8

Everyone were happy, ecstatic even with the news - Archibald Carmichael approved and he'll sign!

Johnson and Collins were busy spreading it to the whole firm, showering praises on how Timothy charmed the business man and people started congratulating him. The funny thing was that Archibald Carmichael didn't sign... yet. But in everyone's eyes it was a closed deal. Timothy's father couldn't stop smiling when his son returned to the firm after the meeting, he asked Timothy to tell him repeatedly with no details left out how the meeting went.

The big whale was caught but somehow Timothy wasn't as happy as everyone else, he didn't feel like celebrating. All he could think of was tomorrow - he was going to meet that outrageous man once again!

He wished he could avoid that but he needed his sign on the contract, he even contemplated sending someone else but thought it was too risky and could cause in the refusal of Mr Carmichael to sign.

How the hell did it turn out like this?

Life were playing a cruel joke on his expense, of course nothing could come easy for him, he just wanted to dig a hole and bury himself, escape from everything. No Lizzy, No parents, No firm and No mischievous son of a bitch who was out to make him miserable. It was surprising he wasn't having a breakdown with all that went in his life .

Later that night while everyone went out celebrating, Timothy stayed to go over the contract . His co workers tried to convince him to join them but he wasn't in the mood so he somehow with his persistence convinced them to go out without him.

The contract itself was well composed and benefitted both sides so Timothy had little to add. When he was done he left the building and got in his car, driving aimlessly as he tried to calm his mind. After half an hour he pulled over next to a bar and entered it, ordering double whiskey and downing it at once with a slight flinch at the burn before ordering another. He was here to get drunk.

"Tough day?" the barman asked as he served him his second glass.

"Tough life " he mumbled in return before sipping more of the liquid, appreciating the buzz in his head. "Hope it'll get better for you " the barman offered before strolling to another customer. "Doubt it." Timothy said more to himself as he swished the amber colored liquid in his glass. He finished it quickly and called for another round and then another until he felt high spirited and quite goofy, smiling to himself. Well at least now he didn't feel like shit.

"Timothy? "

Timothy groaned in annoyance, he didn't feel like dealing with this right now.

"Jared " he greeted as the short man sat next to him.

"What a small world, I didn't expect you to be here. " small world indeed. "Right back at ya" Timothy slurred a bit. He hoped that guy would go away. " Well it's a students bar and I'm a student ! so yeah..."

Jared was a blond sex on legs bomb, on the short side but that didn't bother Timothy in the slightest when they fucked and when he added him to his short list. Sex with Jared was wild and kinky at times , the young man had stamina and insatiable lust and Timothy appreciated it, oh he definitely did. There was one tiny problem with Jared - his personality . He was a shallow narcissistic chatter box and Timothy couldn't stand a minute with him once he opened his mouth. Be pretty and shut up very much applied in his case. Jared was busy most of the times studying so Timothy didn't see much of him but when they did meet he made sure no talking was involved beyond sex talk, it was a pure fuck and flee relationship .

"So what are you doing here? I was gonna meet someone but if you're here I guess I could ditch him for you. That guy was trying to get in my pants for like weeks and I played hard to get, made him beg for my attention..."

Timothy never felt this close to committing a murder but at this rate he might just end up doing that. He was here to chill and it was pretty hard doing that with someone talking his ear off.

"Sorry Jared but I'm not up for it tonight " Timothy cut off his ranting.

"Are you sure? I can make you feel real good " Jared smirked suggestively and placed his hand on Timothy's tigh.

"I'm sure you missed my body..." he purred. "I've been working extra at the gym and it sure paid off, my abs are more evident and--"

Yeah, definitely not up for this

" Listen," Timothy hushed him by placing a finger on Jared's full lips, the boy smirked as he let his tongue out, licking the finger and Timothy almost had a moment of regret before he reigned control and pulled his finger.

"It's been a very long day for me and all I want to do is get drunk. Well I'm already drunk but you get my point, so I'll appreciate it if you just go and meet that someone you were supposed to meet , okay?"

"But I haven't seen you for awhile " Jared pouted . "Sorry kid but the last thing I want right now is sex " Timothy did his best to look apologetic. "Fine ," Jared huffed " But you're missing on that " He said as he gestured to his body before disappearing in the crowd of the packed bar.

"Good lord " Timothy shook his head. That kind of made him miss Harvey.

_____________________________________

Driving drunk wasn't one of Timothy's better judgment calls but in his defense he was drunk so any judgement call was off right now. Fortunately he made it home in one peace, he'd reprimand himself tomorrow morning though, once he was sober and with a deadly hungover.

"Tim! are you drunk? " Lizzy got up from the couch turning the TV off and making her way towards him.

"Yep," he popped the p " I'm drunk".

"So how did the meeting with Carmichael went? tell me everything! " she grinned at him and ushered him to the couch.

No 'Where were you ' , no ' How are you' , not even 'Are you hungry ?', Just goddamn Carmichael.

"It was alright, he's going to sign . Can I get a glass of water please? "

"How was he in person? is he as handsome? "

"Lizzy I'm not--"

"Oh god I need to tell my friends, they're gonna be so jealous! "

With that she left the living room, leaving a dazed and tired Timothy behind. He wanted to close his eyes and drift off but he knew at morning his back would suffer this decision so with a grunt he stood and climbed upstairs. Lizzy was busy on her phone, sprawled on the bed . He took a change of clothes from the closet and headed to the shower, once inside he turned the stream on . He groaned in pleasure as the soothing warm water cascaded down his body.

After getting out he silently slid under the blanket, Lizzy was still on the phone, talking to one of her friends. He soon fell asleep, dreading tomorrow.

____________________________________

Waking up was harder than usual with his head pounding furiously as if someone used his head as soccer ball. He just wanted to take the day off and lay in bed under the covers doing nothing for the rest of the day but life were never easy, not for him.

Timothy lazily rolled out of bed, Lizzy was sound asleep next to him. After a quick shower he wore his suit and was ready to go, he took his car keys and was out of the house.

He stopped at a small coffee shop, buying himself cappuccino and a few pastries as breakfast, he drove his car for half an hour before reaching his destination, he parked and digged in on his food- he was in no hurry, if anything he was postponing.

Honestly that bastard didn't even tell him in which hour he should come, for all he knew he could be elsewhere. But that's his problem, not mine

When he finished Timothy sat a few more minutes, debating if he should return later or not, eventually he stepped out and headed to the building. He was trying to emit the same controlled atmosphere he and his co workers used yesterday but it didn't come as naturally. He was sweaty and nervous as he entered the lobby and made his way to the receptionist.

"Mr Jacobs! " the receptionist called, recognizing him from yesterday.

"I'm here for--"

"Yes yes , Mr Carmichael is waiting for you in his office. Press 26 , his office is at the end of the hall."

He thanked her and got to the elevator , pressing 26. The ride up went unnoticed because all he could think of was how stressed he was, he didn't know what to expect after what took place yesterday. The scariest part was that deep inside of him he was anticipating this encounter, wanting to see that man again.

He got off on the 26th floor and was a bit surprised to see it occupied with so many people, he thought the great Archibald Carmichael would have a floor of his own. He continued down the hall until he came upon a small waiting area with a receptionist and two double doors.

"Mr Jacobs right?" the receptionist asked and he nodded sheepishly. "Mr Carmichael is awaiting " she smiled at him. He advanced towards the doors, pushing them open and entering, feeling as if he fell into the devil's lair when they closed behind him .

The interior was quite simple considering it was the world's most known and wealthy business man, surely he could afford himself more than a few common furnitures. He had a small kitchen area with a minibar, two couches, a coffee table and a pretty neat desk, and there he sat in all his glory. Timothy almost forgot how to breath, that man could give any being an heart attack with his mesmerizing looks. His dark hair was gelled back, not a hair out of place, the light from the wall of window behind him brightened his handsome features and brought his cheekbones out. He had a day old scruff that added to his sex appeal but what drew Timothy was the pink lips he was biting in concentration as his eyes skimmed through some papers, that is until the stormy grey eyes snapped to meet his own and he was feeling heat spreading in his veins as his lust for the man picked up.

"Timothy "

A shiver ran through him as he heard that handsome devil say his name with his deep voice.

This was not good. This was not good at all.

"I brought the contract " Timothy raised his hand, shaking the pages to remind both of them why he was here. He needed to get over with it and get out of there.

"Sit"

Archibald gestured to the couches and Timothy obeyed reluctantly. He eyed warily as Archibald got up and made his way to him, sitting on the other couch opposite to him. He placed the contract on the glass coffee table, pushing it towards the business man , he started to retrieve his hand only for it to be caught by Archibald's larger one.

"Now before I'll sign there are a few things we should go through ".

Timothy frowned " I already looked at the contract " he stated, ignoring the warmth of the hand holding his.

Archibald chuckled.

"I'm afraid you're not following. What I'm about to say is the term for me signing this contract ".

Timothy stiffened, this couldn't be good.

"If you want me to sign this contract with your firm you're going to give yourself to me from now until I'll decide otherwise. " Archibald tightened his hold on Timothy, staring at him intensely.