Sweet His

chapter six

Present, 2021

--------------------------------------

DAVID

--------------------------------------

GREED.

It’s an emotion that can be really all-consuming unless I forcefully stop it myself. And for a brief moment, I will begin to completely lose myself and forget who I really am every time I step into the engrossing world of devouring attention. Whenever I’m in front of these flashes, conjured by the shuttering sound of the cameras, I can’t just help but be overly drowned with it.

STARDOM. SUCCESS… These words will always come to mind in bold shining letters and it will feed my hunger for compliments, desperately begging for it to keep coming.

“You’re great! Excellent! Magnificent! Beautiful…”

Maybe these are only meaningless outspoken rubbish articulated to make me feel elated and focused on my poses. But with these simple words… they are more than enough to make me feel like I can do anything and these people would just bow their heads before me. That’s how powerful they’ve become since I’ve started modeling.

And to be honest, I am basking in it. It’s an addiction.

“You did so well, David!” The photographer will then say. And that would instantly make me satisfyingly fulfilled. How many times have I already heard this statement? Since when? I can’t remember anymore but even more so, it still felt like I heard it for the first time and my heart would immediately warm up and I would feel so confident.

The day came by so fast and before I knew it, it was already four in the afternoon. People in the studio started to pack up and I was already heading my way out when my phone rang from my bag. I quickly picked it out and without checking the caller ID, I answered it on the third ring.

“David Breslin speaking,” I said through the receiver.

“Hey.”

An odd voice spoke from the other end and my whole body automatically stopped as I stood immobile from where I was just walking to leave from the studio. It’s him… the deep silvery voice I can never mistake for someone else. Even with the static background noise, his sound still came out so incredibly clear and monotonous.

“Leo…” his name even fell out so smoothly from my lips, as if it was already a habit. “How did you get my number?”

I admit, more than just surprised, I am also a bit excited to hear from him. Ever since the day I've first met him a few weeks ago, his mere identity became an obsession and I couldn’t help but research a bit about him.

Leo Lumiere… He is a professional photographer and a prominent fashion designer known for being notably successful in the industry. A wealthy producer. Half-French, Half-German. He even owns his own fashion brand. He’s the ultimate ‘jackpot’ screaming at me. And I would be an i***t if I don’t take this bait to get closer to him. He can be my access to the bigger world. He could certainly make me shine. I could feel it.

“Connections,” he briefly replied to my question after a beat. I heard a soft chuckle resonating from the other end and I smiled at the sound. I can even imagine his look as he spoke over the phone, a smirk playing on his lips. Those sea-green eyes were probably crinkling right now.

“What’s up?” I casually asked.

“Got some time today?”

His nonchalant invitation rang bells in my head. I swallowed a squeal as I tried to mask it with a big smile on my face instead. 'STARDOM' blinked so brightly in my head as I took a deep breath just to compose myself for a moment.

“Y-yeah,” I answered, trying to sound so calm.

“Then, let’s meet,” he said in an assumptive tone. He then provided me the place where he will wait for me and I ended the call with a promise to be there after a few minutes.

GREED. The word suddenly flashed in my mind, but I am more indulged in the promising feeling of this opportunity to even care about it. I have big dreams… Even when I am somehow dancing on the edge of danger again, letting myself be carelessly drawn back to the attractive pull of Leo… It’s obviously a risk. But I am starting to forget all those warnings in the back of my mind. I don’t think I’ve ever really tried to listen to whatever it says anyway.

My greed could be really too possessive when it wants to be. And without even thinking of the circumstances, I still went and blindly grabbed it with open arms.

---------------------------------------------

THE PLACE HE TOLD me to meet him at is actually a high-end club in the middle of the business district, just in the center area of the city. It’s still closed at the time I finally came there. My phone rang again just at the moment I paused in front of it. And this time, seeing that it’s Leo’s number, I immediately answered it.

“I’m here in front of the place,” I told him, “But it’s closed.”

“Just go in,” he shortly instructed me. The call quickly ended in a click after that. I frowned down at it, feeling a bit annoyed that he didn’t even bother to explain it thoroughly. I would just go in? Just like that? And since there was no other way, I casually took the elegant stairs in front and walked towards the huge golden doors by the entrance.

'MARS'.

The bronze cursive letters of the name at the top of the facade made me feel intimidated by how luxurious it looks. This is not just some kind of a club. It’s an exclusive place only fit for people like Leo… not like me. But the ambitious side of me eventually led me to walk through the doors. It surprisingly opened with ease and my hand lingered for a few more seconds on the coldness of the golden handle. The moment I took a step inside, I was immediately rewarded by a stunning visual of sparkling diamonds and silver beams. It only took me one glance to feel so out of place. This was a different world from where I just came from. The sophisticated interior is way, way, more than extravagant. This was what money and power can truly make: a whole new dimension only suited for people who are accustomed to the tempting view of value and jewels.

“Finally,” the voice came in like a bolt and I turned my head towards the direction of it. Leo met my eyes as he watched me behind those color-tinted sunglasses while he sat on an elegant L-shaped velvet couch with a glass of exquisite red-colored liquor in his hand. He regarded me from head to toe and a seductive grin slowly formed on his lips.

“I’ve almost forgotten how good-looking of a specimen you are,” he said and I blushed in an instant. I’ve been used to hearing those kinds of words all my life but having it came from his lips, somehow felt different. And it was something that I couldn’t control. It made me feel uneasy and I immediately regretted coming here unguarded.

“Come sit here with me,” he tapped the empty space beside him on the couch and the way he looked at me made me feel too weak. But despite the feeling of anxiety and wariness, I still walked towards him and boldly sat on the couch. I’ve chosen to keep a friendly distance, just to feel secure. However, Leo felt the tension seeping from me and inched closer to my frozen state, teasing.

“What? Aren’t you already used to the proximity and meaningless skin-ship?” he told me, and the tempting sound of his voice almost swayed me towards him. But I resisted, keeping myself unmoved.

“What’s up? Why did you ask to meet so suddenly?” I probed instead.

“You wound me, babe,” he commented in a huskier voice but I still avoided his gaze. “Why so skittish?”

“No, I’m not,” I retorted back. Yet I could still feel his stare warming the side of my face. His breath faintly touched the side of my neck and I bit the inside of my lip so hard just to keep myself from wavering. If Colin knew what I am thinking right now, he'd probably explode. But I just can't seem to stop.

“I have an offer for you…” The moment his words finally registered to me, I instantly turned to meet Leo's gaze and forgot why I was trying to avoid it in the first place.

“What offer?”

Seemingly pleased that he’d already gotten my attention. Leo placidly removed his sunglasses and smirked at me, shaking his head.

“Not too fast,” he said, clicking his tongue, “Before I could even tell you more about it… I still want to make sure how bad you really want this."

I frowned back to that and eagerly asked, "What do you mean?"

Leo just gave me a serious stare and answered after a beat, “Are you willing to reveal everything for your dreams?"

DREAMS. GREED.

"Bare what?" I persistently demanded. Whatever it was, I don't think there's really anything that could stop me from getting to it. But Leo just chuckled at me while he slowly took a sip from his drink. He casually took his time, at his usual slow pace, putting down the glass on the center table in front of us. I watched as his eyes returned to me, glinting with mischievousness.

“I have to warn you, babe," he said in that silvery voice, "This world you’re trying to gamble with is a world that’s more poisonous than the forbidden apple. So, if you don’t have the guts to swallow spit, you will never survive it."

"So, I just have to forget my dignity. Is that what you’re saying?"

The real world is no longer a stranger to me.

Leo just smiled at my words and answered back, "It’s an ugly way of putting it. But let’s just say you’re more or less gonna be objectified. It's just how it goes from there. So, are you still willing to go for it?"

GREED. The word echoed inside my head. I didn’t have any hesitation.

"Yes."

"Then," I watched as he slowly leaned towards me, and I felt my heart stopped from how close his face was now, "Kiss me."

“What?” I nervously muttered back, suddenly feeling wary of what he’s trying to make me do.

“If you say you’re really okay with it. One harmless kiss is nothing, right?” Leo egged on, a faint smile drawn on his lips. Then he moved closer to prove a point, leaving only a mere inch between us.

GREED. DREAMS… Locked in the drowning abyss of those sea-green eyes, I could only see the salvation waiting with those desperate words blinking before me. I don’t know where I am going from here, but only one thing played in mind as Leo waited for my answer… My desire for selfish dreams weighed heavier than the warning bells in the back of my mind. So without even uttering a word, I let myself move on its own. Bare it. Do it. My dreams value more. And as our lips met for the first time, I was completely sucked into oblivion and pleasure of betrayal.

“Perfect,” Leo muttered against my lips just as he hesitantly pulled away with an audible sigh, “Just the way I’ve imagined it.”

The taste of his drink stayed in my mouth as I tried to make sense of what just happened. Then after a second, Leo spoke again.

“Congrats, babe,” He smirked at me, his sea-green eyes crinkling, “You’ve just finally earned your golden ticket to fame.”

And yes, it was a success… But for some reason, I didn’t feel happy at all. I only felt distressed. This is worse. Betrayal comes in and I could only swallow down the guilt corrupting my chest. Colin… His image gave me a painful tug in my heart. Yet ‘sorry’ could never be more than good enough for my decision. I just have to suffer the consequences from now on.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------