2. Official Introduction

The morning rolled in quickly or maybe it was too soon for Callum . He was a light sleeper. He had a deep sleep at noon because he was so exhausted for the past few days and he had an awesome breakfast. But the night seemed too hard to put him asleep. He tossed and turned for a better position until he fell asleep past midnight. 

The alarm rang to show it was 6.30am. He tossed the comforter and stretched a bit before going to the washroom to take a relaxed bath. He had to be at the table by 8 am to meet his sexy boss. 

He exited the bathroom with a towel around his waist  and walked to the closet to look for the clothes.

Every suit was black but the shirts were in various colors that reminded him of what Stephen told him at night. THE SUITS ARE BLACK WITH ANY SHIRT AND ACCESSORIES MATCHED. 

He took a crisp white shirt. It came with a striped tie, a bracelet, ring and decorative ear studs. He didn’t have any ear piercing so it was easy to clip them. He didn’t want to offend his Boss on the first day, lacking anything. He wore his shining black shoes and perfume from a number of choices on the dressing table. 

It was almost ten minutes to 8 when he was at the table standing by his chair waiting for Stephen to come. Though he did not tell him to wait standing, still he wanted to wait for him before he took his seat. 

The hallway to the dining hall clinked with the sound of shoes coming his way. 

"Ohh you are awake? How was the sleep? Comfortable"? Stephen saw him and smiled a bit patting his shoulder. He took his seat, signalling him to sit too. 

The breakfast was served in no time. And they had a slight chit chat before they left for  Stephen's office in the other wing of the palace. 

"Come in Callum". Callum  followed him and found some people in the office already. 

"Welcome Boss". One of the men in suit turned to them and Callum  saw visibly, his breath hitched. He saw the man tense for a while before trying to relax. Callum  checked himself subtly, if he wasn't dressed properly or something missing, but nothing seemed out of place. He was confused.

"Callum. He is Max. My right hand”. And he pointed to another man, “is Enzo. The person sitting on the couch with his lazy ass is Zee. And... Where is Saint"? Stephen knotted his brows to find Saint and just in time...

"I am here, handsome". Callum  looked behind him to find a very beautiful angelic man smiling. Stephen chuckled at his flirtation. 

"Callum, don’t fall for his antics. He is a devil in disguise. And guys he is Callum . He will be assisting me replacing Mild. Max could you please help me". Stephen motioned Max and he fell out of his thoughts. 

"I .. I am sorry Boss. What were you saying"? He apologized, still staring at Callum, and he was fidgeting. 

"Max. I said, "Can you please guide Callum of the schedules and plannings"? Stephen said staring into Max's eyes and even standing at a distance, Callum saw Max relaxing under the gaze, as if Stephen calmed him down. 

"Oh yes. Yes, sure. I am sorry. Callum , right. Well here is the ipad. Basically it's the Boss's schedule. You can check and schedule his meetings, his appointments right here. Since you will be assisting him all day, your table is placed there, where Enzo is sitting. 

Here is your phone activated with a new number. Only the Boss and us have it to contact you. And it should be always available. Okay"? Max told him, smiling warmly and for the first time Callum  felt at ease. 

For some reason Max was looking intimidating to him. Enzo was a cool looking person. Zee was all smiles and chilled. And Saint. He was a beauty. He smiled at all.

"Boss, would you please excuse me"? Max turned to Stephen and once again Callum  couldn't read the changing expressions in those eyes. Like Max was in trouble. 

It's going to be too much to know. He talked to himself watching everyone leaving for their respective tasks. 

Callum was going through the tasks associated with him, learning the process. He now knew he had to practically stick with Stephen. A good thing was that he put an alarm for every appointment so that he didn’t have to look every time. 

By lunch Stephen had no business outside the office so he called for lunch inside. He invited the rest of the four. 

Stephen chuckled a bit when he saw Callum 's eyes shone at the food. Callum was replying to Zee opening the lunch box and whoosh. The pin scratched his thumb drawing a little blood. 

He instantly froze listening to sharp hisses. Stephen instantly held his thumb in between his fingers forcing stop the blood. He turned to see Max who clearly had some pained expressions. 

"Enzo"! Stephen signaled Max and he stormed out pulling Max along him. Zee and Saint looked at each other and turned to their food. 

"Wh… What happened to Max". Callum stuttered. 

"Nothing. He can't bear the sight of blood. Here the blood is stopped. Go wash it before the lunch gets cold. Saint, call Max and Enzo". Callum  nodded and left for the ensuite washroom to wash his thumb. 

Stephen saw his fingers stained with a little blood. He closed his eyes, taking the whiff of blood in pure bliss. His nerves were set on fire. Igniting his desires. But before he could lick the blood off his thumb, the door clicked open. He hurriedly cleaned his fingers as if someone presented to him a fine rare wine and snatched it before he could even take a sip. 

Zee was looking and observing all but he chose to keep quiet. Callum was extra careful not to act clumsy and so the lunch passed. Max was fine too. And Callum was thankful in his heart. He was getting scared of him and his changing expressions. 

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StephenPOV

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The first day for Callum was surely nerve wrecking though he didn’t show. He performed the day tasks effectively and efficiently. Taking calls, answering emails. By the time I summed up my table, it was 8pm. 

"Let’s go. It’s dinner time". I asked him and he nodded. Checking and rescheduling the ipad for tomorrow. Stating that I had dinner with my business allies tomorrow at 7pm and he had reserved the table in the restaurant I told him. He is surely an efficient person.

Max, Enzo, Zee and Saint had left for their places not far from here. 

We were having dinner while I told him what to wear. 

"Callum. Wear Black and Blue. And you have to sit by my right. No matter who says to shuffle, just say that I ordered you not to leave my side. Do not, I repeat, do not answer anyone regarding your personal informality. Just tell them that you are not supposed to. Do not accept any offer of meet ups, dinners, lunches. Anything. Just put off if it’s without me. And if I am going for any meetings, you will automatically accompany me. 

Your passport will be ready for you to go with me on foreign tours. Max, Enzo, Zee and Saint. They are trust worthy. You can hang out with them if they ask. But no alcohol. Although I know you are a light drinker. But I don't appreciate it. Okay"? I finished taking the last bite and Callum  nodded. 

Even he wasn’t comfortable going without me. 

"Now go and sleep. We will meet again in the morning at 8 okay"? I said ruffling his hair and he smiled. He is cute. I like him. 

"Good night Stephen". He bid his goodbye. I waited for him to close his door before moving to the terrace attached to my room. 

************

I heard the ruffling of cloaks in the wind and I smiled. I knew who it was. 

"It was close today. Wasn't it"? Zee spoke standing by my side. Saint was hooked in his arm. 

"I felt I would just snap out". Max remarked. 

"But I guess someone else had a hard time restraining himself. Eh"? Saint exclaimed. I chuckled a bit. 

"Wait what? What did I miss"? Enzo interjected, passing me a bottle.. In fact, handing us all a green bottle. 

"Nothing. Someone was about to enjoy the taste of FRESH YOUNG BLOOD. But unluckily the younger exited the washroom on time". Saint laughed teasing me and this time I let a little laughter slip. 

"Steph. Don't you think it's a risk? For him and you too. In fact for all of us". Max vocalized his concern. I know he is right. 

"I know Max. It’s just one day and it’s already getting hard for me. I talked to Mason but he told me only Callum  can break the curse". I was serious. Taking the sip from the bottle. My eyes were glowing red. This tastes so good. I felt all the knots of my muscles relaxing. 

"How would he react when he knew"? Enzo said and I hummed. I don't know. Maybe he will be scared.  He will run away. Or maybe he would accept me as who I am. 

"I dont know Enzo. Lets see what the future holds". I tried to shrug the thought. For now I just need to focus on the bottle in my hand. 

"See you tomorrow then. Good night". They all bid good night and flew. Yes. Flew away.

************

Callum  POV

********

I felt someone racked my hair before planting a soft kiss on my cheeks. I think I heard a low chuckle too. I opened my eyes groggily and saw a silhouette walking to the door. I smiled before turning to the other side and fell asleep again.

It was a tough day today. So much paper work. A quick lunch. And then running to the room to get ready as per Stephen instructed. Black and Blue. 

Damn.  I do look handsome in blue. I whistled at myself in the mirror and rushed outside where Mason told me that Stephen was waiting in the limousine. What. Limousine? 

I know I am gaping like a fish but who cares.. I ran and sat in the car and   smiled. 

"Here". He adjusted the tie a bit and approved my look. But do I care? I was looking at the man in front of me. Damn. He is so perfect. So beautiful. More than a human. Wait. Is he some sort of angel fallen from the heavens? 

"Callum ? You okay"? I didn’t know I was staring at him for god knows how long when he snapped his fingers. 

"I am sorry Boss". I replied. And I am sure my ears are red. Because he laughed. 

"Bossss". I whined. 

"Okay okay. We are here. Let’s go. You remember what I told you. Right". He said in a serious tone this time and I replied YES confidently. 

General POV

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They walked in the restaurant and were guided to their table. Callum  subconsciously stepped behind Stephen when he saw more than 12 heads stand up from the table. And there was something in their looks that made him scared or conscious of himself. 

"Well who do we have here"? A man shook hands with Stephen and turned to Callum but Stephen subtly pushed Callum more behind him. He could feel Callum clutching his blazer. 

"Not that he concerns you. Please have a seat gentlemen. Shall we proceed with the dinner". Stephen stated with a slight smile signalling Callum to take the seat. 

"Hey cutie, why dont you come sit with me"? Another person spoke. He patted his lap, licking his lip. 

"Tha.. Thank you sir. Bu.. But I am comfortable with bo...boss". Callum  replied, stuttering a bit. He didn't like the look. It was full of lust. 

"Oh come on. You are such a cute ball. I will make sure you will feel utterly comfortable". The same man winked and everyone burst into laughter. Even Stephen smiled a bit.

He held Callum by his waist, before turning to them.

"Oh really Adam. If you say so, let me make him feel comfortable". In a swift motion Stephen lifted him placing his hands on his slim slender waist and pulled him into his lap. 

"I am sure Callum, you cannot find anything more comfortable than my lap. Right". He turned to a flustered Callum .

He was just too embarrassed to reply. It was just too quick for him to think and process. The closeness. The proximity. The intoxicating unique fragrance of Stephen. He forgot everything for a while, only if Stephen had not softly patted his tummy. 

"Let's start." He nodded and Callum looked at Stephen silently asking him to sit on his seat but Stephen refused. 

"It’s safe with me. Believe me". He whispered and Callum fell silent.

It was a totally 180 degree experience for Callum. Having dinner sitting in Stephen lap. It was something he never even imagined. 

He thanked the lords above as the sweetly terrifying torture was over. 

With Stephen whispering to him, feeding him occasionally. Racking his hair from time to time. And rubbing his cute tummy. Only if Stephen had not fed him, he would have been starving. 

"Well that sums up tonight.. I hope we will continue with the paper work regarding the merger". They all stood up and Callum  too. It took him a moment to feel his legs back. 

"Surely Mr. Malcom . And I hope if I get to see the Cutie again, we can sign a few hundred more". The man named Adam flirted again.

"Sorry but he is taken". Stephen gathered him in his arms. 

Adam scoffed. "Come on Stephen. Don't act like you own him". 

"Well, as a matter of fact, I do. Right my Boy". He turned to Callum  and before he could even proceed, he hovered the soft plump lips fully. 

******

Tabby