Page 7 of The Bathhouse
“Of course.Please visit the travel desk in the alcove to the right.Maria Ramos is familiar with all the attractions and activities we have to offer.She will be happy to help you.”
“Thank you.I’ll save that for later.It’s been a long day.”
Reed followed Dante to the elevators and handed him a key card.At the seventh floor, they got out and Reed followed Dante to his room.The boy opened the door and waved him in.
The suite didn’t disappoint.The living area, decorated in a soothing palette of beige and blue, had classic furnishings, deep-pile carpets, and the walls provided a backdrop for original paintings by Filipino artists.
Reed went first to the floor-to-ceiling windows highlighting a majestic view.The balcony provided comfortable seating where he could enjoy the magnificent golden sunsets over Manila Bay.Behind him, Dante began pointing out the amenities, the well-equipped fridge, wet bar, Wi-Fi, and HD TVs.His voice made Reed’s headache worse.
Reed approached him and handed him a large tip.
“Thank you, Sir.I know all the restaurants and nightspots.After you settle in, I’d be happy to --”
“Thank you, Dante.You’ve been very helpful.”
The boy looked disappointed, but he took the hint and left, closing the door quietly behind him.
Reed felt sleepy and irritable.His head told him he was in one time zone, but his body told him a different story.He put it down to jetlag, but he needed a shower before he napped.The hot water felt good, eased his tense muscles, and awakened his appetite, if not his spirit.He ordered room service.The meal was decent, and he managed to finish it before collapsing on the bed.He didn’t wake until dawn the next day.
Damn, I must be getting old.
Reed slept for another few hours, then showered and dressed for work in a suit, a white button-up collared shirt, and a tie.The heat and humidity called for linen pants and shirt, but maintaining a professional appearance was obligatory for the owner of the business.
Breakfast in the hotel dining room proved to be excellent.Reed lingered over Kapeng Barako, a strong coffee with a pungent aroma that he sweetened with sugar.
Finally, he could put off the inevitable no longer.He went to the front desk to call for his car.Business came first, but he’d leave the evening free for R and R.His dick throbbed as he imagined a sexy Filipino sucking it dry.
He was almost out the door when he remembered the travel desk.Fuck it!He’d ask around at the office.Hopefully someone there could recommend a decent local restaurant and a good club.
Reed’s company leased the top two floors of a five-story building in the Manila business district, but he could see they needed more space.Business was booming.Outsourcing to Manila had been a wise choice.The Philippines was becoming the call center capital of the world, and the Barton Call Center had become a proven and experienced provider.Reed Barton was making more money than he’d anticipated, but he was going to have to spend some of that money to expand.When he met with his manager and the team, he would have them find out if more space was available in this building.If not, they would have to move.
The service center looked much as Reed remembered it.His eagle-eyed inspection didn’t miss much as he made his way around the crowded cubicles.Some workers weren’t as attentive as others and he made note of them.
Glancing up, he caught sight of a man entering a cubicle at the end of the aisle.Their eyes met and a shock of recognition hit Reed like a tidal wave.
No.It couldn’t be.Could it?Oh, God, let it be him.
The Filipino gave the barest nod of recognition and disappeared behind the wall of his workspace and just like that the years melted away and their night together seemed like only yesterday.
Reed’s heart beat fast and hard.Foolishly, he wondered if Babyboy felt the same electric charge that he did.Wishful thinking.More likely, the Filipino remembered him as just another encounter from the distant past.Did Reed want to find out?Yes, he needed to know.Reed took a few deep breaths and pulled himself together.It would be wrong to show too much interest in an employee.He forced himself to continue his tour and when he reached the man’s cubicle, he looked inside.The nameplate on the desk said Joseph Castro.
Joseph Castro had his headset on, apparently helping a customer.Reed stood transfixed, watching the Filipino at work.Joseph spoke calmly in slightly accented English that seemed to caress each word.It had been years, but Reed found himself getting hot just thinking of how that voice had whispered dirty talk in his ear.
Joseph ended his call and looked up.“Hello, Pogi.”
The words were so soft, Reed wondered if he’d really heard them.He mouthed back, “Babyboy.”
Joseph sighed but didn’t speak another word.They stared at each other, and it felt like a scene from a cheesy movie, where the room faded to a blur while the two heroes connected in a powerful silent dialog.Despite the intervening years, the emotions that washed over Reed were familiar.Caught in a time warp, Reed felt as if summer had finally arrived after a long severe winter.
Babyboy was older, but he still had the same exotic features.Reed feasted on the high, prominent cheekbones, low-bridged nose, and hair that was still coal black.Joseph studied him as well.Chemistry still existed between them.That was undeniable.Reed’s legs quivered and a pleasurable throbbing started between them.
Pretending they were strangers didn’t come easy, but Reed finally found his voice.“I’m Reed Barton, just arrived from the States.”
Joseph’s perfect lips creased in a smile.He stood and held out his hand.“I’m Joseph Castro.I’m so happy to meet you.”
Reed responded with a smile and allowed Joseph to pump his hand.The gesture lasted way too long, and Reed forced himself to release Joseph’s hand.
Just then, another call came in.Joseph looked from Reed to his desk, not sure what to do.
