Authors – Elsa Rose and Judy
Plot Bunny – Shirley (muuuuwawh)
(one of many who took this bunny)
6 years earlier
“Debbie, you don’t have to do this.” Vic lay on the sofa a quilt pulled up to his chin. He seemed to always be cold these days.
“Vic, I don’t want to tell you to butt out, but I’m going to have to.” Debbie was sitting at the kitchen table with Brian, her adopted son.
“Michael isn’t going to be happy about this,” Vic cautioned.
“Considering who he is and where he grew up, I find his priggish attitude to be a fucking pain in the wazoo,” Debbie snorted. “Now Brian, you’re sure this is going to work?”
“Mom, I may just be new to the advertising world, but I do know what I’m doing.” Brian smiled at her and leaned over to give her a quick kiss.
“But I don’t want you getting into any trouble at Ryder.”
“I won’t get into any trouble. Besides, I already cleared this with Marty and he said that as long as I market it under the name Kinnetik, then it’s okay.”
“I love that name.” She smiled and patted his hand. “Someday it’s going to be famous.”
“Someday maybe, but for right now it’s just a small company that has one client... you. No money, no nothing. It’s just so that the Ryder Agency doesn’t have its name on these campaigns. It isn’t for real.”
“I know Honey, but it will be someday.” She smiled. “I’ll pay you back every cent you know.”
“I know you will Mom, but you really don’t have to. I want to do this for you. Besides, I’m saving money in rent by still living here at home.”
“You pay me rent.” She hated that he worked so hard but kept so little for himself. She wished her own son had the same initiative, but he didn’t and as her father would have said, “if wishes were horses, beggars would ride”.”
“I don’t give you nearly enough Mom, you didn’t get a cent of money when I moved in here. You took in a kid who was in the foster care system and adopted him knowing full well that you’d be giving up the money from child services when you did. I can’t even begin to repay you for my life.” Brian’s eyes were misty as he remembered how Deb had rescued him from the childcare system.
“Brian, you’re my son in every way that matters.” Debbie patted his cheek gently. “You make a mother proud.”
“I wonder why my birth mother didn’t want me?” Brian asked. It was something he often wondered about. He’d even considered checking into it, but he didn’t want to hurt Debbie’s feelings.
“Honey, I’m sure she had her reasons for leaving you at the church.”
Brian had been only six when he was left in the sanctuary of the church downtown. He was covered in bruises and had a broken left arm, a cut over his forehead and he wouldn’t talk to anyone. It had been almost a year before he spoke and that was only due to Debbie’s love and care not to mention his brother Mikey’s persistent nagging. Brian didn’t remember much about that part of his life. Any memories from his early childhood were buried deep.
“Well fuck her,” Brian said. It was his classic reply to anything that touched him regarding his long ago former life. “Now Mom, about this business of yours. You have to be sure that it’s what you really want.”
“I’ve thought about it a lot Brian and I’ve talked it over with Vic. It’s the only thing that I can think of that will make enough money to pay for Vic’s treatment.” She smiled at her adopted son. “And maybe I can give some hope to some of my kids.” Debbie had always had the ability to find young men and women who for one reason or another needed mothering. “We even came up with a name, Classique with a Q Companions.”
Brian used a lot of self-control not to wince at Deb’s choice of name for her business. “Sounds good Mom.” It was after all all his adopted mom. “I can work with it. I’ve found a place for the business too.”
“I thought we’d do it here.” Deb looked around the worn living room of her home. “I can’t afford much else.”
“I know Mom, but this is something I want to do for you. Besides, the building I’m thinking about has a place for an apartment for me too. Not now, but some day I’ll live there. It’s on the top floor, the penthouse.” He grinned at her. It was an old dream that he’d had of living at the top of a building. “ Marty Ryder is going to cosign at the bank for the loan. I’m buying the building. It isn’t a big one, but it has a few apartments which will pay for itself and you know that the real estate market is depressed right now in the Pitts. It’s a good opportunity for me.” He grinned at her, “See, I wouldn’t have made this investment if it hadn’t been for you. You’re always helping me.”
“Brian, don’t think I won’t pay back the rent.” Deb knew better than to argue when her adopted son did something for her. But she wanted to make it clear that this was only a temporary loan. He had done enough for her and she needed him to start doing things for himself.
“Don’t think of that now, please Mom? Let me do this for you and Uncle Vic.” Brian looked down at the portfolio on the table. “Now let me go over this with you. We want the business to be all about class. It isn’t going to be some tacky escort service that doubles as a sex for hire thing.”
“But you know our boys and girls might have sex with their client.” Deb sighed, “It’s just a fact of life that we have to deal with.”
“I know, but we aren’t going to market it as a sex business. If that happens, it’s strictly between the escort and the client. We’re escort only and only the best. We’ll demand top dollar and pay our staff accordingly.”
“I want our boys and girls to be treated like this is a regular job, a job with a certain amount of security and benefits, like health and life insurance.” Deb looked at Brian to see if he was with her on this.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He patted her hand. “This is going to take a couple of months to set up properly. Are you and Uncle Vic going to be okay until then?”
“I’m still working at the diner, Brian. I haven’t given that up.” She smiled at her brother. “Vic helps around the house and so do you and Michael. We’re doing okay.”
“Good, I don’t want you to rush into this. We want to do it right. When I get the building finalized, we’ll pick out which floor we want to locate Classique Companions on. The top floor is going to be mine, and I think one of the floors can be made into four decent sized apartments that can be rented. I looked over the building again today and we can put two apartments on the same floor as Classique. It should have more than just office space. There should be a couple of rooms for any of your workers to stay temporarily until they get their own place. I know how you like to make sure your kids are looked after. But it will have to be made clear that it’s only temporary. You also need a small kitchen, so I’ve allowed some space for one for Classique.” He needed to get used to the name so he was using it often. The more he said it, the less he inwardly winced.
“That’s a lot of room Brian, you could be making some money renting it as apartments.”
“Right now it’s just an old building that used to be a factory. We’re starting from scratch here Mom. The apartments will come as I get the money to build them. Classique’s space will be first.”
“Well, we could try and rent out the first floor as commercial space; perhaps some offices or something. The first floor would be best for that.” Debbie looked at the drawings Brian had laid out. “It looks kind of empty.” Deb’s well-polished finger traced the outline of the bottom floor.
“I told you it’s that building on the corner of Tremont, the old piano factory building. It’s empty.” Brian grinned at her. “Think of it as trendy loft style apartments.”
“I think it’s a drafty old building,” she laughed. “But whatever you think is best, Honey.”
“If you don’t mind some input from the peanut gallery,” Vic said. “If Brian thinks this building is worth buying then it’s no doubt going to be a great spot for Classique Companions.” He coughed and turned pale. This week’s secondary illness was a chest infection; it never fucking ended.
“Thanks, Uncle Vic. I should take possession by the end of the week. I’m hoping that between Mikey and myself we’ll be able to get the lobby looking great and whatever spot you want the offices of Classique. I’m going to list the lower floor space with a commercial rental. I’ll offer a decent rental if they do their own renovations and sign a long-term lease. Of course, I’m going to be picky about who can lease the space. I want someone reliable and who will make the place classy.”
“I’m sure Emmett and Ted will help too.” Debbie pulled a piece of paper out of Brian’s brief case and began to make a list of what they needed to do. “What kind of money do you need to start the offices for Classique? I figure we can get a second mortgage on the house for at least ten thousand.”
“Mom, there isn’t a chance in hell we’re putting another mortgage on the house.” Brian stood up and began to pace the kitchen. “Besides, I’ve got it covered. I brought in the Liberty Air account just last week. Marty thinks I walk on water.”
“If you’re sure Honey.” Debbie looked over at her brother. “Vic come on over here. We’ll draw up a list of rules for our boys and girls.”
Brian poured them all some more coffee before sitting back down. “I was thinking about that, Mom. Here’s the list I’ve come up with.” He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a notepad.
“I think the young men and women have to be employed somewhere else part time. This shouldn’t be the only place they work. We don’t want them to ask more of the client than what the client contracts for. I also think that each employee should only work at the most three nights a week. They won’t burn out that way.”
“Both those ideas are good ones,” Vic commented. “And we should insist that if they do decide to have sex with a client, that they have to practice safe sex. What do you think Deb?”
“Of course, if you don’t wear a hat, don’t come back. And there has to be a dress code. Brian you should set that. You’re the one in the family with class.” She patted her red-wigged head and smiled widely.
“And no drugs,” Vic added. “And they have to have monthly health checks.”
“For fuck sake Vic, this is an escort service not a fucking whorehouse.” Debbie glared at her brother.
“Mom, most of our employees will be men and men are horny and they’re going to fuck. Whether we say they can or not.” Brian grinned at her. “We can at least set some ground rules to make sure that they’re safe.”
“Hey guys, what’s up?” All eyes turned toward the door. Michael and Emmett were coming in. “Ma, I brought you some of the new perfume we got in. It’s called Lust.” He handed Debbie a garishly decorated bottle in the shape of what could only be viewed as a poorly made penis.
Brian snorted. “Don’t spray that shit around me.” Brian held up his hands. “Hey Mikey that stuff smells like cat piss.”
“It does not Brian. It smells great, half the girls at the Big Q (Mart) bought some.” He tried to punch him on the arm but Brian moved and Michael hit the back of the wooden chair he was sitting in. “Fuck Brian,” he groaned and rubbed his hand.
“What’s that all about Honey Bun?” Emmett was looking at the blue prints of the building on Tremont. “Ohhh, I like it.” He sat down beside Brian. “Look at that, solid brick walls. You know there’s nothing like old brick. They can’t come close to that kind of look these days.” He paused for a few seconds. “Brian what are you doing with this?”
“I’m buying the building.” Brian smoothed out the blueprints.
“That’s just stupid.” Michael sat down. “Who needs a whole building?”
“I do.” Brian stood up and began to fold up his papers. “Mom, I’m going to bed.”
“But Brian we haven’t finished planning.”
“For tonight anyway.” He kissed Deb’s cheek. “Later Mikey, Emmett.” Brian walked over to where Vic sat and kissed him. “Good night Uncle Vic.”
“Brian, we’re going to Babylon. We wanted you to come with us,” Michael whined.
“No can do big brother. I’m beat,” Brian laughed. “Besides, it’s a work night. “
Michael watched Brian disappear up the stairs. “Ma, what’s he up to?”
“We told you before that Vic and I are starting up a new business. Brian is going to help us get things going.”
“You already have a job.” Michael was looking in the refrigerator. “Is there any lasagne left over?”
“I need a better job and Pittsburgh needs a reliable escort service.”
“She’s right you know Michael. I’d work for her.” Emmett held out Brian’s coffee cup. “Can I get a refill?”
“I’m not waiting on you,” Michael said, but he filled it anyway for Emmett.
“Honey I’d hire you. But Brian has a very strict set of rules and you’d have to follow them.”
“Oh fuck, do you mean that Brian is going to run a whorehouse?” Michael gaped at his mother who smacked him on the face with all of her strength.
“You asshole, it isn’t a whorehouse.”
“Sorry Ma. But it sure sounds like it. I mean a whole fucking building.”
“We’re only going to be using a very small part of the building for Classique Companions.” Debbie walked over to her brother. “Vic are you coming to bed, I’m not going to justify what I’m doing with my life to Michael.”
“Ma, I’m only trying to let you know it’s a stupid idea.”
“Michael, I’m your mother, and I’m going to do whatever it is I have to make a little bit of money to keep my brother alive. If you don’t like it, that’s just too damn bad.”
“Ma, I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” Michael began. “It’s just that you always do stuff with Brian, what about me?”
“Michael that’s just not true.” Debbie looked at her son. “We’re a family, things just work out that Brian is here more than you. You’re older, I expect you to be out more and Brian has to study. You know he wants to be the best advertising person he can be. He hasn’t stopped studying since he left high school.”
“I know and I think it’s just stupid. I mean how many times can he graduate from the university? Isn’t one diploma enough? Hell, I don’t even have one and I have a darn good job. I even have pretty good security at the Big Q and there’s lots of room for advancement.”
Vic shook his head and put his coffee mug in the dishwasher. He couldn’t argue with his nephew, it would only end up looking like he favored Brian.
“Honey we’ll talk about it later.” Debbie was heading to bed as well. “Don’t stay out too late and you boys be careful.”
“Don’t worry about us Deb.” Emmett smiled at her. “Michael and I are going with Ted and you know he never stays late. In fact,I think I hear his car now.”
“Be nice to Brian tomorrow. He’s doing his best here. I know he’s going to ask you boys to help with the work in the new building. I’d like to see some cooperation.”
“Yes Ma,” Michael said resigned to the fact he was going to have to help Brian with whatever the damn project was.
“Oh I’d love to help. You tell Brian that I can swing a mean hammer.” Emmett mimicked hitting something with a hammer as he and Michael left the house.
Upstairs in the front bedroom that had been his since he was six years old, Brian listened to the conversation that had gone on. He hadn’t been trying to eavesdrop, but the house was old and sound carried. He had the plans for the Tremont street building spread out on his desk. His computer was open to the section where he was keeping notes on each floor of the building. It was the floor plan of the top floor that he was working on now. Brian knew it would be a couple of years until he could afford the renovations that were going to be necessary but it was only a matter of time. Right now he had to focus on Classique and getting a couple of paying tenants in. But tonight it was all about dreaming his dreams of living at the top of the castle.
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Two weeks later, Brian led Debbie, Vic and Mikey up to the front door of the Tremont Street building. “Here it is.” He unlocked the door for them to all walk through. “What do you think?” Brian was proud of his purchase. He’d worked hard putting himself through the university with only minimal help from Debbie and Vic and then working sixty hour work weeks to get ahead at Ryder. To have managed to save enough for a decent down payment as well as still have some leftover to start the renovations was quite an accomplishment.
“It’s a dump,” Michael declared. “It’s an old empty building.” He walked around the floor. “Look at that.” He kicked aside an empty coffee cup that someone had left on the stained wooden floor.
Debbie and Vic were wandering all over the lower floor checking into all the nooks and crannies of the large space. “Brian, what do you think of putting a gym and spa on this floor?” Vic asked. “I mean not right now, but eventually. There isn’t anything like it close to this area, but it’s definitely an up and coming yuppie kind of place.”
“Those yuppies like to be pampered,” Debbie laughed. “You’re such a fool Vic.” Brother and sister laughed together.
“The second, third and forth floor look much the same,” Brian said. “I’m going to put parking for the building tenants in the rear. I think it was a loading yard at one time. It isn’t a lot of parking, but it’ll do for now. There’s also a parking lot down the block.”
“I’d kind of like Classique to be on the third floor.” Debbie looked at Brian. “That is if it’s okay with you Honey.”
“No that’s fine.” Brian unrolled a set of blueprints and began to tack them up on one of the walls with nails he’d pulled from his pocket and a hammer that had been tucked in a corner. “Here Mom, we’ll put the offices for Classique right there, that way if we need to expand, we can expand into the apartment that’ll be going in next to it. But for now we won’t need to. I’ll get Ted to start making enquiries with some of his big shot friends and see if he can find someone who wants to start a spa and a gym.”
“I bet Emmett could find someone.” Michael was getting somewhat interested. “He was telling me about some old guy who has the hots for him. Apparently, the guy is some rich fag on the down low.”
“I’ll talk to Em.” Vic smiled. “I know a few old fags myself.”
“Brian, this is going to be impossible.” Michael looked around. “I don’t see how you expect me and you to build a whole fucking apartment building.”
“I don’t,” Brian answered. “But I was hoping that you’d help me.” Brian looked around. “I have a construction crew coming in tomorrow to start framing up the apartments and running the plumbing and electrical; all the basics. It’s going to take time, but it’ll be worth it in the end.”
“So what do you need us for?” Michael was staring at the drawings on the wall. “Hey how come the top floor just says private?”
“Because it is private,” Brian said. “I’m doing that floor myself.”
“Everything?”
“Everything, from plumbing to electrical to carpentry, the whole shebang.” Brian removed the top floor drawing and rolled it up. “Don’t worry about it Mikey, it’s just a little something to keep me busy.”
“Yeah, well whatever. So why do I need to give up my day off to work here?”
“It’ll save me money if we do the clean up of the construction site each night and on the weekends. It’s not much, but it’s something.”
“Mikey will be happy to help his brother,” Debbie said, her hand smacking her son on the back of his head. “I’ll help too when I’m not working at the diner.”
“Mom you don’t need to do that. Mikey and I’ll be fine, besides, Emmett and Ted will help too.” Brian led Debbie and Vic to the elevator. “I figure that the lobby and Classique will be ready in less than a month.”
“Brian, it’s time to find our associates for Classique.” Vic grinned. “This is so exciting.”
“Brian are you sure that you have time to interview them?” Debbie asked.
“I’ve been talking to Ted. He suggests that we have them complete a basic application. I have one on my laptop; I’ll print them up tomorrow. We can weed out the undesirables on a first cut basis. The next step will be to have them do a video interview. I’m going to work with Ted on this one.”
“Well if anyone knows about video, it’s Teddy,” Deb laughed. “His porn site is making that young man rich.”
“We’re not going to have them do porn,” Brian laughed. “But we will be asking a lot of questions to see how they react and how easy they are to talk to. Most of what their job will require will be small talk with the client.”
“What about dancing, shouldn’t we see if they can dance?” Vic grabbed Debbie and the two of them began to dance around the large empty space to music that only they could hear.
Brian loved to watch his adopted parents, and he thought of Vic as his dad. As he leaned against a metal beam, a sardonic grin on his face, his eyes followed the couple as they danced and played the fool with one another. It made him feel good inside and helped to bury the dark shadows that niggled at the edge of his memory. Whatever those shadows were, Brian wasn’t ready to look into them. Even in his mid-twenties, those shadows had the ability to scare him senseless. As far as he was concerned they were best left alone.
“Ma and Uncle Vic are freaks.” Michael shook his head.
“I kind of like the way they act.” Brian pushed Michael playfully on his shoulder. “You’re an asshole.”
“You’re the asshole expecting that this rat hole is going to turn into some fancy assed place for Ma’s…. Michael’s voice trailed, he wasn’t comfortable with the idea of what his mother was planning on doing.
“Mom’s what?” Brian goaded.
“You know what I mean Brian,” Michael whined. “Everybody on Liberty Avenue is going to laugh.”
“Well Mom and I will have the last laugh.” Brian grinned, “And that laugh is the best one ever.”
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Brian watched the video of Ted interviewing yet another associate to be. His decisions for their new hires were almost finalized. He leaned back against the wall. He’d been sitting on the floor of what was going to be his lair of solitude. Brian chuckled to himself when he thought the word lair, but that’s exactly what he wanted this floor to be. He wanted it to be a private place for him to live when he wasn’t working at Ryder. What Brian had kept well hidden from his adopted family, was the fact that he hated being out of his safe zone. His safe zone consisted of his room at the Novotny’s and now perhaps he’d have a space larger than that small island of safety. He was looking forward to it.
Brian wished his Fortress of Solitude could be somewhere far away, like Superman had. He’d always envied the caped crusader for that and for that alone would read any issue of the comic that Mikey had where Superman hid out in this coveted place.
Putting aside his fantasies for now, Brian went back to his job of selecting the best of the men and women Debbie had found for her escort service. It had only taken one interview for him to know that he wasn’t going to be able to put himself in the position of meeting prospective employees on a one to one basis. Luckily, Ted was available and cowed enough by Brian, to take up the slack and he had given the other man a strict set of guidelines to follow in the interviews.
Looking around the space he was carving out for himself, Brian grinned in satisfaction. His days were full, he worked Monday to Friday for Ryder never less than eight hours a day and often upwards of sixteen. He’d put in a couple of good solid hours in the Tremont building working on the lobby and the future apartments, another couple of hours in his sanctuary and then stumble back home to fall into a dreamless sleep in his childhood bed.
Working himself into a state of exhaustion wasn’t a new form of memory suppression for Brian, he’d been doing it as long as he could remember in one form or another. But this time he actually had something tangible to look at when his day was done and it was a good feeling.
Brian listened carefully; he could hear Mikey calling out from the floor below. Looking for him like he often did. It was Saturday night and he knew his adopted brother wanted him to go out to Babylon but he wasn’t in the mood. He wanted to finish the vast expanse of hardwood floor in his private space. He looked around in satisfaction. The hardwood gleamed where it had been installed. The oak, though seconds was exactly what he wanted. It was filled with color imperfections, which only heightened the beauty when seen in such a vast quantity. Brian sighed in satisfaction as he rubbed his callused hands. He’d used only hand tools for the floor; no power tools were even up in this part of the building. It took longer, but that was okay, he wanted the satisfaction of doing everything his own way by putting his own life essence into each board and nail.
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“I don’t see him here,” Michael said needlessly to Emmett and Ted. “I don’t understand it, his car is parked outside.”
“Maybe he’s on the top floor.” Ted said looking up at the ceiling. “We haven’t checked it out yet.”
“Naw, he wouldn’t be there. He said it was unsafe and he can’t afford to get the changes made right now. He’s got it blocked off. Even the elevator can’t go there. Brian is afraid someone might get hurt.” Michael looked around. “He must have decided to trick with one of the construction crew and gone off somewhere” He had perpetuated the myth that he was constantly tricking and Michael was easy to fool. It worked well as far as Brian was concerned and left him free to do things on his own.
“Michael Honey, let’s go.” Emmett wasn’t comfortable in the old building at night. He was hoping it would be different when more people were there. A tenant for the main floor had begun renovations. There was going to be spa complete with a fitness center. Emmett was looking forward to it because with luck there would be some work for him. With his Georgie’s encouragement; his older but better boyfriend, Emmett was going to open his own party planning business. He’d even rented the office space at the rear of the Tremont Street building. It had easy access to the alley for deliveries and lots of room for expansion that Georgie was having it done for him as a birthday gift.
“Maybe he’s in your place.” Michael headed toward the stairs that led to the ground floor. He refused to take the elevator ever since it had stopped between floors and he’d had to wait three hours for someone to get him out.
“I don’t think so Michael. I was there all afternoon and there was no sign of Brian at all.” He paused, “But the ovens were delivered, want to see them? Georgie got me the very best baking pans too and a walk in cooler.”
“Uh, that’s okay Em,” Michael sighed. “Maybe he’s at Babylon already.”
“Teddy is driving over to Woody’s.” Emmett linked his arm with Michael. “Maybe we should ask him to stop at Ma’s first, Brian might have gone home.”
“I don’t think so Honey, let’s go find Teddy.” Emmett wondered when Michael was going to get it through his head that Brian really didn’t want his older adopted brother following him around like some kind of lost puppy. The two friends left through the front door. Neither one noticed that the lights were being turned off floor by floor until only the lights at the top of the building were on. Brian stood silhouetted against the grand arched window on the top floor of the building watching his adopted brother and his friends walk away. When they turned the corner he picked up his hammer. It was time to get back to work; he wasn’t going home until the floor was installed.
Two hours later, Brian sat back on his heels. His cell phone had vibrated a couple of times while he was working, but he hadn’t bothered to check who was calling, figuring it had to be Michael. Since he was finished with the floor, he thought he’d check his messages before the final clean up. He was beat and wanted to get to bed.
“Brian, it’s Michael, we’re going to Woody’s and then to Babylon. “ It was one of many versions of Michael’s message that he’d left on Brian’s phone. He carefully deleted each message, not bothering to listen to anymore than the first few syllables.
Brian sighed, he was about to put his phone away when it rang again. Unconsciously, he flicked it open again. “Brian Kinney, you get your ass home.” He heard before he’d even said hello.
“Hey Mom, what’s up?” he asked.
“Michael has been looking all over for you. I was getting worried,” she began, surprised when Brian had answered.
“Mom you know I don’t want to go to Babylon. I fucking hate going there, it’s Mikey’s place of fun, not mine.” It was a familiar argument and Brian couldn’t believe that after all these years, he still had to repeat it.
“Brian, you can’t always be working. You need some time for yourself. Some me time. Otherwise you’ll go crazy. You know the old saying, all work and no play make Brian one very dull boy.”
“Mom, don’t worry about me. I’m doing just fine.” Brian smiled. His adopted mother worried about every one of the kids who touched her life.
“Are you coming home now?” she asked, her voice soft. “I saved some dinner for you.”
“Mom, no pasta. I don’t eat carbs this late.” Brian smiled to himself. His adoptive mother made him happy, even if she was overbearing and interfering. Her heart was in the right place and she truly loved him.
“I’ll make you a salad and maybe put some chicken it.” She felt better when she could feed Brian. At least he’d be okay for the next twenty-four hours.
“I’ll eat the chicken salad,” Brian laughed. “Put on a pot of coffee. I could use something hot.”
“It’s too late for coffee, I’ll make you some hot chocolate.”
“Yes, Mom.” He hung up the phone while laughing to himself. Brian stretched and looked around. There wasn’t much to tidy up, but he wanted to leave it spotless. It was his secret refuge after all.
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Brian had helped Debbie and Vic set up a business account at the bank and register their new company. Debbie insisted that he have a portion of the company so a partnership was formed. With Vic and Debbie having eighty percent of the company and Brian twenty percent, he found himself part owner of Classique Companion. Not what he’d planned for his future. He was determined to keep it away from his life as an up and coming advertising executive.
Currently, the advertising campaign he’d worked so hard on was appearing on 15-second spots on the Pittsburgh television and radio stations. Newspaper and local magazines had full-page advertising and he’d managed to get Classique Companion listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book even though the book had been about to go to press. That had been a particular coup that he was proud of and had made a notation about it should he require it in a resume later.
“Brian the place is amazing.” Debbie sat behind an antique desk that Vic had found and refinished for her. She looked around the tastefully decorated office and preened. The room was furnished like the reception room of a royal Italian mansion, or at least Deb and Vic’s interpretation of one. Brian had gone along with it because he knew it couldn’t hurt. Although, he did insist that the color scheme be one that a decorator friend of his picked out.
Debbie and Vic had decided that for now they were the ones going to do the bookings though Brian had insisted that it wouldn’t be long before they would be so busy that they would have to hire help on the reception and booking desk.
The staff of Classique Companions was portrayed on the walls in professionally done photographs. Not the cheesecake shots of an escort service that was all about hookers, but rather tasteful portraits. These same portraits were included in a private book that also outlined each escort’s attributes and qualifications should a client come directly to the office and wish to pick out a certain look for the evening.
What Deb and Vic didn’t know, was that the lobby of the building as well as the elevator and their office was fully covered by hidden video surveillance cameras linked to the top floor where Brian had everything being recorded should there be a problem or some reason why it would be necessary to see who was in the Classique Companion offices. He wasn’t going to take chances with Vic or Debbie’s life should there be an irate client. Brian abhorred violence. He would take no chances where his adopted family’s life was concerned.
“What do you think Brian?” Debbie asked when he walked through the door on the first day they were officially opened.
“You look lovely, Mom.” Brian kissed her cheek.
“Not me silly,” she giggled like a young girl. Brian always made her feel good. “We’re having the kids over for an opening drink later this evening.” She called all of her new employee’s kids.
“I’ll stop in if I have time.”
“Hey Brian.” Vic walked out of the back room. “Did Deb tell you that the entire staff is booked all week? Not bad for our first week.”
“I guess the advertising paid off,” Brian laughed. “Make sure that they turn in their reports on their dates within 48 hours.” That was something Brian had come up with. He had started a file for each client. Each time they used the service a write-up would be done by the associate after the date. It would be a way to make sure that the client was satisfied. As far as Classique Companion was concerned, the client contracted for an escort for a certain time period and for a certain function. After that if the escort and client wanted to continue the date it was their own business. Until then they were on the clock and he wanted a report of what happened.
“Ted is going to look after that,” Vic replied. “He’s the computer genius and he’s doing the books, he might as well keep the files on the clients up-to-date.”
“It’ll keep him away from porn. All those cock’s can’t be good for him.” Debbie shook her head. “Who knew so many people would pay for that stuff on a computer.”
“It’s a new world out there Mom,” Brian laughed. “If you want me, you can get me on my cell.”
“Oh aren’t you staying?” Debbie asked. “Emmett is catering the food tonight for our open house.”
“I’ll try and get back, but I have some work I want to do.” Brian did look tired. “The spa and gym are almost ready to open and I want to make sure everything down there is okay. Plus I have a new campaign I’m working on for Ryder.”
“Don’t work too hard tonight, Honey, you need a break.” Debbie smiled at him. “At least come back and have something to eat.”
“Don’t worry about me Mom.” He nodded to Vic. “Watch out for her Uncle Vic, she’s the one who shouldn’t be working so hard.”
“I’ll watch her,” Vic laughed. “Michael was here earlier looking for you.”
“I’ll call him later.” Brian turned to leave. “Did Melanie call, she has some papers for me to sign.”
“She dropped them off at the house.” Debbie stood up. “Are you sure you want to give up your rights to Gus?”
“Mom, I’m just the sperm donor, Mel is his father,” he snorted. “At least she thinks she has the balls to be his dad. I don’t want him to ever be in the position I was in. He needs a family to grow up in that will love and keep him.”
“You had that.” Debbie gave her tall son a hug. “We loved you from the start.”
“But someone didn’t.” He turned and quickly looked away before his mom could see the hurt in his eyes.
“Don’t sign the papers Brian. You’ll regret it in the end. Maybe there’s a way for Mel and Lindsay to have equal custody along with you. Not something where you have Gus every third weekend or anything, but just in case you find that you need him in your life. Don’t give up on him completely,” Debbie pleaded. She knew that if Brian signed the papers he would live to regret the decision.
“I’ll think about it. Now go. You have people coming over, a business to run, have fun.” This time he managed to slip through the door before Debbie could nab him again. She’d been having a fit about him signing over his rights to Gus. She didn’t understand why he needed to do it. She didn’t understand that all he’d done was provide what was necessary for Lindsay to get pregnant. He would never be part of the boy’s life and never have the chance to break his son’s heart.
Brian looked longingly upward. He would kill to spend a few hours in his Fortress of Solitude but he didn’t have time tonight. He had to do a final check of the spa and fitness center and then head back to the Ryder Agency where he had at least four more hours of work to do. He needed the overtime not to mention the bonus if they signed the client, to help pay for the Tremont building. He was determined to have the mortgage clear on the place as soon as he could. It was the only way he’d feel safe knowing that he owned not only the place he lived in, but had an income other than advertising. He wanted to feel safe and secure in all ways including financially. Plus he was also determined to pay off the mortgage on Deb and Vic’s house. That was a promise he’d made himself years before. It was only a matter of time and hard work and it would be done.
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Brian broke away from his desk and stretched as he stood up. He checked his watch and found that it was earlier than he thought. He slipped on his suit coat and decided he might as well see what kind of open house celebration his adopted mother had come up with.
The first thing he saw when he entered the offices of Classique, was a large crystal bowl filled to the brim with condoms. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
“Hey Brian I see you noticed Ma’s centerpiece,” Michael snickered. He was holding a half-empty bottle of beer in his hand. “She’s been telling everyone to have safe sex all night. And you said this wasn’t a whorehouse,” he snickered again and Brian wanted to smack him.
“Fuck off Mikey,” he snarled under his breath. “Mom is doing what she thinks is right. You know how upset she is with Uncle Vic’s health. She doesn’t want any of her kids to end up like him. “Hey Mom,” he said as the red-wigged woman came up to him and enveloped Brian in a hug. “See I did show up.”
“I knew you would Baby.” She patted his cheek. “Emmett and Vic worked hard over the food for tonight. We had an amazing turnout.”
“Everyone looks happy.” Brian picked up a bottle of beer from behind the bar. He twisted off the top and handed it to the bartender who winked at him.
“I have you to thank for this Brian.” She smiled.
“Hey, I helped too,” Michael protested. “Brian made me work here every one of my days off.”
“That was nice of you Honey.” Debbie patted her son’s cheek. “I knew there was a reason I had two sons.”
“And the bookings are for some great functions,” Vic added. “Of course, it helps that the GLC is having a fundraising ball that even the mayor is attending.”
“I suppose.” Brian looked over the list of what was happening in the next two weeks. “I’m supposed to go, but I don’t think I will.”
“Brian, it’s for a good cause.” Debbie shook her head. “They’re raising money for the youth center.”
“I’ll send a cheque.” Brian kissed her again and downed his beer. “I can’t stay Mom.” Before Debbie could say a word, he was out the door.
“Where did Brian go?” Michael asked looking around as if expecting him to be hiding behind a desk.
“He’s busy Honey, he had to leave.” Debbie picked up a glass of champagne and took a sip. “You know this stuff tastes like shit. I’d rather have a beer. I don’t know why everybody makes such a fuss over it.”
“Ma, champagne is for celebrating.” Michael finished his glass and reached for another. “I’m going to find Emmett.” He turned and headed across the room.
“When is he ever going to give up on his fantasies with Brian?” Vic asked his sister. “Brian isn’t going to suddenly fall in love with the guy he thinks of as his brother.”
“Brian isn’t going to fall in love easily, Vic. He trusts no one even after all these years. You can see it in his eyes. He wants to trust, to believe, to love, but he’s terrified that if he does, he’ll be ripped apart like he was when he was six.”
“We’ll always be there for him Deb, he knows it.” Vic put his arm around his sister.
At the rear of the building was another set of stairs leading to each level and Brian had blocked off each door that led to it. It appeared like there had never been an entrance, with the exception of the top floor. It was his access to his lair. Once the renovations were done, it would be the only entrance. He would make sure the elevator could only go there in emergencies and then only with a key. Downstairs on the lowest level, the door was marked Supply Closet and kept locked. It wasn’t buried in snow and ice like Superman’s hideaway, but it served the purpose of making his loft hard to get to unless you knew it was there.
A quick glance to make sure he wasn’t observed and Brian was through the door taking the stairs two at a time. He didn’t mind walking up the four floors; it was good exercise after all. At the top of the stairs was another locked door, this one with a touch pad security system. Brian punched in his code and the door opened. Only then did he relax.
He surveyed the incredible expanse of oak hardwood pleased with the way it gleamed and reflected in the moonlight that came in through the windows. He’d roughed in a couple of rooms, the two by fours still uncovered by drywall. There was a larger than usual bathroom and bedroom, a smaller bathroom should he ever have guests, and his favourite room, the room that would always be hidden from everyone. That was where the monitors and equipment was that recorded what happened at Classique and in the main lobby of the building.
When Brian was growing up in Debbie’s home, he’d had to share everything with his brother Michael. They had their own rooms, but privacy meant nothing to any member of the Novotny clan and Brian learned to accept this invasion. He vowed that someday he would have a room that was his and his alone, without the fear of someone barging in uninvited. Although, he didn’t plan on inviting anyone up to his Fortress of Solitude, there was always the possibility that would change.
His secret room would be only for him. It actually had two large windows because the room ran the width of the apartment. Only it was walled off and the wall was going to be covered in the same brick as the rest of the building. He’d saved everything that had been torn out when the spa was being remodelled. The entrance to the room would be concealed in the end wall of the kitchen behind the refrigerator. Brian was rather pleased with the way he came up with the idea of having the heavy looking built-in refrigerator to move. No one would ever think anything was behind it other than dust bunnies should a dust bunny dare to inhabit his loft.
For now though, Brian wanted to spend a couple of hours working on laying the bathroom floor tiles. He could work without making any noise, and no one downstairs should be the wiser.
Before he started, Brian looked outside at the city below. He watched a young man shrug into his coat, doing his best to keep out the cold. The guy couldn’t have been much older than his late teens. His hair gleamed under the street lamp and for some reason he looked up. Their eyes met and for a second or two and Brian could feel his heart lurch. He watched the boy put his hands in his pockets and slowly continued down the street, the night shadows swallowing him whole.