The Man, Hollis
I stood in the room I share with Hollis, pacing the floor. Confusion streaming through my veins. We got back from his family home almost two hours ago and I had expected him inside the room with me. We needed to talk, to clear out the chaos choking at the edges. To arrive at an agreement, to define where we’re headed at least.
But he halted at the living room and had been there ever since with Maxine. I could hear their muffled voices from here. Initially I thought he just wanted to offer me the privacy of taking a shower and freshening up. Since that had been our routine since I moved into the room with him.
So I quickly took a shower, changed into a lighter, simpler outfit and sat waiting for him. After what seemed like an eternity, I gave up and started heading to the sitting room.
There was something about Hollis Genovese, he is kind, patient, tolerating, accommodating to me at least. And oh, he easily dominates any room he is in. Those were just the few things I could think of, and then I also knew he smelled like Saffron and cinnamon spices, and apples too.
I had taken the time to reflect on his scent, even enjoyed it. On top of that, I enjoyed how he looked up close. The way he flexed his muscles out of habit and cracked his knuckles when he was tense. I had noticed all these by being around him more than necessary.
I’ve met lots of men before him and many were attractive in some way, shape, or form, and yet none was close to Hollis. Maybe because I’ve not spent more time gazing lustfully at any of these men while they are asleep.
I pushed the bedroom door open and stepped out a bit to watch him as he demonstrated something to Maxine. He was dressed in dark pants paired with a black and green vest with the letter H on the breast.
While I ducked a bit and watched him from my position, taking in his beauty, I was taken aback when he casually looked at me as if he knew I’d be there.
He glared at me, stopping his demonstration before he smirked and brushed through his hair, his sex hair. “Hey.” I called announcing my presence to the other men in the room, Rocco and Maxine.
“Hey, missing me?” Hollis asked, trying to hide the frown I noted on his face just moments ago.
“I was waiting to speak to you. I figured we need to talk.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I’ll be there in a bit.”
“It’s fine, I’ll just…. I’ll just keep myself busy with the television.” I turned on the TV even as I was speaking. Reducing the volume to the barest minimum, I settled on E-news, hoping to see something that would spike my attention. But instead of listening to the voice of the journalist, I was eavesdropping on the ongoing conversation between Hollis and Maxine.
“We settled for your suggestion, but with a little twist.” I heard Hollis say out loud. I turned, and he was looking at me. “I know you’re eavesdropping.” He stated.
Maxine chuckled. Not minding his accusation, I turned off the television and walked over to them in the dining room. “So…. when is the flight scheduled to leave?”
“In nineteen days.” Maxine replied.
“We’ll plant some of our men in the flight and have them pass not-so-kind messages to the transporters. We’ve only identified thirty-three of them for now.” Hollis explained. “There may be more.”
“Thirty-three, they’re….. too much.”
“Not for a flight that would carry three hundred and seventy four passengers.”
“What if they refuse to comply?”
“Then they are dead.” Maxine replied.
“Frick doesn’t have time to train most of his transporters. He just instilled fear in them and let them carry his stuff. Since his father doesn’t have any region assigned to him anymore, he literally smuggles all his stuff into any region and most times sells them below their market value in a bid to buy trust, support and loyalty.” I listened while Maxine looked in horror. Obviously taken aback that I knew that much already.
“So, these transporters will cave when they are extremely scared?”
He shook his head. “They will cave when they are offered their life, a home and a new identity.”
I gasped in awe of how this man thinks. He is smart, rational and his level of thoughts, quite deep and extensive. I loved every bit of it.
“But if the plan fails, then we opt for B, C or D.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“Does any of the plans involve killing?”
“Yes,” he gave a clipped answer with his jaw tightened. “How good are you with guns, Ugo?” He surprised me with another strange question. But I answered, still.
“Better than Junno Brisk in the popular crime series.”
He nodded. “Perfect. We’ll see how good you are tomorrow.”