This Charming Man

Eleven

Mr Weekes was still wrapped in a towel when I entered his room. He was sat on the edge of his bed reading a book and looked up and smiled when he saw me.

"Hey, Brendon. Mind giving me some help?" he said, getting up and walking over to the folding screen in the corner of the room.

"Of course," I said, suddenly finding it odd how Mr Weekes needed my help getting dressed now and not the last few days. I didn't say anything about it though and walked over to the folding screen. His suit was already hung up and I glanced over my shoulder and checked the clock on the wall.

"Seems a bit late to be heading out to work," I commented, taking the damp towel off him and dropped it into the laundry basket I'd brought up with me.

"Oh, I haven't got work," he said, his hand reaching over the top of the screen to take his shirt from me, "It's this big company dinner tonight."

"Ah, I see. So was this your day off?"

"Uh huh. Thanks for keeping me company earlier, Brendon," Mr Weekes said and I felt my cheeks flush at the memory.

"N-no problem, Mr Weekes," I mumbled, handing Mr Weekes his tie.

"I told you before you don't have to call me Mr Weekes, didn't I?" he said and I paused.

"Oh. Oh yeah, sorry. Force of habit," I said, and Mr Weekes' hand appeared comically over the top of the screen to fetch his pants.

"It's fine. But you can call me Dallon if you want."

I hesitated. "I-I'd rather I didn't, M-Mr Weekes," I said and looked down as he stepped out from behind the screen doing up the button on his pants.

"Hm? Why not?"

His tie was off centre and I nervously reached up to adjust it back into place. Mr Weekes gave me this irritatingly adorable small smile in return.

"I-I don't know. I kinda prefer it for some reason," I admitted and stepped back. Mr Weekes shrugged and continued with that smile.

"That's alright." He took his suit jacket from me and peered in the mirror on the dressing table at himself as he adjusted the jacket. "Do I look alright?"

"You look drop dead gorgeous and I'm extremely jealous and aroused," I wanted to say but gave him a simple smile and a nod instead.

Mr Weekes grinned and looked back at the mirror. He paused in thought for a moment and pursed his lips. "Hey, Brendon? Are you busy this evening?"

I blinked and reluctantly nodded. "Unfortunately yes. Waiter duty all evening. Why?"

"Oh. That's a shame. I wanted you to come with me tonight," Mr Weekes said, running a hand through his hair and smiled down at me. "Never mind."

I blushed and gawped up at him. "Y-you... You want me to go to a fancy black tie dinner with you?"

Mr Weekes raised his eyebrows and nodded, still smiling at me. "Yeah. But you can't," he said and shrugged. "Some other time maybe."

I was struggling to comprehend the idea. "Wha... Why me?"

Mr Weekes shrugged. " Why not? I like you."

I blushed deeper and looked away. "O-oh..." was all I could mumble softly. I heard Mr Weekes chuckle softly and he stepped forward and carefully placed a hand on my shoulder. I jumped slightly at his touch and peered up at him meekly.

"I like you a lot, Brendon," Mr Weekes said, his voice softening to a whisper and his hand creeped up my neck to gently cup my blushing cheek.

"M-Mr Weekes..." I mumbled, my voice barely audible and he leaned in and softly kissed my lips. Mr Weekes closed his eyes but mine stayed wide open and unable to discern what was happening. My lips trembled against his and when he pulled away I saw his cheeks were a light shade of pink. Mr Weekes laughed softly and took his hand away to wipe his lips. He looked down and rubbed the back of his neck, almost looking embarrassed and all I could do was stare at him in awe.

"B-Brendon, I..." he started and then gave another soft shaky laugh.

"Wh-why did y-you do that...?" I stuttered after a long awkward silence.

Mr Weekes paused and looked at me warily. "Uh... I-I..." he mumbled and swallowed before trying again, shrugging, "I-I like you, Brendon."

My look of astonishment towards him stayed fixed. It was weird; obviously that wasn't my first kiss. My first was with a girl who lived in my neighbourhood while I was growing up. It was a neophytes kiss on the lips over the fence of her front yard after I walked her home from school and I was so flustered and embarrassed afterwards that I tripped over my own shoe laces when I walked away. I was pretty sure her name was Katie and I hadn't seen her since I was twelve when she left to live up in the North Isles. She'd tried to kiss me goodbye but I'd ducked out the way and just hugged her clumsily.

I hadn't been that awkward and dumb until now with Mr Weekes. He reignited the old spark of worry and embarrassment I got in my stomach when I had kissed Katie all those years ago. But I was older now. And supposedly braver.

"D-do it again," I mumbled before I could stop myself, my cheeks burning shamelessly.

Mr Weekes blinked at me. "H-huh?"

I swallowed and looked up at him, trying to keep my eyes focused on his. "Kiss me," I repeated, a little louder this time.

Mr Weekes gazed at me for a long moment before laughing awkwardly and stepping forward. He placed his hand on my hip this time and leaned in, kissing a little less gently this time. His eyes were closed again and I eventually managed to close mine as well and relaxed into the kiss.

The knock on the door made my heart stop. My lips tore away from his instantly and I stumbled back. Mr Weekes gave me a blank look for a second, as though he hadn't heard the knock but he put on a smile and straightened his jacket as he walked over to the door.

It was one of Mr Wentz's many messenger boy, Brent, at the door. He regraded us both a questioning look before saying, "You're late for laundry duty, Brendon," and left down the corridor without another word.

Mr Weekes looked over at me and I sighed and quickly peered into his mirror. I straightened out uniform and hair and looked up at Mr Weekes. I shrugged and smiled a little. Mr Weekes smiled back and leant forward to just kiss my cheek this time.

"I'll see you later," he said.

I hesitated by the door and went up on my tip toes to kiss his cheek back. "Bye, Mr Weekes."