Chapter 2. Forgetting the Past

Chapter 2. Forgetting the Past.

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It was after a week of Cyrus settling down in his new apartment. Once he stepped out of the mansion, he never turned back. He never heard about them. He changed his number. He only took his favorite car Rover with him and nothing else from the house that he built with his sweat and blood.

He was walking down the roads aimlessly. His mind was wandering in the streets of the past.

"Cy, I am hungry". He turned to see Gabriel tiredly sitting on a roadside. Cyrus checked his pockets. A last bill. He sighed looking at his 12 years old cousin. He was 12 years old too. After a murder of their families, they were the family to each other. They were practically thrown on the roads. He managed to grab the money from his saving box but that wasn’t enough for survival. But it managed to feed them for a few days.

He went to a nearby grocery and bought a small loaf of bread. Gabriel was looking at him with happy eyes. They ate a few slices and Cyrus ate less than Gabriel because he didn’t know how long they had to wait for next meal. And that’s what happened after a few hours of walking on the roads. It was getting dark and cold. They only had the clothes they were wearing and that were not enough for them to bear the chill nights.

Gabriel was shivering badly. He pulled out his sweater too wrapping around Gabriel. Whole night he sat on the cold floor hugging Gabriel to get some body heat.

Every day was a death struggle. They would try to work in any garage. Car washing. Grocery shop mopping. And even then he tried to take care of Gabriel's needs and comfort.

They spent 5 years in misery. Starting their days with the thought of feeding their hunger, to ending their days looking for a place to sleep. Until Cyrus got a job in cafe. Initially it was cleaning the cafe and serving the customers. A good thing that the cafe owner gave them a shelter to sleep. At least they didn’t have to worry about sleeping under hot weather or cold nights on the road. Also they were provided with food and clothes.

The cafe owner often saw Cyrus looking at the chefs making pastries and cakes. One day after the cafe was closed he asked Cyrus and Gabriel to come to the kitchen. He asked Cyrus if he wanted to try baking something. Cyrus was a bit hesitant but on encouragement he pulled out crumbled papers where he had noted down the recipes while observing the chefs.

The cafe owner was amazed as he tasted the cupcakes made my Cyrus. They were delicious. They stayed awake all night experimenting different food variations and it was marvelous. The cafe owner was so pleased with him to give him a try for the next morning. They short listed few recipes to try next day for the customers, before cleaning and closing the cafe.

And that day was the beginning for their good days. From one customer to whole cafe. People would recommend trying the cupcakes, pastries, cakes made by Cyrus. They would order on demand. Soon the cafe owner set up a small cafe for Cyrus. He gave him his few staff members too. To help him in the starting days.

It was his first business as a gift. And then it flourished to no end. Soon it was Cyrus's Cafe. And it gave him good fortune that he could manage to afford Gabriel's education. He himself enrolled in some short courses but he made sure Gabriel would get his dreams fulfilled.

From a cafe to a big place. From an apartment to house then mansion. From a bike to cars. Cyrus attained everything in 10 years. Before he got married to Louis Valentine. A new life. A new beginning. But...

Cyrus harshly wiped the tears flowing off his eyes but they kept flowing. He was crying hard, hiccupping badly until he couldn’t cry anymore. But the pain won’t go away. It wasn’t easy to forget the past. But he had to. He couldn’t live with uncertainty. His heart was aching with the betrayal. He tiredly rested his back to a wall. He saw up and his eyes found a bar across the street. His feet drag him to the door automatically. He badly needed some alcohol.

"One Whiskey on rocks please". He sat on the bar stool at the counter placing his order.

It was served in no time. And gulped in another.

"One more". He tapped his glass for a refill. And again it went down in one go.

"One more". He tapped the glass again but this time he didn’t gulp it down. He just held the glass in his hand feeling the cold of ice seeping through the glass into his palm.

He mind was still occupied in the incidents happened a few days ago. And now instead of putting blame on others he was analyzing his faults. He wanted to judge himself. Where did he lack? Maybe because he didn’t give proper time and attention to Louis. Maybe he couldn’t satisfy his sexual needs. Something was missing. Or maybe it was a forced marriage for Louis that led him to avoiding his husband. But he fell for Gabriel. He thought about everything but nothing could answer the cheating. Nothing could justify their deeds behind his back.

He shook his head as he felt a headache approaching. He gulped the glass again and tapped for a refill. But this time the bartender was changed. It was a boy 16 17 may be. He had his bangs covered half of his forehead. And the usual shine in the eyes, a shine of excitement and joy was missing in his eyes as he turned to Cyrus.

He straightened up on the stool. Something was missing.  Something not right. On noticing he saw a bruise on his temple. His eyes puffy. His cheeks still had some strains of tears.

"What is your name, kid"? He asked in a calm tone. Not wanting to scare him.

The boy jolted in panic. Maybe he did something wrong.

"I am sorry sir. Did I make wrong drink. Isn’t it what you asked for? I will replace it". The kid was on a verge to cry again. He frantically held Cyrus's glass but Cyrus softly held his hand.

"You didn’t do anything wrong, kid. I am not going to complaint anyone. I know you are hurt and beaten up. What happened kiddo"? He asked gently. His heart felt the pain as the kid started crying again.

Cyrus stood up taking him to a couch placing few bills on the counter for the bar tender to keep quiet.

"Here drink water". He was rubbing his back to calm him.

"Wi.. Win. My name is Win. My... My brother in law is a stripper here. A high.. High end escort". He said between hiccups.

"So your brother in law doesn’t want? Why doesn’t he leave it"? Cyrus thought maybe...

"Nn... No it’s not that. It’s that he.. He gave birth to triplets just a .. A week before. And he has not still healed. But my bro.. Brother forced him to come to the bar. Because there is a bet tonight. A bid.. The highest bidder will.. Will take my brother in law for the night". Win said relatively calm now.

"Can you take me to your brother in law"? Cyrus asked in deep thoughts.

"My brother is with him. I can’t let you meet him. But I know a secret door where we can see. But why you want to meet him sir"? He asked in a fearful voice as if he just had realized the severity of his actions.

Cyrus smiled a bit, ruffling his hair.

"To help your brother in law. Now take me. Come on". He stood up followed by Win who took him to first floor VVIP section.

Win entered a room, it was dark. He didn’t bother to turn on lights. He walked to a nearby closet and opened its door. The wall was one way glass. They could see and hear everything clearly.

Cyrus felt his blood freeze and then boil in a matter of seconds. A man, probably Win's brother was beating the shit out of a boy. He must be 20 21.

"Please just let me feed my daughters. They are hungry". The boy was pleading to the man who had his hair in tight grip. The boy was begging him, clasping his hands on his feet. He was crying for his daughters who were crying with hunger.

"You bitch. I told you I will let you see and attend these pieces of shit only if you agree for the bid tonight. If you manage to grab money I will let you see these shits tomorrow after the person allows you. Till then forget it".

Cyrus saw three girls laying in the corner of them room. Those pure angels. He wanted to kill the man being so heartless.

He turned to Win, who was on tears again.

"I have a plan Win and I need your help".......

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

Cyrus was back in the club after an hour. Sober, refreshed, business clothes and a leather bag. Just at the time when bidding had to start. He took a seat near the stage holding a glass of wine. He spotted Win and nodded his head subtly.

The bidding started after 15 minutes. He spotted Denzel, as Win told his name, standing in the center. He was seductively dancing in the center of the stage in a spot light. No one could even believe this was the same boy begging an hour ago. Only if Cyrus had not seen him.

"25000 Dollars". One voice echoed.

"28000 Dollars".

"50000 Dollars". People were cheering as Denzel was slowly grinding his body against the pole. So far he was in complete clothes that were laced net with skin clearly visible.

"55000 Dollars". Another voice shouted as Denzel started to open his shirt buttons. One by one. Cyrus saw the glint in his husband's eyes increasing with joy as the price was getting high.

It continued till 100,000 Dollars and by then Denzel had removed his shirt completely.

His hands were on his booty shorts exciting peoples.

"10,00,000 Dollars". Everyone fell silent. It was a death engulfing silence. Even Denzel was frozen on the stage. He couldn’t move an inch looking at the source of voice. His eyes were frozen on the Man sitting on the chair casually in his business suit. He calmly finished his glass of wine before standing up, straightening his sleeves and slacks.

Everyone had quitted by now. No one could bid more than the amount Cyrus had said.

"Cash". He said one more word and he saw Denzel's husband looking at him with jaws hanging.

He walked calmly to the stage. Pulled off his blazer and covered Denzel.

His husband came up and motioned him to go to the corner to settle the payment. That Cyrus followed.

"So Mr....".

"Montgomery.” He didn’t even want to shake hands with him but he didn’t want to ruin the plans.

"Okay Mr. Montgomery. Denzel, is yours for tonight. But he needs to be back by 10 in the morning. It’s my rule". He said trying to have an upper hand and signaled Win to take Denzel to get ready.

Cyrus clucked his tongue in disapproval. He signaled Win to stop and asked Denzel to sit.

"Okay one thing. My money my rules.  Second I don’t want a night. I am offering you 10,000,000, ten times the amount for a week. Also. I heard in the club, some bartenders were talking about Denzel being a mother to triplets". He stopped to see the expressions. And of course the money had shut the person effectively. He wanted to protest but no word came out of his mouth when Cyrus opened the leather bag.

"So, condition number 2. I want Denzel for a week, and I may extend if I like the services, and I need him to bring his daughters with him. Choose to accept or reject". Cyrus said leaning into the sofa crossing his legs.

"Wh... Why my daughters"? Denzel looked at him with sharp gaze.

"Because if not, you would be worried about them and I don’t want to waste my time looking at your crying face. So fifteen minutes. Pack your things and get your daughters too. I am waiting". He took his glass that was refilled and started sipping it. He saw Denzel still looking at him but sighed none the less. At least his daughters would be with him.

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

Denzel was standing at the door of a lush apartment half hour later. He was holding his triplets on the harness on his chest. Cyrus unlocked the door and guided him inside.

"Be comfortable". He asked Denzel to sit on the couch while he went to the kitchen.

"Here". He handed him juice while taking the other glass for himself. "There is the bedroom, left one, you can take it. Get your daughters comfortable on the bed. And you can get a bath too. Everything is there and for clothes, hmmm, please wait for me here". Denzel was silent listening and looking at him going to his bedroom.

"Here. I guess these will fit you good. Tomorrow we will go shopping". He handed him a pair of tee and sweats. Denzel was still silently looking at him.

"I know you have a lot of questions. I will answer all but first go, get changed, feed your daughters, make them sleep and come out". He slightly ruffled his hair and went to his own room to take a bath himself.

Denzel couldn’t understand anything but for now he had his daughters to take care.

"And wait". He just stood up when Cyrus entered the lounge again in hurry. "Drink this. You need to be properly fed too to take care of these angels". He handed him a carton of milk. And smiled sheepishly before going back into his room.

A small smile of gratitude lingered on Denzel's lips. He was never treated this nicely. Maybe it was a good sign.

He fed his daughters relaxingly for the first time since he gave birth to them. He felt a new surge of energy as he was taking milk himself. He made sure to make them sleep comfortably tucking in pillows. He took a refreshing bath to remove all traces of bar and smell of breast feeding. He had to take care of his master.

He opened the door of the room and left it ajar while hesitatingly going to the kitchen.

"Uhmm". He didn’t know what to say.

"Oh Denzel, come. The dinner is ready". Cyrus put the plates and asked him to join but Denzel was still standing fidgeting with his fingers.

"Come on. You need to have a full stomach to serve me. Isn’t it"? Cyrus said with a slight smirk and Denzel knew what he had to do.

Cyrus was right. He needed energy to serve him. Tonight, every night for a week and maybe days too.

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Tabby