How Can You Ease The Pain

Knock, Knock

Tao felt like he was stuck in a no-win situation. His father had him coming to the restaurant every day for the last year, just doing entry level work and he absolutely hated it. This wasn't what he wanted in his life. He wanted to branch out, discover other things and learn a wide array of tasks, to be a better man. It was as if his life had already been pre-determined and he had no say in it.

He never wanted to run a business, at least not one like this. This wasn't to take anything away from his Dad, whom he greatly admired and appreciated immensely. But this restaurant? That was his father's dream. It was never Tao's. He didn't appreciate showing up here in the early morning hours, making sure the freshest of ingredients were ordered and picked up, that the grill stations were cleaned and ready to go, that the soup of the day was an excellent choice along with 6 other varieties. He didn't care whether they were serving Bok Choy or Kale. He didn't eat either one so it just didn't matter to him. He knew his dad took great pride in cultivating one of the best menus in New York City that had many visitors clamoring for a spot to get the latest sandwich or the spicy ramen soup. His dad poured over many cooking websites, getting feedback for all his efforts. He hired some of the best sous chefs and line cooks the city produced and Tao was equally impressed with his Dad's success.

But.

That was his Dad's dreams.

Not his.

Yes, he understood his Dad's wanting to produce high quality and healthy food for all these spoiled urbanites. It was a Chinese thing, he was sure of it. But these people made him fucking sick, all their whining about "organic" this and "organic" that. God! How annoying these rich brats were. Live a fucking a little! Eating some pork wouldn't kill ya! Sure, Tao was healthy and he took care of his body, but it wasn't the be all to end all, you know? His many years of Wushu training, that was just something he did because he wanted too but he'd produced a stunning hard body because of it, lean and impressively fit. But he also loved his nights on the town, eating greasy street food and having his share of alcohol. He could work it off at some point, he figured. The alcohol got him into plenty of trouble but it was worth it. It loosened inhibitions for some and he could get treated most wonderfully whenever he took a trip downtown to the spas. His washboard abs were beautiful, whenever he removed his shirt at the bathhouse, he'd smirk at the gasps he'd overhear. He found himself on the wrong side of right with some cutie he'd pick up, getting a thrill of fucking some hottie in the bar's bathroom. There were many a night of Tao letting one of the young guys suck him off instead, running their hands up and down his toned stomach and being equally delighted as he came all over their face.

His treat.

But.

Something was missing.

He felt utterly unfulfilled and he didn't think this could be life.

There had to be more, right?

He wanted to find a connection, something meaningful in his life. He felt ready to commit. Yes, it was fun, in the interim, to have a cute face looking up at him while he gave them the opportunity to pleasure him, but that was just it. It was short lived and he woke in the morning, feeling no better than he did the night before. Where was his romance? Someone who he could dote on, perhaps even wine and dine? He'd never done that before! His dad wasn't too concerned with his sexuality, not really caring that his only son preferred the same sex. He just didn't care too much about it, seeing it as pointless to try and fight what was so obvious. So, he wouldn't get a legitimate grandson or granddaughter. So what! There were many kids needing to be adopted, right? Tao's mother, on the other hand, well, she felt like life was over for her. She couldn't call someone her daughter. Tao loved his mother, but he told her to cut the crap, this wasn't some damn Chinese melodrama that she watches every night. "I just don't understand why you can't like the girls. Why is this so hard for you?" "Look, Mom, I love you, I really do, but I can't like the girls, like you want, okay? They just don't do it for me. I want a good looking guy like Dad, you understand?" His mother's face turned into a grimace, something Tao found rather cute, as she tried to understand what her son was saying. "You want to date your father? But that's not right, Taozi. You can't!" "Oh my god, Mom! No! That's not what I meant. You know that's called incest or something illegal, I'm sure of it. Oh god! Dad! Please explain this to your wife. I'm getting a headache."