12. Oscar
CHAPTER 12
OSCAR
Oscar walked out of the office of his grandfather’s solicitor in a daze. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel. Anger? Hurt? Betrayal? All the above? What he didn’t understand was why she’d done it. It wasn’t like his mother needed the money. He’d asked the solicitor, and although he couldn’t break confidentiality, the scoff he’d made when Oscar had suggested there could be some financial concerns was all he needed to know. What was he supposed to do with this information? Part of him wanted to confront her, but what would that do? Oscar could only see it leading to more hurt.
He’d agreed to meet with Abby after his appointment. The January cold was already biting, but he needed the fresh air, so he walked down Cannon Street towards St Paul’s Cathedral. They’d agreed to meet at a coffee shop on Chancery Lane. It wasn’t too far out of Abby’s way, and Oscar had to head back to his own office, which was close by. He’d arranged to stop by Gregory’s new venture later this morning and have a look, and Oscar suspected it was a way for Gregory to check up on him after his meeting without saying that’s what he was doing. The thought of someone caring about him in that way was a new yet welcome feeling. He didn’t know what they were to each other, but he wasn’t about to push for a definition and risk things reverting.
Abby was waiting for him with his cappuccino ready when he walked into the coffee shop. He’d texted her when he started walking down. She stood up when she saw him and pulled him into a hug, and he had to stoop down so she didn’t throttle him, she was hugging his neck so tightly. Looking round, there was an eclectic mix of people. Chancery Lane wasn’t inside the square mile, so you always got a blend of professionals, locals, and tourists.
“What did he say?” she asked.
“That Gregory was right.”
“I know that part, but what did he say exactly?”
“If I’m married by my thirtieth birthday to someone who is not living off a trust fund, I get the money.”
“So, Gregory meets that criteria, doesn’t he?”
“I’m not marrying Gregory.”
“You can’t let her have the money.”
“Apparently, she has the power to still give me the money if she wishes.”
“Do you think she will?”
“I don’t want it.”
“Then give it to charity. Cats and gays. Your grandfather would have liked that.”
He couldn’t help but smile. His grandfather had always been accepting, and had supported queer charities ever since Oscar had come out. As for cats, his grandfather had always been obsessed with them, and was always housing rescues. His grandmother had gone along with it, but she secretly loved them as well. They’d had the same bloodline of cats for years, as well as all the adopted ones. The last of the bloodline had died two weeks before his grandfather did. It was like they knew something was going to happen.
“Why do you think she’s done this?”
“No idea. If they need the money, why didn’t she say something? I would have done whatever I needed to get it for her. Then when I mentioned marrying Gregory, she went ballistic and set me up with Daniel, who would meet the conditions of the will if I married him anyway. What the hell is she playing at?”
“That’s something you’ll have to ask her yourself.”
He groaned, rubbing his hands on his face. The last thing he wanted was a confrontation with his mother. He loved her, but she was the ultimate gaslighter. They’d once had an argument about the age of a celebrity, so he’d shown evidence he was right. Her response had been to imply she’d been right all the time, and she did it in such an innocent way he didn’t feel he could challenge her.
“What are you doing for the rest of the day? Not going into the office, I hope.”
“I’m going to see Gregory. Then I do need to go into the office.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“I’m the CEO. I can’t just take the day off.”
“First, you are the CEO, so you can do whatever you want, and second, you know that’s not what I was talking about.”
“What’s wrong with me going to see Gregory? He wants to show me the new venue he’s opening in the city.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that.”
“What are you going on about?”
“You’re in love with him.”
Thankfully, he hadn’t been drinking his coffee this time, but he still had a coughing fit. Was she insane?
“I’m not in love with him,” he whispered.
“I think the lady doth protest too much.”
“I’m not protesting any... Oh, you’re good. Bitch!”
She laughed, but then looked at him seriously again. It was her big-sister face, even though she was three months younger than he was.
“Just be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“He’s made his feelings for me very clear. I know this is one-sided, so I’m not getting my hopes up about anything.”
She raised an eyebrow at him, which was code for “what the fuck” and he couldn’t even argue with her. Yes, he wanted more from Gregory, but if frenemies with benefits was all he was going to get, he’d take it for as long as he could get it.
Oscar was excited to see a much needed queer venue in the heart of the city. Financial services was still one of those industries which was very straight, white, middle-class, and male oriented – Oscar knew that because he was in the sector – and many of the FTSE 100 was based within the square mile. Things had changed, though, and the sector was becoming representative. Having an openly gay CEO wasn’t unheard of, but they still often looked like Oscar: white, privileged, and could pass for straight. There was still a long way to go.
It was mid-morning, and given it was a Monday and the first week back after the holidays, the city was quiet. Hybrid working was the norm now, and the start and end of the week were often dead.As Threadneedle Street met Bishopsgate, Oscar stopped and looked at the venue. It was boarded up at the front for the renovations, but the logo was on display: Knights Corner. Such a perfect name. Gregory had mentioned it was Jason who’d come up with it. He’d also been the one to name Gregory’s company, Legs Up. It was a shame he hadn’t known Jason when he started his own company. Montgomery Equity sounded a little egotistical.
There was a wooden door cut into the boarding, which was open. Workmen were outside on a cigarette break, but you could still hear the banging of building work going on inside.
“I’m here to see Gregory,” he said.
One guy looked at him and shrugged. Okay, so anyone could walk in here. He’d have to say something. Word was already out that they were opening a queer venue, and there had been some derogatory comments on the bar’s social media pages. Was it even classed as a bar, as they were providing a full dining service?
Walking inside, he was blown away. There were floor-to-ceiling windows on one side, which would flood the place with light once the boards came down, and the other side had smaller windows and booths, giving an element of privacy to those who didn’t want to be exposed. The layout had been considered with sensitivity. There was also a long bar across the back, which curved round the corner, and the building work noise was coming from behind the bar, which could be where the kitchen was based. It was a big plot, and he already knew it would be impressive when it was done. Even if it wasn’t owned by someone he knew, Oscar would still have come to a place like this for his business meetings in the city, especially with his queer clients.
“Oscar, what are you doing here?”
Langdon startled Oscar, as he hadn’t seen him walk in.
“I’m meeting Gregory here.”
“If you go round the side of the bar, you’ll find a corridor to some offices. He’ll be down there somewhere.”
“Thanks.”
Oscar walked in that direction, but stopped when Langdon called out his name. He turned to see the guy, who was hot as hell, with his tattooed muscular arms showing and the tight black T-shirt practically painted on his broad chest. All of Gregory’s brothers were hot in their different ways. The scowl on Langdon’s face did nothing to make him less hot.
“Fuck him over, and you’ll have me to deal with,” said Langdon.
“Noted,” he replied.
What else could he say? He had no intention of fucking anyone over, and chances are he could give Langdon a run for his money if things got physical, but he had no interest in doing that. All he wanted to do was talk to Gregory. His head was still spinning from everything he’d learned today, and he needed someone with a level head who would be calm and considered. With business decisions, Oscar could be logical even if he had a strong view, but he was often implusive if his emotions got the better of him.
He went through the door into the corridor, and saw a worker attaching a dado rail. Was that still a thing? Who was he to question design decisions? There were four rooms off the corridor. One looked like storage, another was a bathroom – perhaps that was for the staff – then there were two offices, both a generous size. The first was empty, but in the other was Gregory. He was hunched over his laptop, deep in concentration, his brow furrowed as his fingers flew over the keyboard. He was wearing one of his bow ties, and looked both adorable and competent in that way which was incredibly sexy. Oscar just watched him for a minute. After a while, Gregory must have realised someone else was there and he looked up, frowning with irritation, but as soon as he saw it was Oscar, a smile lit up his face. That had to mean something, didn’t it? Oscar didn’t want to get his hopes up, but the fact Gregory was happy to see him gave him far too many feelings.
“How did it go?” asked Gregory.
“He confirmed everything you told me.”
“I’m sorry.”
Gregory stood up and walked over. He took hold of Oscar’s hand and gripped it tightly. The gesture sent a jolt of electricity through him, which caused his body to jerk, but Gregory didn’t let go of his hand.
“What do I do now?”
“I’ve been thinking about this. Do you want the money?”
“I don’t give a fuck about the money.”
“Do you want your mother to have it?”
“No.”
“Then let’s get married.”
“What?”
“Just like we agreed.”
“I thought you’d paid off the debt.”
“I wouldn’t be doing this for the money.”
“Then why?”
“You were willing to help me. I’m just returning the favour.”
Oscar felt overwhelmed. This beautiful man. His eyes showed how genuine he was. He wanted to do this for Oscar, and for no other reason than to be supportive.
“It’s possible they need the money, but why couldn’t they just have told me? I mean, your parents had some financial difficulties, so the same could have happened to mine.”
“That was caused by egos and a child with a gambling problem.”
“I just wished she’d told me they needed the money and I would have helped them get it. I don’t need it.”
“Why don’t we register, anyway? We’ll book something just before your birthday, and if you decide you don’t want to do it, we can cancel, but at least the option is there.”
Oscar surged forward and pulled Gregory into a kiss. It was intense, as all their kisses had been, but Oscar was putting all his emotions into it. He wasn’t using it as a pathway to climax; he wanted Gregory to know how he felt even though he was still too afraid to say the words.
They were lost in the kiss for a few minutes, but they naturally pulled apart.
“What are doing with the rest of your day?” asked Gregory, his lips all swollen and eyes glazed. He looked adorably cute.
“I need to get back to the office.”
“Do you?” He smiled.
“Well, yes. I’m the boss.”
“Exactly. I’m sure if you call Josh, he’ll clear your diary for you.”
“How do you know about Josh?”
“I know all!” he said, with a put-on voice.
Oscar chuckled.
“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll call Josh, but you call Hannah and take the day off as well.”
“And do what?”
Oscar waggled his eyebrows.
“I’m being serious.”
“So was I,” he said, displeased Gregory wasn’t immediately on board with where his mind had gone. A good hard fucking is just what he needed. Thinking about the kiss they’d just shared had made his mind wander to other places, and the thought of Gregory kissing him like that whilst inside him was something he wanted to experience.
“Are you pouting?”
“No,” said Oscar with a grin. “Okay, let’s do something touristy.”
“In the first week of January.”
“Optimistic person, aren’t you, Gregory?”
Gregory laughed. It was a joyous sound. Oscar wanted to make him laugh more often.
“What sort of touristy stuff?”
“Don’t care. Why don’t you decide, but... only one museum or gallery.”
Gregory chuckled, then agreed to take the day off, which surprised Oscar. He knew Gregory was a workaholic like him, so to just agree to take a day off meant something. Was he reading too much into it? Probably. All he knew was he didn’t want to be on his own. There would be time for analyisng the whats and whys later.
He was trying to understand why his mother had done what she had. All of his conclusions were worse than the last one, and neither made his parents come off in a positive light. The only thing which made little sense was Daniel. If his mother had wanted him to marry someone from privilege so she could get the money for herself, then why had she set him up with Daniel who was self-made? It didn’t fit with his overall theory, which was why he was lost.
After agreeing to meet Gregory at his flat in an hour, he headed home to get changed. If they were doing tourist stuff, he didn’t want to be wearing his suit. On a whim, he called Daniel from the back of his Uber.
“What’s up, stud?”
Oscar snorted. “Is that how you always answer the phone?”
“Only for the hot guys.”
Oscar felt his face heat. He wasn’t sure why he was feeling embarrassed, people told him he was hot all the time, and that wasn’t a conceited thing. It could be awkward, but he usually just brushed it off.
“Can I ask you a random question?”
“Always.”
Oscar chuckled. “Do you come from a wealthy background?”
Daniel laughed. “Far from it. Why do you ask?”
“Just trying to work something out.”
“What?”
He wasn’t sure why, given he’d only met the guy once, but he told him about the situation with his secondary inheritance. He didn’t mention Gregory, as that was private.
“Wow. That’s a lot to process on a Monday morning. Do you need to meet up for a drink later or something?”
Oscar appreciated the offer, but said he already had company for the day.
“Ah, the cute geek.”
“How do you know about Gregory?”
“I saw you both on New Year’s Eve, looking all cosy in the Albert Lounge.”
Did they look cosy? Oscar wasn’t sure, but he felt all tingly to think someone had seen them and thought that.
“Yes, I’m spending the day with him. We’ve known each other since we were kids.”
“So, he gets the whole silver-spoon thing?”
“I’d forgotten how blunt you are, but yes, he gets it.”
“Well, if you need an ear to bend, just call me. I’d never turn down an evening with a hot guy.”
Oscar wasn’t sure what to say to that and found himself unable to form words. Daniel’s laugh boomed through the phone.
“Relax, Oscar. I know you’re smitten with someone else, but anyone seeing us might assume I’m taking you home to give you a good railing, and it would look good for my reputation.”
“Jesus Christ! Do you have an off button?”
Daniel laughed again. They wrapped up their call and agreed to meet for a drink later in the week. Oscar wasn’t sure why, but he had the feeling Daniel could become a good friend. Not what his mother wanted when she’d set them up, but why had she done that? It didn’t fit the narrative he’d formed in his head to explain her actions. The only way he’d know what she was up to would be to ask her outright, but he wasn’t ready for that conversation yet... if he ever would be.