CROSSROADS

CHAPTER 11 - Keep your enemies closer

NATE

14 February, 2020

21:40 ModTech Grand Ballroom

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"My feet hurts," Iris plopped down on one of the sofas inside the dressing room.

I immediately pulled one of the ottomans and sat in front of her as I held her feet on my lap and try to massage them as softly as I can, "I knew you were faking your smile. I already called Auntie so she can ready the Epsom salt bath where you can soak your feet when we get home."

She took off my suit jacket that I covered her with earlier. I can see some sweat on her forehead making me realize that her feet are really hurting. "Thanks Nate. What would I do without you?" She leans back while she smiles, her forearm on her forehead.

"Probably dead by now."

"Yes. You just hit the cherry on that one Nate. Very smooth," she chuckles.

"Hey! That was a joke! Don't take that seriously."

She takes a deep breath and sighs.

"The room smells pleasant."

"There are a lot of bouquets sent to the dressing room for you." I snicker. "I better see and get the cards so I'll know who sent those so I can kill them all. You know I'm easily jealous. I'm the only one getting inside those pants of yours babe."

She grabbed a small pillow beside her and threw it at me, "stop joking around Nate. You had too much to drink tonight. You're easily excited when you're buzzed."

I dodged while I faked a loud gasp to look surprised. "You know I always get the hots for you whether I'm sober or not."

"Get a girlfriend Nate."

"I'm trying to make you mine, aren't I?" She groans and that makes me want to tease her more. "I'm so fuckstrated Iris. If you can help me rub one out...."

"Fuck you Nate." Oh, she's so fucking pissed right now and I'm getting turned on.

I looked at her lustfully while biting my lower lip, "someone's in the mood tonight." I slowly crawled on top of her, her body trapped in between my arms. I dropped slow kisses on her cheek and neck and I let my warm breath hit her skin, "you know I love it when you talk dirty to me."

"Ehem! Excuse me! I hope we're not interrupting something." For fuck's sake! Why is that door fucking open?!

Iris pushed me hard and I groaned so loud for everyone to hear as I moved away from her. I heard someone laugh at the door. Fucking cockblockers.

"Madame Sophia, what a pleasant surprise." I sarcastically said as she casually walks in the room. I saw Brad standing at the door trying to stifle a laugh.

"I'm not here for you Nathan." She pats my shoulder as she walks towards Iris. "Oh, are you alright my love?"

"Everything's fine except Nate for being a pain in the butt," she tries to stand up and whimpered when she put some weight on her feet. "And my feet are not cooperating right now."

"Oh love, let me," she sat on the ottoman that I was sitting earlier and pushed Iris to sit down. "Why are your feet hurting?" She held Iris' feet up and started to massage them.

"She actually sprained her ankle last week. I was telling her to wear arch support bands but you know how stubborn she can be," I answered for her while Brad walked towards me.

"And you still performed tonight?" Madame shakes her head as she gently hits Iris on her leg. "I didn't even notice you were hurt because your dancing tonight my love was perfectly flawless."

Brad whispered to me, "fuckstrated huh? Want me to phone one of my dancers to help you Rub one out?" He chuckled as I gave him the finger and I walked away to sit on one of the bar stools near the door.

"Oh how rude am I. Darling come here," Madame calls out for Brad with her finger. "Iris meet Brandon, Brandon meet Iris. He's the owner of that famous nightclub, Euphoria."

The fuck?! Is she trying to hook them up?

"I didn't imagine my first time attending the Gala would be a wonderful experience. It's an honour to be able to watch you perform tonight," he held her hand and kissed the back of it while looking at her, desire showing on his eyes. It's so obvious that he wants her.

"What The Actual Fuck?!" I blurted out.

"Don't be such an asshole Nate," he said.

"I'm Her asshole not yours dickhead!"

"Too much testosterone in a small room. Behave boys." Madame Sophia says as she looks at both me and Brad.

"Nate, just tone it down will you," Iris said as she looks at me. "And thank you Brandon." She smiled at him.

"You can call me Brad," as he smiles back.

"I didn't know you have a lot of visitors my dear," we all looked at Chandler Uy standing at the open door, Logan beside him holding a huge bouquet of red and pink carnations.

Are we having a meet and greet all the wannabe suitors of Iris?

Madame Sophia stood up, "good evening Sir Chandler. I was just checking on Iris."

"I hope you had a good time Madame Sophia," he nods at her with a smile.

Iris stood and bowed at the Uy's, "Good evening Sirs."

Logan walked towards Iris and offered the bouquet, "Outstanding performance as usual Iris. For you."

"These are lovely. Thank you."

"I accidentally heard outside the room that your feet are hurt my dear. You want me to call the doctor for you?"

"Everything's good Sir Chandler. There's nothing that a salt bath can't fix."

"And who might be this gentleman beside you Madame Sophia?"

"Sorry for not introducing myself. I'm Brandon Lo. Nice meeting you sir." He offered his hand.

"Nice meeting you too lad," he shook it in return. "We just passed by to see how our favourite artist is doing before we go home. Nathan," he nods at my direction and I nodded back. "If you'll excuse us, we'll get going."

Logan whispered something to Iris and after she nodded at him he left with his father.

"I guess we'll be heading out too." Madame Sophia kissed Iris on both her cheeks, "don't overwork yourself okay my love."

"I won't. Promise," she smiles as she hugs her. "Have a safe trip home," she then looks at Brad. "It was nice meeting you Brad." He blushed as she smiled at him showing off her dimples. Damn! Those dimples are really evil.

"I hope this won't be our last," he smiles. "Bye Nate," he casually waves then left the room with Madame Sophia.

I see Frederick on the hallway walking towards us. "Not tonight Rick! Go the fuck away. I'm not in the mood to tolerate your bullshit." I yelled at him.

I closed the door in a slam and made sure I locked it. "Now where were we babe?"