After a few minutes, Chéri looked back up, "It's over, isn't it? You're not comforting me or saying anything at all, so I guess this is it."
"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" Lennon asked.
"Yes..."
Lennon looked back up to Chéri.
"Your truck was broken into by a rogue member of the Bordello assigned to spy on me by my mother." Chéri confessed.
Lennon interrupted, "What?!"
"Yes. A man called Kenzo was there In the cafe in England, as a warning to me. He even shoved you on the way out. When I saw him, I just knew."
"Wait! Who the fucks Kenzo?!" Lennon asked.
"A Triad from Hong Kong, you've never met him but he does lots of dirty deeds. He's unbalanced, has tattoos all down his face, and is completely under the thumb of...-"
Lennon cut in again, "Triads!? And, why the fuck did he follow you to the U.K?!"
"That's why I wanted to leave so quickly. My abusive ex may still be around, and then I saw that Kenzo was spying on me in broad daylight. Then you got mad at me when we left. I fled the Bordello because...-"
Lennon looked sternly at Chéri and sighed with frustration and irritation because he didn't answer the question, "Listen Chéri. I knew you'd left the motel with someone! I went downstairs and grilled the receptionist, who thought I was a total psycho with an AWOL rent boy! Then, my company's truck is vandalised, a fucking threatening note in the cab thanks to your little friend. Then, I found your hunting trophies in your bag so yeah, you've played me for an absolute mug."
Chéri wept and dabbed at his eyes, "You found a threatening note?!" he said startled, "Lenny, you don't know the full story, I'm trying to explain myself but you're putting a finer point on it and making out I don't love you."
"I just didn't think you were capable of that. You told me that you found me attractive. I kept telling you I had feelings for you, then you talk me into sleeping with you just so you can tick that off your bucket list, and move on?" Lennon asked.
Chéri pushed his chair back and stood up.
"Sit!" Lennon said sternly, in a voice Chéri was not used to hearing.
"No! Cause you're In a foul fucking mood, Lennon!" Chéri snapped back.
"Don't call me that! And sit!" Lennon ordered abruptly before he slammed his fist on the table and pointed to the chair.
"Why?!" Chéri said.
"Sit down and I'll tell you." Lennon answered.
"No! Tell me now!" Chéri demanded.
"Because this conversation ain't over and I ain't excused you. Sit, down, Chéri." Lennon said, in such a stern tone that Chéri felt compelled to do as he said.
Chéri sat back down, then snatched Lennon's glass and flicked the contents onto the decking floor quickly, "That's enough drinking for you. You need to drive anyway. I can tell you've had too much because you're becoming jealous and dictatorial. God, I know you so well."
"I'm not dictatorial! But, I'm insane with jealousy over you!" Lennon confessed before he slammed his hand down on the table again, startling Chéri, "Chéri! That's the truth! Everyone wants to take you off me because they're all jealous of what I have. You're pretty and talented and mine. I love you, it's all you. EVERYTHING is you." Lennon stressed.
"Nobody wants me but you, believe me." Chéri said, dismissively.
"That ain't true. Who do you think you're talking to?! Anyway, back to what you said, Chéri, you told me that you were falling in love with me in the cafe, is that true?" Lennon asked.
"Yes. The very fact I came back to you tells you you did something to me it's like you have a huge gravitational pull and I couldn't escape." Chéri admitted.
"Is there anything else I need to know?"
"Well, that's everything that happened in England. Now, what's going to happen? Are we breaking up over this?" Chéri asked.
"One more thing." Lennon started, then paused, "What was your little hunting trophy of me?"
Chéri rolled his eyes, "I uploaded pictures of you driving to my social media saying I was picked up by a good looking man. I also got a picture of your ID because I wanted to keep track of you if I lost you and...-"
"And?" Lennon asked.
"I have a square of your ugly green flannel shirt. I wanted to remember such a wonderful night." Chéri said.
"You're kidding! You have a ripped piece of my old shirt?"
"Yes. Because you treated me so tenderly, Lenny. You always made sure I was comfortable. You prepped me and you kissed me all during our union and I'm just not used to that. It was then that I finally learned what making love felt like, and the pure love you felt for me to never get tarnished."
Lennon sat back in the chair staring at the floor.
Chéri picked up his last glass and downed it, "I guess we better go back and tell mom what's happening. When you want to leave I'll pay for your trip back to America. You can put me and this whole thing behind you and move on. Find someone with no baggage, no problems and no secrets." Chéri said as he wiped his eyes, with a look of strength and resignation on his face.
Lennon looked up," What are you talking about, Chéri?!"
"You're going home, back to America." Chéri said.
"Is that what you want? Are you saying you're through with me? Haven't you listened to a word I've said?" Lennon answered.
"Tell me." Chéri said.
"Have I mentioned leaving you even once?" Lennon asked.
Chéri stared back at Lennon.
"Chéri, let me tell you what I think. I know you have problems, I know that initially, you set out to do something that you couldn't do because you fell in love, just like me."
"What does that mean, Lenny?"
"It means I forgive you everything because you chose to do the right thing. You came back to me. You told me all this now! You didn't have to! But you did so we would have a clean slate. I love you Chéri, and I know you love me. What's past is past. Let's draw a line and look to the future together."
Chéri burst into tears again.
"Nearly nothing can make me leave you darlin' and I ain't goin' back to fuckin' America," Lennon said.
"So, you don't hate me or think any less of me?" Chéri managed to say, through his tears.
"Let me check." Lennon said before licking his finger and holding it up in the air to test the wind direction, "No fucking chance. My life is here with you now! I can't go back to America now?! I'm not the same man who left. If I can't have you as a lover then I don't want anyone. I'll go to my grave never loving again. It's you, or nothing. You've ruined me. I need you."
"I just want you to have the love you deserve, Lenny."
"Then give it to me for Christ's sake," Lennon said.
"Lenny, you're right that you're not the man I met, you're someone new, and I like him."
"Good." Lennon said as their food arrived, "Now, stop talking fuckin' smack, and eat up because I swear to God that if you bring this backup, you'll answer to me for it."
Chéri quickly picked up his knife and fork. He felt it was best not to ask what would happen if he made himself sick later. "Are you still mad at me, Lennon?"
"I was, but I'm not now. You told me the truth, that's what I wanted. Now, stop calling me that, and eat up." Lennon said, realising that now, he was keeping secrets. About the threats from the Bordello members or that he knew how best to handle Chéri, and what he seemed to best react to.
"So, I'm gonna ask you. Do you love me?" Lennon asked.
"I do when you're like this!"
"Oh? I'm not any different from any other time." Lennon said.
"Yes, you are!" Chéri said after rolling his eyes. "When you're in a foul mood you're really tough, dominant and no-shit. When you're normal you're too lax, predictable and submissive. It's times like this that I can expect the 'who do you think you're talking to' sex."
Lennon smiled and laughed before he started eating.
Chéri put down his fork and knife. "I now know that you can protect me. Lenny, it's nice to see you laugh, and nice to know I haven't ruined what we have together. Please, say something funny to cheer me up."
"Hmm." Lennon paused a moment before he said, "I look to you like I got my shit together and all but really, deep in my shoe....my sock is falling off."
Chéri stared at Lennon and cried as he laughed. "Oh my God, Lenny. You're the funniest guy I know."
☆
They walked back in through the doors and all eyes were on them. Serena, who was watching Adeline rushed in to see Chéri and Lennon. Serena looked at Chéri with his new grey blonde bob and Lennon, now bright blonde, in his fitted silver-grey clothes. She particularly loved the shirt casually rolled up, and how he could really pull off a waistcoat without making it look too formal.
"Mr Lennon!" Adeline shouted as she ran up to him and reached up, hoping to be picked up.
Lennon picked Adeline up and held her on his hip. "Oh, you're heavy!"
"I couldn't pick her up!" Chéri said.
Serena smiled as she followed Adeline, "Lenn, you look amazing! I can't believe the weird multiple blonds are gone."
"Well, that was a home dye accident anyway." Lennon responded as he put Adeline down to hug Serena.
"Lenn, Gabriél said he wants you to write him a gym program for when he gets back, he's out with his girlfriend just now, then he wants to show you that car if you have enough time before your security training."
Chéri put all his shopping bags down on the sofa," I have to get working on my outfit for the masquerade party, Lenny. "
Lennon glanced over Serena's shoulder at Chéri, "What are you going as?"
"I haven't decided yet." Chéri grinned, "But it'll be artistic and sexy."
"Hold on... sexy?" Lennon queried.
"Yes of course! Everyone waits to see what I'll wear and what show I write for it. I don't want to be predictable." Chéri said.
"Yes! Everyone loves Chéri." Serena said.
"You're... writing a show?" Lennon asked.
"Yes! A small performance where I dance and stuff."
"Chéri... you didn't tell me! That sounds beautiful! Can I see some?" Lennon asked.
"Yes you can, but don't try and ask me to tame it because people like my performances." Chéri said.
"I know I'll love it, but maybe I can convince you to perform for me first?" Lennon said with a smile.
"Mmm, maybe." Chéri said.
"I have a segment in the performance too." Serena said.
Lennon smiled back, "I can't wait! Although now I have two other pressing things to do." he said as he bent down to hug Adeline, "Darlin', do you want to go brush your teeth and get ready for bed? I'll be in to read you your story in about an hour."
"Okay, Mr Lennon." She said as she hugged him and kissed his cheek.
Chéri smiled, "Where are you off to now?"
"First to help Spangna, her film scenes were today and I told her I'd be there after and she finished, then storytime for Adeline, then I text Gabriél as he wants me to take him through a gym routine and look at a car with him, then I have security training with Javier and some kid."
"Do I have to book time with you, Lenny?" Chéri asked.
"No baby. I belong to you." Lennon said as he put his hands on Chéri's hips.
"Doesn't feel like it sometimes."
"Chéri, you know how much I need you."
"Just remember that I need you too, Lenny. More than anyone else."
Next Chapter: Lights, Camera.....Mental Illness