LOGINElliot’s POVI was walking past the break area when I overheard two board members talking. “Scott McAllen might leave Zenex. Laurent’s offered him a major gallery partnership, international shows, big money, his relocation cost will also be taken care off. He’d be crazy not to take it.”My steps faltered. Scott is leaving. The thought made something inside me twist painfully. He didn’t need this job anymore. He didn’t need me. The promotion, the attention he’s been getting, the anonymous payments I’d been making, none of it mattered if he walked away.I acted indifferent in the meeting that followed, nodding coldly when someone mentioned Scott being a rising star. But inside, I was panicking. The fear was worse than anything my father had ever done to me. I couldn’t lose him. Not now. Not when he was the only person who made me feel something real.I left the office early and drove straight to his apartment. I didn’t even bother to call him. No warning. I just needed to see him.Scot
Scott’s POVThe mini exhibition opening was supposed to be my day. Lights flashing, people clapping, my paintings on every wall. But all I could feel was Elliot’s eyes burning into me from across the crowded gallery.We’ve had too many people troop into the gallery that we had to plan an impromptu exhibition at the gallery to showcase some of our artwork that wasn’t displayed during the exhibition.Lewis leaned in close, his hand brushing my arm as he smiled. “You’re shining tonight, Scott.” Then he lifted my hand and kissed the back of it slowly, right there in front of everyone. Cameras clicked. I could see Ms.Victoria’s prying eyes.My stomach twisted. I forced a smile, but my eyes found Elliot. His jaw was locked tight, he stood there like a statue with his fists clenched at his sides. He was explaining the inspiration behind some of our ancient inspired art works but it’s clear he wasn’t concentrating. Before I could pull away from Lewis, Elliot was there. He grabbed my wrist, v
Elliot’s POVThe boardroom felt like a cage.My father sat at the head of the long table like he still owned every chair in it. Anytime he attends the board meeting, he takes up my seat. I feel like it’s his own way of showing he still has power over me. His cold eyes scanned the room before locking on Scott, who stood at the front accounting for everything that happened at the exhibition, the expenses, the sales, the new deals we had. The success was undeniable, record breaking sales, tourist lines outside the gallery, media coverage that had Zenex trending for days.But my father wasn’t impressed. Victoria must have reached out to him. She’s always been manipulative.“Mr. McAllen,” he said, voice smooth and sharp, “your promotion seems remarkably fast. From junior assistant to lead curator in such a short time. Care to explain how that happened?”The room went dead silent. Board members shifted uncomfortably. Nobody dared to say anything. Scott stood tall, but I saw the slight tremb
Scott’s POVThe email from Laurent sat open on my phone like a loaded gun.Full-time position. Paris or London base. Generous salary. Creative freedom. Travel the world with me.I stared at it in the parking garage after work, leaning against my old car, heart racing. This was everything I had dreamed of, to be recognized in the art industry, to make good money so I can clear all my debts, to finally escape the poverty that had chained me for years. No more Raymond. No more selling my body for scraps. No more depending on anyone.But every time I thought about accepting, Elliot’s face flashed in my mind. Those steel-gray eyes. The way he held me after fucking me senseless. The way he defended me publicly even when it was risky. He pushed me away with words, but his actions screamed something else. “ Scott, don’t be an ingrate. You’re supposed to be happy, not sulking.” I muttered trying to encourage myself because this is what I have always wanted.But I can’t deny that a part of me w
Elliot’s POVLaurent’s words wouldn’t leave my head.“I insist on working exclusively with Scott. He has a rare eye. The kind I want on my side for future projects.”I kept walking up and down in my penthouse like a caged animal, with a glass of whiskey in hand, staring at the city lights. The French investor wasn’t just talking business. The way he looked at Scott, the lingering touches, the unnecessary smiles made my blood boil. Was it really just work? Or was there more? The thought of Scott spending hours alone with him made me want to break something.“That fool, he agreed.” I hit my hand on my head, Scott didn’t care about how I’d feel. He just agreed instantly . Was he trying to make me jealous? I gulped the whiskey and poured another. Am I going crazy? One man having this kind of power over me is crazy. But Scott did. He always had.Then I dashed my foot on the wall and that made me have a flashback, like it always happens whenever my fear got too loud. I was sixteen and full
Scott’s POVThe meeting room felt a bit uncomfortable the moment Laurent walked in. Tall, confident, with that lovely French accent and sharp suit that screamed luxury, rich people sure do know how to show off. He smiled at me like I was the only person in the building.“Scott,” he said, voice warm as he shook my hand a second too long. “I’ve been looking forward to this but as a private session. Your vision is… captivating.”I smiled professionally, ignoring the way his eyes lingered on my lips. Someone had clearly told him I was gay. The flirting started subtle, compliments on my “artistic hands,” light touches on my arm when pointing at sketches, low laughs at my jokes. I stayed focused, talking about art in general, my belief, and the exhibition flow, but my cheeks warmed anyway. It felt good to be seen. To be wanted. Not hidden like Elliot kept me.“You mean this was supposed to be a private meeting?” I was surprised. I was too excited to read the memo carefully. “Yeah, I asked
Scott’s POVMy phone rang while I was still limping from the last client Raymond had sent me to. The soreness between my legs was a constant reminder of how disgusting I felt taking a cock from someone I didn't know or like. I answered with shaking hands, already knowing who it was.“Raymond,” I sa
Elliot’s POVThe bank alert came in exactly at 2:17 AM.Debit: $15,000 – Anonymous Art Acquisition.I stared at the screen lying on the couch at my villa. Imagining the painting already hanging in my private collection room. I had always wanted that painting. The one Scott had poured his soul into
Chapter 21: The PriceScott’s POVMy ass burned with every step as I walked into my apartment, the marks from Elliot’s hands and the suspension rig still fresh on my skin. I could still feel him inside me, thick, relentless, breeding me deep while he whispered “mine” like he meant it for once. My
Chapter 20: The One Who StaysElliot’s POVThe gallery was packed with flashing cameras and clinking glasses. I stood near the back wall in my tailored black suit, acting for the camera. But inside, I was unraveling.Scott moved through the crowd like he belonged there. Bold. Charismatic. He was ev







