ODDS OF LOVE : ONE MOMENT

Episode 16

Richard Norland was tired.

So tired that he eventually fell asleep in the chair beside Nigel's hospital bed in the private room he had had Nigel moved to. He had not intended to do such a thing but he had started to nod off as Nigel and his roommate droned on in conversation.

Well not so much Nigel droning. It was that roommate of his. Marco Martinez talked endlessly about his career. About politics and certain politicians. About the possibility of his being made Chief of Staff when the president won a second term of office. About his family's villa in Spain. About his time at Yale which had Richard's Harvard University heart running all the way towards hating the man. It was a wonder that Nigel had ever gotten in a word in their previous conversations. The man was a gasbag. And as he talked he would make sure to glance at Richard and smile cockily while leaning nearly possessively towards Nigel. Nigel whose face and tone of voice actually seemed like he liked this man.

That liking for Marco Martinez worried Richard Norland.

Marco was more good looking than him with his sexy dark swarthy appearance and custom made suits.

He was confident enough to show public displays of personal affection.

He was apparently from a background just as rich and affluent as Richard's own.

He was younger than Richard. At least in his early to mid thirties.

And worse of all he looked good with Nigel who seemed to get along with him well enough.

As he fell asleep he was wondering exactly why the hell Nigel had fallen in love with him when he had Marco lurking around home. He was also wondering exactly how long anything between himself and Nigel could possibly last.

When he eventually awoke with a stiffness to his neck he felt oddly cranky. But at least Marco was gone from the room. Although Nigel was also asleep. He looked so peaceful and innocent as he slept.

Richard stood up gingerly to stretch his body and heard his phone alerting him of notifications. He yawned and sat back down with his phone in hand. He had a text. From an unknown number.

Private Number: So little Richard fancies himself in love? Lol. Don't you need a heart for that ? It won't last. Men like your boy toy secretary don't aim for androids like yourself. He'll move on eventually and you will be alone again. Like you deserve to be. Besides don't you still need to come out?