Gerome waited patiently while the hairdresser worked her wonder. He usually used this salon. It was one of the best—expensive but well worth the money. Luis seemed a bit overwhelmed by everything, though, and Gerome considered stepping in, but Luis probably wouldn’t appreciate it, so he stayed in his chair and watched.
Luis’ overgrown blond strands fell off until only a short buzz remained. The more serious and older look suited him fairly well, even though it was a little too short for Gerome’s taste.
Luis never smiled or talked to the hairdresser without being addressed directly, but all in all, their trip had been good so far. They more or less got along. They didn’t fight, although Luis seemed to be uncomfortable in Gerome’s company. Changing this would take some time.
The hairdresser blow-dried Luis’ hair, and soon afterward, she was finished. Gerome allowed Luis to go first as they followed the woman to the counter, where Gerome paid the modest sum she rang up. Usually, he spent a lot more here. But given Luis’ wide eyes at the money on the counter, it might have been better that he didn’t get his color or anything else done. How much did he think this would cost?
Next time, he’d settle the bill when Luis wasn’t looking. Making his mate uncomfortable wasn’t his intention with this visit, and if that meant going back later to pay, he’d do it. Or better yet, he’d give Luis money to spend by himself. Why hadn’t he thought of that sooner? Right, because he’d been busy feeling sorry for himself.
Gerome led a silent Luis out of the salon and to his car. Next stop: Lunch. Luis took his seat in the car, and Gerome pulled out of the parking lot.
“I’ll get you a credit card and your own bank account, okay? That way you don’t have to ask me if you want to spend some money or get another haircut.”
“I don’t need your money. It’s not like I can go anywhere or buy something without you.”
“But you can go alone. With a bodyguard, that is. I don’t need to go if that’s what you’re worried about?”
“I don’t want anyone to watch every step I take. Not you. Not a bodyguard. No one! Don’t you get it? I’m trapped, caught! I want my freedom back. Going to the salon with you was okay, but I’d like to go somewhere alone in the future. To be honest, I don’t even want to live with you, okay?”
Ouch, and here he thought they were starting to get along.
“I know. I’m so sorry I can’t change it. The danger of someone kidnapping you is just too high, and I can’t risk it. I’d love to give you your freedom back, but I can’t.”
“I know. It doesn’t make it any easier, though.”
Gerome sighed deeply. It would take some time until Luis truly accepted that they were bound together. “I wish I could do more for you, but aside from giving you money and your phone, as well as your clothes, I can’t think of anything else.” He wracked his brain for any idea, but aside from what he’d already granted Luis, nothing came up. The man wanted his freedom back, but he couldn’t have it. Most mates weren’t given money or the opportunity to do what they wanted, but he’d give Luis that in the hopes of making things a bit better between them.
“I guess there is nothing you can do. I simply would like to forget about all this, but that won’t happen.”
“No. We’re in this together, but like I said, I’d love to get to know you, maybe we can, at least, be friends.”
“That still doesn’t change anything. I still can’t take a step without you or someone else watching me.”
“No, you can’t. I’m sorry. I thought you understood the necessity behind it.” Gerome resisted the urge to ball his fists. They were running in circles. Luis didn’t want anything to do with him, and he despised the fact that he needed a bodyguard. He’d already agreed to try to be friends, but somehow, this backlash didn’t feel like it.
“I understand it. I just hate it,” Luis said quietly.
“I’m sorry. I really am.” Gerome stared at the street. Despite it being February, it was sunny outside, and the bright weather didn’t match his mood at all.
Fortunately, they’d be at the restaurant in a minute so that he could get out of the car and the thick air inside it.
“Please, can we try to pretend to be civil to each other? I know you don’t like me much right now, but can you try not to be so hostile?”
“I’m not sure I can,” Luis said quietly.
“I’m just asking you to try, that’s all.”
Gerome cast a quick glance at Luis who clenched his fingers together and bent his head. It wasn’t an easy topic by any means, and it wouldn’t be the last time they had this conversation either.
“I’ll try, okay? That’s all I can give you right now.”
“Thank you.” Gerome parked the car and got out of it, then waited on the sidewalk for Luis.
They entered the restaurant, nothing fancy, but they served good Italian food in a cozy atmosphere. Just the way Gerome liked it.
Luis didn’t say a thing while the hostess brought them to their seats in a nice, quiet corner of the restaurant. The waiter hurried to bring them menus and then left them alone. Luis didn’t even look at it. He simply sat there, waiting. An awkward silence settled around them.
“Aren’t you hungry?” Gerome finally asked.
“No.” Luis didn’t look up.
“But you have to eat. Please. Just something small?” Gerome wouldn’t allow him to sit there and eat nothing. He was already too thin.
“Just order something if you have to.”
“Luis. You know this isn’t what we talked about,” Gerome admonished softly.
Now Luis finally looked up. “I’m just not hungry.”
“Please, you have to eat something. You can’t starve yourself.”
“I can do what I want.” He pushed his chin forward with a defiant stare.
Damn. Anyone else would’ve punished his mate for something like that, but Gerome tried to remember Sam’s words. Luis had a very hard time accepting things, and they wouldn’t make any progress if he fought with him now.
“It’s your choice, but I would like for you to eat something. Just a bit. Perhaps a bowl of soup or something. You’ve lost a lot of weight, and it’s not healthy. Please.”
Luis stared at him a moment, then shook his head. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
Gerome weighed his next words carefully. Luis needed to eat, but he wouldn’t push him. “Yeah, why not? I don’t want to fight with you about it. If you’re not hungry, then you don’t have to eat. It’s as simple as that, but you should consider it. It’s for your own good.” What else could he say? If this didn’t take the fight out of Luis, he didn’t know what would.
“Something small, okay?”
“You don’t have to ask me. Just order what you want or tell me and I’ll order.”
“I can do that for myself, thank you very much.”
Gerome raised a hand. “It’s all good. I was only offering.”
Damn, he hadn’t expected this to be that complicated.
He signaled the waiter and allowed Luis to go first. He ordered a coke and bruschetta. Gerome got himself a four-cheese pizza. Maybe Luis would eat a piece or two as well once he smelled it in front of him.
They spent the waiting time in tense silence while Gerome tried to figure out how to ask his mother where Luis’ clothes and cell phone were stored. Looking for the items in the big palace would be impossible, so he had to talk to his mother. She should know where the staff put it. Until now, he’d never stopped to think about it, but now it all made sense why Luis was so depressed and sad. He should probably be glad Luis hadn’t murdered him in his sleep.
The waiter saved him from more musings when he brought their drinks and, a couple of minutes later, their food. The smell of a freshly baked pizza never ceased to make his mouth water. He simply loved the aroma of the tomato sauce together with the cheese.
“Enjoy your meal.” He smiled encouragingly at Luis, but his mate didn’t look up from his intertwined fingers. Gerome decided to eat first. If Luis still didn’t start on his food soon, he’d have to get him to eat. He just didn’t know how he’d do that, so he’d simply have to wing it.
When Gerome had nearly finished his first slice, Luis reached forward, picked up his bruschetta, and took a careful bite. Thankfully, he ate without Gerome having to force him. He doubted his mate would have appreciated that.
When he couldn’t stand the silence anymore and it was clear nothing would come from his mate, he asked, “Do you want to tell me a bit about yourself so we can get to know each other?”
Luis looked up from his plate. At least, he’d eaten two of the four pieces.
“Um... I don’t know. There’s not much to tell. I studied art, mostly modern, some historical. I love to paint, to create sculptures, and stuff like that.”
Gerome nodded his approval. “Maybe we can find an occupation in the palace? My mother decorates and paints a lot. Would you like to meet up with her?”
Luis’ expression said it all. If looks could kill, he’d be a pile of ash right now. What the fuck did he do wrong now?
“I. Will. Not. Decorate. The. Palace. With. Your. Mother. Is. That. Clear?” He pronounced the words very slowly and carefully.
Uh, wrong topic then. “I understand. I’m sorry I suggested it. Really. It was only an idea.” He’d only tried to help, but apparently, it wasn’t appreciated. Damn. Doing this mating stuff right wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
They finished their meal in awkward silence, and even when Gerome offered his last slice of pizza to Luis, his mate only shook his head and stared straight ahead.
How would they ever find something resembling a truce?