Chapter 2 "Terms and Conditions”
CHAPTER 2: TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Luca’s
“Lu…Luca…is this really you?” He stuttered.
“Of course, man. I'm so happy to see you, Cassian.”
“I can say the same, Luca. You look great.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Why don't we grab a drink and talk. I'm sure you're not in a hurry.”
“Yeah, we can talk.”
We sat down and I ordered drinks for the both of us.
“It's really been a while. How has life been treating you?”
He took a deep breath and leaned back on the chair.
Looking into his eyes, I could see tears visibly lingering in them. They were holding pain in them.
My heart suddenly felt heavy and I dropped the drink in my hand on the table.
I folded my arms and gave him all my attention.
“Life hasn't been fair to me, Luca.” His voice held even greater pain than his expression.
I reached for his hand and gently placed my mind on his while looking straight into his eyes.
I felt a hot flush on my neck but I swallowed hard, keeping my emotions in control.
Then I pulled back my hand. “You can talk to me, Cassian.”
He cleared his throat. “My mother is down with cancer, and I've been struggling to meet up with paying for her treatment.”
“That's awful, man. How have you been coping with that?”
He shook his head and lowered it a little. “It's not been an easy toll on me,” he replied. “I rely on multiple shifts just to survive.”
“Have you tried taking a loan? Perhaps that would have helped.”
He scoffed. “I've been turned down several times. I don't have much for collateral.”
Cassian. It pains me to see him in this condition. I really wish there's a way I could help.
“How much is your mother's bill?”
He waved his hand with a sigh. “You really don't want to hear it, Luca. It's outrageous.”
“Tell me, Cassian. I really want to help.”
“It's $8000.”
My eyes widened with a loud gasp. My jaw dropped open.
That's an outrageous amount of money.
“I told you.”
“Your mother doesn't have insurance?”
“She doesn't. I guess that's the reason for the huge figure.”
“I really want to help you out, Cassian. Perhaps we could talk about this better at my place.”
“I heard about the news. How are you dealing with it?”
I exhaled heavily. Of course he's heard about it. It's all over the Internet.
“I was framed, but I'm looking for a way to deal with it.”
“Alright. I have to leave. I have somewhere I need to be.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my complimentary card. “Here's my card. Give me a call tomorrow.”
“Alright. Thank you very much.”
He walked out of the bar, and I headed back to my house.
My heart jumped as I walked into my apartment to find Denise already standing in my living room.
“Where the hell have you been?”
She arched one of her brows. “I should be the one asking you that question.”
I took off my face cap and sunglasses then sat down on the sofa after I had poured myself a glass of water.
“I took a walk.”
“That's not what I was told, Luca.”
My brows furrowed. “We're you stalking me?”
“Let's just say I'm keeping an eye on my assets,” she replied. Then her eyes narrowed slightly. “Who was he?”
I paused, allowing the entire room to settle into silence.
“Are you having an affair with him?”
“What the…” I yelled. “Why would you say that?”
She smirked. “I saw the way you were looking at him when he was living.”
How the hell did she see all of that?
“I'm sure you know stalking is very creepy.”
“Are you going to answer my questions or leave me thinking?”
“Fine. He was my colleague back in university.”
A soft grin spread across her face.
“Why are you smiling?”
“You're withholding information, Luca.”
“I was just taking pity on him. He's going through so much.”
“Do you mind sharing it with me? Perhaps i could also help.”
“He's behind on bills. His mother is sick and he needs $8000 to complete her treatment.”
Denise went quiet as her index finger kept tapping on the arm-rest of the sofa she was sitting on.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Do you know if he has any other means of getting this money?”
“I can't say. I just asked him to meet me here tomorrow.”
She snapped her fingers. “Perfect!!”
My gaze narrowed. “What are you up to?”
“If you can get him to sign a contract, we might actually be out of this mess.”
“Alright, I'm confused here. Didn't you hear what I just told you?”
“I did, Luca. I'm offering a solution for the both you,” she replied. “He can play the role of your best friend and he'll get paid in return.”
I rubbed my jaw gently, brows narrowed as I pondered on her suggestion.
“Think about it. That way, we will meet the ultimatum given by the management.”
“Cassian is a man. How can we flaunt a same sex friendship?”
“It doesn't matter, Luca. We're at the end if the road and that's the inky option we have.”
I leaned back in the sofa in silence. This might be a good idea. It will surely serve the purpose.
I think Denise has a point there. She sure does.
“Fine. You can give ahead and prepare a contract.”
A grin spread across her face, crinkling the side of her eyes. “I will get to that with my team right away, sir.”
Cassian made it to my house with my directions, and the contract was ready.
But I needed to break this down to him and see I he would accept it.
The idea might not sit well with him, but I really sure hope he accepts it.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
I offered him a glass of water and i watches him slowly drink it all.
As he dropped the empty cup on the table, I took a deep breath, mustering enough courage to break this to him.
Denise also sat in the living room. She needed to be there anyway because I would need her help to convince him.
“I actually think there's a way I can help.”
His expression brightened. I could see a soft smile creeping out to his face.
“Thank you very much.”
“Uhm…”
“I guess I'll take it from here, Luca.” Denise interrupted.
Cassian's gaze averted towards her with keen attention.
“We're ready to help offset your mother's bills, but you need to help us out as well.”
“I'm ready to do anything. Please, this really means so much to me.” He begged, with his hands together.
“I'm very sure you have seen the news. There's actually a way you can help us clear Luca's name.”
“Alright…” Cassian nodded gently.
“We just need you to on a pretence. You will flaunt yourselves as best friends to the public eye.”
Cassian's eyes darted between me and Denise with slightly narrowed brows.
“Are you serious? A same sex relationship?”
“Don't get me wrong, Cassian. It's nothing romantic. It's just a show to keep the public guessing. Take there minds away from the ongoing news about Luca.”
“How long is this going to last?”
“I drafted a contract to cover the terms. You can take a look at it and sign there when you're ready.”
Denise handed the contract paper to him.
Cassian's steady eyes narrowed as he glanced through it.
I have read the contract. I have seen everything Denise drafted in there.
No strings attached…no intimacy of any kind beyond what is needed for the cameras.
This was expected to go on for six months until we finally went our separate ways.
We were ready to cover up his bills and even pay him through the six months he's going to stay with me.
We would stay in separate rooms, having a wall keeping our privacy as it was meant to be.
“No!” His voice ripped through the thin veil of silence that masked the living room.
He tossed tbe contract to the table. “This doesn't sit well with me.”
“Think about this, Cassian. It's your mother's health on the line.”
“Are you serious right now, Luca. You seriously rock with this piece of shit.”
“There'd nothing wrong with it, Cassian. We…”
“Don't push too hard, Luca.” Denise interjected. “He can leave if he wants to.”
Cassian stood up to his feet, his eyes filled with both rage and disappointment.
Then he marched towards the elevator door with heavy steps.
“What are you doing, Denise? He's our only shit at this thing?”
Denise remained quiet, folded her arms and crossed herlefs as she watched Cassian walk out through the door.
“You're not saying anything, Denise!! He has left!!” I yelled, ripping my shirt apart.
All hope was shattered. I didn't have anything else to cling onto.
But just then, the door swung open and Cassian walked in.
His firm eyes found mine and he shut the door behind him.
“When will you be making the payment?”
