Page 6 of The Bathhouse
“Well, go if you must.But call me every night, or I’ll worry.”
“Right then.”Reed slipped his laptop into the briefcase.“I’m off.The driver is waiting.”
“That’s not a proper goodbye.”
Reed gave her a quick peck on the cheek and made a hasty retreat.As the front door closed behind him, he felt an exhilarating sense of freedom.
Thank God for Barton Business Machines.Headquartered in San Francisco, the company had been in the family for years, but it had stagnated under his father’s management because the old man wasn’t interested in global expansion.When Reed took over after his father’s death, he expanded into foreign markets.He chose the Philippines for personal reasons, but there was no doubt the business benefited.Most Filipinos spoke English and they provided excellent customer support.Starting the Barton Call Center was a no-brainer.Other companies started to utilize Barton’s services.It was a Win-Win scenario for everyone.And best of all, Reed had a ready excuse to travel to the Philippines and escape Claire’s… Mom-ism, he thought with a sour grin.
Then the pandemic had arrived, limiting travel and keeping him home.Thank God travel restrictions had eased.He was more than ready to fly the coop.There were long hours until takeoff, but they’d be spent in the office.
* * *
Reed flew first class, and he expected the ultimate in luxury.He treated himself well, and why not?He had the money.The airlines charged a hefty price, but he could well afford the cost, and it was a business expense.
Reed boarded the plane and looked around.The seating didn’t disappoint.The service… Well, that was another story.It appeared that there was a smaller attendant-to-passenger ratio than in the past.
On previous flights, Reed had been treated like royalty.He even had his own personal flight attendant who offered him top-notch food on real dishes, and any kind of cocktail he wanted.Now a dedicated cabin crew of two women cared for twelve people in first class.Unacceptable.Not even a personal greeting when he boarded and ten minutes later, still no acknowledgement of his presence.The lack of service irritated him.Apparently, the pandemic still affected the travel industry.It seemed a lot of employees hadn’t come back to work, or they’d gone on to greener pastures.Well, that wasn’t his problem.Too bad everyone didn’t run a tight ship like he did.
Frustrated, Reed grabbed the arm of one of the flight attendants as she passed.“I’d like a glass of champagne.”
She yanked her arm back and gave him an irritated look.“We’re not ready to serve drinks yet.”
Then she walked away, no apology, not another word.A few minutes passed until she got on the PA and made a long-winded announcement about the flight being delayed.A series of moans and groans ensued, which were ignored.An excruciating thirty minutes passed.
At last, the plane took off and Reed settled back with his glass of champagne.He readied himself for a flight from hell.
Fortunately, the champagne relaxed him, and he managed a little sleep on the fifteen-hour flight from San Francisco to Manila.Still, the flight seemed interminable.It didn’t help that he was so anxious to immerse himself in the Pearl of the Orient.
Owning a successful company that specialized in engineering solutions had made him a millionaire, but what good was money when a man couldn’t spend some of it on his favorite pursuits?The excuse for the trip was business, but stress relief was a priority, and he wasn’t thinking meditation or yoga.Sex had always been his best stress reliever, only lately he hadn’t been getting enough, and his partners hadn’t been ideal.
Reed’s homosexuality was a closely guarded secret.He escorted Claire to most society parties and business dinners.She always complained, but in reality Claire was only too happy to serve as his date.It was another way to involve herself in his personal life and the business.
To keep up appearances he occasionally utilized a high-end escort service that promised discretion.Reed’s temporary companions were attractive and well educated.Their roleplay when they accompanied him to fundraisers and charity events was so effective that associates would often ask Reed if the relationship was serious.He laughed thinking about it.
At any rate, friends and family had long since given up on matchmaking.They told him he was too picky.His response was always, “It’s wise to be as choosy picking a companion as when selecting a car.”
Not having a significant other didn’t make him feel like he was lacking something.At forty he had a good life, lots of money, an interesting career, fabulous homes, and friends with benefits.Before the pandemic, he could call a discreet acquaintance, and meet at an apartment he kept for such encounters.Those trysts took the edge off, but they were never completely satisfying because Reed had a type, and his type was hard to find.
Some men weren’t choosy in their appetites, and they were happy to have sex with anything that moved.Reed was more specific in what he wanted.He needed a Filipino male partner in order to get turned on.He even watched Filipino porn.Some might say he had a fetish.He didn’t look at it that way, and neither did recent studies.
Reed opened his magazine to a page he’d bookmarked.A headline proclaimed that sexual attraction is affected by life experience.That for years to come, a person might continue to be attracted to someone who resembled his or her first love.Reed could relate.After all, hadn’t he been living the same day over and over again in his dreams?He might be aging, but he still ached to recreate those feelings.Sometimes he came close to finding someone who resembled Babyboy, but he’d never felt the same intimacy.Sighing, Reed closed the magazine.He hoped to find what he was looking for on this trip.
The plane landed early in the morning, and Reed struggled through customs.He picked up a rental car, set the GPS for the hotel, and joined the chaos.He’d forgotten how crowded the streets were.After a harrowing drive, he arrived at the hotel.A well-appointed room, specialty dining, top-of-the-line fitness facilities, and an elegant spa awaited, but Reed only wanted to test the bed for a nap.
A valet took charge of the car and another Filipino man approached to collect Reed’s luggage.The young man was good-looking and very attentive.His sexy smile had a hint of intrigue.The boy had potential, but Reed wanted more.He needed to feel a spark of chemistry, an indication of something deeper.Maybe he was just tired, but when he saw the right man, there’d be no doubt, he’d know immediately.
Once again, his mind traveled back in time to his first love and longing overwhelmed him.No point pining over what might have been.He shrugged it off.
What he needed was a good rest.Reed followed his luggage into the lobby and the front desk clerk greeted him warmly.He checked Reed in and gave him two key cards.
“Dante will take care of your bags.He’ll make sure you’re comfortable with your accommodations and familiar with the amenities in your suite.I hope you have a pleasant stay.”
Reed hesitated for a moment.He’d be hungry after his nap.“Can you recommend any good restaurants?”
“We have an excellent restaurant here.”
“I will certainly try it out, but I was thinking of some local flavor.”
