W_L

Brad's plan is far more intricate than taking down Gary, it's a major reorganization, if he suceeds I like the concept of a "sharing economy", a more interactive connection between individuals and businesses without middlemen. Wonder if any large gasoline producer will take up my idea and commit themselves to declare open war on the shipping industry?

Yes

At the heart of this story is a romance from a guy who hasn't had any positive experiences with people who say they "love" him. Glad you enjoyed that

Chapter 16 is now live, Here's some author's notes: -Thanksgiving is coming up, there's lots of planning going into the meal and other things coming to head For those, who follow American Football, Thanksgiving day is well known for being a day of football games. Wonder how that will affect the plot? 😛 -The two foods I noted are both street foods of Japan and South Africa, both are deep fried items and would fit in the theme of comfort food, including Fried Cajun Turducken. amagwinya- Xhosa name for a South African fried dough cake with curry and vegetables, which Paki would be familiar with korokke- Japanese interpretation of the french Croquette, breaded and filled with mash potatoes and ground meat. -Here's some Japanese words: keiretsu - They're horizontally integrated groups of companies that are linked through joint share-ownership between one another, making them basically an oligopoly. Post WWII American Occupation period, they dominated Japanese industry and society by centralizing economic power and means. They also had extensive influence in politics and local connections. Think of them as a better organized version of OPEC, where finance and banking is also controlled by the group's holding. ninkyō dantai.- "The Chivalrous Way" is the nicer name for Yakuza, which their members and allies in society would use. Essentially, it's the other side of the coin of organized crime, which protects the local businesses and industries from the encroachment of the elites, portraying members as Knights errant fighting off corrupt officials and business leaders. Kaizen - "Improving", it's a philosophical concept that many business leaders, politicians, and reform minded people in Japan and those who study Japanese philosophy hold. Continuous development to a common goal through understanding every dimension and perspective within a system to reach a better outcome. It can be applied to various fields. -Here's a Xhosa South African proverb: Umona wasemlungwini ubandeza icitywa ungaliqabi- "They prevent us from getting red clay from the pit, and they do not use it", it's a proverb ascribed original to white Europeans, who hoarded resources in South Africa. Nowadays, it's a saying that is used to denounce those who hoard resources and opportunities from others. Yes, I am making a point about income inequality in other countries, too. -Brad's plan for dealing with Gary Gaston's influence, and the entire shipping industry in general, is actually quite interesting. If someone steals my idea and runs with it, just remember to give me 1% of the fees being charged The number of cars and the statistics of cargo capacity in the trunk is from 2019. There's excess cargo capacity in our cars, it would make sense to utilize them and cut out old fashioned shipping companies, who are now charging astronomic prices. Add a gasoline discount incentive, it seems like a great deal for consumers and producers to kill the servicers. -Yes, Beau has never had that kind of kissing before. To be honest, most gay guys skip to the sex and kissing/foreplay aren't even considered. Really intimate kissing with a partner actually providing suction and pressure with their breathing can generate lightheadedness and cause sexual arousal, even orgasm under the right conditions without ever requiring touch.

I got dressed and tried to compose myself. Tuesday has been an insane day of action, but it was the feeling of contentment with Brad that truly shocked me. I don’t want to call what we have “Love”; the word is too big and powerful to describe what I experienced. I felt something new for Brad after he came to my rescue. I wanted him to hold me in his arms. I was excited that he was not seeking sex in return for everything he’s done for me. I want to give him something back for all he has done for

Thanks for reading Gregory, I can't say if there's a sequel in the works or not. My re-interpretation of Beauty and the Beast will have played its course, so if I am doing a sequel, it would be based on another classic that I want to re-interpret with characters for the 21st century.

I am not giving away too many secrets, but there's enough story laid out if you look at the details to figure out what will happen to Gary. There's also a few literary nods and hints at something I am planning

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56804771-the-necromancer-s-dance I have a special place in my heart for S.J. Himes and this series, this book was my first published gay urban fantasy novel, when I bought it back in 2017 on kindle and later on audible. I was attracted to the premise, because it deals with magic and vampires, both fun topics in on themselves, but it also has the grand idea of worldbuilding around Boston, Massachusetts, a place I know intimately. It’s a unique gay romance

Yes, it's very true. As the author, I can confirm the shortsighted reactionary moves by Gary and the Dean to bypass the Contract, to the point of not finishing a full legal review, was due to Brad's reveal of his presence on Thursday to Gary Gaston in protection of Beau (back in chapter 1). People like Gary may be smart sociopaths, but they are still bound by human instincts. Making rushed decisions upended his plans, too. This will not stop Gary Gaston and I promised you all a re-interpretation of Beauty and the Beast, there's a major scene from the movie that I want to re-interpret for modern readers. Brad's long-term solution to end Gary Gaston's reign of terror and his family's influence will be revealed in the coming chapter as well. Side Note: We are 5 chapters away from the Finale

@chris191070 It's an important milestone for Brad and yes, it's important to the progression of the story. I can reveal this spoiler to you we're pretty close to the zenith of Gary's power

Chapter 15 is now live, here's some author's notes -Finally, a direct confrontation between Brad and Gary -Gary's recent moves weren't just random pieces of malice, they were all calculated plays after discovering Brad's presence on Campus, most likely Thursday night -Brad through Cook called in his lawyer, Peter Brownlow, to assist in the legal issues -Dean William Sikes is the husband of Melinda, older sister of Gary Gaston, and petty power broker seeking to become President of the University -First setback for Gary, $405 million in penalties, plus a possible Conservator takeover of the University by Brad due to his recklessness -Brad and Francis finally have their emotional release in this chapter, both guys placed it all out there -Warren slapped some sense into Brad, literally. Sometimes, you need that friend in the group who will slap some sense into you, the no-nonsense type of guy, who can the world clearer than you can at the moment. -Translations of Japanese and South African Xhosa swears (Don't use in polite language) Shine E = "Die"/"Go Die", Japanese Hambo kunya = "Go and Eat Shit", Xhosa -Translation of Japanese word Mikata = Ally, supporter, to denote someone who shares your values and ideals -Beau is open about having sex with Brad, but Brad is keeping to his promise to Beau. It's making quite a fun little bit of foreplay between them. (Yes, they will have sex sooner rather than later)

Chapter 15: There are no words to convey the fear and despair that I felt at these pronouncements from Gary Gaston. In less than 24-hours, I have had to mourn with a grieving friend, be a witness to a horrible sex crime, and now told I am to be rooming with a monster. Unlike Brad, who’s features may be hideous at first sight, Gary was the epitome of male beauty. However, despite his good looks, Gary is the ultimate narcissist. His only goal in life appears to be self-gratification a

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39926005-heartsong I love asexual gay male characters, it’s rare in fiction to find them. Writing a character that is attracted to someone of his own gender, but sexually not interested in general, it is a challenge for a writer. I think asexual characters in general are complex and requires an adept hand. T.J. Klune made a good effort with 3 books developing Kelly Bennett’s relationship with Robbie Fontaine. I also love the idea of an amnesiac/Manchurian

I think of Gary more like a Hydra than a fish (Greek Monster) And the proverb for a Hydra, "Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.” Hercules might be able to cut off one head, but the hydra is too adept to kill that easily and he grows stronger. In the legends, Hercules called in the assistance of Iolaus (sometimes best friend and other times boyfriend) to help by cauterizing the heads from regrowing before going after the immortal head in the legend. That's what you need to do against monsters that adaptable.

Against Gary, perhaps, but how about his co-conspirators... How do you deal with a corrupt system? What justice can be delivered against that? Everything he has done is done with the direct or indirect tacit assistance or approval of others with some position.

Maybe to show evil never truly dies, like Michael Myers in the current movie Halloween Kills, Stabbing, bullets, age, and a fire couldn't do it. However, he gets more powerful with each victim. Gary deserves a horrible fate.

It was an eventful chapter, I agree 🤯 Gary inspires a lot of fear, but no one has ever caught him doing anything wrong, since he plans all his criminal acts out in advanced or he has accomplices.

Thank you for reading, I can't say if Brad listening on everything or not, but I can easily tell you he's prominent in Chapter 15. One of the problems with a lot of modern universities with people like Gary Gaston, there's way too many cover-ups and rationalizations as long as this person brings money, name, or glory. Gary has the money and family name, plus he's a star athlete, who's ruthless efficiency can probably give them glory as well. Taking him down will not be easy...

I follow Anton Chekov's rule in storytelling, never bring something up unless you are going to use it in your story. We're in the heart of the conflict right now, Gary has the upper-hand, but there are things Gary doesn't know about and a backstory that I have yet to reveal.

Thanks for reading, I see you deeply care about Beau.

Thank you for reading Gregory, I hope the next few chapters will be to your liking. There's good and sad parts coming up, so it depends. My plan was to end this book at around chapter 20, we're at the heart of the conflict right now.

He was Wait for chapter 15

You're learning my ways padawan Brad was out doing more than checking up on Beau, there's more to it. You will need to read on to find out, though Gary is a monster, whether his victim is a male or female, neither sexuality nor gender matter to him. I wish the lax nature of the investigation and the events in the library were completely fictitious, but it wouldn't be the first time a major university has seen something like this, nor covered up the event. There's a lot of stuff in this chapter about the consequences of rationalizing bad behavior by individuals and institutions.

Chapter 14 is now live, here's some author's notes -Morris and Beau are still close friends, even if they're no longer roommates. Morris also recommends the same thing Brad did, Beau should attempt to hide from Gary Gaston. -Yes, I am a fan of Squid Game and its social commentary on the moral relativism and money -As for the library scenes, I've worked in a library before, when I attended university, so I know a few things about some oddities that are kept. VHS tapes probably still exist in a limited fashion as not all video has been converted to digital records. -Brad's presence in the library and his possession of an university Administrator's Red Access card should be remembered. Brad is keeping an eye on Beau, he probably saved Beau in this chapter from sharing the female student's fate, but he also is starting to leave his room and had a reason to head out today. -Yes, Gary Gaston is a piece of work and his ambush was meant for Beau. I don't think of Gary under Bisexual/Pansexual identities, like Beau explained Gary just wants his own personal pleasure. Gender and sexuality don't play a part in it. -South African Xhosa terms ifutha- White clay worn as a sign of mourning ukuzila- "To Mourn" -I added the Japanese superstition about wearing black explicitly in this chapter. There are certain mourning customs that must be observed by different cultures and peoples; it's quite an interesting concept.

Chapter 14: The exhaustion did not set in until an hour into my shift. Having not slept well the previous night, while I and the other residents of Keller Hall, along with Chip, were present around Min to offer support was exhausting. I don’t regret what we did for Min, but I did feel the weariness from that choice as I could barely keep my eyes open during my early morning rounds at 7AM to get the library set for opening. Thankfully Morris was there with me. His work study hours in the lib