Lukas & The Lion

Chapter 36- Celebrity Yacht Club

"This is the workshop. Your boat should be good as new by tonight," Mr. Teza said to someone I didn't know as he walked in to find us in the shop. 

I was finishing up my homework and dad was still tinkering with the engine.

There was a seriously hot guy who looked familiar following at Mr. Teza's side when I looked up. He was Arab or some kind of Middle Eastern. He was younger; with a handsome face; those big brown eyes, dark skin, and an expensive suit stuffed with muscles and bravado. 

The sight of him made my chest tighten. It had been a long day away from Ari and my body hoped it was him. 

"It's remarkable! You restored it to the original! I've only seen one in pictures. The color is perfect! Oh it looks so good, Teza. I knew you'd do it right! That's the engine from it? Shouldn't it be in the boat?" the man pointed towards dad.

"Oh uh... yes sir. It's nearly done. Just a little more and I'll hook it up." Dad tapped the side of it with his wrench.

"We are professionals." Mr. Teza nodded humbly. 

"And this little one? He works on my boat too? He is so young." the man pointed at me as he walked over. His eyes took me in with interest. 

I was flopped down on the seat and playing with my phone, but looking at him. He looked so familiar. He looked me up and down in appraisal. He was a man like Ari. 

"No, sir... That is my son... Stand up, Lukas. Say hello," dad barked as if I had embarrassed him. 

I got to my feet as dad came over. He nudged me towards the man.

"Hi... sir. You look familiar! I know you from somewhere," I said. 

He was taller than Ari and broader but narrower. His large, dark eyes lit up and his full reddish lips curved into a smile.

"Really? What do you know of Arab music? You are a fan?" The man asked me with a surprised smile. He added a wink.

"DJ Madami is well known for his music. Perhaps you have heard his songs in Ari's playlists," Mr. Teza said.

"Oh-Em-Geee! Seriously! No way! I've seen the videos online! Yes! Ari loves them! He is going to go crazy when he hears I met you!" I bounced excitedly.

"Arisht is my nephew, and... the boy's keeper," Mr. Teza said when the DJ looked confused.

"Ahh. Of course," he said and his smile returned. 

He instantly understood what I was; a boy owned by a man like him.  

"Do you like my boat? It was pretty much scrap when I found it, but your father has done a beautiful job, no?" he asked me. 

"Oh yeah! It's huge! I could live on that!" I joked.

"You would like to live on my boat? I think I can arrange that. It could use an ornament." he laughed and gave me a wink.

"I haven't been inside it, but it looks huge!" I said. He put his hand on my shoulder and laughed.

"Come, I'll show you. I assume the renovations inside are complete?" he asked.

"Of course! The final upholstery crew finished up yesterday. Go look it over. I'll wait out here," Mr. Teza said and went to where dad was tinkering with the engine. He put his hand on dad's shoulder.

DJ Madami kept his hand on my shoulder and guided me back towards the ladder I'd just been scolded for climbing an hour before. He paused when we got next to the yacht and ran his hands over the side.