Isaak remembers
Isaak clearly remembers the first moment he laid eyes on Viktor. He was having a quiet drink at one of his clubs when a man came in, a young rascal, with a group of ladies in his tow. The new manager apparently. Isaak often visited the club, having a drink, reading his newspaper. He was very blasé about the entertainment that was provided, barely even interested in the women on display. Some customers thought this was slightly odd, although perhaps admirable; maybe he really was faithful to that gorgeous secretary of his. Or perhaps he'd seen it all by now, which would not be that surprising either.
Isaak had been struggling with his feelings for a while. He'd been with plenty of women yet remained underwhelmed. He was puzzled by this as he could get the kind of women most men couldn't. At one point, he had figured it out and a lifetime of hiding had begun. He couldn't afford to fall in love, to be detected, so anonymous encounters would be his fate. A rather bleak one.
His work had been the sole provider of satisfaction, that and the wealth that came with it. The best of everything was his motto. It was comfortable, of course, comforting sometimes, but hopelessly inadequate most of the time. Shallow pleasures were provided for and plentiful, but a meaningful deep connection he didn't have, not with a soul on earth. Loneliness ate away his heart, he toughened up, more so even than needed for his particular job. His easy charm and sarcasm went a long way to hide all this from the world.
And then… Viktor. He walked past him, leaving Isaak seemingly unnoticed, not realizing the effect he had on him. Viktor already knew who that was, a big-shot he'd heard a lot about, yet he never would have guessed… Viktor was a lot more at ease with himself. Hiding came naturally and was needed, but being a thrill seeker as well, he wasn't all too bothered about it. He wasn't going to let society dictate his life. He had learnt to fight for what he wanted, and this was simply another fight.
Viktor spotted Isaak the moment he had entered the club. So that was the big boss, very impressive… A big bear of a man yet remarkably well dressed. Most big-shots wore good clothes, expensive suits, but the combo's were generally hideous, no sense of style… Nor did they generally look after themselves physically. But this man, well, he looked almost as good as Viktor himself!
Something caught his eye as he studied him a tiny bit longer. This man was not merely a boss; there was something else about him, something sad and vulnerable. He quickly checks himself. It is really bad to develop crushes on men that high up, very bad indeed. Still, he can't help to appear extra interesting as he walks by his table.
Noticed he was. Very much so. Isaak tried to suppress the sudden longing that awakened within him. This is not good, not good at all. He'd always kept a clear line between business and pleasure, now was not the time to change that. However, he could have a small chat with him. No harm in meeting the new manager…
Viktor is talking to the barman as Isaak picks up his drink and joins him at the bar. "I hear you are the new guy. So what do you have in mind for this place?" As they look into each other's eyes something small stirs inside them as foundations are being built.