A/N: I'm so sorry! –ducks rotten tomatoes- but I've got several excuses for taking so long to post this chapter! I really do! … I just can't think of any right now lol :sweatdrop:
Um yeah, so enjoy. Disclaimer and warnings are the same old, same old.
!#$&()
Chapter 11
"Masaki?" Joey echoed. "I'll have to remember that." he jotted it down on a spare piece of paper and sighed. "Okay, let me run that through one more time. Mr Perfect's real name is Masaki, and I go around his house at 6pm sharp?"
"That's correct." Prince laughed and then yawned. "Well I'd better be getting my rest. Heard you had a rough night- wanna talk about it before I snooze off?"
"No, you should get some sleep." Joey smiled at his friend's concern. "I'll tell you about it some other time. See you tomorrow night Prince."
"Okay, see you Dog!" Prince hung up.
Joey put the receiver back and stared up at the ceiling. He had never been in one of his customer's houses before- only self employed or private hookers did that. Those who worked in groups at clubs or bars usually used the backrooms 1.
This guy is really keen... Masaki, or whatever his name is. I mean, he's been coming back every night for three months now- he's kind of like a strange boyfriend, Joey thought laughing softly at the thought. Kind of odd, but amusing I guess. At least he treats me well- I hope he isn't going to turn out like Kenji. Joey shuddered.
The blond checked his clock and sighed. It was still early in the morning- there wasn't anything for him to do. None of the shops were open, and he hadn't heard from most of his friends since the school year had finished.
I could always give Yugi a ring, though he's probably spending quality time with Yami. I'm not really sure I want to talk to Honda- he's not exactly keen on Seto, so I doubt he'll appreciate me moping on and on about him. I haven't talked to Anzu in a while yet- I could always give her a ring...
Joey dialed Anzu's number and waited for the call to go through. Finally Anzu picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Anzu, it's me, Joey." Joey greeted cheerfully.
"Hey." she yawned and groaned quietly. "Joey, it's not even 7am in the morning. What's the matter?"
"Nothing. I just want to talk that's all." Joey sighed. "I'm sorry for disturbing you. I'll call later." he said sadly.
"No! Joey, don't go!" Anzu said quickly. "Do you want to come over and talk about it? You sound so unhappy Joey, is anything wrong? I haven't talked to you in ages- it will be great to see you after all of these months. How's Ka- um, Seto?"
Joey sighed again, this time heavily. "I think I'll come over." he said.
"Oh." Anzu got the gist. "You can come over now if you want. Do you want to spend the night?"
"No, I've got my work shift tonight. But I can stay for most of the day. That is, if you don't mind."
"No, I'd love to spend the day with you. I'll see you in 20?" Anzu asked.
"I'll make it 10." Joey said, laughing and hung up.
He arrived at Anzu's apartment in 15 minutes, and sat down on her plush red sofa. He looked around- she wasn't doing so badly considering she was a student.
"What are you studying to be anyway?" Joey asked curiously. She hadn't been in any of his classes except for English, so he guessed she wasn't heading towards business like he was.
"Interior design." she sighed. "It's harder than I thought. I don't see you at uni Joey. You are going to uni right?"
Joey nodded. "Yeah. I'm taking a year off like Yugi and Honda. Just to sort everything out first. So how is uni?"
Anzu shrugged. "Hard. Lots and lots of work." she rolled her eyes. "But it's great- the teachers are a lot better." they laughed, and Anzu tucked a strand of short brown hair behind her ear. "So I take it you and Seto broke up?" she asked gently.
Joey's happy mood immediately disappeared. "Yeah... Everything was great in the beginning- we were both really happy. Well, he seemed to be happy anyway. But then..." he sighed heavily and turned away. "I don't know Anzu- I mean, he just stopped paying attention to me."
"Maybe he was busy?" Anzu suggested. "It doesn't mean that he doesn't still love you."
"You don't understand Anzu- he really didn't pay any attention to me. I mean, he came home from work in the early hours of the morning, then left again after only three or four hours of sleep! It's not right Anzu." Joey looked at her, and his honey brown eyes were filled with sorrow and anger. "All conversation died out- in the end work was more important to him than me."
Anzu laid a comforting arm around Joey's shoulders. "I'm sure there was some reason for it all Joey. Nobody changes that quickly for no reason at all. It sounds like you two need to have a good talk or something. Joey, Seto loves you. It was obvious on that day you told us about your relationship with him." Anzu smiled sincerely at him. "Look, I know things aren't working out between you guys now, but you should really think about calling him or something- just to talk about what went wrong."
"But does he want to talk?" Joey groaned and leaned back on the sofa. "Sometimes I wish we never got together."
"But you love him, don't you?" Anzu asked softly.
"Of course I love him! I love him so much it can't be healthy." Joey grinned at her, though it lacked the enthusiasm it normally held.
"Then you should try to fix your relationship." Anzu yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Have you had breakfast yet?"
"Nope." Joey's mind was buzzing with what Anzu had said.
She's right. We should talk- I guess our pride's the only thing that really stands between us talking. I should call him when I get home tomorrow- I'll force him to talk, even if he doesn't want to, Joey thought, determination settling over him.
"Well, what do you want to eat?" Anzu stood up and headed over to the kitchen. "I've got eggs, bread, rice, fish, uuummm... some meat in the fridge somewhere. Not sure how old it is, but I know it's there."
Joey made a disgusted face. "Anzu, that's gross."
Anzu giggled. "And there's some cereal if you're really desperate."
Joey stood up and ran his hand through his shaggy mop of blond hair. "I guess some fried eggs would be good. I can make it if you want." he volunteered.
Anzu shook her head firmly. "No- you go and sit down, read a magazine, whatever. I'll make breakfast."
Joey rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue at her. "Yes mother." he said. He felt a twang of sorrow as he remembered saying the same phrase to Seto a few months ago, before they had broken up.
Why does everything have to remind me of him? Can't I lead a life without him constantly on my mind?
Joey groaned and grabbed a magazine and flipped through it idly. He skimmed through a few articles, not really taking anything in. After he had finished the first magazine -which he realised had been about hair and beauty- he picked up another magazine, only to find Seto's unsmiling face staring back at him. Joey let out a yell of frustration and threw the magazine across the room just as Anzu came back into the lounge.
She stared at him, an eyebrow raised. Joey had the decency to flush. He quickly scurried across the room and grabbed the magazine and put it back in its original place.
"Sorry about that." he muttered, embarrassed.
"Wanna talk about it?" Anzu asked kindly. She sat down next to him and passed him a plate. "You can eat first if you want."
Joey sighed. "Thanks." he picked at his egg, taking a few bites then put down his plate. "I just can't do this Anzu- is it normal to love someone so much that it hurts?"
Anzu smiled sadly. "Yes it is, Joey." she patted him on the shoulder. "Please talk to him- it's not right for both of you to be suffering like this."
"But how do I know that he's suffering?" Joey wondered aloud. "What if he's just fine, and doesn't think about me at all?"
Anzu sighed. "I think that you two should talk. I'm sorry Joey, but I can't help you. You and Seto have to work this out yourselves."
Joey gave her a tired smile. "Arigatou. You've really helped me."
"Anything for a friend." Anzu shrugged and started eating her breakfast.
Joey stared off into the distance for a while, before sighing. "I really should be going and getting ready for tonight Anzu." he said absently.
Anzu frowned slightly. "Tonight? What's happening tonight?"
Joey inwardly cursed his stupid blunder, grimacing slightly. "Just my work shift, nothing to worry about."
"Why won't you tell us what your job is?" Anzu demanded. "I don't care if it's not very hygienic, or not very, well, pretty. If you're the garbage man, I don't care. I just wish that you would tell us what you do for a living!" she complained, pouting slightly. "I wish that you wouldn't keep secrets from us Joey."
The blond felt a stab of guilt pierce his heart. He really didn't like keeping secrets from his friends, but how would they react to the truth...?
"It's just... it's not that I don't trust you guys or anything, but..." Joey trailed off uncertainly. "I really don't want to lie to you guys but it's just kinda private that's all..."
Joey winced as he saw disappointment crowd Anzu's eyes. He hated the fact that he had disappointed his friends, but he just couldn't tell- it was too shameful.
"C'mon Joey, we're not going to tease you or anything." Anzu laughed.
Joey stood up and put his plate back in Anzu's kitchen. "I need to be going now Anzu. If you really want to know what I do then check out Fire and Ice."
With those parting words Joey left Anzu's apartment, his heart thudding painfully in his chest.
She's going to know that I'm a prostitute now, Joey thought, swallowing audibly. He knew that he had to tell them sometime, and now was just as good a time as any, but it was still hard to get his secret out into the open. Will they be disgusted by my actions? Or will they accept me? Oh god, what if they never talk to me again?
Joey shook his head. He would get through this- even if they didn't accept him, he would get by on his own.
I'm not a weakling- I can do it. I've managed so far without Seto, and I'm fine.
He knew that was a lie, but he still couldn't bring himself to admit that he needed Seto to be happy- after all, his last few weeks with the tall brunette had been far from happy.
Joey pushed Seto and Anzu from his mind and returned to his apartment, thinking about Masaki.
Masaki... so he's Mr. Perfect, Joey mused.
He grabbed a bag and packed some clothes for the next day. He packed some handcuffs- Masaki was into that kind of thing. Joey couldn't complain- after all, it was the customer's decision about what he wanted to do, but he couldn't help but feel that Masaki craved dominance. It was like he tried to possess Joey.
It's like he wants to make me his, to own every inch of me- it's like he's trying to prove that he can have me. But to who? And why?
Joey sighed. It was too much to think about at this time of morning. He zipped the bag up and placed on the sofa, and switched the TV on.
"Damn that bastard who woke me up this morning." Joey grumbled as he watched an infomercial advertising fake hair. He ran his hand through his hair subconsciously, checking for bald spots. "Spray on hair? Who the hell would use that?"
Joey's eyelids began to droop as he watched infomercial after infomercial. He hadn't been getting a good night's sleep ever since he and Seto had broken up. It wasn't the same without Seto's warmth next to him, those lean arms wrapped around his chest.
Joey blinked away tears that had suddenly formed in his eyes, wondering how many people he had slept with ever since the break up. There had been so many- Joey had lost track of their faces, their names, their very existence.
Except for Masaki- he's always been there, night after night, Joey mentally added.
An earsplitting yawn stopped his thoughts and he stumbled over to his bed.
I might as well just get some sleep- it's not like I'm going to get any tonight.
!#$&
Seto glared at the clock, wondering vaguely that if he glared hard enough would the seconds move faster. He decided that the theory was crap, and looked back at his work.
Giving a sigh, Seto went back to glaring at the clock. He was both anxious and agitated about the meeting with Masaki that would be in exactly 4 hours and 48 minutes.
Not that I've been counting, Seto thought sourly.
His mind had been in a furious whirlwind ever since that phonecall. He couldn't believe how stupid he had been- he checked the sales every month without fail, but he had been so blindly in love that he had given them to Masaki to look over and analyse. And that smug little bastard had lied to him! And worse, he had believed the dipshit.
Seto growled and slammed his hand against the table, not noticing the pain or how red his hand was.
I am an idiot. A stupid, stupid idiot. I deserve what I'm getting.
Seto picked up the documents he was supposed to be looking at and shuffled them. He placed them back down on the desk, and then finally gave up.
There was no way that he was going to be able to finish looking at all these documents let alone start looking.
He stormed out of the building, his trench coat billowing rather impressively behind him. Even though he had lost the love of his life, had been beaten by his stuck up advisor, at least he still looked cool.
Yeah right, Seto thought bitterly and attempted to get into his limo. To make matters worse for him, his chauffeur wasn't there, so therefore his car was locked.
Seething, Seto called his secretary.
!#$&
By the time 5:45 rolled around, Joey was wide awake, having been sleeping practically all day. He pulled on a pair of tight jeans and a shirt with an open neck, then checked his bag again.
"Handcuffs... check. Spare clothes... check. Phone... check. Lube... check. The good ole rubber... check." Joey sighed. "Now off to meet Masaka... no, what's his name again?" sighing angrily, Joey checked the piece of paper. "Masaki." he repeated the name several times to himself, imprinting it on his memory.
How embarrassing would it be to turn up to the guy's house not knowing his name? Joey thought, flushing slightly. That had been a close one.
He climbed into his beat up old car and had to start the engine a couple of times before it actually got going. Giving a quiet groan of frustration, Joey sped down the road.
Masaki's house was easy to find- it was the largest, flashiest house on the street, with colossal columns of marble and statues of Greek Gods and Goddesses in the garden. Joey thought he saw a peacock disappear around one of the hedges. He blinked, trying to clear his head.
Man this guy must be rolling in money, the blond thought, amazed. I wonder if he obtains it illegally?
He shook his head, getting rid of his thoughts. It didn't matter whether Masaki was involved in legal or illegal business- he was there to provide a decent fuck, then leave. That was his job, and he intended to carry it out.
His face set and determined, Joey made his way to the front door and knocked. He could hear the echoes vibrate through the wood- he presumed it was oak, it looked so damn thick and heavy.
Musta cost a fortune! Joey thought, envious. I wish I had a house like this!
:Or better yet, a house with Seto in it...: the voice in the back of his mind added slyly.
Joey ignored it, trying to focus on Masaki, and Masaki only. The door opened, and a maid stood there, looking at him curiously.
"Can I help you sir?" she asked politely, taking in his clothing and bag.
"Uh..." Joey wondered what he was going to say. Hi, I'm a prostitute whom your boss hired, how do you do? Joey smirked. He guessed that that probably wouldn't go down too well. "Masaki-san invited me over tonight." he said, equally as polite.
"If you could please wait here for a second, sir, I'll need to verify that with the master." she gave a slight curtsey, to Joey's extreme amusement, and closed the door again.
He waited there semi-patiently, wondering what it would be like to have people refer to you as 'master'.
Must be brilliant, Joey thought wistfully.
He was snapped out of his thoughts by the door opening again, but this time it was Mr. Perfect who greeted him, not the maid.
Joey smirked and raised an eyebrow. Masaki gave an ironic bow and gestured for him to come inside.
"Please, make yourself comfortable." his employer for the night said, also smirking.
Feeling uncomfortable in the huge mansion, Joey wandered down the corridor, stopping to peer at the odd painting or photograph. He could feel Masaki standing slightly behind all the time, the raven haired man's gaze boring into the back of his neck.
"So when do you want to begin?" Joey asked, inclining his head towards Masaki slightly.
He felt lips fasten themselves on his neck, and he sighed inwardly. He hated his job, he really did. Having to fuck someone when you weren't in the mood seriously got on his nerves. But Joey responded like he always did- he kissed the man back, not fully, just teasing, taunting, allowing Masaki's tongue to slip past his lips only to have Joey pull away.
"You're such a tease." the older man grumbled, though not unkindly. He glanced at the clock on the wall. "Why don't we take this to the bedroom?" he asked slyly.
Do we have to? Joey felt like asking, but he merely grinned mischievously, and, in a deft movement, handcuffed one of Masaki's wrists to his own. "Lead on then."
!#$&
Seto arrived at Masaki's house at 6:45, noting the statues and peacocks with extremely distaste. Only a greedy fool would spend so much money on trivialities like that, instead of using their money to help other people. Why buy a stupid statue when you could save a family in Africa? He sneered and knocked loudly on the door.
Oak? Seto noted how expensive everything was. He frowned. He earns a lot of money, but not this much, the brunette thought suspiciously. How very interesting... Smirking, Seto suddenly felt a lot better. I'm sure the police will be very interested.
A maid answered the door. She opened her mouth to speak, but Seto pushed past her.
"I'm here to see that damned traitor." he growled.
The maid, shaking wildly, nodded, absolutely terrified, and sprinted off.
I see I still have the power to terrify people, Seto noted wryly.
He threw his jacket over another useless statue by the door, not caring if it got wrinkled or not. He was beyond caring at this stage.
A disheveled looking Masaki walked up to meet him, an insincere smile on his face.
"Seto... welcome." he greeted, his eyes glinting slyly.
Seto ignored it, and took in his clothes which looked like they had been thrown on in a rush.
"What on earth have you been doing?" Seto asked, sneering. "You look as if you've been dragged backwards through several bushes."
"You could ask that," Masaki said, too cheerfully. "But a better question would be who on earth have you been doing." he smirked. "And I'm sure you know the answer to that."
Seto glared at him. "As a matter of fact, I don't know the answer to that." he snapped.
"Well, I'll just have to show you then." Masaki looked as if he had been anticipating this moment.
Feeling slightly anxious, though he couldn't figure out why, Seto followed him up two flights of stairs to the third floor, where they stopped outside a pale blue door.
"Please enter." Masaki said smoothly, his face and voice suspiciously blank.
Shooting a wary look at him, Seto entered the room, and for a few minutes he was sure his heart stopped beating altogether.
"J- Joey...?" he managed to force a croak from a suddenly dry throat. His shock began to grow into anger. How could he! The bastard!
Masaki will pay for this in blood! Seto was seething with anger. He wanted nothing more than to punch the smirking man's lights out then and there, but he wanted to see how Joey reacted first.
The blond figure, lying tangled up in bedsheets, rolled over and sat up. "Masaki-san?" he asked, sleepily.
He saw two figures in the doorway, and suddenly had a feeling of dread. What if Masaki had asked his friends to join in?
Rubbing his eyes to clear them, Joey gave a sharp gasp of shock. "Seto!"
In a way, Joey would've almost preferred the first option.
Meeting Masaki's friends seemed almost enjoyable than spending time with a livid looking Seto.
Joey gulped. Suddenly the night was looking a helluva lot more interesting.
1 I have no idea x.x just pretend it's all true...
!#$&()
A/N: Feedback will be appreciated :sickeningly sweet smile: no flames please, can't stand them. Remember, CC is good, flames are bad lol. Exams in one day xX and I haven't studied at all… hm… shit… wish me luck lol. I'll be updating again soon hopefully, and there should be just one chapter left… Maybe an epilogue as well.