“Why do you wish to have dinner with Oliver?” Sebastian stepped in front of me, his hand still in mine, “there is no need.”
“Don’t get all protective now. He was my boyfriend first,” Skylar took a small step forward and Sebastian stood his ground, his grip on my hand tightening.
“He is not my boyfriend. He is my friend and he is clearly… clearly sad at your presence.”
“Jesus, Oliver. Where did you find this one? He can barely speak,” Skylar snorted, his green eyes filled with joy at trying to embarrass Sebastian.
“Fucking shut up, Skylar,” I shouted, my tone deep and making him freeze, “I am so fuckin’ tired of this bullshit. You left me! Ya promised we’d try for a baby for real. That we would fuckin’ leave Indiana and come here together! I was still in college and you… you were already a semi-famous journalist. Ya left me behind. You slept with someone else on our fucking anniversary. So stop it. Leave him alone. He’s a wonderful man. I forgave you. Years ago, I forgave ya because we were young. But this ain’t okay. I won’t allow ya to treat him like this.”
“I can do as I wish,” Skylar whispered, “you can’t stop me from digging up all the information I can on your pretty little toy.”
“He’s my assistant ya fuckin’ idiot he’s not a toy.”
“My name is Sebastian Aubert,” Sebastian began, his tone resolute, “I am from Beauvais, France. An orphan raised by nuns. I went to PSL in Paris. I graduated last year and began working for a bank as a financier. When the position of Oliver’s assistant was posted, I applied. He offered me the job based on my skills. I am also the new CFO of Parallel. That is all you need to know about me. Anything else that is shared, if you find it, I will have you sued for sharing information that I have asked not to be shared due to an NDA. I will take you to court for everything that you have and will not stop until you are broke, living in squalor. I will not allow you to upset Oliver. Now. We can go our different ways, pretend this encounter did not happen, or I will ruin your life. Do you understand?”
That was hot…
Holy crap he didn’t need me to defend him.
“There’s nothing you can do to me in this country. You don’t even know who I am,” Skylar scoffed.
“Skylar Joseph Korhonen, formerly Perez. From Fredericksburg, Texas. Married to Claudio Korhonen. You have nine children. 6 boys and 3 girls. Aged 8 years to 4 months. You live in a small village outside of Zurich. Your husband is a news anchor and you are a travel journalist, writing on politics. You decided to inform Lauren West of your intent to move to the area and asked for several meetings with Monsieur Hope,” Sebastian gestured to me as I stared at him in surprise, “but she declined them to keep his mental health solid as you are a sore subject for him, even if he is past your relationship. You have two brothers and your Maman is a single parent. Serenity Hope has already threatened to have you arrested for harassment as you have discovered the building that Monsieur Hope owns and have made attempts to enter it. It leaves me to wonder why you are making such drastic attempts to see him. I have a guess. With nine children, you and your husband have little money. You are hoping that with Oliver’s wealth, you can continue to live a nice lifestyle. But you cannot end things easily with your husband as you love him dearly. You are hoping to have both. Oliver’s wealth but keep Claudio. Now please, tell me what I have gotten wrong.”
“H… how do you…” Skylar stuttered, clutching the sides of his pants.
“Mme West has an entire file dedicated to you as she assumed you would be an issue in Oliver’s life. He went into a deep depression just after you left and was hurt in a car accident. Then had to stay in a mental ward briefly. I apologize,” Sebastian looked up at me, “I have access to your medical records now.”
“That’s okay,” I whispered, still in shock at how forceful he was being with Skylar.
Because Bas cares for me…
As protective as I will be with him…
He will be with me as well.
Even if he doesn’t realize it yet.
“We didn’t want you to have access to him,” Sebastian continued to rub my hand with his thumb and I wrapped my arm around his waist, “not if your appearance upsets him. It can be damaging to someone who struggles with anxiety. To see a person that hurt them the way you did, Monsieur Korhonen.”
“But I…” Skylar stuttered before taking a small breath, “Very well… I want to make you a deal, Sebastian.”
“Mr. Aubert is fine.”
“Then Mr. Aubert. I won’t publicly share any information about you. I didn’t know you existed to be fair. I will keep away from Oliver, Parallel, all of it. But I ask that the file you have on me is destroyed.”
“Non. When Oliver started the company, you signed a paper stating that Oliver was allowed to keep tabs on your location so that he was mentally stable. It was for his health. It was Lauren’s job to ensure this. But now it is mine. Legally, I cannot do that. But if you agree to never report on Oliver or me, I will ensure that any information on your private life stays that way. Private. I will be the only one who knows, specifically because I have to keep you from Oliver.”
“There is nothing in my private life I’m ashamed of.”
Sebastian released me and walked over to Skylar, pressing his lips close to his ear and whispering something. Skylar’s eyes grew wider than I thought possible and he nodded quickly, clearly uncomfortable with the level of information that Sebastian and Lauren had on him.
“Do you understand me now?” Sebastian smiled after pulling back but there was no joy in his face. It was predatory.
“Yes… yes, I do,” Skylar nodded quickly, “I won’t be a problem just don’t… tell anyone.”
“You have my secrecy,” Sebastian kissed Skylar’s cheek, threatening, territorial energy coming from Sebastian, “I do not wish to take a pére from his children. But I will. If necessary. Do not mess with me, Skylar Korhonen.”
“I… won’t. Oliver, I apologize for upsetting you.”
“It’s forgiven. But if ya see us in public, pretend that ya didn’t and continue on. Okay?” I smiled when Sebastian came close and gently nuzzled the top of his head.
“Okay. Does… do you…”
I gave Skylar a look that he was all too familiar with, one that simply told him yes but don’t tell anyone. Skylar nodded slowly, a gentle smile forming on his face as he rubbed the nape of his neck.
“This isn’t what I was trying to do. I just… Sebastian was correct and I apologize. I hope you’re happy, Ollie and life is good for you.”
“You as well, Sky,” I continued to hold Sebastian, knowing I should let go, but when he snaked his arms around my waist I found it impossible, “things will work out. Just keep your head up. You’re a phenomenal journalist. I know you’ll do well with the Times.”
“Thank you. Oh and… Mr. Aubert?”
“Oui?” Sebastian nodded, rubbing his head against my chest.
“Take care of Oliver. He’s too gentle and kind for the world.”
“I know.”
Skylar disappeared slowly, never turning to look back and I finally sat again, my knee giving out. Sebastian immediately squatted in front of me, clearly panicked and I ran my hand through his hair, smiling at the way his waves clung to my fingers.
“We should take you to hôpital,” Sebastian muttered, lightly adjusting my leg brace.
“No. I don’t need to go to the hospital. I just need to be off my feet. The apartment is close. We should just go home so I can rest. I’ll prop it up with pillows and Aldo like I always do. He’s not just my pet, or my child as I call him. Aldo is a service dog. Trained to elevate my leg if it gives out until I can get help or dismiss him. He’s also trained to get the nearest person should I need it.”
“Can you even make it home?”
“I can. We just need to walk slowly. I’ll sit on the bench in the elevator. It’s there for me specifically after all.”
“Okay. But tell me if we need to stop,” Sebastian got to his feet and after a few moments I did the same, my muscles angry but nothing tore, there was very little pain.
“I’ll be okay. I just did too much today. We need sleep.”
“Agreed.”
As soon as we were in the apartment I laid on the couch, taking my brace off and rolling my leggings up, a soft sigh escaping me when I noticed the stress bruising around my knee. Aldo bounced over and pulled Sebastian by his sleeve to me, Sebastian immediately touching my bruising with a soft gasp.
“Oliver,” he whispered, “comment puis-je l'améliorer,” chewing his lip, he jumped up and ran into the kitchen, grabbing an ice pack from the fridge and wrapping it in a small towel, “Put your leg over the back of the couch.”
“Bas I can-”
“Put your leg up,” he interrupted me, and I did as he asked, watching as he placed the ice pack directly onto the bruise, “twenty minutes like this. Then we should band it when you sleep. I have an idea of what to use,” he rushed off to his room and I looked over at Aldo who had jumped onto the couch, his head under my leg to assist me.
Shit.
I didn’t want him to see me like this.
I look weak.
You can’t take me seriously with my leg.
I’m a failure.
How will you trust me to keep you safe if I can’t even walk?
Sebastian came into the room and slowly wrapped a skin-tone stretchy band around my knee, removing the ice for a moment before replacing it, my knee immediately felt better and stable.
“What is that?” I whispered, closing my eyes.
“My old tape. I no longer need it but kept it in my bag.”
“Oh,” nodding, I laid my arms on my chest, “Bas ya can go to bed.”
“Non.”
“Bas I… I’m fine. I usually deal with this alone.”
“But you do not have to anymore.”
I could hear him move around the couch and suddenly my head was lifted, the couch's cushion was replaced with something warm and soft and I realized it was his thigh.
“Bas?” I opened my eyes and he smiled, running his fingers through my hair, “Sebastian what are ya doin’?”
“Keeping you calm,” he poked my nose softly, “that’s all.”
“But I’m not angry or upset. Just a bit in pain.”
“Which can trigger an anxiety attack. But having someone to keep you calm, to show you that you are safe helps.”
“How do ya… know so much?”
“Ah. I used to take care of new enfant who came into the orphanage. I wanted to ensure I knew what to do if I met a partner who had the same struggles the little ones did. I haven’t found anyone willing to be with me yet though.”
But you have, Bas.
I’m right here.
Why can’t you tell?
It’s too soon I guess.
“Have you tried lookin’?”
“Non because… I believe in true love. I could have walked past them a million times and not realized it due to my inexperience. All because I’m damaged from my past.”
“But you’re not,” I reached up and gently touched his cheek under the darker eye, “I hope that when you find them, they’re brave enough to tell you how they feel…”
“Why did you hesitate at the end?”
“I just don’t want to have to find another assistant,” I laughed softly, “everyone keeps finding their soulmate and then there’s me.”
“You haven’t found someone you wish to settle down with?”
“Mhm. I suppose I have.”
“Are they close?”
Oh closer than you could even believe.
“Yes.”
“Do you know who it is?”
“I do.”
“Do you want me to set the two of you up?” he smiled, playing with my hair.
“No.”
“But? That would be so nice for you!”
“Mhm. I know. But I want them to come to me when they realize. That’s all. I also don’t like that you’re seein’ me like this. I shouldn’t look weak in front of ya.”
“You don’t look weak silly. You’re still commanding presence. You’re still strong and all that. Don’t worry,” he wrapped his tiny arms around my head as he bent down and I laughed, rubbing his cheek with the tip of my nose, “It just makes you seem more… gentle. It shows that you are. I like it too.”
“Bas,” I laid my arm back, wrapping it around the nape of his neck, “promise?”
“Mhm. I do. Did… you and Lauren ever… act like this?”
“No. Not at all. Well… I have taken care of her when she was sick. I’ve seen her nude which was…” I visibly shivered, “She’s a sister to me so the idea of seein’ her that way was gross for me. Not that she’s not a knockout because holy fuck she’s hot. But not only am I gay, I’ve always considered her my family. I never want to see her that way, no different than Winnie or Nita. She was incredibly sick at the time that I did. Massively high fever and her body couldn’t flush out the illness fast enough. It was fryin’ her brain. I had to strip her and put her into a bath of ice water to try and drop her temperature. We were in my cabin in Fairbanks, Alaska. I had called for a doctor but it was going to take them an hour to get to us. I knew she’d die if I didn’t act and I couldn’t let that happen. She had just found Enzo. So I did what I had to do to save her life. I love Lauren, but she’s my family and always has been.”
“That was good of you to do,” he continued to hold me, his forehead against my temple, “I am glad she was okay. I like her a lot.”
“You’ve been here a day. It’s Nita and Winnie ya need to look out for. They’re gonna steal ya and make you their best friend.”
“I would not mind,” he giggled, “I would love that.”
“I’m glad,” I whispered, rubbing his back softly with my fingers, “you’re… so small.”
“Well yes, I know. I have tried gaining weight but I metabolize food too quickly. But I am quick because I'm so tiny. I can run remarkably fast. I’m also very agile.”
“I’m incredibly strong. I can lift my father's truck a foot off of the ground with ease. I’ve done it before to save my Dad. His leg got caught when it started movin’ on its own.”
“Tell me more of your family?”
“I have two dads. Grayson and Hunter. Grayson was a stay-at-home dad because of his health and Hunter was a carpenter. They put all of us through college. Silas is a chef. Winifred is an actress and theater teacher. Ya know Nita. She’s quick like you. She went to college on a track scholarship. I went for football as I was a linebacker.”
“Football? Oh, American football! I thought you meant um… soccer. It didn’t make sense for a minute.”
“No I never played soccer,” I smiled, his scent covering me and I relaxed, grateful he was still close, “I don’t have the stamina for that.”
“That is fair. I did track the same as Serenity. It is how I went to university as well. The church could only fund so much as I refused to go to a convent. I did not want to be a nun. I was a man. I am a man. But I also did not want to be a priest.”
“I understand,” I whispered as my eyes grew heavy.
“Sleep,” he ran his thumb down my nose and I caught his hand, placing a soft kiss on the center of his palm, “I’ll be here when you awake, Oliver.”
“I hope so.”
“I swear it,” there was a warmth on my forehead and I peeked up to find that he had pressed his lips to my skin, his cheeks bright red.
He’s wonderful.
Hurry up and figure out why we touch so much.
It’s mutual.
You should know that.
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