20 – Yannick’s Mistake (5)

 

Sebastian arrived home. He walked through the door, stopping to pet Tibby, then headed for his room. It involved passing the family room, where his father sat watching TV. Like he had never moved.

Waylon looked over at him. “Where have you been?”

“The East Side.”

“The East Side! What the hell for?”

Sebastian raised his eyebrows. “You told me to.”

“Jesus, Sebastian. It was a joke. I wasn’t serious!” Waylon ran his hand through his hair. “I hope you didn’t get mugged.”

“I almost did, but I fought him off. We started talking afterwards, with this other guy. I think I made new friends.”

“Friends?!” Waylon gaped at him.

“We didn’t exchange numbers or anything, but one of them said I could stop by anytime.”

“Did you tell them your my son?”

“Yeah.”

“And that I’m running for governor?”

“They already knew.” Who doesn’t?

“Did they say who they’re voting for?”

Sebastian shrugged.

Waylon slapped his hand on the arm of the couch. “Damn it! Don’t tell me they’re falling for Creepy Clark’s lies…”

“Creepy Clark?”

“That fascist. He’ll ruin this beautiful state. Turn it into some liberal hell hole. And these lazy asses are too caught up in believing his promises of free money. They’re just gonna let it happen.”

“They’re having trouble finding jobs and making money,” Sebastian said. “It’s hard out there.”

Waylon snorted. “You spent two hours in a ghetto, and you think you know everything now, huh?”

“That’s what they told me.” Sebastian folded his arms. “And it is hard getting a job. There’s nothing out there!”

“Did you try asking managers in all the shops downtown?”

Sebastian had forgotten all about that part of his day. It felt so long ago. “Everyone got mad at me for disturbing them.”

“Typical.” Waylon stroked his mustache. “Let me talk to Barry. Maybe there’s something at the Mansion you could do for him.”

It would be better than nothing.

 

~~~~~

 

Stellaluna woke up curled against Yannick. After reading another chapter, Yannick needed to rest for a few minutes. They must have fallen asleep. Her nose was only inches away from his neck, and her hand had ended up on his chest. The blankets covered most of it, but she could feel its firmness. So strong, and so… young. She had forgotten the man was almost ten years younger. Why would he ever be interested in an old woman like her?

Yannick’s eyes were still closed, so Stellaluna kept her hand there. His chest rose and fell as he breathed, and then… hitched.

Yannick’s eyes opened, and he stared at her hand on his chest.”

“Sorry.” Stellaluna pulled her hand away, flushed. “That happened in my sleep.”

“It is okay. I do not mind.” Yannick yawned and checked his watch. “We sleep only since a half hour.”

“Will anyone notice you’re gone?” Stellaluna asked. This was the longest he’d been away from working.

“Maybe. But I am still too tired to work. I would rather read. One more chapter?”

“One more,” Stellaluna agreed. And they started on chapter 7, which lead to chapter 8.

“We should stop,” Yannick said, as he turned the page to chapter 9.

They really should. At this point, they had been at the cottage for over two hours. Part of it could be shrugged off as Yannick’s lunch break, but…

“We’re going to need an excuse,” Stellaluna said. “What could you possibly be helping me with that would take half the day?”

“I know not. But I am not too worried. Only my boss would care. He would notice only if he needed me. He is too busy with his own work.” Yannick sat up, pushing the blankets aside. He got out of bed, and picked his pants off the floor. Stellaluna would look away, but he didn’t seem to mind. It was like he wanted her to see him in such a state. But that was absurd. Still, her eyes roamed his body as an ache formed between her legs.

He stood, pants in hand, and smiled a smile that made her heart flutter. “What? You want a picture?”

Stellaluna finally looked away. “Sorry.”

“I care not. Many people have seen me like this.”

“Many?” And here Stellaluna thought she was special.

“People in Germany are not as… what is the word?”

“Modest?”

“Modest. I wear something still. It is not like I am naked.”

“Oh dear.” Stellaluna didn’t want to think of that. Still, her eyes wandered to the crotch of his boxer briefs. The slight bulge worsened her ache. How did that compare to Barry’s? Based off everything else about Yannick thus far, it was probably better too.

Yannick chuckled. “But if you want to that see, I can-”

“That won’t be necessary.” With great reluctance Stellaluna turned around. She did not need to be gawking at a servant in his underwear. It was stirring up too many lustful feelings. Soon, she might seriously consider having an affair with the man. And that would only end in tragedy.

The two decided it would be safer if Yannick left the cottage first, and Stellaluna shortly after. It would do no good for anyone to see them together. They could only hope Yannick wouldn’t have been missed.

Stellaluna made it into the house with no obstacles. From there, she made it halfway to her bedroom before Barry stormed up to her.

“Where have you been?!” he shouted. “Nobody knew where you were. We looked everywhere!”

Stellaluna gritted her teeth, hating that she had to put up with him once more. Why couldn’t she have stayed in that bed with Yannick? They could be on chapter 10 by now. She straightened, and looked Barry in the eye. “I was out. Like you asked.”

“Out where? People searched through the gardens.”

“I was not in the gardens. I was out front, and had a pleasant walk through the neighborhood.”

“You spent two hours wandering through the neighborhood?”

“Okay. Fine. I got lost.”

“You got lost?”

“Yes. But I found my way back.”

"I don't believe this." Barry put his hand over his forehead, sighing. “This is why you need to tell me you’re leaving the house ahead of time. Hell, you should have had a servant with you!”

Like Yannick? Now Stellaluna had a future excuse for their absence, if necessary. “Okay. I promise to bring a servant with me next time I decide to wander.”

“See that you do. I was getting worried.”

He was worried? Since when did Barry worry about anything other than his business and money?

Barry’s phone rang. He held up one finger as he pulled it out of his pocket to answer it. “Hey, Waylon… Hmm… I don’t think we have anything for him.” He glanced over at Stellaluna. “I’m sorry. Let me think on it and I’ll get back to you.” He hung up.

“What did Waylon want?”

“A job for Sebastian. We don’t need the help, and I’d rather not have another employee to pay. I could always fire someone and replace them with Sebastian. But I don’t know yet if I can trust Sebastian to do a good job, you know?”

Stellaluna nodded along, grateful the spotlight was no longer on her. “I’ve never seen Sebastian work a day in his life.”

“Exactly. But… I don’t know. We’ll see.”