CHAPTER 14 :

“Cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of death but once.” — Julius Ceaser (Act II, Scene II)

Klein's jaw hung open in disgust and reproach towards the man standing infront of him, wearing an indifferent expression. Taking this commotion as a cue to leave, his ex wife was already gone.

To put it straight, Xavier played him. The man had been playing him all this while because of the fact that he had a novel going on about a cop falling in love with the wrong guy; and now that the novel was finished, Winter didn’t need Klein anymore. He used him, in a very selfish way. Anger boiled in Jase's head. He was going batshit at Elena for leaking the details about his personal life.

She was his ex wife for hell's sake, and legally, had no right to be so intrusive about what he was dealing with everyday. He had to talk about this to Elena tomorrow at the café, but, the CEO topic management was the need of the hour. He could barely control his anger.

“You used me!?! You fucked your way into getting personal information about me, all because of your stupid fucking novel!” He shouted, his face distortee in an angry snarl, as his eyes shot up to the man who seemed pretty comfortable about everything that was going on.

“Call it what you want, Jase.” He mused, making a ‘don’t-be-surprised’ expression. Klein moved in closer to Xavier with an intention he didn’t really realize, until, smack. Another slap, this time on the right cheek. Xavier looked at the angry cop, and laughed while his face was averted to the floor due to that sudden slap.

“You son of bitch! How could you!?” He shrieked in a shrill voice, the pain resonating in every word he spoke, in every question he asked. Xavier shrugged his shoulders, as he reached out for the cop's arm. Instinctively, Jase took three steps back. That’s it, Klein have had enough.

“Look, my novel is over. Your character is dead. What else would I need you for, hmm?” He lazily glanced at the other man, who looked at him, sniffling, with moist eyes. Shit, he was crying. The CEO's face gave nothing away. The cold façade that Jase thought was owned by this man, wasn’t actually a façade. That was his real self.

“What did I ever do to you, Winter? Why did you have to do this? Why my ex wife?” His voice was barely coherent, and was laced with thickening grief. Winter watched him, curling into a ball on his floor, but gave no reaction of guilt.

“Nothing personal, Klein.” He answered, his voice as jagged and harsh as grey waves crashing over slate black rocks, as if he were fighting back tears. But, none fell.

But, seeing Klein cry was like a knife digging in the CEO's heart. He slightly winced at the sight, but the reaction was so spontaneous that Jase thought there was none at all. It was all for Klein's self control. He gave in to his overwhelming grief.

He buried his face in his hands, weeping. Winter took a sharp inhale of air, as he was composing himself. Calming down his nerves was the only way to avoid showing any emotion at all. The last thing he wanted was to scoop the crying man from the floor and straddle him with his arms.

To his advantage, he was a dominant. And, a true dominant never lost control. People like Xavier showed people exacted what they wanted them to. Precise control over their emotions, expressions, were the biggest achievements of a true dominant.

Minutes seemed like hours, and the cop was still slumped up on the floor, silently weeping, while the other man kept scrutinizing him with his haunting blue eyes. Yet, made no effort to pick him up, or console him. Winter knew exactly what he was doing, and it had to be that way.

When Jase finally opened his eyes, they were bloodshot red. He looked pale, and weak. That’s when the realization dawned on him, and hit him hard. He had never cried like this for anyone. Not even when Elena left him. Yes, he had been excruciatingly sad and pensive, but, it was nothing like what he felt today. When he heard Xavier calling him ‘insignificant’, his world came crashing down. Even letting the tears shed made him feel no better than before.

He was in love with him. And that was it. He fiercely wiped the tears off his face, as he gave Xavier a cold look. Blurred hazel eyes bore into the distant blue eyes, and for the first time, Winter flinched, and took a step back. The red rimmed eyes had a dark recklessness to them. And, Jase left without a single word, determined to never step in that house again.

(A/N : Baby, you look happier, you do. My friends tell me, someday I'll feel it too.... But, I was happier with you...I know there's others that deserve you, but, I'm still in love with you. Baby, you look happier, you do. I knew one day, you'll fall for someone new. But, if he breaks your heart like lovers do, just know I'll be waiting here for you.

When you're done realizing that he doesn’t love you like I do, come knock on my door and allow me to show you what I have to offer. I'll be waiting, always. However long it takes.

*This has nothing to do with the story.* Have a great day. I love you all.

Your Dominant, GREY.)