CHAPTER 4 - GUNNER

"Yeah. You like that, hmm?"

My forehead furrowed and my eyes narrowed as one of my ears was pressed against Layland's bedroom door.

I was a bit taken aback when I heard Layland giggle.

Yes, the brat was giggling. Like a damn high school girl. And it was fucking pissing me off.

I don't mean the giggle that's pissing me off. What's pissing me off is his reason for giggling, but more like because of who's making him giggle.

That fucking Zach.

I still can't believe he kissed Layland to either taunt me or rile me up. And I also can't believe that Layland just let him be, even kissing him back as if he doesn't give a shit about my presence, as if I did not even exist.

What even is Layland? And Zach? Are they both gay? Bisexual? Pansexual? And just what is their relationship? Are they boyfriends?

Ah, fuck! Why do I have to think about their relationship status? The only thing I should be thinking about was how to get Zach out of the Floros' residence because that's my damn job, not having such thoughts and questions about Layland.

But speaking of work, it now makes me wonder why the Floros' didn't want Zach around Layland.

Could it be that it's because of Zach's attitude and personality that Layland's parents don't want him around their son? Because if I were in their position, I wouldn't want Layland to be around that arrogant prick as well. That arrogant prick seemed to be a bad influence. Or is it because Zach is gay or bisexual or pansexual... Maybe? Are Layland's parents homophobic? Could it be that Zach and Layland are in a relationship, whatever relationship it is, and Layland's parents don't like that because they couldn't accept the fact that their son is gay—or bisexual—and is having a relationship with a fellow man? When they said scandal, were they referring to Layland's sexual orientation and sexual preference? When they mentioned trouble, were they talking about Layland's sexuality and his relationship with Zach being found out? Were the rules established because they did not want the world to know that Layland is not straight?

All of these were just my speculations, and I know it's wrong to judge, but I've already met too many people, especially the rich ones, who were homophobic and see homosexual people as monsters that have to be punished and avoid them like they are the plague. So it won't be surprising anymore if Layland's parents are the same.

Hopefully, I am wrong with my speculations. Because I cannot even begin to imagine Layland being treated wrongly by his parents. That would be… heartbreaking.

Hold on… heartbreaking? The fuck? Since when did I learn to use such words towards my clients? And am I even capable of feeling such emotion?

Fuck. I'm going crazy. It's only my first day, and I am already getting crazy.

Should I go back to our office and tell Shawn that I couldn't do this and that he should just go find someone else to take this job, or else I'll be—"

"Let's get out of here. Let's just go to my place."

My forehead knotted upon hearing that. It's Zach, and it seems that he's tempting Layland to break one of the rules.

I gritted my teeth.

See? He's a fucking bad influence.

"Come on, Lay. Let's go to my place. In there, we won't have to be worried about that bodyguard of yours bursting into this room. We can fuck all day long without getting worried about anyone interrupting us," says Zach in a voice that I could tell was his trying-hard version of a seducing tone, making me curse inwardly.

This bastard. Can he hear himself? Can't he hear how disgusting he sounded? And just what is he on? Is he on a mission to make my job harder?

"But I don't think he would let us—Oh, Zach! Hmm... Fuck, that's so good!"

My eyes almost popped out after hearing Layland's soft moan.

Shit! Just what is Zach doing to Layland?

Different scenes of Zach and Layland started to float inside my head—scenes that contained nothing but debauchery. And damn it all, it made me see red.

I did not intend to do it—bursting inside Layland's room. Because even if I was itching to get Zach out of the Floros' residence, I still wanted to be a little reasonable and act more mature, which I hadn't done a while ago. But all the reasoning and sensible thoughts I had were thrown out the window the moment I imagined what Zach was doing to Layland.

And so before I even realized what I was doing, I was already opening the door to Layland's room using the spare key that was given to me by one of the housekeepers.

"Hey!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, my shoulders heaving as my heart beat rapidly.

My gaze zeroed in on Layland and Zach. And fuck, I saw red upon seeing the kind of position they were in.

They were both on the bed, naked. Layland was lying on his back, his legs were spread apart, and Zach was kneeling in the middle of it.

I'm not stupid enough to not know what they're doing and what was about to happen.

My eyes narrowed in anger. I first looked at Layland, who was sitting up. His eyes were wide with shock. He was probably not expecting me to force myself into his bedroom.

It took him a few minutes to get over being surprised. But when he did, his widened eyes turned into a squint as he glared at me.

He said in an indignant voice, "What the fuck? What the hell do you think you're doing? Get out!"

"Shut up, kid," I said in an irate voice, which took Layland by surprise once again.

But my attention on Layland did not last long, as my gaze immediately turned to Zach when the arrogant brat moved and sat on the edge of the bed without even bothering to cover his naked body.

He stared at me for a second, then sneered at me, which made me even angrier.

"You shouldn't just barge into someone else's room. That's rude," he said in a mocking tone.

I clenched my fists and walked towards Zach without taking my eyes off him.

I stopped when I was right in front of him. He had to look up while I had to look down so we could look at each other's eyes.

With my narrowed eyes and my voice filled with so much displeasure, I told him without hesitation, "I don't like you."

I know that's not what I should be telling him. What I should be asking him is to leave. Or just force him to get the fuck out of the Floros' residence. But fuck, I just need to get that off my chest. I need to tell him that I fucking hate him and I don't want him around Layland, not just because that's part of the rules I had to impose but also because that's what I really feel.

As to why I feel that way? I am still on my way to finding the answer to that.

"And I am completely fine with that," Zach answered. "I don't give a fuck whether you like me or not. I am not here to fucking impress you. I am here for Layland and Layland only, which means I am not obligated to do whatever you tell me to do. Look, I understand you're just trying to do your job, but I don't think that forbidding Layland to be with his friend is a part of your job. In fact, you shouldn't even care about what we do, because it's none of your business," Zach said in a voice filled with so much confidence and arrogance. It's as if he knew everything about my job, when the truth is he doesn't. He doesn't even know that he is also part of my job.

Layland tried to speak again. And by the look on his face, it seems that he wanted to support Zach, but before a single word could even come out of his mouth, I was already quick enough to give him a sharp and stern stare.

I don't know how sharp my stare was, but it seems to be enough for Layland to gulp and be silent.

I brought my attention back to Zach. My face was filled with nothing but seriousness. "Listen here, kid." One of Zach's eyebrows arched the moment I mentioned 'kid.' It was obvious he did not appreciate the way I called him, but I couldn't care less and just continued speaking. "I don't know what kind of thoughts you are having or what kind of job you think this is, but let me make this clear to you: everything that has to do with Layland is my business. And when I say everything, that includes hanging with his friends—with you. Now you were right to say that you are not obligated to do whatever I tell you, but I am obligated to do what I was asked of when I was hired for this job, which is not letting people who could be bad influences and could also pose a problem or a danger be near Layland."

Disbelief filled Zach's face. "Are you saying that I am a threat to Layland?"

"Are you?" I asked back with seriousness still clearly heard in my voice.

He scoffed before grinning. "Are you talking about being a threat to Layland's safety or a threat to you?"

I raised my brow in confusion. "A threat to me? What the hell are you even talking about?"

Zach said nothing and just continued to stare at me. My brows furrowed as I kept thinking about what he meant by what he said. It was only when he glanced at Layland, then back at me with a smirk on his face, that I finally realized what he was asking me.

"Are you insinuating that I am into Layland?"

Zach only raised his eyebrows, the smirk still on his face. The expression on his face was enough for me to know his answer to my question.

I was surprised by Zach's question. That was a question I wasn't expecting to hear from him.

And before I realized it, I was already looking at Layland again. I was staring at him as if doing that would make me find the answer to Zach's question. But instead of getting an answer, all I got was confusion. Because different emotions and thoughts—ones I am not yet to acknowledge and comprehend—started to surge inside my goddamn head.

Layland was meeting my eyes. He looked surprised at first, as if he was also surprised at Zach's question. I guess Zach didn't tell him that idea. But after a few moments, the surprise on his face was overtaken by confusion, and it gets worse the longer our eyes meet.

A warning inside my head suddenly rang, silently telling me that if this goes on, Layland will start learning what kind of confusion I have inside my head. And I can't have that. I can't give him any ideas about what's going on inside my puzzled and perplexed mind. So, out of nervousness, which I thought I would never feel when it comes to my clients because I was always thorough with my assignments, I unconsciously smirked at Layland as if it's a fucking defense mechanism and blurted, "I'm sorry, but I'm not into men."

What I said stupefied Layland, but only for a moment, as displeasure immediately filled his face right after.

His eyes were shooting daggers at me, his jaws were clenched, and his grip on the bedspread tightened.

I don't know how my words or the sound of my voice came across to him, but it was clear that it took a negative turn by the way he was reacting.

I didn't mean any negatives with what I said, but I did not try to appease Layland either. I just let him take my words however he wanted. But that doesn't mean I don't feel bad because I do, even though I don't know why I am feeling that way when I am only telling them the truth. I'm not into men. I am not attracted to men—at least that's what I knew before today, before I met Layland today and he gave me all these confusing feelings and thoughts.

I cleared my throat and averted my gaze, directing it to Zach again.

I gave him a bored look. "Is that answer enough for you?"

"You're lying," he said, trying to sound sure, but still failing as he sounded like he was holding back the irritation he was feeling towards his own self.

"Believe whatever you want to believe, kid. I don't care. All I want right now is for you to get dressed, leave, and never come back."

Zach did not say anything back and just met my eyes. The anger in his eyes could be clearly seen, but I don't care. Until he finally gave up, realizing that no matter how long we let this stare-down go on, he still wouldn't win.

Quietly but seething, he picked up his clothes that were scattered on the floor and got dressed right in front of me, not caring that I could see his junk. Rather, he looked so proud of himself as if he had nothing to be ashamed of.

That angered me even more, but I did not let it show on my face. I kept my face casual, looking like I was calm and patient.

After getting dressed, he then finally made his way towards the door but also made sure he would bump my shoulder. He was already in the doorway when he stopped to turn around and look at me again.

"You're a fucking asshole," he said before finally getting out of the room, leaving me and Layland in silence.

A few minutes had already passed, and yet Layland still wasn't talking, which was contrary to what I was thinking he would do. I thought he would lash out at me the moment Zach left. But he didn't. But I could feel his intense staring at me from my back, though, as I was facing the doorway and he was behind me.

I waited for a few more minutes for Layland to speak or go after Zach, but he didn't do any of that. All he did was continue to stare at me, which for some reason is making the atmosphere between us somehow weird.

Until I couldn't take the silence and the weird atmosphere anymore.

I faced Layland, who was still sitting on the bed. But unlike a few minutes ago, he's already wearing his shirt again, and his lower body is already covered with the bedspread.

When did he even cover his nakedness? Not that I have a problem with that. I appreciate that actually because since Zach is already gone, my whole attention would be now on Layland, and I can already see my mind malfunctioning the moment I see his nakedness, which I was not able to pay attention to a while ago because I was too blinded with my anger and confusion.

"Is he your boyfriend?" I asked bluntly.

It took a few seconds before Layland answered my question. "Didn't you hear him call me his friend?"

Once again, I was surprised. I was surprised that he wasn't throwing a fit but calmly answered my question instead.

Is he holding back his anger? Or has he finally realized that I don't mean to ruin his life and I am just trying to do my job?

Well, considering the attitude he has shown me so far, it seems that the former would be the possible answer.

If that's the case, then...

"You're not into gays, huh?" Layland suddenly said, cutting off the thoughts I was having. He was also staring at me as if he was trying to read my mind, as if he wanted to see if I would be telling the truth.

I wanted to avert my gaze because staring at Layland was too much, but upon thinking that doing that would give Layland the idea that I was not being truthful, I held my ground and continued to meet his eyes as I responded to his question.

"I am straight, kid."

"..."

"Look, I respect everyone's sexual orientation and preference, Layland. I have no problem with gays, bisexuals, and all the other genders. But I can't see myself dating them. I can't—"

"You will," says Layland, cutting off my words again.

My forehead furrowed at his words. But before I could even ask him again, Layland had already spoken once more.

"Wait for me outside." It wasn't a request. It was a command. And he sounded so disrespectful at that.

His tone and the way he said it did not sit right with me. But I couldn't even reprimand him because Layland was quick enough to speak again.

"I'll get dressed, so I need you to get out. Wait for me outside, preferably in the living room, and then we'll talk about what my parents had hired you for. I also need to know what nonsense rules they left you."

And without giving me a chance to speak my mind, Layland got out of his bed and then started undressing, making me run out of his room as fast as I could.