Hope this quick update makes up just a little bit for waiting so long for the other ones.

"What's wrong with you?" Cheryl put her hand on my arm when she entered the kitchen. I was sittinig on my own drinking my coffee and reading fresh newspaper. Actually I liked it. Being on my own. It felt easier. Didn't have to pretend anything for anyone. I could be simply myself.

"Hmm? I'm fine, why?" I said while I was getting up and finishing my cup of coffee. See, I was pretending I didn't know what she was talking about. As always. She didn't need me moaning about my problems.

"Well, yesterday…" She started to explain but I didn't give her a chance because I was already closing the door behind me.

"See you!" I said to end it.

I went to the club, checking things, delivers, bottles, glasses. People in, people out…Finally I felt a bit tired so I collapsed on one of the couches slightly closing my eyes. I relaxed. "That's… nice." I murmured to myself enjoing my free time. I didn't expect anyone to come over. And there he was standing in front of me. Thought it could be some illusion or my imagination…

"Here you are." He said and then I knew…

"So you're real? Real Stephen? Just for me?" I asked playfully because this small nap put me in a good mood.

"Yeah, yeah I'm real." He answered low. He looked worried.

"So what can I do for you, Stephen?" I opened my eyes fully to see him better. It was always nice to look at him. Doesn't matter if he was happy or angry or even scared. He and his perfect facial features. There was always something interesting in his face, in his body language. In fact I could watching him without any concret purpose for hours. And I did. Many times. Although it was much easier when he was working here.

"It's nice you ask." Now he was angry at me. "I want you to stay away from me. You hear me?" And now he made me angry at him, too.

"Say if I'm wrong…But it is not you in my club not the other way round?" I got up from the couch in one fast move and faced him. Honestly, what was that all about?

"Don't play dumb. I know what you're planning? But you know what? Forget about it. I'm not leaving my boyfriend, is that clear?" He almost whispered the last sentence into my face.

"Oh. You mean…You still think about it? Really?" I pulled my face in disbelief to put him over the edge, to punish him for treating me like this.

"Very funny…" He rolled his eyes. "I don't want Ally to find out…" He dipped his head in embarressment.

"…that we slept together?" I finished his sentence but it made him furious.

"Shut up!"

"I can shut up. It's not going to change it though." I said and made my way to my office. I wanted him to go, to leave and never come back here again. Of course instead he followed me inside. He leant over my desk looking me in the eyes.

"Look Brendan, if you ever cared for me at least a bit, let me be happy. Please."

"I didn't make a fuss with your boyfriend, did I?" I gritted my teeth.

"For now…" He said unsure.

"Not now, not ever….Go." I busied myself with some papers that were on my desk. He didn't look convinced or satisfy with my promise and still stood in front of me. " Go." I repeated and he finally left. I exhaled the air that was strangely blocked in my lungs.

I left the club disorientated. I thought Brendan could not surprise me anymore but he acted different. He even talked different. And he felt more like stranger, not like…he used to. Maybe he really meant to keep away from Ally and me. Or maybe it's yet another sick little game he like to play so much at. I had to be careful with him. I needed to protect Ally from Brendan.

I spent evening with my glass in one hand leaning over the bar. There was a proper crowd today. I haven't seen so many faces since last New Year Party. I was trying to get myself into the office when that really fat guy blocked my way.

"Excuse me." I started like a gentelman…The guy didn't hear me or something. Anyway he was getting on my nerves.

"Hey!" I shouted to his ear so everyone who was near heard me very well even though the music was still loud. The chubby boy made me a place but then I saw my casino-fuck-date and I stopped to watch him. He was dancing with some random. Apparently enjoying his companion. At least that was what I deducted from the fluffy looks thay gave each other. I was contemplating the ridicoulsness they were making of themselves when he looked me straight in the eyes. I frowned and got inside my office.

I came out when almost everyone left the club. I poured myself a bit of whiskey.

"Thought you'd join us eventually but you seemed to gone in that office for good."

"What?" I asked surprised someone was still inside. I wasn't surprised very much though. I knew who said it. Knew this voice already. "Thought this time at night you'd enjoy your delightful company. Instead you prefer to waste your time here talking to me." I reflected.

"I quess, you were wrong." He ducked his head to the side. We stared at each other for a few moments. Then I rounded the bar and put my glass in front of him.

"Fancy a drink?" I noticed he was shorter than me and a bit muscled.

"I got enough, thanks."

" Good." I whispered to his mouth. He's got a puzzeled face. Then I took my glass and made my way back to the office. I stopped when I opened the door. "Coming?" I asked him and he decided pretty fast to come inside. I closed the door behind him very carefully. I sat on my chair with my glass. After I drank everything I put it on the floor. Because the desk would be occuppied anyway, wouldn't it?

Home and bed. These things were the only ones in my mind. Well, not exactly only ones but still I needed them. Sometimes when I got really confused I didn't know if I actually needed Brendan or he was just on my mind like some sick obsession refusing to leave. Right now I wasn't sure of anything but I had certain one thing. Brendan still was in my head like a virus, like a disgusting bug, like a stubborn fly on top of my nose. I hated every bit of it but that was the truth.

Reluctantly I slicked under the covers of my bed where Ally seemed to sleep already. I came back home late, again.

"You're back?" I heard his quiet question.

"Yeah, I am. Sleep." I tried not to disturb him with my moves. I didn't want him to try it on with me. Not tonight.