Bergrand Boys

The Contract

Stein was still shaking when he finally made it to the private elevator that would take him to the lobby because it doesn’t reach the private quarters of the liner’s employees. He had in his hands the phone and envelope of money, but there was nothing in his mind, other than the bizarre event that had just transpired.

The prince wanted him. Wanted to ‘f***’ him, he even clarified. How crude and assuming. But given his stature, it probably made sense to be honest and specific upfront with expectations rather than deal with misunderstanding. Still, that’s what had happened to him, hadn’t it? Just a misunderstanding?

When he got to his room, his knees finally gave in. He dropped to the ground beside his bed and cried. He cried because he was so scared he was going to be r***d. That he would have been forced by the prince. That there would have been no way he could protect himself. And even now, in the safety of his room, he still can’t shake the feeling of being tricked. The money in his hands felt dirty. But nothing happened, right? Besides, he could really use it for Becky’s operation. He’ll deal with it tomorrow.

He quickly shed his clothes and didn’t even bother with his nightly routine. He climbed into his bed and allowed his exhaustion to claim his thoughts.

When he came to in the morning, he was still exhausted. He had a fitful sleep, courtesy of the thoughts in his head that wouldn’t quit. He dragged himself to his ensuite bathroom and allowed the hot water to wash away the ickiness he felt. He wondered briefly if he should report to his manager what happened. And then he remembered the NDA and groaned.

After getting dressed, he finally faced the envelope. He knows the Lounge is automatically billed for private performances. The performers would only get their cuts during their payout. So this money is supposed to be a part of his tip, which means it’s all his. And now it made sense why it was so thick. It was meant to be for his virtue.

He was almost scared to open and see how much was inside, but he decided to just go for it.

“Just like ripping a bandaid,” he murmured to himself.

His hand shook as he took out the crispy bills and counted.

€10,000.

“Fuu**kkk,” he cursed silently. He made a quick computation in his head. That’s Php590,000 give or take. Half a million. Enough for at least four chemo sessions and some oral medication. Of course, not even close to the 5 million pesos he needs, but still, it will make a good dent.

“Fu*kkkk,” he repeated because what else can he do. He quickly shoved the money back into the envelope and placed it inside the small safe every employee is provided with hidden inside their closet. He’d have to deposit it later at the in-house bank.

Even though he still felt unnerved by what happened, a small smile graced his lips. Becky can finally begin chemo.

---

He feels like s**t. He thought he could sleep after his quick solo session with his hand, but thoughts of Stein plagued him. He spent the rest of the night and a better part of his early morning tossing and turning, wondering whether he should look for Stein and try to entice him again or just forget about it. By sunrise he knew there was no way he could forget the beautiful man. But he would never force him either. Such was his dilemma.

He grabbed his phone and called Felipe. He needed to blow off steam and he could usually count on his friend to think of something right off the bat. But his phone just kept ringing. He must still be asleep.

---

The incessant ringing was irritating but ignorable. The repeated kicks on his side—slowly becoming painful.

“Felipeee, answer your goddamned fu***ng phone,” the person beside him groaned. He slightly lifted his head and looked at his bedmate who was still buried underneath the blanket.

“G’morning to you too,” he groaned before reaching for his phone and declining the call without looking at who it was. If it was important, they would call again.

He was almost asleep again when his bedmate’s phone started ringing. Now it was his turn to kick the person beside him.

“Ouch! That hurts!” the person screamed, but got up anyway. The phone was all the way across the room, connected to a charger.

He opened his eyes to peep at Augustine as he walked to his phone, naked, with his ass and legs streaked with dry c*m. They were too tired to clean up after a rambunctious round of heavy fu***ng that almost bordered b**m last night. He was thoroughly exhausted. Augustine looked thoroughly debauched. It really was a good night.

“Paul’s looking for us,” he heard Augustine say. He raised his head and looked at his phone. True enough, the declined call was from Paul and the time said it was early, way too early for a call from someone who supposedly had spent the night with the man of his present dreams.

“Something must have gone wrong,” said Augustine, who was already picking up his clothes and throwing them at him. His underwear hit his face. It wasn’t an accident.

He irritably pulled himself out of bed and started getting dressed. Augustine was already walking towards his bathroom. He haphazardly got dressed, grabbed his things, and headed back to his own suite.

He didn’t say goodbye to Augustine. And Augustine wasn’t expecting anything either. This thing between them was purely physical. “Hate s*x” they called it. Brought about excessive alcohol, helplessness from the invisible shackles of their unattainable status, and horniness. This isn’t the first time it has happened. Not even the 5th. But both of them would die first before admitting it to anyone, even Paul.

No, it wasn’t anything other than s*x. They are both well aware of that.

---

Despite the bizarreness of his evening, Stein can’t help but smile. That money meant a better chance for his sister’s survival, and he was able to keep his virtue anyway. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t immediately notice that someone was already walking beside him.

“Must have been a big tip!”

He whipped his head and found Joey grinning at him. He grinned back.

“I guess you could say that,” he replied quietly.

“You’re not going to tell me what happened?”

Stein froze but he quickly masked it with a smile.

“What do you mean?” he squeaked.

“Well, is the Lounge as grand as they say?”

Stein felt some relief and so, proceeded to describe the place to Joey. After a few moments, his skin prickled when he felt eyes on him.

---

Augustine was currently complaining about being dragged to the mall by Felipe when he saw him, Stein, the man who turned him down. He was talking with another guy, perhaps someone he knows based on the familiarity they’re currently displaying. Friend? Boyfriend? He wasn’t aware he was staring until Stein’s whiskey eyes found his.

He almost took a step towards him. But he knew he had to respect his decision. So instead, he looked away—continued listening to the ongoing argument between his cousin and bestfriend. He felt a heavy weight settle on his chest, which he immediately dismissed. It stings, not being used to rejection after all.

---

It unsettled him if he was being honest. Finding the prince staring at him, with something burning in his eyes. Hunger? Something hot licked inside of him. Which confused him. He should be mad for being mistaken as a prostitute. But he did respect him when he said he wasn’t interested. And he didn’t force anything on him. So…

“You gonna tell me what’s bothering you?” He looked up at Joey who was returning from the water dispenser with two cups. They were currently in the employee’s cafeteria having breakfast. He thought about it for a moment.

“I’m not sure I can. They made me sign an NDA,” he answered honestly.

“NDA?!” Joey gaped in shock. “What the f*ck, Stein?! Are you okay? Do you really need an NDA for singing?”

“I’m fine. Nothing bad happened,” he tried to calm his friend down. “I’m just—it just wasn’t what I thought it would be, that’s all.”

Joey still wouldn’t calm down, so Stein told him, after making him promise on his mother’s grave that he would never tell another soul, what happened.

He watched as his friend paled.

“Woah,” he exhaled. “Woah.”

“I know.”

“And he just let you go and just gave you the money anyway?”

Stein nodded. After a moment—

“You think he’ll like me?”

“Joey!!!” he choked indignantly. Joey started laughing in front of him.

“Don’t think too much about it. You said it yourself, nothing happened.”

“I know,” he frowned. Joey looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

“Do you like him?”

“WHAT?!” he sputtered. “What the heck are you talking about! I don’t! And how could you even say that!”

“Well, you look more bothered that nothing happened than why it happened to you. Plus, you have this look.”

“What look?”

“You get this look when you’re talking about a crush.”

“I don’t have a crush on him! I’m not even gay!”

“How do you know? You’ve never been in love. I’m not even sure you’re capable of being attracted. I was starting to think of you as plant—”

He threw a piece of bread at Joey’s face.

“Hey! You know I’m right!”

“I’m not a plant,” he grumbled. “I just don’t have time to think about that stuff.”

“Thinking about it and feeling are completely different things.”

He sighed, knowing Joey was right.

“Sooo… do YOU like him?”

He threw more pieces of bread at Joey and glared hard.

“I’m going to get ready,” he huffed, then left.

He was almost at the elevators when his phone started ringing. He immediately answered when he saw it was his aunt calling.

“Aunt D, what’s going on?” he tried not to let his voice shake. Unscheduled calls like this usually mean bad news. And he was right. Because his greeting was immediately met by his aunt’s wailing.

---

He was on his way back to his room because Felipe’s plan to go to the casino turned out to be one of his worst ideas yet. So he made a quick escape when Felipe and Augustine were distracted by another of their infamous screaming matches. He’d rather be writing music and wallowing in his tragedy.

He was almost to the private elevator when he saw Stein enter the stairwell to the fire escape. He wasn’t sure, but it almost looked like he was in tears.

He tried not to follow—he really did. But he couldn’t deny his need to see him and find out if he’s really crying and why. He walked to the stairwell, checked to see if anyone was around to see and when he saw no one, opened the door.

The tears on Stein’s face were all he needed to see before he was wrapping his arms around the beautiful boy. Stein had gone still, shocked from having someone holding him, but his distress must have been that bad because, after a moment, Paul felt Stein’s arms snake around his waist. And then his face hit his chest as he continued crying.

He didn’t speak. Only started rubbing the back of Stein’s back in a circular motion, hoping it’ll soothe him somehow. They stayed that way for minutes until Stein’s tears started to ebb.

“There, there,” he whispered quietly. “Want to tell me why you’re crying?”

Stein sniffed before lifting his head. Their eyes met and Paul felt that familiar weight on his chest. He’s normally the one wanting things, but at that very moment, all he wanted was to give Stein what he needed. So he let him know.

“Tell me.” He said. This time more firmly.

The corners of Stein’s mouth shivered, like he was about to cry again, but he didn’t. Instead, he looked at Paul with conviction and spoke.

“Does your offer still stand? If I… If I let you have me, will you pay me?”

All Paul could do was stare at Stein in shock. It took him a moment to get his bearings back. His expression hardened.

“Tell me what you need.”