3. the needs #3
He stares at the pictures James shows him of this Alvin Sinclair, and he can't understand why Rion would even look at him when he has someone that good-looking and rich by his side.
Alvin Sinclair is gorgeous. A tall, striking man with deep brown skin and high cheekbones. His jet-black dreadlocks are almost always neatly tied back, and silver piercings decorate his face, two in his ears, a hoop in his nose. The man wears suits that are probably worth as much as this flat.
Aaron swallows. "I’m doomed."
James leans over, scrolling through more pictures with growing enthusiasm. "Yeah. That’s tough. He looks like he steps off a private jet and into a Forbes cover shoot daily."
"What if Rion still has feelings for him? How do I compete with that?" Aaron groans.
James pats his shoulder. "Buddy, you’ve got something he doesn’t."
"Yeah?" Aaron looks at him, hopefully.
"A tight, fuckable arse," James laughs and Aaron glares at him unimpressed.
"Sorry, but I think Sinclair has him beat on that, too," Elena says, pointing to a picture of Sinclair that had been captured as he bent over to pick something up.
Great, his arse looks fantastic in his suit. Aaron wants to scream.
"I wonder if this Alvin Sinclair is looking for some poor boy to spend his money on," James mutters.
Elena smiles, "I would kill him, and then I would kill you."
"Okay." James lies back down. "No sugar daddies for me then."
Aaron rolls his eyes. Do the two of them have to be so nauseatingly cute in front of him? It’s really annoying. Before he can tell them to get a room, his cell phone rings. It’s Rion. Aaron stands up and rushes over to the kitchen.
"Rion," Aaron answers.
"Hey, how are you feeling today?" he asks.
Oh man, it’s only been two days since he saw Rion, but hearing his voice makes Aaron’s heart feel at ease, and he wants to drown in it, in Rion’s concern and gentle voice.
"I’m okay. I’m feeling great. How are you? How's your business trip?" Aaron asks, a smile on his face.
"Good, good," Rion says, voice weary. "I’ve been in meetings all day, and as soon as I sat my tired arse down, I just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you, Aaron."
Warmth builds up from Aaron’s abdomen and travels up to his heart, making him weak on the inside. Perhaps it is all his imagination that Rion has been distant. This is nice; it’s exactly what Aaron needs right now.
"I want to see you too," Aaron whispers, digging his heels into the floor.
"You do?" Rion sounds pleased. "Listen, I’ll be back in town in two days; one of my executives got us a really big client, so we’re celebrating at the company. How about it? Do you want to be my plus one?"
Aaron is startled. His plus one? At a work party? "Is that okay? I mean, given the nature of our relationship?"
Rion is quiet for a moment. "Just tell them you’re my boyfriend; it’s fine. Or why? You don’t want me to show you off?"
"No!" Aaron says at once. "I want to go. I… what’s the dress code?"
"It's a black-tie event. Buy yourself something nice using the card I gave you, okay?"
"Yeah," Aaron says, then he smiles. "Just wait, I’m gonna look boiling hot, and my arse will look so good it’s going to blow your mind."
"Oh?" Rion’s voice deepens. "Keep talking like that, and I might just jump on the first flight home and slap your pretty little arse with my hands."
Aaron giggles. "I really can’t wait to see you."
"Me too," Rion yawns. "I’d love to talk to you more, but I’m really tired, I need to sleep."
"Oh," Aaron tries to hide his disappointment. "Sweet dreams."
After ending the call, Aaron has to think about what he will wear. Since he will be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, he needs to buy a designer suit. He must blow Rion’s mind. Maybe he’ll look for some lingerie as well, he thinks with a smile.
***
Aaron knows he looks good. Elena spent over half an hour giving him a 'no-make-up' makeover. He even bought an expensive suit, and an overpriced watch. He has no idea why these damn brands cost so much, but hey, it’s not his money, so who cares, right?
Although he can admit that the shirt feels soft against his skin.
Rion is unable to come to pick him up; instead, he sends a driver to bring Aaron over to ASHI. The function is being held in a large conference hall inside the company building, which is where Aaron is currently being driven.
Rion is waiting outside the building when the car drops him. He opens the door for Aaron and takes his hand, helping him to exit the vehicle. It is only now that Aaron realises how much he missed him in the past few days.
"Hey," Aaron beams, standing in front of Rion.
But Rion is too busy scanning him from head to toe with a most hungry look on his face. "Hmm," he hums, voice low. "Turn around for Daddy, love."
Face flushed and feeling completely like a self conscious, his heart pounding, Aaron turns around, giving Rion a full view of his back.
Perhaps Aaron bought trousers one size smaller so they would be a bit tight around the arse.
After all, if their time in the hotel proved anything, it’s that Rion is an arse man.
"Again." Rion's voice is a deep rumble that sends shivers down Aaron's spine.
He turns around again to face Rion this time, his face still scarlet at being watched so closely.
"How is it possible that you are a more beautiful version of yourself every time I see you?" Rion asks, looking him in the eye. "I could watch you all day, baby."
Gosh, Rion is never stingy with compliments. He just gives and gives, and his words go straight into stunning Aaron’s weak heart.
"Thank you, but you look even better than me," Aaron says honestly.
"Impossible," Rion insists, then holds out his hand. "Come on, let’s go in. We’re late."
They get on the elevator and are taken up to the topmost floor of the building. Here is where the conference hall is.
There are quite a few people gathered in the hall, along with multiple servers handing out wine and appetisers.
As soon as Rion and Aaron enter, few people turn their eyes on them, and some come up to Rion, greeting him.
He never stays to chat though; he just offers them a few words and then moves on.
In this way, Aaron does not feel out of place, as they walk around, a few people glance his way.
"Is this really okay?" Aaron asks again. "I mean, the people here are your employees and your clients, right? I don’t know if I should be here."
But Rion only takes Aaron’s hand and leads him around again: "This is my company; even if anyone has a problem with this, they would never say anything against me."
Aaron can’t help but laugh at Rion’s confidence; it assures him and makes him more confident to talk to people; for instance, Mara, when they come up to him while a client is talking to Rion.
"Oh, Aaron! I can’t believe he brought you here. This kind of party must be boring for a young man like you, huh?" they say knowingly.
Shaking his head, Aaron smiles, "It’s my first time being invited to a place like this, so I’m grateful. I haven’t really had time to attend any parties since high school, so I don’t have a frame of reference. Being here with Rion, at such a high-class function means the world to me."
Mara pulls down their glasses, looking down at him.
"You missed out a lot on your youth, huh?
You must have shouldered a lot of responsibility at such a young age, huh?
" They ask. "You’re just like Rion, then.
No wonder he likes you. You know, he was very young too when he suddenly had to be a single father. "
This is the first time Aaron has heard someone close to Rion talking about his past. "You’ve known him for a long time, then?"
They nod. "Yeah, we met through Alvin. I was fresh out of medical school, and he was just an aspiring businessman. You know, in all the years I’ve known him, you’re only the second partner of his that I’ve ever met."
Is that so? That must mean something, right? Surely. But does that mean that the other partner that Mara has met is Alvin? For some reason, Aaron feels uneasy, but he is saved from the trouble of answering them when Rion returns to his side.
"I hope you haven’t been telling Aaron anything weird," he says with narrowed eyes.
"Weird? Me? I’m offended, Rion!" Mara laughs.
"Yeah, whatever, let’s go, Aaron. The person we’re celebrating isn’t even here yet, so I’m done. I’ve shown my face already… Let me take you somewhere nicer than this," Rion says, holding out his hand.
Is it really okay for him to leave the event like this? He is the CEO after all.
"Leaving already? You haven’t even heard my speech yet," a voice says from behind them, and Aaron turns around to see a familiar dark-haired man walking their way.
"Oh, Alvin. Is there a need for me to stay? We all know you’re excellent at speeches," Rion answers.
The pictures James showed Aaron didn't do Alvin Sinclair justice.
As he strides towards them, he attracts everyone's attention without trying.
His charcoal three-piece suit, tailored so perfectly he might as well have been born wearing it, is immaculate against his dark skin.
A nose ring catches the light as he moves, and Aaron swallows hard.
His own outfit, which he had been proud of earlier, suddenly feels basic.
"What? You helped him make this investment a success! You aren’t going to stay?" Alvin asks.
Rion snorts. "All I did was sign a few papers. Besides, I’m sure the man of the hour will not want me stealing any of his glory. He pulled this off himself."
"You two work so well together. Are you ever going to get along?" Alvin asks with a sigh, and then his eyes land on Aaron. The piercing manner with which he stares at him forces Aaron to step back a little. "Oh, I didn’t realise you had a guest."
Rion purses his lips. "Right, this is Aaron. Aaron, this is Alvin, my business partner."
"Oh, good evening," Aaron says, shaking his hand.