Hotel Ferrero (Chapter 43)
Title: Hotel Ferrero
Pairings: Ferrero/Safin, A.Murray/Henman, Djokovic/Roddick
Other characters: Ancic, Gasquet, Tipsarevic, Baghdatis
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Vampires, mentions of blood drinking.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and this is a fiction.
Summary: Three weeks passed and Juan Carlos' entourage was happy to hear about the good news. Novak executed his plan to help out Andrew and Tim while Richard had come back from France.
From the previous chapter:
Roger had good news for Carlos concerning his mother while Andrew had flown to Serbia to see Novak who had an idea of how to help out his best friend and Tim. After a few painful days, Marat had decided to forgive Juan Carlos under one condition; making a home video collection with him.
Chapter 43: Winter miracles
Three weeks later,
“Wheewoo…”
Mario was whistling his way to the top floor, still happy about the doctor’s diagnosis from the early evening. His boss had apparently kicked his midlife crisis in its most vulnerable place.
“Whooweee…”
The whistling only got merrier as he thought about Tommy’s text message.
“Eheehee…”
He had told Tommy about that night three weeks ago. He had tried his best not to blame things on his boss while explaining about the unforgettable incident. Tommy had listened to what he had to say and had asked him a single question; if he still stood a chance to be as loved as Juan Carlos if he tried harder. Unfortunately, Mario didn’t have the answer back then and while he hesitated, the phone had already been disconnected.
Two weeks of guilt and torture had overtaken his mind and he was sure that he was in the center of hell. Tommy wouldn’t answer his text messages or e-mails nor did he return his numerous phone calls. But when Mario had decided to ask Juan Carlos for a quick break so that he could go see his boyfriend in the States, his boss had smiled at him and had told him to go up to the rooftop.
‘Ah, isn’t he the best boss in the entire world.’
He hadn’t needed much time to find out that his boss had invited his boyfriend on a private jet and had apparently explained and apologized about his indecent behavior.
‘And, isn’t it just nice that he’s even coming to our year-end party.’ That was what the latest text message was about.
Mario knew that it must have taken a lot for the Spaniard to push his jealousy and anger away and forgive him without any kind of yelling or mocking. He was truly grateful for that and was planning to give the patient and understanding hottie a nice present after the party.
“Hey. Why are your cheeks all flushed?” Marcos giggled as he walked out of the office.
“Oh. When did I get here?”
The chef giggled even more at the lost Croatian who looked around him, wondering when his legs had taken him to the front of his boss’ door.
“You have long legs, Mario.” Janko chuckled as well, standing guard as usual.
“Haha. Where’s Marat by the way? In the office?” Mario asked.
“Nah, he said that he was going to take a leak but I’m sure he went out for a cigarette.” The Serb gave his opinion while the assistant remembered something and grabbed Marcos’ face.
“What? Is there a bug on my face?”
“No. I’m checking if he didn’t throw anything at you.”
“Huh… you’ll be surprised to hear his decision. He said that he completely trusts Nadal after talking to him on the phone, so if Richie insists on trying the new meds, I should give him a small dose. Oh, and he also told me that I could have an autograph session for my new cook book at the lobby!”
Marcos wrapped his arms around the tall Croatian and Mario humped his back as quickly as possible to avoid a back injury.
“He really said that he would allow Richie to drink that stuff?” Janko arched his eyebrows.
“Yes! And the talk with one of pharmaceutical companies went well, so I guess it’s only a matter of time before Rosemary and I get the honor to present both the blood-drinking supplement and the super Viagra!”
“Good for you. Now would you please let go of my poor neck?” Mario asked nicely and Marcos did as he was told.
“Don’t worry, Mario. I’ll sign your book first. No worries.” The chef patted the assistant on the back a couple of times and skipped down the hall, singing a song that had Rosemary’s name all over the lyrics.
Richard was hanging out with animals in the pet shelter, just coming back from his three-week vacation. While he was away, Juan Carlos had called him every single night and at some point, the half-vampire was making a small sculpture that featured Juan Carlos, the baby sparrow and himself.
‘I can’t believe that I didn’t have enough time to put Marat in it.’
The stringer giggled, looking at the sculpture, hoping that the Spaniard would still appreciate his gift.
“Hey, Richie and baby Richie.” The hotel owner greeted the two cute creatures, as he closed the door behind him.
Richard was happy to see the vampire but he was rather taken aback. He had expected Juan Carlos to have named the baby bird while he was gone.
“Uh… he doesn’t have a name yet?” He asked with a confused expression on his face.
“Of course, he does. Didn’t you just hear me call him baby Richie?”
“Juanqui, that’s not a name. You just put the word “baby” in front of my name.”
“Oh, don’t be so jealous.”
The Spaniard leaned towards Richard and whispered. “You should know that I will always love you much more.”
Richard wanted to say ‘Duh… that’s a bird and I’m a vampire’ but he didn’t see the point of arguing with his father figure when he seemed to be in such a great mood.
“So you’re going to stick with baby Richie?”
“Yes, I am.”
Richard frowned and tried to come up with a good name. “What about… Maranqui?”
Juan Carlos stopped caressing baby Richie’s head and looked at him. “Where did that horrible name come from? It sounds like a name of an outdated Mediterranean singer who couldn’t sell enough albums.”
“Uh… I tried to combine your name and Marat’s together.”
The Spaniard laughed at the cute attempt but as far as he was concerned, the baby sparrow was going to be called baby Richie no matter how old he gets.
“Then, what about… um… Juanchard? Or Richanqui?”
“Richie, dear, I hate to say this but those sound quite terrible.”
Richard had to admit that his strength wasn’t in naming birds. It wasn’t that he was jealous of the baby bird getting all the attention. He just wanted his name to be unique.
“Richie, I know what you’re thinking. But trust me, there are more than a million Richards out there.”
Richard’s eyes grew wide as he looked at the Spaniard. “Did you learn how to read minds while I was gone?”
The French started panicking at the possibility, since the very last thought that he had before the bird name issue was buying a strawberry flavored condom for Rafael.
“Yes. And, I know that you’re having dirty thoughts about your boyfriend right now.” Juan Carlos took a wild guess but the moment when he saw Richard go red and run out of the room, he knew that he had guessed right.
“Ahahaha, running out of the room won’t stop my magic power! I can still read your mind even when you’re in your room!”
The hotel owner shouted at the back of the fleeing stringer and laughed along with baby Richie.
“Oh, is this supposed to be a gift for us?”
Juan Carlos asked the sparrow about the sculpture that was lying on the ground and baby Richie made a few twittering sounds.
“Aww, look at this. Don’t we all look happy together? But where is Marat?”
The Spaniard decided not to ask Richard about Marat’s absence, guessing that he must have run out of time.
“Oh, well, I’ll have to go upstairs and put this near the window. Have a lovely night, baby Richie.”
Juan Carlos waved his hand at the sparrow, leaving the room with the sculpture safely in his hands.
“Ehehehe…”
Andrew and Tim watched Novak grin like a foolish vampire. The Serb was acting very suspiciously throughout the Adidas photo shoot that was held in London.
“Uh, Novak, we would like our products to leave a strong impression on our customers. I’d very much appreciate it if you could keep your face a little more charismatic, thank you.” Tim ordered and Novak nodded, only to burst into laughter three seconds later.
“Seriously, what’s wrong with him?” Tim asked Andrew who looked equally puzzled as himself.
“No idea. Either he lost his mind because he hasn’t seen his boyfriend for a while or either he ate something funny for lunch.” Andrew shrugged his shoulders, eyeing his best friend with a curious look.
“Hey, do we need more photos? I think we have enough already.” Novak shouted from the set and Tim let out a sigh.
“If you can just give us a few charismatic looks while hitting your backhand, I guess we could wrap it up.”
“Okay! Are we going to go out and eat after this?” Novak couldn’t stop giggling. He was planning to do something awesome for his best friend. It was too much fun even thinking about what could possibly happen.
“Sure. We’ll go eat whatever you want to, so will you focus please?” Andrew put on his best pleading voice and hoped that it would still have the desired effect as it did when they were together.
“Okay! You got it!” Novak answered joyfully and put on his game face, looking serious enough to hit a good ball.
“Finally! Thank you, Andrew.” Tim watched his star player hit some great backhands and he was soon distracted by the memories of Andrew hitting a backhand during their tennis match the other day.
‘Ah, too bad that he lost even when he had beautiful backhands. And, too bad that the kiss didn’t last as long as I had expected.’
Tim stole a glance at his boyfriend who was watching the Serb. The English vampire had never thought that he could have such indecent thoughts about another vampire who happened to be much younger than him.
‘Should I feel horrible about myself? How much age difference do we have? Seventy… seven?’
Andrew turned his attention to Tim who had just let out a strangled moan.
“What’s wrong with you now?”
“Nothing. I’m just… hungry.”
Tim wanted to bite his tongue for coming up with such a lame excuse but Andrew seemed to have bought it.
“Well, it looks like he’s almost done. You can go start the car if you want.”
Tim knew that even if he didn’t want to, it was in his best interest to go start the car as he was told.
“Yes, dear.” He quickly pressed his lips against the white cheek and hurried to the parking lot.
Novak’s mood only got better when the three vampires sat down in a cozy restaurant.
“Ah, I’d love to run a restaurant like this one day. Hmm, maybe when Andy and I retire, we could laugh and eat all day in a place like here.”
“And get fat.” Andrew added, still not sure what was causing his best friend to act like a retarded vampire.
“Oh, I think you would rather want to be nice to me tonight, Andrew.” Novak flashed a wicked smile and the Scot shuddered.
“What are you up to? I know you, Nole. You’re up to something.” Andrew accused.
“I’m not going to reveal my master plan just because you asked me to. Just relax and enjoy your supper. Trust me, I know what’s best for you.”
Those words were exactly the reason why Andrew couldn’t trust his friend. But he knew that when Novak was serious about keeping a secret, there was no way to get the information out of him.
“Fine. I’ll just pray to whoever has ears up there to make me suffer as less as possible.” Andrew had a very bad feeling that whatever his friend was planning wasn't going to end nicely.
“Hehehe…”
The evil laughter roared in the Scot’s mind and Tim watched the interaction between the two with interesting eyes.
‘Hmm… maybe it’s a new generation thing. I have no idea what’s going on here.’
An hour later, when Novak left in a hurry and the two came back for tea at Tim’s place, Tim still didn’t have an idea of what was happening. Andrew had been in the bathroom for more than ten minutes already.
Knock-knock.
“Andrew, is everything alright in there? Do you need help with anything?”
“Go away!”
“But Andrew, you’ve been in there forever!”
“I said go away!!”
Tim shook his head and spoke in a calmer voice. “Just so you know, if you need anything, just tap on the door, okay?”
“Okay, I got it. So just go away, will you?”
Startled at the nervous outburst, Tim shrugged his shoulders and went back to sit on the couch.
‘Was something wrong with the tea?’
He picked up the tea can and looked at the bottom to check the shelf life.
‘Huh, it’s only two months old. Strange.’
Meanwhile, Andrew was finding things more than strange inside the bathroom.
‘I will hunt him down! And have that piece of Serbian meat for my next dinner!!’
The Scot had finally identified the burning desire that was boiling inside him. He had tried Viagra on a few occasions when he was with Novak. Dating a sportsvampire wasn’t an easy task. Sometimes he needed more power and energy to satisfy the athlete.
“He. Is. So. Dead.” Andrew gritted his teeth, trying to breathe properly.
‘I so knew that he was acting all too suspicious, grinning like a fool all night.’
Anyway, it was too late to go back to the past and strangle his best friend.
‘Oh God… my eyes are all dark grey. I’m going to embarrass myself in front of Tim.’
Things didn’t look bright and Andrew closed his eyes to think.
‘So this is what Novak was talking about when he said that he had an idea to help me out. Why do I have that stupid fox as my best friend?’
Knock-knock.
“Jesus, Tim! I said that I’m okay!”
Andrew was too annoyed by the constant knock on the door and he didn’t think twice before yanking the door open.
“Andrew…? Why are you sweating so much?”
Tim was too heartbroken to even realize the change of his boyfriend’s eye color. He just stepped forward and put his arms around the taller vampire when he felt something on his thigh.
‘Why is he… poking at me?’
Tim instinctively looked down and Andrew knew that it was over.
“Andrew…”
“Please don’t say anything.” Andrew tried to get out of Tim’s arms but he was weaker than usual because of the powerful drug.
“Hey, don’t be ashamed. I assume that Novak put something in your meal.”
“At this point… I don’t care how it happened.”
The Scot’s breathing was getting heavier and Tim couldn’t tell if he was in heaven or in hell.
“What do you want me to do?” He asked, letting his boyfriend make the call.
“What do you mean?” Andrew’s breath hit him on the neck and Tim had to swallow a loud moan.
“I mean…”
‘What do I mean? I just want to help him out in the most indecent way possible, right? What? No!! Of course not! I meant, in the most decent way possible!’
While he was struggling with his conscience, Andrew’s hot hands grabbed him by the neck.
“I asked what you meant, didn’t I?”
The panting lips were too close to Tim’s face and Tim couldn’t think anymore. Andrew was dangerous.
“Andr…”
Before he could even finish calling the beloved name, a pair of lips kissed him wolfishly.
‘Oh god, thank you, Novak.’
Making a mental note to give the nicest outfit to the Serb for the new season, Tim pulled his boyfriend closer. He was in heaven.
“Hmm…”
Marat tapped on the floor, waiting for Juan Carlos to come out of his room. He was going to take his lover out for a delicious dinner and a hot blood drink.
‘If he wasn’t so damn busy, we could go blood hunting more often like the good old days. Too bad.’
But things weren’t too bad as soon as the Spaniard walked out, showing off his new Prada suit that fit him like a second skin.
“Whoa… You look marvelous.”
“You think so? Thanks, honey.”
Juan Carlos smiled and Marat thought for a moment if he would rather have the Spaniard for dinner than going out to the Corpse.
“No, we are going to the Corpse. It wasn’t easy to get a reservation in the special booth at this time of the year. Mario had to call the manager several times in his sweetest voice, you know.”
Marat couldn’t exactly picture the curt Croatian speak in a sweet voice but that wasn’t his problem right now. Could his lover really read minds? Or did it show on his face?
“You know, Juanqui, Richie talked to me earlier, asking about you.”
“Oh, he did?”
Juan Carlos was pleased as he walked in the elevator after the Russian. It was always pleasant to know that the two people that he loved the most were talking to each other.
“Yeah, he asked me if you could really read minds.”
“What? Seriously? Ahahahaha.”
The Spaniard’s laughter filled Marat’s heart and the two soon arrived at the bottom floor. Marat didn’t forget to put a hand on the elevator door and put on his sexiest voice.
“Shall we?”
Pleased at the gentlevampiric gesture, Juan Carlos nodded and gave a quick peck on the lips of the grinning Russian.
The Corpse looked even better after a whole month of redecoration, and it didn’t hurt that they had Christmas decorations hung up in the ceiling. Of course, it was only Juan Carlos that was interested in the artful display. Marat was rather busy trying to think of how many love bites his lover should get for the night.
“Marat… we’re here to eat.” The Spaniard scolded as the Russian dived at his waist as soon as they sat in their private booth.
“I know. And, I’m having my favorite appetizer at the moment.”
“Oh, silly you.”
The food that they had ordered upon arrival came out in seven courses and after the third service, the waiter had become immune to whatever obscene scene that he got to witness.
“Don’t talk. I’ll give you enough.”
Caring about his lover’s public image, Marat tipped the waiter generously and went back focusing his attention on a particular spot on the Spaniard’s neck.
“Where are you going to take me for blood hunting?”
“I’m thinking of hitting a human club. There’s a new one not too far from here.”
“How do you know that when it’s not even your country?” Juan Carlos raised his eyebrows.
“I just know. Don’t ask.” Marat rubbed his fingers along the kiss mark that he had made on the slender neck. It looked gorgeous.
“You know that I can’t dance.”
“Doesn’t matter. Just stay pretty next to me and sway your hips.”
Slap.
Marat knew that he was going to get some sort of violent reaction but that didn’t mean that it didn’t hurt.
“Ouch. Is midlife crisis making your arms stronger?”
Slap.
Another slap landed on his thigh.
“Say another word about that stupid crisis which I got over, thank you very much, and I promise you that I won’t be gentle.”
“Ah, I always prefer you all edgy, you know.”
And, this time, the former tennis champion grabbed the wrist that was about to attack him in full force.
“Let go of me.”
“Hmm… what do I get then?”
“What do you want?” Juan Carlos was enjoying his prude role.
“What do you think I want?” Marat’s hand had never stopped moving along the Spaniard’s thighs.
“Hmm… a quick peck on the cheek?” Juan Carlos batted his eyes in an innocent way and the two erupted into laughter.
“If the hotel goes down, you should seek for a career in acting.”
“Ahahaha, the hotel going down? Over my dead body.”
Marat loved the fact that Juan Carlos didn’t know that it was one of his tricks to make the Spaniard become even angrier for his own pleasure.
‘I guess we’ll have to use the restroom before we head to the club. What a nice night.’
The Russian rubbed his chin with a pleasant smile on his lips.
Two hours later, the two vampires were on the dance floor, moving their bodies to the rhythm.
“Oh, what about that one?” The Spaniard was looking around for their first victim.
“Nah, he’s too skinny.” Marat answered.
“Since when do you have a problem with someone skinny?” Juan Carlos narrowed his eyes.
“Baby, don’t worry. I like you just the way you are. I like your waist fitting perfectly in one arm.”
To no one’s surprise, Marat kindly demonstrated what he had meant.
“Then, what about that one?” Juan Carlos pointed at a well-built guy who was enjoying a drink with a beautiful girl.
“Nah. He’s too old.”
The Spaniard shook his head and freed himself from the Russian’s grip. “If you’re going to be so picky, then you choose.”
“Fine. Hmm… let’s see.”
Marat looked around the club with a stunning amount of concentration. When he was looking for a prey, no one could get off his radar.
“What do you say to that one over there?” He pointed at a young guy, probably in his mid twenties, smiling at a joke.
‘He looks a bit like Mario…’
Juan Carlos looked at Marat with a slightly confused look.
“So? What do you say?”
The hotel owner wondered if this was some sort of a late punishment.
“No, baby. I’m not punishing you. I thought that it might help you get over that scrawny albino.”
“Don’t call him that!” Juan Carlos jumped to his assistant’s defense.
“Haha…”
Marat’s laughter reminded the Spaniard of what had happened earlier in the restaurant’s restroom.
“Don’t make me angry on purpose, Safin. I could bite you in the wrong places.”
The warning sounded dangerous but it only made Marat’s eyes darker.
“Do you want a threesome with him after a drink?”
Kick.
“Argh! Juanqui!”
“Shut up and go fetch him for me.”
“Sure, boss.”
Marat was busy rubbing his shin but didn’t forget to steal a kiss before heading towards their lucky victim of the night.
Juan Carlos leaned against the bar, his hands in his pockets, watching his lover walk towards the human. The Russian was going through the usual process of the so-called Marat seduction; the killer smile, the subtle touches on the shoulder, and the low laughter that must be echoing in the poor human’s soul by now.
‘Poor thing. I hope he doesn’t have anemia or anything.’
The slender vampire smoothed his hair that had been in Marat’s hands too often for one night and flashed a smile at the human who looked towards his direction, walking right behind his lover.
“Is he prepared?” The hotel owner didn’t want to bother hypnotizing humans.
“Of course. He’s all ours.” Marat guided the guy to a dark corner and let his lover choose which side of the neck that he wanted to taste.
“Right.”
“Fine. I’ll take the left.”
And, before the human could get over Juan Carlos’ delicate fingers on his neck and Marat’s intoxicating smile, the two vampires dug their fangs in.
‘Hmm, he’s quite fresh.’ Juan Carlos thought.
‘Ah, Juanqui will have to reward me for this one.’ Marat thought.
Marat’s hands moved along the human’s chest and back before resting at the hipbones. Juan Carlos’ gestures were more subtle. One hand was touching Marat on the back of his neck and the other one was toying with the human’s earlobe.
“God…”
The human’s moan became louder and that was when the vampires pulled out their fangs.
“What…? What’s going on?” The young guy asked in confusion. He wanted more.
“Time’s up. Thanks for the drink.” Juan Carlos let his fingers adjust the human’s shirt collar.
“But… I…”
“No buts. Enjoy the rest of your night.” Marat patted the human’s cheek, hooked an arm around his lover’s waist and leisurely headed to the toilet.
“Uh… Marat, the exit is that way.” The Spaniard pointed at the sign where the four letters were flashing brightly.
“Huh? The music is too loud! I can’t hear you!”
“Marat, I think we already spent enough time in public restrooms tonight.”
“What did you say, Juanqui? I said I can’t hear you!!”
Juan Carlos snorted and pondered on playing along.
“Did I tell you tonight that you look lovely!!”
‘Ha, nice tactic.’
The Spaniard put on a sexy smile and purred against the Russian’s ear.
“Lead the way then.”
Marat was just about to do that.