"You're hot."

"And you're really really drunk." Dan rolled his eyes pushing past a drunk man. It was his third day working at the stripclub and it wasn't any better. A lot of drunk men would try hitting on him and he really despised it.

"C'mon don't be like that." The man slurred grabbing Dan's arm pulling him back. Dan tried to pull away from the man's grip but he was stronger than him.

"I bought a dance from you. Now strip for me." He demanded. Dan could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"I don't think so. I'm done for the day." Dan said trying to get away but not being able to. The man's grip only tightened hurting Dan.

"What's going on here?" Dan turned his head to see Phil behind him, he didn't look happy. He knew that Phil would probably either yell at him or hit him for saying no to that man as he was to do his job.

"I-Im sorry it's just I'm done for the day.." Dan started.

"He said no, so let go of his arm." Phil said looking past Dan glaring at the drunk man who let go after seeing the look on Phil's face. Dan was surprised, he was sure that he was the one who was in trouble for denying the man what he had paid for. Phil walked over and grabbed Dan's hand pulling him away from everyone. "Come on I'll take you home. And you're not working here anymore."

"Um thank you for helping me back there.." Dan said quietly looking down at his hands.

"Well some people need to learn that no means no." Phil said keeping his eyes on the road. "Are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he?"

Dan looked down at his arm which was a little red. "He just had a firm grip that's all."

"Don't worry I won't make you work there anymore. Not after that incident." Phil said.

"How come?" Dan asked curiously.

"Because no one deserves to be in that kind of danger. Especially someone as kind as you." Dan felt his cheeks turn pink. He looked over and noticed Phil looking at him with a soft smile. He pulled over in front of Dan's apartment. "Alright here we are."

"Thank you, I really appreciate this." Dan said shyly.

"It's no problem." He smiled politely.

Dan smiled back taking his bag and opening the door to leave. "Wait.." Phil said putting his hand on Dan's arm. Dan turned around to face him and was surprised when his lips were met with Phil's. It was a quick and soft kiss. Dan pulled away shocked and surprised with what had just happened, not sure what it was and what it meant.

"I um- bye.." Dan said getting out of the car quickly and going inside. He didn't understand how someone can go from hitting him one day to kissing him the next. Dan just thought that he was trying to mess with his head, its what a lot of people did.

The next day he was trying his best to ignore Phil but he knew that would be difficult. "Hey Dan!" Victoria called out walking towards him.

"Hey. I was just about to head home, I'm done for the day." Dan smiled at her.

"You're done early today." She said. "I was about to go get my daughter from school."

"I didn't have anything scheduled for today surprisingly. And you have a daughter?" Dan asked surprised.

"Yeah she's six years old. She lives here with us, Phil adores her." She smiled.

"I didn't know the boss was someone who liked kids." Dan said.

"I told you there's a lot you don't know about him." Victoria said smiling. "He's actually really sweet and kind."

"Uh huh. Well what's your daughters name?" Dan asked trying to change the topic.

"Sophia, I'll introduce you to her one day. She loves meeting new people." Dan noticed Victoria glancing behind him. He turned around and saw Phil standing across the hall looking at them. He knew that was his que to leave.

"That would be nice. I should get going I'll see you tomorrow." Dan smiled politely and tried leaving as quickly as he could. But he wasn't quick enough.

"Dan! Dan please wait." Phil said running after him. He stopped in his tracks and turned around afraid of what the consequences might be if he didn't listen.

"C-can I help you?" Dan asked nervously.

"I was really hoping we could talk.." Phil said walking up to him. Dan could feel his heart starting to race as he got closer to him.

"Oh. About what?"

"I- um wanted to.. apologize for hitting you.." Phil started. Dan didn't know how to answer to that, he didn't know whether or not he should believe that. He just turned around and started walking but was stopped by Phil.

"Look- I really need to go. I have to um do groceries." Dan lied.

"Just listen to me, I really am sorry." Phil sighed. He looked sorry but Dan didn't know whether or not he should fall for this. "I never wanted to hit you in the first place."

"If that was true then you wouldn't have done it in the first place." Dan muttered, his eyes starting to water up.

"It's because of a stupid contract my dad made me sign. I have to be like this with the workers. You don't know what my father is capable of." Phil explained.

Dan remembered what one of the makeup artist had said about Phil's father. "If that's the case then you have to do it and there's no point in saying you're sorry."

"There is because I'm not doing it anymore. I won't hurt you I promise." Phil said taking Dan's hand. "Now let me take you to get groceries or whatever it is, let me make it up to you."

Dan knew this was going to be difficult to get out of, according to everyone Phil always got his way and there was no point in arguing with him. He just quietly agreed with him and went along. After they got groceries Dan hoped that Phil would let him go home, but no.

"I'm taking you to dinner. You look really thin." Phil said.

"I appreciate this but I'm not hungry.." Dan sighed. Skipping meals was often something Dan did, he didn't like his body and thought maybe eating less would make an improvement.

"I'm not taking no for an answer Dan." Phil said pulling up in front of a restaurant. To Dan's surprise Phil was being a gentleman the entire time. He pulled out Dan's chair, and ordered for him when Dan wasn't sure what to get begin the shy person he is.

"I didn't ever think I'd see this softer side of you.." Dan said smiling slightly. They were back in the car again, Phil was driving him home after dinner.

"Well then maybe you should get to know me." Phil smiled pulling over in front of Dan's apartment. Again taking him by surprise Phil kissed him. This time Dan kissed back. "I really like you Dan.." Phil whispered against his lips. Dan pulled away in surprise.

"I don't know if I should believe you or not.." Dan muttered looking away.

"I'm not lying to you, I do like you." Phil whispered placing his hand on Dan's cheek.

"What I don't get is how you go from yelling and hitting me one day to kissing me the next. I get that your sorry but that just doesn't happen in a days time." Dan said his eyes starting to water up. "You just see me as a gullible kid don't you? Everyone just sees me as a kid they can mess with." With that Dan got out of the car and went inside. Phil buried his face in his hands letting out a frustrated sigh. He considered going in after Dan but thought it would be best to give him some space.

"Dan, I really need to talk to you." Victoria said walking up to Dan the next day as Dan was looking through his schedule.

"Sure. Is everything okay?" Dan asked.

"Actually no." She sighed. "Look I know what happened between you and Phil and what you said to him." Victoria being his best friend meant that Phil told her every single thing. She was the only person whe he trusted and the only one who was always there when he needed someone ever since he was a kid.

"Look if he's messing with my head then that's not cool." Dan started. "I get it I'm younger than everyone here but that doesn't make me a toy to play around with."

"Dan you've got it all wrong. Phil actually really likes you."

Dan knew Victoria never lied. She was the only one here who never lied about anything and also knew Phil really well. "H-he does?"

"Yes and its a big deal. He doesn't ever let himself get attached to anyone. He doesn't trust anyone but he trusts you." She explained. "He's really upset that you don't believe him. He has a fragile heart Dan. Do you know what happened to him?"

Dan shook his head.

"Ever since he was seventeen his father sold him. He's been raped and abused multiple times." She explained. "He's been scared ever since that maybe everyone will hurt him. And I know he hit you but it was because of that fucking contract. He really loves you and hates that he hurt you."

"Look Victoria I just need time to think this over.." Dan sighed.

"If you're going to break his heart then just get it over with." She said her tone changing.

"I never said that.. I just need some time to think this through .." Dan said softly.

"I just told you his entire back story Dan. Now either you want to give him a chance or no, its simple." She said. "I'd say do it now instead of giving him false hope."

"I'm not giving him false hope. I promise I'll talk to you about this tomorrow."

"Don't bother Dan. Just leave it."

"Look I promise I'll talk to you tomorrow. I need time to think." Dan said turning around and walking off. All of this was so much to take in for him. He didn't know what to think of say. But he had a big decision to make.