Guys, helloooooooo again :D
sorry about the long wait again, r/l = pain in the absolute butt! I have tried to shorten the chapter a bit this time, so, you know.. o.O
hope this is okay for you all, i've tried to keep it in character and shizz, so yeah..
the bits in italic are syed's thoughts...you're not stupid, it's kinda obvious, but still, just saying :P
special mention to amira shah - kindly leave would you? you aren't included in this fic cause you're NOT part of chryed's story. hmm, go! /i just had to :o
hope you all enjoy :D *hides* CAML xxx
No copyright infringement intended, all of the characters (unfortunately) belong to BBC and EastEnders.
''Look at those babies! The trees, I mean. Palm trees. Gorgeous aren't they? Swaying in the breeze, the sun beating down on the leaves…it's a really holiday-like scene, don't you think?'' Christian stared out of the window of the bus, observing the view. He glanced at Syed, who was seated next to him, knees tucked up to his chest, hugging them like some sort of toddler in a strop. Syed's eyes were wandering around, looking in every direction except the direction of Christian, who was clearly trying to make conversation with him. He wasn't ignoring his boss, he was replying with a nod, maybe a mumbled 'yeh' now and again, but he wasn't in the mood. He was too busy thinking, not just about how he felt when they kissed, but why Christian would even do that in the first place…
'He looked so smug when I turned around...maybe it's a plan. Maybe he's messing with me, trying to get me to quite literally fall for him, so he can toy with my feelings a bit, bring me up only to have me dropped straight back down again. He has a tendency to do that at work; make me feel like crap, I will not fall for it! I mean, if that is his plan, you know, to get me to like him, then it's failed. Epic fail, boss. HA. I still hate you. But then if it failed, why did I feel like that when I kissed him? Why did it feel so right, like, I don't know…kind of like a jigsaw puzzle, you try and put all the wrong pieces together, and you know when two pieces are supposed to be together because they just fit. Perfectly fit, like, one piece just slides into the other, almost as if it were fate for them two to be together…like mine and Christian's lips. Oh my god, how cheesy was that? Don't be ridiculous, Syed, stop it. You hate Christian. Yes, I HATE him…or at least I thought I did.' The commentary in Syed's head was constant, two completely diverse voices screaming at him. There was the voice that was telling him he hated Christian, that he always has and he always will…that was his head, obviously. But then there was the other voice, presumably his heart, telling him that something was there. Not sure what, but there was something. His thoughts were invaded by a familiar voice…a one he wasn't too keen on hearing at this present moment.
. ''You're shit company Sy, you know that?'' Christian's eyes gazed into the side of Syed's turned away head as he tried endlessly to get his attention. ''Syed? Hello, anyone there?'' Jokingly, Christian scrunched his fist into a ball and began knocking on his assistant's head.
''Ouch, stop it! I'm fine.'' Syed replied to his boss, somewhat reluctantly.
''I never asked if you were alright, I said you were shit company, which you've just proved by not listening to what I've said to you.''
''Well maybe I'm not listening to you, because you're shit company too. ''
''At least I'm making conversation! You may not know this, but actual conversations involve actual sentences, Sy.''
''Oh, I'm sorry, here's an actual sentence for you: Piss off.'' Agitatedly, Syed stared at his boss through his hazel eyes, trying his best not to crack up laughing at Christian's face, which he'd contorted into a fake 'shocked' expression.
''How dare you swear at me, Syed? I am you're boss! You're fired!''
''Fine. Go get another assistant to put up with you for 5 days while his interrogating family are snooping around 24/7.'' Syed twisted his head around to glance at the back of the bus to ensure his parents hadn't overheard what he'd just remarked.
''Whatever, I can do so much better than you anyway, you're a crap assistant, a crap fiancé, and a shit kisser, too.''
''Oh, fuck off.''
''I'm just saying!'' Christian folded his arms, looking away from Syed, before deciding to make another comment.
''Anyway, was I good?''
''What?''
''At kissing? Was I a good kisser?''
Syed shuffled around uncomfortably in his seat, directing his words towards the ground. ''You were alright, yeah. I've had better.''
''Lies! Anyway, I just hope I was better than you!''
''This conversation is over.''
''I'm sorry Sy, but you're a crap kisser. I'm stating facts here. ''
''Whatever! Look, just please don't talk to me.'' Syed turned his back to Christian, rolled his eyes, and promised himself he wasn't going to speak a word to Christian for the rest of the journey.
…
Raising an eyebrow, Syed giggled at Christian's pathetic attempt to tilt his case over to wheel it along. He was kicking it and pushing it, trying his level best to 'work' the suitcase. With his face portraying nothing but determination, yet confusion, Syed couldn't help but snigger to himself as he watched his boss struggle. When questioned what on earth he was doing, Christian informed Syed that he usually had other people to do this kind of thing for him, and he just needed 'practice.' Syed was no good after that, simply bursting into kinks at his boss and his problems.
Once he'd eventually fumbled on with his suitcase, Christian regained his straight posture, and walked onwards. The four of them, Christian, Syed and Syed's parents, were strolling along the beach-front, dragging their bags along with them. The sun was reflecting off a never-ending blanket of halcyon waters and golden sand, the most romantic scene you could ever picture, really...
''Syed, carry my blazer, I think I'm gonna pass out!'' Christian took off his blazer and threw it full force in Syed's direction, landing it perfectly on his head.
''Way to kill the moment, Christian, I was enjoying the scenery until then.''
''Well you weren't so keen on enjoying the palm trees with me on the bus earlier!''
''You and your bloody palm trees! Look, I'm not carrying your blazer. I told you to wear your casual clothes!'' Syed retorted, before throwing the blazer back to its owner.
''Oh, don't start that malarkey again, I know, I shouldn't have worn a suit, Christian's an idiot, ha ha ha, everyone can laugh! Look Sy, just please carry it, it's about 500 degrees, my bag is weighing me down and I need someone to carry this blazer for me!''
''Well, find someone else to carry it, I've got bags of my own too, in case you've forgotten. Then again, why am I so surprised, you always have only ever thought about yourself!''
''You know what, the boy is right, Syed, you two love each other, you're supposed to do one another favours, so you could at least carry his blazer…and his bags! Carry his bags, pappu!'' Zainab turned around from her position at the front of the foursome, leading the way to Shabnam's house, and nagged at Syed, which he was expecting anyway.
''Mum, does he look like the type of person who needs help carrying his bags? I mean, seriously?'' Syed indicated his arm towards Christian's bulging muscles, which flexed as Christian threw his blazer over the back of his right shoulder to carry it.
''That is beside the point, pappu, just carry his bags alright! And stop slouching, walk like a man! Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with you these days! ''
Syed crumpled his nose, staring himself down to see if he was in fact standing in correctly. He widened his shoulders and pulled up tall, trying to make himself more 'man-like' for his mother, before turning to his dad for back-up.
''Dad? Will you tell her, Christian does not need help!''
''Syed, I'm not arguing against your mothers opinion, will you just do us all a favour and grab the man's bags, please?'' Masood eyes were full of plea as he'd already put up with Zainab's constant moaning on the bus journey, he simply couldn't be done with anymore. Syed opened his mouth slightly to reply, but decided against it, for he knew he didn't really have a leg to stand on. Swivelling his body around, he headed towards Christian, remaining in his 'manly' posture, smiling as innocently as he could. He reached his hand out to take Christian's bags for him, but just as he was about to do that, an idea burst into his mind.
''What's that Christian? Oh, you know what, am I lucky to have you or what? Mum, have you heard this, not only is he declining my offer to carry his bags, but he's offering to carry mine too, what a gent!'' A smug smile swiped its way across Syed's face as he clicked on that he was in charge for once, ''Only if you insist!''
Watching Christian's impression on his face drop, Syed began to run backwards, not giving his boss the chance to respond to his sly move.
''Come on, snail, we haven't got all day! Those muscles will come in handy, for once!'' Syed exclaimed, jogging backwards, enabling him to catch up with his parents and bask in Christian's facially obvious misery.
''Well, I can't see a thing! The sun is blinding me!''
Syed began jogging in reverse order, running towards Christian this time. He reached his hands upwards and grasped his sunglasses from their original place resting on his forehead, before slotting them behind Christian's ears, consequently protecting his eyes from the sun. Syed remarked that Christian had nothing to complain about now, before continuing his backwards jog to the foreseeable distance his parents were at, leaving Christian to drag along behind in the burning sunshine shining down on them from Turkey's skies.
…
''We're here!'' Zainab rummaged around in her coat pocket for the crumpled up bit of paper which had the code for the house doors on it. Shabnam was always one for losing her keys, so for her birthday, her husband had a code locking system installed into the villa doors so she didn't have to put up with keys anymore. Zainab despised the system, purely for the fact that she was ageing and her memory wasn't exactly in tip-top shape anymore. Nevertheless, it wasn't her living in the house every day, so she learned to cope with it by writing the code on a piece of paper.
Syed's head tilted upwards simultaneously with his jaw dropping, as Zainab announced that this was Shabnam's home, and his eyes drank in the sight before him. Palm trees were outstretched above the building, their leaves blowing gently in the summer breeze. ''Christian will love that.''Syed muttered under his breath as he analysed the luxury home before him. He guessed the rumours were right then, about the beautiful villa on the beach being Shabs' house. Syed peeked around the corner, and just made out a swimming pool which lay around the back of the home, the sun reflecting off its crystal blue water and heating up the decking chairs surrounding the pool. A vast, snow white fence stretched around the pool area to fend off any unwanted visitors, and back at the front of the villa was a huge balcony, branched out in front of some glass double-doors. Fresh, green grass lay in front of some towering pillars, which signalled the entrance to the villa, and the view was simply stunning from the home.
''This is where were staying!'' Christian leaned forward so Syed was in earshot, as he questioned the place they were both staring at, just as dumbfounded as each other.
''I was thinking the exact same thing, but I guess so…come on!'' And with that, both men followed Zainab and Masood into the villa for Christian to meet the family. 'This should be fun…'
…
''Oh my gosh, SYED!'' Shabnam put her glass of water that she was presently drinking on the dining table and shot forward to welcome her brother's presence with a huge hug. Syed reacted by opening his arms wide for his pregnant sister, and brought her into his embrace as best he could, what with the bump making it difficult and all of that. As Syed began to tell his sibling that he'd missed her, she pulled away from the hug, before sending a confounded look in her brother's direction.
''And who is this, Syed?'' Shabnam asked quizzically, hurrying over to Christian. Syed swallowed anxiously, seriously hoping Christian wouldn't act the prat that he did in front of Zainab for the first time. His eyes full of nerve, Syed watched as Christian held his hand out, welcoming a handshake with Shabnam the way he did with Zainab.
'My name's Christian Clarke, I'm marrying that gorgeous brother of yours' were the words that came out of his mouth as he shook Shabnam's hand. The corner of Christian's eye caught Syed's as the word 'gorgeous' fell from his lips, and Syed couldn't help but feel his heart melt a little. Whether or not he was being serious, Syed loved being called 'gorgeous', especially by Christian, as it had been a long time since anybody except his mother had boosted his confidence, never mind his boss who supposedly disliked him! He tried his level best to keep a straight face, to no avail, and Christian grinned back at him.
As Syed watched the grin vanish from Christian's face, his own faded, and what was a meaningless, friendly grin turned into a stare. A stare which Syed began to analyse severely, as if he were looking to see if Christian felt anything he did. He thought he could make out sheer sensuality in the stare, lust, appetite, even a little of a soft spot for Syed, maybe? But, he couldn't know for sure, as the distance between them was too great to tell. So, Syed carried on greeting everyone in the room, and watched Christian as he did the same. Christian said hello to everybody with a handshake, no change there, and a cheerful smile painted on his face.
''And this beautiful young lady goes by the name of…?''
''Afia, I'm Tamwar's wife. ''
''Well, it's lovely to meet you, darlin.''
''And you…handsome man that you are.''
Tamwar's ears pricked up as he heard his wife dishing out compliments to other guys, and he scurried over to where Afia was standing.
''Err, don't get any ideas, she's mine, so…you know.''
''Well as gorgeous as she is, I don't think I'll be trying it on with her anytime soon!''
Tamwar displayed a puzzled expression on his face.
''I'm gay, remember?'' Christian's head became lopsided as he signalled Syed to Tamwar, reminding him that they were a 'couple'. Tamwar laughed, stating that he was joking with Christian to stop himself looking like an over-protective idiot. Christian came out of the handshake with Afia, before sliding past Tamwar, ruffling his hair on the way by. ''She's all yours, mate, don't sweat it!'' And with that, he headed towards Syed and Zainab, who had already started preparing the evening's food in the kitchen.
…
''He threw up…on the security guard's shoes?'' Masood exclaimed, eyes widening at a very embarrassed Syed.
''Yep, all over the poor guy, didn't you babe? I mean, he hadn't had a drink, you know, being a Muslim and all that jazz, maybe it was just the anticipation of all of it…or maybe he ate something dodgy, I don't know, but god, it was funny! It's the last time I try and take this one clubbing!''
Throwing his arm around his assistant, Christian watched as the rest of the family were doubled-up laughing at Syed around the table, empty plates in front of them, giggling at his story.
''Well, we'd love to sit and chat, but I think that's enough stories about me for now, it's been a long day, I think we'll help mum clear the table then we'll go to bed, won't we Christian? Thanks for dinner, mum, it was lovely.''
''No, we want to hear more stories about you two!'' Ahmed chirped up, still laughing, his wife Shabnam nodding her head in agreement to what he'd said.
Christian got ready to reply, sitting upright in his chair in preparation of rambling on about another fake trip him and Syed had been on, but Syed sharply stopped him, grabbing hold of his wrist and pulling him up out of his seat.
''No, you don't want to hear more, come on Christian, let's go!''
''I think somebody's adamant to get you into bed!'' Afia smirked at Christian cheekily, causing Syed to blush.
''Afia, please! Save the rude comments for Tambo later, yeah? Come on.'' This time it was Tamwar's turn to feel embarrassed as Syed began to collect everyone's empty plates, prior to dragging Christian to the room which his mother had allocated to them.
…
''Throwing up on the security guard's shoes? Really, Christian?'' Syed removed his shorts and vibrant yellow T-shirt as he started the procedure of getting ready for bed.
''Well they were asking questions about us and our relationship, I had to make it sound realistic Sy, you know, like we'd been places.''
''So you choose a night club? Proper old romantic, you, aren't you? And quit with the 'Sy', it's annoying.''
''Oh no, I like calling you 'Sy', it's cute.''
''Not coming out of your gob it's not. Hurry up in the bathroom, I need to brush my teeth!''
''Yes, I'm hurrying! Oh, and by the way, I can be a romantic when I want to be!'' Christian made his way out of the toilet, walking towards a semi-naked Syed.
Syed let out a small giggle. ''Yep, I'll believe it when I see it.''
''Hey, I will be the best lover you will ever know, Syed Masood, you just wait and see, I will love you like nobody else ever could…and I mean nobody.'' Inching closer to Syed, Christian let his 'banter' persona fade, and Syed could tell by staring into his eyes that he wasn't messing around. Syed analysed them, trying his hardest to read them. Left. Right. Left. Right. He kept staring in every part of Christian's eyes possible, his gaze becoming intense as he did so…he was determined to know how his boss was feeling.
After what seemed like hours of a tensed, silent atmosphere, Syed knew he'd have to say something to have even the slightest of ideas of what Christian was playing at.
''What's that supposed to mean?'' were the only coherent words he could find. His vocabulary was limited as he drew in a quick breath that got stuck at the back of his throat, following Christian's declaration.
''Whatever you want it to mean…''
Christian edged even further forward than he already was, standing too close to Syed for Syed's liking. Syed could feel his heart pounding in his chest, almost ready to explode. He longed to push Christian away in case his body language translated any of his feelings, but he knew he didn't have the strength. Syed felt weak, a good weak. This is what Christian had done to him…of all the people it could've been, it had to be Christian Clarke who made him feel this way. He turned his gaze to the floor, making it impossible for Christian to make eye contact with him. Despite this, Christian brought his fingers to Syed's chin, uplifting his head so their eyes were interlocked. He moved his lips so close to Syed's that Syed considered turning and running, in fear of having to go through with kissing Christian for the second time that day; he didn't want to have to be put through the confusion of his feelings again. However, his boss didn't even need to kiss him to make his heart leap anymore; just standing this close was driving Syed to the point of insanity.
Instead of pressing his lips against Syed's, Christian whispered to him, lowering his tone seductively as he did so.
''Oh, and by the way, I was joking, what I said about the kissing. I don't think you're shit at all…I think you're amazing.''
Syed watched Christian in awe as he stepped back slightly, scanning Syed's torso with his green eyes, biting his lip as he did so. And that was it, no more was said. Christian brushed past Syed, pulled back the blanket that was laid across the floor for him to sleep in, and left Syed to sort himself out from the flustered mess that he'd left him in…
Hope that was okay for you all! :)
If you want to read more, let me know...Chapter 4 won't take as long hopefully, i actually have inspiration for once :P xx