Chapter 14
868 Words
Richard and Jan drove down the road. Jan frequently glanced at Richard, thinking about what to say or ask. As Jan stared at Richard, he noticed how handsome he was. Richard's brown hair barely touched the collar of his formal dress shirt. It was sleeked back, making him look mature. He wore a very nice, maybe even expensive, business suit. His face appeared very stern and yet calm. Jan looked at Richard's sunglasses, which struck him as strange since they were unnecessary. The sun was setting already.
Richard looked over at Jan. Jan immediately looked out the window. Richard looked back at the road and spoke to Jan.
"I am sorry. I will do my best to protect your family and ensure the press doesn't bother you."
Jan looked back at Richard, "I am rather curious. Why are you so popular in our local town?"
"It is not me. It is more about my family and their popularity."
Jan nodded and then mustered his courage. "Mr. Klaus, may I ask you a couple of questions?"
"Mr. Klaus is my father. Call me Richard. You can ask any questions you want. You are entitled to a lot of answers."
Jan swallowed hard. "Why were you visiting the hospital?"
Richard looked over at Jan. Richard stared at Jan as he answered.
"I was worried about you."
Jan felt his heart skip a beat. "Why?"
Richard looked back at the road. His hands gripped the steering wheel. " I feel responsible for you. Also, you were in my room."
Jan laughed. "That makes sense. Do you know why I was in your room?"
"I learned yesterday that Max was on the take for our rival company. Max knew what room I was in and that this scandal would ruin my family. Though at least Max has good taste."
"How so?"
Richard looked at Jan. "At least you look nice and good-looking."
Jan laughed. "Alright, so are you gay?"
Richard laughed and looked back at the road. "I am. I will ask if you haven't told anyone, though. My father will have a stroke."
Jan blushed and looked away, "Oh, okay. That is understandable. It's okay if you are, though. People should not judge how others are and how they should feel."
"What about you? I might have ruined your relationship with your girlfriend."
"I do not have one."
"What about the girl called Rachel?"
Jan laughed. "She is my best friend."
Richard nodded. "So, do you mind that I ask you if you are gay?"
Jan looked at Richard, "I am bisexual. My family thinks I am just shy."
"Oh, that is cool. Sorry, you probably think I am a creep or something."
"No. I want to know more about you."
Richard smiled and turned down the street towards the house. "Alright, tell you what. We could meet up in a nice place and talk about everything."
Jan smiled and nodded, "Okay, but how would I contact you?"
Richard pulls up to Jan's apartment. "Is that a sly way of asking for my phone number? I am just kidding. Of course, you can have my cell number."
Richard pulled out a business card and began to write on it. Jan smiled. Richard handed over the card, and Jan looked at it. Richard got out and opened the door for Jan. As Jan climbed out, he felt weak in his legs and fell forward into Richards' arms. Richard catches Jan and immediately checks for a fever.
"Are you alright?"
Jan held his head. "Yeah, I think so."
"Should I take you back to the hospital?"
Jan shook his head. "No, I just need to rest."
"Can I walk you up to your apartment?"
"No. I am fine."
"Are you on the first floor?"
Jan tries to walk away. Jan stumbles a little. "No."
Richard grabbed Jan and supported him as he went up the stairs. Jan did not debate the matter. They went to the room door. Jan's mother answered the door. She was drunk again.
"Jan, what are you doing here? I have a guest."
Richard's hands gripped Jan's shoulder. Jan looked at his mother in disbelief. Jan rubbed his head as he spoke to his mother.
"I am back from the hospital. I am sorry."
His mother looked utterly intoxicated, "Yeah. I am glad you're out."
With that, Richard pulls Jan towards himself. "Jan, is everything alright?"
Jan asks Richard, "Can you take me to Rachel's?"
Jan's mother then chimes, "Wait, Jan., I want you to go to your father's house."
Jan nodded, and Jan's mother closed the door. Richard helped Jan down the stairs. They made their way over to the car. Jan sluggishly got into the car. Richard got into the driver's seat. Jan told Richard his father's address. Richard drove Jan to the address but grabbed Jan's cell phone and looked for Jan's dad's cell number. Jan was resting his head in the car.
Jan's father lives in a two-story house with a wrap-around porch. There were only two lights on in the house. The porch light turned on, and Jan's father came out. He walked over to Richard, and Jan drifted to sleep as they talked.
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