Alluring

By Jade Sand

Bruno could be considered a successful man. Graduated, working, dating an amazing girl and was the owner of a large apartment, he had nothing to complain about but for the financial crisis. To maintain the expensive apartment, he decides to share it with four other boys, all students and workers.

Eric needed a room downtown and was in a hurry. It could be shared. It could even be the servicers room in the back of Bruno's apartment, although the lack of ventilation made his allergies worse. Sensitive and mysterious, he begins to arouse different feelings in the people around him.

Gay romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jade Sand
• Release date: Oct 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781071593127

Book preview

Alluring

Jade Sand

––––––––

Translated by João Porto 

Alluring

Written By Jade Sand

Copyright © 2022 Jade Sand

All rights reserved

Distributed by Babelcube, Inc.

www.babelcube.com

Translated by João Porto

Cover Design © 2022 Rubanne Damas

Babelcube Books and Babelcube are trademarks of Babelcube Inc.

This is a work of fiction. Its objective is to entertain people. Any resemblance to actual names, persons, facts or real life situation is entirely coincidental.

List of Characters

The following list comprises the main characters’ names, with its variants in parentheses and pronunciations. In Portuguese, diminutives and augmentatives on names are used to express affection (i.e.: Bruninho, Vitão, respectively). Other variants are common name abbreviations, like Robert and Bob we have Henrique and Rique in Portuguese. Stressed syllables are indicated in italic.

Bruno (Bruninho, Brunão)

Larissa (Lari)

Gabriel

Paulo Sérgio (Sérgio, Serginho)

Paulo Henrique (Henrique, Rique), Paulo Vítor (Vítor, Vitão)

Eric

Milena

Fabrício

Jéssica

Evandro (Vander), Marisa

Renato

Giovane (Jô)

Ramon

Eurico, Alice

Preto

I

Girl, how we used to be silly! said the lady at the next table. I would go to the pharmacy every day just to gaze at the attendant. I would make up such excuses! Why was I such a fool?

What about me, I would wait for the newspaper guy to come through my street and then I would start running, all around the block, just to see him again at the next corner? Think about it! He would smile at me and I felt like I was in the clouds, as if he wasn’t laughing at my face.

I could not hold my laugh from overhearing this dialogue, even being by myself. Two women not so young talked to each other and giggled as if in a bar, but it was only eight in the morning in a bakery where the comfort and the menu would make up for the bad service and salty prices.

I checked the time on my cell phone, even though I had a watch. They were late. The three guys who would share the apartment with me from that moment forward.

I am Bruno. At 27 years old I was a normal guy, a mechanical engineer, employed, had a girlfriend, a son from a past fling, a big and beautiful family. I lived by myself in a big apartment, which was mine. Everything was perfect. But not really.

Living alone was incredible. Solitude and freedom always attracted me, and although everyone was subtly requesting me for a wedding, or at least an engagement, I did not feel like it was the right time. Furthermore, circumstances were not so favorable. A recession, a lower salary than I would like, a big apartment, a big expense. Absurd electricity bills, no matter how much I saved. Pension, property tax, condo fees, cleaning services ... About to cancel my paid TV, my brother gave me the idea of occupying those empty rooms and cutting my losses. Just for a while. Only with trusted people. Larissa, my girlfriend, supported the idea by indicating Sérgio, her best friend, an incredible, super nice dude guy, in her opinion. A smug guy and a clown, in mine. He would have the other suite.

Speaking of him ...

Hi! Everything all right? Sorry I’m late, he said, extending his hand and smiling widely. He sat across from me and started talking non-stop. Traffic is terrible. In fact, it is just normal, right ?! Every day is like that. He rolled his eyes. Oh, I’m so happy to leave this life! When Lari told me that you were going to share your apartment, I thought: this is it! I can’t miss this opportunity, I could walk to work! There’s a parking space for me in the garage, right?! I nodded and he continued: I’m moving this Friday, okay? I’m already packing up, arranging someone to take my bed and my closet, of course you wouldn’t mind, —he affirmed instead of asking— and a few more things which—

There is a platform bed and a wardrobe in the room, I interrupted him. I think there’s everything there—

He interrupted me.

Of course, of course! But my mattress, I can’t leave without it. It won’t be a bother, I swear! Lari said the apartment is super, vintage decor—

Just old stuff. But the beds are new. I was not in the mood to talk about design and that guy was too boring. The expression talking nineteen to the dozen matched him perfectly.

But I will bring them, ok?

Yes, sure. And let’s discuss some rules while we are at it.

Sure, I agree. The advantage is that Lari and I are such friends that I won’t be bothered by her presence, as long as you behave, of course. Or not, right? Serginho laughed. I would just meddle in case of a knife fight. I’m joking, ok? And another scandalous laugh. Lari told me that—

Calm down, it’s not really like that. I’m also waiting for ... Oh, yes, here are the other two.

Other two? Sérgio frowned and raised his eyes to the two boys coming over. I wasn’t expecting more people, I thought it would be only you and me. What happened? Are you really turning your apartment into a fraternity? He said fraternity with some dread.

There are two other smaller bedrooms and a bath. And my brother knows the ‘twins’, they are close friends. The apartment is big and we’re all civilized people. What is the problem?

My youngest brother had commended the twins, two country boys, from the same region as my family. My parents had come from there at a young age and always had the desire to return one day. When I retire, said my father. Then my sisters got married, my mother took it upon herself to take care of her sick mother-in-law, and my father achieved his longed-for retirement. They bought land in a small coastal town and moved out. They could have sold the apartment and bought a smaller one for me, but my mom did not want to. Here you will be able to raise your children, Bruninho, she had said on the eve of their moving. But, mom, this is going to take a long time, for now I’m just going to raise cockroaches, because I won’t have the time or patience to clean it all up, I had answered. Why, hire a cleaner, what did you study for? Yes, my mother is quite simple.

What’s up, Bruno! How are you? said one of the boys. He was well-mannered, seemed like an Axé[i] singer, and the women from the next table were speechless when he arrived. Then his brother was quite different, resembling Ronaldinho Gaúcho a bit, but out of shape and with prescription glasses. The two had little in common.

Everything’s fine, dude. Hey, Rique, how are you? I greeted both brothers. Sit down so we can talk. This is Sérgio, of the other room I talked to you about.

I pointed to an irritated and vexed Sérgio, but suddenly his mood changed. He smiled in a way which could be said was enchanting and extended his hand to the newly arrived.

Hello, I’m Paulo Sérgio.

Hi, Paulo Sérgio. I’m Paulo Vítor and this is my brother Paulo Henrique. It’s a hell of a coincidence, man, don’t you think? he spoke to me. Did you know about this?

Of course I was aware of the fact, but, as I was trying to surprise them, I pretended not to know.

"You all identify yourselves by your second name, how could I ever imagine? It is very interesting. If I tried to gather, on purpose, a couple of guys with the same name, I think I could never do it.

Wow, this might be a sign! A more cheerful Sérgio put his hand in his chest while saying that.

For me you can forget about Paulo, said the other boy, Paulo Henrique. I’m not used to it.

The same goes for me. Well, we already know each other. Now let’s go over the rules for our ‘co-well-being’. Paulo Vítor signed quotation marks with his hands. He was practical and quick, like me.

The rules we agreed upon were common, I had done research with acquaintances and on the internet, really. They moved and although I was afraid about the change in my routine and living with almost strangers, everything was going better than I imagined. Everyone left home early, well ahead of me, and spent the day with their jobs and studies. At home we took turns preparing breakfast and dinner, since no one had lunch at home, and everyone took care of their own clothes. On Mondays and Fridays, a cleaner came to tidy up the apartment, but we did not make much of a mess. On weekends everyone went to their homes, trips, clubs. And the money finally started to come in. My girlfriend disliked not being able to sleep with me during the weekdays. We had been together for over three years and she was already thinking about redecorating the apartment. I was not.

Sérgio brought his favorite platform bed, a cupboard, although he already had a big one in his room, a television and several electronics. I told him I would charge an extra fee because of the increase in the electricity bill and he said he would pay for his comfort. But in fact, as early as the second month he started delaying the payment of the rent. And he was making up excuses. He was that kind of person who knows how to use his words very well. He could be extremely friendly, a good advisor, and he could be rude or sarcastic whenever he wanted to. I admired and also hated him for it. He had brown skin, was of short stature, with apparent and defined muscles, wore expensive clothes and enjoyed the beach, shopping malls, ballads. He studied law in the same class as my girlfriend.

The twins were an intriguing case. In the first place, they were not twins at all, not even looked alike. Paulo Henrique, the family’s ugly duckling, was 23 years old, studied some engineering at the Federal University and to it he devoted all of his time. He was a thin type of guy, but with a protruding stomach, sloppy, unkempt hair, prescription glasses, prominent teeth with braces. Friendly and intelligent, for sure, but if I were a woman, or even gay like Sérgio, I would never hook up with him. Or maybe I would, if I were in desperate need for it. He did an internship and received a few hundred dollars which was barely enough for food and transportation.

Paulo Vítor, the family swan, was quite the opposite. Brown skinned, fit and popular, wore shorts, sunglasses and a tank top when not dressed for work. Despite being three years younger than his brother, he had a formal job, studied at a private college in the evening and still had time to work out, date, party, chat. He was the one who paid their rent, was the owner of the car and practically provided for the older brother. Without ceremony, he would take Henrique’s wallet to put money and condoms in, besides taking him to the dentist. But they loved each other, I never saw brothers so close.

Watching these details of my tenants’ lives was my secret amusement, almost a hobby. As I no longer studied, I had some free time and a very quiet routine. And so two and a half months went by.

On a beautiful sunny morning, two and a half months after Vítor, Serginho and Henrique moved into my apartment, I got a call from someone who said they needed a room in that neighborhood. That it could be shared. That it had to be soon. I just said I had no more vacancy and left for work without thinking about it again. After lunch, I relaxed in the charming restaurant where I went almost every day when a boy approached me to talk. He apologized for bothering me, I said it was okay, he apologized again and started talking:

So, you’re Bruno, aren’t you? So, I called you earlier today about the room. He spoke like that, with pauses after the so.

Dude, as I told you, there is no more vacancy. I felt like the manager of a big hotel. I asked him to sit down.

Wow, I was told that your apartment has four bedrooms and I really needed a place to stay. It’s difficult to reconcile work and the course because of the commuting time. And it’s so close ...

Yes, but the fourth bedroom[ii] —we laughed when I said that— is mine, and the people who are there do not intend to share. It’s not exactly a fraternity, you know? We are just a group of friends who share the expenses and they pay me rent.

Wow ... Yes, I get it. So ... but don’t you know, like, somewhere around here that has a place for me? It could be anywhere, anyway ...

I mentally visualized my apartment, and a crazy idea came to me. I do not know why I was worried about the course and the job of that stranger, I did not know where he thought that I rented bedrooms or even where he knew me from. But I did not think about it at the time, I just had a thought and found it intriguing.

Look, my apartment is one of those old ones, with a big laundry and a spare bedroom for servicers in the back. I’m not sure if it suits you, but it’s all I have.

It’s cheaper than a normal bedroom, right?! The young man was happy with the success of his approach and grinned, enthusiastic. In a rush, he grabbed my hand, which was not extended to him, and pressed it, making me awkward. Realizing his gaffe, he became embarrassed and let go of it, but I could notice I was rude and corrected myself. Both clumsily, we shook hands once more.

I would be good for you to take a look at it first, because, even though it’s clear and organized, it’s quite different from the other rooms. It’s tiny, really small, practically a pantry, said I while still holding the cold fingers of the man.

Of course I could take a look at it first, but I can assure you that, in my current situation, I would rent a sofa if necessary, as long as it was in this neighborhood and I could afford it. It won’t be for a long time.

Well ... I paused to think better. Would it be a good idea to let someone sleep in the laundry? Was I so desperate for money or was I making a good action for a boy who had nowhere to live? I decided. Can you go there by the afternoon, after five? Then we can talk better, ‘cause right now I gotta get back to work.

Fine by me, I also have to get back to the kitchen. I can only after six, is that okay? Hmm, I’ll call you. He rushed his words and I got dizzy thinking.

Did he say kitchen? Did he say I’ll call you? Of course, he had my number, he had called me once already, but it was the word kitchen which intrigued me. We stood up and, without stopping looking at each other, we went our ways, I towards the street and he towards the back of the restaurant. Sure, the kitchen. He worked there, so that was how he heard about me. It was my favorite place to eat, and I chatted with the servers.

I walked all the way to my workplace lost in my thoughts like a lunatic. What was going on with me? I got there fast. Everything was so close, hence why this space was so disputed. Coming in and out of downtown was difficult, the traffic was chaotic and stressing. And expensive. My mother was right, it was better to keep that apartment, a burden, it is true, but a burden well located. And location is everything in a big city.

The rest of the day went as usual. Or almost. While I distracted myself at work, I thought about the reason why I gave way to an appeal of a stranger and even thought about renting the back room. All right, he was a cook at my favorite restaurant, but that is no motive to take him home. I thought, too, in calling him and telling him that the back room would be used for the cleaner who would start working next week. What a foolish excuse, even more foolish than renting for the cleaning lady!

Oh, damn it! The apartment is mine and I can rent whatever I want, even the couch in the living room, I told myself.

The others would not like this at all. I thought about Sérgio’s ugly face and involuntarily smiled. Or maybe he would like it, as the guy, whom’s name I forgot to ask, was good looking. Very handsome, to tell the truth, yet, thinking about it, Sérgio was more into tanned fit guys and the cook was too pale.

Ten past five I arrived home. I worried about the possibility of the boy ringing while I was still at the shower, but then I laughed at my own insanity. He would call, it was what he said; besides, he should not know exactly where I lived. Or maybe he did, since he knew my number. I took my cell phone with me to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Upon looking at myself in the mirror, I startled: my beard was too thick, and my hair too big. I put my glasses on just to check it: yes, I did look like Renato Russo!

I dressed myself and went to the living room to wait. The clock hit eighteen o’clock, he did not show up, and I started feeling impatient. Obviously, it was unusual for me to be in that state, but I did not pay attention to this fact at the moment. I just kept checking the hours and my cell phone and the hours on my cell phone again. At eighteen hundred eighteen, he called. I giggled and thought if there were not too many coincidences in my life. I knew it was him, since I had already checked the number he called me from in the morning. On the second ring, I answered.

Hi, Bruno, it’s Eric. It’s about the bedroom, I talked with you today at the restaurant, he said thinking, maybe, that I had already forgotten him. I had not.

Oh, yes, Eric. Nice, I did not have to ask for his name. You can come by, I’m already home. Do you know where I live?

No, I just have an idea. That’s why I called you.

Good, then take notes. I gave him my address with the minimal details, I gave instructions of how he would come up, and I let the lobby know he was coming.

Twelve minutes later, he arrived. He wore pants, black t-shirt and tennis, very simple. And with a tired face. He must really have a busy life.

Hello, good evening. Sorry if I’m late.

Good evening, it’s ok. I greeted him, giving him my hand.

Eric entered looking at the ambient with interest and timidity.

What a big living room, he remarked.

Yeah, but let’s take a look at the place I mentioned. As I said, it’s a small bedroom, simple and it’s in the back. Come.

I closed the door and went inside the apartment; Eric followed me in silence. From the living room, we passed to the dining room, from where an aisle took us to the bedrooms, which were four, besides a social bathroom. There was also the washroom and the door that led to the kitchen. We entered it and Eric gazed admired. He seemed to appreciate a good kitchen.

Shortly before they moved in, my parents remodeled the kitchen. It was the only modern room in the apartment; the rest had old furniture, like those found at antiques fairs, not all in their best condition.

From the kitchen, we went out to the service area, which was very spacious, but had almost no ventilation. And there was that room, a dark cubicle with a tiny bathroom. I felt a little embarrassed to show it, but it was too late to give up.

There’s a new bed. Eric pointed to the only good thing that was there, a single platform bed, little used. Truthfully, it was in Sérgio’s suite, but it was not good enough for the man and he brought his own one.

Oh, sure, it’s really new. What do you think?

So, the bedroom is not bad. Actually, it’s better than I expected. The only thing that bothers me it’s the lack of ventilation, the thing is I’m allergic to mold, and this sort of thing, he said embarrassed.

I did not answer. Sure the room was not up to the standards of any worker, but I found it kind of spoiled of him to complain since he was so desperate for a bedroom, whichever it was.

What about the price? Eric smiled and raised one of his eyebrows.

I have not yet thought about that detail, so I guessed a value way below of what the other boys were paying. Eric agreed, nodding with his head.

When can I come to sleep? he asked.

Come to sleep? I found the question strange, but got back to myself quickly and answered. Tomorrow if you wish. I’m gonna tell the others today, when they arrive.

Okay, then. And how about the food, schedule, cleaning, keys ...?

Oh, yes, I was already forgetting. I grabbed a piece of paper which was in the kitchen counter and handed it to him. It was our primer.

Eric read it quickly and was already giving me back the invitation.

This paper stays with you, here everyone has one of these. I smiled and he retributed.

We agreed on the payment and he said goodbye, less happy than when he arrived. Something had displeased him, but there was nothing I could do. I also had an unpleasant task ahead of me, which would be to talk to my other tenants.

As soon as Eric said his goodbyes, Vítor arrived. He rushed through the room like a hurricane, but stopped and greeted me with a nod.

Big Bruno, how are you? I’m just in the rush, bro. He went towards his room, I went behind.

"What’s up, Vitão? Dude, I’ve got some stuff to talk with you and the others