"Some people will only love you as much as they can use you. Their loyalty ends where the benefit stops." Unknown
—
Henry stopped in front of the nightclub and got out to open the door for the Young Master. Eden stood next to him and looked around. For a weekday, the club was pretty busy. There was a long line, and Eden wondered if they would have to wait for hours to get in. His question was soon answered when the doorman bowed to Harvey and welcomed him inside without hesitation.
Harvey turned around and smirked when he saw the confusion on Eden's face. "Let's go," he tilted his head and walked inside.
Eden silently followed until he could feel the vibrations haunting the dark place. The music got louder little by little, and they arrived at the main lounge. One of the hosts greeted Harvey with a hug. Eden was surprised by his appearance; he was half-naked and only wearing a black boxer with a bunny tail behind and a bowtie around his neck. He had black eyeliner on and silver glitter on his eyelids, without forgetting pink blush and gloss on his lips.
"Your table is ready," he told Harvey, "The same bottle?"
Harvey nodded and took the stairs that took him to the VIP section, overlooking the lounge and the dancefloor.
"Look who's here!" a guy, wearing a white shirt and an expensive watch around his wrist, put his arm around Harvey's shoulders and joined him at the table. "I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight,"
"I don't go around announcing my arrival, Jacob," Harvey rolled his eyes and took a sip of champagne.
"Daddy," Jacob corrected, pulling Harvey closer, "Why don't you call me daddy? I'm older than you,"
Harvey shrugged and whispered something that made Jacob smirk.
Eden had no idea what he was witnessing. When he looked away to avoid the so-affectionate relationship between Harvey and Jacob, he saw even worse sceneries on the dancefloor. Men around their twenties were dancing together, some rubbing the others' ass while the rest were kissing. Eden gulped and looked down.
"First time in a gay club?" Harvey asked, smirking.
"First time in a club," Eden replied as he looked around, impressed by all the colours and the loud music.
"I heard Harvey is here," another guy joined, holding two boys — probably eighteen or nineteen — on each side. "Oh, you got the bottle, huh?" he laughed, "It's always good to have you here," he took a seat, and the boys sat on his lap. "Pour me some," he tells them, and they do as told.
"Get you some champagne too," he whispered and kissed the back of their necks.
Eden frowned as he thought the boys looked still young, even if they were at a legal age to go to a club. Harvey's friend must be older than him.
"Who's this?" the newcomer asked, pointing at Eden, "Your new boyfriend?"
"My bodyguard. He's new,"
"Don't your bodyguards usually wear suits? And look old?"
"His suit isn't ready yet," Harvey sighed, "Since when are you interested in my bodyguards, Sam?"
"I'm usually not," Sam mumbled and looked at Eden, eyeing him from head to toe. "But this one looks different,"
"Sure he is," Eden jumped when someone suddenly blew on his neck. He turned around and found a guy, surely another of Harvey's friends. "Damn, Harvey. Where did you get this one?" he caressed Eden's arm.
"What are you doing?" Eden grabbed his wrist and glared at him.
"Oh, sexy," the guy bit his lower lip. Eden frowned and looked at Harvey, who was only smirking at him. "Hey man, there's nothing left for me," he pouted as he held the empty champagne bottle.
"Let's order another one," Sam lifted his hand, and the waiter knew what he was asking.
Eden looked at the champagne bottle. Even though he's not much of a drinker, he knew it must be expensive, but Harvey looked unbothered as his friends kept ordering more every time.
Harvey started getting drunk, and Jacob enjoyed it as he kept licking his neck and kissing it.
Eden didn't know where to look at. Men were making out everywhere around the club. He couldn't even go to the bathroom as he had to keep an eye on Harvey if something happened to him.
"Let's go dance," Harvey told Jacob, who didn't hesitate to help him stand up and lead him downstairs. Eden sighed and followed them. Soon, shirtless men crowded him, and he made a disgusted face when their sweaty chests collided with his shirt — Harvey's shirt.
Jacob held Harvey from behind and moved their bodies to the rhythm as he resumed the neck kisses. Harvey closed his eyes and danced as he enjoyed the warmth of his friend's lips on his skin.
Eden struggled in the crowd as drunk men kept trying to dance with him, but he ignored him all as he only focused on Harvey. He couldn't risk losing his job on the first day.
The DJ played a trendy song, and everyone shouted. Even though he was uncomfortable, Eden found himself joining the singing. Harvey also loved the music and mouthed the lyrics while Jacob had his hands all over his body.
Eden held his breath as he knew the beat was about to drop, and he expected the worst. He got close to Harvey, and soon, everyone started jumping. An icy smoke enveloped the area, and it became foggy all around, and Eden couldn't see anything. There were so many people that he didn't know where Harvey was. He could only see silhouettes but no faces.
Men bumped him as he looked around. He wished he could push them all as he didn't tolerate the sweat and alcohol smell. Then, someone stood in front of him, and he recognised Harvey's striped shirt. He grinned and leaned closer to Eden, who held his breath as he looked at him with surprise. Harvey was still dancing and drunk. He must have mistaken him for his friend as he kept approaching until he was only a few centimetres apart from him.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Eden pushed him, and Jacob pulled Harvey to his chest as he glared at him. They walked back to their table and found Sam kissing his boys. One of them was nearly lying on the couch. Eden clenched his fists as he hated seeing Sam taking advantage of their innocence. It may be consensual, but he knew how easy it was to manipulate teenagers.
Harvey and his friends kept drinking for more hours, and Eden was growing impatient as it was too late and he needed to be home. His phone vibrated several times in his pocket. He knew it must be Olivia asking where he was, but he couldn't answer as it would be unprofessional of him.
At around three, Harvey finally decided to leave. To Eden's surprise, his friends didn't follow him to the cashier. He took the black card from his pocket and paid for all the champagne bottles. Eden saw the price on the screen and widened his eyes as it was too much money.
Jacob, Sam and Dave looked unbothered as if they were used to having him pay for them.
Once outside, his friends only waved their hands and left. Sam, of course, left with the two boys, and Eden didn't even want to know what was going to happen next.
Henry left the car and opened the door for Harvey. Eden helped get him inside and put on his seat belt as he was too drunk to do anything, then he closed the door.
"Have you been waiting all this time?" he asked Henry, who nodded.
"That's a lot,"
"It is," Henry smiled, "But as long as it pays well, I'm not going to complain,"
"Right," Eden chuckled.
"You look unbothered, compared to his previous bodyguards," Henry rubbed his chin.
"What do you mean?"
"They all disliked the fact that Harvey went to this sort of places," Henry said, pointing at the rainbow flag at the entrance of the club. Eden wondered how he didn't see it before.
"I don't dislike it," Eden shrugged, "As long as it doesn't get out of hand. He just danced and got drunk with his friends. Does he often come here?"
Henry nodded, "You're going to have to get used to his friends, though. I know they're not the best,"
Eden hummed, "It's my first time seeing them, but I can tell what kind of people they are," he sighed and looked at the sleeping Harvey through the window, "They're friends with his credit card,"
"Sure they are," Henry let out a sad sigh, "But don't tell the Young Master. He won't like to hear it,"
Henry dropped Eden at home before going back to the mansion. Eden took a deep breath before opening the door. He quietly took off his shoes and his jacket and headed to the bathroom to take a shower to take off the odours of smoke and sweat.
When he finished, he gasped when he found Olivia in front of the door. Her hair was messy, and she had a blanket over her shoulders.
"Where the hell were you?!" she whispered-shouted.
"Working," Eden mumbled and wait to hand the towel in the laundry room.
Olivia looked at him in confusion as he wasn't used to working this late before.
"I got a new job," Eden said.
"What job?"
"Some Chairman contracted me to be his son's bodyguard,"
Olivia scoffed, "Are you serious now? So, are you going to go back this late every night? Don't you have a son and a wife?!"
Eden took a deep breath and pulled her to the kitchen, "Yes, it's because I have a son and a wife that I'm doing this crazy job. I'm sorry, Olivia, but I can't keep working three different jobs that pay like shit. At least this new one pays quite well. In no time, I'll be able to pay our debts,"
Olivia shook her head, "You shouldn't have borrowed that money in the first place,"
Eden looked at her in disbelief and scoffed. Then, he sighed and left the kitchen, "It's no time for this conversation. Let's go to sleep,"
The next morning, Henry texted him that he'd drop by to pick him up and drive him to university as Harvey was heading there anyway.
Eden woke Leo up and helped him wash his face, brush his teeth and get dressed. He didn't speak to Olivia, who was making breakfast while holding papers on the other hand. She had exams lately and took every opportunity to review her lessons.
"Come on, big boy. Let's have breakfast," Eden prepared his backpack, and Olivia put a bowl of cereal in front of Leo.
Eden's phone vibrated, and he hurried to put on his jacket and grab his keys. He kissed Leo's cheek, "I'll see you tonight, big boy,"
"See you tonight, papa," Leo didn't look at him as he was busy watching cartoons.
Eden looked at Olivia and gave her a small smile before heading outside. Henry's car was outside, and he got in the passenger seat. "Good morning,"
"Good morning," Henry smiled and started the car. "Did you sleep well?"
"Kind of," Eden mumbled and looked through the mirror to see Harvey, who rested his head on the window. "I thought you didn't go to class," he told him.
Harvey shrugged, "I felt like it today,"
Eden hummed, and his phone vibrated. Olivia was calling, and he hesitated before answering. He feared it would be urgent.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, and Olivia asked if he could pick Leo from school later as she was planning to study at the library later.
"Yeah, sure," he pressed his lips, "I'll see you tonight,"
After he hung up, Harvey strengthened his back on the seat and took a sip of water as he looked at him through the side mirror, "Your girlfriend?" he smirked.
Eden stayed silent for a moment before he mumbled, "My wife,"
Harvey nearly choked on his water, and Henry widened his eyes.
"Your what?!" Harvey exclaimed.
"My wife," Eden calmly repeated.
"You're married!" Henry looked at him with surprise, "How unexpected!"
"Unexpected indeed," Harvey lifted a brow and frowned as he looked through the window.
"Why?" Eden looked at him with confusion, "Should I have said it earlier? Do you not hire married men?"
"That's the least of my worries," Harvey rolled his eyes, "But aren't you too young to get married? I mean, you're still a university student,"
Eden chose not to answer and only shrugged.
"Seriously," Harvey shook his head, "Married he said. You might as well have kids,"
Eden pressed his lips, hiding his smile. Henry looked at him from the side, then he shared a look with Harvey, who soon widened his eyes and put his hand on Eden's shoulder to get his attention, "You... You have a kid?"
Eden nodded, and Harvey gasped, "Dude!" he yelled and rested his back against his seat. "Shit!"
👔
Hope you liked this chapter! 💜
👔 What do you think of Harvey's friends?
👔 Do you think Olivia has the right to get mad at him?
👔 How would Harvey act now that he knows Eden is married and has a kid?
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"Never take the blame for how someone mistreated you."Khalilah Velez — "You look exhausted," Kian looked at his friend, worried. Their class just ended, and Eden was lazily putting his things in his bag. "Did you work late?" Eden hummed, "That brat wanted to go clubbing," "Seriously?" Kian gasped, "I always begged you to go clubbing with me, and you always said no. Now when Mister says it, you don't hesitate," he crossed his arms and looked away. "Well, Mister Kian doesn't pay me to go to the club," Eden imitated his friend's voice, earning a nudge on the arm. "How is he, by the way?" Kian asked, "Is he like those bratty, spoiled rich guy
"If we all could see the world through the eyes of a child, we could see the magic in everything."Unknown—Eden nervously tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he checked his watch multiple times. Harvey watched him from behind, and he looked around to see the traffic that was stressing him out. They got out at peak hour, and all the cars were advancing at low speed.Harvey guessed his kid finished school at five, and there were only ten minutes before he got out. He didn't know where his school was, but it must be a little far, judging from Eden's expression.Harvey didn't say a word and kept watching him. He tried to picture the kid; a little boy with the same eyes as his dad and probably his mother's nose — though he never met Eden's wife bef
"Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice."Nelson Mandela—Eden woke up at five in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep. Olivia was next to him on the bed, with her book open on her thighs. She spent the night reviewing her lessons. Hecarefully left the bed and put on his slippers before walking to the bathroom. He washed his face and brushed his teeth, and then he headed back to the bedroom to get his workout clothes. There was nothing to do at home, so early in the morning, so he decided to go for a jog.After he got dressed, he entered Leo's room and grinned when he saw his little arms and legs spread on the mattress. No matter how cold it was, Leo would always throw the cover on the floor, and Eden had to pick it up every time. He kissed Leo's forehead, took his key
"Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it."Unknown—Eden entered the mansion and met Grayson in the main hall. "Good morning," he greeted him with a tired smile."Your suit is ready," Grayson told him, "You should start wearing it from now on,""Alright," Eden nodded and headed to the bodyguards' dressing room to change. There were about ten lockers with name tags. He smiled when he read his name and opened it to find his suit and shoes ready. He took off his uniform and put on a plain white shirt, black pants and a blazer."Hey man," Tyler opened his locker and put his sports bag inside. "How were your classes?"
"All these people everywhere, but my eyes on you."Unknown—The students took notes while the professor explained the lesson projected on the screen, everyone but Eden and Kian. Eden was opening and closing his pen while Kian watched him with confusion. He wondered why his friend was zoning out a lot lately. Kian grew impatient of looking at him repeat the same action, and he scooted closer to him to whisper: "Hey, what's wrong? You've been silent these last two days."Eden only shrugged without bothering to lift his head and look at his friend. Kian scrunched his brows and snatched the pen away from his hand. "Seriously, if there's anything, you've got to tell me."Eden let out a deep sigh and finally moved his head a little to look at his friend's concerne
"All the best heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary."Gerard Way—The stranger dragged Leo to a narrow empty street, and the boy didn't stop yelling and asking for help. Harvey followed them, swearing at the man as loud as he could. For once, he regretted not doing some cardio at the gym as he found himself short of breath very soon. But despite his lack of sportiness, Harvey succeeded to reach them and pulled the man's velvet sleeve."Leave him the fuck alone!" he shouted breathlessly."Mr Clarke!" Leo cried, his eyes wide as he recognised his dad's boss. He wanted to go to him, but the man tightened his grip around his wrist."Who the hell are you?!" the stranger, a man in his thirties, glared at Harvey. "What do you want with
"The reason we struggle with insecurities is that we compare our behind the scenes with someone else's highlight reel."Unknown—For the first time in months, Eden waited for Olivia in front of the medical faculty. It had been an eternity since they last walked together after classes. Before, they used to go on dates, but after Leo arrived, it all ended. Eden and Olivia weren't going to the theatre or each lunch somewhere. They planned to head to the hospital after they picked up Leo from school.Eden insisted Olivia visited Harvey to thank him for saving their son from Jack's man. She refused at first, thinking of her upcoming exam as an excuse to escape. Eden cared less about her studies now. The least she could do for their family now is to speak to the man who endangered himself for Leo.
"I desire the things which will destroy me in the end."Sylvia Plath—Few days passed after the incident, and Eden was still taking care of Harvey as he felt indebted to him after saving Leo. He helped clean his wound and dress it every day and night, after his classes and before going back home to sleep.Harvey was getting better and could now walk without having someone to hold his arm. He was relieved as his father was soon coming back from his business trip. He couldn't risk the Chairman seeing him in this state as he would scold him for being such an idiot. Something worse could happen if his father knew about the incident, he could fire Eden.Tonight, Harvey had enough of staying in his room, so he texted his friends to have a drink somewhe