TS 3 Chapter 7

 Chapter 7

 

October 15^th, 2015

New Zealand 

“What would you like for your birthday? Not a party like the one Kurt threw. I'm too old to survive another debauchery of clowns and ponies.” Constantin asked Guntram. 

“Turning 33 isn't that special. It's OK. You don't have to give me anything.” Guntram answered as his eyes went through the many birds illustrations scattered along the large wooden table. 

“It's customary to give you something. Kakapos and kiwis are out of the list, too.” 

Guntram laughed at the suggestion. “No, I'm not ready to have someone like Dick in my life. He's the crankiest bird I've ever seen.” 

“This one looks like him.” Constantin took a drawing of the bird and chuckled. “It has certainly captured his mean spirit. What are you going to do with all this?” 

“It's for the boys. They want a book with the kakapos and I agreed to illustrate it if they write the story together. That should keep Kurt away from Kostya's piano... and Kostya away from Kurt's toolkit. They can't keep their hands off from each other's stuff!” Guntram whined, tired of the constant arguments between the boys. 

“That's what brothers do,” Constantin shrugged nonchalantly. “They love to steal things from each other. Have you noticed that they even laugh when they catch each other with their stuff? It's a game they play to make you upset. Stop paying them attention, and it'll be soon over.” 

“You don't happen to know how Kurt got a special key to loosen the piano strings?” 

“No idea. He must have taken it from the man who tuned it.” Constantin answered calmly. 

“And you don't know where Kurt's mini robot is, do you?” 

“It's a 64 hectares island, Guntram. Feel free to look for it.” 

“So you know nothing.” 

“Of course. Ask Dima or his daughter. She's always with them.”

“That girl is always with her mother and she's too nice to be up to these shenanigans, unlike you. She's not the usual suspect here.”

“It seems you won't tell me what you want for your birthday. Very well, leave it to my imagination. How about dinner and steamy sex?” 

“Have you chosen your way of dying?” Guntram grunted upset.  

“Well, you could use some sense of humor, that's for sure, and don't get so defensive because you liked it and were completely on your senses when we did it.” 

“Shut up.” Guntram began to gather his papers under Constantin's ironic gaze. Unable to cope with it, he shouted. “Alright! How about a steamy night with Altair?” 

“No, I'm not into Arabs any more. It was just a phase.” Constantin shrugged. “Besides, I'm not acquainted with the gentleman to make an educated choice.” 

“Sometimes I want to strangle you.” Guntram said seriously. 

“Those Grey things are not my style too. Why all the bother if you aren't doing anyone away?” Constantin joked and kissed the frowning Guntram on the lips to assure his own ownership over him. 

“No, that's what I'd like. A night out with Altair.” Guntram said defiantly when Constantin broke the kiss. “Or is it that your confidence levels are down?” 

“Now you're trying a Capablanca against Capablanca himself,” Constantin snorted. “This is childish and really vulgar, dear.” Constantin sat on the sofa and began to look at the waves crashing against the shoreline. 

“No, that's the only thing I would like. To spend some time with him.” 

“Some second rate poetry and you drool over him? I can write a novel. Can he?” 

“What you call “second rate” are well chosen pieces. I'm working on them.” 

“So what's keeping you from running to his arms?” Constantin asked melodramatically. “Is it me?” 

“Of course it's you!” Guntram answered upset. “The minute I see him, you'll disappear with my boys.” 

“Our children and no, I won't run away with the boys just because I like this house too much to leave it behind. One or two romps with the Arab can't hurt me and you'll be desiring for more when you come home and I can be very helpful with that.” 

Guntram snorted incredulous. “You'd let me go have an adventure and then see if you get the same?” 

“Like many, many married couples do. I conceived my children each time Olga needed to hide her own adventures from me. Well, the first three at least.” 

“You're impossible!” Guntram joined Constantin on the sofa and the man took the chance to grab Guntram by the waist and kiss him on the forehead. 

“I'll lend you the flat and buy you a bottle of champagne... of the good one too.” Constantin pushed Guntram against the sofa and kissed him on the lips, letting Guntram's tongue enter in his mouth and roam his cavity. Constantin was already feeling the desire pulsating from the body under his and the game was maddening. 

“I don't trust you,” Guntram lightly licked Constantin's lips and he arched his neck, offering it to his lover. 

“Be extra-nice to me and I'll stay for more.” Constantin began to place butterfly kisses on the neck offered to him and stopped to renew his kisses this time gently sucking his earlobe while his teeth scratched the tender flesh.

Guntram's heavy breathing was like music for him and each one of his deep intake of air each time Constantin stopped his kisses showed him he was winning the war. He shifted his position, playfully kicked Guntram's legs to place them on the sofa and knelt over the youth. Slowly, Constantin removed his jacket and began to undo his buttons, one by one. 

“Why aren't you exploding in a fit of jealousy? Any man would.” With his eyes fixed on Constantin's, Guntram began to unbutton his cotton shirt. 

“Are you saying that I'm not a man? Is that it, angel?” Constantin used the abhorred nickname on purpose. “No, I'm beyond that. I'm totally Zen. Jealousy clouds the mind.” Constantin's hands moved over Guntram's torso and playfully stopped right on top of his belt buckle. 

“You're more like the Buddha of Discord.” 

“That's a nice title for a novel.” Constantin answered without showing any signs of being offended. “Can I borrow it?” 

“Do what you like,” growled Guntram, upset for the delay. Constantin loved to play and stop at the most inappropriate times. “I don't get you really.” 

“That's the mystery of being me.” Constantin said with an affected voice. “Moët Chandon is good enough?” He began to unfasten Guntram's belt. 

“Now you're being cheap.” Guntram couldn't help to crack a tired smile and took Constantin's hand away from his trousers, just to kiss its palm. “How can you be so sure about yourself?” Guntram began to suck the fingers one by one, just as he knew drove Constantin mad with desire. He could also play that cat and mouse game in the bed. 

“Because I know you and I know his type. The moment you open the bottle he'll yell something about being “haram” or he won't ask you over for Ramadan when you invited him to spend Christmas with you. Did he call you during the past Ramadam? You two are like mixing oil and water; you can shake the bottle as much as you want and for a second, it will look as if the oil pearls disintegrate themselves into the water but the minute you set the bottle down, both liquids will separate. Oil has no polarity, unlike us.” 

“So you're letting me shag him?” 

“If you like.” Constantin kissed Guntram's hand. “My only real competition for you is Lintorff.” 

“Don't mention him.” Guntram's face became sombre but left his hand clasped between Constantin's ones. “I think I love Altair.” 

“You see? You think you love him. If you would, you'd tell it.” 

“I think on him everyday.” 

“So? I think on what I write everyday. I think on my business too.” 

“You'd kill Cupid,” Guntram sighed but his hands went for Constantin's fly. The noise seemed to stop time and he remained very still when Constantin pulled his trousers and underwear down. 

“I'm lending him a hand,” the man falsely protested and bent down to kiss Guntram on the cheek while putting the boy's legs around his hips.  “Go two days after your birthday because the boys will like to have a small party and cake and return in a day or two. Use the flat and don't go to hotels.” 

“Are you sure?” Guntram asked in disbelief and yelped when Constantin penetrated him with one single push and began to move inside him, slowly, enjoying each thrust. 

“Yes, he has zero chances of success.” Constantin replied with sufficiency and his hand began to pump Guntram's organ, making him quiver with pleasure. 

'He's quite wrong,’ thought Guntram but gave a bright smile to Constantin instead as the man's thrusts picked up speed. 

*  * *

October 24^th, 2015 

Auckland

'What is a mighty sheik doing in Auckland? He has nothing of interest here,' thought Alexei as he peered from behind his iPad and watched the crow of six people bustle around the man proudly crossing the hotel lobby in direction of the private elevators. 'He booked several rooms here but no Mega Imperial suite.' 

Pretending to be distracted with the great ceiling decorations, Alexei rose from the Louis XV chair and took a good look at the three butlers piling up leather suitcases on a golden trolley. 

'Nothing exclusive or out of the ordinary Louis Vuitton. Must belong to the aides.'

'He's not staying here. Just as I thought.' Alexei watched how the two black Mercedes vans drove away. 

“Is he staying or going away, Alexei Alexeivich?” Someone whispered in Russian in Alexei's ear. 

“Dimitri Pavlovich. Long time no see.” Alexei replied calmly as he inspected the bald man from head to toe. “Holidays, too?”

“Like everybody.”

“This man is only a businessman.” Alexei answered evenly. 

“Funny. Isn't it? What is he doing here? He has no business in New Zealand.” 

“Are you back to field duties?” Alexei asked as he smiled courteously for the CTV cameras. 

“No, not really. He's for the pups. I'm just spending my holidays here. Just curious about you.” 

“No, he isn't staying here.” Alexei finally answered the question. “It's quite obvious, don't you think?” 

“Alexei, you know better. We are comrades. One hand washes the other.” 

“It's nothing related to your boss. It's a private matter.” 

“With you nothing is private, my friend. Your visits tend to be… explosive.” 

“I only carry peace in my heart.” Alexei answered. 

“You've been for too long in the Emirates,” the man smirked. “Their fashions stuck to you.” 

“Just learning some Arab.” 

The man chuckled. “One of these days, we are going to find you on Mecca TV, leading the Hajj. Stay out of trouble, my friend. We have enough as it is.” 

“I'm only here to see the animals.” 

“Don't start hunting dingos.” 

“I won't. It's not the season.” Alexei shook his old time colleague's hand and walked towards the main entrance where he asked for his car to the valets. 

'Fucking Putin, he's crazier than Repin,' Alexei thought as he drove away to a park the car at a convenient distance from the hotel. 'Making people to follow me. Good to know.'

Alexei pretended to be busy checking the tourist guide in his iPad as he glanced through the rear mirror just in case Altair and his troupe would leave the hotel. 

'There's the pigeon,' Alexei thought when he saw the Mercedes vans drive in his way. 'Too late for shopping or meetings.' Alexei started the car and let two cars more pass in front of him before he cut another one and began to follow the black van. 

The vehicles stopped in front of a large and luxurious modern building in front of a marina. Alexei, overtook the vans and parked a few meters away and furiously scratched his grown beard. 

'Blue custom jacket, beige trousers, navy shoes and shiny golden watch.' Alexei quickly summarized Altair's look. 'Bodyguards in normal black suits. Doesn't look like a business meeting but a social thing. Party on.' 

Alexei unbuckled his seat belt and left the car when the men entered in the building while one of the left behind bodyguards took a simple crocodile leather suitcase and followed their prince. 

'There's the missing baby. So little Altair has a sleepover.' Alexei smirked with satisfaction. 

'Which one?' he asked himself as he checked the two restaurants alongside the building. 'Not the grill. A pork might be hiding in there, so seafood it is.' 

He morosely took his iPad from the copilot's seat and a small notebook from the glove box and left the car. He crossed the street and entered in the seafood restaurant, glad to see that it was almost empty. His eyes quickly scanned the place for the best seats and quickly walked to the table next to them. 

The waiter came and Alexei ordered a mineral water and a salad for starters. He opened the iPad and looked for his copy of the Qur'an in Arabic and began to read it while taking small notes on the notepad. 

'A fifty thousand something watch bought in haste four days ago means only one thing: Guntram.' 

The young waiter returned and left the salad next to him, taking good care not to interrupt him. Alexei feigned that he had not seen him and continued to read. 'Ten minutes more and they should be out. If Guntram is in there, then the bodyguards will be sent away and they'll be bored and hungry. They should come here.' 

Seven minutes later Alexei heard the sound of chairs scrapping the floor next to him. One quick look over the shinning knife at his right showed the two tall, dark haired bodyguards take the table next to him. Ostensibly, Alexei continued to write in Arab as he copied a Sura. 

“As-Salam-u-Alaikum.” one of the men said, looking truly happy. 

“Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullah,” replied Alexei promptly. “Happy to see two brothers here,” he continued in Arab. 

“Brother can you help us with the menu?” The other man asked in Arab. “We don't understand much of what's written here. Would you sit with us?” 

“Thank you so much, brothers,” Alexei smiled and changed his place to sit between the two men and shook their hands. 

* * * 

'You can be a real asshole, Constantin,' Guntram closed the delicate tortoiseshell box placed on the bedside table. 'Condoms? You left me condoms? I'm going to make you eat them all once I'm back.' 

Furious, he took the box and put it inside one of the drawers in the dressing room. 'Son of a bitch.' 

“THX for rubbers ;)” Guntram wrote in his mobile phone. 'Vulgar enough as to give him nightmares tonight.' He pressed the send button with evil pleasure. 

The rest of the house seemed to be in order and he had even tried the food before letting the maid to serve it. His clothes were fine and well pressed and the woman seemed to be genuinely interested in doing her job professionally. 

'Only one. He's certainly keeping his side of the deal.' Guntram thought as his eyes went through the many ties hanging from the rack, unable to choose one or none. His nerves were eating him alive. 

His phone beeped and Guntram bit his lips when read “XOXO” on the screen. 'He really earned his Ph.D. in motherfuckerhood. Summa cum laude.' 

His anger didn't last long as the trepidation for the upcoming visit nullified everything else. Guntram could only think on Altair when he sat on the living room and his fingers traced the edges of the large leather satchel containing his drawings. His heart accelerated when he heard the bell ring and fought against his desire to jump to the door as he remained seated. He heard the footsteps of the maid and took a deep breath in when he heard the  living door being opened. 

The maid held the door for Altair and Guntram smiled shyly, waiting for Altair to make the first move as two of his bodyguards were with him. With only a slight nod the men disappeared in haste along with the maid who closed the door behind her. 

Guntram walked towards Altair and embraced him, still unable to believe that his lover was there. “I missed you so much,” he whispered in Altair's ear before he kissed him on the lips briefly. 

“These months without you had been hell for me.” Altair cupped Guntram's face with his hands and gazed into the blue eyes. “I love you,” he added shyly. 

“I've dreamed about you all the time.” Guntram said. “I dreamed so much that I don't know what to do now.” 

“Why don't we sit down and talk? We have a lot of things to tell to each other.” 

“Yes, I'm sorry.” Guntram took Altair by the hand, afraid he would vanish or weren't real, and sat on the large sofa overlooking the sea below them. 

“Why don't you come with me?” Altair asked without preambles. 

“I can't.” Guntram shook his head. “My children are with him.”

“Why does this person have so much power over you? You can bring the babies with you and I'll protect you.” Altair asked. 

'Can I tell? No, probably not. This whole place must be rigged,' thought Guntram. “It's complicated.” 

“You always say that.” Altair pressed. 

“He's like the father of my children. To be honest, without his interference I would have never had them. I was too coward to do it or to even think about it. I can't take them away from him and he wouldn't let me do it anyway. Also, he has enough resources to keep Konrad away.” 

Altair's face turned sombre. “Why do you always lie to me?” he asked. “I know this man's not who you say he is but I can't figure out who he truly is.” 

“It's way beyond your powers,” Guntram said sadly. “Just leave it. You really won't like what you'll find.” 

“I can't accept such an answer.” 

“It's the only I can give you.” Guntram replied dryly. “Altair, if you really love me, don't ask about my past.” 

“I can't even ask about your present.” He replied annoyed. 

“I really don't want to argue with you,” Guntram sighed. “Really not. Please understand that this part of my life is closed to you for your own safety. With François, I stand a chance of leaving everything behind me.” 

“You love him.” 

“I don't know.” Guntram said earnestly. “We've been together a very long way. Nobody knows his game, but I think he's tired and wants to end it.” 

“Guntram, I don't want to share you.” Altair said with his voice laced with desperation and Guntram kissed him on the lips to comfort him. 

“We shouldn't waste our time with this pointless argument,” Guntram said once he ended the kiss. “I do love you and I'm sure of that. Circumstances are hard nowadays but they won't always be.” 

“Are you asking me to wait for you?” Altair asked dismayed. He felt at a loss. Guntram had the ability of throwing his inner balance to the trash with one single look or word. A single bat of his long lashes and he didn't know any longer who his mother was. Each time he saw Guntram, he was rendered powerless and his mind was clouded. All the secrets were driving him mad but he couldn't leave Guntram for good. 

“You're still married too.” Guntram smiled sadly and Altair once more felt at fault, kicking the ball from an offside position. “How is your wife?” 

“Not well. She's in and out of hospitals. Doctors are pessimistic and...” Altair's voice broke and he did his best to keep the tears at bay. “She's a very good friend of mine. I don't want to lose her.” 

“Nor you should.” Guntram said sympathetically. “She was always good to you.” 

“Much better wife than I husband.” 

“I'm sorry to hear that.” 

“I will return to Abu Dhabi and stay there for the next months. I've reduced my social obligations as much as I could to be with her when it happens.” Altair said and then doubted if he should speak but Guntram squeezed his hand. “It's in its final stages,” he mumbled. “Won't even make it to the end of the year.” 

“I wish I could do something for you.” 

“Come with me after it is finished.” Altair asked desperately but Guntram shook his head. “How can you say that you love me if you don't want to come with me? I'll move to Europe if you want. I'll leave everything behind for you. Even my family.” 

“I won't return to Europe,” Guntram's voice was soft. “Maybe in a few years but it won't be safe for you under any circumstance now. And I can't leave my children behind. François won't renounce to them.” 

“They're yours!” Altair protested desperately. 

“Only Kurt. Kostya legally belongs to him.” Guntram replied quietly. “Maybe François names me his legal executor or even lets me to adopt him but that will take some time and you're forcing me to choose between my boys and you. I can't do that and if you were in my position, you wouldn't do it too.” 

“You're right. I shouldn't have asked you that,” Altair mumbled defeated and ashamed he had suggested that.  

“This is the best I can offer you.” Guntram said and took the satchel lying on the coffee table and handed it to Altair. “I think all the time on you and each one of your words is precious to me.” 

“I'm the one who should be giving you something for your birthday.” Altair protested feebly. “I got you something and maybe this time I'm luckier,” he added shyly and got a square black box out of his jacket. 

“Take a look at mine first,” Guntram said giddy as a child. “This one is heavier than mine and it won't be as lovely as  yours.” 

Altair opened the folder and several watercolours scattered themselves over the table. “You made them out of the poems I was sending you,” he said surprised. “They're so beautiful.” 

“I did my best.” 

“Nobody ever gave me something like this.” Altair kissed Guntram to show his gratitude but ended the kiss so quickly to focus all his attention to the paintings that Guntram was half disappointed. 

'Not another Constantin,' he thought but kept a Mona Lisa smile on his face while Altair looked at the images and quickly identified to which poem they belonged too before he would read the text carefully scribbled behind. 

'It's like a nightmare.' Guntram nearly sighed. 'What is wrong with men and me? We are here for dinner and sex, not for a literature and arts séance,' 

'Bloody Constantin!' Guntram admonished himself when he realized that he was starting to lose his patience with Altair. 'He told me I wouldn't stand him for long!'

Sick of waiting, Guntram put the box aside and kissed Altair in the lips, slightly pushing him against the sofa. “Careful with them,” Altair slightly protested as Guntram carelessly dropped  the papers standing in his way to the floor. 

“Wait.” Altair broke the kiss. “I need to ask something from you first.” Guntram looked at him holding his breath. “Could you sign a NDA? Before we do anything here, that is.” He said nervously. He hated to do it but all the secrets and lies were taking a toll on him. He was mad about Guntram but he feared everything was a set up. 

“What's that?” Guntram frowned puzzled. 

“It's a formality. Just protocol.” Altair sounded very embarrassed. “I don't know this place and....” 

“What's a NDA? I'm not into funny things or drugs.” Guntram's tone was very dry and his blue eyes shone with a steely shine. 

“Non disclosure agreement? A confidentiality agreement?” Altair gulped and knew he had chosen a very bad moment to mention it. 

“I never had a philia with fucking in front of a lawyer. In fact, that would remind me of my father standing right in front of the bed.” Guntram pushed Altair away and rose from the sofa. 

“Please don't be upset. I didn't mean to insult you but...” Altair started to say in a waterfall of  slurred words. 

“No, of course I'm not insulted!” Guntram snorted. “You just seem to think I'm a 20K Instagram model. Does your agreement come with a list of your “fantasies”? If so, I need my lawyers to take a look before I sign anything.” 

“I'm terribly sorry to ask you this but you have to understand that I'm a royal and this isn't my land. I could be in a lot of trouble....” 

“What? This is New Zealand and nobody cares about what we do.” 

“Guntram, please...” 

“Get out,” Guntram said calmly. “My lawyers need to see your conditions.” 

“Guntram,” Altair protested feebly. “It's traditional. It means nothing.” 

“Did I sign anything for you in Geneva?” Guntram held the door open for Altair. 

“No but that was my own house. It's not that I don't trust you but I don't know this place and the man who owns it.” 

“Suing me for several millions will make you feel better,” Guntram snorted in disbelief. “Get out!” 

“You have to understand my position. I'm a royal. I could be in a lot of trouble if any of this is leaked to the press.” Altair repeated feebly. He didn't know what else to do. His feet had turned into mud after Guntram had glared at him in such a way. 

“Oh, but fucking with me is perfectly fine in Dubai. What? Can you  give a hundred lashes to the journalist who prints the story there?” Guntram's indignation finally flared to life. “I was so wrong about you.” 

“It's just a paper. It means nothing.” Altair was truly offended by the suggestion he would do something like this. 

“Sure,” Guntram said ironically. Altair came closer to him and tried to grab him by the shoulders only to be pushed away in a reflex movement. “I said, keep your distance.” 

The low voice frightened Altair has he had never thought that Guntram could turn into something so different from the soft spoken young man he knew. 

“I'm doing my best to explain you my reasons.” Altair said dryly. Right now, he was sick of being pushed around and treated like a sick love puppy; he had some self-esteem left. He was respected by his own people and here, he was less than a broomstick. Guntram was dragging him along the world with just a single snap from his fingers; he was crawling back to him like a worm each time Guntram wanted him. He was supposed to do everything and ask nothing. 

“I don't want to hear them.” Guntram replied coldly. “I also took a great risk to be with you.” 

“I'll talk to you later, when you're more reasonable.” Altair wasn't a servant to be talked down like that. 

“Yes, get another receiving party because this one has just walked out of the agreement.”

Furious, Altair passed through Guntram and slammed the door behind him. Guntram's last humiliation was beyond everything he had ever known. 

* * * 

“I'm sorry brother, but duty calls,” the man said to Alexei as he quickly put the mobile back in his pocket and his companion looked at him in dismay. “Something came up and we have to work.” 

The other man began to count notes in his wallet and left them over the table. 

“Are you leaving so early?” Alexei asked with feigned shock. 'Damn! It wasn't Guntram if that was only a quick fuck.' 

“The brat got kicked out,” the older of the two men chuckled. “Serves him well for not following the law.” 

“Inshallah, brother,” Alexei said. 'Kicked out? That sounds like Guntram. Only he trashes oil tycoons.' “It's a pity that you have to go and leave it to me. I thank you for your guidance.” Alexei refused the money. 

“We insist, brother,” the man gave the load of notes to the waiter and began to walk towards the exit, followed by the other sour-looking bodyguard. 

'Most people think that serving a prince is an easy job,' Alexei kept a straight face as he peered through the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Arabs again. 'Nice guys despite all.'

Alexei didn't have to wait for more than five minutes before the large Mercedes G class halted in front of the building. Like a hurricane, Altair crossed the street and jumped inside it, with his bodyguard trailing behind him and carrying the bag he had seen before. 

'Yes, that looks definitely like Guntram,” Alexei was quite pleased with himself. 'No need to follow the sheik any more. I have what I want.'  

* * *

“Guntram, darling, all your problems can be solved with a little blue pill.” Constantin said the minute he answered his phone. 

“What? Fuck you!” Guntram exploded finally. 

“Avec plaisir but you're a little bit far away from home and I'm getting old for midnight fucks.” Constantin coughed amused and drank some water to ease the burning sensation in his throat. For a second, he regretted that his comfortable sleep had been cut short not even two hours after he had gone to bed, right after the boys felt asleep.  

Guntram needed to take several deep breaths before he could gather his thoughts and recover his cool. “How do you even know it? Were you spying on me?” 

“No, of course not. You couldn't make a good porn movie even if that was your final goal in this life. If you call me three hours after Romeo came for a memorable fuck, it means it was very bad.” 

Guntram sat on the border of the unused bed and sighed. “We fought.” 

“Oh,” Constantin didn't sound surprised at all and cleared his throat. 

“Are you not going to ask why?” 

“What for? You're dying to tell me. May I say: “I told you so?” after you're done?” 

“No, you may not.” Guntram answered irked. “You were quite sure we would fight and this is why you allowed this date.” 

“Many years of doing business in the Middle-East, dear. I know how it is. Was it the food?” 

“We didn't reach the dinner table,” Guntram mumbled. 

“Oh, was it me? You told him about our nights of passion and he didn't feel up to the challenge.” 

“Don't glorify yourself. I said nothing and he was taking it quite well.” 

“But...?” Constantin's light cough irritated Guntram even more but he distracted himself from his rage by taking another glass of the forgotten and now warm champagne.

“He wanted me to sign an agreement. A non disclosure agreement.” 

“I knew it!” Constantin burst into laughter. “They always do that! It's standard procedure. Nothing personal.”

“You knew about it?” Guntram roared. “Why didn't you tell me?” 

“I thought you had already signed one. My mother taught me not to meddle into other people's private affairs.” Constantin was still chortling but his laughter ended in a fist of cough. 

“It was the most humiliating moment of my life! I never felt so dirty and you were expecting it?  You should have told me! What kind of friend are you?” 

“I'm not your friend. I'm your lover and I'd be an idiot if I pave with gold the road for the competition. I was expecting something of the sort and you should have done the same, dear.” Constantin's voice was serious again. He had been just woken up and now he was being told off because of Guntram's own imbecility? 'At least he's far away. I can go back to sleep once he’s done.' 

“Now you will give me an etiquette course on boyfriends.” Guntram snorted and felt an urgent need of throwing his phone through the window. 

“Well, you should have had one before or would you rather cry over my shoulder? I'm too sleepy to do both.” 

“Share your wisdom, C... François.” 

Constantin yawned and squirmed in the bed, looking for a more comfortable position for his back. “Arab men see us, Westerners, as something exotic, just like we do with them. When they come to us, it's for business or pleasure. If you live in such a repressive society, your kinks are way more... weird than in open societies. When they fuck with us is for a short lived fun and nothing else. Don't get your hopes too high about building a little tent next to the desert, Guntram.” 

“You certainly have a way of crushing anyone hopes,” Guntram squished his eyes brutally. 

“He won't be phoning his imam to tell him about you. He won't even attend your funeral, Guntram.” Constantin said flatly. “It's haram.” 

“You make it sound horrible.” 

“I make it sound true. I never heard of a Muslim-Christian gay partnership. Relationships yes, but only when they're abroad. It's a cultural thing. I was visiting those countries when you were in elementary school, dear.”

“I don't believe you. He offered me his house.” 

“His house? Really? Or was it a place in his land under his rules? There's a difference.” 

“You'd kill Cupid.” Guntram repeated the sentence once more and Constantin's chuckles at hearing it ended in another light cough. “He loves me.” 

“Maybe. I don't care.” 

“You're a bastard, François.” Guntram sighed sadly but his voice didn't sound upset. “You knew it all along. You knew he would screw it up.” 

“You can always convert to Islam and things will be as you dream of, Guntram. It won't be a bed of roses but it will be easier for you than it is as a Christian... and what a Christian, if I might say so.”

“I would never renounce to my faith or take my children away from it.” Guntram answered mechanically and the reality of the lost love hit him like a train. “So, this is it? Is it over?” he asked to himself. 

“Sign those papers and forget about them. Anyway they mean nothing to you,” Constantin shrugged after pondering the idea for a moment. “You don't even update your Facebook page. Being quiet isn’t something you’re stranger to.” 

“I won't forget about those fucking papers. They will be always on my mind.” Guntram shook his head. “I do love him, really.” 

“You're infatuated like a schoolboy, that's all. It isn't a bad thing. We all had crushes at some point in our lives but building a life together is something quite different.” 

“Please François, don't be vulgar. There's no need to offer yourself as my knight in a shining armour.” 

“I'm no knight.” Constantin said softly and let Guntram think for a few instants as he waited for his lover's acknowledgement. He admired the painting on the wall and let the clock tick the seconds and minutes morosely. Time was essential but he would not let it rule his life. He only waited. 

“Tomorrow I'll take Dima's daughter to do some shopping for the boys,” Guntram said slowly instead, exactly as Constantin expected he would; He would let the whole thing go before facing that his new prince was an ugly toad like ninety-nine percent of mankind. “She wanted to go shopping and I guess Dima will allow it.” 

“Yes, he will,” Constantin answered with an even voice as he knew the storm had washed over the shoreline without any further casualties. Guntram was too self-restrained to ever mention again the thing. “Dima appreciates you.” 

“I'll return on schedule. I would like to visit some bookstores and a museum maybe. It's hard to do it with the boys tagging along.” 

“Don't tell me.” Constantin smiled to himself 'Just where I wanted you.' “I'm a bit jealous that you get to do it,” he ventured. 

“I can wait for you, if you want.” Guntram offered in a kind voice. 

“Would you do that? The boys can stay with the nanny and I could be there the day after tomorrow.” 

“Yes, that would be nice.”