Home / LGBTQ+ / Gold & Sand / Chapter 3

Share

Chapter 3

Author: Adam Carlos
last update Last Updated: 2024-09-11 22:56:03

Masahiro stood frozen, staring at David. "You…," he began, but paused to collect himself. "Boss, you’re joking, right?" He stepped closer to the table, clearly shocked by what he had just heard.

David clasped his hands on the table, shaking his head slightly. "Why would I joke about something like this?"

Masahiro ran his hand over his head, visibly trying to calm his growing frustration.

"Do you two know each other or something?" David asked, looking between Masahiro and Matthew.

Masahiro placed his hands on waist and shot David a look that said it all.

“Oh..." David finally caught on to the tension. "Can I ask you both to leave for a moment?" he said, directing his words to Melissa and Matthew.

"Of course," Melissa said, gathering her belongings. "Come on, Matthew."

Without a word, Matthew stood and followed her, his eyes briefly meeting Masahiro's in a tense, sidelong stare as they passed him. It was clear there was bad blood between them.

"We'll be right outside," Melissa gestured to the door, which she and Matthew exited, leaving David and Masahiro alone.

Once the door clicked shut, David leaned back in his chair. "Alright, where do you know him from?"

Masahiro didn’t hesitate. "I’m the one who arrested him!" he snapped, pointing to the door where Matthew had just left.

David raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "So what?"

Masahiro threw his hands in the air. "So what? I can’t be responsible for him! He’s liable to kill me."

David gave a small shrug. "I wouldn’t be too worried about that," he said calmly, sifting through some papers on his desk. "According to his file, he doesn’t have a history of violence, either before or during his time in prison."

Masahiro shook his head in disbelief. "Boss, I’m serious. I’m not in a position to take him under my wing."

David leaned back in his chair, a knowing look crossing his face. "Weren’t you the one who volunteered?"

"Because I didn’t know it was him!" Masahiro's voice was edged with frustration.

David waved off the objection. "He’s just another criminal. Forget that you arrested him and do your job."

Masahiro scoffed. "Is that even possible?"

David stood and placed a firm hand on Masahiro’s shoulder. "Listen. This is more than just some personal grudge. This is your chance to close a major case and cement your reputation in this department. You want to head up the drug trafficking unit, right? This is how you get there. Don’t let your feelings about this guy stand in your way."

Masahiro exhaled slowly. "Fine," he muttered. "I’ll do it."

"Good." David returned to his seat. "Now, let’s go over the plan."

Meanwhile, outside the office, Matthew sat beside Melissa, his elbows resting on his knees, deep in thought. 'Why him?' he wondered. 'Why did it have to be him?' He grimaced, feeling the weight of his past catching up with him.

Melissa noticed his distraction. "What’s on your mind?"

Matthew blinked, coming back to reality. "Nothing important."

She gave him a knowing look, but before she could probe further, her phone rang. "Sorry!" she said, stepping away to answer the call. "Hello?" she said as she walked off, leaving Matthew alone with his thoughts again.

A few minutes later, Melissa called back to him, still on the phone. "Matthew, I have to go. We’ll catch up later, okay?"

Matthew shot up, panic creeping into his voice. "Wait, what? You’re leaving me?"

Melissa turned back briefly, her tone businesslike. "The department head said you’re in good hands." She gave him a reassuring nod before disappearing down the hall.

Matthew sank back onto the bench, groaning. "She really just left me here alone…"

As if on cue, the office door swung open, and Masahiro stepped out. "Hey!" he called, catching Matthew's attention.

Matthew dropped his hands from his face and glared at Masahiro, their mutual disdain palpable.

"Sign this," Masahiro said, thrusting the cooperation contract toward him.

Matthew took the document and glanced at it, his expression dark. Masahiro handed him a pen without a word.

Matthew quickly signed the paper and handed both the document and pen back to Masahiro, their eyes locking in an unspoken standoff.

Masahiro didn’t break the stare as he took the contract and re-entered David’s office.

Matthew slumped back against the bench, muttering under his breath. "What a mess..."

Moments later, the door opened again, and Masahiro stepped out. "Come with me," he said, his voice low and commanding as he walked past.

Matthew stood and followed him, watching Masahiro closely. He couldn’t help but notice how the agent’s well-built frame filled out his brown turtleneck and the holster strapped across his chest. They descended the stairs in silence.

Outside, Masahiro led the way to a dark blue Mercedes. Without a word, he unlocked the car and got in. Matthew stood for a moment, unsure, until Masahiro rolled down the window. "Get in," he ordered.

Matthew opened the passenger door, slid in, and fastened his seatbelt at Masahiro’s sharp command. The silence in the car was suffocating as they drove off.

"Tsk!" Masahiro clicked his tongue in frustration as he drove, and Matthew glanced out the window, his mind swirling with doubt. 'This is going to be a disaster,' he thought grimly.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 4

    Masahiro cut the ignition, and the soft hum of the engine died."Get out!" Masahiro said sharply, already releasing his seatbelt to exit the car.Matthew followed wordlessly, his gaze flicking around as they made their way to the entrance of the building in front of them, a modern one ensconced in a quieter neighbourhood.As they entered, Matthew could not help but notice the interior: an immaculate lobby, with minimalistic decoration, and inlaid marble floors gleaming softly under reflected lights.They walked to the elevator and got inside; Masahiro clicked the fifth floor.Masahiro's arms were crossed, barely looking at Mattew, so the same for this one.Finally, the doors opened on the fifth floor; Masahiro headed down the hall, toward a door with a sleek black plaque wrote: ´501´.He unlocked it and went inside without waiting for Matthew to catch up.Matthew held back at the threshold, catching his breath as he took in Masahiro's apartment.It was neat, almost obsessively so; a pl

    Last Updated : 2024-10-18
  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 5

    Masahiro´s hands gripped the steering wheel, while his eyes stayed on the road. Matthew sat beside him in the passenger seat-the air between them thick with unsaid words. The momentary silence in the car felt like the tip of a storm below the surface.Matthew saw Da Vinci's nightclub from the corner of his eye, a neon glow soft against the night.A flicker of relief washed over him. ´At least inside, I can get some distance from this cop. Just for a while, ´ he thought.Masahiro slowed the car, easing onto a secluded spot where he could keep a clear view of the entrance without drawing unnecessary attention to himself. He killed the engine; the soft hum of the car´s power died down. With a quiet sigh, he released his buckle."I’ll stay here, to do the surveillance," he said, his voice cold.Matthew did not say anything, just stepped out of the car and went towards the entrance of the club.Upon Matthew stepped inside, the pulsing beats of Da Vinci’s Nightclub enveloped him. The air wa

    Last Updated : 2024-11-22
  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 6

    As Matthew and Masahiro enganged in a very and long kiss, the two low-level thugs stumbled in; their grins of carefree abandon quickly changed to bewilderment at the sight of an intimate scene unfolding before their very eyes.One of them, his voice ringing with a touch of brash confidence, suddenly exclaimed, "Get a room, you two!"The other, more subdued in temperament, shrugged and nonchalantly went back to pressing business."Right, like this is a place for romantic encounters," he muttered, adding a hearty chuckle to his words as he stepped forward to the sinks.Matthew didn't budge, he kept kissing Masahiro, hitching him a little bit closer still.Masahiro had felt Matthew's body heat against his and was torn between fascination and horror. The kiss had stayed as they struggled for balance, while the unique scent of Matthew was an intoxicating blend of danger and allure, demanding attention. Just as he leaned deeper into the kiss, the f

    Last Updated : 2024-11-22
  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 7

    The only sound was the low hum of the car's engine, Masahiro clenching the steering wheel with unrelenting muscles as his mind whirled over all that happened tonight. He could feel tension simmered in his muscles, the adrenaline still high from the unexpected kiss from Matthew. Matthew, on the other hand, looked like he didn't give a damn about anything, sprawled casually in the passenger seat, eyes flicking lazily to the streetlights outside.Masahiro was still trying to wrap his head around everything that had happened. His mind was still running in circles between the mission and how Matthew had acted. It wasn't just a kiss, and Matthew's Masahiro needed to focus. They couldn't get distracted that time. He needed confirmation from David first before they could do anything else.He drew his cell phone out and dialed David's number, his fingers hovering for just a moment as he glanced at the road. The phone rang twice before David's voice came through, cool and to the point."Masahir

    Last Updated : 2024-11-25
  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 8

    The cold, clinical air of the police station hit Masahiro like a slap in the face as he and Matthew stepped inside. The clacking of heels on the tiled floor and the hum of distant chatter surrounded them as they made their way toward the briefing room. Masahiro, his usual sharp suit pressed to perfection, led the way with his typical no-nonsense stride. Dressed in his attire that was a bit less formal, Matthew followed behind him casually. His demeanor was cool, yet his eyes moved around, showing the beginnings of unease. The two went in at exactly 9 AM. David sat at the head of the table, exuding more authority with his sharp gaze. Officer Reed was seated beside him, flipping through some files, while David's secretary stood by the projector, ready for any assistance."Morning," David said shortly, nodding at them to take a seat.Masahiro sat down, sitting as straight as possible. Matthew collapsed into the chair next to him and looked completely too comfortable for t

    Last Updated : 2024-11-25
  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 9

    The undercover shop sat nestled on a quiet corner somewhere, with frosted glass that afforded full protection from outsider views. A simple wooden sign was attached above the door. It stated, in bold, no-nonsense letters: Incognito.The quiet smell of expensive leather and fresh cotton greeted Masahiro and Matthew as they stepped inside, intertwined with the soft hum of jazz music playing softly in the background. Refined, without being ostentatious-perfect to not stand out.A small woman, in her mid-thirties, with a sharp, fitted jacket, was standing behind the counter. Her gaze flicked from Masahiro to Matthew and back, then gave them a practiced once-over before she followed up with a smile that was both professional and warm."Good morning," she greeted them with a slight accent. The decisive air of command filtered into her voice: "You must be Payne and Smith. I have your measurements ready."Masahiro nodded and briefly glanced at Matth

    Last Updated : 2024-11-27
  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 10

    The undercover job weighed between Masahiro and Matthew like an unwelcome third passenger. After leaving the shop, their next stop was Masahiro's apartment-the shared space they'd been forced into since the mission started. Masahiro parked with practiced precision outside the building. They took the elevator to the flat."Try not to mess up the place," Masahiro grumbled as he unlocked the door and stepped inside.Matthew gave a mock gasp. "Mess up your sacred temple of tidiness? Perish the thought.""You live here too, you know," Masahiro said, his eyes scanning the mess."I live here under duress," Matthew quipped, dropping onto the sofa. "You think I enjoy sharing space with you?Masahiro didn't answer him but instead walked toward the hallway closet and pulled out a shiny black suitcase. He took it into his bedroom without saying a word and left Matthew to his own thoughts."Suitcase in the hallway closet?" Matthew called after him. "What

    Last Updated : 2024-11-27
  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 11

    Matthew stepped into the little guesthouse room, instantly filling the cramped space with his presence. He glanced around, taking in the outdated decor and the overwhelming sense of forced charm. The lace curtains, the floral wallpaper-it was like stepping into a time capsule, and not in a nostalgic way."Well," he muttered under his breath, "this is... cozy."Turning toward the bed, Matthew felt a laugh bubble up in his chest. It was a single bed. Barely large enough for one person, let alone two grown men.But what really stood out, what really caught Matthew's eye, was Masahiro, standing frozen in the doorway, eyes wide, a look of genuine horror written across his face."Are you kidding me?" Masahiro muttered, his gaze darting from the bed to the window to the walls. His hand rubbed at his forehead as if trying to make sense of the situation. "This… this can't be it."Matthew didn't say anything. He merely walked across the room, his backpack ki

    Last Updated : 2024-11-28

Latest chapter

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 275

    The apartment door clicked shut behind them.Clark dropped his coat on the entryway bench with an exaggerated sigh and muttered, “I am emotionally exhausted. And not in a sexy, Victorian-tragedy kind of way. I mean in the ‘my feet hurt and my soul’s tired’ kind of way.”Adam, already heading for the kitchen, tossed back, “Then take your heels off, sweetheart.”Clark gave him a long, dry look. “They are Italian leather Oxfords. But yes, thank you, masculine voice of reason.”Adam opened the fridge, grabbed leftover rice, and dumped it unceremoniously into a pan. A beat passed, then the stove clicked to life. Clark wandered in behind him, slower, more graceful, toeing off his shoes like someone doing a product demo.“You’re cooking,” Clark said with a soft note of surprise.“I’m heating shit up.”“For you or for both of us?”Adam didn’t look up. “Depends. You gonna whine the whole time?”Clark leaned against the counter, resting his chin in his hand. “Maybe. Depends. Are you going to be

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 274

    The apartment door shut behind them with a soft click. Masahiro shrugged off his coat and hung it by the door with mechanical efficiency. Matthew kicked his boots off lazily and dropped his keys into the bowl by the counter, same routine as always.Masahiro passed him in the hallway, unbothered. "I’m showering."Matthew nodded, grabbed a soda from the fridge, cracked it open. Silence stretched while the water started running. When Masahiro emerged ten minutes later, hair damp and towel slung around his neck, Matthew was still at the counter, drinking slowly.“We gonna talk about it?” Matthew asked without looking up.Masahiro paused, eyes narrowing slightly. “About what.”“Yumi.” Matthew turned now. Arms folded. Voice calm, but not playful. “How she thinks I sleep in your guest room because of some old undercover job we did. And you let her think that. Still.”Masahiro dried his hands with the towel, avoiding his eyes. “It’s easier.”“Easier for who?”Masahiro didn’t answer.Matthew

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 273

    The restaurant doors swung shut behind them, sealing in the scent of roasted garlic and expensive regret. The parking lot buzzed with leftover heat from the day, a few stray voices in the distance, heels clicking on pavement.Clark walked ahead with Masahiro, steps crisp, back straight, his fingers adjusting his sleeves as if court decorum extended into the streets. Masahiro matched his pace effortlessly—hands tucked into his coat pockets, eyes cold and precise as always."So," Masahiro said without looking at him, "how do you see the trial ending?"Clark didn’t hesitate. "Nathaniel will walk. Probably with a statement read by a trembling clerk and a jury that wants to forget the word 'testimony' for the rest of their lives."Masahiro gave a slow nod. "You're confident.""I'm always confident," Clark replied, the corner of his mouth twitching. "The difference is whether I admit it out loud."Masahiro’s eyes flicked to him, a hint of dry amusement. "You just did."Clark adjusted his gl

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 272

    Matthew didn’t wait for an invitation—just dropped into the chair across from Clark like he owned it.Masahiro sat beside him with all the enthusiasm of a man attending a funeral, pulling out his phone before the chair even touched the floor.Matthew grinned, eyes on Clark. “You two are cute. The bodyguard act? Adorable. But let’s not pretend you’re not fucking like a side plot to a very illegal soap opera.”Clark, unbothered, lifted his wineglass with practiced elegance. “And you’re talking like a man who’s only slept with criminals and delusions.”Matthew’s grin widened. “Facts.”Adam didn’t look up. Just kept eating his burger like nothing in the room concerned him.“Adam’s real quiet today,” Matthew added, leaning his chin on his palm. “All those hickeys drain your vocabulary?”Clark sliced a piece of venison with clean, silent precision. “Some of us have class. Others… wear too much cologne and overshare.”Masahiro didn’t even glance up. “Don’t e

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 271

    The trial day had ended with the defense soaring and the prosecution bleeding.Masahiro, Arthur, and Matthew stood in the hallway, a loose cluster of tension and exhaustion. Arthur clutched a half-empty water bottle, his fingers still shaking from the witness stand. Masahiro stood tall and unreadable, as always.Matthew looked like he’d just come out of a concert—buzzing, amused, and entirely too observant.Clark approached with that predator-still-in-courtroom calm, suit untouched, expression cool. Adam was behind him, one step back, hands in his pockets, saying nothing—like always.“Hell of a show,” Matthew said as Clark joined them. “You made that prosecutor look like she was reciting a grocery list under threat.”Clark only lifted a brow. “She wasn’t worth more than that.”Masahiro gave a nod. “Strong performance.”Arthur murmured, “Nathaniel might actually walk…”Clark nodded slightly. “Let’s not jinx it.”They stood there for a beat.The

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 270

    The door shut behind them with a soft, echoing click.Clark didn’t speak. Neither did Nathaniel.For a long moment, they just stood there in the defense room—alone, away from the murmuring gallery and the jury’s blank stares.Clark finally moved.He set his notes down on the table, reached up, and took off his glasses. Not dramatically. Just… tired.His fingers pressed to the bridge of his nose like he could squeeze the tension out through his skull.Nathaniel watched him.Still in his seat. Back straight. Calm in the way someone learns from spending time around chaos.“You didn’t have to say all that,” Nathaniel said quietly.Clark dropped his hand. Didn’t look at him yet. “Yeah, well. I did.”“You made me sound like a hero.”Clark finally glanced up. The fatigue didn’t soften his tone. “No. I made you sound like a man who didn’t fire a gun.”Nathaniel gave a small, humorless laugh. “Still a lie.”Clark sat down slowly across from

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 269

    The courtroom felt colder.Not physically—just… off.Like every breath Clark took was being measured in decibels.Like the walls were closer.The gallery buzzed with quiet anticipation—reporters in tailored neutral, pens ready to cut. Matthew sat on the far end, half-scowling. Arthur hovered near Masahiro, face unreadable.Nathaniel sat beside Clark—still, calm, like he didn’t feel the pressure digging into the back of his spine.And Clark?Perfect.Tie sharp. Glasses gleaming. Posture textbook.Only Adam saw the truth.His tie was straight, but his breath was shallow. That wasn’t confidence. That was survival.Adam watched from the last bench, arms folded.Motionless. But primed.At the front of the courtroom, Diana Halvorsen stood like she’d built the place.Flawless blonde hair, heels like blades, voice clear as verdicts.She turned to the jury with clinical poise.“Let’s talk about narrative.”“You want to paint Bishop as a savior’s assistant?” she asked, voice smooth. “Then tell

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 268

    Arthur sat at his desk, staring at the clock.3:59 PM.He shifted in his chair. Cleared his throat. Glanced at the file in front of him, then at Masahiro—just across the room, seated, silent, flipping through a thick report with surgical focus.Arthur hesitated.Then looked again.Masahiro didn’t look up. Not immediately. Just turned another page with that same eerie calm.Then, without raising his voice or his head, he said, “I know exactly what you want.”Arthur straightened. “I—uh—what?”Masahiro looked at him now. Direct. Sharp. “You want to visit Cassidy.”Arthur’s ears burned. “Sir, I was going to—”“You’re allowed,” Masahiro interrupted. “Go.”Arthur blinked. “Really?”Masahiro returned to his file. “You’ll be back before shift ends.”Arthur nodded quickly, standing. “Yes. Thank you, sir.”Masahiro said nothing more.Arthur cleaned his desk—neatly, as always—then grabbed his coat and bag. He moved quickly but tried n

  • Gold & Sand   Chapter 267

    Adam got up from the couch and tugged the curtain back.Clark was outside on the balcony, sitting on the tile floor like it wasn’t cold, wearing nothing but Adam’s hoodie. Legs bare. Hair a mess. Staring at the skyline like it had wronged him.Adam slid the glass door open. Leaned against the frame.“You really gonna sit out there half-naked like a damn raccoon in a hoodie?”Clark didn’t look over. “What do you care?”“I don’t.” Adam stepped out. “Just don’t want to explain to Masahiro why you froze your ass off in my perimeter.”Clark exhaled through his nose. “I’m not cold.”“You’re barefoot on stone, dumbass.”Clark muttered, “I’m not here for a fashion lecture.”Adam didn’t rise to it. Just crouched beside him, arms on his knees, voice low. Calm. But with that steel under it.“You need a signal.”Clark blinked. “What?”“In public. Court. Crowd. Whatever. You’re too proud to say ‘help.’ So don’t. Just tap.”Clark stared at him.

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status