Chapter 124 - At Birthday Party

Dominik Śliwiński and Andrzej Nowicki entered the banquet hall very late. Although they appeared together, it would be difficult to say that they have anything more than a working relationship. Śliwiński smiled charmingly and immediately attracted the attention of the company, Nowicki looked as if he felt a bit uncomfortable. They made their wishes together, but then naturally split between two separate groups.

Janina Pasek was a woman of great business and artistic influence. Her agency - one of the largest in the country, allowed several young people to make an international career and created advertisements also for foreign companies. No wonder then that the company's founder had a "small" birthday party for two hundred people.

Andrzej did not really feel well in this company. There were too many people of great influence and a great wallet here. He was a little relieved to see two other photographers working for Mrs. Pasek, who looked only a little less overwhelmed by all the glitz than he was. Dominik separated from him as soon as they made their wishes and now, with a glass of wine in his hand, he was talking to several models.

"I'm glad you came," he said, hearing an unexpected voice behind him. Mrs. Janka crept up to him so silently that he was ashamed of his inattention.

"We couldn't miss an opportunity like this," he replied.

"And yet your Dominik does not seem to be happy about it ..."

"No, it's completely different ... How do you know something is wrong? After all, he seems perfectly normal and cheerful."

Mrs. Pasek laughed. She wore the same amount of heavy makeup as she always did, and despite another year on her resume, she looked as warm as ever.

"He's confounding[1]. Do you know such a word?"

"I know. I wouldn't say he is confused or lost. He looks like he always does." He surreptitiously glanced at his lover.

"Are you telling me he always drinks this much? This is his second glass since you came a quarter of an hour ago. If this goes on, he will have to be taken out of the room, because he won't be able to come out on his own."

Nowicki frowned and looked at his glass. It is true that he rarely attended this type of event, but he knew that alcohol was sipping here to neatly maintain a social conversation, he did not pour it into himself to get drunk. Or so it was.

"I do not regret his wine" said Mrs. Janka "but alcohol is rarely a good medicine. If you have argued about something, why not discuss it? Apparently, guys don't like to do it, but sometimes you have to clean up the atmosphere."

Andrzej looked at Dominik again. The actor smiled dazzling everyone around him, but you had to be close to him to know that it was his trained expression. Dominik's real smile was not a pose.

"He's probably tired," he replied to his boss. "We were on ponies today with my goddaughter and then at the party. Two parties a day is quite a lot."

"I'm sure you are right" Mrs. Pasek put her hand on his shoulder and smiled strangely. "Now I'm sorry, I need to talk to the other guests."

This is fatigue, Nowicki repeated himself. In the morning the weather was exceptionally beautiful and the ride was accompanied by the sun, but later a strong wind and rain stopped the fun. Martynka was so delighted with her pony that it was impossible to get her out of the stable. Every five minutes she asked if the horse really belonged to her and every now and then she hugged either him or Dominik.

Andrzej did not feel jealous about it. Paulina doesn't either. They were both too firmly established in life and heart, eight... no, nine-year-olds, he mentally corrected himself not to fear that they would lose her to a four-legged mane. After the ponies, they went to a party at the Kowalczyk restaurant, which today was exclusively for them and decorated with balloons. The children with their mothers appeared, and they surrounded Dominik more or less as he was now. He smiled kindly and sweetly at them while Andrzej was taking birthday photos. The whole day on his feet, however, had to take its toll on such idleness as Śliwiński has recently become. It was definitely about that.

Nowicki noticed that Dominik's glass was strangely full. It was almost empty a moment ago. The ring of admirers surrounding the actor changed its composition each time Andrzej looked in its direction, except for the two twins. The sisters Natalia and Emilia Baka, who are just reaching the top thanks to their participation in a TV program and famous for their scandalous customs, apparently decided to take the opportunity to hunt down the sexiest actor of recent years for themselves. He could have bet that one of them (or both of them in turns) was offering him new glasses and Dominik was accepting them for some reason.

Irritation stabbed Andrzej's heart. He wasn't jealous. Not only did he know that Śliwiński had no interest in the opposite sex, but the actor did not show him in any way. Polite and endearing, he sent the signals "I'm sexy but unavailable." Perhaps if they were twin brothers, Baka Nowicki might have been concerned about his lover's loyalty, but now he was angry about something else.

He approached the amused company with difficulty breaking through the circle of admirers.

"Dominik, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I remembered that I still have to finish preparations for the next session. Could we leave earlier?"

The girls raised their verbal resistance. The actor looked at Nowicki and it was clear that the alcohol had already started working. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes lost their sharpness of vision.

"I'm sorry, but it's been a really long day" added Andrzej smiling at them "and it's not over yet."

"As you like" said Śliwiński with resignation. Nowicki, who had never seen his lover under the influence of alcohol, was not sure what reaction to expect. This concession brought him relief. He preferred not to cause a scandal by bringing out a completely drunk star.

"But no, Dominik ..."

"Dominik, stay, the night is still young ..."

"The party has just begun ..."

"We can drive you home..."

"... besides there are taxis ..."

"No" said Śliwiński quite firmly. "Andrzej is right. It was a long day. Oops…" He wanted to step forward and swayed. "I think I drank too much..."

Andrzej held him softly. Either Dominik drank more than he thought, or he had a low alcohol tolerance, which was the same thing. Maybe there will be rumors about it, but certainly less than if the actor left the party without being able to stay on his feet at all.

"Sorry," muttered Śliwiński looking up at his lover's face. His cheeks were deeply flushed and his eyes were strangely shining.

"It's fine."

"No, it's not okay. I think we should say goodbye to the birthday girl" Dominik looked around the room.

"Not at all. Mrs. Janka will not be angry. Believe me."

"But ..."

"Let's go home," Andrzej insisted with gentle firmness.

"As you wish."

Dominik clung to his arm a little tighter than was appropriate in company. Behavior was justified if he drank too much. He didn't say a word more, but leaning against Andrzej, he politely allowed himself to be led out, put on his coat and put him in the car.

The trouble only started at home.

***

Dominik moved closer to Andrzej as soon as they took off their coats. He looked very cute, his cheeks flushed with alcohol. Very alluring. Nowicki clearly heard the accelerated beating of his and his own heart. He swallowed hard through his throat tightened with tension and excitement.

"Take me today, please ..."

Dominik placed a hand on his chest and fixed his incredibly beautiful aquamarine eyes on him.

Andrzej's mouth was dry. He wanted it, he wanted to take Dominik here and now, caress him, kiss him and finally hammer into him for maximum bonding, but he couldn't do it. He warned the actor that there would be no sex until he read the script. There was more to it than his own stubbornness. This role was created for Śliwiński and if he intended to reject it, let him at least know what he was giving up. This blackmail and sexual abstinence were for the greater good.

"You know I want you, but no. You know why."

"I'll read it. This will be the first thing I do in the morning. I swear it. Therefore ... please ..."

[1] Actually, I don't know if I used the right word. Janina Pasek used a very archaic word 'skonfundowany' that is no longer in use now, it only appears in historical novels. Therefore, she asked if Andrzej knew such a word. The fact that Andrzej knows such archaism is a good testimony to his intelligence and education, therefore, despite the uncertainty as to what it should sound like in English, I did not withdraw this scene when translating.