All Work and No Play
Chapter 6
by macncheezaroni@aol.com
Note: Sorry it took three months to overcome writer's block, as promise, the story continues. Please e-mail me at macncheezaroni@aol.com with comments, questions, suggestions, critisms, or just a "hi!" I love to hear readers' reactions!
Again, this story is intended for those who are hopeless romantics, like myself. No quickie hear. All are welcome to read this, please read at your own will.
Previously in "All Work and No Play, Chapter 5- The Triangular Dilemma"
** "But everyone deserves a second chance right?" Luke said, pleadingly."I mean I love that guy, and he got on a lift for me."
"Stay with me," Wesley said, bluntly.
"What?" Luke said, disbelief."These last few hours have been the best hours of my life, no one listens to me like the way the way you do...and if my therapist was here,she'd tell me to go for it...and i am," he said. "Stay with me, you deserve more than any person who cheats."
Luke ponders...a day ago, he'd lay his life on the tracks for Seth...now he was uncertain. To even consider such a situation, Luke feltthe pressure building on. Ding, the elevator announced its presence. Seth stepped off theelevator."I couldn't wait, I just hopped on any available elevator and got your floor number to come see you...oh Lukie, I'm so sorry and I really didn't mean to do all that and I just wnat to be happy and Luke?"
Luke couldn't break his stare with Wesley.
"Who's that Lukie?" Seth asked. "Luke, anyone home?"
Luke could feel his grip around the ring box loosen...and the ringbox drops...the two silver bands spilling out onto the carpeted floor. **
Chapter 6 (Part 1), The Decision of a Lifetime
Luke turned towards Seth, everything in a haze and turns back, and Wesley was gone.
"What happen to Wesley?" Luke asked.
"That guy?" Seth replied. "I think he used the stairs or something."
"I have to go," Luke said, rushing towards the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Seth said, as he chases after Luke.
Out of breath, he replied, "You wouldn't understand."
"Who was that guy?" Seth asked, his tone turning suspicious.
"Don't worry," Luke said, with a hint of sarcasm. "I didn't sleep with him, we just stayed up all night and talk."
"Don't tell me you're still thinking about Mike, he's history."
Luke suddenly stopped and faced Seth, who was a few steps behind him.
"Listen Seth, this trip, even though it's been a day and a half, it's been a real eye opener. I realize that maybe fate brought us here to finally tell us that we weren't meant for each other."
"WHAT?!" Seth screeched. "You're blaming all this on FATE?"
"Well, not entirely," Luke replied calmly. "Mainly, it's you. But...the signs..."
"What signs?" Seth retorted.
"Look around you Seth, this doesn't FEEL right. I don't feel it anymore."
"It?" Seth asks.
"Love," Luke said. "There's no love behind all this. When I asked you to marry me, it was there. When I worked late and I knew you were mad, that was love. Finding you and Mike together....that's an omen...that maybe love wasn't always there. I want it to be...so badly Seth, but it just doesn't feel right anymore."
"So my one mistake and you're going to throw everything away because of some omens?"
"I don't think you understand me," Luke said.
"You're right, I don't," Seth said. "I think you're full of crap and you're just sick of me and want something new, like that boy toy that ran away."
Luke strikes Seth's face, Seth winces in pain.
"Defensive there Luke," Seth said. "Don't tell me you have a thing for him."
"Maybe I do," Luke said. "But all I know is you hurt me big time, and I don't want to get hurt again."
"BUt everyone deserves a second chance..." Seth said, echoing my words previously when I was conversing with Wesley.
"I have to go," Luke said, uncomfortably.
"No, don't go, please," Seth said, holding onto his arm.
"Seth, let go!" Luke said, pulling his arm violently away from Seth.
Seth tumbles backwards into a wall, while Luke continues to run downstairs to find Wesley.
I've lost him, Seth thought as he listens to Luke's footsteps echoing down the flights of stairs.
Rain splattered against the window as Luke watched outside of his Manhattan apartment. It had been three months since his return from his trip to Paris, and Luke was feeling alone and depressed. Seth called and apologized profusely...on the answering machine, and all LUke could think about was Wesley. Luke had ran down the stairs and he was gone. Luke checked with his employer, the manager in charge, and he had resigned and picked up his paycheck within the last ten minutes. The hotel had no information on Wesley and Luke's search was becoming pointless. For he did not know Wesley's last name or any other information other than his first name and past love life. Luke takes a small sip of his hot chocolate and continues to work heavily at his job.
Since his return from France, Luke dove into his work in order to forget the aching of his heart.
Why can't I stop thinking about him? Luke thought frustratingly. I barely know this guy, come to think of it, and yet, he's so appealing.
But I'll never see him again, he thought sadly, taking another sip of hot chocolate. The phone rang again, Luke decided to pick it up ratehr than the machine.
"Hello?"
"Luke," a female voice said.
"Kristy, hey," Luke replied, "How's Spain?"
"Dusty," she replied curtly, laughing.
Luke chuckled, "Well, it was your choice to do go there."
"I know," she said. "How are you holding up buddy?"
"I'll be as fine as I can be," he replied honestly. "Just sitting here adn thinking about stuff."
"Don't wreck your brains out too much," she said. "I have to go Luke, I'll give you a call later on in the week."
"Bye Kristy," Luke said, hanging up the phone.
Luke thought depressingly, he was so alone. Seth was out of his life, and Kristy moved to Spain, and now Wesley, a guy he hardly knew. Luke flipped on the news and refreshed his cup with more hot chocolate.
"Wesley Ravenport is in the states this week to sign his award-winning novel at the Waldorf hotel in New York...this author wrote "In the Silver Lining" which has been sold out nation wide..." the newcaster droned on.
Luke stared, transfixed at the screen, a picture of Wesley flashed on the screen. His Wesley, is an award-winning published author. Luke turned off the TV, grabbed his coat, and headed out in the rain towards the Waldorf.
- * * * * * * Chapter 6 (part 2), Alias
The lobby at the Waldorf was packed with people for Wesley's signing. Luke picked up a copy of Wesley's book from a large display and briefly leafed through the content. Basically, Wesley writes about the hardship of the common people in work, society...and Wesley role-plays certain occupations to gain the experience. Luke reached towards the end of the book and read the title "The Brief Encounter."
The brief encounter in Paris was an intense and refreshing experience. Playing a hotel bellboy, I was able to learn first hand about love and relationship from a very fragile and unstable subject. At that time, to conduct this experiment further, I ask the subject to stay with me, in which he responded by gazing deeply into my eyes and remaining speechless...
Luke couldn't read on, it was too painful. Subject, Luke thought. I was nothing more than some experiment? Luke fought his way through the long lines for Wesley's autograph. Pushing through the crowd, Luke eventually got towards the head of the long line. Luke finally arrived at the table, and his breath became short as he sees Wesley frantically scribbling another autograph.
Without looking up, Wesley quickly mumbles, "Who should I make this up to?"
"How about my ass you mother fucker," Luke replied, angrily.
Wesley seemed to have froze at the sound of Luke's voice, a man (presumably his editor) said, "Hey, you're going to be asked to leave in a second sir."
"It's alright Hector," Wesley said. "I know this person."
"Yeah, I'm the subject in his latest experiment," Luke said, with mock pride. "Didn't you read the last few pages?"
"Look, I can explain," Wesley said. "Can we step aside for a second?"
"No, not really," Luke replied. "I'd hate to waste any more precious time from any other experiment you might be conducting at this moment."
"I admit, it was an experiment. I didn't expect it to become a heart to heart talk."
"Did you make up all the stuff you told me?" Luke asked.
"Yes, I did. I didn'tw ant you to know who I really was, otherwise, the experiment wouldn't have worked."
"Well, did you suceed?" Luke asked, tears forming in his eyes.
"More or so, yes," Wesley replied. "So how have you been?"
"Could be better," Luke responded.
"Anyone in your life right now?"
"No," Luke answers hesitantly. "You?"
Wesley said," C'mon, there's someone I want you to meet."
Wesley guided Luke towards the food table and there stood a tall man with sandy blonde hair and grey eyes. Standing at about 6'2", he was well-built and rather mascular.
"Luke, this is Justin," Wesley said. The two men shook hands. "Justin is my fiance."
"Fiance?" Luke said, barely able to choke out the word.
"For a year now," Justin added, beaming pleasantly at Wesley.
"Luke here, was a....friend from one of my trips," Wesley said cautiously.
"Yeah...friend," Luke replied, glaring at Wesley. "Well, I'm going to go."
"Oh, stay a while and enjoy all this food," Justin said. "I could sure use some company in this dreadful enviornment of books."
"No, I rather not," Luke said, searching desparately for an excuse to leave Wesley's sight forever. "I've got lots of stuff to do."
"Let me walk you out," Wesley offered.
"Such a gentleman," Justin said, obviously still beaming at Wesley.
"Oh yeah, gentleman indeed," Luke said, with a tad of resentment in his voice.
"Let's go," Wesley said, almost pushing Luke towards the door.
As Wesley and Luke head towards the door, Wesley says, "Listen Luke, that night...it was really special to me, I want you to know that. I did mean it when I said you were a great listener and friend...because well, you are. I am sorry I had to lie to you, and you did mean more to me than just some subject. You were my first....international friend."
Luke listened intently at Wesley's words and calmly he replied, "Fuck you, you mother-fucking piece of crap. You lied to me, you jackass. I chased after you that night, I left Seth, my fiance, to find you...and you show up a few months later telling nation-wide that i was some experiment...and nwo you're ENGAGED!"
"Why must you make a scene about everything in your life?" Wesley questioned.
"Oh, so now not only am i UNSTABLE...but i'm MELODRAMATIC?"
"Don't put words in my mouth."
"You know what, save your words, I don't need to hear it. I hope you and what's his face---"
"---Justin"
"yeah, you and what's his face can have a lovely life together...you can grow old and wrinkly together...and have matching tombstones..."
"I thank you just the same," he said, coldly.
Luke took one last look at Wesley, turns and disappears into the New York pedestrian traffic.
Luke walked through the park, crying silently to himself. He looked at his watch, it was almost ten p.m. and Luke decided to call it a night. He walked into the apartment building...fumble for keys to open his mailbox...ride the elevator up to his floor...and in front of his door sat Mike, Seth's co-worker and the guy Seth cheated on Luke with.
to be continue...
Well, I hope it was worth the wait. I promise All Work and No Play 7 will be out sooner. Again if you have: questions, comments, criticisms (constructive of course), personal note, suggestions, etc. e-mail them to me at Macncheezaroni@aol.com Name's Jeff...I respond ASAP to all types of e-mail ('cept SPAM and hate mail).