Page 29 of Lost Room Lawyer
“I don’t understand.”
Nico tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and looked at me with interest. It was so obvious that he enjoyed spending time with me. The glow emanating from him seemed much brighter than usual. And I felt the same way. I loved every second with him, even if what I was about to say didn’t reflect me in the best light. But it was just a part of me.
“For years, I’ve been hiring a callboy every month,” I said, awkwardly rubbing my mouth and clearing my throat. “The past few weeks have been so crazy that I was literally drowning in work and had no time for … you know.”
Nico listened intently, his eyes not as wide open as before.
“But work isn’t the only reason I haven’t had sex. Well, maybe a bit, or maybe it’s just complicated.”
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
“But it’s related to work, and sooner or later, you might wonder … The Juri Vinzens case.”
“That case seems special. You’re keeping it secret from all of us.”
“Yes,” I admitted quietly. “Maybe because Juri was one of my callboys.”
“Oh …”
“What?”
“Well, I saw him on my first day. You went to lunch together. I wondered what kind of guy he was. So young and already rich enough to afford you.” Nico paused. “So young … Were they always that young?”
I felt my pulse quicken. I couldn’t answer that question, so I just continued. “He was drugged, raped, and beaten up by three guys during a job. That was the last job he did. He was very lucky to have gotten out.”
“Shit … That sounds bad.” Nico furrowed his brow and looked at me with a probing gaze. “The way you talk about him … You care about him.”
“I … Sure, I care about him; but not in the way you think. I’ve known him for years. He’s a really good guy, and my subtenant’s boyfriend. When Luca told me the story and asked if something could be done, I knew I had to take the case pro bono. Those kinds of assholes should be locked up.”
“Did you stop hiring callboys after that?”
“I don’t know. Somehow, I feel like the case hit too close to home, and I can’t … Although there’s actually nothing wrong with it. They’re hard-working young men who earn their money this way. Some do it voluntarily, making extra money on the side. Others have no other choice. Although it never occurred to me to ever hit a callboy or break their rules … Maybe that’s why it makes me so angry.”
“In my eyes, it’s just a normal case you took on pro bono. It doesn’t matter …”
“If others find out, then …”
“I don’t think that …”
“I already have enough trouble keeping it a secret from my family.”
“No one is demanding that from you.”
“I’m demanding it of myself.”
“Could it be that your mysophobia has gotten worse because of this?”
“My … What?” Nico’s question threw me completely off guard. I really wasn’t expecting that.
“You washed your hands seven times in Canonica’s house within nine hours today,” Nico said calmly. “And not just a little. You scrubbed them thoroughly.” He reached for my hand. “They’re all rough and cracked. The dry, cold air here isn’t helping.”
I made a puzzled face. How did we get to discussing a disorder that might affect me? Of course, I was glad that the topic of callboys was over, but mysophobia?
“It’s okay,” Nico said, clearly sensing when the mood was about to shift. He let go of my hand and smiled. “I feel honored.”
“Why’s that?”
“That I’m the first one after all those callboys.”
