Romance & Bondage

CHAPTER ONE

The grass withered, wind blew aggressively as the droplets of rain falling softly, hitting the root in little pattern which caused the entire house fell in beautiful pattern. Lightly, the leaves attached to countless trees fell on the ground in slight whimpers. It was reported that there was going to be a

heavy rainfall and the signs of dark gray clouds covering the entire city were a proof enough that indeed, it was going to rain just as reported.

Chance was stumbling across his bedroom fixing his blue shirt that was rather too big for his slender figure. He looked at his reflection on the mirror, counting his misfortunes of not having the delicate figure ever. His heartbeat was beating fast fighting his inner demons but they were buried too deep and they were never a force to reckon with. It was his first day at work and he was already having a bad day ahead – just like always. I mean, it was Chance.

The man who has been suffering

from anxiety since childhood. Stepping out of his little messy apartment that was rather cozy yet so simple and beautifully plain has always been a huge challenge for him so he was always anxious of going out. He always heard voices about how worthless he was and he always noticed those laughter from everyone when he passes by, pointing at him. No, maybe that were only his imaginations but he couldn see wrongly now could he? It was understandable though, his mind had a mind of its own. Chance sighed loudly after realising that he had no choice but to go to work, grabbing his backpack and nervously walking out of his apartment while counting lowly. That helped calm his nerves. Sometimes it didn work and sometimes it tool time because counting publicity added more problems to his doubtful heart.

He rushed down the road which was full of humans. He didn get along much with those species but he wouldn mind them much. At the end of the day, he was still human too. Chance walked towards the bus stop while breathing out loudly then he stood there impatiently waiting for the transport. His eyes rushed across the place, his hands gathered so much sweat just as his forehead.

Chance waited for a few minutes before the bus stopped right at his feet and he stepped in wiping his sweat with a cloth then he settled at the seat on the back, right near the window. He pulled his earphones playing music that hit his eardrum in soft, soothing rhythm then threw his eyes out of the window as he watched the rainfall. It was falling in soft in wonderful patterns which were rather calming and beautiful. It was indeed beautiful.

The man loved rain, it was his safest heaven after a mouthwatering coffee. After all, he had nothing to rely on other than appreciating nature. He grew up in a house full of laughter and joy, his family was the most beautiful family and one that could be described as the most perfect family. His mother worked as a nurse while his father worked as a teacher, typical old couple. They had been together for more than thirty years before his mother passed. His parents were highschool sweethearts and they fell madly in love with each other one time on the school camp. On their forth anniversary of their relationship, they conceived Daniel Brassard and that was when they decided on marriage. The rest of their kids came after marriage.

Chance had two older brothers who were already working and one younger sister who was already in collage. Chance indeed had the most perfect family before, but that all changed when his mother was diagnosed with stage four of breast cancer.

The house became quiet and more lonely, their family started to fall apart slowly. It became worse after his mother took her last breath, everyone stayed in their own space and they rarely contacted each other like how family would. Years has passed and things never went back to its place. Chance was more devastated than anyone. Losing friends in his youthful years and family made him feel abandoned, that made him fall into depression. He skipped a year in his second year of varsity while he attended countless psychiatrist whom did nothing to help him other than asking him questions he couldn answer. It was not like they cared about him willingly, it was being professional. Chance didn understand himself to begin with so how was he supposed to explain himself to someone else?

After a year of staying at home and going out to art galleries and reading books with nothing more to do, he went back to repeat his second year in Varsity and everything went accordingly, apart from his mental well-being. That made him feel like he was broken beyond repairs. Chance graduated from Varsity the year before and he immediately sent out his curriculum vitae and luckily, he got a job at one of the biggest marketing company.

Chance was nervous when he stepped out of the bus. He stumbled towards the building in front of him. He walked there, sweat forming in his palms as he folded his hands into tight fists and swallowed the lump down his throat. Behind the receptionist dest sat a woman in blonde hair and black spectacles with a phone in hand. Her long nails careless her cheek with a fair skin and he threw her marble eyes on the younger man.

Good morning, Im Chance Brassard and its my first day at work. he kindly told her. A little smile was plastered on his face so he could appear more friendly.

Mr Brassard, the new comer, she hummed tapping on the computer. Welcome to M&A, please take the

elevator then head to the second floor. Desk eight will be your working place.

Thank you, softly he said.

The younger made his way to the elevator. Going to the second floor was not hard, the hardest part was stepping inside the staff room. There were a few number of employees settled in their working area. Some minded their own business, others had thdir noses in other peoples businesses. Chance slowly walked up to find his desk while mumbling a little good morning. He set his things neatly on his little desk then sat down unnoticed. Well, he was noticed.

Hi!! A little voice echoed causing Chance to be startled as he looked where the voice was

coming from. He looked around himself before he looked back towards the young lady Welcome to the family. My name is Grace by the way, what is yours?

Chance, its nice to meet you Grace. He smiled. After all, he was not used to those kinds of things. Welcoming and friendliness was not written in his vocabulary no matter how hard he tried doing the same to others.

Grace was a beautiful Mexican with black curly hair. She was five feet tall and stood with a beautiful figure, not to mention her black eyes which were very capturing.

Nice to meet you too. If you have time and do not mind, you should spend lunchtime with us so we could get to know each other. Grace insisted.

Grace was a carefree person and a social butterfly at most. She had three friends which two

were girls and one was a guy. Grace was a senior at work, two years older than Chance but was from a different department.

I have to work on this book so I will probably skip lunch, he uttered in a simple tone. Not intending to sound unfriendly or rude.

Oh well, if you have a change of mind please do come. she stepped back. Do not overwork yourself. The boss might be strict but hes very soft in the inside. Chance flashed a smile, watching the lady walking back to her desk. He sighed, darting his eyes away.

Time passed momentarily and the rain was slowing down. The man was still working on the account book when the clock hit three in the evening. He was tired when the office hours ended so he took his belongings

and walked out of the building with painful eyes. Unfortunately, it was his bad day for sure and he sore God mistook him as one of Satans followers when the young man was definitely not. He knew it well that he badlucks as he accidentally stumbled across a man who was speaking on a phone. He collided with him which made his phone slip between his fingers and touched the ground in a painful sound. A gasp fell on the younger mans lips as we went down to retrieve the phone while uttering countless apologizes.

Leave it, the voice rang through his ears.

I-Im terribly sorry… he trailed in panic.

Leave. That compelled him to do as told. Chance didn know who was at fault but he did feel the need to apologize to the man. He trembled along the way, feeling stares digging into his skin but in fact, there

were no stares.

Chance fumbled as he walked towards the bus station where he took a bus back to his apartment. He had a long day and hopefully, things will be better once he got used to his work.

Chance took a bath before he prepared something to eat, simple noodles would do. He ate then got

ready to sleep. It was peaceful, with nothing much happening outside.

Two weeks passed with that simple daily routine. They were a good two weeks, even though it was exhausting but the younger man did everything good with his work. Chance found the coffee next to the company as his favorite hang-out, they made the best coffee and it was peaceful there than his workplace. On the third day of his third week at work, Chance was even more nervous since the CEO was coming back from one of his longest business trip. The younger man stepped out of the bus, quickly going to the building he was not used to be at even though he spent the past weeks there. He settled at his desk then he started working.

Everyone was busy with their work while they engaged in conversations. Chance was not part of any conversation though and it was not like they included him in any. Well, he didn want to be part of any work gossips either.

”I hope the boss is not angry today, Nathan said with a huff. He was one of the workers but he worked at a different department from Chances. Nathan was a simple guy who did his work carefully but hated being bossed around. Sadly, he didn own that company.

Hes always angry. Beauty replied obviously. She was very pretty and very quiet but did her job just

fine without any arguments. She got along with everyone at work and loved hanging out with Grace and others on lunch.

Today is different! Grace graced us with her presence. She was the brightest person who got along well with everyone in the office. The opposite of the little Chance Brassard. The CEO followed suite behind her after a little while and everyone went back to their seat as the place filled with an eerie silence.

The third rules states: Refrain from gossiping about your employers. You don want to find yourself jobless just because of this simple mistake now do you? That was the first thing he said. His tall finger dominating the whole space.

Chance heard a lot about Ivan Thompson but never did he expect the man to be that young and handsome. He was probably the most gorgeous man he have ever set his eyes on, he would repeat that all over and over

again. That was all true.

I received positive results from everyone. From our clients to our shareholders so you guys have

done a wonderful job at everything you have been doing. I will be coming back to work full-time so

I hope you put more energy to your projects. He stated.

Sir! Grace shouted. I think we deserve a little party, besides we have a new employee so there

should be a welcoming party for him.

Fine, you can organize that and I will sort out the expenses. Ivan Thompson roughly said before he

walked away. He was a man of few words but knew good when he sees goodness. The refreshing atmosphere once again returned as soon as the man disappeared to his office.

Whispers flew past the younger like how days would. Grace was excited but Chance was not. He knew pretty well that he didn do well with crowds. The day passed by slowly and eventually, it was a business gathering. As they gathered at the hall, Chance felt out of place. He walked to the balcony, the view was beautiful to look at. He stood there for some time then stumbled back to the bathroom. Sounds filled a closed room that

he was about to past but those sounds stopped him from walking further. He took few steps to the door, throwing eyes to his sides then looked back at door.

Fortunately for him, the door was slightly opened so that gave him a chance to take a peak. A gasp fell out of his lips causing him to stumble back in fright and fall back into a hard chest. A hand was suddenly clapped around his mouth and he panicked wanting to scream, but he had no voice and that big hand was still blocking his mouth.

Shh, I will release you if you promise that you won scream. A voice said.

After a thought, Chance nodded his head. The hand was pulled back and he looked up finding a man.

It was the man he bumped into on his first day at work. Yes he still remembered, how could he

forget such an embarrassing moment.

What are they doing there? Hes sexually harassing her isn he? he asked. ”We should call the police. ”

He took out his call and immediately dialed the police number. His heart was beating faster, his palms full of swear and his toes were numb.

No hes not. The older man replied pulling the younger one to an empty office after grabbing the phone between his delicate fingers.

How can you say he is not? I clearly saw him with my own eyes. He lashed out so vivid. ”Give me back my phone!! ”

You won understand, but know that he was not sexually harassing her or of that sorts, ” irritated.

Bu–

But nothing, you saw nothing. Chance had no words. He looked at the man before him and

wondered about what he saw. He could repeat and say he saw nothing but his mind couldn erase

what he saw. His eyes gathered tears and he immediately dropped them to the floor. ”Here. ”

The younger man looked down and set his eyes on the phone, he took his phone back then once again dropped his eyes looking down nervously while playing with his fingers because there was absolutely nothing he could do. Music was playing from afar, soft and soulful. The younger looked back at the older man and shifted in his boots, moving as he walked out of the empty office.

Chance didn no much so he took his belongings then sneaked out without being noticed. After all, he didn like being around everybody else. It made him feel like an outcast, especially when he stands awkwardly among other colleagues. The rain was still pouring and just like

any other day, he arrived home so wet. He immediately changed back to warm clothes right after his

warm shower. While preparing for dinner, a call came through his phone. A sigh left his lips at the sight of the caller ID. It was his older brother, Daniel. He didn have any bad blood between his siblings but talking was like forcing a relationship between each other.

Hi, he answered.

Hi, how are you? We haven spoken in a while.Daniel said on the other side of the call.

Chance knew that was true, he hasn spoken to anyone from his family for over three months now. It was not a huge deal for him, after all they didn care neither did he.

Im okay. How is everyone? Chance asked.

Everyone is good. Dad is worried about you though, you should go and visit him. How he wished what Daniel said was true. There was nothing more important than work and alcohol for their father.

I will see if I have time. Chance muttered.

Okay. Take care of yourself then, that was the least he could say to the younger and Chance

accepted that. He placed the phone of the table and continued preparing dinner. It was fried rice

and vegetables with fried chicken. That was the least he could do if it was not for the noodles. He ate then

got ready for bed.

On weekends, Chance spent the rest of the days watching series and reading. There was nothing he could do. He avoided going out as much as he could. On Monday, the most terrible day of the week. Chance woke up and got ready for work, just like everyday and he hoped things will

go smoothly. He took a bus to work and the day started like always. Of course youd think it would end the same but it did not this time around. It had been two hours since he knocked off from work and Chance has been waiting for the bus with no sight of it. It was cold, the wind was making him shiver. A car stopped right at his feet

and a man stepped out walking towards him.

Hi. It was him, the man he has met two times already. He was in a suit which looked perfect on him

and he traveled with a fancy car. Loaded, the younger man thought.

Hi. Chance smiled.

It seems like there won be any help for you to go home. Do you want me to drop you off? No.

Definitely no, Chance didn know the man apart from the fact that he met him twice already, That

was not a big deal, he was still a stranger to him.

No, I will be fine. A smile flashed across the younger mans face. Well, that did not look convincing.

I won kidnap you if you
e that worried. Come, I will drop you off. Chance looked around the road

before he nodded with a sigh and followed the man to the car. He comfortably sat on the passenger

seat and the older man drove off. I believe we have met more than twice and I still don know your

name.

Oh… he got lost of words.

That is all you can say, the man chuckled.

My name… my name is Chance. he cleared his throat dropping his eyes to his fingers. He did that a lot.

Mine is Zeus. Its nice knowing you…Chance. The younger didn know there could be someone who would pronounce his name so perfect, it was refreshing and so out of this world.

Chance shifted uncomfortable and looked out of the window, he was nervous. Maybe that was not a

word, he was more than nervous and he was sure he could pass out anytime.

Chance, you work at M&A right? Chance snapped his eyes towards the man at the question. He

swallowed then nodded with huge eyes at him. I would like to have coffee with you.

Well, t-that is not not necessarily. Its not like we know each other, we have just met in coincidence

only, Chance rushed in panic.

Some meetings are not by coincidence… the older man trailed as he threw his eyes on the younger, his eyes lingered to him more than a second before he looked back on the road. Some meetings are fated.

I think fate is exaggerated. Chance clapped.

You think? A question followed.

Yes. It is just pure coincidence, he breath out.

Insert your address. Chance did as told as they drove down the road. Zeus continued, I still hope

we could have some time for a cup of coffee.

I think we should not step any boundaries and respect each others space and decisions. We are still strangers after all. He calmly told the older man. Silence fell on both of them.

Okay, hopefully someday you will share a cup of coffee with me or dinner. Anything would be fine by me. Aldri smiled driving.

Chance looked out of the window, watching as the buildings passed by vividly. He had a peace of mind which

made him want to cry and clear everything out. That was how he felt most of the time. He thought he didn deserve beautiful things, or peace. Having a clear mind was touching for him, that usually does

not happen.

He remembered how things were for him. On the twelve grade, he was overly bullied by

his seniors at school and it was not fun at all. He might have had a great life at home while his mother was still alive but it didn mean he had the best school life. Maybe that was where everything changed and not because of his mothers death, it was because of growing up and having to

experience more difficulties which were very hard to handle. As the bulling continues and having to pretend that he was okay at home, his mentality was disturbed and he bottled things up a lot. Insecurities and his low self-esteem almost drove him to insanity. He hit a hard rock with depression after his mothers death and the lost of his friends who tried understanding him more than others.

Chance, chance… he snapped out of his thoughts.

A tear had fallen and he saw blurry. He quietly

wiped his tear and looked back to the man. Are you okay?

Yes, I was just lost in my thoughts. he told him.

We have arrived…. Chance looked out of the window and indeed, they were in front of his

apartment.

Thank you for dropping me off, he was grateful and he loved expressing his gratitude. Chance stepped out of the car and bid goodbye before he walked to his apartment. He walked in and fell on the ground as he lean against the door.

There was a huge lump on his throat and he wanted to cry but now it was not because of his peace of mind but it was because his thoughts have ran wild. He felt like crying. He felt lonely and out of this world. He thought so low of himself and wanted nothing more than to be away from everything. A scream cheeped out of his throat as he screamed out loud in pain. He had hoped everything will continue going just fine but he was still that boy that lost touch with reality. He was indeed the insane and the odd one. I mean, one minute he was fine and the next minute he was loosing it mentally. Tears uncontrollably fell and painful sobs escaped from his lips. Chance wanted the world to stop, it would be better for him that way.

He thought it would be.