The next morning when I went into work, I needed to pick up a few of my things from the workshop. Tang Cai was standing by my workstation waiting and holding a small package tied up with a bow. He handed it to me and with raised eyebrows I looked at him. He smirked and nodded down at the box, so I cautiously started to open it. The red bow came off fairly quickly as did the lid. My eyes went wide and I gasped when I saw what was inside. A brand new set of top of the range artist pencils. It was the set I had my eye on and I knew it wasn't cheap. I have always dreamt of owning my very own set. I could have asked my Dad and Pa but I couldn't do it as they have given me so much already. I would feel guilty asking for something that costs so much.
"What?" I asked in amazement.
"We noticed the pencils you were using were running down, that's when we realised we hadn't given you a welcome gift yet. So, we got you these!" Suki was so excited she was jumping joyously.
I stared down at them in awe, a tear started to form in my eye but I blinked it away. No one had ever gotten me a gift before. The nuns could only manage a birthday or christmas card for the kids, food and the bills were more important. At least that was their excuse. In school and college I only had one friend, and he wasn't big on gifts or celebrating, we parted ways as soon as we graduated, I never heard from him again. So, this really was my first ever present from my friends.
"Thank you," I said quietly, feeling shy.
Everyone suddenly became quiet. I could sense that they were worried about me. Maybe they thought they had insulted me or something.
"Is everything alright?" Tang Cai asked with concern. "Is the gift not right? We can exchange it for something else."
Quickly, I shook my head and they laughed as I clutched the present to my chest. No way would I be giving this back.
"No! It's not that! I really like it, I just…" I wasn't sure how best to say it without looking like a loser. "I grew up in an orphanage raised by nuns. They never had any money for gifts and I wasn't good at making friends. So, it wasn't until I got adopted. My dads likes to go overboard but it still feels strange. This is my first present from friends."
All three gave me a sad look and I could feel their pity but it wasn't the type that I was used to. The type that most people have when they hear you are an orphan. Theirs was more just feeling sad for me. Suki and Elle both came to hug me, before stopping themselves. Tang Cai had told them about my aversion to being touched and I smiled at their consideration. They didn't think I was weird for it like other people.
"It's ok, let's have a group hug. You too Nick," I suggested kindly.
As we hugged I felt a great rush of feelings flowing within myself. I hadn't felt so much energy and power. Even when we parted after Tang Cai cleared his throat.
"Mr Astello, will be waiting. You best get going."
o0o
A few hours later as I worked on my designs, I suddenly thought of my silly reaction yesterday.
After Mr Astello's intense reaction I had instantly fled to the nearest bathroom. Those eyes! His eyes glowed red and looked like he was ready to fight, as if he expected me to attack or something. As I splashed cold water on my face to stop my tears from falling, fear and self loathing started flooding through me.
'I knew it was too good to be true, I knew I wasn't right for this job. Maybe, I should quit and look for something simpler and suited to someone inexperienced,' I thought solemnly.
I just stared at my reflection in the mirror as fresh tears mixed with the water on my face. However, I wasn't given much time to wallow in my self-pity as the door opened and the guy that told me to go into Mr Astello's office walked in.
"Ah there you are, I've found you," he said with a smile and handed me a paper towel. "Are you ok?" he asked and I nodded. "Come on, come back with me. Mica wants to explain what happened."
I thanked him for the towel but then baulked at him. How could he think that I would go back there? Mr Astello hated me, I mean really hated me. I could feel it coming off of him in waves. He smiled at my expression and I blushed.
"He really isn't a bad guy. He is actually quite boring," He chuckled, "My name is Luca, I'm Mica's assistant slash best friend," he said.
'Mica? Oh right, in my interview that's how he introduced himself. That's a nice name, it suits him,' I thought to myself as I remembered the strikingly handsome man.
By the time I hit puberty I knew I was gay, the other boys at the orphanage would often talk about girls' tits and pussy and I would feel grossed out. Although at that time I tried to tell myself it was only a phase that I would grow out of. I guess not! I have made peace with that and intend on living my life. After all, at that age I should have been obsessed with sex. It wasn't until I saw an advert for Calvin Klein underwear or something like that, with lots of gorgeous and fit men wearing nothing but boxers and briefs, that I realised I had been thinking about the wrong gender. When I imagined their thick, long cocks pulsing in my hands or strong hands wrapped around mine, my cock instantly hardened. Instantly, I started to fantasize about men when I masturbated and fuck was it hot! Obviously, I kept it to myself growing up. During college, I tried dating a guy on my course but it didn't last long, apparently I wasn't adventurous enough for him. I went clubbing a few times and even that was a bit awkward for me. So instead I would stay home and concentrate on my studies, graduate whilst dreaming of the right guy walking into my life and fucking me senseless.
"He's not that scary," Luca repeated, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah right!" scoffed inwardly.
"I'm serious. You just caught him at a bad time. Usually he is a great guy. To be honest, you really did catch him at a bad time. He's very busy and with a lot going on there is bound to be some pressure. He's been stressed and he tends to put a distance between himself and others. I don't think he expected to react to you. He's put a lot on himself, he needs this next product to be next level,," he urged, ushering me out of the bathroom and back to his office.
Luca opened the door and I walked slowly behind him. I wanted Luca to stay in front of me almost like a bodyguard. However, I've never gotten what I wanted. He pointed at a sofa and told me to sit down before leaving. When Mica, I mean Mr Astello, came up I couldn't help but flinch. It really had felt like he wanted to hit me earlier.
"FuXi? I'm sorry, I hadn't meant to scare you," he said and I tried to force myself to relax.
"No… no.. you didn't… I mean.." I stammered hating how scared I sounded.
"Yes I did," he interrupted with a small smile that made his face look softer. "It's not because I can't explain my actions, it's hard to explain but I promise you this, that it won't happen again."
'What the fuck? He won't explain why it looked like he wanted to kill me' I thought momentarily, getting angry. Then I thought about why he would have been angry and that self-doubting monster reared its ugly head.
"Did you change your mind? Would you like me to go back down and send one of the others up Elle, Suki, maybe even Nick," I asked in a quiet voice.
"No! I need you on this project specifically. This project requires a special touch, one that only you can handle," I tried to explain. "I hope you don't hold this against me and accept my sincere apologies." His voice almost sounded desperate.
"But why me? I'm the new guy," I demanded.
"I will tell you this in confidentiality. You see, lately my business hasn't been inspiring enough. Don't get me wrong we still do well enough but seeing as it has dipped a little I felt we needed a new designer's eye to revamp our style," He told me, my eyes wide.
"What do you mean, Mr Astello? I don't understand," I asked after trying to work out his words and getting a headache.
Mr Astello stood up slowly and as he sat down next to me I caught his masculine scent, it went straight up my nostrils and my heart skipped a beat. He smelt of some exotic cologne and something else, something that was all man. It was making me dizzy and I could feel my cock straining against my pants. I tried to adjust myself trying not to make it so obvious, I had to control my thoughts. Getting an erection in front of my hot boss was the last thing I needed.
"Please call me Mica, you don't need to be so formal," he said with a smile as he placed a hand on my leg. "After all, we will be spending a lot of time together."
I flinched at the coldness of his touch, but it was also soothing, I had forgotten what I had asked him, but … wait … there was something else, something I couldn't place. I didn't have time to analyse the thought as he took his hand away.
"What I meant before is that I have been following your work for quite some time after I judged a competition that you won a few years ago. After the interview, I knew you would be perfect for my next project. You are a very talented designer with a lot of potential and I wouldn't want anyone else on this."
I blushed at his compliment. It was hard to believe that this sex god thought I was talented let alone that he was a fan of my work.
"Before seeing your work in that competition," he continued. "I was on the verge of losing my passion for jewellery design, but seeing your designs, inspiration flooded my mind and thanks to you my business grew exponentially. After that, I had made a point to see everything you put out. Although I couldn't attend your graduation, I had sent someone on my behalf to purchase one of your pieces."
He pointed to a display case on the wall behind where he had been sitting a moment ago. I had been so focused on him, I hadn't even noticed it. It was my favourite design, it was a silver pendant with a blood red stone I had designed. I'd hoped I would have been able to keep it, but I was told someone had bought it. The stone was in the shape of a crescent moon with intricate silver vines wrapped around it. Never did I imagine that a man like Mica Astello had been the one to buy it and let alone put it in a display case.
I blushed as I looked back at him. This all felt unreal. I found myself lost in his dazzling smile. Before I could realise what I was doing I was slowly leaning forward. Inch by inch my face moved closer to his, he didn't even move. The only indication he was aware of what I was doing was the slight widening of his eyes. Thankfully, I was saved by the ringing of Mica's phone, breaking the trance between us. This prevented me from making more of a fool of myself than I already had.
He answered the call and stood, when he had his back to me I physically slapped myself. I kept reminding myself he was my boss and that would be a huge mistake. When Mica finished the call he returned to his earlier seat in front of me and I felt both disappointed and relieved. Clearing my throat, I decided to break the silence enveloping us.
"So Mr Astel…. I mean Mica, why did you ask to see me?"
Mica smiled, seemingly unaffected by the almost kiss, and then handed me a folder that had been on the table between us. I hadn't even noticed it. I curiously opened the file and smiled.
"As you can see, it's the design brief for our next project. The theme is 'eternal night' and I want it to be something unique and stunning. We will be working closely together on this as the project is to be kept secret until its launch. The PR department only knows about the theme but that's it."
I was floored by the basic outline.
'Eternal night captures the moon and its pale soft glow envelopes lovers in its embrace. Old lovers, new lovers, long lost lovers all feel its pull and call. The eternal night will go on to spread its love to all that feel its warmth.'
I absolutely loved this theme. The idea that the moon could give love to those in its glow was beyond brilliant. Usually when thinking about love it's the typical hearts and cupid and such. This was a completely new concept that I was sure hadn't been done on such a grand scale before. Mica wanted a design for a necklace, ring, earrings and a bracelet. He wanted them all to match. I knew each one would have its own challenges but I was beyond excited. I was eager to get started. I looked up from the folder to see him studying me.
"When can we start?" I asked excitedly.
Mica chuckled at me. He pointed to the table between us and I got the message. So, I pulled out my sketchbook and the new gift I had gotten. Mica moved to sit beside me again as I moved to sit on the floor. This table was a better coffee table than a drawing table but I didn't mind. My mind was racing with ideas and designs. I was so lost in it that I didn't notice Mica reaching to touch one of the drawings I had just done, until our hands touched as I moved to collect another colour.
That feeling came back to me when he had touched me before. Our hands touched and an icey shockwave ran through me. It was then I instantly knew why I was a bit cautious towards him.
Mica was a vampire!
o0o
Having realised what he was didn't make me feel any better, but I had a project to deliver, which was going to be the next trend collection that would boost sales. I made an excuse to him so I could work alone and that he could watch from a distance.
"Mr As… I mean Mica, could I use your conference table to design as the coffee table is a bit low and it's aching my neck," I lied.
"Erm.. yeah sure that's not a problem," He followed me in and sat opposite me as I spread my papers out.
There were times I didn't need to be in his office so I worked in the workshop, as it was better because I could experiment with the gem sizes to fit proportionately to necklaces, earrings and rings.
The necklaces and earrings were the easiest, but it took me a little longer to figure out the right details for the ring. As I needed to make sure it looked perfect on any sized fingers.
Just as I was packing up to go home, Mr Astello walked-in and came straight to me. I flinched a little, but he did nothing.