the essence of life is love

Naamloos deel 10

"How is your leg?"

Kaan sits in front of Seb, observing as he unwraps the bandage from his leg.

"It's okay. I haven't had any pain in the past few days."

"That's good. How is everything at home?"

Kaan's voice softens as he ensures no one else can overhear.

"It's alright. Turns out Lara had different expectations for our life than I did. I'm just a placeholder for her."

Kaan appears puzzled, his face questioning as he starts massaging Seb's leg.

"She wants something else in the future. Apparently, she wants to become famous, and she doesn't seem to think she can achieve that on her own. So, she's using me for it."

"And are you okay with that?"

"I have no choice. Somehow, she gained power over me. Apparently, I've accumulated debts."

Seb hesitates to reveal that she spends his money on things. The car is on installment, on his credit card, as are the furniture in the house. The rest he paid for directly from his bank account. As he reflects, he realizes she never buys anything with her own salary. If she leaves him for someone else, she'll have plenty of money, and he'll be left with debts. A lot of debts if this continues. He mentally notes to call the bank tomorrow to discuss setting a limit on his account. His modeling income used to be sufficient, but now it's different—his earnings have more than halved, just a fraction of what they were last year.

"If there's anything we can do to help, just let us know. The only thing I don't have is money. But for everything else, you can count on us."

Kaan's hand rests warmly and reassuringly on Seb's shoulder.

"Your leg is taken care of, I'll wrap it up again for you in the end."

Seb stands, takes his crutches, and follows Maxime onto the set. Kaan watches him with concern.

"It went well. The scenes are fun to play,"

Seb reports.

Bo comes over with a broad smile, sitting next to Kaan on chairs placed away from the set, providing enough distance for a conversation at the bank.

"How's Seb? Is he enjoying himself?"

"Like a fish in water."

"That's good."

Bo glances at Kaan, slightly surprised. It seems Bo is no longer the center of attention. This man doesn't seem to be paying attention to him as he has for the past years.

"What's up with Seb?"

"Nothing. I was thinking more about you. How are you?"

"Do you mean acting? Or something else?"

"Both."

"I'd prefer not to talk about 'that' right now."

"Then we'll do it at another time."

Bo knows Kaan means it. That other time is scheduled in his agenda in ten minutes, probably also for tonight or tomorrow morning before they drive here. Both Kaan and his other handler, Rick, sometimes remind him of his mother. Except that, unlike her occasional forgetfulness, these two men never forget anything. He can't blame them, they are hired for that. Bo prefers talking to Rick, Kaan is more about sports and drilling habits. Rick is calmer, seems to understand more. The downside is they are always around. When he goes outside, he has to pass a part of the floor. It seems like they have no private lives, no partners, no children, none of that. In all the years they've been working with him, he hasn't learned anything about their private lives. They are always there for him, managing everything alongside his mother. It's not strange, he pays them well.

After his stay in the closed ward, he joined a living group with Rick. He could go outside, but the premises required permission to leave. For the first few weeks, even months, he stayed indoors. At first, he sat shyly in a corner of the room or stayed in his room as long as possible. A room without a door to ensure everything was visible, so he couldn't harm himself. Only after talking to Rick did things get a bit better. In the summer, it was so hot inside that he had to go outside to find some coolness under a few trees. That's where he met Kaan. He sat down next to him. Said nothing, asked nothing. The man always sat next to Bo when he was outside. After a few days, he stood up and extended his hand to Bo.

"Are you coming?"

"Where to?"

"You tell me."

"Then I want to go outside, really outside."

He laughs skeptically at Kaan, knowing it's not allowed.

"Okay, just walk with me."

So, they walked off the premises, they were away the entireafternoon. They barely made it back in time for dinner. That was the day healso got to know Kaan. Kaan, the instructor for sports and other activities,hasn't left his side since. Like Rick, he stayed. Bo may not consider them hisfriends, but he thinks he can't do without them.