Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Sugar & Whips ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

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Sugar and Whips

Part 24

 

“Wufei!”

The soft smell of freshness and sandalwood tickled his nose, and when he opened his eyes, Wufei found himself staring into a pair of ice-blue orbs.

Zechs was leaning over him, his hands planted firmly onto the bed, right and left of his head. “Hello there, Sleeping Beauty. The shower is free now.”

The younger man yawned. “How long have I been sleeping?”

The blond shrugged. “Not that long; ten…fifteen minutes tops.”

“Do you mind moving?”

“If you insist.” Sighing theatrically Zechs pushed himself up and moved away from the bed.

Wufei grabbed one of sheets and sat up, wrapping it around himself like some kind of toga as he slipped out of bed. It might seem silly considering what they had just done, but he just didn't feel comfortable walking around in the nude; especially since the older man was already dressed again.

“Your pants should be dry by now, too.” Zechs walked to the table by the window and poured himself another glass of champagne.

“”Um…thanks.”

“Want me to come and wash your back?” A sly smirk curved the blonde's lips. “Or any other parts you might need help with?”

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

Locking the door behind himself as he stepped into the small bathroom, Wufei could hear the other man chuckle.

What in the world was I thinking? I should have never let it get this far. I knew exactly what he was up to when he took me up here, and what's even worse, I wanted it too. This is crazy. I have a job to do; I shouldn't be screwing around…literally.

He turned on the shower and dropped the bed sheet he was wearing. His silk pants were hanging over the side of the sink, and from what he could tell; the blood and champagne stains were completely gone. As he stood under the warm jet, Zechs' words from earlier that evening came back to him.

“I have been asking around, but the man you are looking for doesn't seem to be a client at the `Black Rose.' Either that or everybody I spoke to suffers from amnesia associated with the name Ventuno.”

I hope he didn't set off too many alarm bells. I'd better give Otto a heads-up on this. If they become suspicious they'll probably clamp up even more than they are already. I wonder if he was able to get anything out of the duke, Wufei pondered as he reached for an expensive looking bottle of shower gel. When he removed the stopper he could smell the same sandalwood fragrance he had noticed on Zechs earlier. It was not too strong, a little earthy and spicy, a very pleasant scent. Somehow he knew that, from here up on, he would always associate that smell with the sexy blond.

He quickly finished his shower, dried himself off and got dressed. By the time he walked back into the other room Zechs was sitting by the window, sipping champagne.

“You know, I had hoped you'd change your mind and call for me to help you getting cleaned up, after all. I'm pretty good at it too; your loss I guess.” he smirked. “Come on, sit down, have something to drink.”

Looking at the champagne bottle that was almost three quarter empty now, Wufei frowned. “Shouldn't we rather go back downstairs?”

“We will,” Zechs assured him. “After we finished this bottle. It's an expensive brand; it would be a shame to waste it. I even went through the trouble to have someone bring you a new glass… two actually, just in case.”

“Fine,” Wufei finally agreed. “But only one more glass. I usually don't drink much.”

“Neither do I.” The older man shrugged. “But getting half drunk is a waste too.”

His frown deepened as Wufei sat down and watched Zechs fill his glass. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, of course. Everything is just peachy. Why do you asked?”

Before the younger man could answer they were interrupted by a short rap at the door.

“Come in.” Zechs called out.

The door opened and a young man, about Wufei's age, with chocolate brown hair stepped into the room.

“Ah, Heero. We are just finishing up this bottle of champagne,” the blond greeted him cheerfully. “Wanna join us? We even have an extra glass for you, see. Wufei, this is Heero, he is the head of security at this place. I'm still trying to figure out if he was born with that grumpy face, or if it comes with the job description. But other than that, he is a real nice guy.”

“Are you drunk?” Heero asked, even though it sounded more like a statement.

“Maybe a little.” The older man shrugged. “What is it to you?”

“Master Treize is looking for you. You'd better get your ass downstairs ASAP, before…” Swallowing the rest of the sentence Heero shook his head. “On second thought, go to your dressing room. I'll talk to the duke. You…” He turned toward Wufei. “Come with me! I'll take you to your master.”

#

Wufei gazed from the side at the young man Zechs had called Heero, as they walked next to each other to the elevator.

“Is it true what Zechs said?”

“What?”

“That you are in charge of security here?”

“Yes.”

“Touch job I assume. I can image a place like this invites a lot of trouble.”

“Not really.” Heero finally turned his head and looked at him. “I make sure to take care of any problem before it turns into trouble.”

“Is that so? If you don't mind me asking, what would be the biggest problem you ever had to take care of?”

“Get rid of people who ask too many annoying questions.” The young man didn't even blink.

Wufei huffed. “Very funny.”

They stepped into the elevator and Heero pushed the button for the club level before he added. “What kind of place do you think this is, anyway? “

“I don't know, you tell me.” Wufei replied calmly.

The elevator doors opened, and the brunette young man gestured wordlessly for Wufei to follow him. The duke and his guest were sitting at the same table near the bar again they had been occupying earlier. Heero cleared his throat as they approached. Treize turned his head and looked at him questioningly.

“Zechs didn't feel well, Sir. I told him to go to his room and lie down.”

“He seemed fine earlier.”

“Yes, I think he just had a little too much to drink.”

“I see. I'll check on him later, thank you.” the duke nodded at Heero, and then turned toward Wufei. “I hope that didn't mean he has been neglecting you, little dragon.”

“Umm…no,” The young man tried hard not to blush. “I felt anything but neglected, Sir. I assure you.”

“I'm glad to hear that.” The duke extended his hand toward him. “Would you like to sit down next to me?”

“Actually…” Otto interrupted as he rose to his feet. “I think it's time for us to leave.”

“Already? The night is still young, and we haven't even seen the show yet.” Treize argued, but his guest just smiled politely.

“My apologies. I have to get up early tomorrow morning. I hope you understand. However, I'd like to thank you for your invitation. It was quiet an interesting evening.”

“The pleasure was mine. I hope we can do this again some time.”

“That would be wonderful.”

“At least let me see you off properly. Heero, have someone bring the car around please.”

The young man, who had still been waiting to be dismissed, nodded in acknowledgement. “As you wish, Sir.”

#

Zechs turned his head at the sound of the door to his dressing room being opened. The tall, blond pet was lying on his stomach on the daybed, looking through an auto magazine.

“Please, come in. And don't bother knocking; I wasn't expecting any privacy in this place anyway.” he greeted the man who had stepped into the room; his voice was dripping with sarcasm.

His master didn't seem the slightest bit amused. “How much exactly have you been drinking?”

The younger man shrugged as he flipped over another page. “Put it on my tab.”

“That's not the point.” The duke closed the door behind himself and stepped closer. “Do I need to hire a babysitter to watch you every minute I'm not around? Look at me when I'm talking to you.”

Zechs finally closed the magazine and swung his long, leather-clad legs over the side of the bed. “Is that better…Sir?”

The master silently shook his head. He probably figured that Zechs was too drunk to talk to him right now, and he was about to turn away and leave. But his pet wasn't quite finished yet.

“I don't know what you want from me, anyway?” he asked as he rose to his feet. “You asked me to `entertain' your guest while you were gone and that's exactly what I did. So, could it be that you are just pissed because I got a piece of your `little dragon' and you didn't? I mean, you have been drooling over him all evening, from the moment he set foot into the club.”

Treize's face turned dark as he slapped the younger man across the face, hard enough to leave a mark and make his pet stumble backwards. “Don't you ever speak like that to me again,” he pressed through his teeth.

Instantly Zechs knew that he had crossed the line this time. He swallowed.

“Go to sleep or take a cold shower, but don't bother coming downstairs until you have sobered up,” the duke told him. “Is that understood?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Treize turned on his heels, leaving the room without another word. The younger man raised his hand to rub his jaw where his master's hand had met his cheek. That hurt. He is a lot stronger than he looks. But at least I did get a reaction out of him this time. That mask of indifference he is putting up is not completely bulletproof it seems. But did I go too far? Damn… I think I shouldn't have had this much to drink.

#

When the duke came back downstairs he found Quatre waiting for him at the foot of the stairs.

“Sir?”

“What is it, Quatre?”

“Since you are leaving for Switzerland tonight, I got you a little `bon voyage' present, Sir.”

“That really wasn't necessary.”

“But it was, trust me,” the young man said as he handed Treize a package wrapped in the distinctive black and gold paper associated with the Goldwell Bookstore chain.

“A book?!”

“I figured you'd have time to read during your flight.”

“True enough.” The duke started to rip away the paper to reveal a colorful, hardcover book. “'How to Raise a Well-behaved Pet'. Hmm… Quatre, you do realize this book refers to cats and dogs don't you?”

“I'm well aware of that, Sir. Nevertheless, I suggest you read it, especially the part I marked for you. I found it quite interesting. Did you know, Sir, that more often than not when a pet suddenly begins to act up, it's because it feels neglected or ignored by its owner?”

Treize blinked. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Nothing at all, Sir” Quatre smiled. “Have a nice trip. I'm sure you must have things to do, so I won't keep you any longer.”

#

“Zechs, here. Have someone bring some coffee up to my dressing room, black, extra strong,” the blond requested over the phone.

“One cup of coffee, black and extra strong coming right up,” the bartender on the other end of the line confirmed.

“Actually, I don't think one cup will do. Send me a whole pot. If I'm not answering, tell the waiter to come in and leave it on the table. I'll leave the door open.”

“Alright. Anything else.”

“That's it.” Zechs hung up the phone, rubbed his temples and grimaced. I really shouldn't have much to drink. My head is killing me.

He started to undress as he walked into the bathroom. One cold shower and three cups of coffee later his head felt only slightly better but he was sober enough to actually face the master without having to worry about causing another `blow-up'.

Coincidentally the first person he ran into on his way downstairs was Trowa, the man who always knew everything. “Ah Trowa, perfect. Where do I find the master?”

“If you hurry you might catch him still on his way out. He is about to leave.”

“Already?” Zechs asked surprised. “The Master never leaved before the club closes.”

“He has a plane to catch.”

“He is going to be out of town?” No one told me about that. Right, I forgot…no one ever tells me anything.

Trowa nodded. “It's probably for the best. I've heard you two have been butting heads again. By the time he gets back things will have cooled off a little.”

“How long will he be gone?”

“Three, four days.”

Zechs did not like that answer. “I don't want to wait three or four days. Got to go, talk to you later.”

“Zechs!” Trowa called after him. He shook his head as he watched the blond dash down the stairs, and mumbled something about him being stubborn as a mule.

If the duke was driving to the airport, he would without doubt take the limousine, which meant he would most likely leave through the front door, and the shortest way to the front door was through the bar. Dodging a dozen of patrons and at least two waiters Zechs weaved his way through the crowded room and caught up with Treize Khushrenada just at the entrance, where the duke was pulling on his gloves.

“Master Treize, I need to talk to you.”

The duke turned his head and looked at him silently for a brief moment. “What is it, Zechs?” he finally asked. “As you can see I'm on my way out. Trowa is handling business until I get back, talk to him.”

The younger man shook his head. “This has nothing to do with business….well not completely, Sir. I promise I'll make it short.”

Once again there was a brief pause. The duke clenched his yaws. A touch of bitterness was hard to miss in his voice as he said: “What else but business could there possibly be to discuss between the two of us?”

A wave of frustration washed over Zechs. “So I'm an idiot, alright? If you want to punish me for what I said back then, fine. If you think I should be punished for what I did today, that's alright too. But just get it over with and stop ignoring me and treating me like some piece of equipment in your club. I know you have received several buy-out offers from me from other club owners, and I think that, if we can't get over what happened, it would be better for both of us if you…would just sell me.”

“Is that what you want?”

“No, it's not…not really,” Zechs admitted. “But I can't stand living like this anymore either.”

“You chose a really bad timing to have this discussion, you know that?”

The limousine pulled up and for a moment it looked like the duke was to turn and walk away, but then he seemed to change his mind, checked his watched and looked up. “You have exactly ten minutes,” he told his pet, “to get changed into your street clothes. I'll wait for you in the limousine. Trowa!”

“Sir?!” The young man had followed Zechs just in case, and had been waiting just inside the club.

“His passport is in my private safe at the manor. He will also need a few changes of clothing and other essentials. Bring it to the airport. We will wait for you.”

“Yes, Sir. Understood, Sir.” Trowa nodded in acknowledgement before he turned and left to carry out his orders. Zechs on the other hand was still standing there baffled and hesitant.

“What are you standing there for,” his master finally told him. “You are wasting time. You now have only eight minutes. Would you prefer to stay home?”

“Umm… no Master.”

#

“Zechs, wait!”

Zechs was rushing through the bar again on his way back upstairs when one of the waiters suddenly took the young man by the arm and pulled him behind the curtain that separated the kitchen area from the club. He pulled out a phone number scribbled down on a cocktail napkin and handed it to the blond.

“The tall, dark-haired guy Master Treize was entertaining earlier; he asked me to give this to you,” he explained at Zech's puzzled look.

Otto? Zechs frowned slightly as he looked at the paper. “Thanks Carter, I owe you one.”

“Listen, I only did that as a favor to you, because I like you. But if you want my opinion, get rid of that number and forget the guy. It's not worth the trouble you might get yourself into.”

“You're probably right,” the blond nodded as he slapped Carter on the shoulder. “Thanks. I have to run, though. Master Treize is waiting for me.”

Zechs finally made it to his dressing room without any further stops. Of course he had no intention to get rid of Otto's phone number. Maybe, some day it would come in handy. Right now, however, he needed to hurry and get changed. There was no doubt in his mind that the duke was going to leave, with or without him, as soon as his time was up.

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T.B.C.

 

Author's Note:  I know I have been neglecting this story for a long time, but the good news is that I'll be posting several more chapters between today and 6/13. I hope you enjoy.