Chapter 1
April 2012
Syed waits for the alarm to go off before getting up. He mechanically goes through his morning routine, and then heads off to the Estate Agents where he has been employed for almost a month.
He doesn't like or dislike his job; he comes in each day, does what he has to do without saying very much to anyone, and goes home. And whilst this doesn't bother the guys he works with, his boss, Mike, feels rather differently.
By the end of Syed's interview for the job, Mike knew he'd found exactly the type of guy he'd been looking for; he had the personality, experience and enthusiasm required. But it wouldn't have mattered what Syed said in his interview; because from the moment Mike laid eyes on the most beautiful man he'd ever seen, he was captivated. And as the weeks have passed, the attraction has only intensified, to the point where he now wants Syed more than he's ever wanted any guy. And, unfortunately for Syed, Mike is used to getting what he wants; he has the looks, intelligence and money to overcome pretty much any obstacle; and Syed's indifference only makes him even more irresistible.
Syed isn't aware of Mike in any way; he pays him no attention except when he can't avoid it; there is nothing Mike could ever do that would get Syed's attention. Syed doesn't care about his job, about his life; he's just going through the motions, keeping busy. He doesn't get a buzz out of making a sale, but does it because it comes easy to him. His life may be a mess, but he can always slip into his cheerful, persuasive, sales-pitch voice for the customer.
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Six weeks earlier (February 2012)
"Christian, don't you even think about going out tonight," Syed warns in a quiet voice so as not to wake the baby.
"I promised Rox I'd meet her for a quick drink, I won't be long," Christian vaguely assures, as he puts on his jacket.
"No, we haven't finished talking," Syed snaps, grabbing his arm. "I've been here all day on my own with Kylie; so don't you dare think you can just pop in, have something to eat, grab a shower and head back out."
"To be honest, Sy, it's been a tough day; I need to relax and unwind, and sitting here listening to you complaining isn't doing much for me."
"It was your idea to have a baby," Syed desperately reminds him.
"Oh, was it really? I'd forgotten, but thank you for reminding me one more time," Christian sneers sarcastically. "You're acting as if I don't spend any time with her, but you know I do my share."
"Yea, when you're here. Recently, you seem to be working longer and longer hours; and when you do manage to get home at a decent hour, you only stay for a while and then you're off out with Roxy. You used to do your share, in the beginning; when it was all new, and you could bring her around the Square and everyone would fuss over you both; but it's been a while since you've done more than play with her or cuddle her, or get her ready for bed the odd time."
"Don't you dare try to question how much I love Kylie," Christian hisses, "and just to be clear, all this extra work I'm doing is to make sure she has everything she needs and to provide for her future; our future. I only go out with Rox the odd time; and, by the way, I'm really tired of you flying off the handle every time I mention her name; if it hadn't been for Roxy, we wouldn't have Kylie."
"And that's another thing," Syed interrupts furiously, "you won't even discuss my going back to work, and us sharing the babysitting."
"You know it's not practical for me to work part time right now; I'm trying to build up the business, and make a name for myself; and anyway, Rox mentioned that Tanya had given your room at the Salon to some other guy. Look, we'll talk later, I have to go, Rox will be waiting."
Syed hits the door with his fist in frustration after he's left, which wakes Kylie.
Later that same night
"Tam, can you come over and watch Kylie for me for a little while?" Syed asks, as soon as he answers his phone.
"It's 1am," Tam replies sleepily.
"Please Tam, I'll owe you big time," Syed begs.
"Okay, give me 15 minutes," Tam replies; he can hear the tension in his brother's voice.
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Syed feels awkward walking into R&R so late; but as soon as he sees the guilty, panicky look on Roxy's face, he knows he's done the right thing. "Where is he?" he demands without preamble, as soon as he gets as far as her.
"He's in the gents," Roxy quickly replies. "How are things? How is Kylie; is she keeping you awake at night?"
"Give me your phone," Syed barks.
"What? Syed!" Roxy squeaks, as he grabs her clutch bag and takes the phone out of it. He then heads for the gents, which are empty. He finds Christian out back; he has some guy pinned up against the wall; their mouths and tongues battling furiously; their hands tearing at each other's clothes. Syed's hands quickly come up to cover his mouth to stop the instinctive cry of pain from being heard; he quietly backs away on legs which are barely able to support him.
"You knew what Christian was like when you first started up with him; you know he's the type of guy who sometimes likes to, you know ... it doesn't mean anything," Roxy babbles nervously, knowing by the look on his face when he walks past her what has happened. "Syed ..." she trails off, as Syed closes the front door of the club after him, stopping her following.
Discovering his wallet in his jacket pocket, he heads straight for the train station. He will have to wait a few hours for the first train; but the alternative, having to face Christian, is unthinkable.
A few minutes later
"Sy, Sy," Christian calls breathlessly, bursting through the door of the flat.
"He hasn't come back yet," Tamwar tells him.
And when he still hasn't come back a few days later, Christian is starting to lose his mind. He's even forced his way into the Masood house, and up into Syed's old room to make sure he isn't hiding there. It is only the memory of how much it hurt last time that keeps Masood from punching him in the face.