Page 24 of Blue Gold

His lips trembled before he swallowed hard.

“This?” He raised the phone, his voice choked with tears. “You think I care for this?”

Before I could apologize and say I spoke out of anger, he’d already tossed the phone on the floor. A string of curses I didn’t know the meaning of left his lips while he stomped over the brand-new phone until it was utterly ruined.

Once there was nothing more to break, Elliot finally stopped. With his hair falling over his face, he kept his head down, his breath wavering. When I noticed the tears rolling down his cheek, I reached to touch him, but he pushed my hand away.

“Get out of here.” He sniffed. “I don’t want to see you or your money ever again.”

My heart broke at seeing him cry because of me, and I swore to never do it again.

“I’m sorry,” I said and took a step closer to him.

“I told you to leave!”

“I heard you,” I answered him calmly before reaching to touch him.

He tried fighting me.

“No—”

His words fell short once I pulled him into my arms, and he crashed against me. Quickly, I enveloped him in my embrace, so tight there was barely any space for air between us.

“You hurt me,” he cried with his face shoved into my chest. “You really hurt me.”

“I know.” I kissed the top of his head while breathing him in. “I’m so sorry, Elliot. So terribly sorry.”

He let out a low whimper before finally hugging me back, and with that one small gesture, he chased away all the insecurities I had regarding him. The same as me, Elliot clung to what he could get—which wasn’t a lot. This kind, remarkable, and beautiful man felt so fragile in my arms, and as his hands grasped the fabric of my tuxedo jacket, my heart nearly pounded out of my chest. It was difficult to hold him close without wanting to do more. But I knew better than to cross that line, and so did he, as we did nothing but hug each other.

In his tiny apartment in Brooklyn, NY, I was so far from home. Yet right here, with my arms wrapped around Elliot and my heart beating just for him, it felt like home. Or at least, it was beginning to feel like it.

Hugging him, I realized just how dangerous this relationship had become, and it was only a matter of time before I’d cross the line, from which, without a doubt, there would be no return.

8

DANIEL

After jogging for an hour, I took a short break to freshen up. Wiping the sweat from my brow using my shirt, I looked around Bethesda Fountain with a satisfied smile.

Sunday couldn’t have come soon enough after the week I’d had at work. While I was used to working hard, lately, I found it more challenging than before. Yet, between fulfilling Father’s demands and earning more money, I had little to no time to complain. But rare moments like this were worth the noise I called life, and I’d learned to appreciate the quietness immensely.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh breeze. This time of the year was my absolute favorite—when summer stood on the outskirts of this city. You could see it in the trees, feel it in the warm air, and hear it with the sounds of tourists flooding the streets. I never understood the obsession so many people had for this city. Growing up here, I came to loathe New York, as it could be an incredibly lonely place for those who didn’t fit in. And I, well, I pretended to fit, to belong, and there was nothing lonelier than a foreigner to his own home.

The sound of laughter caught my attention, and I turned to see a young couple sitting by the fountain. The girl had a pair of headphones on, while the boy stared at her with adoration in his eyes as he held a Discman between them. He must have played her a song he liked, and this small gesture of love made me think of Elliot. He always looked so joyful while listening to music on the player I’d bought him for learning. While he constantly claimed to use it for its original purpose, he was fooling no one. Although, I didn’t care and, in fact, was more than tempted to buy him more CDs to listen to.

A running group passed by me then, reminding me I still had five miles left to run. Moving my ass, I began jogging again. After all, I wanted to be home before Maya and Claudia woke up so I could buy the two breakfast.

A short gym session followed my run, and finally done with my workout, I stopped at the best bakery in Manhattan to grab pastries for the girls. After that, I hurried back home, all but excited to start my day off⁠—

“Daddy!” Maya called once I stepped inside the house.

Despite being happy to be greeted by such an angel, disappointment briefly washed over me for not getting here before she woke. Quickly picking her up in one arm, I held her close.

“Who’s my big girl?” I asked, my lips stretching into a grin at seeing the beautiful smile on her little face.

“I am,” she giggled while poking my cheeks.

I kissed the top of her head, savoring her sweet scent. “You sure are, sweetheart.”