Kith was the first to arrive, having meticulously orchestrated their rendezvous for the evening. Impatiently awaiting Theron, he indulged in a Gaja Barbaresco, savoring each sip.
His gaze remained affixed to the entrance of Drawbridge. He had forgone the VIP section, opting for an unassuming spot inside the establishment, as preferred by the affluent young man. He paid little heed to the curious glances of onlookers.
Over the course of two years, myriad transformations had graced the confines of Drawbridge, significantly enhancing its ambiance from what it had been in the past. Presently, Kith found the setting more to his liking, albeit somewhat less romantically inclined. The restaurant's thematic decor continued to evolve, closely intertwined with the passing of days and the celebration of special occasions.
Several shots had been imbibed by Kith before the awaited arrival of Theron. Upon his entrance, Kith was promptly ensnared by Theron's captivating and sensual smile, striking him with the sheer handsomeness of the man before him.
Theron walked hesitantly towards Kith's seat, feeling self-conscious under the weight of his unwavering gaze. He was unsure about the impression he made on Kith.
Kith had greeted him with a cordial good evening as he reached the spot where Mr. Kith was seated. Mr. Kith? Theron thought to himself.
The term didn't seem to suit Kith. It seemed too sissy and soft, regardless of Kith's attempts to present himself in a new light. Theron was one of the few people who knew of Kith's vulnerabilities.
"What are you standing there for? Sit down," Kith snapped, pulling Theron from his thoughts.
"Right," Theron replied, somewhat foolishly, and took a seat. He noticed a slight flush on Kith's cheeks as he did so. He cast his eyes around and observed other couples who were on dates. He wasn't surprised; it was indeed the perfect place for a romantic rendezvous.
He appreciated the restaurant's ambiance as well. The last time he had dined there was on the night he had opened up to Kith about his relationship with Syd. It was the night that marked the end of their friendship – the friend he used to know, who now sat across from him on that chilly evening.
The same friend who had once fallen in love with him, the friend who had deeply cared for him, the one he hadn't returned the affection of. He had no intention of reciprocating.
"You seem awfully quiet tonight. You were so talkative this morning," Kith remarked, still gazing at Theron.
He wasn't sure why Kith had noticed so much. The truth was, he felt rather uncomfortable. He was in the company of someone very well-known – a billionaire, the president of Prime ProBuild company, an incredibly successful young man.
He was certain that Kith had many fans in that place. He once again scanned his surroundings and he was not mistaken. People kept stealing glances at them. No, when it came to Kith, the people had no reason to look at Theron.
He adjusted his seat. It seemed like Kith had no intention of paying attention, as she continued to drink. Theron glanced at the wine bottle Kith was consuming, a strong Gaja Barbaresco. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Kith face. Kith seemed unaffected, continuing to drink without a care.
"Order quickly," Kith smiled.
Theron slowly flipped through the menu and stole a quick glance at Kith. He didn't understand why Kith couldn't take his eyes off him. He let Kith be and allowed him to indulge in staring at him.
Theron didn't care. It no longer bothered him because he was enjoying the ambiance of the place and the gentle breeze.
After the waiter listed their orders, he approached Kith. Once the waiter finished writing down their requests, he bid them farewell and left.
The two were left staring at each other. Kith's smile was noticeably captivating. Theron didn't know if he was being enticed by that smile. But it didn't matter to him; it had no effect on him.
"So?" He took the initiative to begin their conversation, his voice filled with a tinge of defiance. He loathed the rigid formality that hung in the air between them. If he couldn't regain control over his emotions, he feared he might succumb to the temptation of giving Kith a solid punch. Yet, deep down, he couldn't deny the pang of longing he felt for his old best friend, the person he once knew so well. But the man sat before him now was a mere shadow of that former self.
"Ahem," Kith groaned, his disapproval evident as he lifted his shot glass, a symbol of camaraderie tainted by unresolved tensions. He downed the fiery liquid in one swift motion, the burn providing brief solace. "Promise me-"
"I don't owe you a single thing," Theron interjected sharply, his words cutting through the air like a double-edged sword.
Kith couldn't help but suppress a laugh, his amusement bubbling up from within. His friend was undeniably swift in defending himself when it came to matters of debt. Yet, Kith had no intention of demanding repayment for the substantial sum Theron's father owed.
"I have no intention of discussing that matter," Kith deadpanned, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"Very well then. So, what about the offer you mentioned earlier this morning? I'm quite curious to know what it entails," Theron pressed, a hint of impatience lacing his words. He yearned to uncover the details, eager to weigh the consequences that would inevitably shape his life.
"Alright, but promise me that this remains strictly between us," Kith replied, his tone formal and guarded.
"I despise such formality," Theron retorted, his frustration evident.
A slight tilt of the head and a perplexed expression crossed his face. It seemed Kith was unsure how to broach the subject he wished to offer.
"Isn't it true that you are in need of money?" Kith asked, his words hanging in the air, laden with unspoken implications
"Heck, yeah, work can solve that," Theron responded, a hint of determination coloring his voice.
"Alright, and are you aware that I have feelings for you?" Kith queried, his hand absentmindedly rubbing his chin as if in contemplation.
Furrowing his brow in confusion, Theron stammered, "W- wait, why are you asking me that? Don't tell me that-"
"I haven't finished speaking yet, Theron," Kith interrupted, his eyes fixed intently on Kith, holding him captive with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
"Very well then. I suppose I'll step back if what you're offering is for your own happiness. But tell me, can't you grant me a position in your company?" His voice held a hint of resignation, his hopes of attaining what he desired slowly fading away. He knew deep down that Kith would never be able to fulfill his wishes.
"But you're aware of my feelings for you, aren't you? Wait, could you just listen to me for a moment?" Kith's frustration was palpable as he interjected, his tone tinged with annoyance. "I couldn't help but wonder, why not consider kidnapping me instead?" There was a seriousness in his eyes as he broached the subject, his words hanging in the air like a forbidden temptation.
It was hard to believe, yet Theron knew Kith was dead serious. He yearned to be alone with him, to escape to a place where only they existed, free from the prying eyes of the world.
Theron's eyes widened slightly, a mix of shock and disbelief washing over him. "Have you completely lost your mind, Kith?" Theron's voice dropped to a whisper, his words barely audible. "Kidnap you? For what? What kind of twisted thoughts are running through your mind?" His words carried a mix of concern and a hint of reproach, a silent sermon delivered in hushed tones.
However, Kith couldn't help but wear a persistent smile, convinced of his own brilliance as he contemplated his plan. It was an incredibly bizarre and unsettling notion, one that he secretly desired.
"No, that's precisely what I want to offer you, Ther. I understand it's unconventional-"
"Yeah, it's beyond unconventional, bordering on the absurd. Don't make light of such disturbing ideas." Theron's gaze locked onto Kith's face, his eyes pleading for Kith to grasp the rejection he was about to voice, silently urging him to abandon his dark desires.
"No, I genuinely want you to kidnap me and whisk me away. It's as simple as that." Kith's earnestness resonated in his words, leaving Theron perplexed as he sensed a void within this troubled soul. Something was amiss, a deep-seated disturbance twisting Kith's thoughts into a chaotic mess.
Unaware of the depths to which his former friend had sunk, Theron struggled to reconcile the present reality with the image of the Kith he once knew—a person untouched by such twisted inclinations.
The Kith Theron once knew was a kind and gentle soul. Now, it felt as if a switch had been flipped, turning him into a broken record that tarnished his day.
"Is your mind still functioning properly? It must be malfunctioning by now. Kith, it's shattered because of your persistent fantasies about me. It's as if you never learned anything, Kith. Are you even aware that kidnapping is a heinous crime, punishable by a potential death sentence?" Theron retorted, his annoyance palpable.
Kith simply smiled.