Chapter Seven
Raj
The dream I had last night was so real, so vivid.
Full of surf, sand, and a cool breeze passing through the open canopy I rested beneath.
A nap on a sunny beach with Genie beside me.
His face lit up when I called him Daddy.
I hated to wake from it. It was one of the most pleasant dreams I’d ever had.
After I wiped the sleep from my eyes I stole a quick glance at the table, and there again sat breakfast. “If he keeps this up, I’ll become spoiled. ”
“That’s the plan, dear boy.”
“Genie!” I shouted and jumped. “We should consider a bell for you.”
“I’m not a cat, Raj.”
“So that’s a no to the bell?” Cheeky, absolutely. But what’s he gonna…
Genie growled and pinned me against the bed. “No.” He ran his nose along my collarbone and nipped my ear. “Bell.” Then he turned and walked away. “Come and eat.”
How did that growly, commanding response get such a reaction from my cock? It stood erect and ready for action. With a shake of my head and a stern mental warning, it calmed down and I followed Genie's orders.
“Dear boy, what shall we do today? Visit the island or possibly someplace new?” Genie watched as I ate. It was a bit unnerving, but I did my best not to make a fool of myself.
“I need to wash clothes. I’m out of clean ones.”
Before I took the next bite, I was dressed in an outfit that I’d never seen before.
“Um, Genie, this isn’t mine.” I wasn’t sure I even liked it—some sort of cloth pants, though light and airy, and a matching shirt with a pair of leather sandals.
“It is, along with several more in your drawers. I’d meant to purchase you new clothes for some time now.”
No use in arguing with him, and no denying the threadbare clothing I’d worn was due for replacement. Plus, Genie did what Genie wanted and having an issue with that would be a waste.
“Daddies spoil their boys, get used to it.”
Yes, a waste to argue indeed.
“When you’re done, freshen up and we’ll leave.”
Genie set to work clearing up the table.
He enjoyed being in charge, whereas I had no desire to be.
I’d scrounged and made the best decisions I could when left on my own, and I was done with it.
I’d prefer to be taken care of at this point, no more making myself sick over what I could and couldn’t afford.
That thought settled in and scrambled my brain.
According to how Genie explained the type of relationship he desired to have with me, I needed a Daddy and there was only one Daddy for me.
Genie.
“Raj, your face screams epiphany. Care to share what’s going on in the handsome head of yours?” Genie’s knuckles tapped the tabletop. “Or do I even want to know given the state of your previous arousal?”
My face heated and I glanced everywhere but at him. “Just, um, just reality hitting me. Hard.”
He watched as I washed my face and didn’t say a word. When I came out of the bathroom he stood nearby and held his hand out to me.
“Let’s go.”
After the first time we teleported, and I nearly threw up, I vowed to keep my eyes shut until my stomach caught up with my body.
This time when I opened them, I gazed upon a beautiful sight.
Genie and I stood in a clearing atop a hill.
Lush fields of green behind us, and endless rows of well-manicured vines were to the front.
“Where are we?”
“Italy. I want to show you the world, my love, one country at a time. There isn’t a single one I haven’t visited and for the most part, I’ve enjoyed them all.
One of my favorite things to do is try the local cuisines when I'm there. In Italy, I’ve not had a dish I didn’t love.
Though I don’t require food to sustain me, I do enjoy eating.
See those rows of vines in front of us?”
When I nodded, he continued. “Those are grapes. This region produces some of the best wine I’ve had. Some of these vines have been around for centuries, cultivated by the very family living on this land which has been handed down from generation to generation.”
“Wow. I’ve only ever tasted the wine we had with dinner. Can’t say I’m a fan, yet.”
Genie smiled. “It’s an acquired taste, my love. If you wish for something different, all you need to do is ask. Come, let’s wander through.”
“Can they see us?” I asked as we walked past a family who paid us no mind.
“No, we’re under a cloaking spell. In some cultures, two men holding hands isn’t acceptable and I prefer it be just us. No interruptions or unsavory individuals to contend with. Me and my love strolling through the Italian countryside on a beautiful day.”
Genie swung our entwined hands up and pressed his lips to my knuckles. Everything he did for, and to me, was done with love and kindness. The kind that sent butterflies scurrying through my insides.
We walked along the stone pathway, past the farms. The birds chirped in the trees, singing merry melodies.
Sheep grazed in the pastures. What a calm and serene village life this was, nothing like the manic one I lived in.
Rows of houses came into view as we neared town, and excitement built at what lay around the corner ahead of us.
“This is Val d’Orcia,” Genie said in perfect Italian. Not that I knew any myself, but the words easily rolled off his tongue. “A favorite restaurant of mine is up ahead that I wish to take you to. I’m going to release the cloaking spell so we may sit and dine.”
The silence of our bubble came to a halt as the spell lifted. Children played soccer as the shops bustled around us, busily waiting on their patrons. The town was full of life and laughter.
“They look so happy here.” As opposed to the usual disapprovals and fear where I lived.
“This is a wonderful community and one not under the iron thumb of an unworthy ruler. In the larger Italian cities, things can be a bit hectic, but for the most part they’re still happy and welcoming of visitors.
” Genie paused. “Ah, here we are.” He spoke to the waitress in Italian, and she immediately sat us at a table on the outside patio. “Perfect day for dining cenare fuori.”
“Seenare feurdy?” I absolutely butchered the words, and my face reddened with embarrassment.
Genie smiled. “Good try. Cenare fuori means dining outside. Today is a perfect day for that, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes.”
The historic cobblestone streets and structures around us had been well maintained.
The town inhabitants’ pride was shown not only in how they cared for their village, but for those within its walls.
What a foreign concept, I thought as I watched a young man help an older woman pick up the contents from a bag that had torn.
The shopkeeper came out and not only provided her with a sturdier sack, but re-bagged the contents for her.
She thanked them both and went on her way just as they returned to theirs.
“So different than what you’re used to.” Genie’s words were heavy in understanding, having watched over me all these years.
“I should’ve done more than I did, but I thought staying back and letting you live your life was the best decision when in fact, it wasn’t.
Will you ever be able to forgive me, sweet boy? ”
“Forgive you? There’s nothing to forgive.
It wasn’t your job to take care of me, yet you still did.
You can’t change everyone’s opinion of my family, nor can I.
I never stole, never begged, never borrowed, yet all they saw was a waif.
The son of thieves, and their minds will not be changed.
I’m thankful for all you provided me. You kept me from having to break the law and that alone is worth more than you know.
In case I haven’t said it enough, thank you, Genie, for everything you’ve done for me. ”
“No need to ever thank me, my love. Now, shall I order for us both?”
“Yes, please. I trust you. Plus, I don’t read Italian.”
Genie laughed. “Point taken.”
I have no idea what he ordered but it smelled wonderful and that first bite was so good, I shoveled in the next, and the next.
“Slow down, Raj, you’re gonna make yourself sick.”
I took my time finishing as Genie regaled me with stories of times from his past and friends he’d met across the globe. I could listen to him talk for hours and never be bored, but I ate so much my stomach hurt. The sauce was rich, and the flavors were like nothing I’d ever tasted before.
“I think I need to walk this off. I’m so full it hurts.”
“My sweet boy, I warned you. Your palate is used to different flavors and spices, you must take it slower next time. Savor the food the way it’s meant to be, and it’ll hurt less in the end. But come, let’s walk.”
We toured the rest of the piazza and had gelato. It was so good, I nearly asked for seconds until I remembered what happened after lunch. We watched another glorious sunset and then sadly, it was time to go home.
Every day forward was a trip to a new land.
Fish and chips in London, escargot in Paris—though one was more than enough for me with that delicacy—and momos in Tibet.
Genie had me make a ‘travel bucket list’ as he called it, and one by one, we checked each adventure off.
We’d eaten amazing food I’d never known existed.
Each time we stayed for the sunset, then transported back to my tiny place for the night.
Coming back to this depressing shack had taken its toll on me after visiting such wonderfully welcoming places.
Genie tried his best to make my home happier.
He’d brought over new sheets and pillows and filled the cupboards.
But everything of value I told him to leave in the lamp.
It was likely to get stolen here or stir up many questions as to how I got it when I barely made enough working for Amir to feed myself.
Spoiled wasn’t a good color on me.
“Good morning, sweet boy.”
Today I woke to Genie beside me rather than with the Maharajah.
“Good morning, Genie.”