Contract Marriage With A Grumpy Idol

8: The Worst Set-Up

For two hell of days, Rion spent an agonizing time in the pop star's suite. Dressed in extravagant designer clothing Cait Emmanuel handed him before she left, Rion felt guilty.

He did not think he deserved that kind of treatment. For all he knew, he only signed a contract. He did nothing at all— well, minus the fact that he was dealing with the person he has learned he hated the most, a.k.a. Augustus Immaculata.

In those two days that seemed forever, Rion felt alone in the foreign ground, felt like he was put inside a haunted place. Only Macko and Onew's text messages were keeping him sane. Without his best friends, he would have gone mad.

Thankfully, though, he barely caught sight of Augustus Immaculata. His main battle was of against loneliness, to be frank.

It was as if the singer has vanished and evaporated like smoke in the air. Like he never really existed. He did not even hear a hertz of the pop star's voice— from the guy's haven or the common room. So, overall, it was not that bad, he supposed. Since he did not have to deal with the discomforting gaze Augustus threw, or the burning feeling of fury in his chest whenever Augustus was around.

He was all alone.

Or maybe, just maybe, he just did not realize how huge the penthouse was. And the suite might be too big for the two of them, so Augustus found it easier to hide from Rion's sight— or to refrain himself from seeing Rion, too.

As much as he wanted, though, Rion did not, and could not, dare to step even one foot outside the suite. Forty-eight hours of a boredom. Two days of doing nothing but lying down a soft cushion and texting his friends, and eating anything inside the fridge situated by the kitchen. It took that long until he received a message from Cait Emmanuel.

Finally, it was the update he kept on waiting for. Only God knows how excited he was when he opened it and he realized he would finally be able to leave that place, and he can go somewhere larger, a place he will own for a year while Augustus is away for work.

After taking a bath in undeniable haste, Rion came back to Cait Emmanuel's name flashing through his screen. Calling him. Dialing his number.

Rion nearly jumped out in anticipation. He pounded against his quilt and happily answered the phone.

He was about to get out of that hell. He was about to step into the wild again. A much better and wider place for him to marvel. Somewhere he would not feel too restricted as that suite felt.

In a few minutes, their service arrived and Rion was escorted out of the compound. Augustus soon followed and situated at the van's very back once more, the way he did two days ago.

The house Cait Emmanuel was talking about... was nowhere near to Rion's little expectation. It was way too out of his definition of a house.

It was something that looked too magical that Rion almost asked the driver if they stopped at the right place.

When Augustus snarled at him to scoot over so he could open the door, Rion snapped out of his reverie and breathed out in disbelief.

In front of them was a wide garden with neatly cut plants, styled in different shapes, seemingly done by a professional dresser.

There were two tall old trees by the left side that made a peaceful shade underneath from the afternoon sun. A hammock was situated in between, made as a place of relaxation.

In the middle of the garden was a round fountain with shiny splashing water, right in front of the main entrance.

And of all the great scenery, it was the luxuriously placed outside pillars that caught Rion's attention the most.

Was that place a house? A mansion? Or a d*mn palace?

Rion went haywire as he thought of every possible thing he could do around. It looked too aesthetic and pleasing that he wondered which era was it constructed. He will never get bored in that place, even if he stayed alone!

The mansion was too pretty. Too beautiful for his eyes. He started questioning his reality, and also asked himself if he even deserved to step foot inside it.

If not with Augustus Immaculata snarling at him in annoyance when he froze in awe. If not with the rudeness that told him to move along and help with pulling their luggages off the trunk and inside the house. Oh, Rion was sure that he will not be moving ang minute. He will not be able to regain his composure for hours. And instead, he will run his fingers along the posts and analyze each structure.

Rion then learned that Augustus and his family own that place. And that fact almost made him throw up.

He did not know that the house Cait Emmanuel was talking about would be this gorgeous. So, when he was told that Augustus and his family owned the place, he did not spare a single time acting surprised. Now that he was seeing it with his own two eyes, though, remembering the fact almost made him throw up.

How rich could Augustus Immaculata and his family be? He did not know that Augustus was born with a silver spoon in the mouth, well-fed and rich. And Macko never mentioned anything about it?!

In the first month of Rion's stay in the mansion, Augustus Immaculata barely went home. The pop star did not seem to care about his own mansion, too.

Thank God Augustus was not around, Rion would always utter every day he would have a peaceful wake.

However, in those two or three times Augustus was around, they would unluckily often meet by the hallway. Each time ended up catastrophically.

They would always fight and exchange disses. Augustus would often throw painful remarks while calling Rion names, such as; w***e, prostitute, escort, and whatnot.

The only thing that was left for them to do was jump at each other. Exchange fists and kicks and beat each other to death. Bang their heads on the wall until one was bleeding and unconscious. And it would be a perfect happy battle anyone would probably pay just to have a glimpse.

Rion was the most glad whenever Augustus was not around.

Heck, he would willingly to kneel and pray so Augustus will forever be busy with his own business as a celebrity, to be freaking drank. He would sacrifice anything to achieve lasting peace and serenity.

He despised seeing Augustus. And as much as he did, he knew the pop star felt exactly the same.

Up until then, though, Rion still could not believe it. He was still mind-blown with the fact. Thrown away whenever he would remember that he was currently married to a well-known personality. That he was with Augustus Immaculata, although it was only binded by a contract.

If you would ask him if he ever imagined to be in his current place right now, he could probably state that it might be around the nine-millionth thing that would cross his mind.

It was surreal. It was like a fantasy that came to life— although not his own fantasy, but still!

He spent most of his time exploring each room. Going from one place to another. Carefully observing the mansion's wholeness from its interior. Roaming around the house while walking slowly to feel the cold breeze of air. Analyzing how the structures were beautifully made and designed, minimal and pleasing.

During his expeditions, he has slowly found out and memorized which room was for which. Or where are the places were for what.

When they arrived, the mansion nearly looked like an abandoned medieval place. Maybe that was why it took them two days to clean it up. However, it was neat enough not to look horrifyinv, haunted, and eerie.

Rion loved his peace. Loved his new environment.

Do not get him wrong, though. He still loved Macko's place. And he missed his best friends. He missed Macko's speakers in the maximum volume every morning. He missed Onews wise words and snarls whenever they would pound on him while he was studying. He missed their movie nights watching any series of Macko's interest.

On the other hand, if Augustus' visits were not too often, the other members of Zero Degree were the opposite. They were the best people around him next to Macko and Onew.

Shawn, Janvick, Hans, and especially Calyx, would always pay him a visit. They would check on him. They would ask him how he has been in the past days. They would even bring him presents from time to time, as well as souvenirs and gifts from their schedules, sometimes from fans. They always made sure he was doing okay.

With them, Rion found new people he could call his friends.

Whenever possible, the members would also take Rion out with them. They would ask him out to have a few moments of fun in the city, and outside the lone screaming mansion he had to live in all on his own because his pretend ‘husband’ was a jack*ss.

He was thankful to them. He was grateful that they understood his need to unwind. He was lucky to have the other four boys taking care of him.

Every time Rion would need to venture out of the mansion, he was glad to have Zero Degree, or Macko and Onew with him, using their little free time to spend for him and with him.

He was positive that he will never get used to the multiple camera flashes from photographers who constantly followed him everywhere to take shots and possible issues. But, at least, there were people who got his back.

If Rion was not just assuming things, he would say that he and the four other Zero Degree members have grown so close. And they accepted him as their friend, as a close one.

If Rion wasn't just assuming things, he would claim that he and the four other boys have grown close, they accepted him as their friends.

Well, he knew they were great guys, anyway. Nice and talented men. Genuine. Stand out performers. The best. Zero Degree is an amazing group. In short everything was perfect— except for that homophobe, for Augustus Immaculata.

That Augustus Immaculata can f**k himself. He was cool indeed. Intimidating. Hot. Handsome. And whatever. But he was arrogant. With a displeasing attitude. Rion did not even like seeing even that guy's silhouette.

If anything, anyway, all he wanted to do was get out of that place. Leave Augustus Immaculata in whatever his business was. Detach himself from all these mess. Be free. Be in a tranquil environment. Or just away from Augustus will do.

He just wanted this one hell of a year to be over with. He just wanted to go off and never see the pop star again. Although that would be admittedly hard.

Especially when it was of great certainty that Augustus Immaculata will continue to shine. It will be impossible to get rid of him. That man will always be on television and random segments and shows. On city billboards in tall buildings. On little screens and ads in bus stops. Posters and stands of any kind in small establishments, or those of big brands. Magazine covers and newspaper headlines.

Moreover, Zero Degree's songs were all over public speakers. Blasting on different homes and bars. He would still hear his voice. That annoying but undeniably soulful voice.

While having his quiet time to think in his His phone vibrated and rang from the side table, snapping him back to his reality.

Rion immediately picked the loud device to see who was calling.

It was Calyx. The one and only.

Instead of getting furious over the boy disturbing his quality time overthinking and building satisfying narratives to keep his mind satiated, Rion smiled upon seeing the name.

At least he would not have to start the boring afternoon with only the feeling of loneliness bubbling in his chest. Calyx could make it a lot better. That bubbly boy... If he was the closest with any of Zero Degree's members, he would frankly say that it would be Calyx. He was the most comfortable around him, too, although things did not go the right way when they first met.

“Hey, Cal. Is something up? Why did you call?”

[ “Hey, Rion! Good afternoon.” ]

“Yeah, you do not sound as jolly as usual. Anything wrong out there?”

[ “Actually, Rion, no—” ]

“Uh, uh?”

[ “Yes. Rion, I... have a favor to ask. If you do not mind?” ]

“I might not. Try me?”

[ “Ah, just this once, please, Rion? I— we can not accompany you out and it will be quite stressful, but pretty please?” ]

“Hmm?” Rion hummed in confusion, asking, demanding for further explanations for him to get a full grasp of the matter. “Sure, I guess? For you. As long as I can do it and it will not cause me death. then sure. I will never say no to you, you should be aware of it by now.”

[ “Thank God...” ] Calyx blew a sigh. Relief was evident in his tone and Rion could not help but absorb the worry he initially possessed through ragged breathing against the phone. [ “Rion, can you please go to Veronia bar downtown? If you are not familiar of the place, I will text you the address right away. I already sent a van to get you there, only down side is you have to go alone and take... Augustus, that problematic dude...” ]

“He is there? The sun is up still and he is already in a bar, drinking to wasteland like he does not care?”

[ “I know, right? Augustus' drive has been unpredictable these days. And we can not actually do a lot but watch after him. Just... not today, unfortunately. He must be going through something again this time, problems, or whatever. I am not sure, none of Zero Degree or Cait is. He never tells us things since only God knows when...” ]

Rion could already sense the tears that was pooling in the boy's eyelids, although he could not see Calyx. Augustus Immaculata was an assh*le, but it was undeniable that these guys cared so much about him. Seeing their friend be a goner was affecting them, too. Them and their jobs and dreams.

Why is Augustus Immaculata this selfish?

[ “Ah, I am sorry, Rion. I... am just worried, we all are. Things are too conflicted right now. Every member is currently busy with solo schedules we can not control and leave. Then, Cait called us an hour ago when she was about to get Augustus— he was not inside his suite. Then, someone ticked Cait. Augustus is found at Veronia. As usual, he is drinking himself to slumber. Without anyone...” ]

“No surprise in that thing, I am sorry,” Rion replied, frowning. Not cautious and sensitive by using any word against the pop star at all, as he knew that Zero Degree was aware of how much of a j*rk he was with Rion and they told him his feelings will always be valid, “I knew Augustus Immaculata will not— and will never be put under control. He is already addicted, eh. Somehow, though, I am glad it is not with drugs.”

[ “Absolutely. And will never tolerate him if he starrs using illegal drugs, you know! But that will be another concern right now. Please, Rion, get to Augustus. As soon as you can leave. Before he does something worthy of an issue yet again. Please? For me?” ]

“Cal, you know d*mn well how horrible the situation becomes whenever we come face to face, right?”

[ “I am sorry, Rion. You are right...” ]

“I have only seen that man, Augustus Immaculata, at least twice this past month. Since we signed the marriage contract. And let me repeat it to you even if you know it already, those meetings are some of the worst moments of my year. Do you think that me, coming to him, telling him he should stop drinking, will knock him off until he listens? No. That will not the best way to resolve this. Not at all.”

[ “But... but you are his husband. For publicity or legally, you surely are. Rion, you are the only person we can entrust Augustus to during this crucial time. And he knows the terms he has to obey, especially outside. He will not ridicule you and act rudely to you, or he will suffer consequences, we all will. He will have to treat you right, and he will.” ]

Rion scoffed. “How sure are you?”

Calyx was betting his all in this. Rion noticed. The same way Cait Emmanuel was so willing to go through hell for him. Augustus Immaculata really was that important to them, no?

[ “I... do not know at all, Rion. That is just a wild guess...” ]

“I hope your guts are right, then,” he said.

He could not help but feel an urge not to disappoint Calyx and not to cause another distress to Zero Degree and Cait Emmanuel. They were nice and cool people. Not him, nor Augustus Immaculata, deserves to ruin the beauty this world has for them.

[ “So..?” ]

“All right and all fine. I just have to go and change, then wait for the van. Off I go. Wish me luck, maybe?”

[ “Stay safe and thank you so much, Rion. Do not forget to cover your face once you step out of the van, hmm? Take care...” ]

~

Things have gotten better after a month, Augustus Immaculata thought.

Zero Degree, as a whole group as well as also individually, has started to get many great offers ahain. Sometimes, it was beyond his expectations. It has seemed like they even became bigger than their career's previous peak. It was a small observation, but it meant a lot, he knew his friends were happy and Cait Emmanuel was proud of them.

After the news with him and Rion Nathan Maestra broke out, their career bloomed. His reputation was cleaned. He has ridden a lot of scandals they did not open up before.

However, he did not know whether he should be glad that the soar of their success was consistent and harmoniously stepping up. Or just exhausted because this whole ordeal, their newly launched projects, their oh-so-stressful schedules, either currently or in the future, were too draining.

After a tiring day of shooting he just wrapped up the shoot for a Vogue magazine release one month from now, where he would be the cover, Augustus somehow found himself sneaking out of his suite. Without Cait Emmanuel knowing. Without their managers knowing.

He bottomed up the bottle of tequila in his grip, swallowing a large volume in a few gulps of the liquid.

When the burning sensation in his throat and chest kicked in, he winced in satisfaction. It felt like the renaissance, to say the least. He missed the feeling of tequila massaging his inner tubes.

Liquor, his best friend. It was the only thing he could rely on when life get too much. It was the only thing he was comfortable of. The only thing to understand him and listen to his rants. The only thing that would say nothing about his gushes over how messed up he has become.

Augustus sat back and let his nape touch the softness of the couch he was in. He was already dizzy and drunk. His vision was spinning and his knees were wobbly. There were more than five emptied bottles in his front, all were consumed by him.

For the nth time that day, he sighed. Whether it was because of satisfaction for he was able to drink again or in frustration, he did not know.

The thought of having to pretend like he was happily married to his husband, to Rion Nathan Maestra, just kept on haunting him down.

It was making him feel sick in the stomach. But he can never do anything at all, except to keep the truth to himself.is pretend-husband. The management. His closest relations. And his friends.

His friends. Right, his friends. Those motherf*ckers, he hissed.

He knew what they have been doing with Rion Nathan Maestra. That they kept on associating themselves with him behind his back.

He has told them to stay away from a gold digger. A thousand times. He even asked Cait Emmanuel to refrain them from interacting with Rion and building friendships or any peer relationship with him. They did not listen. They chose not to. Instead, they continued to hang out with his contract husband and spoil him.

They even kept on posting i********: shots and videos with Rion Nathan Maestra, and Jesus, it never failed to annoy the sh*t out of him.

What were his friends thinking to even befriend that man? As if they could get anything from him? A broke and jobless guy. Someone who needed support from other people to have his father cured. A person who would also be homeless if not with his red-haired friend?

Rion Nathan Maestra has nothing. And they had EVERYTHING! While his contract husband could milk them off their fame and popularity, especially their money, they could have nothing in return.

If Rion Nathan thinks that playing nice and friendly, and making himself look trustworthy will actually have an effect on him....

If his contract husband thinks that getting close to his friends will make him pull his protection down, too....

If he thinks that being with Shawn, Janvick, Hans, and Calyx — and Cait Emmanuel, will make Augustus want to hang out with him, too....

If he thinks that Augustus will start to treat him better if he get Zero Degree as his allies...

If he thinks that manipulating his friends will make him feel bad for being an assh*le for a wh*re...

Then, he will prove Rion Maestra wrong. That man can only dream until this year was over because that will never happen.

Years and years in show business, in the entertainment industry. Augustus has spent all his life learning and maneuvering his way to success alongside his friends. During that long span of time, he has picked up a lot of observations regarding people's behavior.

With that being said, he has scarred it to his mind and heart to never trust anyone easily. Especially them, angelic faces with pretentious innocent facades. Because those will also be the hardest and evillest people to deal with once they get their way into you.

The image of Zero Degree with Rion Nathan suddenly flashed through his memory. Smiling so wide. Laughing so loud. Having fun without him. He could hear them constantly teasing each other while he hid behind a column. He could feel the happiness radiating from the lounge, spreading through the initially silent and eerie home he barely visited after his brother left....

It was such a precious sight, music to his ears.

They looked so glad, enjoying. In the past months, he almost forgot how those boys looked with bliss written in their faces. When the realization hit him, he knew that he has stepped a little far from them.

He was the most pleased to have found them during that moment. However, though, seeing Rion chuckling with them felt so wrong. He did not belong there. He should have been the one playing with his friends.

Oh, how badly he wanted to wipe off the grin on his contract husband's face. How badly he wanted to pull him out of the mansion and tell him to wander the f*ck around streets and leave.

When Shawn noticed his presence, though, Augustus only forced a smile and ignored them, as he started to walk straight up to his room to sleep and rest.

The second time he went home and saw Rion, he also met the man's best friends. The two guys he was with when they went to the company.

Macko and Onew, were those their names? He was not certain. He could not quite remember. But the red-haired guy was a Zero Degree fan. The other was silent, he always has a headphone by his neck. They seem nice and playful, and childish, yet fun. Just like Zero Degree.

They could be a lot better to befriend than Rion Nathan, he thought.

Through reports by Cait Emmanuel from the house's guards, he also learned that those two were almost living in the mansion with Rion. Everytime they were free, they would be hanging out around and play outside like sprinting kids unwilling to give the first place up. There was not a week they did not come to pay a visit and check on Rion.

And considering how often and long they always stay in the foreign household just to accompany his lonely contract husband, Augustus could not believe that wh*res like Rion Nathan managed to have loyal and trustworthy people behind his back.

For once more, Augustus groaned to himself. Annoyed. Irritated. He diverted his thoughts onto something else. Anything. Just not Rion Nathan.

Rion Nathan and the man's life was not worthy of any of his concerns. He should not be fumbling over the thought of him having friends or befriending his own friends. Everyone has their own life decisions.

This was his, and that was his friends'. If they want to talk to Rion, then so be it!

Why does he came so much...

He grabbed yet another bottle of tequila from the case above the table. As soon as he has flicked the cap out of the head, he started sipping unstoppably until he had to breathe.

But still, the picture of Rion Nathan will not leave his mind. Will not chug off his head like he was swallowing the remnants of tequila off the bottle.

F*cking Rion Nathan Maestra.

Why does that w***e kept on pestering his mind? Kept on running in his thoughts?

Can this year just please... be over already?