Chapter 4: Conversation and Flirtation

Justin let Mark in, and they headed to the kitchen together. Mark put on an apron and washed his hands before getting started.

"How've you been, Mark?"

"Pretty good. Busy with work at my company and the joint ventures with Saul."

"I see."

"Mind if I ask how things went for you abroad?"

"Really well. I graduated with honors, and I was working at my father's company over there. But I decided to come back and take charge of the branch office here in the city," Justin said, unpacking the groceries.

"No partners during all that time?"

"No. I was focused on studying and becoming someone useful to my parents."

"Is that really it, or can you just not forget Saul?"

"Don't bring him up. I don't want anything to do with him anymore."

"Sorry. Let's talk about the food, then."

"Sure. If it's not too much to ask, don't put cilantro in anything. I can't stand it." He pushed the bunch of cilantro to the far end of the counter.

"But I used to see you eat it all the time."

"I was an idiot back then. I wanted to seem agreeable and not too picky."

"Got it—no cilantro. Anything else you don't eat?"

"I'm allergic to nutmeg. That's why I couldn't eat beef before—the seasoning gave me reactions. I don't like cilantro, I don't like green grapes, and I don't like green vegetables either."

"Sounds like you hate the color green."

"Green vegetables taste weird, and cilantro tastes like soap."

"Every now and then, I'll bring you some veggies and you'll see they're actually good—and healthy."

"No thanks. They taste awful."

"Ha—fine, I won't push it."

Mark kept cooking while they chatted easily. Every so often, Justin wiped the sweat from Mark's brow or let his hand brush against Mark's when they reached for the same ingredient or the knife. When the food was ready, Mark plated the dishes and Justin set the table so they could eat together.

"Mark, you're an amazing cook."

"Thanks." He watched the younger man savor each bite.

"Your girlfriends are lucky to have you."

"I don't cook for my flings."

"Flings? You've never had a serious girlfriend?"

"No. I'm not interested in commitment. I enjoy being single, with the occasional fling here and there."

"Don't you need to get married so your kids can inherit?"

"I've got siblings and nephews who can inherit from my parents. My own companies and everything else—I'll handle that when the time comes."

"I see. Sorry for being nosy."

"Don't worry about it. Those kinds of questions are perfectly normal."

He's pretty interesting—and way kinder than Saul, Justin thought, swirling the juice in his glass.

"What are you thinking about? Don't you like the food anymore?"

"I'm thinking that you're pretty attractive, very kind, and interesting."

"Thanks?"

"Ignore me."

"All right. Finish your food."

They continued eating, the conversation drifting between their lives, hobbies, and work.

"By the way, Mark—can I ask you a favor?"

"Is it about Saul?" Mark studied him closely.

"Nothing like that. I know you've got a lot of business experience, so I'd like your help reviewing some projects."

"Reviewing projects?"

"They're projects with real potential, but the current CEO has shelved them to prioritize other projects—insignificant ones that aren't even profitable."

"I see. Come by my company and we'll go through everything there."

"Thank you so much, Mark." He leaned over and kissed Mark on the cheek—they were sitting side by side.

"It's nothing. I'll help you whenever I can."

"It won't be free. I'll pay you for your time, and if the projects meet your standards, we can sign a contract for your company to handle advertising for our products."

"Fine. We'll do it however you decide."

Dinner ended, and they kept talking about the projects and the potential contracts between them. Eventually, Mark said his goodbyes—it was getting late.

"Thanks, Mark. It was really nice talking to you, and dinner was delicious."

"Don't mention it. Whenever you want a good meal, just call me or send a text."

"Can I also call you if I want to eat you?" Justin asked, flirtatious.

"You can. I've never tried a guy before, but looking at you—you must be pretty tender and juicy."

"Well, if you want to find out, you could always give it a try sometime."

"Sometime. For tonight, I'm heading out."

"Have a good night, Mark," Justin said, and kissed him at the corner of his lips.

After saying goodbye, Mark walked to his car—only to find Saul waiting beside it.

"Did he say anything? What's he planning to get close to me?"

"Relax. He's not thinking about bothering you, and he definitely doesn't want to mess with your relationship."

"Then why were you in there so long?"

"We were having dinner and talking about work."

"I see. Even so, you need to help me keep tabs on him."

"Fine. I've gotta go—I've got some important meetings tomorrow."

"All right. Thanks for helping me with this."

"Don't worry about it," Mark said, and got into his car.

The next morning, Justin got ready early and gathered all the project documents to take to Mark's company. He needed the man's perspective, and he also needed to land a solid contract to pull the company out of the crisis it was drowning in.

"Good morning, Mr. Varvein," he said over the phone.

"Good morning, Young Mr. Belalcazar," Mark replied, amused by the formality.

"Mr. Varvein, I'm outside your building. Would you be able to see me now?"

"Of course. I'll let reception know to send you up."

"Thank you."

After hanging up, Justin entered the building and checked in at the front desk. The receptionist waved him through and directed him to the elevator that would take him to Mark's office.

"Young Mr. Belalcazar, welcome."

"Thank you for seeing me."

"It's nothing. Let's talk about those projects."

Justin nodded and pulled his laptop from his bag, along with several printed documents, spreading them across the desk. With everything laid out, he walked Mark through each project—the benefits, the profitability, and other key factors for getting them off the ground.

"These projects have serious potential, and they'd do well on the market. Why did the guy in charge reject them?"

"I'm looking into that. So far, everything points to those garbage projects he wants to launch being proposals from relatives and employees he personally brought into the company."

"That would make sense."

"It does. On one hand, he's funneling work to his people. On the other, he's stealing from the company's budget while driving it into bankruptcy."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I've already called my father to handle this himself, since the investors won't lift a finger against the guy—they keep hiding behind the excuse that he was appointed by my father. Tomorrow, once I have all the evidence in hand, I'll turn it over to the authorities."

"Don't put yourself in danger. If you've already talked to those investors and they did nothing, they might be in on it—and they could try to silence you."

"Then I'll need to get the evidence to the authorities as soon as possible. And send everything to my father too."

"What about your safety?"

"I've got a couple of bodyguards, and the house is pretty secure."

"Good. If you need me or you're in any danger, don't hesitate to reach out."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for everything, Mark."

"Oh, so I'm not 'Mr. Varvein' anymore?"

"At work, you're Mr. Varvein. In private, you're Mark."

"My birthday's in two days. I want you there."

"Two days from now? All right—I'll be there with a great gift for you."

"I'll be waiting. Just don't ruin my birthday with a confession to Saul."

"I won't. I'm not going to ruin your special day with nonsense."

"I trust you."