Chapter One-hundred Fifty-Nine: Jordi Snaps

Chapter 159

Jordi Snaps

Jordi was in his bedroom getting ready for work that morning. He had just showered and started to get dressed. He was wearing a white, pressed shirt and black pants. He sat on his bed to put on his black, sheer socks and then went to his closet to retrieve his black tie. He draped it over his shoulders and began tying his tie in a four-in-hand knot. He grabbed his black suit jacket and threw it over his shoulders, buttoning it up. He left his bedroom and went out to the dining room.

His grandfather, Abraham, sat at the table, scowling at the rainbow pancakes. Henrietta was preparing breakfast in the kitchen. She wore a beige dress with a cherry pattern, a white apron over it, and beige flats. She brought a plate to the table for Jordi.

Henrietta: “Here you go, sexy boy!”

Jordi gaped at the plate. It had two eggs for eyes, a strawberry for a nose, and two slices of bacon for a mouth.

Abraham: “Don’t call him sexy! You’re giving him ideas!”

He snapped. Jordi rubbed his temples. It’s too early for this shit, he thought.

Henrietta: “The only ideas I give him are that he’s unbearably ticklish!”

She giggled. Jordi tightened his jaw.

She grabbed his ankles and started tickling his feet.

Jordi: “ARGH! NOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”

He laughed and whined. Abraham smiled and clapped his hands.

Abraham: “Now we’re talking!”

Henrietta scribbled her nails over his sheer socked feet. Jordi screamed with laughter and pulled at his hair.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHA!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!”

He wailed.

~

Jordi stepped out of his house and slammed the door. He slid on his boots, zipped them up, and marched to his car. He got in, drew a rough breath, and reached into his suit jacket for his cigarettes. He pulled one out, lit it up, and exhaled a drag. He slid the key into the ignition, started the car, and shifted his gear into reverse. He looked behind him as he backed out of the driveway. He then shifted into first gear and drove down the road.

~

Jordi entered Megalos Tower, retrieved his work ID card, and swiped it through the time clock machine to clock in for work. A group of secretaries was talking amongst themselves, and they spotted Jordi. One of them waved at him.

Secretary: “Morning, Jordi!”

She cheered. Jordi’s smile spread to show his even white teeth.

Jordi: “Morning, ladies!”

He replied, and they all swooned.

Secretary: “Oh, he’s so handsome!”

She sighed happily.

Jordi pressed the elevator button and entered. He pushed the button for the eighty-fifth floor, and the doors closed. He gazed at the morning sun cast over the city as the elevator rose.

When he got off at his designated floor, Alfrie greeted him. He wore an orange American-cut suit, brown shoes, a black tie, and a white pressed shirt.

Alfie: “Morning, Jordi. Minerva wishes to speak with you.”

He nodded. Jordi felt a sense of dread wash over him. He forced a smile.

Jordi: “Of course.”

Alfie led Jordi to Minerva’s office and opened the door for him. Minerva sat in her chair. She wore a fitted blue dress with padded, broad shoulders, long sleeves, and black trim that outlined the lapels, pockets, and the asymmetrical line of the front gold buttons. The dress was paired with black nylons, black stiletto heels, and sapphire teardrop earrings. She had her hair styled in a French knot.

Alfie grinned inanely at Minerva, checking her out. Jordi blew air through his parted lips.

Jordi: “Morning, Ma’am. What do you need?”

He forced a smile. Minerva raised an eyebrow. Desiree entered the office wearing her work uniform.

Desiree: “Reporting for duty, Doc!”

She announced. Minerva rolled her eyes.

Minerva: “Do you know what day is coming up, Jordi?”

Jordi bowed his head. He dreaded the answer.

Alfie: “Your birthday, Ma’am!”

He piped up. Minerva shot him a glare.

Minerva: “I don’t recall asking you anything. I was asking Jordi.”

She hissed. Alfie drew back. Jordi tightly pursed his lips.

Jordi: “I’m well aware, Ma’am.”

He said through a strained smile.

Alfie: “Oh, the Voyage Burger is opening in the tower today! Makayla is doing the honors of cutting the ribbon!”

He announced. Jordi, Desiree, and Minerva all gaped at him.

Minerva: “Alfie, did I give you permission to speak?”

She spat. Alfie embraced himself. Jordi drew a long breath. Desiree cupped her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Alfie: “S-Sorry, Madame.”

He murmured. Minerva glared at him.

She turned to Jordi.

Minerva: “Anyway, as this nitwit stated, my birthday is approaching.”

Jordi forced a smile.

Jordi: “And how do you plan to spend it?”

Minerva smirked and rose. She sauntered to Jordi and placed her hands on his chest. Jordi glanced down at them and shuddered. Desiree folded her arms.

Minerva: “A villa in the city of love and romance: Argentville, Nouvelle Gaule. It will be Jiro and me over a candlelit dinner, followed by intimacy… You know, for science.”

She chuckled and trailed her nails over his neck. Jordi laughed a bit.

Minerva: “Should you fail to capture Jiro… You will take his place, Jordi.”

She smirked. Jordi turned to her, horrified.

Minerva: “I want to be ravished by either of you men…”

She whispered in his ear. Jordi rubbed his ear as it tickled him somewhat. He clenched his teeth.

Minerva: “So, the ball is in your court, Jordi.”

She smirked.

~

Jordi stepped out of the office with Desiree walking beside him.

Desiree: “What will you do?”

Jordi: “I’m not kidnapping my friend!”

He huffed.

Desiree: “So… you’re going to take his place then?”

Jordi looked away with sheer discomfort on his face. He didn’t know what to do.

They went to a brightly lit, indoor food court. There were various restaurants, such as Dunk Your Donuts, Panda Chu Wok, Burger Queen, Fred’s Burger Castle, and now Voyage Burger. A cardboard cutout of the Burger Berserker stood before it. The walls behind the counter are tiled, and there are a couple of lit menu boards above the counter.

The food court’s seating area had several booths and tables. The floor was tiled with a white and pink geometric pattern. The ceiling was high, with an exposed grid of lights illuminating the space.

Jordi and Desiree saw Makayla in front of Voyage Burger, dressed as a hog farmer, with Brad beside her wearing a dirty denim jacket over an Auntie Acid shirt, gray shorts, and black high-tops. He wore a headband with pig ears on top of his head. Makayla cut the ribbon, and a round of applause followed. She wasted no time dragging Brad to the counter to order ten Ragnarok burgers, four Freyja fries, four Odin rings, and two Vahalnilla shakes.

~

Jordi sat in the break room on the sofa, smoking a cigarette. He heard someone enter and dreaded seeing Vasilos, but to his surprise, he saw Gina, wearing a big smile and a white trench coat.

Jordi: “Gina! What brings you by?”

He smiled at her. She closed the door behind her.

Gina: “You know why, Jordi!”

She purred.

Jordi: “Hahahaha, no, I don’t!”

She untied the sash on her coat and let it drop. Gina wore a gold bra with a coin fringe. She had a matching gold headband with a central sapphire pendant on her forehead, as well as several gold necklaces and bracelets on both arms. Her skirt was a sheer, purple color, featuring a slit on the left side that extended up to her hip. The waistband of the skirt was gold and had a coin fringe that matched her bra. She slid her feet out of her heels.

Jordi’s eyes widened, and he reddened.

Jordi: “Ohohoho, what is this now?”

Gina swayed her hips in a circular motion and reached out to stroke his chest. She sat on his lap, rubbing his chest, trailing her nails over his neck, and stroking his tie. Jordi shivered all over and bit his bottom lip.

Jordi: “Gina, hahahaha! What are you doing?”

He locked his gaze on her. She kissed him deeply. Jordi closed his eyes and kissed her back. She loosened his tie and unsnapped the buttons on his suit jacket. He moaned into her mouth and placed his hand at the small of her back, rubbing it.

Gina: “Happy birthday, handsome man.”

She whispered in his ear. Jordi shivered and gaped at her.

Jordi: “My birthday is on May 14th, Gina.”

He said with some hurt in his tone. Gina giggled and kissed his neck. Jordi leaned back and shut his eyes tightly.

Gina: “Oops, sorry, Jordi! Well, surprise!”

She whispered and unbuttoned a few buttons on his pressed shirt. Jordi looked away with pain on his face.

Jordi gently placed Gina beside him and rose.

Jordi: “Stop.”

He said flatly. Gina gaped at Jordi.

Gina: “Jordi, I did this for you!”

Jordi: “I know and I appreciate the gesture, but you don’t know when my birthday is?”

He asked with a hurt tone.

Gina: “I guessed because you’re on top of things and so organized that you must be a Virgo!”

She chirped. Jordi’s face crumpled.

Jordi: “Are you serious?! Why didn’t you ask me if you didn’t know!?”

His voice rose. Gina embraced herself.

Jordi: “YOU want US to be in a relationship and didn’t know when my birthday was!”

He snapped. Tears filled Gina’s eyes.

Gina: “I’m sorry, Jordi! I love you so much!”

She sobbed. Jordi shook his head.

Jordi: “You don’t even know me…”

He muttered. Jordi buttoned his pressed shirt, tightened his tie, and buttoned his suit jacket. He grabbed some facial tissues from the coffee counter to wipe the lip marks off his face and neck.

Gina cried into her hands.

Gina: “I try so hard for you, Jordi, and you get mean to me!”

Jordi spun on his heel.

Jordi: “I’M mean to YOU?! You broke up with me because I couldn’t take a day off work to watch over you when your parents are making enough to hire a whole security team!”

He barked.

Jordi: “You can’t even remember my birthday and come in during my work knowing what my boss is like!”

He snapped and slammed his fist on the table, startling her.

Gina bawled hysterically. Jordi threw his arms up.

Jordi: “I have stuff to do.”

He said and stormed out of the recreation room. He marched past Desiree, who watched him go.

Desiree: “I dunno about him, but if I had a girl do that for me, that wouldn’t be my reaction.”

She smirked at Gina.

~

That evening, Jordi rolled into the driveway of his house and heaved a deep sigh. He parked his car and got the box of apple muffins and bran muffins from Ashley’s house. He stepped into his house, unzipped his boots, and slid them off. As he entered the house, he saw his grandfather in the living room watching The Price is Right.

Jordi: “Your muffins are here.”

He said tersely.

Abraham: “GIVE ME THEM!”

Jordi threw the box at him. Abraham jumped.

Jordi: “THERE YOU GO!”

He roared. Abraham blinked and drew back. Jordi stormed into his room and slammed the door. Abraham cleared his throat and lifted the lid to take an apple muffin.

~

A few minutes later, Jordi was in his car and out of his work uniform. He wore a white Western shirt, dark blue jeans, and his black zip-up boots. He made the turn and drove down Spring Garden Lane, and went up Hawthorn Lane on his way to Tristan’s house.

~

Tristan was sitting on his backyard patio by the fire pit, reading a book and smoking a cigarette. He wore a dark red pressed shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a striped tie, a black waistcoat, black pants, and black sheer socks. He turned his head when he heard footsteps. He saw Jordi looking distraught.

Tristan: “Hello, Jordi. What’s troubling you?”

Jordi raked his fingers through his hair and sat by him.

Jordi: “Everything, Tristan! Where do I start?”

He cried. Tristan knit his eyebrows and closed his book.

Tristan: “Where it began.”

Jordi inhaled sharply.

Jordi: “Minerva called me into her office. She wanted to remind me that her birthday is approaching. It’s on September 10th. She wants me to kidnap Jaxon so she can take him to a villa she rented in Argentville to assault him sexually… and if I don’t, I will take his place.”

He drew a long breath. Tristan grimaced.

Tristan: “I see… What are you going to do?”

Jordi: “I am not having her rape my friend, so I guess I will go in his place.”

He said with pain, and his bottom lip trembled. Tristan wrapped his arms around him.

Tristan: “You will do no such thing.”

He said gently.

Jordi: “I can’t have her do that to Jaxon.”

Tristan: “We won’t allow it.”

Jordi sighed.

Jordi: “Thank you, Tristan. I don’t know what else to do. I hate working for her, but I need to keep my place afloat for my grandfather! I know he’s difficult, but he’s all I have! I don’t know if my grandmother will come back! I have no other family! My mother was a drug addict and overdosed! I don’t know what else to do!”

He cried. Tristan patted.

Tristan: “You have us, Jordi. You have me.”

He said gently. Jordi’s heart beat faster.

He broke the hug and sighed.

Tristan: “Thank you for telling me. I will see to it that neither happens.”

He said firmly. Jordi reddened.

Jordi: “The other thing is… Uhm, Gina surprised me at work with some belly dancing, complete with a costume! She thought it was my birthday!”

He laughed bitterly. Tristan quirked an eyebrow.

Tristan: “Your birthday is on May 14th.”

He stated. Jordi laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “Yeah, you know when it is. She doesn’t. She assumed I was a Virgo because I am so organized and on top of everything. That has nothing to do with my star sign; that’s just me putting everyone’s needs ahead of my own as I always did!”

He said acidly. Tristan frowned.

Tristan: “Jordi, she wants a relationship with you, but she’s not getting to know the real you… And it seems she keeps letting you down repeatedly. Do you want to be in a relationship with her, or are you only agreeing to avoid loneliness?”

He asked firmly but gently. Jordi paused.

Jordi: “I thought I wanted one with her, until she hurt me repeatedly. Now I am not even sure.”

He said, his voice trailing off as he gazed at the dusky sky.

Tristan: “You have to bear in mind that Gina is very sheltered and naive. She has a limited view of how the world works and how people work. She is not going to approach issues or solve problems as you or I would.”

He stated. Yeah, that’s the problem, Jordi thought.

Jordi: “What should I do?”

Tristan: “That’s not for me to decide. What does your heart tell you? I believe she hurt you a lot and doesn’t respect your boundaries, but if you feel this relationship is worth pursuing, then do so.”

He said coolly. Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “What do you see in Deimos anyway?”

He blurted the question. Tristan paused at his question.

Tristan: “Excuse me?”

Jordi: “He left you at the park during an altercation and was cruel to Jaxon at the Torturgazm concert. He also hurt you with his words, so why do you give him chances?”

He asked him.

Jordi: “I know you barely tolerate Fabien, and I feel… Deimos is a more aggressive version of him.”

He added. Tristan pushed his glasses up and gazed at him over his glasses.

Tristan: “...Why are you asking me this, Jordi? What difference does this make?”

He asked him.

Jordi: “I genuinely want to know because you don’t tolerate much.”

Tristan: “And I don’t tolerate Deimos’ abuse either!”

He said as his voice rose.

Jordi: “But why do you stay? He left you at the park… because of something Ivy said that you almost did before you two got together.”

He stated. Tristan stared at him and narrowed his eyes.

Tristan: “Are you asking me this because you want to be with me?”

He asked coldly. Jordi looked away and turned to him.

Jordi: “I… genuinely want to know, Tristan.”

Tristan: “No, I see through your ruse. I know you want me, so you try to throw me off by saying you’re a better fit than Deimos. I said I would help you with your Minerva problem, and I will, but I don’t deserve this from you, Jordi!”

He snapped. Jordi drew back.

Jordi: “Whether I want you or not is out of the question. I wasn’t asking you because of that. It was a genuine question…”

He sighed.

Jordi: “And you didn’t answer me.”

He added for good measure.

Jordi: “And I never said anything about being a ‘better fit’, Tristan.”

He said grimly.

Jordi: “Why are you manipulating this?”

Tristan: “I AM NOT MANIPULATING ANYTHING!”

He screamed at him. Jordi drew back. He then furrowed his eyebrows.

Jordi: “YES, YOU ARE! I never said I was a better fit! I asked a genuine question, and you exploded, so there is truth to what I asked you! You don’t have an answer!”

He hissed. Tristan bared his teeth at him, his eyes blazing with hot fury.

Victor came out and pushed his forefingers together.

Victor: “T-Tristan, when you… get like this, you start to remind me of your mother.”

He shuddered. Tristan’s eyes grew large, and his jaw dropped.

Tristan: “GO TO HELL, PAPA!”

He thundered and stormed past him, entering his house and slamming the door behind him. Victor sank to the floor and curled up, sobbing. Oliver came up to him and curled up beside him. Jordi sat down and buried his hands in his face.

Deimos was in the porch, listening on. He wore a Grim Reaper tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. He sighed and left.

~

Celeste was in Fabien’s house. She wore a black off-shoulder shirt and a jean skirt. She raised her hands in the air.

Celeste: “CHICKEN WINGS!”

She cheered as Fabien used a butcher knife to open the package of chicken wings. Fabien wore a white Bart Simpson shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. He got his measuring spoons out of the drawer. He measured each of the spices to be added to a bowl: ancho chili pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, kosher salt, light brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, dried mustard powder, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried ground thyme. He mixed it and dumped it into the bowl of chicken wings, mixing it with his hands.

Deimos entered the place and sat at the kitchen table by Celeste.

Deimos: “I don’t deserve good things.”

Fabien: “Okay, Blair.”

He quipped. Deimos glared at him.

Deimos: “Jordi was at Tristan’s place and asked Tristan why I stayed with him despite my leaving him at the park and being mean to Jaxon at the Tortugazm concert. He didn’t answer him. How could he when he’s right?”

He said glumly.

Fabien set the wings aside to marinade. He then washed his hands and sat with Deimos and Celeste.

Fabien: “Jordi was asking so he could likely boast that he is a better fit for Tristan than you are!”

He rolled his eyes.

Deimos: “Except he never said that, and Tristan never answered him.”

Fabien gaped at him.

Fabien: “If you ever want to laugh, you have to lurk The Lonely Nice Guys forum to read Blair’s whining. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

He laughed.

Deimos: “Jordi said I was a more aggressive version of you.”

He said evenly. Fabien paused.

They all heard footsteps and turned to see Jaxon in the doorway. He wore a leopard print button-up shirt, tight leather pants, and Chelsea boots.

Jaxon: “Yeah, Deimos, Tristan never answered him because what could he say? You ARE a dick!”

He spat. Deimos’ eyelids dipped.

Jaxon: “You left your man at the park, and you were an asshole at the concert! You do this shit just to be right, and I am GLAD others see this in you, too!”

He rasped. Deimos sat there with a vacant expression. Fabien cleared his throat. Celeste stared down at her lap.

Jaxon: “I was going to have wings with you guys, but if this colossal asshole is joining you, I’m out.”

He huffed. Fabien knit his eyebrows.

Deimos: “I’ll leave.”

He rose.

Deimos: “You enjoy yourself, Jaxon. I will retire to loser land.”

He sighed.

Fabien: “Hahahaha, that sounds like a Blair line.”

Deimos: “Laugh away, Fabien. My life is one big punchline.”

He sighed.

Jaxon: “Yeah, you say shit that deserves a punch!”

He snapped.

Jaxon: “And if Tristan leaves you, GOOD! He deserves better than a whiny manbaby who always feels the need to be right! You just want someone who will worship you like Ashley does your brother! You both are alike and are insufferable!”

He flared. Deimos’ eyelids dipped, recalling that he had told this to Tristan in the heat of the moment. He said nothing more and left.

Fabien watched him go.

Fabien: “Well, I suggested he lurk The Lonely Nice Guys forum because Blair’s whining is a godsend.”

He laughed.

Jaxon: “Maybe he and Blair can whine together, or he can look at his shit on how not to act so he doesn’t fuck up his future friendships and relationships.”

He huffed and sat down. Celeste knit her eyebrows and sighed.

~

Tristan sat up in his bedroom, on his sofa, gazing out the window, lost in thought. He held Francis close to him. Why did I explode at him? Why didn’t I answer him? He wondered. Tears welled in his eyes. He removed his glasses and held Francis close to him as he soaked his fur with his tears.