Late at night, in the prestigious Royal condominium in Everland. Inside Daniel's penthouse, Eric was intently wholeheartedly watching something on the PC monitor while an earphone stuck in his ears. A thick notebook was in front of him with words neatly scribbled, almost taking half of its page while a pen never left this hand.

In the dead of night, only the faint light of the moon illuminated the room while an extremely graphic mature-rated scene kept playing in the video.

Eric had already lost count on how many times he watched porn in the last nights, all in the name of gathering information. These past days, with him and Evangeline busy touring around Everland and the Christmas fast approaching, he didn't have time to study except every night when Evangeline was fast asleep on their bed.

It was hard at first since he had to make sure that she didn't have any inkling on what he was doing. After she was sound asleep, he sneaked from the bedroom into the study to watch adult videos to gain knowledge on how it's done.

Sad to say, even with all the internet, he was still skeptical about it. The more he watched, the more confused he became. Some say it hurts, while others said they didn't feel anything, and most said it was the best thing ever.

He didn't get it. Could they at least pour details and thorough process on how it was done? How not to make it hurt. Or how to make it pleasurable? And some tips as well while they were at it.

The forum only provided whimsical advice while the online gave bogus information. When he resorted to reading porn magazines, the more confused he became since all was written were tips for men who already had the experience. Their words and instructions were nonsense to him. A man, who sadly, for the twenty years of existence, relied upon masturbation as the only means to relieve himself. What a sad life I was living.

And finally, he resorted to watching porn to familiarized himself with how to do it properly. Like the different positions and the moves and toys used for pleasure. And so far, he learned nothing.

*sigh . . .

He closed the video and turned off the pc before he slumped on the couch. Massaging his head, he took cleansing breaths.

Christmas was nearing, and he was still not prepared. It was not like he didn't know the problem. He was not confident in himself, a man with no experience, to pleasure his girlfriend.

Many thoughts ran through his mind, which made him more anxious. What if he couldn't satisfy Evangeline with his performance, will she be disappointed and break up with him? What if she got scared with his size and back away? What if he prematurely came, would that be embarrassing? And does she prefer condoms or without condoms? Or would it be alright if they did that 69 position in their first time?

How would he know when was the right time to penetrate her? His research said he would know when the time came. Or if she was wet. But when will he knew that? And how wet is wet? His research state that he would know with the consistency and veracity and texture and all that. But what the hell is consistency, veracity, and texture? Isn't wet, just liquid? Should he bring a microscope to study it before he penetrates her?

Agh . . .

The more he thought about it, the more his veins pulsated hard against his head.

What he needed was a testament to someone who had done it –– advice from an expert to erase his doubts.

The image of his older brother's no-nonsense face appeared in his mind, and he quickly erased the thought. His older brother might have enough experience, but he doubted he could reach that level of mastery with his skills. At least not yet.

He could ask Roz what the most pleasurable experience she had, but he quickly erased the idea before it could even form. Thinking about it was awkward enough just imagining of his sister's paralyzed face while she was enumerating about sex sent volt of electricity crawling on his spine and goosebumps on his skin.

What he needed was someone his age with a decent experience that he could easily learn from.

Not even considering his eccentric second older brother, Eric dialed Daniel's number.

----

Eric called Daniel to meet inside a cozy cafe near the Royal Condominium. He didn't take any chances to talk with Daniel inside the condo because; first, he didn't want Evangeline to overhear their conversation accidentally. And second, the most important reason, he didn't want Daniel to know that his vintage wine was no longer part of this world. And his expensive utensils made from brass, bronze, gold, and diamonds were all donated to animal conservatories.

"So . . ." Daniel started, sitting rather unnaturally still. "You want to ask advice about . . . sex?" He admitted the last word was hard to say, especially he had an inkling about the reason why Eric breached the topic.

Eric nodded without hesitation, face serious.

Taking in deep breathes, Daniel returned Eric's gaze in all seriousness. "I'll help you. But first . . ."

Daniel interlaced his finger's on top of the table. "I want to clear something out. Don't you hate me? I mean, I am Evangeline's ex, and I did cheat on her."

He was sure Eric asking him about sex was because he was finally going to do it with Evangeline. It was awkward, to say the least. He was rather annoyed and offended that Eric had the guts to ask him, Evangeline's ex-boyfriend, about how to have sex with her.

Eric stared at Daniel's serious expression and answered, "I was angry at you for cheating on her. But I never hate you."

Daniel was surprised while Eric rubbed the back of his head, eyes moving from side to side.

"And . . . I'm sorry for asking you about it. It's . . . I don't have any male friends close to my age to ask for advice except you."

Daniel blinked, clearly coughed off guard by what Eric said. Friends? Eric was treating him as a friend? If he put it that way and with an awkward, honest face like that, it was hard for him to stay annoyed.

Clearing his throat, Daniel's long fingers ran through his short hair, which shifted back into place. "I . . . I just wanted to clear that between us." His face then turned serious once more. "And I no longer feel anything towards Evangeline except love for a friend. And that's exactly why I'm going to help you further your relationship with her."

Eric smiled. "Thanks, I appreciate it."

Daniel was caught off guard again when Eric smiled. A genuine smile. There was something about his smile that rattled him. And the more he stared at him, the more he became appealing in his eyes. Apparently, Evangeline didn't like him of his personality alone.

Pretending to ignore Eric's charm, Daniel continued, "Now we got that out of the way, let's get down to the main reason why we are here."

Daniel wanted to say more but stopped when he saw Eric pulled out a thick notebook, pen, and phone with the recording on. He was seriously staring at him with rapt attention, which caused his mouth to clamp tight.

Isn't he a bit serious?

Sighing inwardly, Daniel pushed back his lamentation and continued.

"First, let me tell you that Evangeline and I had a wholesome relationship. That means . . . she might be a virgin."

Eric's tight face slip. His eyes dimmed, and his face darkened. Imagining Evangeline in the arms of another awaken every violent cell in his body.

And Daniel hurriedly spoke after he saw the changes on Eric's countenance.

"Which is going to be hard if that is the case. There's going to be pain involved. . . a lot of it. There's no other way around it. But there's a way to elevate it. I won't claim to be a master, but I will tell you what to expect and some tips that work."

Daniel paused, looking at Eric, whose expression remained serious as ever, pen at hand, ready to take down notes any time. Well, they were both men and past their teenage years, so it was impossible that Eric didn't know the basics about it.

"The most important thing is communication. It's best if you communicate first, whether it is your first time and such. And if you'll use a condom or not. Or turn on the lights or not and stuff like that. And most importantly, communicate what you want and what she wants. Sex is pleasurable if both parties enjoyed it. But since you don't have any experience, it's going to be hard at first."

Squeezing his brows, Eric asked, "Then what should I do so Evangeline could enjoy it?"

"Well . . ." Daniel hesitated, but seeing Eric's eager eyes and troubled face, he decided to man up and just say it.

"First things first, you got to understand that it takes skills and time for a woman to orgasm. But for us guys . . ." Daniel pressed his chest and shrugged his shoulders, "a few thrusts, and we are good. And it feels good."

Daniel paused, peeking left and right, checking his surroundings before he leaned in as he spoke in a low tone, "But for a woman to orgasm, she has to get her imagination running wild. And it is your job to summon their sexual fantasies and let them succumb to it. Ruled them with it."

"So here's a few tips." Daniel straightened his back while he enumerated with his fingers, face serious and tone business-like. "I'm going to tell you what to expect so you won't humiliate yourself when you enter her and caught off guard by the sudden pleasure and cum prematurely."

Eric nodded rather vigorously, face calm and alert, ready to jot down important stuff at any moment.

"First, entering a vagina is nothing like masturbating. It's hot inside there. Thirty-seven-degree Celsius hot. And as you go along, things will continue to get hotter. Once you're inside, you will feel the warmth and wetness and her . . . er . . . vaginal walls will gently grip around your penis."

Daniel got to admit, it was awkward and embarrassing to talk about these kinds of stuff in public. It was a good thing they were on the second floor where not many congregated.

However, as he moved along, all embarrassment and awkwardness disappeared, especially as Eric kept taking down notes so eager, nodding at him to continue. That at least boost his confidence, urging him to talk more.

He talked about his experiences, the advantage and disadvantages of different positions, and some tips and tricks he knew.

Not long, Daniel was wholly immersed in character.

"Then her labia tightened, and she will start to produce more juices while her vagina quivered. That means she is nearing her orgasm. And when she tells you to stop, what do you do?"

"I stop," Eric answered straight away with a straight face.

"No! No, you don't stop. You don't. You keep pushing and thrusting until she begs and squirmed. And when she did beg you to stop, what do you do?"

Eric hesitated for a moment, eyes bouncing left and right before he answered, unsure, "I . . . stop?"

"No! You don't! Stay with me here, Eric." Daniel urged, fingers gesturing to focus on his eyes. "You don't stop. You never stop. Even she is crying, asking for mercy, begging, pleading, you don't stop. You never stop."

"I-I don't . . . I don't stop. I won't stop. I don't. Never stop," Eric repeated like a mantra, "I keep pushing and thrusting until she cum."

Daniel enthusiastically snapped his fingers. "Yes! That's right! Women are complicated creatures. They don't mean what they say. In fact, you do exactly the opposite of what they say. Remember that."

"Yes." Eric had learned quite a lot today. It was the right decision to call Daniel for help, after all. Nothing beats a man with experience.

Daniel drank his tea to relieve the dryness in his throat before he added, "Now that you have grasp the basics and have a beginner's level in pleasuring women. I will impart to you two tips to spice up your sex life."

"What is it?" Eric asked, masking the eagerness in his tone.

Grinning, Daniel said in confidence, "The first tip, if you want to blow her away in bed, stimulate her mind. And simple words are all it takes."

Pressing his lips, Eric tilted his head. "I don't quite get what you mean."

The grin in Daniel's face widened. "Dirty talk, Eric."historical

Eric hesitated. He knew about the concept of it. But actually saying something lewd and shameful words to Evangeline was hard to swallow. Yes, he cursed. But he never did once say something so brazen and erotic before.

Sensing his distress, Daniel followed up. "Dirty talk activates the imagination, and it adds a steamy air of liberation in our naked activities. But of course, you have to calibrate it a bit to whoever is receiving it. Remember what I said? Women are imaginative creatures. They are often aroused through imagination."

Eric slowly nodded in response, though his face reflected a slim chance that he would do it.

Daniel ignored the protest in Eric's face and continued, "You have to captivate her attention and replace whatever else is happening in her head with a stronger, sexier signal. Simple words like, 'look how hard you made me' should do the trick. This skill is what separates the master from the amateurs. Master this skill, and she'll be begging for more."

". . ." Eric didn't reply. Still, he wrote it on his notepad just incase. Though he didn't have it in him to do it.

"And for the last tip, the most important thing." Daniel leaned, face solemn while his voice was deep and low. "Connection."

Frowning, Eric was confused. "I thought . . . communication is the most important."

Daniel raised his hand and said, rather defensively, "It's communication and connection."

"Oh."

"That's right. Porn magazines and videos and other sex materials made us believe that pleasing is all about performances. But performance came in anxiety. And anxiety leads to nervousness, fear, and anxiousness before sex."

Eric vigorously nodded. That was precisely what he was feeling. His inexperience and inability to satisfy Evangeline was like a fire burning in his mind, keeping him awake at night.

"But that's not what women care for in bed," Daniel continued after a slight paused for breath. "What they crave for is connection."

"Uhm . . . How do I do that?" Eric asked, confused about this whole connection thing.

Leaning back, Daniel smiled. "Simple. All you have to do is don't think and let your inner beast takes control."

The frown on Eric's forehead deepened.

Daniel ignored Eric's frown and said, "Human nature are sexual creatures. What's separate us from the animals is the ability to make decisions. Let go of those restricting thoughts of can't do and won't do, and I promise you, you'll have one hell of a night."

". . . So you're saying . . . ," Eric said after a while of silence. Dragging his words, a little unsure. ". . . I should follow my instincts?"

Daniel grinned. "That's the jets of it."

Eric opened his mouth but closed it again, appearing to be thinking of something. He then made up his mind and asked away.

"But what if my instincts tell me to stop?"

". . ."

Daniel's smile slipped. He blew his cheeks in an exaggerated sigh, followed by a slow, disbelieving shake of his head.

We have a long way to go.