when it comes to you."

Rage slammed into my veins. "I don't want to hear you talking like that." I pulled him back against me. "I know you won't do anything knowingly. Your my best friend, Markus."

"I'm so glad we were able to meet again." He hugged me tightly. As he pressed against me, my c**k twitched. I had to get this under control, and now. One of the other reasons I had to stop seeing Markus. When I saw him the last time, It took a lot out of me to not jump his bones. He's literally everything I ever wanted. He deserved so much better though than me.

I swallowed hard and gently took a step back. "Why don't we talk about your position?"

Markus pulled back and sat down. "Of course." Markus glanced at his watch, and I saw the worry in his eyes.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

Markus hesitated. "The last bus is at seven-thirty. I can't miss it, or I'll be stuck on this side of town."

I crossed my arms and leaned on my desk. "I'll have Nathan drop you off and pick you up from now on."

Surprised sprang to his face. "I can't ask that of you or him. He has a job to do here, and I would be taking advantage of you."

I grinned down at him. "I'm not taking no for an answer. Nathan will pick you up and drop you off."

Markus sighed and shook his head. "You still haven't changed, Addy."

I smiled at the old nickname. "You haven't changed either, Markus." I gestured to his computer bag. "I see you have come prepared. Let's talk business."

Markus nodded, taking out some papers. "Only two subjects for the three of them, which makes it easy. I imagine they are still going to public school?"

I nodded. "Correct. Schedule-wise, they'll be home at two-thirty from school and have to be home around nine. Does this work for you? How many hours do you think you'll need with them?"

Markus thought for a minute. "It all depends on what they are learning in school and what they understand. I'll have to check with their school system and get the syllabus of each subject." Markus clicked his tongue in annoyance. "It also depends on if their teachers actually follow the syllabus they hand out."

"Don't worry about getting the syllabus," I said, grabbing a pen and notepad, and writing down a list. "What else do you need from the school? I'll have Nathan get it tomorrow so you can start then."

Markus looked excited. "I'll need the syllabus for each subject they need help with. I'll need to know if the teachers are behind or on track with the syllabus, the name of the books, and which volumes they are, so I have access to what they are learning."

I nodded, writing it down. "I"ll have Nathan show you the room which you will be used to tutor them. Nathan will basically be your right-hand man through this entire process. The kids will be split up as well."

Markus frowned. "Split up?"

"Unfortunately, Monica and the twins don't get along. Hell, the twins hardly get along." I set the notepad down. "I suggest two hours a day for each of them."

Markus nodded. "It's perfect, but I don't want to overwhelm them, Addy. Do you remember what it was like? School all day made you hate it."

I sighed, crossing my ankles. "You are right about that." I rubbed my temples in irritation. "Alright, we'll break up the tutoring sessions then."

Markus smiled at me. "It's going to be okay, Addy. I'll make sure they have all the resources they need. Including asking me for help if they need it."

I smiled down at Markus. Having him back in my life was a miracle. I couldn't believe he was here, in my office, right now. I still can't believe he's going to be here every day too. I'll get to see his beautiful face every day, and hear his soothing voice as well.