Chương 4: Unholy Noises
Yves had never wanted for the ground to open up and eat him alive until tonight. All eyes were on him. Or rather, on the wood-carved phallus in the congressman's hand. His fight or flight kicked in, but a voice he didn't expect would save him from too much embarrassment reached his ears.
"Beb!" Alexandra waddled through the whispering crowds and stopped in front of him. She winked at him, snatching the wooden sculpture from Congressman Alonzo. "Thank you for holding onto this, Mr. Congressman. It is such an honor to receive... this precious trophy from you."
Laughter replaced the audience's degrading whispers when she waved one hand in the air as if she just won the best actress award. Her unexpected action stunned Yves, because he didn't expect her to swoop in like that to save what remained of his dignity.
"As you may not know, this precious thing is made by one of the skillful wood sculptors in the city! Just look at its shape. It's truly magnificent!" She walked closer to their newlywed friends, who looked as dumbfounded as he was. But given her personality, Patrick and Nico must have anticipated it already as she continued: "I've held onto this like a lucky charm. And in celebration of my friends' undying love for each other, I hereby transfer the ownership to you guys for your long~ lasting relationship!"
The crowd erupted in fits of laughter when Alexandra drawled out the word 'long,' waving the 'precious trophy' like a magic wand before handing it over to the two flustered males. Nico slapped her arm playfully while Patrick rode in her gimmick and raised it to the air, eliciting cheers from their guests.
In that one instant, Alexandra stole the spotlight gracefully and turned the course on what could have been a disastrous night for him. Even Yves found himself chuckling at her idiosyncrasies.
"Let's get you out of here while the people's focus is on your friend," Congressman Alonzo said, draping his expensive coat to his shoulder. He guided him to the side, but Yves resisted.
"W-Wait, where are we going?"
"Don't you want to change clothes? I'm sure it would be uncomfortable to wear a suit soaked in wine."
"But I didn't bring any change of clothes."
Congressman Alonzo's eyes scanned him briefly that made Yves feel like he's checking him out, but it must have been his imagination as the older man flashed a mysterious smile after meeting his eyes again. "You have the same build as my son. I'm sure we can find something that would fit you." He turned to his side. "Angela?"
A woman in a simple black and purple dress stepped closer.
"Have Eadric assist this young man in my cabin. I'll just wrap up my conversation with the newlywed."
Yves opened his mouth to protest that it wasn't necessary for them to go through the trouble, because really, it's not that big of a deal. But the congressman already walked away after one last pat to the small of his back—a touch that lingered like a ghost even if the hand was no longer in contact with his body.
"Sir, this way," said a young man with spiky hair, holding out a hand to the exit.
As much as he wanted to decline, he's also been dying to get out of the Banquet Hall as soon as possible. He couldn't let Alexandra's sacrifice go to waste. With a sigh, Yves followed Eadric, who he assumed was a bodyguard based on the wired earpiece worn around his ear.
Eadric led him to a cabin made of round timber woods. The living room was lit with candle-like chandelier, casting a soft incandescent light to the beige sofa and carpeted floor. He gestured for him to sit down like a VIP guest. "Do you want some refreshments?"
Yves politely declined with a raised of his hand and took a seat.
Eadric didn't insist and stood beside the locked glass door to give him space. Tall and well-built, the man looked close to his age, which wasn't odd, but he seemed rather young to be a politician's bodyguard. It could only mean he was skilled enough to get assigned this early in his career.
As silence settled in the cabin's living room, Yves became hyperconscious of the sound coming from one of the bedrooms. He could not mistake it as some form of auditory trick his brain was playing because that pleasured moan surely came from someone inside the cabin, so he turned to Eadric with an embarrassed blush.
"Please, tell me you heard that too," Yves said.
Eadric's face remained stoic, but the momentary flick of his gaze towards him was enough of an answer. He was aware of it, but he chose to ignore the sultry sound as a part of his job's non-disclosure agreement. Interesting enough, he had his both hands linked in front of his crotch, which was the usual stance of a bodyguard, but it looked more as if he's trying to hide a reaction while still maintaining to look professional.
Yves didn't probe any further. Maybe it's best to just go home? Before he could even come up with a way to exit the congressman's cabin without sounding rude, a knock on the glass door pulled his attention away from whatever was transpiring in the background.
Congressman Alonzo stepped inside after Eadric slid the glass door open. He smiled at him, but froze upon hearing the same noise that had been plaguing Yves' mind with unnecessary images.
"One moment." Congressman Alonzo marched across the living room and towards the source, banging his fist against the door. "Glenn! For fuck's sake, tone it down! It's too early in the evening and I have a guest here in the living room!"
It was the first time Yves heard the congressman cursed. He'd heard him curse on television, but it hit differently in person. It stopped the unholy noises, though, so he won't complain.
"Apologies," Congressman Alonzo sighed. "That must have been uncomfortable—ah, but you and my son are almost of the same age, assuming you're also in your early twenties, so I guess that isn't something shocking, or is it?"
Yves shook his head and smiled politely just as the door opened, and emerged a young man in a white robe, who looked displeased at the sudden interruption of whatever he was doing inside the bedroom.
"Glenn. I know you've packed enough clothes for this trip. Can you lend this young man one of your suits? As you can see, there was an accident at the Banquet Hall earlier that ruined his clothes."
The icy stare he received told Yves he's not getting a change of clothes from the young Alonzo, so he prepared himself for the most polite way to get out of the room as soon as he can. To his surprise, however, Glenn threw a question at him, albeit in a dismissive tone.
"I'm not sure which one would fit you, so you better choose one for yourself. Do you have a preferred brand?" Glenn asked.
Yves blinked. "Um... no?"
"Okay. I didn't bring plenty but I have here a Ralph Lauren, Valentino, and uhh... Ermenegildo Zegna. Which one would you like?"
He didn't even know what those were, but they sounded something out of a luxury shop, so Yves stood from the couch with a shake of his head. He turned to the older man. "I think I'm good. Thank you for trying to help, but I don't think I'll be comfortable wearing your son's good clothes, Congressman."
It must have dawned on the handsome politician that his offer sounded abstruse-and so was his intention. Congressman Alonzo cleared his throat and smiled. "I see. Then how about we just get your suit dry-cleaned and you can wait here until it's done?"
Yves gave it a thought and nodded. "That would work, I guess."
"Okay. Remove your clothes."
"I'm sorry?"
Congressman Alonzo laughed. "So we can hand it to my secretary. I'll get a robe for you. Or would you prefer to stay naked while you wait?"
"I-I'll take the robe. Thanks." Yves flushed at the mysterious smile on the older man's lips.
While Congressman Alonzo went inside his own bedroom to grab a robe, Yves removed the coat draped on his shoulder. Then he slid off his damp blazer to unbutton the pale blue long-sleeved shirt underneath. Upon realizing the dress pants were also damp, Yves cursed.
Leaned against the doorframe, Glenn's watchful eyes prevented Yves from unbuckling his belt. "Sorry. Should I cover my eyes?" he asked with a hint of a sneer. "Don't worry. I'm not interested in—"
Yves ignored the derisive tone and slid the long-sleeved shirt off of his body. He shivered as cold air skittered on his skin, aware that he was undressing in the presence of the bodyguard and the congressman's son. Not that he was shy of his physique. As far as he was concerned, they were all males here.
"—men. I'm not interested in men." Glenn turned around. "I'll check if there's a suit that will fit you."
The slam of the door signified the younger Alonzo's exit. Shortly after, another door swung open and the older Alonzo emerged with a white robe hooked around his arm. The father and son looked as though they were travelling in time using the doors.
Yves held back a laugh at the bizarre thought.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
K_Contiello
K_Contiello [REVISED CHAPTER 4]
Changes Below:
*Glenn is supposed to be introduced a little later into the story, but I changed my mind.
*Richard's personality will have a 360 degree change. Why? Because I realized a little too late that his character's existence is NOT for Yves to hate, but for him to look up to. Otherwise, he shouldn't exist in the story at all.
*Eadric will have changes as well, but his vital role stays the same (can't disclose)
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