Apollo's Favor

RIX's P.O.V.

Jade fell asleep, maybe because she’s been tired playing with Andrei.

Andrei’s sleeping too. He sounded tired but happy.

I'm sure, today has been filled with love and enjoyment because of Jade.

It wasn't that bad bringing jade after all.

Between Apollo and I, No one spoke after that.

Both of us were lost in nothingness.

We sat in silence for a few moments, both lost in our own thoughts.

When I looked at him, his gaze was lost on me.

We're looking at each other.

I could feel the tension between us, the unspoken feelings that hung in the air.

I can feel my heart knocking so fast.

It accelerated so fast. Hmm.

His gaze suddenly lost in my neck.

His eyes are now looking at my lips.

Oh god, his face is getting closer to me, I can feel my heart beat so fast.

I was lost in the art of his face.

The way he gulped and his Adam’s apple moved.

God damn it.

His hands are lost in my neck, caressing it as if it was his own.

Then his lips are almost to meeting mine.

But just as our lips are about to meet, he stopped and kissed my forehead instead.

Jeez, he's so good at withholding action and then not going to do it at all.

He looked at me with respect, and he smiled sweetly which made my heart flutter… even more.

I wanted nothing more than to give in to it, to let myself be swept away by the moment.

But I knew it was a bad idea. It was too risky, too dangerous to do it again.,

Because I know I'm not just doing this because of work, but also because of the urge of my likeness to him. The likeness is now growing.

I can feel that it's becoming more likeness but less love.

Instead of speaking, Apollo looked away.

I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me.

Apollo remained by my side, a constant presence, as we both resisted the temptation that pulled at us.

Maybe we would wait until the time was right until the danger had passed. For now, we would just be there for each other.

The danger is that I know where to lead.

I don't want to grow the toxic feeling I had for him.

But I don't know how to stop it either.

So if I don't know, when would I resist the hot tension between us?

—

The sun is shining, and I'm ready to go to work.

“So, say goodbye to Jade. We're going to drop her at her home and as for me, I’ll have to do something else. How does that sound?” I asked.

Andrei took a deep sigh.

"Are you going to leave me again?"

"I will come back I just have to go to work the finance your hospital bills. Do you understand that, Andrei?"

Andrea rolled his eyes and took a deep sigh.

Although he wanted to say more, he knew that there was nothing else that he can do.

"Fine, but you have to promise me that you will come back and never leave me again with the nurse alone,” said Andrei, almost in a tone of begging.

I caressed his cheeks, kissed his forehead, and hugged him.

Then I replied "I promise. Trust me! Now, say goodbye to Jade, because I'm sure she will miss you.”

As he looked at Jade, he smiled.

“Always remember what we've talked about last night. Okay?” asked Andrei.

My brows furrowed. Even though I wanted to ask badly what was that I remained silent and zipped my mouth because I believe in privacy.

“What was that about, Jade?” asked Apollo.

“Come on, don't try to ruin their privacy, Apollo. No one likes that!” I said, trying to tease him, and also protect the mental health of the kids.

How would they trust us, adults, if we couldn't give them the boundaries they wanted and needed?

Apollo rolled his eyes as he chortled a little, trying hard to hide it. “Fine fine!” he said. “Are you good? Or do you guys still need some time to talk?” he asked.

The two of them didn't reply but instead, they did something according to their will.

Jade whispered at Andrei something I couldn't hear but didn't bother to know.

Apollo and I looked at each other, knowing there was something going on. It's as if we're talking as our gazes are lost on one another.

“Shall we?” asked Apollo after Jade and Andire are done talking.

I can see from my point of view, that Andrei is a little upset. His newfound friend is about to go.

“Yes,” I replied.

We said our goodbyes. But before I leave, I talk to Andrei first.

"Please don't tell Jade about my work and anything at all about our family, okay?"

"Why don't you want her to know? I mean, I thought she was almost a sister to you,” he asked, feeling confused.

"She sure is! But it’s that's the only thing that I wanted you to do. Everything else is up to you, it's your life, after all. But about our family, as long as you can, keep it behind your toes."

He nodded.

We said goodbye to each other.

There were a lot of things I did first before going away.

One of them is to talk to the nurse that is assigned to Andrei and then left.

—

We’re now inside the vehicle of Apollo, and Jade was at the back —she's keeping again and maybe shouldn't get a comfortable sleep last night because she only slept on the sofa which is really narrow.

I'm sure she is not used to sleeping on a sofa. After all their family is a business family.

Apollo breaks the silence that surrounded the both of us for almost half an hour.

"I have to ask you something, but can you do it for me?" asked Apollo, while driving.

"I have to know the favor, I don't want to answer yet because I might not be able to do it,” I said.

"Well, hmm… Actually, I'm a bit shy. But can you please refrain from accepting extra work such as— you know, I don't want to say it verbally. It might offend—”

"No, please just say it. I don't want to assume things, I want everything to come out of your mouth,” I said.

He took a deep sigh before replying.

"All right. I mean, will you please stop accepting clients' offers? Like stripping or doing something nasty, performing live, and doing sex?"

I smile but I kept it hidden from him.

"May I know the reason behind it?" I asked.

"It's concerning me."

"I believe it's not part of our agreement. What if you tell me the reason behind it, maybe I could do it."

He cleared his throat and stop his car for us to talk properly.

"I don't want anyone touching you except for me. I don't want anyone else to be seeing you in your naked body, and I don't want you to experience more pain and bring more baggage in your back. I mean what's my purpose if you keep on experiencing such difficulties? I'm here to help you, okay?"

I can’t help blushing.

I can feel my heart thumping so fast, and my eyes can't focus on one thing.

I can't even look him in his eyes, and I can't even answer! It's obvious.

What should I do…

"Rix," he called me. I was about to answer him, but he speak again. “ "I feel uncomfortable with it. I want to be the only one touching you and having that kind of intimacy." His eyes were fixed on me.

He’s sure of it…

I felt my cheeks heat up, but I understood where Apollo was coming from. I had started to develop feelings for him, and the thought of him being jealous and possessive made my heart flutter.

I cleared my own throat, and this time I have the courage to look at him.

"All right then, if that's what really want,” I said. "I'll stop accepting those kinds of jobs."

He smiled so sweetly but it is not huge. Maybe he is trying to keep it hidden from me as well as how much I wanted my smile to be hidden from him.

But his smile means something to me. I mean, he doesn't smile a lot. So I'm always waiting for the moment he will smile again.

Apollo seemed to relax at my agreement.

A few minutes after a little longer ride, I bid him goodbye before he drove off to his own work.

I watched him leave, feeling a sense of happiness that I hadn't felt in a long time.

After that, he drove his car again. He told me that he will drop me off at my work since it was almost time to work and he had the capacity to drop me off, so why not?

I was grateful to be dropped off by Apollo at my work, feeling a sense of contentment after spending the night together.

As I walked towards the club, I made a mental note to return to the hospital after work, just like I promised my brother Andrei.