Billionaire Mafia's Manny
Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Chapter 63

Somewhere in the city, Nicholas’ car slowly came to a stop in front of a luxurious art gallery.

It was evening already, and they made their first stop at Nicholas’ restaurant for breakfast and then they had gone to play golf, but it was more of Nicholas teaching Zeno how to play golf.

After golf, they went to a comedy show, and that could be said to be Zeno’s favorite. He laughed genuinely for the first time in a long while.

He was starting to get very comfortable with Nicholas, he could say that he had started to see him as a good friend.

Zeno’s life was simple, anyone who made him feel genuinely comfortable was his friend.

He didn’t like bad energy, he was allergic to it.

So, why would he keep being uptight with Nicholas when he had such a kind soul?

Nicholas was the type of friend his Nana always told him to have by his side, they’d turn up for you during your downtimes.

"We’re here," Nicholas announced in the car, killing the engine.

Zeno nodded, staring out of the window.

"Let’s go, then," Zeno was about to open the door when Nicholas held him back by the arm.

Zeno was surprised but he slowly turned to look at him, "You don’t want to go anymore? It’s okay we can do something else," Zeno smiled at him.

Nicholas smiled back. He couldn’t even make eye contact with Zeno anymore. The more time he spent with Zeno, the more charming he became, and he felt himself fight stuttering the whole day.

"No, it’s not that, I do want to go," Nicholas replied in a calm voice.

"Alright, then, why are you stopping me?" Zeno asked, a little confused.

"Um, I’d like to let you know that the art you’re about to witness is not just the ordinary art you see... this... this is different..." Nicholas paused, searching Zeno’s face with his brown eyes.

Zeno narrowed his eyes at him, he was now curious to know what kind of art Nicholas was talking about, "It’s alright, Nicholas, I’m an adult, I can handle anything," Zeno assured.

Nicholas nodded, chuckling, "You said so, let’s go," He replied.

Zeno nodded and eagerly left the car, heading toward the pure white luxurious art gallery.

"Hello, Mr. Nicholas, welcome to the 10th edition of the art display," The doorman greeted politely as Nicholas and Zeno approached the door.

"Welcome, young man," The doorman bowed to Zeno, too.

"Thank you, Nick," Nicholas replied and held Zeno’s hand as he stepped into the building.

The first thing Zeno noticed was that the large circular room was filled with only the male population.

Nicholas didn’t release his hand, "Come on," He softly said to Zeno.

Zeno followed him silently as they seamlessly made their way across the crowd.

As they went farther, same Zeno started to notice the huge paintings that were displayed on the walls.

At that moment, he took back the adult speech he gave in Nicholas’ car.

He couldn’t believe his fucking eyes!

Those paintings were raw as fuck.

Whoever the artists were were monstrous as hell.

If he didn’t look better, he’d think the paintings were real people.

"You look like you regret what you said in the car..." Nicholas whispered.

Zeno blinked away from the paintings and turned to stare at Nicholas.

Truthfully, he was kind of regretting it.

He was an adult, but he would have loved to be warned about what he was about to see.

Thinking back, Nicholas did warn him, and he had proudly said that he was an adult and could handle anything.

He just didn’t know it was this kind of "anything."

"Well, I’m a bit thrown off..." Zeno chuckled quietly.

He looked around and observed that no one else had the same shocked reaction as him. They all seemed very conversant with the art.

"This is an art that appreciates the gay community, drawn by one of my best friends, and the irony is that he’s not even gay," Nicholas explained.

"Come on," Nicholas still held his hand and led him to the front.

Zeno couldn’t believe he was staring at such raw images in the presence of numerous people.

The painting he was currently staring at was a picture of two naked athletic men. One stood in his naked glory while the other knelt before him, his tongue perfectly lapped on the cap of the standing man’s cock, their eyes locked on each other’s.

That painting would have been entirely erotic. However, realizing the look in their eyes made it all... sweet.

Zeno surprisingly felt his heart warm at the sight.

In the painting, the men were staring at each other with pure and evident love in their eyes. Zeno came to realize that there was a soft, subtle smile playing on the lips of the man standing, their body language oozed deep-rooted affection.

Zeno was starting to understand what the artist was trying to show.

Everyone saw gay people as sex maniacs, as loveless and unfeeling people who just get together and fuck.

They believe gay people are incapable of feelings because of the stereotype of how the world views them: had hot.

They forget that apart from being just "hot," gay people are also humans who have affection, compassion, love, sweetness, pride, and care in them, just like every other human does.

The artist wants to let people that within the hot and sexy exteriors of gay couples, there’s a human seeking validation from his partner, just like every other person would from his or her partner.

He wanted people to know that "gay" is just a wrong label. They should be termed "Couples," just like every type of relationship out there.

The art was also a means to boost their ego, showcasing the beauty of each man’s well-crafted body.

It was a masterpiece.

He wanted this.

He wanted that kind of relationship. He’d sworn he’d never get into a serious relationship until his Nana was out of the hospital, but he was suddenly craving to be loved.

Maybe because he was literally alone in the world, had no family, and the people he could call friends were just related to him by work.

He had no one to call his own.

He wanted it, someone who would stare at him with heart in his eyes...his?

Zeno didn’t care anymore, he didn’t care about the gender.

Love was love.

All he needed was love. He didn’t care if he found it in a woman or a man.

Life was too short to be so mean to oneself; while you live, try to live too; it makes living more lively.

"I don’t think I need to explain the paintings to you anymore," Nicholas said beside Zeno.

He had been watching Zeno watch the paintings and the look of realization and understanding he saw in Zeno’s face said it all.

He finally grasped the essence and concept of the arts.

Zeno slowly nodded, "I think I understand, Nick," he said in a small voice, staring at the painting.

Nicholas realized that the painting turned out to be Zeno’s favorite.

"You like it?" Nicholas questioned.

Zeno nodded.

"Alright, let’s see other paintings," Nicholas held Zeno’s hand again and walked him around the hall, admiring numerous paintings and chatting amicably.

***

"I feel really bad," Nicholas sighed as he parked his car in front of Sebastian’s gate.

It was dark already, and everyone must have had dinner by then. Thankfully, Nicholas made sure they ate at his restaurant before driving him back.

Zeno was starting to get acquainted with the taste of Nicholas’ restaurant kitchen.

Zeno smiled at Nicholas, "It’s alright, we can always hang out on Saturdays, I’m free," He replied, turning to look at Nicholas.

Nicholas snapped his head toward Zeno, "What did you say?" He asked, excitement evident in his voice.

Zeno couldn’t help releasing a little laugh. Nicholas was really a cool guy. "We’re friends, Nick. We can hang out every Saturday," Zeno shrugged.

Nicholas’ face fell for a second when he heard Zeno call him just a friend, but he let that slide immediately.

He smiled at Zeno and nodded. "I’ll hold you to your word," He narrowed his eyes at him.

Zeno nodded, "I’m not going back on it," He replied.

"Awesome. Let me walk you in,?" Nicholas asked expectantly.

Zeno slowly nodded; for the whole day, he’d tried his best to forget Sebastian and any thoughts relating to him.

And now, he was back, back to his mansion, avoiding him and thoughts about him was going to be impossible.

He wouldn’t have wanted Sebastian to see Nicholas, but they were friends. He couldn’t stop a friend from entering a friend’s house.

They got out of the car and walked into the gate.

The first thing Zeno did when he entered the compound was to search his eyes around the whole place.

Luckily, no Sebastian was in sight.

Nicholas held Zeno’s hand as they walked up the stairs.

Zeno reached the door and paused, slowly turning to look at Nicholas.

He knew what this was, but he wanted to take things slow. He was still in the middle of a messy situationship with Sebastian. He wouldn’t want to draw someone into his web of confusion, conflict, and lust.

"Good night, Nick," Zeno smiled at Nicholas, a genuine smile.

Nicholas sighed and walked closer to Zeno.

Zeno didn’t move away. He knew when someone wanted to kiss him, and right then, Nicholas wasn’t about to.

Nicholas paused very close to Zeno’s face. He locked his eyes with him before he spoke. "I’m hoping the art gallery made you understand me better, Zeno. I’m a part of that community, and I’m really hoping you’re not part of the community who judges us; I want you to see me for who I really am, Zeno," He paused, searching his face.

Zeno shook his head, "I already know that, Nicholas. And, I’m not part of that community that judges. Even if I were, the paintings in the art gallery were enough to convince me. I’m not judging you, Nicholas, I don’t really care what you’re sexuality is. Just be a good human, and we can be frie-"

"About that..." Nicholas gently interrupted Zeno.

"I don’t want to be just a friend to you, Zeno. I’m not pushing you, I’ll wait till whenever you’re ready, but I’m not promising that I won’t be pestering you. I just said I’m not pushing you..." Nicholas chuckled.

Zeno found him endearing, but just endearing as a friend, he knew he’d feel more for Nicholas if he really decided to open up his heart to him.

He just needed a little time to put his life in order.

"I want to be more, Zeno..." Nicholas said in a soft voice.

Before Zeno could reply, Nicholas leaned on and kissed him very gently on his cheek, beside his lips.

"Good night, Zeno," Nicholas smiled at Zeno’s shocked face and stepped back, slowly turning and walking away.

Zeno stood there, watching Nicholas walk out of the gate.

But Nicholas didn’t leave without turning to wave one last time at him.

Zeno sighed when Nicholas was finally out.

He wasn’t going to lie. His heart did thud for Nicholas, but it was very negligible. It wasn’t thudding madly, just like how it thudded for...

"Sebastian..." Zeno called in shock as a tall dark figure emerged from beside the stairs.

"Welcome home, Zeno," Sebastian calmly greeted as he slowly ascended the stairs.