(by Edward Zeusgany and Alex Anders, © copyright 2001, all rights reserved)

Of all of Ricky’s cousins he liked Manny the best, because the older boy had always been willing to pay attention to him and look out for him. So he was glad when fortune smiled on Manny, some four years ago. He was not jealous, as were many other members of the huge, nay, gigantic family. Well, they were all poor. So it was hard not to be envious of a youth who suddenly had clothes and shoes that were superior to what anyone else had, better even than the men who worked hard every day from seven to three.

But Manny always had a kind word for Ricky, whenever they were together at a family gathering or just by happenstance. Sometimes the older youth would give his younger cousin a little money or a treat of some kind. Perhaps Manny saw the hero worship in youthful eyes and responded to that. Then too, Ricky didn’t alternately shun him and then demand something from him. So they were friends as well as relations.

Ricky’s cousin had obtained employment with a rich Japanese businessman when he was fourteen, just Ricky’s age now. At first he only worked part time at the man’s mansion in the suburbs, but later he was on the payroll at one of the fellow’s retail stores. Now he was an assistant manager of a very busy clothing store in downtown Manila.

So Ricky was all ears for the proposition that Manny brought to him one day. His wealthy employer was giving a party for some important people and wanted some good looking youths there to decorate his swimming pool. All they had to do was enjoy the pool. There would be refreshments for them and twenty dollars each at the end of the afternoon.

“But Manny, you know I don’t have a bathing suit,” Ricky pointed out. “At the beach, I go in the water in whatever I’m wearing.”

“No problem, Ricky. They have plenty of extra suits in the pool house where we change. There’ll be one to fit you for sure.”

“And if you are really lucky, the boss will ask you to stay when its time for the others to go. Then you will get a really big gift and maybe even a job like I did.”

Ricky wasn’t entirely sure that he knew what his cousin meant by these last remarks. He asked Manny if that was really the way he had obtained his first position. He had, and Ricky had understood. There was nothing to learn that he didn’t know about anyway, but he wanted to be sure. It wouldn’t do to make a fool of himself.

*****

Everything at the party was the way his cousin had described it. There were nearly a dozen boys at the pool, Manny and Ricky included. They swam and sunned themselves through the long afternoon. Ricky was already a deep golden brown from the beach plus the head start he was born with. He was one of the youngest there and perhaps the cutest. That depended on taste, of course.

He was boyish, as Manny had been once. His cousin’s youthful charms had quickly given way to the unmistakable manly impression he gave now, however much he tried to act younger. If it was a virile, young man one desired, Manny would do very nicely. Like Ricky he was of short stature and had skin of a similarly delicious color, but his was stretched over the well defined musculature of an adult male.

His employer, however, preferred a lad just coming to adulthood, one who had left babyhood behind, was sexually potent, but not yet a man. That was why Manny had so quickly moved to the status of an ordinary employee. Others had taken his place. But some advantage might be gained if he could be the one responsible for introducing his master to his next erotic interest. And the benefits to his young cousin could be considerable as well, just as he had suggested.

Of the gentlemen who were present, Ricky did not know which one was the owner of the splendid estate. For one thing, that fellow did not sit or stroll around the pool as others did. He limited himself to observing the boys and his guests from a second floor balcony that was cantilevered above the rear entrance to the mansion. But even from that distance he had seen Ricky and had made his selection. The ease with which the lad had abandoned himself to the pleasures of the water and his surroundings, suggested a delightful naiveté, as though he had no thought of trying to make an impression. The boy was just being himself, and that was enticing.

The sun was low in the sky when Manny rejoined his cousin. The teenager was sitting in a white, metal mesh, arm chair, his legs extended and his head thrown back, eyes closed, absorbing the last warm rays. He took the empty chair beside the youngster. Ricky heard the movement and looked over.

“It’s as I hoped.”

“What?” the younger boy asked.

“The chief want you to stay after the guests and the rest of us leave.”

“How do you know?”

“He told me. I was just talking to him.”

“But you’re staying.”

“No, everyone has to go. Now, don’t worry. You’ll be given a ride home when your done here.”

Ricky did worry though. Not so much about that, but about what would be expected of him. True he had fooled around with boys his own age and some older youths and younger men he met at the beach now and then. But that didn’t have anyone’s future connected to it, in this case both his and Manny’s. He knew, if he disappointed, that it could affect his cousin. He had been the one to bring him here. Perhaps Manny had persuaded the rich man to the choice that had been made.

And he would have felt better if Manny was going to be on the premises at least. If things didn’t go well, maybe he could get to him and ask what to do. Perhaps the man would want something that he found disagreeable. He would be more comfortable if his cousin was there, just in case. But all he could do was give a nervous smile, accept Manny’s reassurances and a parting pat on the shoulder.

*****

Nothing happened for a while. The other guests were departing slowly, one by one or in little groups. The other boys were noisily changing and chattering among themselves. Ricky tried to relax in his chair, warmed by the dwindling sunshine. It became quieter in the pool house, signaling the departure of the youths by the exit on the other side of the low building that led to the parking area.

Servants became more evident in the pool area, cleaning up the paper napkins, empty soft drink cans and plastic glasses. They put the chairs and umbrella covered tables back into a neat and decorative arrangement, setting everything to rights. A man in black pants and a white jacket came out to inspect the work. He gave instructions for a few adjustments that were quickly made. It was this fellow who then approached Ricky.

“The master sends you greetings and will be with you shortly. Would you like me to bring you a drink, sir.”

Ricky was embarrassed to be called sir by someone older than himself. He felt uneasy being called sir by anyone, and much too unsettled to take anything alcoholic. “No, thank you,” he said.

“Will you be needing the bathing suit any longer?” the man inquired.

It took the boy a moment to appreciate the meaning of this. The man held out his hand, palm up, fingers slightly curled, as though to receive something. Ricky figured out that he was being asked to remove the bathing suit and give it over. He flushed.

“The guests have all gone, sir. I assure you that the staff is used to seeing a naked youth about the place. No one will take any notice.”

Ricky stood and bent to remove the still damp, black nylon suit that rode low on his hips. He handed it to the man, who, in spite of what he had said, failed at his effort to hide the glance he took of the lad’s genitals. They were modest in size, especially his penis, when soft as it was now, thick but short, and circumcised.

Meeting someone for the first time while completely naked, made him feel somewhat uncomfortable. It was a bit exciting too, as so many things are if you pay close attention. They inspire conflicting sensations of attraction and avoidance. These dual perceptions were further enhanced when the rich man arrived, fully dressed in a white silk suit.

He made no effort to dissemble his appraising look. Other aspects of the fellow’s appearance were reassuring. The man was diminutive, not much taller than Ricky and, being thinner, probably weighted no more. The boy smiled, the man did not. That was disconcerting, at first. But the man bowed before holding out a hand for shaking. Ricky almost forgot to bow lower as Manny had taught him.

The fellow’s words, both courteous and kindly, helped the lad to relax. His host’s facial expression, seldom changing as Ricky soon found to be the case, was no indication of his temperament. Placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder the man led him into the house, and up the stairs to an enormous bed room, where he proceeded to become acquainted with Ricky’s body.

Only then did the fellow undress. There was much to learn, for the man was a perfectionist in the erogenous arts. He wished to achieve and maintain an intense state of arousal, to approach orgasm and remain there for as long as possible, on the edge. When the inevitable slide from that summit of pleasure occurred, he sought to regain it after a short rest, and to keep himself at the peak for an even longer period, if possible.

In order for Ricky to understand, the fellow demonstrated the techniques on the boy so he could feel the effects for himself. Then the lad had to practice stimulating the man’s body, to understand when to be firm, when to ease, to observe and understand the clues of the flesh, to listen to the sounds the fellow made, to play his part in the glorious pursuit of physical and spiritual pleasure.

There were devices and techniques to be mastered. Rituals to be learned, and others to be created. Ricky became an adept.

*****

That was the reason he remained at the man’s house for such an extended time. That, and the fact that he stayed small and retained his boyish looks much longer than was customary. His patron paid for the permanent depilatory treatment. During the waning of their carnal relationship, the man kept the lights off and they made considerable use of the steam room.

Even then he didn’t want to give the youth up. Ricky had a good mind, was clever and creative. That had to be put to good use. So he became an advisor and confidant, the person the rich man used to help refine his own ideas. He was also employed to assist in the training of new boys. So he never entered upon a normal position within the commercial empire, but had a far more exalted status, as everyone knew. Ricky remained in the household in the unusual and somewhat ambiguous capacity of almost friend, almost family, almost guest.

Sometimes they didn’t know how to treat each other. If his patron ever laughed, he would have on these occasions.

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