Falling for the Setup

The hotel room was a huge mess.

Leo Payton sat by the bed in a daze, staring at the myriad of used rubbers scattered all over the floor.

What was going on? Who had he slept with last night?

He'd had a little too much to drink the night before, and the hangover was giving him a massive headache. He couldn't quite remember what had happened.

But at the very least, from the few memory fragments he managed to recall, Leo was sure that he'd slept with a man last night.

Also, Leo was the one who had topped the other man. He could still remember the man's moans in his ears.

Before Leo could snap back to his senses, his best friend, Gavin Lacelle, called him on the phone.

"Leo! My brother's just returned from abroad. Didn't you say that you've been wanting to meet him?"

Leo had been staying with Gavin at the Lacelle mansion lately, and he'd been growing increasingly curious about Gavin's older brother, who was known as a financial genius.

"Alright. I'll be right back after I clean up for a bit," Leo replied, rubbing his temples.

Just as Leo got up from the bed, he suddenly hissed aloud in pain when he stepped on something. Upon closer inspection, Leo realized that it was a button. He picked it up, figuring that the button had to have been torn off someone's shirt.

For some reason, Leo decided to pocket the button. Then, he got into his car and drove back to the Lacelle mansion.

…

Leo was utterly stunned and confused when Gavin introduced him to Archer Lacelle.

Although it was the first time they'd seen each other, Leo couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen Archer before.

Archer's eyes lit up with glee. He extended his arm toward Leo for a handshake and said, "I've heard Gavin talk about you a lot. It's nice to have finally met you."

Leo lowered his gaze and looked at Archer's outstretched arm. There were red marks around Archer's wrist, and his long sleeves weren't able to shield them from view.

More fragmented memories appeared in Leo's head. He suddenly recalled that he had most probably kissed and nibbled the very same wrist last night, too, giving it a red mark.

It wasn't until Leo felt a squeeze on his palm that he quickly snapped back to the present.

"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Archer. Archie?" Leo asked in a meaningful tone.

Archer didn't reply and released Leo's hand. Then, he turned to leave. "I still have some work to do in my room, so please excuse me."

Archer walked a little funny.

Even though he tried his best to mask his discomfort, Leo immediately caught on to it. Leo then cast a quick glance at Gavin, who had retreated into the couch with his mobile games.

He had a hunch, and he was going to prove it.

Leo went up to Archer's door and knocked gently. After going in, Leo grinned and said, "I'm here to return something, Archie."

Then, Leo withdrew the shirt button from his pocket and showed it to Archer, who was watching him the entire time.

The ruined shirt was now lying on the bed in a heap. It seemed to Leo that Archer had been planning to get rid of it.

"You actually found it? I thought it was gone for good last night," Archer said, the corners of his lips twisting upward in a smirk. "The needle and thread are there. You can mend it for me."

Leo then realized that, although last night's encounter had been an accident, Archer must have already known who Leo was beforehand.

"What's the matter?" Archer asked, coming closer to Leo and backing him against the table before trapping him there. "You were the one who tore it. Aren't you going to take responsibility for your actions?"