— Wow, now I understand everything! — A voice calls out from a distance. Tadeus lowers his gaze with a trace of heat rising to his cheeks. He takes a deep breath, trying to ignore the fluttering in the pit of his stomach — Is that why you couldn't get involved with people from work? — a man asks, standing in front of them.
— Do you know him? — Alexander asks, looking at Tadeo.us
– Hi, Brando — Tadeus says weakly — How have you been?
— I've been thinking a lot about what happened between us and the way you treated me afterwards — the man says — You weren't even able to apologize to me. But I guess the explanation for your shitty attitude is right in front of me.
— What are you talking about? — Alexander asks, irritated. Tadeus turns to look at him, perplexed, and tries to maintain his composure.
— Last month we went to a karaoke bar…
— Brando — Tadeus tries to interrupt.
— And we spent the night together in a motel — the man states, looking at Alexander.
— I can't believe it — Strauss comments with a disgusted gesture and takes a few steps back, turning his back on them.
— Oh my god… — Tadeus sighs, closing his eyes for a second.
— If you're his boyfriend, I'm sorry, but that's the kind of person you're dating!
— Brando! — Tadeus exclaims through gritted teeth — I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you. Can we talk about this later?
— It's not right to play with other people's feelings — the man says and walks away.
Tadeus takes a deep breath and exhales sharply, trying to process what just happened. By the time he looks at Alexander, the latter seems to be trying to stifle a laugh. — Don't you dare — Tadeus says.
— I didn't say anything — Alexander replies, muffling his laughter — I didn't expect you to be a heartbreaker.
— I don't usually get involved with people from work.
– That's ironic — Alexander says, suppressing his laughter — Considering the circumstances in which I met you, I wouldn't expect you to have that motto.
— Well, this is something else — Tadeus says.
– I'll expect more useless advice next time we see each other — Alexander says, kissing Tadeus' cheek before leaving.
<><><>>< MARS ><<><><>
A week later, Alexander is at the pharmaceutical company reviewing the latest developments in the experimental drug R-50018 in his office when he hears a knock at the door. — Come in — he says. Claire enters the office with a manila envelope. — I need you to travel to Italy to ensure things are being handled properly in the greenhouse — Alexander orders.
— I'll travel tonight — she replies — The people I have around the city will continue to give me information about the companion.
— I forgot you're still following him. Don't do it anymore — Alexander says.
— Then I'll just leave you with the most recent ones — Claire says. She places the envelope in front of her boss and leaves the office. Alexander doesn't think much of it. He assumes they're photos of his daily life at restaurants or in the television station building. So, he decides to finish reviewing the drug documentation. When he gets home, he leaves the manila envelope within reach on a small table and gets into the jacuzzi to relax while looking at the photos.
The first photograph is of Tadeus in a park with Gustaph. The journalist looks happy, as if he's having a very pleasant time. The following photos are a sequence showing them leaving the park, getting into the senator's vehicle, and then entering what appears to be his house.
Alexander puts his hand to his face and tries to take a deep breath to avoid getting alarmed. When he gets to the next photograph, his first reaction is to throw his drink as far as possible, shattering the glass into a thousand pieces that scatter across the floor — Dove! Dove come here! — he calls to his housekeeper —Please clean that up, but be careful not to cut yourself — he orders.
— Yes, young Strauss — the woman replies and goes back to the inner courtyard of the house for a broom. Alexander's gaze returns to the photo in which Tadeus is standing in front of a large window, wearing blue sweatpants. His torso is bare, he doesn't appear to be wearing shoes, and his arms are outstretched at his sides as if he were about to close the curtains. The fact that a bed is visible in the background of the photo makes Alexander feel the boiling water of the jacuzzi, cold. — Everything's clean, sir — Dove says, receiving no response.