Chapter - 25

Today Elio would be attending a meeting for the first time. Not the shady type. They recently got a deal with one of the lead tech companies. The company was famous among teenagers for their innovative gadgets. Lucchese Labs, the company soared to heights after the joining of their new CEO, Salvatore Lucchese. He is only 2 years older than Elio.

"All ready?"

Nicolas asked peaking into his room. These past few days they've become much closer. Nicolas would now check upon him without knocking.

"Yes."

Elio said and joined his arms with Nicolas. Nicolas's secretary briefed them about the meeting before they were led to the room. Looks like the clients were already present. Elio's eyes fell on the tall guy with a buzzcut. He looked familiar and Elio was so engrossed in trying to find who he was that he didn't realize the guy was staring at him. Nicolas saw the way the client Salvatore was looking at Elio. He didn't like the way Salvatore's eyes was roaming Elio. He pulled Elio towards him which made him to look Nicolas. He gave a small smile and walked them to where the clients were standing.

"Nice to meet you Mr Giovanni."

Salvatore says extending his hand towards Elio to shake. Nicolas was about to correct Salvatore when Elio spoke.

"It's Luciano now."

Elio says with a small smile shaking Salvatore's hand. Salvatore's face blank before he smiles. Weird. Elio thinks. They sit down and starts their meeting. The whole time during the meeting Nicolas was disturbed. He was squirming and sometimes he would put his arms behind Elio's seat or pull him closer. He saw the way Salvatore was staring at Elio. Salvatore would glare, which didn't go missed by Nicolas, whenever he sits closer to Elio. Salvatore asked more questions to Elio the most.

"So glad to work with you Mr Lucchese."

Elio says standing up.

"Please call me Salvatore."

Salvatore says extending his hand to shake. Elio takes his hand to shake. He notices a tattoo which looked familiar. It was two guns crossed.

"Have we met before?"

Elio asks Salvatore. Salvatore smirks before leaning closer towards Elio. His hot breath touches Elio's ears making Elio uncomfortable.

"Can't believe 23 year olds are having weak memory."

Salvatore says before walking away. Nicolas was by his side in a second. He pulled Elio towards and looked all over Elio's body like he's checking for injuries.

"What did he say? Did he do something?"

Elio looked at Nicolas frowning.

"I can't remember when i met him. He looks familiar."

Elio says more to himself. Nicolas felt something weird about Salvatore. Nicolas unconsciously pulled Elio closer to him and Elio went to him freely.

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The whole day Nicolas was distracted. He was thinking about the way Salvatore was behaving towards Elio. Why was he looking at Elio like that? His mind asked another question why he was bothered by it. Of course he would be bothered by it. After all Elio was his husband right? Nicolas looked at Elio who was scrolling through the i-pad. Nicolas thought about when he started feeling more protective over Elio. When did it start? He knew his feelings for Elio was changing from being friends to something more while his feelings for Elena was vanishing. Until now he was in denial, because he was in love with Elena so long that he didn't knew he would be able to love someone else. He felt like he was betraying Elena. But now there is nothing he can do. His feelings for Elio would become stronger while days passed. He should stop resisting it. Well what if Elio doesn't feel the same way about him? But his mind provided him memories of Elio's emotional glances, which gave him hope. Maybe he likes him too? Then and there Nicolas decided that he would be showing Elio that he likes him.

"Hey!"

Nicolas was pulled out of his thoughts by Elio's shouting.

"Why were you distracted?"

Elio asked pouting. Nicolas chuckled and stood up.

"Nothing."

Nicolas leaned down and caressed Elio's cheeks with his knuckles. Elio was thrown back by his action. Red started to creep up Elio's cheeks and Nicolas loved seeing it. He never knew he would love seeing someone blush. And red might be his favourite colour now onwards. More like seeing the red colour spread through Elio's face.

"Shall we go have lunch?"

Elio nodded in a daze before following Nicolas.

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Elio glanced every few seconds at Nicolas. It's been a few days since Nicolas started acting weird. The touches, looks, small things he would do....Everything made him think that Nicolas was having feelings for him. But that was impossible right? After all his own sister was Nicolas's love. There is no way Nicolas would feel anything for him. But his actions make him think twice.

"You know you can say whatever is on your mind right now."

Nicolas says making Elio look away embarrassed that he got caught staring at him. Nicolas felt like teasing Elio more but his phone rang catching his attention. Elio observes Nicolas's expression shift into one of cold anger, which he hates. Nicolas ends the call and stands up loosening his tie.

"What is it?"

Elio asked concerned.

"I'm needed at the base, but i can't leave because of today's schedule."

Nicolas says frustrated. Elio sighed and stood up, walking towards Nicolas, who was watching each of his steps intently. He stopped before Nicolas and began adjusting his tie.

"You know you can go to the base. I will stay back and manage everything here."

Elio said, looking at Nicolas. He was taken aback to find Nicolas already gazing at him with intensity. Elio gulped at the penetrating stare and slowly lowered his hands, but Nicolas quickly grasped his wrist. Nicolas bought Elio's hand towards his mouth and kissed his knuckles. Elio gasped at the feeling of soft lips on his skin.

"That would be nice."

Nicolas said smirking. Elio was frozen on his place, his reaction satisfying Nicolas. Nicolas ruffled his hair and left the room. Everything that happened after he left felt like a daze. Maybe Nicolas liked him back too? A small smile crept up his face thinking about it. Nicolas's secretary knocked pulling Elio out of his dreamland.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

Elio said sitting straight.

"Mr. Lucchese is here."

Elio frowned at hearing that. They didn't have any meeting scheduled today, so why was he here? Elio told the secretary to let him in. A few seconds later Salvatore Lucchese walked in with his dark aura. He smiled at Elio which made him creep out.

"Hello Mr. Giovanni."