[Spirit of Lust 2] Chapters 665 & 666.

Chapter 665: About Thomas and Maria.

We went our own ways not too long after breakfast. Everyone had stuff to do and I had to get mine done before going to work. I had to go back to the store to continue down the checklist of things for the house, then stop by the construction site again to check on the progress per Mr. Moore’s request. I wasn’t going alone, though. Thomas texted me saying he wanted to talk, and when I told him I had stuff to do for the house, he said he’d tag along. I was happy to have him.

We met in front of the store, shook hands without any other words and went in.

“How’s summer been treating you?” I asked him as we started walking the aisles. “We haven’t been able to hang out too much.”

“Your fault. You’re a busy man these days,” Thomas said.

“Maybe you have too much free time?”

“I met some guys at the park and started playing basketball with them. They’re in university and they’re really good, so it’s been great practice.”

“They don’t look down on you for being younger?” I asked him.

He laughed. “They did at first, and they ARE better than me. But after a while I sort of earned their respect. They’re cool people, all in all.”

“That’s good. How are things with Maria, by the way?” I asked him, stopping by at the aisle with the floor tiles to check my references. “I’ve been meaning to drop by the coffee shop, but haven’t had the time.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, actually,” Thomas said. “I… We. We finally talked to my parents about wanting to move in together.”

My eyes shot wide open and my neck almost snapped from how quickly I turned from my phone to look at him. “Did you? How did it go?”

Thomas grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. “Not as bad as  expected, but not too well, either.”

“Shit, what did they say?”

“It hasn’t been that long since I introduced her to them. They’ve been… cautiously optimistic, mostly because Maria is great at making people like her. But moving in together… They think it’s too soon. That’s what they say, anyway.” Thomas groaned. “I think they believe one of us will get tired of the other at some point, that it’s not going to work out in the long run. They’re not saying it, but I think they believe that if we move in together, it’ll only make things worse WHEN we break up.”

“Well… You HAVE only been dating for about half a year,” I told him.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “And you think you can talk?”

“I’m saying that’s how it looks to your parents. They’re looking out for you.”

Thomas sighed. “I know, I know! But… This is the first time I feel like I’m in a mature relationship. We’re not fooling around, Oliver, you know that.”

“I do, believe me. So? Your parents’ won’t let you?”

He shook his head. “They will, but they’re not making it a secret that they don’t approve of it. It doesn't help that Maria’s house is further away from the university than mine. I can’t even use that as an excuse.”

“So the real issue is that you don’t like being at odds with your parents, right?”

“Yeah. I’ve always had their trust. I’ve never had trouble asking them for permission to do anything. Even now they’re letting me do what I want and will support me, but… It hurts that they don’t seem to believe Maria is serious about me. Was your mom like that with Diana, too?”

“Not exactly,” I said. “She was more worried about an older woman possibly influencing me in some strange way. That and the different priorities we would have. Time helps, though. Your parents will eventually see she’s serious, too.”

“...” Thomas grimaced and looked up, staring at a floor tile on display with a cross-shape pattern. “What if she isn’t, though? What if my parents are right?”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you having doubts now?”

“I mean… My parents have been married for 20 years now. I remember they asked me a couple of times if things were okay between me and Lyla, just a month before she broke up with me. Maybe they can smell this sort of thing.”

“Hey, do you trust me?” I asked him.

“Hm? What? I mean, of course I do. Why else would I be telling you all this?”

“No, I mean, if you trust my judgement on relationships.”

“Don’t you have a magical sixth sense for this stuff?”

“Correct.”

“Then… Yeah. I do.”

“Maria is serious about you, Thomas. If anything, she might share your parents’ opinion and believe you’re the one who’ll get tired of her. That your priorities will shift or that you’ll find someone more compatible.”

“...” Thomas swallowed and sighed. “Any chance you have a magical trick down your sleeve to help me show her I’m serious about this relationship?”

“Sadly, this is the type of thing that only time will prove. Who knows? Maybe you will change your mind eventually, not because you want to hurt her, but because you’ll experience new things. It’s up to you to remain committed and show it to her every day, even if in small ways.”

He groaned. “And do you have any tips regarding those small ways? Come on, dude. If you can’t give me something, no one can.”

“...” As always, I can’t say I don’t understand why everyone thinks I have the answer to their love issues, but even I’m still figuring things out. “Learn about the things she cares about, the things she does every day and help her with one or two. Basically, show her she’s part of your life now, not just someone you see on weekends and special occasions.”

“Oh. Oh, shit, that makes sense.”

“Glad I could help. Don’t blame me if it doesn’t work, though. I can give you some advice, but you’re the one who has to put it into practice.”

“Right, right. Oh, and… there was something else I wanted to ask you.”

I nodded. “Tell me when you’re moving out. I’ll bring the van and help out.”

“Oliver, if we were gay I’d kiss you.”

“Sorry, you’re too beefy for the hypothetical gay Oliver.”

“Whaaaaaat?”

Man, why is messing with him so fun? I feel like such an ass, but I can’t help it.

************

Chapter 666: Closing the bar an hour early?

I’ve said this many times, but I’m not one for gossip. When people tell me things, I keep it to myself unless it’s relevant and I’m not betraying anyone’s trust in the process. That said, Maria is very important to Diana and she was going to find out eventually, so when I got to the hotel that Friday afternoon I told her what Thomas and I talked about earlier while we finished some preparations at the bar.

“Yes, I think you hit the nail in the head,” she told me as she squeezed some more lime juice. “Maria’s biggest worry about Thomas is that he’ll be the one to break up with her if or when he decides he’s had enough.”

“Any chance she’ll be the one to change her mind?” I asked her.

“Not unless he starts acting all different. For the worse, I mean. She has a stable life, after all. She has her shop and is happy with it. What she wants is someone who’ll accept that and stay with her.”

Dylan arrived just then, already in his work clothes. “Hello, hello. Everyone doing well today?”

“You are, apparently,” I said.

“Well, I got a call from the boss saying I could leave an hour early and still get paid, so I’m pretty happy,” Dylan said, grinning as he walked around the counter and got ready to make the simple syrups.

Diana and I looked at each other, confused.

“Did he tell you you could leave early?” I asked her.

“No. I knew he’d be coming back tonight and he said he’d come to check the place out, but that’s about it.”

“Wait, so it’s just me?” Dylan frowned. “Sh-Should I be worried?”

“Maybe?” I said.

“No, relax,” Diana said. “If you were in trouble, I’d have heard. He probably has something else in mind.”

“Maybe we’re the ones in trouble,” I said, mostly in jest.

Just a few minutes later, Diana received a text from Luke that said to leave a notice at the door that the bar would close at 1:00 am that night. I went to the front desk and asked them to print us something.

We were confused, but we left it at that for the moment. We opened the bar and customers started rolling in already. I waited tables, Diana and Dylan made the drinks and I paid attention to learn everything I could.

Someone asked Dylan for a grasshopper in a pousse-cafe style and he made it with no issues. Like Diana said, the guy had skills, of that there was little doubt.

It was around 12:45 am that the boss, Mr. Luke Allen, showed up at the bar. He made little show of it, simply entering while wearing his usual suit in prime condition, looking around at the place with a satisfied smile. 

I went up to him and before even greeting him, I asked for confirmation. “Sir, should I start reminding customers we close at 1:00 am tonight?”

“Yes, please do, Oliver. Thank you. I’m very sorry that this is so sudden, but I need you and Diana to stay. Please also give Dylan the confirmation that he can leave for tonight.”

“What should I say to the customers if they ask for a reason?”

“That I have a very important guest I need to personally attend to.”

“Very well.”

With that, Luke exited the bar and I started approaching the tables, telling people we’d be closing up shortly. Most took it well, happy to leave in favor of going back to their room. Others were not so happy.

“What? You’re kicking us out!?” a man asked, raising his voice at me. “You’re supposed to close at 2:00 am! You lazy bastards…!”

His cheeks were red and I could smell more than a few cups in him. His date, though not as inebriated, seemed every bit as upset.

I needed to deescalate the situation without

I bowed. “I apologize for the inconvenience, sir. Owner’s orders. If you wish, there is still enough time for you to order another drink and have it delivered to your room.”

“Oh, that sound nice…” the woman said, her glare easing up. “Come on, babe. I don’t want to wait anymore…”

“Agh, fine! Send a scotch on the rocks and a tequila sunrise up to room 223!” the man demanded, aggressively standing up from his seat.

“Of course, sir. Would you like it immediately or in a few minutes?”

“...” Suddenly he seemed to calm down, maybe the question made him stop and think. “Bah, send it immediately. I don’t want to be interrupted later.”

“As you wish, sir. Your drinks will be there soon.”

I saw the couple leave and let out a sigh of relief. The atmosphere of this place may agree with me more than the coffee shop, but working with drunks is a bit more dangerous and a lot more nervewracking. 

I turned around to see both Diana and Dylan giving me a silent thumbs up. I gave them a nod while keeping a straight face, but I felt pretty damn proud. Still, I had to deliver on what I offered the man, so I asked Diana to make the tequila sunrise and Dylan poured the scotch while I continued talking to customers. Then I asked one of the room service guys to take the drinks to room 223.

By 1:00 am, the bar was empty, customers relatively satisfied, and by 1:10 am, Dylan was ready to leave.

“Well, see you guys tomorrow,” he said, waving. “Hopefully. Don’t die.”

“Here’s hoping,” I answered with a sheepish smile.

We didn’t have to wait too long for Luke to come back. He came into the bar, and as he had just told me, he had his guest behind him. And much to my surprise, I recognized that guest.

It was the old man that was drinking alone last week.