Silk ✔

One

Gabriel let the hot water pelt down onto his body, unmovingly standing under the hard spray of the shower. It caressed the plains and ridges of his body like a lover's hand though he was too tired to react to it. His shoulders were tense and stiff from a whole week spent in his office and the longing he had for his bed - soft, warm, inviting - was almost unbearable.

He opened his eyes, tiny droplets adorning his lashes before he blinked and they jumped down onto his cheeks in an act of braveness, creating the impression of tears on their way down to his jaw. He rolled his shoulders back and shut off the water, the sudden silence as loud as thunder. Steam billowed out onto the tiled floor and accompanied his every step, snaking around his calves until it perished in the cooler air outside of the stall while he dried off.

He stepped around the wall that separated the bathroom from the rest of his loft and sauntered over to the dresser, not caring to wrap a towel around his waist. He lived alone after all and there was no chance anyone could peak in through the windows without having to climb the building first.

Instead of the usual suit he opted for a pretty worn-down pair of jeans, a simple black t-shirt and a leather jacket which smelled pleasantly of wax and, well, leather. Carelessly he ran his hand through his hair and appreciated the fact that he didn't have to look immaculate for once. There wouldn't be any stuck up snobs he had to impress and he certainly wasn't in the mood to try and impress anybody tonight.

His driver waited next to the car at the curb and opened the door for Gabriel as he exited the building. The traffic wasn't as bad as expected though the sidewalks were crowded, probably mostly with tourists.

Jasper had sent him a message, impatiently asking what was taking him so long, and Gabriel rolled his eyes at the string of emojis at the end of the text. He didn't bother to answer because he would be there in about five or ten minutes and it wouldn't kill Jasper to wait a little bit longer. His friend was most likely bouncing in his seat, glaring at his phone and willing Gabriel to answer and it brought him a sick sense of satisfaction to not do what was expected of him.

His whole life had been about meeting expectations. About being what others wanted him to be and he honestly couldn't remember who he had been before he had succumbed to the pressure, becoming what and who they expected him to be. Successful, ruthless, just like his father.

A bitter taste accompanied the thought of him having turned out to be just like this man who had been anything else but a father. Mentor, teacher but not a father, not a Dad.

"Sir."

He acknowledged his driver with a grunt and slipped out of the car, striding to the front door with confident steps, shoulders squared, head held high.

The bar where Jasper wanted them to meet was at the top floor of the building. The prices weren't cheap but the atmosphere was more relaxed than in some other fancy bars or restaurants downtown. Gabriel's gaze swept through the room which was decorated mostly with wood and golden accents strewn about, a low murmur filling it.

Jasper waved frantically from a booth near the windows and Gabriel dismissed the approaching hostess as he made his way over to his friend. Jasper was snuggled up to his boyfriend Marcus but detached himself long enough from his side to draw Gabriel into a tight hug and place a smacking kiss on his cheek.

"You need to shave." He grimaced and poked his face, obviously not fond of the stubble.

"I don't want to steal Marcus' boy toy," Gabriel responded casually and slid into the booth next to Jasper who was once again glued to Marcus, nearly disappearing next to the man's bulky frame.