Chapter eight of L&L
Author’s Note: Thank you so very much for my friend Kathy (kittie8571) who is the Beta of this story!
Thank you everybody for the reviews! Especially to joetheone,haljbg,bbmjack324, fl1789, jennasts, sweetje, gr lewis, torry28, ifyoucantfixit2 and Jada91.
I’m still trying to find a beta work with me on Law and Love! If you’re interested just write to me! ;)
Chapter Eight: Confusions and riddles
The veterinarian was only a few blocks away from Ennis’s apartment. Thankfully the French vet that Ennis liked so much was working at that late hour. Dr. Carré was very surprised to see Ennis and Neve again. He quickly moved them to an empty room and called his assistant for help.
Neve was quiet and oddly calm the entire time, in contrast with Ennis, who was almost having a nervous breakdown and yet didn’t seem to be able to ask any questions. Jack was nervous himself but for the sake of Ennis kept quiet. The French vet and his young assistant worked quickly around the small kitten, while Jack and Ennis watched a few feet away, looking like a stressed couple with a sick child. When the doctor made a worried face at the result of the analogical thermometer, Ennis discretely reached for Jack’s hand, as they both waited for the bad news. A few exams later and the nice vet smiled at them. The two lawyers let out a breath that they didn’t notice they were holding.
“Don’t be so worred. This petit cherie has a very high fever, which with the symptoms you had me described, was predictable. But the main problem is the otitis.” Dr. Carré moved to sit behind his white desk. “An otitis is basically an infection in the ear. There are many reasons for a cat to get one, but most of the time it's because water from the bath reached the inside of their ears. It’s really easy to get an infection that way and it happens even to the most careful owners and the most resistant cats.”
“I bathe him myself most of the time …” Ennis said sadly.
“No need for that, Mr. Del Mar. Neve will be fine. This is a minor situation. I’ll give him a shot to lower the fever right now and I’ll prescribe some antibiotics for later.” Dr. Carré said, writing a prescription.
“Can we take him home?” Ennis asked carefully.
“Yes. He’ll need to have his ears cleaned at least two times a day. In the mean time, you’ll need to apply this product in his ears too.” Dr. Carré took three different boxes from the shelf.
“What about food? He hasn’t eaten much lately.”
“Water. No milk! Water.” Dr. Carré said with a smile.
“Good.” Ennis said relieved.
“I want this petit cherie back in two days. He may need another shot for the fever.” Dr. Carré said, petting Neve's head. “In case he gets worse, come to the clinic at any time.”
“Anything else, Dr. Carré?” Jack asked as Ennis picked up the small cat from the exam table.
“Yes. You need to give him the pills for 10 days and even if his ears look clean, keep cleaning them and giving him this product. If you don’t, the otitis may become chronic!”
“Thanks, Dr. Carré.” Jack shaking hands with the older man. Ennis nodded and they both left the clinic in silence.
Jack held Neve close while Ennis drove them home. Neve looked much better now that fever had decreased thanks to the shot. Jack petted him distractedly, glancing at Ennis who looked relieved but remorseful. Jack knew Ennis well. He needed time to regain control of his feelings and until that moment, it was better not to force him to speak. So when they reached Ennis’s apartment and the blond attorney still looked as if someone had died, Jack decided to speak.
“It’s not your fault, honey.” Jack placed Neve on the couch.
“I’m a disaster.” Ennis mumbled and Jack was surprised.
“What are you talking about?” Surely this was about something else.
“I can’t seem to find time to take care of Sophie… we barely spend time together and now Neve is sick because of me.” Jack was a bit lost about the connection of those events but Ennis looked determined.
“You’re amazing with Sophie. We had a wonderful week and Neve is going to be fine.” Jack held Ennis’s head between his hands. “Bad things happen. Bad things will happen and you can’t control them, Ennis. You can't blame yourself for them either.”
“I just wanted this night to be perfect and…” Jack was surprised to see his lover’s eyes shining with tears in the soft light of the hallway.
“And it was.” Jack said kissing him forcefully, remembering that their relationship was still pretty fragile from the suffering of those long days apart, no matter how hard Ennis pretended to be strong.
“You are perfect.” Jack whispered against Ennis’s mouth. “You have nothing to prove to me Ennis.”
Jack moved to kiss Ennis again, this time more softly, in a way to show how grateful he was, as if to repay him for everything he had done. Jack’s hands came to play with Ennis’s hair, which was now much shorter than he preferred but was still as perfectly honey blond as he remembered. Jack couldn’t help it. He had a thing for blonds, even more so if they had long or curly hair. He couldn’t help but look and when it came to Ennis, he was compelled to touch too.
Jack moved his head slightly, sucking on Ennis’s tongue and the blond attorney whimpered, desperate for more and Jack smiled into their kiss. He worked quickly, moving to open the button of Ennis’s expensive trousers. His hand found its target between boxers and skin, to find the ultimate goal and Jack was rewarded with a much more vocal noise. Their kissing was urgent and most desperate now and Jack forced Ennis against the nearest wall. He couldn’t remember the last time he had ever been this physically dominant during foreplay, but then, sex with Ennis had always been different. The Texan made everything especially good and even knowing he preferred to be in control, Jack knew he liked even more to be controlled by Ennis, which had never happened to him before with any of his previous boyfriends. Everything closely intimate between them was nirvana and he had easily forgotten everything he thought he knew about sex.
And yet, tonight he was in one hell of a mood and Ennis certainly wasn’t complaining. Jack let his hand play with Ennis’s hard cock and balls. When Ennis moved to do the same to Jack, he quickly moved away, using his two hands to pull Ennis’s boxers and trousers down.
“I’m going to show you, just how perfect you are. Just how perfect you make me feel.” Jack whispered in Ennis's ear, his right hand holding Ennis’s cock.
When Jack knelt on the cold floor, he had the vague impression that Ennis had whispered his name, but if he didn’t, he certainly did when his mouth and tongue started to work around Ennis’s hard member. Jack was focused on his task and he knew full well how Ennis liked it. He knew well the feeling of Ennis’s fingers against his scalp and how he would roll his eyes and scream his name right at the end. Jack took pride in all of that.
So when Ennis came inside his mouth and Jack heard that well known mantra of Ennis's pleadings to God and himself, he quickly used his hands to hold Ennis’s trembling body. He moved up to kiss Ennis lazily and when his breathing returned to normal, Jack guided him to the bedroom. Ennis asked no questions.
“Ennis, you make me so happy, you have no idea.” Jack said pushing Ennis against the bed.
If Ennis had something to say, he didn’t get the chance, because Jack moved faster, staying on top of Ennis’s body. His hands moved to his shirt and Ennis’s hands move to Jack’s trousers.
“I’m going to make love to you.” Jack said licking Ennis’s neck. “I’m going to show you how much I love you. How perfect you are.”
Ennis answered by tossing Jack’s boxers and trousers aside and removing the shirt. Jack smiled, keeping his tongue busy with Ennis’s nipples, while their groins rubbed together. Jack was surprised to notice that Ennis was quickly getting hard again. When they were finally both naked, Jack’s hands came to rest on Ennis’s hips and their eyes locked again.
“Turn around… I’m going to take care of you.”
Jack moved away and Ennis turned around, letting Jack guide him so that his feet were touching the floor and he was bent at the foot of the bed. Jack stayed naked behind him, feeling soft carpet on his bare feet. Normally they faced each other but tonight Jack wanted to give Ennis pleasure. Physical evidence of his commitment to him. He wanted Ennis to feel owned, just like he had felt almost every night of the last week.
He prepared Ennis meticulously, teasing him, until Ennis’s voice was cracking and the moans were getting a bit too loud. Only then did Jack enter Ennis steadily but slowly, conscious that Ennis didn’t do this as much as him. He lost all control the moment he started to move, sending Ennis against the bed, his feet almost leaving the ground. He had forgotten how long he had been hard, waiting for completion.
“We… belong... together… Ennis.” Jack said against his lover’s neck. “We’re… perfect… together.”
Ennis response was an animalist sound he had never heard before. Jack quickened his thrusts and his mouth kissed Ennis’s neck. When he was reaching his climax, his hand moved to Ennis’s cock and he was surprised to hear Ennis desperate orgasm.
Just before losing control of his own body, Jack bit down between Ennis’s neck and shoulder, coming harder and more forcefully than ever before in his life.
Ennis looked at the alarm clock, feeling positively relaxed. It was 6 am, the time when he usually left his apartment to jog around the block. Ennis liked to run to a very good Spanish coffee shop and stop to drink a warm tea, then jog all the way back home. But today he was definitely not going out to run. His whole body was suffering from last night’s activities and he was sorer than ever before. Yet he was more than pleased about it. He felt something special happening between them, as if they had fulfilled something for which they had been destined.
He smiled at the thought, glancing at Jack. His boyfriend was resting on the nearest pillow, lying on his stomach, with one hand on top of the pillow. He looked relaxed and somehow not like the man Ennis had sex with last night. Ennis moved so that he could see Jack’s face closer. He took contentment just from watching him sleep. His body moving only slightly up and down with every breath. He couldn’t help but let his index finger touch the contours of his eyebrows and the line of his bone cheeks. There were so many times when he wanted to reach out to touch them and yet he couldn’t. So many times they were forced to ignore their feelings for each other. But now he could, so he did.
Jack stirred in his sleep and Ennis withdrew his hand carefully, careful not to wake him. Jack sighed and took a deep breath. Ennis thought he might go to sleep again but he opened his eyes to the small light coming from the window.
“Sorry I woke you up.” Ennis whispered, touching Jack’s hair affectionately.
“I don’t feel like sleeping anymore. I slept like a bear.” Jack moved so that he was facing Ennis.
“I slept well too.” Ennis said feeling oddly embarrassed by the memories of the previous night.
“You didn’t go jogging?” Jack asked looking at the alarm clock.
“I was… feeling a bit sore.” Ennis murmured.
“Oh.” Jack leaned against him. “Did I...?”
“No. I… I liked it.” Ennis hoped Jack wouldn’t notice his embarrassment.
“Really? I kind of lost control in the end.” Jack looked at him carefully. “We don’t talk much about sex. But last night… last night was something else and I pride myself for having great standards.”
“Yeah.” Ennis leaned and kissed his forehead. “It was.”
“Did you see Neve this morning?” Jack asked suddenly worried.
“I woke up in the middle of the night and he was sleeping. He ate something thanks to the shot.”
“Good.” Jack said sitting up on the bed. “I just remembered now that I’m going to need your help soon.”
“Really?” Ennis said sitting too and trying to hide his discomfort.
“Robert’s anniversary is next week and I need to come up with a good idea for the party.”
“There are so many possibilities, baby. You have the mansion, you uncle’s club and we can always find someplace else.”
“I’m worried about the theme of the party, not the place. What should it be about?”
“I’m not good with those things.” Ennis said honestly.
“Talking about parties, you did send our excuses to Mr. Santos, right?”
“Yes. You sent the gift?”
“Yup. A 1870 Murano crystal vase from Italy.” Jack said proudly.
“I’m going to pretend to know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t worry -- Mr. Santo’s wife will know.”
“If you say so.” Ennis said holding Jack against him.
“I know so.” Jack rested his head against Ennis’s shoulder. “So what are you going to do today?”
“I’m still working on the telephone marking scheme scandal. It’s a small case but leaves me with time to deal with Mr. Hoz.”
“Matilda told me she saw you on television the other day with him.”
“Probably at Mr. Hoz’s latest press conference. The man is going to give me grey hair.”
“Don’t be silly, your hair looks perfect.” Jack said touching it for emphasis.
“So, what are you going to do today?”
“I need to visit my father’s vault. The key was given to me at the reading of will and I’ve been delaying it ever since.”
“Do you know what he kept there?”
“I suspect…” Jack thought for a second. “My mother’s jewels must be there.”
Ennis said nothing. He had never even seen a photo of Mrs. Twist. It was almost forbidden to talk about her around Enrique and Jack barely mentioned her. He didn’t know what to say about her or how to act when her name was mentioned. He knew Jack had suffered with her death but from then on, it was a mystery.
“Dad took all her things out of the house when she died. It was too painful for him. Almost everything I know about her I heard from Matilda, Edward or Uncle Daniel. He rarely talked about her.”
“He must have loved her very much.” Ennis murmured, as if remembering Jack about it.
“I believe so.” Jack sighed resting against Ennis.
“I can go with you if you want me to. I’ll ask Dave to take care of everything for me.”
“Better not. I want to go alone and take my time about it. Maybe I’ll visit Uncle Daniel after…” Jack looked at Ennis caressing his cheek. “Dad was always secretive about mum and his own feelings. I guess Uncle Daniel was the only one who truly knew him.”
Ennis thought about those words, the mysterious woman of the will coming to his mind. Not even Uncle Daniel knew about her. What more about Enrique was a mystery to everybody? He was a man scarred by life, living alone with memories of a distant past and the happiness of an always present son. But not even with him had he shared some of his secrets. Not even with him had he shared the sadness of a lost love. Maybe he had shared them with that woman?
He had the feeling they would eventually found out.
“Isn’t it a wonderful morning?” Dave asked when Ennis reached his office. “You even have a secretary again.”
“I see that someone had a good night last night.” Ennis said raising an eyebrow then waved at Mrs. Campbell and entered the office.
“I don’t kiss and tell.” Dave said arranging his tie with a smirk. “But it was a wonderful night.”
“I’m not really interested in the details, Dave.” Ennis said smiling.
“You look happy too. Does this mean the boss is in a good mood today?”
“I don’t kiss and tell either. But Jack isn't going to spend much time at the firm today. Do you need anything from him?” Ennis said sitting on his chair.
“There’s this really interesting case I wanted for myself, but I’m afraid I have competition for it.”
“I know Jack has a high opinion of your work and you can thank him for your current position. But who’s the competition?” Ennis took a couple of papers out of his briefcase.
“Frederic Dawson.” Ennis couldn’t help but make a sick face. “You don’t like him much, do you?”
“Let'ss just say the feeling's mutual.”
“To be honest, I don’t like him much either. He always walked around as if he owned the firm. I think he was convinced he would someday.” Dave looked at Ennis reading his expression.
“I guess he was. I wasn’t here in those days.” Ennis tried not to give away too much of his opinion.
“Well he isn’t the only competition. Helen is applying for it too.”
“Helen is a good attorney, but isn’t she going to work with Frederic on that one?”
“No, the rumours say she’s searching for a partner.”
“Maybe you two can work together.” Ennis said honestly.
“Helen? Come on, Ennis. She likes to play the victim of the Carrilho name, but she only plays with the best. She wouldn’t even look twice my way.”
“You’re underestimating yourself. Do you think I work with you for charity? You have talent Dave!” Ennis said surprised with Dave’s opinion of himself and Helen.
“You know what I mean.” Ennis clearly didn't but made a note to think about it in the future. “But maybe we could work together on this one. It’s between banks, maybe there’s someone famous you can send to jail.” Dave said teasingly.
“I have another case on the line. I want some blood in my next one.” Ennis said smiling dreamily while Dave made a disgusted face. “But I can help you if that helps you get the case.”
“Great.” Dave said happily.
“Don’t expect much. Jack’s all concerned about giving me special treatment, so the decision is probably going to be made by the board members. He didn’t want me to keep my old secretary, so…”
“Damn.” Dave said defeatedly and Ennis laughed.
Jack arrived at the building right after lunch. The security guard asked him his name and for his magnetic card. He had expected this, since his dad had told him how to access the vault after his death. The words he had spoken all those months ago came to his mind while the security man observed him and the photo on the card. He had already been asked for fingerprints twice. Since the vault had recently changed owners, it was always complicated to access it the first time. The security guard nodded and took him to a modern room. The man turned away and left, leaving Jack confused for only a few seconds.
“Mr. Twist?” An elegant man was standing in front of him.
“Yes.” Jack said arranging his long black coat. He was suddenly self-conscious about his appearance.
“I’ve been waiting for your visit. I’m Adam Robbins, responsible for your family vault.” The main said serenely and Jack shivered at the tone.
“Family vault? I thought it was just my father’s vault.” Jack asked puzzled.
“We don’t work like that Mr. Twist.” The man smiled as if he was five years old and Jack felt the need to range his teeth. “Our vaults are made for more than a life time. What your father bought was an eternal protection for his family belongings.”
Jack rose and eyebrow at that.
“You’ll see with your own eyes, Mr. Twist. But first you need to prove me that you are indeed Enrique Twist’s only son.”
“Yes, father told me about it. Here it is.” Jack took a small box from his pocket. “My grandmother’s engagement ring.”
Adam Robbins observed the ring and then took a monocular and observed it closely. He took it to a table and scanned it, while comparing it to a bunch of pictures that kept appearing on the screen of the computer. Jack was shocked.
“It looks authentic and the fact that you knew what to bring and you possessed the magnetic card should confirm that you are indeed Jack Twist. But since it’s the first time...”
“Do I need to give blood?” Jack asked impatiently.
“No, Mr. Twist. Just answer another question. What was your father’s favourite flower? And what it was related to?”
Jack looked at the man for a few seconds perplexed with the question.
“Tulips. His honeymoon was in Holland.” He had heard about it from his uncle Daniel and had then related that to the fact that his father always loved tulips. He didn’t know why his father had chosen a question about something they had never even talked about.
“Correct. He had told me you probably wouldn’t answer correctly the second question at the first time, I guess he was being too cautious.”
“Any more questions?” Jack asked already tired of the man.
“No, Mr. Twist.” He took some papers from his desk. “I’ll need you to sign these papers and you’ll make a very quick test to your retina on this machine. Next time there’ll be no questions, but we’ll scan your eyes.”
“Much more acceptable.” Jack murmured a bit too loudly, but Mr. Robbins only smiled.
“Do you have your key with you, Mr. Twist?” The man asked after all the papers were signed and Jack had taken the tests.
“Yes.” Jack took the metal key from his pocket.
“You’ll need the magnetic card too.” Mr. Robbins said leading him trough the corridors. “Here it is.”
They had stopped in front of a door. Jack noticed there was a device to read cards and a locker. Mr. Robbins moved quickly away and Jack felt suddenly nervous about the situation. As usual, his father had only told him about half of the process, leaving him to figure out for himself how to do the rest. His hands were shaking a bit when he passed the card and used the key.
He opened the door carefully almost afraid of finding somebody else inside. The room was dark and Jack searched for a light switch. The light blinked twice and his heart beat was a bit too loud. There were many empty shelves and a few boxes on the floor. He moved to the first box. Important papers related to the family estate and a few papers with plans for future investments. Jack read them carefully and placed them back inside of the box, surprised that there was nothing there related to the firm. Another box was full with photos and old belongings of Enrique’s parents. Jack looked trough them quickly, stopping only to read a few love letters that belonged to his grandmother. He always remembered her history teachings. Jack then moved to another box, eager to find his mother’s belongings. But it never happened. There was nothing there of her. He felt disappointed but moved with hope to the only box left.
Jack was surprised to find three different keys and an envelope containing a letter in Enrique’s handwriting in the small box. «To my son, Jack». He caught his breath, while his fingers moved to take out the small piece of paper. His hands trembled with surprise and curiosity.
Son,
I always had the hope that I would be the one to help you come to terms with your past, to support you in your present and guide you to your bright future. I did the best I could but now I say goodbye, knowing you have the keys to reach all of that.
Love,
Dad
Jack searched for something else inside of the envelope but found nothing else. He sighed, looking at three keys. He had no idea what his father wanted to tell him with this but he had an idea about someone who might help him. He put the keys inside his pocket and left the building determined to find Uncle Daniel as soon as possible.
Ennis entered his apartment, surprised to find it empty. Jack hadn’t yet returned. He quickly searched for Neve, who was sleeping in the living room. He looked fine but Ennis took his temperature anyway. It was normal. He petted the cat carefully for a few minutes and moved to the kitchen, where he found a note from Lucia, saying that Neve had ate a few more times during the day and that he took his pills. Ennis smiled and took an orange juice can from the fridge. It was Tuesday, maybe Veronica was home.
Ennis took his keys and moved to Veronica’s door, knocking happily. He heard her voice from the other side and smiled when the door moved.
“Hi, come on in.” She said casually. “How’s Neve? I was surprised when I read your text message this morning.”
“Hi. Better, thank God. Are you alone? I was afraid Kenzei would be here.” Ennis said moving to the living room.
“No. We’re going out for dinner tonight. I was getting ready.” Ennis noticed then that she was wearing a bath robe.
“So, is it a bad time?” Ennis said sitting on the couch.
“No. Maybe you can help me pick up a dress.” She disappeared inside of the bedroom.
“As if I know anything about those things. A couple of minutes and maybe you can ask Jack about it.”
“He’s been here all week. Are you guys… you know… living together?” She said coming out of the bedroom with two dresses.
“No. I mean… honestly I haven’t thought about it much. I feel comfortable with him next to me all the time.”
“I guess it’s safe to say he feels the same. Why else would a guy like him spend all his free time in a place like this?” She raised the two dresses, one was white with a V shaped cleavage and the other was black and strapless.
“We live here!” Ennis said pointing to the white one.
“You have no idea how rich he is, do you?” She looked at the white dress. “White? Isn’t it a big revealing?”
“I know very well that he’s rich. Everybody keeps reminding me about it. And the dress is fine.”
“Ennis, let me tell you something. I know rich when I see it. But the Twists… I bet he could buy all the buildings of the block just to make it safe to walk around here.”
“He owns the firm but all that…” Ennis said dismissing it.
“You don’t know? Twists were rich but Jack’s mother was the one who came from a long line of New York’s philanthropists. I can’t remember her name, but she was quite famous for being the heir of a very vast fortune. I can’t believe you don’t know, I read this in a magazine.”
“I don’t like magazines.” Ennis said thoughtfully. “I should have suspected it. All that talk about the richest guy in New York.”
“They weren’t exaggerating. I bet he pays for local press to leave him alone, but even so… one of these days they’re going to catch him coming here.” She said worried.
“We never talk about it much, he knows I’m not comfortable about it.”
“You’re so lucky. He’s amazing and doesn’t act nuts about it. Not to mention his looks.”
“Don’t you have your own boyfriend?” Ennis said faking jealously.
“Yup. So it’s the white?”
“Make the guy happy and take the white.”
“I don’t know why I bother, he’s not even going to notice.” She moved to the bedroom. “I don’t plan on keeping it for long either.”
“There’s something I didn’t need to know.” Ennis shouted to her.
Veronica laughed and Ennis took his cue to return to his apartment.
Jack arrived at the club anxious to talk with his uncle. He moved quickly along the corridor, avoiding any familiar faces, which proved to be quite difficult. Everybody knew him and since he hadn’t spent much time at the club the past few months, they were all concerned about him.
When he finally reached his uncle’s office on the second floor, Uncle Daniel was leaving at that precise moment.
“Uncle Daniel.” Jack said smiling.
“Son! Good to see you. Everything’s ok?” He asked concerned.
“Yes, I just needed to talk with you.”
“Should I be concerned?” The older man asked.
“I went to my dad’s vault.” Jack said looking him in the eyes.
“I see.” He said confused. “Is this about the estates on your mother’s side?”
“No, Dad kept me posted about all that. Everything was as expected, with the exception that I couldn’t find some papers related to the firm, instead I found this.” Jack took out the three keys from his pocket and gave his uncle the letter.
Uncle Daniel read it carefully, raising an eyebrow in wonder. Jack knew before he had spoken that he had no idea of the existence of the letter or the keys.
“I had no idea he had written you this and certainly we never spoke about any keys. But he did tell me he was thinking about leaving you a nice present. Maybe this is somehow related with that idea.”
“What about the letter? Any ideas?”
“You knew how your father liked riddles. Maybe it’s a riddle for something else.”
“How am I supposed to know what he meant?” Jack said desperately.
“Look, it’s late, go back to the mansion and read it a few times, maybe it will make more sense with time. Then come and have lunch with me tomorrow. I have a lot of things to discuss with you and I’m needed elsewhere now.”
Jack didn’t mention that he wasn’t going to sleep at the mansion. Instead, he bid his goodbyes and drove to the mansion, anxious to pick Sophie up and drove back to Ennis’s apartment. He kept wondering what more about his father was still a mystery to everybody.
Author:Confused? You should be, because this is only starting! I hope everybody likes my little slash scene, I’m still not good at them… I wanted to create a pool, but the dam thing didn't appear on the post! Anyone knows how that works? I’ll post Monday or Tuesday…
On the next chapter: Helen what’s to be Ennis’s partner, but does Ennis trust her enough for that? Does he truly want a partner? Uncle Daniel reveals another pair of upsetting news to Jack. Elizabeth and Mary return from their honeymoon.
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