Episode 16

Gael arrived as he did daily, on time. He did everything he always does, in the same way.

After all the employees had arrived, Ravier had already arrived, it was mid-morning. Gael noticed he was in a good mood, which didn't match his own mood, as he couldn't understand his boss's attitude.

Ravier left his office and said to Gael:

"Come with me, I have a meeting now."

Gael gathered the materials he always takes to meetings, a notepad, laptop, and recorder.

Ravier looked at him impatiently, and Gael didn't have a chance to grab anything else, as Ravier's variable mood was already changing.

Gael followed him. By his side, Ravier smiled to himself and thought that Gael couldn't even imagine what was coming.

When they reached the parking lot, Ravier headed for an ordinary car, which Gael found very strange. He had never seen him in another car other than the one he ran him over with, let alone such a cheap car. However, he kept his thoughts to himself.

Gael had to admit, although it wasn't an expensive car, it was very nice, exactly what he would buy if his financial situation wasn't so deplorable. On top of that, it was blue, his favorite color.

Although Ravier had warned him rudely, he still seemed to be in a good mood, and Gael didn't want that to change in any way.

Things got even stranger when Gael saw Ravier heading towards the mountains. So he dared to ask:

"Where will the meeting be? There was nothing marked on your schedule for now..."

"Don't worry about that. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it the day I ran you over."

After saying that, Ravier gave a sideways smile that Gael found very "sexy," yet it was instigating danger. This man is really very dangerous to him.

Finally, they arrived at a beautiful property, full of nature and greenery everywhere. It was very reminiscent of an American log cabin.

Very luxurious and with several buildings. A real exaggeration, but charming.

There was no one around, and Gael became suspicious that something was wrong.

"Who is the meeting with, Mr. Valente?"

Ravier simply replied:

"With no one."

And then he got out of the car without another word.

Gael accompanied him, his thoughts on what his mother and cousin had told him the night before, that Ravier was not a trustworthy person.

But was he really capable of hurting someone?

Ravier walked towards the back of the house, Gael following at a distance.

When Gael observed the precipice in front of them, he imagined it would be his end. Ravier would surely throw him off.

Ravier sat on the edge and looked at Gael, as if challenging him to sit beside him.

A little distrustful and afraid, Gael did so, and as he often does when he's nervous, said whatever came to mind:

"Look, Mr. Valente, if you wanted to kill me, as you said, there are more efficient ways. Please don't let me be disfigured in death."

Ravier let out a laugh that left Gael mesmerized. If he had seen any beautiful side to Ravier, he no longer remembered, for at that moment, it was elected the best vision he had had of him so far.

This seemed to be a parallel world, where everything seemed too surreal to be true. To top it off, Ravier took his hand and intertwined his fingers with Gael's, who widened his eyes.

"Why can't I get you out of my head?"

"What are you talking about, Mr. Valente?"

At that moment, his cell phone rang. Ravier released Gael's hand and got up to answer it. It was his mother.

"Speaking, mother."

"Where are you, Ravier?"

No one knew about that place. It was his refuge. He bought that chalet as soon as he got engaged to Felicite. He knew he would need a place where he would have privacy.

"I'm in a meeting with a client."

"What client?"

"It's something new, you don't know them. Is that all you called me for?"

"Felicite came here to the house, she was very devastated, she thinks you have someone else, that you don't want to marry her anymore."

Ravier turned to where Gael was sitting on the edge of the precipice, and he sincerely thought about throwing himself off. It would be an easier way out of his miserable life.

"Felicite is just being dramatic as always, I didn't say that to her."

"And that car, my son, who did you buy it for?"

"I already told her, now if you'll excuse me, I'm busy."

All the life, smiles, and tranquility that Ravier was feeling were sucked away in that call, so he just went up to Gael and said:

"Come on, let's go."

"Did something happen, Mr. Valente?"

"Nothing, my usual annoyances."

Gael got up and accompanied him to where they had left the car. When they approached the vehicle, Ravier held out the keys to Gael. It wasn't how he had planned to give him the gift, but he had no more spirit left.

"Take the keys, the car is yours."

Thinking he hadn't heard correctly, Gael asked:

"What do you mean?"

Ravier took advantage of Gael's proximity to the car and placed his hands on either side, trapping him. He looked deep into his eyes and said:

"Don't make me explain anything right now, just accept it."

"But I can't accept it, I have no way to pay for this."

"See it as compensation for the damages from the accident."

"That accident again? I just want to forget it."

"Well I can't, because it was the day I met you."

In that instant, the heat of their proximity was gone, and Ravier got into the passenger seat, his face sullen and his expression closed off.

Gael had to take a few breaths before he could get into the car. When he was calmer, he sat in the driver's seat and drove back to the company.

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