Page 61 of Obsession of the Egoist
“Intelligence,” Yugo finally said. “Not my database. And they will run your every query through Greg.”
“Deal.”
“Give the hard drive to Greg. I need to change.” Picking up the garment bag from the couch, Yugo stomped to the bathroom.
STANDING IN THE SHARP SHADOWof the hospital building, Rick watched a black jeep park. All morning the shocking picture didn’t leave his mind. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that the morning scene didn’t look like a lovers’ reunion, it looked like a fight that ended with rape. Needing to clear his suspicions, he’d tried to see Kuon but the security guard, propping up the wall of Kuon’s room, wouldn’t let him in, which only reassured him in his rightness.
The bright sun glinted off Yugo’s raven hair. His dark gray suit and black shirt looked stuffy in the morning heat. Darting a glance at his watch, the man breathed, “Eleven already… Fucking Tobias.”
“Boss, do you want me to go with you?” Poking his face out of the window, another man,probably a bodyguard, asked. Rick squinted. Through the thick glass that reflected the parking lot, he could tell a murderer, even if he wore a business suit. The thought that if this man were to tag along, Rick’s plan would go to hell darkened his mood even more.
“No. Better make sure all the preparations for Kuon to move in are finished.” Rick couldn’t suppress a smile as Yugo rejected salvation. Jolting back into the thick shadow of the corner, Rick watched Yugo examine the hospital building and the parked cars, before striding toward the main entrance.
Slipping through the automatic doors into the well-conditioned building, Rick pushed the door of the staircase and rushed upstairs. The knife handle burned his palm.
NUMBNESS SATURATED.For some time Kuon concentrated on breathing, but even this simple process was painfully-difficult, exhausting. The surrounding nothingness frightened him more than usual. Darkness, emptiness, loneliness, fusing in a vortex, overflowed his emotional pool.
Bastard…He bit his lips, trying to stop them from twisting in a painful grimace.Does he think he can mess with me whenever he wants and throw me away right after? What am I, a fuck-toy? A disposable pleasure device?
The more Kuon thought about it, the more he realized that Yugo had never clearly confessed.
“I don’t get it… Did I misunderstand him?” he whispered only to dispel the clouding darkness.Where do I stand? Who am I to him? A toy, nostalgic fuck, pity case, lover? Whatever I am, that didn’t stop him from leaving. Isn’t it like before?
The earthquake of unsettled emotions trembled in his fingertips when he covered his strapped face with his palms, feeling used, powerless. His eyes burned as the pulsing pressure at the back of his head intensified, and ripples of chill rushed through his body. Tugging the blanket over his head, he scraped his nails down his face.
Serves me right. A couple of sweet words and I spread my legs for him. I should have killed him!
“ARGHH!” Kuon roared in helpless agony, trying to calm his bruised ego, but anger prickled his eyes.
“YOU CAN GO,” YUGO THREWto the guard as he entered the room. He pushed the door closed when alertness prickled the hairs on his arms. At first, he didn’t realize what spiked his adrenaline, then he heard heavy breathing and noticed the silhouette of a shaking body rolled up under the covers.
“Kuon?” Darting to the bed, he threw the blanket away. “Are you in pain? I’ll get the doctor.”
On his side, Kuon propped himself up on one elbow. The thick shock of hair fell over his eye shields when he moved his chin to his shoulder.
“I am … in fucking pain,” Kuon said in a gravelly voice, as he sat up on his haunches.
Cold fear, starting under Yugo’s tongue, streamed down his throat as he wrapped his arms around Kuon’s torso, trying to lift him. “Hold on, I’ll get you to the…”
“Bastard!” Clashing his teeth in the air, Kuon threw a short jab forward.
Ringing filled Yugo’s ears as he pulled back, blinking away the black flies. The heat and pain blooming on his cheek spread all over his head, and the room swirled.
“That’s not the greeting I expected,”he said, rubbing his pulsing cheek, but his heart lightened. Kuon seemed to be fine; aggressive, but fine. Then why had his body language suggested the opposite? “What is this all about?”
Waiting for the room to stop, he placed his hand on Kuon’s thigh.
“Don’t touch me!” Kuon slapped his palm away, then grabbed the flap of his jacket. His other fist bleached white as he held it ready to crash down on Yugo’s face again, but in a moment, his determination seemed to vaporize. A heavy air puff crashed against Yugo’s neck as Kuon dropped his fist and leaned into him. His sweaty forehead bumped against Yugo’s shoulder.
Confused by Kuon’s behavior, Yugo hummed.
“Where have you been?” Kuon breathed angry words out. “I’m gonna kill you!”
Dipping his chin, Yugo couldn’t help a smile as Kuon let out another angry puff. Every heartbeat radiated through his chest with buzzing heat, but he couldn’t say if happiness caused it or Kuon’s punch had granted him with a concussion. “Why? Did you miss me?”
“I thought…” Kuon didn’t finish.
“Thought what?” Yugo mused.
