06

Stellan groans, running his hand over his face. « You’re incorrigible. »

« I’m trying to be a friend, » I utter, touching his arm lightly. I begin to hear loud noises and realize it’s the paparazzi. « Shit, w-will you come to my car ? »

He nods after a moment with a sigh, probably knowing I’m not going to let him go. I begin to walk hastily ; glad Eric is already out of the car because the cameras and lights are getting closer.

Eric opens the back door, his gaze hard on Stellan as he climbs in behind me. I take a deep breath as I see the people come right up to the car. Stellan stares down at his lap as Eric climbs in the front seat.

« Where we going ? »

« Just drive, please Eric and raise the partition. »

I wait until the black window covers the port way to the front of the car before I turn to look at him. I find him watching me curiously, hands on his thighs.

As I’ve gotten to know him, he’s grown more attractive to me. Behind all the rugged clothes and poorly kept hair is a beautiful man. I can see it, clear as day. It makes me even more curious to know his past.

« I’ve never told anyone-« 

« You can trust me. »

He glances over at me, a watchful look on his face. I wait silently as we merge into traffic, patient.

« I was studying to be a Financial Analyst. I was in my second year when- when my parents died in a car accident. Uh, they had a lot of debt, my father was a gambler. I had to quit school and try to find a job to support myself in New York and also pay those debts off. I was working as a server in a catering business when I was approached by a woman. »

I nod, licking my lips in concentration.

« She offered money- to- sleep with me. A lot of it. »

I almost choke on my own tongue. Oh my God. I try to control my reaction to his words. I must do a terrible job because he laughs, nodding.

« I know. You weren’t expecting it. »

« No, I wasn’t… You were a- ? »

« Male escort. At first it was just sporadically but word got out and soon, I quit my job to make time for these women. I was well off- I managed to pay off my father’s debt, move into a loft… »

« What happened ? »

He takes a deep breath. « I met a woman and she became- rather clingy, obsessive almost. She offered me- hundreds of thousands simply to stop seeing other women and- and be exclusively with her- behind her husbands back. What I didn’t know was he was an extremely important, extremely rich man. And after he found out about us- found out that she was paying me with his money, he lost it. »

« Lost it ? »

« He had me jumped leaving a restaurant. He made it his mission to destroy me in anyway possible, starting with my career. I can’t get a job anywhere, Iris. »

« Oh my God. »

« I’m telling you this because you asked. I didn’t enjoy what I did with those women but I was good at it. You may not understand why I did-« 

His story resonates with me, stirring up memories I had forgotten.

« We do anything to survive, Stellan. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. »

« Now you know why I live on the street. Now you know why I can’t accept your offer. »

« I’m so sorry, Stellan. About your parents… about everything. »

He stares down at me as if I were the first person to ever say that to him… And maybe I am. « … Thank you. »

« And to hell with that man ! I’m still fucking offering you a job. »

« Iris. »

« I own my company. Who’s going to make me say no to hiring you ? No one. »

« It will come out. You work with elite people- famous people. »

I stare at him, knowing he’s right. The paparazzi and reporters are brutal but after hearing his story, I can’t turn away.

« This is worth a try, isn’t it ? I can help you. I know I can… You just have to take the leap of faith and trust me. »

« I don’t know how to trust anyone, Iris. »

« You’ll learn. »

He looks down, shaking his head silently. « Why are you risking this ? »

« Because if what you said is true, you deserve someone to take a risk on you. »

His smile is small and unsure but there. I lean my head against the headrest, exhaling.

« You’re sure about this ? »

« I’m sure. »

…

« I don’t give a fuck about what you think ! » I shout, looking out the window at Stellan and Eric waiting outside. « I need a room and I’m willing to pay you double than what’s been asked ! »

« I’m sorry, Miss Tremaine, you are a very valued customer and I hate to do this but we cannot give Stellan Reid a room. »

I hang up, uttering explicits through clenched teeth. Stellan was not kidding when he said he had to sleep on the street. This guy must have been like a God to get to so many establishments for one man.

I open the door, trying to look calm. Stellan and Eric both look over at me.

« You’re staying at my house tonight, » I murmur, gesturing him back in.

« What ? »

« Just get in. »

« No, you can come get me tomorrow. »

« Alright, my Latin temper is about to come out. Ask Eric- you don’t want to see it. »

Stellan looks back and Eric nods, pursing his lips. He chuckles, tucking his hair behind his ear as he climbs back in.

« Damn woman, do people always do what you say ? »

…