The weekend had come and gone and it was now Monday once again.

Work had been hectic today, moreso than usual, and I was exhausted. I had donned at least twenty different attires today and my hair was collapsing under the weight of hairspray.

My makeup had become crusty and stuck to my face like superglue. I was dying to get home and wash it off. Unfortunately, I wasn't that lucky as the moment I turned to leave, Brendon, another senior model at the company, blocked my path.

He smirked down at me from his 6'2 frame. "Woah woah, where you off to so fast speed racer?"

"Home?"

"Aren't you coming to the meeting?"

"What meeting?"

Brendon cocks his head, a smile playing on his lips. "The five o'clock meeting for all senior models? It was sent out this morning."

Sighing internally, I check my phone. I must have skipped over the email.

Sure enough, there it was. Sent at 11:08am that morning by the company's director and my boss, Claire.

I pocket my phone and turn to Brendon. "I must've missed it but I'll meet you there."

"Okay," Brendon replies with a knowing grin. He places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes, speaking lowly in his husky voice as his eyes hold mine. "I'll save you a seat, Troye."

I nod, turning away. "Thanks."

Man, that guy could really use a breath mint.

After freshening up in the bathroom and changing into something more comfortable, I make my way towards the board room on the third floor.

Most of the company's executives are already gathered along with the senior models who were relevant to the meeting's purpose.

Claire was speaking when I entered. Her eyes drifted towards me, alerting me that I was late. I sent her a smile and take a seat beside Brendon's promised chair. Claire rolls her eyes fondly and continues.

"You all know that fashion week in Milan has been booked. Flights and tickets are purchased, clothes are being sent over and the venue is booked and ready to go. Now, we need to discuss the trial run."

Claire goes on. "This year we'll be using a venue in New York to complete the run through. Due to the growing mass of designers, there is a higher demand for models and therefore we need a bigger space. With me so far?"

People nod in agreement and Claire continues going through arrangements for our trip to New York and then Milan.

It's then I realise. New York. Gabriel lives in New York. Maybe I could actually meet him?

Inner panic sets in as I begin to second-guess myself. Was it too early? Would he even want to meet me? Was I ready to try? What exactly would come out of this meeting if it were to occur?

My eyes dart around the room looking for Jack. As a representative of the company, he would have to be here. Even just knowing he's here and seeing him would be enough to calm me down.

Sure enough, there he was. Perched in the corner with one foot up against the wall, an intense look etched on his face.

I wanted to laugh. Jack likes to act very professional at work but there were still moments when his true self seeped through the cracks.

Leaning against the wall with one foot up was something Jack did when he was relaxed and comfortable, however the look on his face signified he meant business.

I must've made a sound that somewhat resembled a chuckle because the room suddenly went silent and everyone's eyes were on me.

"Something funny, Troye?" Claire asked.

I shook my head. "No, sorry."

"Did you hear what I just said?"

"Can you please repeat it?"

Claire rolled her eyes at me the second time. "I said, you all need to submit your roommate requests to me by next Monday if you wish to come on this trip." Her eyes darted to mine daringly. "Got it?"

I nodded and held up two thumbs. "Got it."

"Young models," Claire said to another executive beside her and turns to me with a wink. "You're lucky you're pretty."

"He wouldn't be here if he wasn't." Jack suddenly spoke up from the corner and the room erupted in laughs.

I attempted to meet Jack's eyes to share the humour but he refused to turn his head. I frowned and turned back to Claire.

"Alright, moving onto new business."

The meeting ended a half hour later. Jack was already in the hallway by the time I caught up with him.

"Hey," I catch his arm. "I'm thinking Chinese and movie marathon tonight. What do you say?"

"Sure, Troye." Jack said coldly, staring down at his iPad as if he barely heard me.

I was taken aback. "We don't have to-"

"I said I'm down for it." Jack replied icily. "Don't wait for me, I'll meet you back home."

I bristle in surprise. Jack and I normally shared a car to work to save money on fuel but today we'd gone separately as he started later. I was still planning to wait for him though.

"Jack," I asked with a frown. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." he replied. "I'll see you at home."

"Okay," I whisper, turning around and making my way towards the exit.

The drive home was slow. Unlocking the door to our apartment, I step inside and head straight for the shower.

When I'm finished and dressed in casual clothes, I situate myself on my bed and pull out my laptop only to be alerted that Gabriel had sent me another message.

Smiling, I open it and my eyes skim over the writing.

Hey, I know this may sound straightforward but is there a chance you would want to meet up?

I'm writing my reply within seconds, squashing any doubt I have and deciding to take the chance.

I'm actually coming to New York soon for work :)

Really? That's awesome!

Yeah, I fly out in just over a month and staying at Four Seasons.

Well howdy neighbour, I'm down in Brooklyn :)

Nice!

It is, because I know the perfect in-spots all around the city we can go check out ;)

My fingers are flying over the keyboard as I ask cautiously. Like a date?

Like a date :) Gabriel types back. If you're up for it, of course.

It's then I stop, my fingers hovering over the keyboard as I feel the colour draining from my face, memories of Cameron flashing through my head.

A date? Was I even ready for a date? Oh God.

With a sick horrid feeling pooling in my stomach, I realise that I had never been on a date with someone who wasn't Cameron. He was my first and, up until now, my last everything.

Even then Cam had done most of the work due to my inexperience and him being older. He'd kissed me first, asked me out first, took me on my first date. I had never done those things for myself.

What if I was bad at it? I didn't even know if I was a good kisser! What if I had no game and Gabriel got bored and left? I didn't want to scare off the first opportunity I had seized by being inexperienced.

With that in mind, I quickly changed into something nicer, swiped up my keys and headed into the main living area.

Jack wasn't home yet which wasn't uncommon as sometimes he liked to stay back to finish work later, but I was still worried about him. He hadn't been acting like himself when I left.

Scribbling a quick note to let him know I was going out, I leave it tacked to the fridge and exit the apartment.

I drove around the city for what felt like hours. I didn't even know where to find a place like this and my only resource was Yelp.

After some time I pull into the parking lot of what looks like a safe bet. The pumping music resonating from inside gave me hope. Strangely, the bouncer doesn't ask for my identification. He simply winks at me and steps aside.

It's loud and the music flows through me like an unwanted rhythm. All around me are bodies moving to the beat, glowing drinks in hand that stand out in the dark.

I move through the crowded room towards the bar; the only source of light illuminating in the room other than the flashing lights on the dance floor. I take a deep breath, trying not to let my nerves get to me. Here goes nothing.

Managing to find an abandoned seat at the bar, I sit down and wait, declining the bartender's offer to make me a drink.

My eyes wander around the room, taking in the club's vibe. I had only ever been in a place like this once from my high school days when my friends bought me a fake ID.

The atmosphere was exhilarating and frightening all at the same time. I was scared to leave my seat and be swept into the ocean that is the dancing patrons, but I was also cautious of the risks of remaining seated.

In the end it didn't really matter because after about a ten minutes a young man appears at my side.

"Hey," he says, flashing me a toothy grin. "Saw you sitting here from across the room and I thought you looked lonely."

Gulp. Here we go.

"Oh uh," I reply nervously and manage a small smile. "I'm alright."

The boy grins at me. "You know, you're really cute. Can I buy you a drink, doll face?"

I'm taken aback. "Um, I'll just have a water."

"A water?" the boy scoffs. "C'mon cutie, live a little. This bar only serves over thirty-percent alcohol." He sends me a wink.

"Um, alright." I reply, fiddling with my fingers. "What do you recommend?"

Turning away from me, the boy hails the bartender, shooting me a grin over his shoulder. "The gentlemen will have a Three-Legged Monkey."

The bartender cocks a smile. "You got it."

Soon enough, an amber-coloured drink is placed down in front of me. The blue-haired boy pushes the glass toward me. "Drink up pretty boy."

Picking up the glass, I try not to analyse it too much for fear of looking like an amateur. Instead, I quickly dump the liquid down my throat. The boy tips his glass in my direction and sips his own, a smirk playing on his lips.

I quickly put the glass back down, trying not to let the sting of the burn show on my face as I basically gag on the liquid. Alcohol was never really my thing.

The boy only smiles at me. "You don't do this often, do you pretty boy?"

I manage a weak smile. "Is it that obvious?"

"Oh, you're a greenie," The boy has a wicked smirk on his face. "I like you. Bartender! Another!"

I down about two more drinks in the next twenty minutes before the boy sidles up to me. "What do you say we go somewhere a little more private?"

"Um," I hesitate. "Uh, okay."

Taking my hand, the boy leads me through the pulsing crowd towards what I can only assume is the bathroom.

It's less crowded in the dim hallway and I do my best to calm my nerves. 'I can do this.' I chant in my head to myself. 'I can do this.'

"That's better," the boy says heatedly. "A little more privacy."

"Hm," is all I can say before the boy is attacking my neck. Nothing about our encounter is graceful or slow but I don't push him away.

He starts out gentle before sucking and nipping at my skin aggressively, leaving marks with his teeth before trailing a line down to my collarbone.

I whimper and he pulls back, a predatory look in his eyes. "You like that?"

When I don't answer he only takes that as a sign to continue, no doubt leaving numerous marks on my neck.

The atmosphere was getting heated and I tried to squash my anxiety down. This was okay. He's not Cameron, but that's okay.

I let out a gasp when his hips suddenly roll onto mine, a small sense of pleasure running through my body at the touch. Smirking, the boy does it again.

It's only when he kisses me and his hand reaches out to cup me that I gasp, as if I'm coming up for air after spending a really long time under water.

I push him off me in seconds and am suddenly up against the wall, breathing hard.

"What the hell, man?" the boy touches his bloodied lip from where I accidentally bit him. "We were just having some fun."

"I'm sorry," I gasp. "I'm sorry."

"You're a freak," the boy frowns and turns around to leave but my mind was too busy to watch him go.

My heart was pounding in my chest, thundering in my ears as my thoughts raced through my mind at one-hundred miles-per hour. Jack. I needed Jack.

Taking out my cell phone, I hit one number and hold the phone to my ear as I listen to it ring.

"Hello?"

"Jack," I gasp.

"Troye?" Concern fills his voice. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

"54 Bronx Street." I breathe heavily. "I need you to pick me up."

"I'm on my way."