Chapter 162
Zeno was standing in front of the mirror, unbuttoning his suit.
He stared at his face and frowned; he moved closer to the mirror and saw the little scratch on his cheek.
He was worried for a second about how he got that scratch but suddenly remembered he had practiced boxing with Zen last night at his gym.
Yeah, he had built himself a portable boxing gym that fetched him a decent amount of money; he wasn't involved in any kind of shady business; no, he was done with all that kind of lifestyle.
However, owning a gym was cool, but Zeno needed some adventuring in his life, so he had two extra jobs he did.
He had just returned from one, and that was why he was taking off his suit; his job always required him to dress professionally.
"Yes, he's right in there, Nicholas," Zeno heard Nana's voice in front of his room.
He smiled, she was fond of sending Nicholas right into his room whenever he came looking for him.
It was as if they lived together, in fact, they did.
They lived in the same high-end apartment complex, and Nicholas' apartment was right opposite his own; he was either in Nicholas' house or Nicholas was in his.
"I'm coming in, Zeno," Nicholas announced before pushing Zeno's door open.
"Hi, gentleman," Nicholas greeted as he went over to sit on the chair beside Zeno's mirror.
"Hey, Nicholas. Time for work?" Zeno asked, removing the tie around his neck.
Nicholas sighed, "I was thinking of letting you skip tonight since you worked all day as an escort. Maybe rest tonight?" He suggested.
Zeno shook his head, "Really? You already know I can't miss the entertainment at your club, especially on Fridays," he walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out a white shirt, "You don't have to worry about me, I love all my three jobs," He assured.
"I know... you own a boxing gym because you love the adrenaline, you asked to work as an escort in my firm because it keeps you in the j and reminds you not to fall in love, and you work as a bartender in my bat because, well... it's fun," Nicholas shrugged.
"Yeah," Zeno replied.
Among all the listed, even if he were to drop others, he'd never drop being an escort; it wasn't even for the money; it was the experience.
He wasn't restricted to genders either, he could escort whoever booked his services. He didn't need to worry about doing business with pleasure either because his services were not concerned with emotional support, no intimate services, just companionship.
He was available for official meetings, family meetings, social parties, and any events, as long as what you only sought was a companion. With his lifestyle, he had no time to catch feelings; it was all business for him; it showed him the other aspect of life that categorized every human interaction into fleeting moments; nothing lasts forever, and it was better to condition one's mind that way; no expectations, no disappointments.
"Ready to leave?" Zeno asked, all dressed like a sexy bartender.
Nicholas smirked, "You're running away from love, yet you go to a club every night looking like this," He sighed, shaking his head.
"Trust me, even if I looked, there's no way I'm finding love in a club, that'd be shooting myself in the foot," He gave Nicholas his hand and dragged him up from the chair.
"Nana's not going to be happy; she actually asked me to ask you to stay home tonight; she says you've been working a lot," Nicholas whispered as they left the room.
"She'll be fine, even if I stayed, she'd abandon me for some classical old movie," Zeno said, walking out of the room.
He loved the way his apartment was; his room was located behind the living room, and his Nana's room was on the other side, kind of beside the kitchen, but still far away from it.
He loved their new space, it was comfortable and homely.
"Zeno, are you leaving again?" Nana walked out of her room and into the living room.
She looked so much healthier and beautiful; a year was enough for her to regain all she'd lost during her comatose state.
Zeno went over to her and hugged her, "Yes, Nana, I have to, you know I have to -"
"Don't give me that bullshit of having to work hard so you can put food on the table, you think thud old woman doesn't know how much your boxing gym fetches you?" She asked sternly with narrowed eyes.
"Ah... Nicholas, you tied her?" He scratched the back of his neck and turned to look accusingly at Nicholas.
"Don't look at me that way. She made me a really good pasta, so I had to spill it; plus, the young lady was worried," Nicholas winked at Nana.
"Thanks, Nickie," Nana blushed because Nicholas called her young. "He always makes me feel so young," She giggled.
"Now, back to you!" Nana slapped Zeno's arm, who was smiling as if he was the one Nicholas was flirting with.
"Ouch! Nana, that hurts," He rubbed his arm.
"You're staying home," She pointed at him.
Zeno sighed and gently held her shoulders, "Nana, I find it absurd that I still have to beg for your consent before I leave the house, but this is me, a full grown man, kneeling and pleading with his Nana to let him go to work, please?" He lowered his knees to the floor and looked up at her, blinking cutely.
Nana sighed, "You... just get up already, Nieto," She dragged him up by the collar.
"Oh, no, Nana, that's my favorite bartender shirt -"
"Want to go to bed now?" Nana put her hands on her waist and gave him a stern look.
"No, of course not... I'm sorry, Nana... does this mean I can go?" He asked cautiously.
Nana nodded.
"Yay, thank you, I love you, you're the best, I'll get you something nice gift tomorrow and -"
"Just go or I'll change my mind," She warned, pushing his face away that was leaning in to kiss her face.
"Alright, Nana, goodnight, sleep early, and drink enough water before bed," He waved as he hurried over to the door before she changed her mind.
Nicholas waved before walking behind Zeno, a broad smile on his face.
As they went down the lift, Zeno ignored Nicholas, knowing he would mock him if he spoke to him.
Zeno and Nicholas were now like brothers; they made fun of each other, went into each other's room when they felt like, and hung out together. Here in Paris, there were literally the only friends they had; any other person was either a colleague, an acquaintance, a customer, or a business partner.
They were individually healing from something, and starting another relationship was a huge drama to them. They weren't ready to deal with the ups and downs that came with associating at a deeper level with people.
"Your car or my car?" Nicholas asked.
Zeno stood in front of the apartment complex and looked toward adjacent the parking garage, "How about my bike? Feel the breeze on your face?" He raised a brow at Nicholas.
Nicholas thought for a little while and shrugged, "Why not?" He smiled at Zeno.
"Awesome," Zeno nodded and walked into the parking garage while Nicholas waited for him.
As the bike sped out of the Parking lot, Nicholas moved out of the way, starting to regret why he chose to go in Zeno's bike.
"Hop in, Handsome, I'll take you for a ride," He winked at Nicholas and patted on the seat of the bike behind him.
"We're going easy, right?" Nicholas questioned as he climbed on behind Zeno, fixing the helmet on his head and holding onto Zeno's waist.
"Of course, I always go easy," Zeno assures.
Nope! He didn't go easy.
Nicholas sat behind Zeno, clutching his hands around Zeno's waist as he flew the buildings flashing past his eyes due to Zeno's speeding. He could barely make out where they were.
He always falls for Zeno's trick; he doesn't know why he always agrees to use the bike when he ends up with a churning stomach and dizzy eyes.
"Ahh!" Zeno sighed happily, "Wete here, boss, do you need me to carry you in!" Zeno asked as he parked his bike beside a white building with luxurious lights shining all around it.
Nicholas had chosen a bright color for his club, and Zeno loved it; it stood out.
"No, I'm good," Nicholas staggered as he came down from the bike.
"Fuck you, Zeno," Nicholas cursed as he walked toward the entrance of his club, his arms holding onto his tummy.
Zeno chuckled; he got down from the bine and took a deep breath; it was time to mask his real face.
He had never appeared friendly at work; he was known as the brooding bartender with few words to offer; he liked it that way; it kept people away most of the time.
He stared down at the beautifully lighted streets and smiled faintly.
The world was so loud, beautiful, and adventurous, yet at the end of the day, he was lonely, and he loved it that way.
He turned and slowly started to walk the club; thus was another night of serving people who thought they were happy only when the alcohol went in.
He enjoyed the show, so, why not?
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