Diversion

ERIC:

Clubbing is life.

The loud music, the alcohol, the lustrous stares darting from one body to another— that’s the real essence of living.

Too bad Lucas didn’t join me tonight. He refused to take part in my little diversion, claiming he needed to rest after the exhausting days of apartment haunting. A lie, but I let him think he fooled me.

It felt weird clubbing without him for the first time, and weirder wearing plain trousers, a shirt and a cap, looking like I’d wandered in from a church picnic. But the bubbling atmosphere was enough to drown that discomfort.

That’s when I saw him. Another fallen archangel after Leonard, walking past my booth toward the counter, bringing with him a rush of air scented like trouble I wanted to taste.

I downed my drink in one gulp and followed.

This wasn’t like me. Chasing after men was never my style. But when you cross paths with an extraordinary being, you improvise.

“One piece of ice in it, and the taste hits differently,” I said, sliding in beside him, nodding to the gin and tonic in his hand.

He turned to me, unsmiling, cold. Bad starter, I thought. But the moment our eyes locked, his face softened into a smile that could melt sin.

“I prefer it hot and burning,” he said.

Me too.

“But…” He signalled the bartender for an ice cube. “Anything you want.”

Oh, you have no idea.

Two more drinks later, we were tangled in the sheets of his hotel room.

He had just flown in after being abroad for years, planning to meet a friend at the club. But when the friend texted to meet at his house instead, he decided to enjoy some…dessert first.

And he ate it and left no crumbs. He made me scream louder than I wanted, moan until I forgot where I was.

He devoured me more than I bargained for; more than I deserved. Every thrust into my hole pounded the week’s boredom out of my body: Leonard’s absence, Erica’s constant sighs, Lucas’s lectures.

What I thought would be a quick distraction turned into an hour of raw, relentless sex. By the time he pulled out of me, we were both gasping for breath.

“Home at last,” he huffed, chest rising and falling.

I stayed silent. It was good—better than good—but that was all it was. I was already reaching for my clothes.

“I am Bernard,” he said, watching me dress. “What’s your name?”

Leonard? Bernard?

What was this? Fate’s way of mocking me?

The thought of Leonard dimmed my mood instantly. I shouldn’t miss him, but I did. I missed cracking his stiff shell with my relentless and frivolous actions. I missed catching him off guard. I even wondered if he had eaten properly since the last meal I cooked for him.

“Do you not give your name to strangers?” Bernard’s voice broke in.

Strangers? Are we still one?

“Eric,” I said, buttoning my shirt.

“Do I disgust you that much?” His voice carried disappointment as he watched me race my fingers on my buttons.

“Not at all. I just have to go. Besides, you still have a friend to meet.”

“I can do that later. If you agree to spend more time with me.”

I went still. I knew where this was going.

“Is this…a one-night thing?” Then, he asked the obvious.

I shrugged. “I am sorry.”

“Was it bad? Was I bad?”

Seriously? He was pushing too hard, like he’d already decided I was the love of his life.

Without answering, I grabbed my cap and headed for the door. But he caught my arm, standing naked.

“I’d like to see you again,” he said. “Give me your number. Please.”

Don’t do it, Eric.

And yet, I waited while he walked his bony ass to his phone, took it from him, and typed my number.

Back home, I found Erica pacing the living room.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I said the second I stepped inside.

“Why are you always pacing?” I added, tossing my cap aside and collapsing onto the couch.

“We agreed to stay in,” she said.

“Was that why you are panicking? Relax. I just needed some air.”

“What if someone sees and recognises you?”

“And who would?” I said, taking out my phone to an incoming message from Bernard.

“Pedro did.”

“He recognised Erica,” I defended. “Look at me—Jeans, shirt, cap? This is Eric.”

True, we looked alike. But without my wig and makeup, we do look different…Like a man and a woman. Only someone with absurdly sharp eyes would catch the resemblance.

Lucas joined us, carrying two cups of coffee. Handed one to Erica before sitting with his own. I shot him a glare, but he ignored it.

Whatever…I just had more than a coffee. And on that thought, I checked my phone, reading Bernard’s text.

~My friend bailed. Wish you’d stayed. I can come pick you up. What’s your address?~

Shit. I never should’ve given him my number.

Erica’s voice pulled me back: “Whatever you are planning, please make sure it gets me out of Leonard’s house. He no longer suspects a thing.”

It is more than a week. It is time Lucas brings up another plan. And just like Erica wishes, I hope his plan suggests Erica comes out and I go in. Because…hell, I want to see Leonard.

The new plan favoured us.

It was simple: We’d swap wardrobes completely. Identical outfits every day—right down to underwear. I’d leave Leonard’s place in the morning, dressed in office wear and head straight home. Erica, wearing the same outfit, would leave our home and go straight to the office…both of us perfectly synchronised.

At the end of the day, she’d return home from the office, d******d the day’s activity into me…especially any interaction with Leonard, before I left for his house. That way, we would never appear at Leonard’s house at the same time again.

“That will do,” Erica said, clearly relieved.

If you ask me, I still don’t get why she hated Leonard so much. The man I’d seen, being with… the man I missed, wasn’t the monster she made him out to be. But maybe that’s what happens when you’re not attracted to someone.

Bernard’s text pinged again:

~Hello there~

Without thinking, I replied:

~Don’t contact me again. I have a boyfriend.~

It didn’t feel like a lie. I might not have one yet, but knowing I’d be back in Leonard’s home soon felt like returning to someone who was mine.

“Eric,” Erica said with pleading eyes, “Can you return to Leonard’s tonight?”

Tonight?

See? I’ve always known I was born of blessings.