My Mysterious Love For him

CHAPTER-4

AZRAEL

In the mirror checking my suit one last time, I walk out of the closet and room.

Adjusting the cufflinks, I sprinted the stairs down, due to last second call I was surely going to be late for the luncheon. Normally, I’d have been aggravated to be late for any committed appointment but this didn’t bother me much. I’d even choose to casual jog for arriving Richards’s residence if not for my brother’s request.

Generally, any family get together would be jovial with laughter, exchange of silliest jokes not like what I was going to be attending. It isn't that I have partaken in such delightful gatherings often, the descripted awareness was all I have heard from Jerry when he’d visit his home in France twice in the year or from Dimitri.

Another tolerable person- almost could be called as the only friend in my life. He was away on his second or third honeymoon.

Speaking of the former person, he meets me at the entrance with his usual smile. He forwards a basket of little boxes, I blankly stare at them.

“Sir, it is an expected gesture from you to bring something to appreciate their invitation,”

I accepted the basket as debating with Jerry would only waste the time. He beamed at me.

“Have a safe and miraculous day ahead,” he waves enthusiastically using yet another new adjective.

Driving my car, I wondered about the word miracle. Googling it with my free hand, the auto speaker defined- a remarkable event that brings very welcome consequences. Now, why the heck would it happen?

‘Changes mean unlikely, new things’, something I totally avoid in life. Which I was going to do again with the word.

‘I don’t want miracles.’

In another thirty minutes of drive, my car passed the gates entering the Richards residence. I stepped out after parking the car in allotted spot. I didn’t trust any random person with my belongings, so I kept the keys. A maid rushed to my side looking ridiculous in her unprofessional skin tight uniform, heavy makeup and trying a seductive smile.

“Good afternoon sir, the luncheon is arranged in the backyard. Please allow me to-

“You are not allowed,” I cut her off, striding into stated direction ignoring her embarrassed face.

She was lucky for not working in my mansion, I would have fired on her first day itself.

The obnoxious giggles, clinking of glasses was heard clearly as it came in my view, internally sighing at another unappetizing lunch. Momentarily I looked down to button up my coat then abruptly glancing at someone yelling a name.

Just in seconds, a man stumbled on his feet on reflex I jumped two or three steps ahead catching him to save his bruise fall. Though I wasn’t prepared for what I was going to witness. A lean man, easily mistaken for a younger age, eyes remained close. If it were the normal circumstance I’d have let go of the person but there is something I was anticipating in this moment.

Few seconds passed, I completely disregarded whatever was going around keeping my sole attention on him.

“Bellissimo,”

I muttered under my breath, a visible mark covering left side elicited his gorgeous facial features. I was aware of my bisexuality but it had been years to feel attraction for a man. And then he blinked his eyes open. 'Merda…'

If his birthmark was attractive then his green eyes speckled with brown particles literally were breathtaking. A zap of newly found energy run through my spine, my heartbeat thudding in my ears.

What the f**k was all these feelings?

The strangeness wasn’t one sided though. He equally seemed lost, curious gaze flickering over my face, innocent blush coating his cheeks. He tried to pull himself from my arms, for an unexplainable reason my body was not accepting it. Another, womanly shriek made me release my hold, fingers brushing his side deliberately.

Some chaos was started, yelling was heard yet it felt as if it was in distance, my eyes solely reading every tiny movement of the man, that my eyes refused to leave. I tilted my head when his expression morphed in fear, he rushed closer using a cloth, began to frantically dabbing my dress shirt. I look down noticing a purplish liquid soaking through the material.

He was mumbling to himself, I leaned closer to listen- he was repeatedly apologizing to me. Unintentionally he was rubbing hard on my skin so I caught his wrist not because I was hurt instead his anxiety over such a small incident disturbed me.

“Mr. De Luca, we highly apologize for such inappropriate behavior of this unskillful worker,” a woman tried to apologize, glaring at him.

“What a waste of an expensive wine? All because of this disappointed employee,” mother clicks her tongue dramatically sighing.

Their harsh words especially at the timid man raised a wave of aggravation inside. It was only then I noticed rest of the members were huddled around observing more like giving frustrated looks at him. Except for Marcus and his fiancé, she looked worried. They were skeptically staring at my hand as I was still holding his wrist.

‘I have to take attention from him, then I’d teach these arrogant people how to be respectful towards people. Employee or not.’

“It’s alright, Mrs. Richard. If you all would excuse me, I request this stain to be cleaned. By him.”

At my last words, he snaps his head in shock. I gesture for him to show the way, dismissing the disbelieving looks of others. I know they must have expected from me to walk out of here or to treat him worst in return for his mistake. It’d have been the case in normal situation. Whatever I’m feeling for him was beyond normal.

That I’m intrigued to unravel. Soon.

Almost on an autopilot he directs me to the restroom few minutes later, opening the door he stands aside waiting for me to enter first. He slips a dresser table motioning me for to sit, I oblige as he gets busy by fetching wash towels from the cabinet. His hands tremble, he glances at me from corner of his eyes.

It was irritating me, he’d not meet my eyes. Maybe still embarrassed about the whole situation. He stands awkwardly in front of me, I wait for him either to speak or lift his gaze.

He clears his throat lightly. I inhale sharply, “I…I didn’t mean to spoil your shirt. Promise it was an accident,”

Finally, he tilts his gaze up ‘Accident he says, what a beautiful accident it was then?’ I refrain from spilling my perception, he’d surely think I might have problematic senses. Not hearing any response, his gaze drop, hesitantly he takes a step ahead then stop. Just to ruffle him, I widen my legs indirectly inviting him to come closer.

He bits his lower lip drawing my attention on soft, moist texture, slowly walking in. I patiently allow him to do his task, his fingers barely touching me. My fingertips itch to hook his chin up instead I opt for another comfortable pace.

“You have nothing to worry. Can you please tell me your name?” I try to be gentle with my voice.

He takes few seconds, replying, “Adam,”

I taste his name on my tongue not audible enough for him. Simple, catchy just like him. What?

He sighs in resignation, “I have only worsen it, extremely sorry sir,”

The formal word disconcert me. 'Right, I want him to say my name.' At this point, I’m letting the natural flow course with him.

I have this urge to brush my fingers over his beautiful birthmark, “You are inhabited to worry about every trivial thing, I observe. "A single laundry wash would all it’d take.”

He turns flustered mumbling, “Oh, okay sir-

I generally don’t cut someone’s sentence but my worked up senses have different plans. “Azrael, he questionably blinks at me, “Address me with my name,”

He refuses to meet my eyes or to abide my request.

“Adam, look in my eyes.”

He whips his head at my demand locking his perplexed gaze with me. Again, a sensation envelops us as we both get immersed in it.

“Your eyes are pretty,” he breathlessly blurt out.

To my surprise, I feel warmness on my face and ears. The hell? Am I…blushing?

I clear my throat awkwardly, “Thank you, for everything,”

I emphasize the last addition as it’d not come out that I like being complimented. Truthfully his compliment was the most decent, genuine one I have ever received. For my muscled build body or strategic intellect, countless times but never…for my eyes.

It’s not often people could look in my eyes directly for longer seconds. He does it, effortlessly. My eyes land on the faint red burn on his right wrist, startling him I hold it delicately. 'Why didn't he take care of it?'

Immediately, I forward my hand, "Ointment?"

"It's nothing, I will apply the cream later," he tries to retreat his hand. I don't allow him.

Understanding my intention, he softly sighs rummaging for the first aid box in the cabinet with one hand and giving me the ointment. He didn't ask me so I kept holding his hand. Applying the cream on his wrist, "Reason behind the burn?"

Most of my interactions might come out as demanding but I wasn't used to have any sort of casual conversations routinely.

He diverts his eyes low, "Uhmm...it was small mishap in the kitchen,"

'Not the complete truth, for sure.' I didn't press him further, it was obvious he was getting uncomfortable with my straightforwardness. My presumption was right when he was quick to distance himself once I released his hand.

I button up my coat ignoring the coolness on my chest from the undried wetness. ‘It might have been better for my face to simmer down its heat.’

I snap my fingers to end his scrutinizing gazing from my clothed abdomen. Adam sputters in his sport, unable to maintain my eye contact. Sweet. My lips curl up to a smile, I turn it down.

'This man even made me smile, huh?'

*****

Soon the luncheon was resumed, Marcus officially introduced me to his in laws who could be easily categorized as greedy people. Understandable reason for our parents to agree to this marriage then. I was only glad to find his fiancé- Soraya was not in their category. Honest, most importantly her affection for my brother was visible.

It stirred an odd uncomfortable emotion seeing their exchange of lovable gestures. My eyes on their own accord would land on Adam as if to seek sort of reassurance.

The dessert was about to be served. I was relieved that this afternoon would come to an end when a man stride under the shade, everyone halt their talks. Feeling a presence beside, I glance at Adam’s frozen state. His usual practiced expression is replaced by sheer…fear. Of what?

Strangely, I wanted to comfort him, the uneasiness from him seems to seep through my nerves. Couple of pleasantries later, the man moves his gaze in my direction. I remain seated as he rounds the table for greetings. His brows raised, seeing Adam. Although he smirks, there was an evil glint in the way he size him up. Even for my young age, I have appreciable experience to judge any sort of people.

Right now was no different. Though this was also personal. Pushing the chair behind, in one quick move I take a stance in front of Adam. The man stumbles few steps back, a faint sigh I hear from Adam.

He quickly composes his arrogant demeanor, “Ah, Mr. Azrael De Luca. I’m Vincent Richard, elder brother of Soraya. Please excuse my impoliteness for missing out your presence,” he outstretches his hand with a beguile smile.

Giving his hand a firm shake, “You should be aware of your surroundings so you won’t have to apologize for lack of attention. I suppose if inattentiveness is in your nature. Don’t underestimate what is surrounding you.”

My retort has two responses- Vincent’s jaw clenches disliking which I totally ignore. The chime of boyish giggles from Adam stirs a warmness in my heart. I could hear them every minute of the day.

'What are these unnamed interactions between Adam and me?'

In another hour or so the event wraps up, I swear if not for constant presence of Adam for every couple of minutes I’d have stormed out of here. I have hardly uttered five or six sentences, it was mostly with Soraya. She appeared to be talkative yet my presence made her stumbling over words. I didn’t mind nor did my impassive face reflected it anyway.

She was going to be part of my family so I insured to let her understand it. The Richards were biding their goodbyes to our parents, I slipped out of the fake overly exaggerated exchange of appreciation for the luncheon.

“Adam, I was already liking to gain his attention, “Thank you for your attentive services for the afternoon.”

He briefly glances at others to not have their attention, “I...uhm, it was glad to have you here,” he says with an enticing smile.

‘Truly it was.’

I steadily keep my gaze on him, “See you soon, Adam.”

“Okay, Azrael.” He whispers my name.

Giving a final nod, he disappears back inside the residence. While swerving my car out of the gate, I glance in the rear view at the distant residence, feeling- I have something important left there.

I have lots of self-assessment to do. And I’d definitely meet him soon.

Note: Required translations

Bellisimo- beautiful/gorgeous.

Merda- Shit