THE ENCOUNTER

005

LEVI

I saw him when he didn’t even notice me.

Most people at Veil liked to pretend like they were in the spotlight, but he didn’t. He was made for the spotlight.

The way his waist swayed majestically and my eyes caught a glint of the silver dermal piercings on his waist. I was close enough to smell him. His skin was layered with vanilla, coffee, and a strong herbal scent. I love it and I wanted to cover that scent with mine until there was nothing left of him.

August Grey

Twenty-three years old. Far behind on Rent, Reckless, and lives for fun.

I watched him from afar with the masked man who had his hands on him. Jealousy pricked every inch of my Skin. I heard his moans even over the loud music.

I clenched my jaw in annoyance.

The next morning, I saw him walk out of the veil, his eyeliner smudged, with faint fingerprint bruises on his neck, but he still looked wonderful.

He left in an Uber and I stood outside watching him till the Uber was out of sight.

I walked back inside, my phone rang, making me halt.

It was Lucien.

“I need you upstairs.” He said, ending the call.

Lucien was the owner of Veil, but not everyone knew that. I climbed up to where he was. He handed the tablet to me.

It was a profile of Someone. August Grey.

“Keep him under your watch. Or better still bring him in.” He said.

I nodded, leaving his room.

I made an ad almost immediately for a live-in housekeeper. That way I could keep him closer to myself. I still wondered why Lucien needed him close.

He sent an Email back, pledging his interest.

I sent him the address, telling him when to come.

The moment he walked into the mansion, the air changed completely. I held my breath for a moment.

He looked like a Bratz doll. He blended in perfectly with the ambiance of the mansion. His cheekbones were glistening, his perfectly curled hair fell over his face, and the way the jeans fitted perfectly on his skin.

My eyes spotted the faint red marks on this throat. I tried to shake off the jealousy I was feeling.

I wanted to mark him and see if he would yield the same way he did for Him.

I asked him to sit whilst I laid down the rules. My eyes were on the tablet reading out the rules, but my mind was not. My mind continuously drifted to the part of his skin that the clothes didn’t cover.

He stared at me like he knew what I was thinking.

“You can start tomorrow, that is if it gets approved.

“If?” he asked, defiance edging his tone.

I just had to ask the obvious question. “Do you always dress like this?”

“What? Do you have a problem with it?” he asked with a lot of sassiness in his tone.

“Not that,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“If this is your way of telling me I look hot, well thanks. I have more at home. This is my most decent clothes,” he said rolling his eyes.

God, I wanted to fuck that sharp mouth so bad.

I’ll inform Mr Hale and I’ll get back to you,” I said, almost at the entrance of the house. If I stayed two more minutes with him, I might not leave.

“When do I get to meet Mr Hale?” He asked.

“You don't .” My tone was firm.

“At least tell me what he's like. I mean, he might become my employer.” He edged

“Private. I am your Employer.” I responded.

“So I don't get to see him?” I asked again, pushing on.

“ Have a nice day, August” I replied

“You too, Slate,” He said.

He was going to be the end of me.

“You know, if you're going to keep eye fucking me, you might as well buy me dinner,” He spoke.

I scoffed. “I’ll contact you with a decision.”

I couldn't let him know I was thinking about him.

I sent him the email the next morning, informing him that he has been hired. He arrived the mansion the next day, early as expected. He looked beautiful as usual. I showed him his room leaving him to unpack.

Dinner was by Seven and I had already communicated that to him.The moment he stepped out of his room for dinner, my self control almost snapped. It was only hanging by a thread.

“I guessed you don't know where the dinner table is,” I said.

“I don't know where anything is,” He responded.

“I’ll take you on a house tour tomorrow,” I said.

“Isn’t this a little too much? I said, gesturing at his outfit. He wasn't making things easier for me.

He looked at me from head to toe, before tilting his head giving me a look that screamed “Really.”

He was really sassy.

I held out my hands for him and hegrabbed them.

“Such I gentle man,” He responded, showing me those perfect dentition.

You would never guess this man was broke. He always dressed like he was going for a fashion show.

“Do you drink?” he asked, sliding into the chair to sit.

“ Yes” “You?” I asked.

“Only when it’s free,” he responded.

He always said something weird or crazy. Yesterday he made a joke about a dumb worm.

“You’re expected to observe discretion, “ i said, with the wine glass at the edge of my lips.

“Yeah, you've mentioned that before. I am discreet” he said taking a piece of roasted duck.

“You are a lot of things,” I said and I regretted almost immediately.

“Really? What I'm I then?” he asked, stuffing a huge chunk of meat inside his mouth.

I could get full just by watching him eat.

“Talkative, observant, hot,” I blurted out.

The last part made him raise my head like I had just stated the obvious.

He leaned back into the chair while smiling. Hot was not enough to describe him. He was perfectly made. Perfectly made for me.

“Wow,” he said teasing the tip of the glass like he was openly flirting with me.

I took a huge gulp,“The East wing is off limits.”

He scoffed. “So when do I get to see Mr Hale?” he asked, like what I had said wasn't important.

“When he wants to be seen,” I said.

“ At least tell me what he’s like.” he pleaded.

If he asked me to bark I would. But I couldn't afford to be vulnerable to him.

“He’s a man.” i said wiping my mouth.

“I’ll be in touch, Mr August. Also, breakfast is by eight.”

My tone was tight.

“I have tattoos too you know.,” he said standing up to show me. I wanted to touch them, to kiss them and know what they mean.

Instead I hummed, walking towards the door. The only thing I could think about was bending him over the dinner table.

“Good night Slate, I’ll be expecting you,” He said.

I stared back one more time, if I looked longer, I would be tempted to stay.