Page 70 of The Twins

Remo

FORT MOTE - MR. DAVID’S 40TH BIRTHDAY

I’m tipsy.

It’s a weekday, and I sway on my feet in a living room full of tech geeks, men, and women. They dress nicer than me, and their chitchat game is hard. Meanwhile, I can’t get a word out. I refill my drink, a red wine I hate the taste of, and I occasionally down a shot.

My balance is hideous, so I stand by the wall like the weirdo that I am.

My comfortable jeans and button-up shirt feel like an understatement. Outside, Mr. David’s friends have filled up his lot with expensive cars that I didn’t even know existed yet. I’m surrounded by fine fabric, mainly custom clothing imported from overseas. The other guests’ skin is shiny and glowing, and I’m gloomy and miserable.

I’m worth nothing compared to these people, and I have no idea why Mr. David insisted I come to his fortieth birthday party.

“You should stop drinking now,” Mr. David says. He’s like an angel on my shoulder, comforting me in my darkest moments. Only that he’s no angel. He’s too big for my shoulders. He stands in front of me, and he takes my drink away.

I gaze after the glass of wine as one of the staff Mr. David’s hired for this special occasion leaves with my drink in hand.

“You should stop telling me what to do,” I counter, my expression hard.

Mr. David steps closer. I feel his breath on the side of my neck. “I love my birthday. Be… Please, be good today. Look around. Talk to my friends. I’ve told them all about your work. Your achievements are impressive.”

What achievements? It feels like I have none in a room of rich folks. I live in a tiny studio, and I have no fucking life.

“They want to meet you. If you decide to quit the military, you can start your own company with your knowledge. You’ve got it, Remo. Everyone in this room wishes they had your brains,” Mr. David gushes, and I cringe at his ugly words. “You’re innovating cyber warfare, and you can’t even legally drink yet. You’ve got the keys to the kingdom. People like you are keeping our nation safe.”

“I’m surprised you know about what I do since it’s supposed to be highly classified information,” I snort. I keep our nation safe, yes. I’m the defensive player of the year in my field.

Nothing passes the walls I’ve set up. No other country can digitally penetrate us, as hard as they try.

I don’t dabble in offensive play just yet, but it’s coming. Once we figure out our next generation of super drones, the skinny bitch kind, I’m going on the road to test them.

“My money and software make highly classified information open up like a pretty flower for me,” Mr. David smirks. Any other man and his words would be a pissing contest. He doesn’t need that. I’ve seen what he works with, and it makes me want to die.

He’s too close, and I can feel his chuckle down my own throat.

I can’t step away from him because there’s a wall behind me.

“You can go back to your normal life tomorrow. Be social tonight. Let it be my birthday gift,” he coaxes me, and I almost bend.

“I bought you—”

“I don’t care. It’s my birthday, and I love celebrating myself. I want you to make new friends. Think about it as if it’s an investment for your future. Do it for me? Please?” I sigh. How can I refuse when he begs so nicely? I don’t want to be unappreciative.

Since my mom’s funeral, Mr. David has once again kept his promises.

I didn’t move in with him, and he never mentioned being his boyfriend again. BUT. He moved into the house near my work, and he stalks me like he said he would.

My studio is fully furnished now, and my fridge is stacked, too.

The pillows on my bed smell like Mr. David, although he never sleeps at my place. He’s distant in that department, but he’s always there to take care of my needs. Not those needs. He makes sure I eat, sleep and shower. And that I have time off.

Everything in my studio reminds me of Mr. David. At first, I felt ashamed for being this needy. I’ve grown accustomed to his presence now.

Mr. David didn’t say another word in the diner after asking me to be his boyfriend, and I flat-out rejected him.

Once I returned to Fort Mote, he was there, though. Like he promised he would be.

It’s been a couple of months, and he’s still here.

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