Chapter 42 - Request from the trapeze artist

Benjin didn't consider himself someone who was anxious.

At least not until recent events.

When he woke up in the morning and found the bed empty, he felt cold and empty as well. In contrast the stuffed memories of the previous night warmed his entire body to the point of making his heart race.

He could hardly believe they had done that.

Benjin covered his face and laughed ashamed, but full of happiness. He could still feel Leonardo's smell stuck in his body. Hear his moans, feel his kiss and his touch.

He had finally reached his Leonardo.

During the morning rehearsals, Benjin had shown himself to be willing and flexible. His fellow trapeze artists and trainer were surprised and pleased that the circus' main attraction was sticking to his rehearsal schedule and still doing so well. Since usually Benjin loves to skip his schedule to "rest" while he goes after the foremen.

But not that day.

For he was going to have lunch with Leonardo.

All he had to do was survive the meeting of the entire artistic team, and then he could start his countdown.

― This year's puppet show will end in a fortnight. With that Dreamland Circus will enter the dollhouse show with the second cast to match the opening of our food court.

Vicente was all smiles as he led the meeting. Sitting on the circus stage, the fair-haired boy crossed his arms looking at each team member that made up the cast of the puppet show.

― You have done very well this year, I am very proud of that, and I know our Master Evilian would be too. You have continued to give strength to the circus even though we have been through this moment.

― But of course! What would we do if the new owner saw us in a pit? ― shouted one performer, supported by her colleagues.

― It would be a shame if the new owner thought that Master Evilian had left the circus in the trash... Or worse, we would be fired!

― By the way, Vicente... Who is the new owner?

― Yeah, tell us!

Vincent let out another laugh and looked quickly at Benjin. The trapeze artist could hardly contain the smile on his face, so euphoric was he to have the mere idea of Leonardo being mentioned in that important meeting. He would probably be the first to talk about the boy, and that would last for hours on end.

― Hm... I already talked to our sponsors and the heads of Dreamland's departments. So I think it is about time you heard the good news ― Stopping for a moment, Vincent laughed amused at the attention and anxiety in each pair of eyes that stared at him ― The new owner of Dreamland is Master Evilian's son.

Murmurs filled the stands of the circus. Even Benjin was settling into his armchair, if not jumping up and down euphorically at the news.

― He had a son? I thought that the tragedy everyone's talking about ended his family.

― Hey, shut up! You know it's better not to talk about it.

― But what's the problem? ― Questioning a rookie boy.

― You're never supposed to talk about it here.

― It's alright ― Intervened Vicente, calming the nerves of the artists ― A boy survived, he is the youngest son.

― Can this boy inherit the whole park now? He must be very young.

― The young master is already in college and I myself am helping him in his work here at Dreamland ― agreed Vincent ― That is why we will not introduce him to the staff yet, the young master wants to get used to working here.

― Poor fellow, and now with the police around us... He must be having a hard time.

Benjin nodded. His young master was dealing with a huge problem right away. He even needed to find a way not to overwhelm him. Leonardo had college, his internship, his band and now Dreamland.

He had to avoid the police and the case they were investigating from reaching Leonardo.

― Okay, okay, but what does he look like? What's his name? Is he single?

― He is engaged! ― Answered Benjin right away, opening a shameless smile on his face ― That's all you need to know about him for now.

― Have you met him?

Benjin merely flashed a smile and a 'v' with his fingers, leaving his co-workers stunned and annoyed. When would they have met? Their curiosity about the young master was only growing.

― Easy, easy. The young master has only met our main attractions.

― That's unfair!

― He needed to know what the late Master Evilian was doing before he fell ill. And you know that the main attraction is not a job only for those who are successful with the customers, but need to do reports and...

― Argh, what a boring thing!

The meeting continued with Vicente announcing the circus's next schedule. With the end of the season, the performers would have a week off before returning to rehearsals for the next show. There would be so many more meetings to hire new performers and deal with the layoffs....

All the talk had taken over the lunch hour, with Vicente making an exception for them to return to rehearsal later.

While everyone got up to go to lunch, Benjin jumped out of his chair to go to the plaza to look for the snack bar. He needed two hamburgers to be prepared as soon as possible.

While waiting for the snacks to be ready, the presence of the clown next to him was immediately felt. Even so the trapeze artist hadn't taken the smile off his face.

― Ah... Look at him all happy.

Benjin just shook his shoulders nonchalantly, without taking his eyes off the hot plate where the hamburgers were being fried.

― Did something happen last night? ― Questioned Vincent arching an eyebrow ― I heard strange sounds coming from the young master's room.

Hesitating, Benjin blushed slightly and scratched the back of his neck. Then he opened a nervous smile as he turned towards the clown.

― Did you hear? I haven't gone with everything yet, but talking like that...

― I hope the young master agreed to this, and that you didn't force him.

― But of course he agreed! ― Hastening to say the boy ― Leo even kissed me of his own free will. And he hugged me too...

― Ok, ok, I understand. I was just asking because I heard you on the phone earlier and had said something about him avoiding you.

Grimacing, Benjin denied it with his head.

― He's not avoiding me. He just has a lot of things to do. But Leo said he will come to lunch with me.

― After he's beaten by fatigue, of course ― Looking at the trapeze artist with amber eyes, Vincent approached his ear ― What did you say to him last anyway?

Benjin frowned, opening a yellow smile.

― What do you mean?

― You asked if he had anyone with him... And then you said something else. What was it?

― Hm... That he was supposed to come to me? To have lunch... I guess.

Vincent sighed, crossing his arms over his chest again.

― Ben, avoid exposing yourself as much as possible. Even if it is for the young master.

The snacks started to be assembled, and Benjin was already jumping up and down. This meant that in a few minutes he would see Leonardo again.

What would his reaction be when they met, after they had done that last night? It would be his biggest proof that the university student wasn't avoiding him.

However, his pink and cotton candy world was being tainted by Vincent's warning. The clear eyes were sharp in the administrator's direction, making his displeasure clear.

― Vinnie, I didn't say anything to Leo other than for him to come to lunch with me. Did you understand?

Vincent sighed and nodded his head in agreement.

― If that's the way you want to think. Anyway, take a break.

― You're giving me a break? ― questioned the surprised boy.

― We have a new attraction to train. And I know you too well to know that you are a jealous puppet with your master ― Vicente took two twenty bills from his pocket and handed them to the man who had finished making the sandwiches ― It's on me. Consider it a token of gratitude for bringing our young master back home.

Stunned by the administrator's sudden action, Benjin followed him with his eyes until he disappeared from his sight. Holding the bag with the snacks, he turned his back to follow Vicente to the circus.

― Vinnie, tell me something. This new attraction... Is it one of ours, or is it like Aslan?

― You know very well it's one of ours. That's why the young master is with her.

Benjin twisted his lips in disgust. It would mean that she would be someone who would stick to Leonardo until she got used to the rhythm of Dreamland. They had all gone through that phase, which Benjin affectionately nicknamed, the newborn stage.

There wasn't much he could do.

― That means we don't have to do that for a while, right?

Vincent turned his golden eyes to the trapeze artist and then shook his head.

― Why? Are you tired?

― It is not that ― hurriedly said Benjin, walking backwards and a few steps ahead of his clown friend ― I'm just worried about that detective.

― Ah...

― That guy is too close to Leo. They talk too relaxed, and I don't like that.

― Aslan also chats comfortably with the young master.

― But we know very well who Aslan's heart is with. And he is one of ours ― Stopping his pacing, Benjin faced the clown seriously ― I don't want that man anywhere near Leo.

Vincent, who had also stopped walking, held his breath for a moment before he cracked a frozen, cavalier smile. With a formal motion of his head, he had agreed to the request.

― As you wish, Ben.

As each person passed by laughing and enjoying themselves, Benjin raised his shoulders proudly. Standing in front of the red and white tent, with the sign and posters of the shows, the trapeze artist had a devilish smile on his face.

― The time has come to fulfil our bargain, Master Evilian.