Wicked Boy (19) (Patreon)

(A/N:  Pretend that this contract is legit because I know nothing about legal terminology, the end.  I dub this chapter: Ez taking care of legal matters because his crush is too dumb to protect himself from blackmail. Also, who is up for calling your future crushes fixations?)

The contract feels thick in my grasp.  I hate to think that my palms are sweating, but they are, and I release the contract one hand at a time to wipe them across my t-shirt. I peek back at the doorway, like Isaac may just reappear and recognize what a low-life I've become and then glance towards Ez, who watches with the solidity of a professional.

What am I doing?

The worst part is that no matter what I find in the contract, I'll likely sign it.  There's part of me that's desperate for the company of Ez's confidence.  The green eyes that watch me surely know this and my inability to tell him to leave is self-evident of the hope that he'll stay.

How stupid am I?

"Shy?"  Ezra asks.  I startle.  I shouldn't be surprised that he's lit a cigarette.  He's cracked the living-room window, letting in a chill of cold, March-air, and through a puff of smoke — shifts his gaze to peer down at the city below.  Goosebumps form on my chilled skin.  "... It's just business, babes."

I adjust my glasses.

"Business,"  I whisper.  I stare at the binding of the contract, and the neat, red manila folder feels like money in my hands. It is a bit bent from Ezra's hour-long ride into the city, but through its resilience, it remains oddly professional. I run my finger over the crease.  "Right."

The prongs are taped down, and on the right corner, there's the stamp of a Huxley Bat.

"Yeah."  he laughs, a low and stunning thing, "Business.  All legal.  In Huxley — in Pennbrook."

Huxley Escort Agency pivots just above the wings.  There's a small bat at the tip of Ez's spine, as well.  My eyes linger on it, on the way it arches and shifts subtly beneath his hairline, until his attention transitions to me again.

"Take a peek at it." The larger man's eyebrows raise when I swallow, and he flicks the butt of his cigarette.  Ashes fall and stain the snow on my windowsill.  "... Ya' can look at me later."

"This contract..."  My hands tremble. My nerves haven't settled from Isaac.  My headache hasn't veered away from last night's alcohol. And Ez — Ez is just here, existing inside of my apartment like this — like it's not a bother to him at all. "Is for your company?"

I feel bizarre.  I feel like — I'm in some alternative universe, where humans are rental cars and not flesh and thoughts standing in front of me. I wonder what Ez thinks of this, if at all, — and watch the carefully hidden nuances of his grin.

"It's oddly..."  I smile softly.  Ez, past his seedy coquetry, is a professional, after all.  "Formal."

"Hmm... Some Goules are okay with a promise," Ez eyes me for a moment, decisive and infallible.  He's not smiling now, and I can only speculate that he's serious about the terms in my hands, "I like to have a contract signed.  I'm gonna' assume that you're the same."

There's nothing distrustful in the statement. It sounds like business. Something about the familiarity of that fact grounds me — and also reveals a different sort of anxiety.

I'm paying for a person's company.

"How very proper of you," I discard the tape, push aside the prongs. The stapled packet slides between my slim fingers. "It's surprisingly heavy."

How pathetic am I?

"Got an important Daddy, don't ya'?  It's a mutual non-disclosure agreement,"  Ez douses the end of his finished cigarette in the snow, then shoves it into his pocket — much like our first meeting in Huxley.  "Along with some terms for our," he smirks, makes a look like he's thinking, "companionship."

I don't miss how abruptly and strangely intelligent Ez sounds.  My stomach twirls.  I wonder which parts of him are real.  I'm too curious not to want to find out.

If anything — he's a seasoned escort.

I'll have to deal with Ez like a seasoned businessman.

"Sounds like you work with a certain sort often enough to know they enjoy their privacy."  I unfasten each paper clip.  "How many current contracts do you have?"

Ez snorts.  He's ventured over to my desk of trinkets, sifting through them with a lazy, pensive look, and one outstretched finger.

"Four open at the moment." He leans against the back of my couch, "Some more demanding than others."

"Four?"

"Don't sound so disappointed.  Can't do more than that each month or I get worn out."  He winks.  "...Some are needy."

"Oh." My eyebrows gather.  I imagine what his other patrons must be like.  I wonder how much they make — where they live, what their terms involve.  I wonder if I've ever crossed paths with any of them.  "Right."

"Awe.  Did I make ya' jealous, angel?"  Ezra seems to fall into flirtation at the slightest provocation.  I find that our gaze meets again, and he stares with unfazed humor that has me wanting to provoke him as much as he riles me.  "Don't worry.  I've never had a client so pretty."

"No, I'm not jealous or worried.  Rather,"  I try not to swim inside of his compliment.  I tell myself that many men have called me pretty, and this is no different.  "I'm glad you have a back-up income for when this doesn't work out."

"Oh?" Ez's grin returns, and with it, a strange comfort. "...It's gonna work out."  He hums at this, and pushes himself upwards casually — and closer to me.

"You seem..."  I eye him cautiously.  I don't want him to move in further.  "Confident."

"Yeah?"  His grin only grows, bright eyes lidding.  I choose to ignore him.

"...And like you make quite a bit of money," My regard holds him, scrutinizing him and his playful expression.  They then travel to his rings. "You also seem like you can be selective in your clientele."

"I do." Ez crosses his arms. Tilts his head.  He takes a few steps in my direction, and I try my best not to high-tail it and run. "And I can.  What's it to ya?"

"... Odd is all.  Why are you offering me discounts and," I squint at the paper, "...Do you offer this to your other clients?"

"...Don't need to,"  He's diverted from his path towards me, strolls towards the center of the room, and is now shrugging on his shirt.  My eyes drift from the folder to a larger tattoo that arches from his shoulders and down his spine.

"Then why...?"  I grimace.  "Can you just be upfront?"

"Forgot how much ya' love honesty," Ez peers over his shoulder, and quite heatedly he says,

"Call it a fuckin' fixation."  He's all teeth and charm, and my stomach is white-hot, "I'm interested.  Have been since you showed up wet and poutin' in that diner."

Something rings behind his statement, something that says he isn't interested often.  I blink — replay the information and blush, adjusting my glasses once more, in an attempt to shield my face.  I tell myself this is him — being an escort.

"Well...  Um.  Never mind that.  I don't need any — I don't need you to stroke my ego."  I frown.  "You can't — you can't just live here."

"I always start with a trial run."  Ez nods to the contract.  "Are ya' gonna sign, or what?"

I think —

I know that I am.

Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement

This agreement affects both parties' rights. Read carefully before signing this nondisclosure agreement.

("Agreement") is entered into between Milan Minett ("Me" or "Promised") and Ezra Lykaios of Huxley Escort Agency (collectively the "Parties" or "We").  Both parties are subject to the terms outlined below, regardless of "me," "promised," "parties," or "we."

1. Confidentiality Obligations

1.1 Definition of confidential information. Confidential information means all of the following whether intangible or embodied or depicted in tangible form, including without limitation, documents, emails, instant messages, text messages, contracts, correspondence, faxes, tapes, CD-ROM, USB flash drives, SIM cards, photographs, negatives, moving or still images, audio or video recordings, magnetic or electronica data, digital recordings, and any other format of embodying information or data:

1.1.1. Private and confidential information which is not generally known to the public or readily ascertainable by proper means by others and is subject to reasonable efforts to maintain in secrecy pertaining to Ezra or Milan, his family members, children, friends, and business associates, and all their affiliated entities, and of their offices, directors, agents, employees, executives, and representatives, all collectively related parties; and

1.1.2. The existence and substance of any verbal or written communications, interactions, meetings, encounters, contacts, financial transactions, and relationships between or among "me" and "you" and/or any of the related parties, including descriptions of their content, substance or meaning, the fact that they occurred, and that either party didn't consensually release, of their participants, whether truthful or fictionalized;

1.1.3.   Any related parties business matters, propriety business information, financial matters, legal matters, contractual matters, personal matters, private residence locations, unlisted telephone numbers, private email addresses, security alarm codes, calendars, household activities, and guests, health and medical information, fitness, sexual matters, leisure activities, lifestyle, proclivities, customs, and private conduct; and

1.1.4. Disagreement, it's negotiation and its terms.

1.2.  Agreement not to disclose confidential information. I will not directly or indirectly disclose confidential information to any person or entity whatsoever including but not limited to friends, family members, journalist, meeting at work, using papers, magazines, tablets, television programs, radio programs, blogs, Internet social networks, Internet service providers, publishers, and databases, collectively third parties. My agreement not to disclose confidential information applies to all confidential information, whether it is truthful, fictionalized, or on the record or off the record.

1.3. No participation in books or articles. Without your advance expressed written consent,  I will not give or participate in any interviews, right or be a service for any articles, books, programs, or stories about you or the related parties, whether truthful, fictionalized, on the record, or off the record. If I breached these promises, my copyright in any such unauthorized material shall be automatically and immediately transferred by me to you as of its creation and, in perpetuity, in this agreement shall constitute a valid transfer of copyright.

1.4. Images and recordings. Without your advance expressed written consent, I will not create any photographs, movies, videos, sound or image recordings, or otherwise capture any depictions or likeness of you, your family, friends, associates, or employees ("Images and Recordings"). If I breach these promises, any images and recordings I create shall be considered confidential information. My copyright in them shall be deemed automatically and immediately transferred by me to you as of its creation and, in perpetuity,  in this agreement shall constitute a valid transfer of copyright. If you expressly direct me to create any images and recordings, they will be confidential information in which I have no real legal rights or interest whatsoever, including any copyright, trademark, moral rights, patent, or other similar rights. I convey, transfer, and assign to you all of my right, title, and interest if any of whatever kind or nature in all images and recordings as of their creation and in perpetuity. This agreement shall constitute a valid transfer of copyright.

1.5 No use of name or likeness. I shall not, directly or indirectly, verbally or otherwise, use, refer to or explain any manner, your name and/or likeness and/or identity (collectively "name and likeness") to promote, advertise or market any services or products of any kind or nature without your advance express written consent.

2. Permitted disclosures, responding to subpoenas, etc. I may disclose confidential information in confidence to my attorneys as required for the rendition of their professional services, or as is otherwise required by law. If I am compelled to disclose confidential information pursuant to a valid legal process (e.g., a subpoena), I shall first provide you with a reasonable advance written notice before making any such disclosure. I will not volunteer to disclose confidential information. Confidential information shall continue to be subject to this agreement, even if it is wrongfully disclosed by third parties or me.

3. Remedies for my breach. If I breached this agreement or threaten to do so (e.g., a conduct by me reflecting an intention to breach the agreement). I will be liable to you for all resulting damages, including but not limited to all of the following, all of which shall be cumulative, to be stopped pursuant to this agreement arbitration procedures.

3.1. Liquidated damages.   If my actual or threatened breach causes you substantial damages and injury, the precise amount of which would be extremely difficult or impracticable to determine even after we have made a reasonable attempt to do so. I, therefore, agree that in addition to your other remedies, I will be obligated to pay you the sum of $100,000 as a reasonable and fair amount of liquidated damages to compensate you for a loss or damage resulting from each actual or threatened breach. We agree that unless there's reasonable and proximate relationship to the actual damages, you will suffer from each actual or threatened breach, and that is not a penalty.  You won't have the right to see actual damages instead of liquidated damages; and

3.2 Disgorgement of monies. My actual or threatened breach well obligate me to account to and turn over to you all monies, consideration or other benefits I derive for my breach without prejudice to your other legal or equitable rights and remedies; and

3.3  Injunctive relief  My actual or threatened breach of this agreement will cause you irreparable injury, which cannot be adequately compensated by money damages. Therefore, you shall be entitled to obtain temporary preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent my breach or further breach. The balance of potential harm to me arising from injunctive relief is substantially outweighed by the substantial harm to you resulting from an authorized dissemination or exploitation of confidential information. I agree that despite the arbitration provisions below. You are entitled to see conjunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent my breach of this agreement and to secure its enforcement, and that you're seeking equitable relief from a judge or court shall not be deemed incompatible with or waiver of our agreement to arbitrate disputes.

5. Miscellaneous. I acknowledge and agree that you have not made any promises or inducements to persuade me to execute this agreement other than the express terms it contains. This agreement constitutes our entire agreement pertaining to the subject matter, and there are no terms other than those that contains. No supplement, modification, waiver, or termination of this agreement shall be deemed valid and less executed by us in writing after the date hereof.

Acceptance of contract:

I acknowledge and agree that you have not made any promises or inducements to persuade me to execute this agreement other than the express terms it contains. This agreement constitutes our entire agreement pertaining to its subject matter, and there are no terms other than those it contains. No supplement, modification, waiver, or termination of this agreement shall be deemed valid and less executed by us in writing after the date hereof.

This agreement inures to the benefit of binding upon us and our respective heirs, representative, executors, administrators, successors, trustees in bankruptcy.  If any provision is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder will continue to be valid and performed, construed, and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law, per our intent as determined from the face of this agreement.

No breach can be waived unless in writing. Waiver of any one breach shall not be a waiver of any other breach. This agreement shall be governed by interpreted, and enforced per Huxley law. If any proceeding is brought to in force or interpret this agreement or the rights or obligations of any party, including reliance on this agreement as a new permanent defense, the prevailing party shall be in entitled to recover as an element of such parties cost of suit and not as damages all reasonable attorneys fees, costs and expenses incurred, but only to the extent permissible by law.

I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the agreement, and I am entering into it freely and voluntarily. I have either consulted with legal counsel before signing it or had the opportunity to do so but decided not to.

Contract arrangement between client and escort:

This escort/client contract signifies a non-exclusive, paid, casual companionship between:

ESCORT: Ezra Lykaios of Huxley Escort Agency W 68th Street CLIENT: Milan Minett of Serenity Avenue Apt #18 Pennbrook

Milan Minett agrees to compensate Ezra Lykaios in the amount of $____ monthly, to be paid on the first of the month, by electronic transfer.

In exchange, Ezra Lykaios agrees to be available every night between 6-9 pm by either phone or in person, as his "escort shift" and to meeting and residing with Milan Minett each weekend (either in his home or in Milan's home, or an agreed upon location), totaling no more than four overnight stays a month, agreed upon by both parties. No sexual favors are permitted or expected by either party in exchange for currency or gifts.

During Minett's time with Lykaios, Lykaios will be fully present to the companionship needs of Milan Minett. During Minett's time with Lykaios, Milan Minett agrees to be fully sober of any drugs and/or alcohol.

Both parties have agreed to a term of at least a one month trial, after which both parties will revisit these terms. If Milan Minett expresses a desire to continue this contract with Ezra Lykaios, Milan Minett must agree to schedule and attend regular AA meetings, and to be completely free of any influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

If Milan Minett chooses to end his contract, Ezra Lykaios and Milan Minett will abide by the terms agreed upon in their non-disclosure agreement above.

Understood, accepted, and agreed:

Dated: _____, 2020

Dated: _____, 2020

_______________

Ezra Lykaios Signature

_______________

Milan Minett Signature

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