PRAGMA – realistic love
Lovino Vargas lived life as he pleased. He lived by the code YODO – you only die once; "We all die; it's just a matter of when and where."
His childhood was hazy; the moments he remembered were the tragedies. His parents met an untimely death when their house was robbed one night. At that time, Lovino and Feliciano were with their grandfather in the countryside. They stayed with the old man for good but it didn't last long. Before Lovino turned 10, his grandfather died. Afterwards, Lovino vaguely recalls transferring from one foster home to another. When he turned 18, he ran away from the system.
By some twist of fate, a relative found him. The young man was now living with a distant cousin in exchange for working at the bistro twice a week. He was grateful with the kindness of Antonio but he will never tell the bastard because he would be hearing mushy statements from the idiot.
Until recently, Lovino was enrolled at a community college. However, he didn't have enough money to enroll in a university. He shelved his plans to go to Rome and study; he needed to save money first. Then, he heard about Bella Luna. The pay was good but there's always a caveat with easy money – Lovino sold his body every night either to a man, woman, or anyone in between. It was difficult to keep quiet about his job. Whenever Antonio or Feliciano asked about it, he would angrily say a night shift attendant at a hostel.
There were a lot of risks with being a prostitute; especially diseases which were spreading like the common cold. Thankfully, Bella Luna checked both its workers and clients; the environment was contained, making the place relatively secured. As business policy, everyone had pseudonyms. Lovino Vargas decided to pick ROMANO, to remind him the purpose of his desperation.
For the next two years, Romano steadily gained a reputation through hushed conversations in several social circles. He became a favorite and not long, he was the highest earning sexual worker of Bella Luna. The money was flowing steadily; Lovino was on the path of reaching his goal.
Good things always come to an end, right?
Someone almost derailed the sultry Italian from his focus.
Lovino took a drag while recalling his whirlwind affair with Arthur Kirkland. During his last year in college, he met the guest lecturer. The AVR was full and this piqued the interest of Lovino. However, his curiosity didn't last until the end of the symposium.
The student didn't expect that he would be meeting Arthur again two days later. In a spur of the moment conversation between Lovino, his professor and the Briton, Lovino Vargas became a tourist guide. The student was cornered into saying yes; so he accompanied Arthur wherever the man wanted to go.
"Sorry for the suddenness," the older man apologized. Lovino just nodded. "I am not confident with my Italian... yet, which is why I would prefer having a companion-"
"You mean chaperon?" Lovino crossed his arms.
"Well, that works too. Uh," Arthur passed a piece of paper to Lovino. "My friend told me to, that, I should visit this place."
Upon reading the address, Lovino raised an eyebrow. He clarified to the other man if he really wanted to visit the area (which Arthur decisively said yes). The young student stifled his laughter while speaking, "I didn't know you had lewd interests, Sir. This place is well-known red light district."
"Hn! I- I didn't know. That wanker," Arthur murmured.
"Setting aside you're getting pranked, if you want to, I can walk you around the child-friendly parts of the city," Lovino snickered. He wanted to get this impromptu tourist guide job over with.
Arthur kept his mouth pursed and Lovino walked ahead. He brought the man to the plaza, old churches, buildings which had historic importance and the like. By nightfall, Lovino pointed out local restaurants and Arthur offered to buy dinner as his gratitude.
Lovino walked Arthur back to the hotel. Before they parted, the Briton gave his card.
"If ever you are in London, don't hesitate to call me. I'll return the favor of showing you around my home place,"
"Uh, sure," Lovino muttered. He couldn't say that it was impossible for him to travel; his finances will never allow it. However, he didn't want to offend Arthur, hence his vague reply.
After saying their goodbyes, Lovino was sure that they would never see each other again. The guest lecturer was leaving the following day and he doubted that Arthur will be visiting the college again. Besides, if he did, they weren't bound to meet because Lovino was graduating. Thus, his ties with the college will be severed. There was a minuscule chance of meeting each other.
The possibility existed and manifested itself a year later. At this point, Lovino Vargas was not yet famous for being Romano of Bella Luna. He worked like another sex worker; and the days passed like a blur. His clients were mostly wives who found out about their cheating husbands; or wives who felt neglected by their husbands. It had reached a point where Lovino thought of his job as a routine – he would whisper sweet nothings and assurances to the lovely ladies from nightfall to sunrise. The persona of Romano was setting in – a witty man who had an uncouth mouth but suave. The young man was feeling the grating of his nerves. Then a surprise came along – ARTHUR KIRKLAND.
Lovino agreed to have any partner but he wasn't expecting this partner. The surprise didn't last long since all he had was a quick tryst. Apparently, the Brit didn't recognize who he was. Lovino wasn't sure if he would be grateful or offended. Anyhow, Arthur paid for Romano so he needed to act the part.
At this point, Romano was listening to the woes of his client. After the sex, Romano's clients usually vented about their lives. There were no after-debauchery cuddles. Without any prompting, Romano would pick up the scattered clothes and prepared them for his clients.
Arthur wasn't any different.
"I was busy last year. I traveled around Europe, giving lectures here and there. My girlfriend of five years decided to end it... and she didn't bloody tell me. The cunt got married just before I returned to London," The Englishman started sobbing. Romano could have easily soothed this blond man but Lovino was emotionally invested with Arthur.
'Just for tonight, just for tonight...' Lovino thought.
There were no cajoleries; no empty statements. There was only silence between them. He wanted to comfort his acquaintance through his being there. He wanted to convey that he was there for him. He was a silent companion who will listen to his woes without reservations.
"I'm sorry for troubling you," Arthur said, once he calmed down.
"Don't worry; you are paying for my time. How you utilize it is up to you. You came here to unwind; and do just that. Don't think about unnecessary matters," Lovino kissed Arthur's forehead.
"You're such a kind fellow," The Brit quietly said.
"It's part of the job," Lovino said. "Would like something to drink?" He then stood up and opened a cabinet.
"Yes... but..."
"You should always be particular about what you want to drink. You will be missing a lot if you drink randomly," Lovino feigned being insulted at Arthur's lack of interest. He then took a bottle of a well-aged wine. This was his revenge; it would be added to the bill of this idiot.
Lovino was only expecting that this would be a one-time affair. He was wrong.
For the succeeding days, Arthur frequented Bella Luna and always asked for Romano. After his shift, he would often get cheers; his co-workers would ask if they were in a relationship. Even if it was fake; or make-believe.
"We sell our bodies and fake love; that's our job," Lovino said, dismissively.
It had been a terrible week for Lovino; he wanted to skip work that night. However, the proprietor called, informing him that Arthur was waiting for him. With no choice, he went to Bella Luna. Then, the words I love you came out from the Brit's mouth. Lovino would have been happy if he heard them under different circumstances.
"Arthur, you know my job; I can't be in any relationship," Lovinio emphasized the last part of his reply.
"I know but I don't care!" Arthur adamantly countered.
"Let me think this through... I'll give you a proper response the next time you visit," Lovino always used this to respond confessions like Arthur's. It was common to receive such from clients. After all, Lovino was engaged in the business of selling love.
"I won't be back. I will only see you outside of your work,"
Lovino looked into Arthur's eyes. If this bastard was letting him chose between his work and this haphazard promise of love, he was choosing his work. Love be damned; it won't bring him close to his dream.
"I have a day-off Friday next week. Let's meet at the plaza,"
However, maybe they can find a compromise. Lovino didn't want to give-up Arthur.
Sex that night was amazing. There are consequences with their kind of love but they didn't mind.
In hindsight, Lovino Vargas earnestly wished that he didn't let his professional persona slip-off. Maybe, just maybe, Arthur would still have been alive.
Prosecutor: Mr. Vargas, you were Arthur Kirkland's lover?
Vargas: Yes, for a short time. Our relationship didn't work out but we remained friends.
Prosecutor: How long were you romantically involved with Mr. Kirkland?
Vargas: Two, three months. I'm not sure.
Prosecutor: Why did you break-up?
Vargas: Is that relevant to the case?
Prosecutor: Just answer.
Vargas: … Of course the reason's my job. Arthur's a possessive and jealous bastard. I need to earn money and it's annoying as fuck to have him harping in my ear all the damn time.
Prosecutor: Did anyone knew about your relationship?
Vargas: I don't think so. It was short lived. It would be bad for business if I broadcast my relationship.
Prosecutor: Is it possible that one of your clients knew and killed Mr. Kirkland out of jealousy?
Vargas: I don't know. I can't say.
Prosecutor: For instance, a Mr. Bonnefoy could have?
Vargas: I- I doubt it. They only met once; and I never introduced them to each other.
Prosecutor: Please elaborate.
Lovino truly enjoyed his time with Arthur. However, their arrangement will not last. Lovino Vargas was definitely Arthur Kirkland's lover but Romano was the lover of many. Lovino did not expect that Arthur was the jealous-type; thus, they broke-up. Even if they were no longer romantically involved with each other, they kept contact as friends. Their relationship became much better.
Their friendship outlived their romance. Lovino introduced the Englishman to his younger brother and cousin. The introduction was coordinated between the former lovers since the other two were oblivious about his true job. Some time later, Lovino and Arthur crossed paths with Francis Bonnefoy but the Italian never gave it much thought since the two didn't exchange words.
Prosecutor: Thank you for your time Mr. Vargas. Your testimonies were helpful.
Vargas: Yeah, sure.