The city was noisy as ever when Silas's car finally pulled into the underground garage of the penthouse building. It was already past midnight.
The rain had stopped hours ago, but the streets still glistened under the streetlights, reflecting the cold glow of the sleeping city.
Silas stepped out of the car without a word. His driver closed the door behind him and remained outside.
Inside the private elevator, the steel walls reflected Silas's tall figure as the elevator rose toward the top floor. His mind was already on one thing. Sylvain.
He wondered if he had obeyed his orders. Silas hoped he hadn't, that would have made his punishment much more interesting.
The elevator doors opened. The lights were dim when Silas entered.
He simply stood in the doorway, observing the room. His eyes shifted toward the large window near the center of the living space. Sylvain was seated there, exactly where he had left him.
Still sitting on the black chair near the window. His head was slightly resting on his knees.
Silas slowly removed his coat. The soft sound of fabric made Sylvain look up, their eyes met.
Silas saw exhaustion in Sylvain's grey eyes. But more importantly…He saw it much calmer than this morning.
Silas walked farther into the penthouse. "You didn't eat any meal, huh?"
Sylvain swallowed slightly before answering. "You told me not to move, but to wait for you."
Silas took a look over his body, His hair had dried slightly, though a few dark strands still clung messily to his forehead. The white shirt he wore was wrinkled from hours of sitting and faint shadows rested beneath his eyes.
Silas poured himself a glass of whiskey from the nearby bar. The ice clinked softly in the glass. "You sat here all day?" Silas asked.
"Yes."
Silas took a slow sip of the drink. "You didn't explore the penthouse?"
"No."
"You didn't try to leave?"
Sylvain's jaw tightened. "I didn't."
"You will better, "Silas walked toward him slowly. "After I know where your parents are". The quiet sound of his shoes against the marble floor echoed through the room.
When he stopped in front of Sylvain, the height difference forced Sylvain to look up slightly.
"What about them, where are they? What did you do to them".
Silas tilted his head. "You're learning faster than I expected, but still learning when not to talk."
Sylvain's fingers curled slightly on his knees. "I signed the contract, I did everything you asked me for. What else do you want?"
Silas smiled faintly. "That sounds very noble but you are yet to fulfill one part of the contract." The word carried a hint of mockery.
Silas placed the whiskey glass on the table beside the chair. Then he reached down and lifted Sylvain's chin with two gloved fingers.
The contact made Sylvain stiffen, Silas studied his face carefully. "You look tired." Silas leaned closer. "Didn't you sleep?"
"I didn't, I have been waiting for my fate. When do we start?"
"Why the rush?"
Sylvain hesitated. "You said I should prepare for you, are you doing this to spite me?"
Silas's eyes darkened slightly. "Preparation, looking haggard like a torn-out whore. Who would want to eat you?"
Sylvain frowned slightly. "Is it not what you want, control over my life and freedom?" The question lingered in the air.
Silas released his chin slowly. "Stand up."
Sylvain obeyed immediately, his movement was stiff from sitting too long.
Silas circled him slowly, observing him the same way a collector might examine a rare object. "Turn."
Sylvain turned. "Again."
Silas stopped behind him, reaching forward to loosen the collar of Sylvain's shirt.
The gesture was so intimate that the proximity made Sylvain's breath tighten. Silas's voice came quietly near his ear. "You like acting strong, huh" Sylvain swallowed.
"Let me see how long you will still be decisive". Silas walked back around to face him again.
"So tell me something." Silas leaned casually against the nearby table. "How does it feel?"
Sylvain was dumbfounded "How does what feel?"
Silas's eyes sharpened. "Serving your fellow man, taking his rod inside you." The word landed heavily between them.
Sylvain looked away for a moment before answering. "No response."
Silas smirked. "Are you trying to avoid the question, you know what we are about to do."
Sylvain forced himself to meet Silas's gaze again. "Are you going to do it or what, I'm tired and exhausted."
"I will but I like sizing my meal." He walked toward the large window overlooking the city. From this height, the streets looked like glowing veins of light running through the darkness.
"You know," Silas said calmly, "ten years ago you were very different."
Sylvain's stomach tightened. "And so? Do you want to mock me? Go ahead say all the hateful things I said to you back then."
Silas continued speaking as if recalling an old memory. "You are still arrogant as ever." His reflection stared back at him in the glass. "But I will break you"
He tilted the glass slightly in his hand. "You may have been cruel back then, well you still are." Sylvain's hands clenched. Silas turned to look at him. "But now…you are just a lost puppy looking for some affection."
His gaze moved slowly over Sylvain. "You have to earn it."
Silas stepped closer again. "Every single bit, even to your grave."
Sylvain lifted his chin, tears streaming down his face. "Hate me all you want, just tell me where my parents are."
Silas chuckled softly. "I will, but you have to pay for the information." He leaned closer until only a small space separated them. " It costs...." he raised two fingers up.
Sylvain could feel his heartbeat quicken. "I have the two hundred thousand dollars in my account, I can give it to you now".
Silas erupted in laughter "You think two hundred thousand can find your parents," Silas continued. "Someone the police could not find is what you think your money can buy".
"You want two million I have it."
Silas's smile returned. "You are too dull in IQ." Sylvain stared at him.
Silas stepped back again. "Two hundred million just for the info" He picked up his whiskey glass again. "If you want to see them, one billion."
Sylvain's throat felt dry. "What about my payment on the contract?"
Silas sat down on the sofa. "Come here." Sylvain hesitated briefly before walking toward him.
"Closer." Sylvain stopped a few steps away.
"You're still keeping distance." Sylvain forced himself to move closer. Now he stood directly in front of Silas.
Silas leaned back slightly, studying him like a puzzle. "Take off your shirt."The command came abruptly.
Sylvain stood petrified, "I..I.."
Silas raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you bold, huh?"
Sylvain's hands slowly moved to the buttons of his shirt, each button felt heavier than the last. He could feel Silas watching every movement.
When the last button opened, he slid the shirt off his shoulders. The fabric fell to the floor.
Silas's eyes fixate on his chest. Sylvain felt heat rise to his face.
Silas stood up and lifted Sylvain's chin once more. "Look at me."
Sylvain obeyed. Silas's blue eyes held his gaze firmly. "Tell me something honestly." Silas's voice lowered. "Are you afraid of me?"
The question surprised him. Sylvain thought about it for a moment. Then he answered " I do hate you."
"Good."
Sylvain scowled. "You like that?"
Silas brushed his thumb lightly beneath Sylvain's eye. "Fear and hate are my two favorite emotions I love in humans."
Silas released his jaw "Go to the bedroom, and take a shower"
Sylvain twinkled. "Now?"
Silas finished the rest of his drink. "Yes."
Sylvain waved as he stared at Silas's movement. Silas looked at him again. "Did the contract suddenly become unclear?"
Sylvain shook his head. "No."
"Then go."
Sylvain picked up his shirt slowly before walking toward the hallway that led to the bedroom. Behind him, Silas watched him walk into the room deep in thought.