Off Camera

Chapter 50

Tee's Father POV

I shift on the bench, trying to find a comfortable spot, but after hours of being here, there isn't any comfortable position left. My eyes stay glued a short distance down the block where I've seen Tee coming and going in the past. Strangely this time, he is nowhere to be seen.

I know he lives around here somewhere, but I don't know exactly where. My multiple attempts to find out have come up in vain, but I'm sure he will be walking past here soon.

Ding.

Ding.

My breath hitches. It can't be time yet. They promised to extend it so I would have time to get the money from my son. They can't be going back on their word now. I've been a regular customer of theirs for years. I've always paid them.

No matter how much I want to ignore it. I can't.

My trembling hand dives into my pocket and slowly pulls out my phone, while I silently hope and pray it isn't from who I think it is.

I still need more time.

Ding.

I take a deep breath and slowly turn my phone over. My eyes instantly snap to the name on the screen.

No.

A thin layer of sweat suddenly forms along my palms.

No matter how much I tell myself to not read the messages, my mind won't listen and knows it is better to see what the messages say. The people I'm dealing with don't care whether or not you know what they have told you. They only care about getting what they want.

My foot bounces as my finger taps on the notification.

My blood runs cold as I read through them. This can't be happening.

Boss: $50,000 is due in a few days.

Boss: Don't think about running away.

Boss: We will find you, and you will pay.

My stomach churns. I don't have that kind of money, but I'm sure Tee will. Usually, I'm not asking for this much, though, but he has always given me whatever I want. I'm sure this won't be any different.

***

Tee POV

My nose itches. Is someone talking about me?

I scrunch my face up and scratch my nose.

Tae wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses my cheek. "Something wrong, babe? Or are you thinking about stuff?"

I shake my head and sigh. "My nose itches, and I'm wondering if someone is talking about me. Wait." I sit up straight on the couch and turn towards him. "I haven't heard from my father since those initial messages. Do you think it is him? I didn't go to our usual meet up place either. Do you think something has happened to him?"

My mind fills with various possibilities. All of them worse than the one before.

I can't believe I've forgotten about the meeting. Tae told me not to go, but I was still thinking about going anyway if I could. Unfortunately, I've been so busy trying to avoid my father and get my stuff that his demand for me to meet him has slipped my mind.

Tae rubs my back. "Shh... Calm down. Your father is a grown adult, and he can handle his problems on his own. He doesn't need you to run to his rescue. You have done that enough in the past. We have talked about this."

"Your career is very important, and you can't risk him doing something to jeopardize your future. We have agreed to try and get more dramas where we are together as a couple in them. If you keep rescuing your father, he will block you and us from accomplishing our goals. Plus, his need for money and his gambling will only get worse. Gamblers never slow down on their gambling. They always increase. He will eventually get to a point where you won't be able to cover his debts. They will be too large. I don't want your father offering you up in some kind of weird trade. That will never happen as long as I'm around."

Determination and possessiveness flashes through his eyes and his tone, but there is something else which almost gives me a cold shiver mixed in there too. But I can't put my finger on it.

I nibble my lower lip and stare at him. He gives no sign of backing down, and after a few minutes, I slowly nod my head and softly reply, "Okay."

A triumphant look washes over his face as Tae gives me a big grin. "Good. Now, let's get back to watching the movie. We are going to miss the best part."

I turn back around and snuggle into his side while I stare at the TV, but I'm not really focusing on it. Instead, my mind keeps going through the various possibilities my father may be dealing with right now. None of them are anything I want to be involved in, but regardless, I want to know what is happening to him.

Tae taps my shoulder. "Stop thinking about it. I can almost hear your wheals churning in there. Stop it and watch the movie with me. We are on a date, remember."

I glance to my side at his handsome profile. We couldn't get out, especially with both of our issues, my father and his crazy stalker. So, we had decided to have a stay-in date instead.

We have had food from a nice restaurant delivered and are now watching a movie.

I slowly nod. "Okay. I promise to stop worrying about my father and enjoy our time together."

"Good. If you keep spoiling the mood and thinking about your father, I'm going to have to punish you." He emphasizes the word punish, igniting a fire within me.

Desire rushing through me.

I bite my lower lip, not trying to think about thing, but this time to keep a moan from escaping.

His warmth worms through my clothes and burrows into me, bringing my body alive.

My eyes drift to his muscular bare leg beside me. His shorts have slid up, exposing almost his entire thigh. My fingers itch to reach out and touch it.

Memories flash through my head of our previous times at his apartment and mine where we spent so much time on the couch enjoying each other's bodies and becoming one.

My heartbeat quickens.

The sound of kissing and a soft moan echoes in my ears, but I don't think it is from my memories.

My eyes whip up and stare at the TV. The couple in the movie are kissing.

"Uhmm...." The female character moans while her partner deepens the kiss.

My cock twitches and comes to life.

I swallow the lump in my throat and tentatively ask, "What kind of movie are we watching? I forgot to ask."

Tae lets out a faint chuckle and leans into my ear, lightly kissing the edge of it. His warm breath cascades across my delicate skin. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. I thought you might like something a little spicy."

Gulp.

With my gaze still glued to the TV, the male character quickly rips off the woman's shirt while still devours her plump lips. He then swiftly moves to take her pants off. At the same time, another man walks into view, with a shocked look on his face. His surprise quickly disappears as the other man strips naked and bends the woman over the couch.

My pants tighten, and I move slightly around, trying to find a comfortable spot.

Tae lightly kisses my earlobe again and whispers, "There is more spice than anything else in the movie."

The woman on the TV and I moan together. "Ahhh....."

Published December 14, 2022