Anthony and Timothy

3.

The hotel was incredibly luxurious. This was not a place to stay in as a simple tourist. Visitors didn’t park their own car, and those cars were expensive, Tim saw when he stood at the corner, watching for a while. The porter was wearing a long black coat and top hat, and white gloves.

Tim made sure he looked immaculate, before he approached the steps to the entrance. He nodded at the porter, who --to his relief-- opened the double doors for him. Inside, he tried to look at ease. He failed. His jaw dropped when he stared at the ornate ceiling, the enormous bouquets of flowers in the huge vases, the marble and the gold, the plush dark red runner leading towards the reception. Slowly, he stepped forward, unaware of the watchful eyes on him.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“Uh…” Tim blinked, quickly gaining his bearings. He looked at the clerk behind the reception, who looked back with an amused smile. At least he didn’t condemn him. “I wonder if Anthony Burkaw is in,” he said. The answer surprised him, and that annoyed him. He had expected a wondering ‘who?’ instead of a firm ‘yes’. Ant truly worked here? But surely he wasn’t the assistant manager… Tim still expected a lie somewhere.

“Tim!” Ant walked into the lobby, grinning happily. His outfit was even more classy than it had been in the shop, with a crisp white shirt and silk tie. In his ear, he was wearing a bluetooth phone receiver. It made him look even more like an assassin. “You wanted to see for yourself, hm?”

“I’ve never been in a place like this,” Tim confessed, which was only half of the true reason of his visit.

“I will give you a tour. This is Timothy Johansen,” he said to the clerk, who simply nodded and went back to work. “Come… Let me show you how the rich and famous spend their vacation.”

The elevator was as big as a bedroom. Tim had to close his mouth, when he saw himself in the full-length mirror at the back. “Gods… How did you ever find a job in a place like this?” he murmured.

Ant shrugged. “I worked my way up,” he said. “And as I told you, they needed an assistant manager and I jumped right in because I had the opportunity and the need. You didn’t believe it, did you? Is that why you’re here?”

“Partly, yes,” Tim admitted. “I did want to see you again, that’s the main reason of my visit. I could have phoned you first.”

“Mh, yes. But then I could have lied to you, right? I’m glad you decided to show up without contacting me first. Now you can be certain I am not a fraud.” The doors of the elevator opened, and Ant led the way. “The penthouse…” He swiped a keycard, and opened the door. “Step inside, Timmy.”

“Are we allowed to?” Tim asked, eyes wide in disbelief.

“Of course,” Ant chuckled. “It’s my job to inspect the rooms, isn’t it? Come on, don’t be shy; I really am working here, you know. Here, let me show you my ID.”

Tim blinked when Ant took a card from his inner pocket. He tried to control his trembling fingers when he took it. He saw Ant’s photo, his name and a number, and the title. It truly said ‘1st assistant manager’. First. Not second, not busboy, but actually what Ant had been telling him. “I’m sorry that I was doubting you,” he said quietly, handing the ID back.

“That’s not such a shocker,” Ant said with a smile. “At least you were doubting, and not anymore. Now come inside. I’m very proud of our hotel, I would love to give you a tour.”

Tim gave in. He stepped inside the amazing penthouse, and was almost floored by its grandeur. It was hard to believe there were really hotels like this, in real life, not just in movies. While he looked around to take it all in, Ant walked around with different eyes and purpose. He had pulled on white gloves, and inspected all ridges for dust. When he found a speck of dust under the kingsize bed, he grunted in disapproval and phoned the reception to express his judgement. Before long, two maids with hovers and dusters appeared, who began to clean the penthouse from top to bottom, under the watchful eye of Ant, who didn’t move the whole time. Finally, Ant gave them his consent to leave.

“All in a day’s job,” Ant shrugged to Tim, eyes a bit shy.

Tim blinked. He had loved the man’s posture towards the maids. So strong, so stern. He shivered slightly, and nodded towards the door. “Shall we move along?”

“Let’s,” Ant agreed. As Tim waited for him to lead the way, he ran his hand lightly along his back. It was the first time they had any contact, other than the handshake when they first met. Tim didn’t think anything of it, and Ant didn’t do more. They continued the tour until Tim announced he truly had to go back to work. Back at the reception, Ant fidgeted a bit. He looked at his feet for a moment, before he finally looked into Tim’s eyes. “Dinner…?” he murmured.

At first, Tim thought he didn’t hear it correctly. Ant was asking him out for dinner? “I’d love to,” he nodded when he made sure he heard it right. “Friday? Are you weekends off?”

“Not always, but often, yes. My treat, okay?”

Tim would gladly be treated. “Text me the details,” he smiled. “Or pick me up at the shop, if you prefer. See you next Friday, then.”

Outside, he answered the smile and friendly nod of the doorman, and headed off back to work. He was late, he noticed. Lucky his two bosses, the tailors, granted him some slack. They were a couple for decades and understood a young man needed some private time every now and then, even on a work day. Idly, he wondered how they would react if Ant decided to pick him up.