Finding Heaven:

By Darkladyknight

Prologue

A/N: This is a Yaoi story, please note that means m/m. While there is no lemon in this chapter there will be in later chapters. Thanks. (Revised upload 11-162004)

XXXXX

Armand Riesel of Riesel Hotel watched the blond in high heels walk down the steps of his mansion. He wasn’t really angry, not anymore. Stopping at the bottom the blond put one manicured red painted fingernail to the bottom of red painted lips, before pale blue eyes came to him where he had stopped a few steps up.

“You’re still upset?” One perfectly shaped eyebrow raised with the question.

“No Val I’m not,” Armand said coming down the rest of the way, he met the pale blue eyes. “Disappointed mostly.”

“Well I’m sorry,” Val said still tapping a fingernail against the bottom lip. “But you were too unreasonable Armand, you wanted something I couldn’t give.”

“I don’t find it all that unreasonable to expect my lover to be faithful.” Armand said crossing his arms over his chest.

“You haven’t touched me in months, I got lonely.” Val said turning to walk towards the living room.

“That’s because you’ve been in every man’s bed in this town,” Armand hissed praying his temper would hold. He saw Val stop and turn back to him.

“I like to be touched Armand you knew that when we started.” Came the reply.

“Hum,” He muttered.

“Besides you want someone to own, someone you can control.” Val said shrugging a shoulder. “You want someone to be completely dependent on you, and I can’t be that anymore.”

“You told me that you wanted someone to take care of you, give you nice gifts, pretty clothes, jewelry.” Armand said, seeing a smile come to those perfect lips.

“I did, but I didn’t know in return I’d have to give up my freedom.” Val said walking back over to him.

“You didn’t have to give up your freedom, Val. All I asked is that you were faithful to me.” Armand said.

“I’m sorry, but I have to pack,” Val said picking up a portfolio from the table before turning to head back towards the steps.

“What the hell do you mean pack?” Armand hissed seeing the blond stop.

“You know love, pack my clothes and things.” Val said smiling.

“I don’t think so, you’re leaving this relationship the same way you came into it.” Armand hissed his temper stretched almost to the breaking point.

“What?! You can’t be serious.” Val cried, a pout coming to those perfectly painted lips.

“Oh I am,” Armand said running a hand through his hair, trying not to meet the tears in the pale blue eyes. Seeing one slid down the pale cheek he felt his resolve crack a little. “All right, you can take what you can carry, and I will give you a five thousand dollar check to help you out. Everything else will be burned.”

“I suppose that’s fair,” Val said knowing that was about the best one could expect.

“Yes,” Armand said watching Val head back up the stairs. Turning he walked into his office to write the check and to make sure all credit cards and bank accounts he had placed in Val’s name were canceled. Sitting down he leaned back in his chair. Shit he was unlucky in love.

“Armand?” Came Val’s silky voice from the doorway. Looking up Armand looked over the person in his doorway, the tall lean body, long blond hair. The dress was an original, tightly fitting. Make-up was done perfect, nails done twice a week. Hell here was a walking fortune alone. “Want to do it one last time?”

“I’ll pass,” Armand said, sliding the check across the desk. When he looked up he could see the pout that came to those lips again. Perfect lips, lips any man would die to have.

“Oh, come on love,” Val said.

“God only knows what you’ve caught Val,” Armand said shaking his head as he ran his hand through his short black hair.

“You know I’ve always practice safe sex,” Val said reaching down to pick up the check.

“Sure that’s why your two last check ups came back with Gonorrhea, and herpes?” Armand asked shaking his head.

“You are to up tight about this whole medical thing,” Val said. “Besides it was just a few indiscretions.”

“Do you call me coming home to find you in my bed, not with one man but two a few indiscretions?” Armand asked, seeing that Val had no forthcoming answer. “You’re lucky I don’t strip you down, put you in what you were wearing when I met you and dump you back at that club.”

He waited to see if Val had anything to say to that, but those pale eyes continued to watch him. He hated having those eyes look at him like that, it made him remember how much he liked having that body wrapped around him. Shaking his head he leaned forward to place his elbows on the desk.

“Look at you Val. You’re a primadonna and you weren’t like that when we met.” Armand said his eyes scanning the dress-clad body again. “Just get your stuff and leave.”

Armand turned his chair towards the window unable to look at his lost lover any longer. His eyes scanned the manicured lawn outside of his house that was until he saw a car pull up into his driveway. A Mercedes. He watched as a man got out and took the bags that Val were holding to put into the trunk. He then watched as they got back into the car and drove away.

Turning back to his desk he picked up his phone to call his housekeeper. As he hung up the phone he leaned back again and closed his eyes. Maybe he was asking too much, maybe he wanted someone who couldn’t get away from him, someone completely dependent on him. No, he wanted someone who was faithful, and that was it.

“Yes Armand?” The woman said, coming into his office.

“Margaret, would you please air out the guest room, and have Val’s room cleared out.” Armand said seeing her nod. “Oh and I want whatever Val left to be burned.”

“Yes sir,” Margaret said softly. “About your rooms?”

“Oh sorry,” Armand said, having forgot to tell her. “I want the bed in my suite burned, and a new one put in.”

“Yes sir.” She said leaving the office. Staring at the door for a few minutes he sighed. He had come home to make one last effort to stay his wayward lover. Only to find the scene of the three of them in his bed together. Gritting his teeth he turned to his computer. He had cleared his schedule to be with Val today.

XXXXX

“Good Evening Mr. Riesel,” The chauffeur said, holding the door open for him.

“Good evening, Gates.” Armand said getting into the car. He smiled at the man across from him. “Evening Adam.”

“Evening,” Adam replied, as the car started to move. He waited until Armand was settled before breaking the news that he had. “Several of the investors have pulled out of the Grand Hotel project, said something about the area not being profitable.”

“Yes well, they’re a bunch of imbeciles,” Armand said shaking his head. Just what he needed, first his lover leaves him now his hotel project was in jeopardy.

“Armand please,” Adam said sighing. “Just send them the data quotes and they’ll see.”

“So let them read the projections, when they should believe me about the growth the area will have over the next two years?” Armand asked looking at the man.

“Since you’ve bought the land so cheep they’re concerned.” Adam said, seeing his boss turn to look out the window. He could see by the look that last night didn’t go well for the man.

“Did you remember to cancel Val’s credit cards and accounts?” Armand asked, looking back at Adam.

“Yes I did, yesterday.” Adam replied, as they pulled to a stop in front of one of his hotels.

“So what’s wrong with this one?” Armand asked getting out of the car, looking up he couldn’t say that he had ever been here before.

“Last one on your fathers list, I thought you might like to go over it.” Adam replied, handing a file to him.

“Kind of small,” Armand said taking the file as he headed into the place. Upon entering he stopped his eyes scanning the small lobby. It was dimly lit, and the décor was about twenty years out of date. He turned when he saw an older woman coming towards them.

“My, you are the image of your father.” She said, stopping in front of them.

“Yeah,” Armand said, his gaze scanning the hotel again. “So how many rooms are useable?”

“All of them,” She replied, sounding a bit surprised.

“Three hundred right?” Armand said checking the figures. Seeing that it was the right number he scanned the income for the year. “Income is kind of low.”

“Yes well, considering the location, and the décor it’s not surprising.” She said seeing him look at her.

“I’d like to see a few of the rooms, and the pool.” Armand said seeing her nod.

“This way please.” She said gritting her teeth slightly, as she led the way up an open staircase towards the second floor. Armand smiled slightly as he followed after her. At the top of the stairs she stopped in front of a door and pulled a key from her pocket. “This is our best suite.”

“I see,” Armand said walking into the room. He stopped seeing a small room with a sofa, one chair, and a TV. In the corner stood a small bar. Keeping a groan to himself he walked over to the other door in the room opening it to see a king size bed, two nightstands, a chair and an armoire. “Hum.”

“What does that mean?” The woman asked Adam quietly, as Armand opened the bathroom door.

“It means he’s not impressed.” Adam said giving the woman a weak smile.

“Oh,” She said, looking back at the tall man.

“All right, I’d like to see the pool now.” Armand said, seeing the woman open her mouth then shut it.

“Of course,” She said, leading the way out of the room. Armand followed after her, his decision already made. He planned on having the thing bulldozed. Riding the elevator down he glanced over at Adam then the woman again. They exited the elevator just outside the pool area. Walking into it Armand’s eyes scanned the area.

“Well,” He said walking the area. Nothing impressive, the pool only went to five feet, and the hot tub had an out of order sign on it. Shaking his head he was about to give his answer when something caught his eye. Walking over he looked at the plaque. ‘Dedicated to my beautiful Rebecca.’ “Adam.”

“Sir?” Adam said, knowing that Armand was going to shut the hotel down; he gave the woman a sad look.

“Have it remodeled.” Armand said, turning to walk out of the pool area. Adam stared after him stunned for a few minutes before turning to the woman who looked very surprised.

“I will have our decorator contact you,” Adam said, seeing her nod as he followed after his employer. He didn’t catch up with Armand until he got to the limo outside. Getting in he looked over at the man sitting across from him staring out the window again. “Armand?”

“It was my mother’s wedding present.” Armand said, glancing at Adam then back out the window. Adam didn’t comment, but he knew now why Armand decided to remodel instead of tearing it down. Going to his papers he looked for the best decorator for this hotel.

“How about Anni Price?” Adam asked, seeing Armand shake his head no. “Terrance Bleehouse?”

“How about Gayle Rodgers?” Armand asked.

“She’s out of town,” Adam replied.

“How long?” He asked, his eyes still outside watching the people on the darken street.

“Don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Adam replied, seeing Armand’s head snap up.

“Gates stop the car.” Armand yelled, as the car came to a screeching halt. Getting out Armand made his way back towards an alley where he saw several men beating a girl. “Hey!”

“What the hell.” One of the men said, looking at where Armand stood.

“Shit let’s get out of here.” another said as they dropped the girl and ran. Muttering, Armand walked over to see her pulling up to her knees.

“Hey, you okay?” Armand asked kneeling down.

“Fine.” The voice said looking up. Armand’s eyes widened when he realized that it wasn’t a girl but a boy.

“Here.” Armand said, handing the boy a hanky. Seeing the boy take it and press it to the cut on his mouth.

“Armand?” Adam said out of breath, as he stopped in front of the alleyway.

“I’m right here Adam.” Armand said his eyes still on the boy.

“Is everything alright?” Adam asked taking a step into the alley.

“Fine.” Armand said, reaching out to the take the boy’s shoulder, only to see him pull away slightly. “Come on I’ll give you a ride home.”

“Ha.” The boy said smiling. “Thanks, but I’m already home.”

“What?” Armand asked, as he stood and so did the boy.

“I live in this alley,” The boy said, indicating the dirty alley behind him. Armand looked down at the dirty redhead, his eyes scanning the body.

“All right then, I have a proposition for you,” Armand said grinning, he saw the boy looked startled, looking at Adam then back at him.

“What kind of proposition?” He asked, taking a step back looking ready to bolt.

“Come with me and find out,” Armand replied turning to walk out of the alley, but stopped and turned back to him. “It’s not like you have somewhere you need to be.”

“Sure.” The boy said, slowly following them out of the ally, his eyes widened at the limo parked on the street. Gates stood by the car waiting, as they approached he opened the door. Adam was the first to get in, while Armand waited for the boy.

“Back to the hotel, sir?” Gates asked seeing Armand nod. Getting in he sat across from the boy, his eyes scanning the face in the dimly lit interior. Leaning forward slightly he opened the small fridge and pulled out a bottle of water which he held out to the boy.

“Thanks.” He said, taking the water as he sat back to study the man across from him. He then shifted his attention to Adam. He could see that Adam had a look he couldn’t place. He looked up when the limo pulled to a stop in front of a huge hotel, his eyes widening.

“Come on,” Armand said, seeing the boy nod as he got out of the limo. He was quiet as he followed the man into the hotel, wondering what he had gotten himself into. He was quiet as he followed the man across the huge lobby to an elevator. He fidgeted as they rode up to the top floor. They exited the elevator and he was glad to see it was an office, relaxing slightly he followed the two men into a huge office. “Please sit.”

“Armand.” Adam said, watching as the boy sat down. But he stopped at the look that Armand was giving him, nodding slightly he stood by the door.

“What’s your name?” Armand asked him.

“It’s Destin, Destin Rarry.” He said looking up.

“All right,” Armand said sitting back in his chair as he watched him. “Are you interested in my proposal?”

“Maybe.” The boy said, seeing the man watch him for a few more minutes.

“I want you to become my lover.” Armand said, seeing shock come to the boy’s face. He heard Adam mumble something, but his eyes stayed on Destin.