The especially hot weather in the city of Chicago that day seemed even more stifling to Jonathan, who was waiting for the moment he had dreamed of for a long time.
He was sitting in a leather armchair, scratching his nails on the fabric of the object continuously. And not even the powerful air conditioning of the room was enough to stop the sweat that kept dripping down his face, coming from his temples, walking slowly to his collarbone, soaking little by little the white blouse he was wearing.
It wasn't just the heat, as the nervousness Jonathan was feeling was almost paralyzing, building up in his chest like a snowball. However, his trepidation was no accident. He was about to meet one of the most respected men in the world. Elliot Park, the youngest man to become a billionaire, was the owner of a veritable empire.
His branches all over the world were responsible for training the biggest names in entertainment. Jonathan was there with a single goal: to become the newest employee of the P.E (Park Empire) Agency. And as soon as he heard the employee's voice echo through the room as she pronounced his name, he felt even closer to realizing his big dream.
"Jonathan Jones, Mr. Park is waiting for you" The receptionist had to repeat a few times for Jones to take any action at all. He literally felt paralyzed, and only when the woman touched his shoulder did he stand up, he stood up, determined to move toward the moment that would determine his future.
But his insecurity made him think that, while everything could go right, his confused and clumsy way could be in charge of completely destroying his goal. Then, nervously, Jonathan stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath, trying to remember all the words he had memorized on the way to the company.
Despite that, from the moment he put his sweaty hands on the door handle of Elliot's room, all the thoughts that wandered in his mind disappeared in the blink of an eye. And then, the door slowly opened, revealing a sophisticated and imposing environment. The decor was elegant, with neutral tones and exquisitely designed furniture, evidencing the good taste and wealth of the empire's owner.
A large glass wall offered a panoramic view of the bustling city of Chicago, but my focus quickly turned to the man with his back to me, standing there like an enigmatic figure. It was Elliot Park, himself. His imposing, aloof air made Jonathan feel like a mere spectator before his grandeur.
The heat of the city seemed not to affect the controlled atmosphere of the room, which remained cool and inviting.
The leather furniture, combined with the dark wood floors, created an atmosphere of power and luxury. Paintings by famous artists decorated the walls, adding a touch of art to the space.
The moment he saw him for the first time would be forever imprinted in his memory.
Elliot was on his back, standing in front of the large glass wall that overlooked the busy street. He seemed attentive, his eyes fixed on something Jonathan couldn't tell him what it was. So focused that he barely noticed the candidate's presence in his office.
Embarrassed, Jonathan pretended to bump into some object just to get his attention, which worked, as Elliot immediately looked at him. His solid-as-a-statue expression didn't move an inch as he laid eyes on Jonathan for the first time.
However, that didn't mean he was unaffected by the younger man's presence. Elliot automatically looked him up and down, analyzing every detail of his body. And it wasn't for nothing, the boy, although young, was visibly strong, with muscles that marked the white dress shirt slightly sweaty from the heat.
Although younger than Elliot, Jones has a more mature appearance, evidenced by his short brown hair. His adorably larger-than-usual eyes gave an almost childlike look to his expression, always curious as he took in his surroundings.
However, the perfectly drawn eyeliner on her eyelid displayed a strong trait of her personality and the sensuality she liked to let slip now and then.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Elliot Park. My name is Jonathan Jones." The candidate approached to greet him respectfully.
"Hello, Jonathan. Please have a seat." Elliot's cold tone made the young man swallow, choking on his own saliva.
"Do you need water?" Elliot asked, sounding impatient.
"No, sir. I'm sorry, I'm just a little nervous." Jonathan ducked his head, embarrassed.
His attempt to look confident vanished the moment he stared into the businessman's cold eyes.
His whole body was shaking, and Jonathan felt stupid for feeling that way, like a nervous teenager at a school presentation.
Even though it was too early to tell, it was not wrong to say that Jonathan was also struck by Elliot Park's beauty. His blond hair combed gracefully back made him incredibly attractive.
The businessman, oddly enough, appeared younger than he actually was, as well as possessing a mesmerizing beauty. Elliot took great pleasure in exercising daily, making his well-defined body hard to miss. And even wearing a suit that did not allow a full view of his anatomy, it was remarkable the fabric marking his thighs and buttocks protruding through the muscles present there, highlighting his most sensual parts.
Their gazes met for a brief space of time before any words were spoken again. And in that instant, they just felt the shock of being in each other's presence for the first time, until the brunette tried to break the deafening silence.
Discreetly, he took a deep breath, trying to find inside himself all the confidence he thought he had a few hours ago. However, whenever he found Elliot's green eyes staring at him sternly, he felt that the simple task of staying focused seemed impossible.
Even though it was still early, it was impossible for Jonathan not to be struck by Elliot Park's beauty. His gracefully slicked back blond hair made him incredibly attractive. Despite looking younger than he really was, he possessed a mesmerizing charm.
Elliot had a daily exercise routine, resulting in a well-defined physique that didn't go unnoticed. Even in a suit that didn't reveal his full anatomy, it was evident how the fabric accentuated his strong thighs and prominent behind, highlighting his muscles and exposing his more sensual features.
Their gazes met briefly, leaving them both in shock at being in each other's presence. Silence prevailed until the younger one decided to break it.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Elliot Park. My name is Jonathan Jones," he said, approaching to greet him.
"Hello, Jonathan. Please, take a seat," Elliot's cool tone made the young man swallow hard, choking on his own saliva.
"Do you need water?" Elliot asked, preparing to call his assistant.
"No, Sir. I'm sorry, I'm just a little nervous." Jonathan lowered his head, feeling embarrassed. His attempt to appear confident faded as he faced the CEO's cold eyes.
"That's okay. Let's get started. Tell me about your vision for the future." The blond glanced at him briefly before returning his gaze to the paper in his hands.
"I want to be a producer, I mean, I am a music producer. I'm looking for a chance to show that I deserve to be here, and I have a lot to offer." Without success, Jonathan searched his mind for the rehearsed words he had prepared on his way to the company.
"Alright. You're quite young... Can you commit? I like to hire people I know will live up to the company's name," Elliot inquired.
"I'm very responsible, Mr. Park. I already live on my own, and I'm used to having responsibilities. My determination and persistence wouldn't allow me to squander such an opportunity." The young man knew he was only five years younger than Elliot, but he understood the questioning, as people his age aren't always taken seriously in their commitments.
"I've listened to your music. Did you produce it all by yourself? They're... interesting. Tell me about your creative process." Though he didn't admit it, Elliot was impressed with Jonathan's talent, who not only produced well but also had an incredible voice.
As the brunette presented his best arguments for Elliot to hire him, the older man couldn't stop his eyes from wandering to the first two buttons open on Jonathan's shirt, partially exposing his defined chest.
He felt a magnetic attraction to his appearance, without even realizing how his eyes wandered to Jonathan's lips, noticing the beauty mark just below his lower lip.
Realizing the distraction he was causing himself, Elliot decided to end the interview prematurely before the other noticed the evident internal confusion in his expression.
"Alright, Jonathan. That's enough. Leave your information with the assistant; she will inform you of your schedule. It's a temporary position for a trial period. If you pass, you'll be hired permanently. If you have any conflicts, let us know, and we'll contact another candidate." This time, Elliot didn't look at him, keeping his eyes fixed on the computer screen.
Jonathan worried that he had been cut off, fearing that he might have said something inappropriate, but he didn't mind when he realized he had secured his long-awaited opportunity.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Park. I won't let you down." He bid farewell, grateful.
Upon leaving the room, Jonathan received his schedule and a temporary badge that granted him access to the building. He felt the euphoria coursing through his body as he read his name next to the Empire logo. He couldn't wait to share the news with his family.
[...]
Upon arriving home, he opened the fridge, hoping to find something to cook, but was disappointed to find only some old vegetables, nothing salvageable. He reached for his phone, looking for a delivery app and, in the meantime, searched for a movie to watch.
He called his parents to share the news, and although they didn't consider his profession as something serious, they seemed happy for him. Jonathan had given up fighting against his parents' backward thinking; they were older and very traditional. They didn't understand how much music filled him and clung to the idea that he'd be much better off attending a traditional college and pursuing a common career.
Since he was young, Jonathan had never been a conventional boy. He felt like a puzzle piece destiny played on his parents by giving them a son different from everything they had imagined.
Distracted, he heard his phone beep, noticing a message from Hugo congratulating him and saying that he was waiting for the results of his interview. After replying to his friend, Jonathan couldn't resist searching for Elliot Park's name on Google, curious to learn more about his future boss.
Looking at the photos he found, he noticed how Elliot always had a closed expression on his face. There wasn't much information about his personal life beyond what the media already knew; he seemed like a very reserved person. Jonathan was curious to know what he was like in his private life, but at the same time, he knew this kind of information shouldn't be of his concern.
He was startled by the doorbell ringing, and in a hurry, he ran to the door to pick up his meal. He put on one of his favorite movies to celebrate his small but significant achievement. Jonathan had lost count of how many times he had watched "Call Me By Your Name," but every time, he was moved.
For a moment, he felt envious of the love that Elio demonstrated for Oliver, with all the fury of teenage passion, so intense that it seemed to pass through the screen and hit the viewer in a devastating way. Before falling asleep completely, he thought that perhaps he had been alone for too long and reflected, trying to understand the feelings that had been awakened within him.
For Elliot, that had been a tiring day. More than usual, as he usually enjoyed his busy routine, unlike many people who preferred a calm life without many events.
However, one moment of that long day marked him differently. Among all the people he interviewed during the afternoon, he felt particularly intrigued by Jonathan Jones, his new employee. And now, hours later, he continued to be confused about the sudden connection he felt.
He stood on his penthouse balcony, leaning against the railing that offered an incredible city view. Wearing only a purple silk robe, he delicately held a cigarette between his long fingers, watching attentively as the smoke dissipated in the wind that partially embraced his naked body.
Even without clothes, wearing only a robe that barely covered his body, he didn't mind the cold that was blowing on a dark night. On the contrary, he leaned carefully on the glass that protected him on the balcony and continued to observe the majestically placed moon in the sky, admiring all its beauty.
Touched by the magnitude of everything around him, he realized how empty and lonely he felt. The man in his room at that very moment would be offended if he could read Elliot's deepest thoughts. Unfortunately, that was the reality.
The nights of intense sex with people who crossed his path were nothing more than fleeting and casual moments. For Elliot, it was just one night. It had been that way with all of them, and this time wouldn't be any different.
None of those people awakened in Park what he felt during the few minutes he spent in the presence of Jonathan. The voracious fire that consumed him when he looked into the intern's dark eyes was completely unprecedented. He felt like an addict, convinced that he needed more of the adrenaline that made him crave more of the intoxicating sensation that invaded him.
Even though he tried to be discreet about his improper thoughts, so as not to make Jonathan uncomfortable, it was extremely difficult to resist the temptation to keep his hands off him.
At this point, Elliot had already understood that hiring him might not be the best option. But inevitably, he felt that he needed to experience more of that feeling. Park was extremely drawn to challenges, and for him, Jonathan had become the most intriguing of all.
Ignoring the inevitable fact that at some point he would have to dismiss the man sleeping peacefully in his room, he paced around the living room, walking in circles, until he heard the phone ring.
He answered immediately, anxious, knowing he would have the information he needed.
Following Elliot's orders, his secretary sent him a file with all the information she could access about Jonathan Jones. And even surprised by his unusual behavior, she complied with his orders without questioning. It wasn't like him to take such a keen interest in an employee, but in this case, he had to act differently.
Like a predator, he felt he needed to know his prey. All his strengths and weaknesses. He had to have an advantage. Nevertheless, a part of him remained in denial, convincing himself that his magnetism was due to the young man's talent. Deep down, he knew his interest was much more than professional.
That day, what had begun within him was like a small spark that would gradually reveal the intense fire that would grow inside him.
...
The weekend passed slowly for Jonathan, who was a bundle of nerves. His Sunday consisted of repeatedly changing Netflix titles, unable to focus his attention on anything important. All he could think about was how excited he was for his first day of work.
He made an effort to look as presentable as possible, and as soon as he arrived at the company, he felt all eyes on him.
The office, full of casual and laid-back people, wasn't used to someone like Jonathan. His sense of style was admirable, and someone with his appearance wouldn't go unnoticed easily.
This also applied to his own boss, who arrived a little later at the company and observed the intern with complete attention as he received information about his tasks.
Elliot's body tingled as he saw the beautiful boy wearing a purple shirt with a slight transparency.
That alone was enough to take his imagination to places he avoided visiting. His deviant mind allowed him, for a moment, to imagine the possibilities that Jonathan's clothes held underneath all that fabric. However, he quickly regretted it, as his fertile imagination was more torturous than he could handle.
Somewhat nervous, Elliot pressed the button connecting him to his secretary just as he stepped into his office.
"Please, have the newcomer come to my office right now," he said, in an internal duel with himself, realizing what he was doing.
Jonathan was puzzled by his boss asking to see him on his very first day. Nonetheless, he obeyed. He gave three timid knocks on the door before presenting himself.
His hesitant steps struggled to take him closer to Elliot, and Jonathan felt apprehensive about getting too close to the intense gaze that seemed to devour him.
Park didn't disguise it, didn't want to disguise it, as his eyes roamed over Jonathan's entire body without any restraint. Without any reaction, Jonathan blushed slightly as he noticed this fact. He felt embarrassed, with sudden sweat dripping from his temples. Yet, something inside him could tell that he liked being looked at that way.
"Do you need something, Mr. Park?" His question could be answered by the way he was being observed. Nonetheless, he waited for a response in silence.
"I need more things than you can imagine, Jones." Elliot's tone made Jonathan shiver. "I have an exclusive client who needs my guidance in producing his new album. I want you to come with me; I think it might be interesting for you."