Heart, Body & Soul (MxM)

Chapter Twenty

For the second time, Ivan conveyed to Riyaan that he doesn't like phone calls when on business trips. But it's day one, and Riyaan wants to call him. For a moment he also wonders if Ivan has more attention for him, does it automatically mean less for his ex? But then again, when has Ivan ever been so under Riyaan's sway that he forgets other things?

Maybe he can leave a text, and Ivan will see when he wants to. Truth is, he doesn't like it one bit. That Ivan will be seeing his ex, that they will talk, that they will travel the city together, that they might end up in the same hotel, same room and same bed because...why not? Ivan doesn't owe him any loyalty because they are just fucking ...

Ivan is allowed to do what he wants and he is allowed to do what he wants.

Riyaan: is it 5 days yet?

Then he regrets it. He cringes for the next 5 hours until Ivan texts him back.

Ivan: Miss me already?

That cocky bastard knows it all. But he doesn't know how much Riyaan misses him — for him to know that, he has to pay attention, not go around the world and keep meeting exes.

Riyaan: you replied

Ivan: Didn't you want me to?

Riyaan: meet him yet?

Ivan: Who?

Riyaan: your lover.

Ivan: He arrives here on Friday morning.

Riyaan: goodnight Ivan

His phone vibrates in his palms. Ivan calling...

'Yes?'

'It's not even sleeping time for you, what's up?' Ivan says, sounding louder than usual.

'I.. wanted to say bye because you said no call and all. Maybe a movie, I don't know.'

'What movie?'

'Whatever they got in Apple+ TV subscription.'

'I bought other subscriptions also if you want to watch,'

'Really, when?' Riyaan asks, taking up the remote to check out the said subscriptions. He has a feeling that he is becoming a little spoiled. When he was living on his own, he only watched free movies on YouTube.

'Yesterday.'

'Idiot, thanks.'

'I'm an idiot, eh?'

'What are you doing, you didn't tell me?'

'I was ironing my shirt, I am going to meet someone tomorrow. He is kind of my father's friend and so my father wants to meet him to talk business.'

'Is it like an interview?'

Ivan laughs. 'No, more like how are you doing, we haven't met in a long time, kind of meeting but formal because it's for business purposes. People like to meet you and talk in person especially if you are going to be business partners for years to come. They want to know they can like you, trust you.'

'Would you do business with me, if I had any business?'

'Yeah, yeah. I think so.'

Ivan: *an image of what seems to be the night city from his hotel window.*

'Um.. what am I looking at?' Riyaan asks, trying to find a reason that Ivan sent it. He didn't even know Ivan could send pictures.

'Um..' Ivan tries to copy his exact style of saying it but makes it sweeter and softer. 'You're looking at whatever I'm looking at right now.'