For Richer or For Poorer

Chapter 6 - Poor Man

I'd like to live as a poor man with lots of money. ~ Pablo Picasso

*****

Monday, February 14, 2005

“You’re just as adorable as my sister told me,” Irene said, greeting Justin with a one-armed hug.

Justin awkwardly pulled away, wondering what in the hell the woman was on that would make her think it was okay to hug a stranger. “Thanks,” he said uncomfortably.

“Dear, you’re making him blush,” Randall chided his wife. “Now, I’d better make proper introductions before you think we have no manners,” the man spoke to the blond boy. “Justin, let me introduce you to my wife, Irene Lane-Lewis. Irene this is Justin… Well, actually, I don’t believe the staff informed me of your full name, Justin. What did you say it was?”

“It will be Kinney soon,” Justin replied, hoping to get away from telling the truth. He guessed that Randall and Irene were both well informed; the last thing he wanted was for them to recognize his name if they hadn’t already recognized his face.

“Well I opted to keep my name,” Irene told the young man. “But I rather liked my maiden name.”

“What is your last name?” Randall asked once again, wondering if he’d met the boy before, as he seemed very familiar to him.

“Taylor.” Justin tried to keep the shame he felt speaking his last name out of his voice. He felt pangs of empathy as he realized why his family abandoned him; even if it wasn’t his fault exactly, he’d tarnished their name.

Randall nodded and gave Justin a slight smile. “I was telling my wife that you and Brian are to be married next week. I suppose you have all the particulars worked out?”

“I leave the details up to Brian,” Justin easily lied.

“Well, I’ve never met him personally, but after speaking with him on the phone, I must assess that he definitely seems to know what he wants.”

Justin laughed at the man’s remark and replied, “Lucky for me.”

“Where is your fiancé?” Irene asked, looking into the café.

“He’s upstairs,” Justin deadpanned. “He had work to do.” He really had no idea what Brian was doing, but it seemed like a logical response.

“And you did a little more shopping?” Irene asked.

Justin wondered if the man and woman were southern born because he’d never met anyone in Chicago so damn nosy. Even the press hadn’t prodded him as hard. “Actually, I was going to head to my apartment.”

“Today is a day for lovers,” Randall gasped. “Surely Brian is not going to work all day. I will not allow that.”

“You two have Valentine’s Day plans, don’t you?” Mrs. Lewis asked.

Justin nodded and plastered on a dreamy expression. “I already bought Brian something, but I left it at my apartment. I didn’t think it was going to snow so much or I would’ve brought it with me.”

“Chicago weather is unpredictable at times,” Randall grumbled. “I was lucky to have clearance with our jet this morning.”

“It was wonderful meeting you both,” Justin said, hoping to leave. He’d find a pay phone, ring Brian’s room and tell him of the lies he had to tell. “I’ve got to get going though, or I won’t be back with my present in time for our special plans.”

“Where do you live, Justin?” Randall asked. “Not much of the city’s roads are cleared, we heard of a thirteen car pile-up down Halstead and Grand. It’s causing traffic to be stopped for miles around.”

“Well, I live on Clark, so I guess I’ll just have to brave the weather and traffic,” Justin replied. “I can’t be empty handed on Valentine’s Day,” he reasoned.

“If you show up at all,” Irene said, horrified. “It’s supposed to start snowing again in a few hours. If I were you, I’d buy Brian something here at one of the shops. I doubt he would want his fiancé to risk his life for a gift.”

Justin groaned inside and gritted his teeth as he spoke, “But the gift I have for him is really special and I can’t exactly afford to buy him anything else.”

“Nonsense,” Randall replied, taking Justin by the arm and wrapping one around Irene’s waist. “It will be on the house. After all, I’m sure you and Brian would’ve spent the night at your home if I hadn’t requested you both stay here Friday. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be having this problem and could give Brian your gift. It’s up to me to make sure you can give your fiancé a most amazing gift. Irene will go with you and let the clerks know to charge me for the bill.”

“I couldn’t,” Justin protested, having to stop himself from literally digging his heels into the marble floor as they walked toward the stores.

“Sure you can,” Randall countered. “In fact, Irene has admitted that she’s having the same trouble you are. Our home is over on Crest and there is no way I can take the chance to go out there for a gift that will mean just as much to me any day as it would today. I was lucky and kept my gift for Irene in my office here.”

“Come, Justin,” Irene said, dropping her husband’s arm. “I can see by your clothing that you must have impeccable taste. I do need your help to shop.”

Justin knew there was no getting out of it, at least not without pissing the couple off and possibly ruining things for Brian. He smiled a fake grin at the two Lewises and followed the woman into the store, praying that he would get out of the mess before their lies were exposed. He hated lying, more than he hated any other sin he’d ever committed, and the Lewises were obviously nice trusting people. It pained him to go along with such a charade, but he had no choice.
 

*****

By the time Justin and Irene finished shopping, Justin had developed a plan. He figured that he would go back to Brian’s room, tell him about the extra lies then sneak downstairs and take a bus to his house. He worked out that Brian could tell Mr. Lewis that his devoted fiancé came down with a sudden cold and was indisposed for the rest of the evening. It was the perfect plan.

“Thank you for your generosity,” Justin kindly spoke to the woman as they walked out of the sweet store.

“Anytime, Justin,” Irene replied. “It was wonderful to shop with you. I am very confident that Randall will love my gift, thanks to you. It’s much better than the new golf bag I have for him at home.”

“I’m glad,” Justin said genuinely. “I think Brian will enjoy this gift much better as well.” It wasn’t a lie exactly; it’s not as though he had gotten him a thing, so now that he had Brian would like something better than nothing.

“Well, I’m going to go upstairs, I hope to see you again before Brian and you leave.”

“Me too,” Justin told the woman. Irene had taken to calling him son and from the way she talked to him; it made him want to pretend that it was true. He missed his mother so much, and spending time with Mrs. Lewis made him realize just how much. She was a loving, classy lady but could joke and laugh with Justin, the same way his mother did. This was the third Valentine’s Day that his mother didn’t send him a card and inside it, a cheesy character card from Molly; he missed it more than he ever thought he would.

“Are you okay?” Irene asked, noticing the blond’s far-away look.

Justin nodded and lied, “I’m fine, really. I was just thinking about what I want to put in the card for Brian.”

“You love him deeply, don’t you?” Irene asked.

“Yes,” Justin lied, wondering what he’d have to do to bring back all the good karma he was losing by lying to the old couple.

“Well, I’ll give you some time alone,” the woman said and hugged Justin. “Have a wonderful night,” she wished.

“You too,” Justin told her. “Thanks again.”

“You’re very welcome. I can’t wait to meet your fiancé; he must be quite the catch to have such a great partner,” she praised in parting as she walked toward the bank of elevators.

Justin’s shoulders slumped in defeat as he walked toward a table sitting outside the café. He looked out the large windows and considered leaving once again. He didn’t have to tell Brian anything, but he couldn’t steal the Lewises money and that’s what he would be doing if he didn’t deliver Brian his gifts.

He took out the card and looked at the front. Justin groaned as he thought of how stupid he was for buying something that was obviously personal to him. On the deep red background was a sketch of an easel with a white canvas, bearing one blue heart and one green. In the center of the hearts was a plus sign made out of two small paintbrushes.

He opened the card, which was blank inside and his words flowed without hesitation.

Brian,
If you read this, I’m sure that you will think I’m nuts already, just by looking at the front of the card. Don’t freak out, I’m not going to stalk you or ever declare my undying love for you.

But I am going thank you for treating me with respect and kindness that no one has shown me for a very long time. You were the first person I told of my past and you believed me without question. That made me happier than I’ve felt in years. What I said to you downstairs is true, I trust you more than anyone else in my life, which I’m sure is very weird, but nonetheless true.

I have replaced the memory of my first time with last night, as it is in a way true. It is the first time that anyone ever had sex with me as Justin. Whether you think of it that way or not, you made me feel that way, and I thank you for that. I hope you get what you came to Chicago for, you really deserve it.

You’ll probably roll your eyes at this whole letter, if you even read it; so I’m going to take a risk. Brian Kinney, you made my life better, even if only for a few days. I’ll probably look back on this weekend more times than I’ll be able to count. I bet you won’t remember me at all. I understand. I don’t exactly want to remember this part of me either.

Good luck in life, Brian. I hope you get what you want.
Later, ~Justin

Satisfied with what he’d written, Justin walked toward the elevators and waited for the express one that would take him to the Penthouse. He almost screamed when he saw Mr. Lewis walking up behind him as the doors opened. He rushed inside the elevator hoping that the doors would close before the man entered. Justin forced a smile as he realized he would have no such luck.

“You’re in quite the hurry,” Randall laughed. “Young love,” he teased, “so urgent to see your fiancé, Justin?”

Justin nodded and walked toward the key pad. “Which floor for you, Mr. Lewis?”

“Seeing that this is the express to the Penthouse floor, I’ll take the same one as you,” the man replied smiling. “The only one.”

Justin looked at the buttons and died a little inside when he saw there was only one designated for the penthouse floor, the others were for closing the doors or emergency use. He pressed the up button and the elevator slowly began to rise.

“So what is it you do, Justin? I could swear I know you from somewhere.”

Justin felt his face pale and his stomach turn as he staggered back against the wall. He quickly made an excuse for his behavior, “Going up and down elevators always gives me vertigo.”

“Me too, though you’d think I’d be used to it by now.” Randall persisted his questioning, “So what line of work are you in?”

“I’m an artist,” Justin half-lied, eyeing the man, to gauge his reaction.

“Hmm…. I don’t believe I’ve seen any of your own work,” Randall replied.

“I don’t show at galleries,” Justin said truthfully. He silently begged the express elevator to show why it was named as such.

“Your relationship must be very strong with Brian. I don’t know if I could’ve handled being away from my Irene for any length of time while we were dating. How long have you two been together?”

Justin’s spine crawled with warnings spreading into his nerves. Randall had lost his easy, happy smile. The man had specifically said he hadn’t seen any of his own work. He sucked in a deep breath and then answered, “We’ve been together for two years.”

“So you two have had an open relationship?” Randall boldly asked.

Justin sucked in a deep breath, realizing that the man probably knew about the con and had most likely seen him with other men he’d met at the hotel. “No, not exactly,” Justin admitted, feeling like he was drowning in his lies.

“It must be hard being so young and having the attention of someone older, like Brian,” Randall said. “I’ve done my research. I know he’s got to be at least ten years older than you, not that there is anything wrong with the age difference.”

Think, think! Justin screamed inside his head trying to come up with a cover. “I cheated on Brian, a few times,” he lied. “I wasn’t sure that I was ready for the kind of relationship he wanted with me. I was stupid and I felt so alone without him. It’s no excuse, but Brian took me back. On Christmas he proposed to me and I accepted because I realized that more than anyone, he’s always been the one to stick by me, to believe in me and to love me.”

“Well, then,” Randall spoke, smiling, “I believe in you too, Justin. I think your passion and love for Brian is as strong as mine for Irene. I hope that when I meet him I see the same thing directed toward you.”

‘Me too,’ Justin thought. The elevator finally gave him a reprieve and he nearly ran out the doors. He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Brian pushing the breakfast cart out into the hall. “Brian!” Justin gasped. He took off into a sprint toward the man and planted a huge kiss on his lips.

Brian couldn’t have been more surprised. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked, his voice soft from being so thrown.

Justin quickly whispered in Brian’s ear, “That’s Mr. Lewis, go along with me.”

“Mr. Kinney, I presume,” Randall spoke, coming up behind the two lovers. “I’m sorry to interrupt such a loving display, but I wanted to introduce myself to you. It’s been a joy talking to your fiancé.”

“You…you met my fiancé?” Brian asked, trying to grasp what the fuck was going on.

“Yes,” Randall said, holding out his hand for Brian to shake. “I’m glad to finally meet you, Brian. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Brian straightened his posture and shook the man’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Lewis.” For looks, he wrapped his arm around Justin and pulled him close to his body. “Where did you two meet, Sunshine?” Brian asked, glaring down at the blond.

“In the café,” Justin responded, inconspicuously elbowing Brian when the man’s fingers dug into his hip a bit too hard.

“Justin said you two are getting married next week?”

“Yes,” Brian choked out, squeezing Justin again. “Did you tell him the date, Sunshine?”

“Sure did,” Justin, replied too sweetly, looking up at the man. “On the twentieth, my birthday!” He knew he was in deep shit trouble so he figured he’d add a little more ammo; he had nothing else to lose. “Brian’s the most wonderfully romantic man on the face of this Earth, Randall. He is the most loving, patient and beautiful man I’ve ever known. I’m so lucky to have met him.” Justin kissed Brian’s neck and whispered, “Asshole,” into his ear.

“No,” Brian replied. “I’m the lucky one.” He dipped his head and planted a deep but chaste kiss on Justin’s lips. “What’s that you have there?” Brian asked, looking at the atrociously red and pink heart decorated bags.

“Well, my wife and I convinced Justin to shop at one of the stores for your gift instead of taking a risk and going home. I think the snow has already started to fall again.”

“I had to get you something, Brian,” Justin explained. “It just wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day if I couldn’t get you a special gift.”

“Aren’t you sweet?” Brian snickered and kissed Justin again. The kiss was the exact opposite of what he really wanted to give Justin.

Randall cleared his throat. “Well I suppose I should let you two get back to your big plans. You’re taking him out to dinner tonight, aren’t you, Brian?”

Brian frowned. “Actually, the restaurant we had reservations for is closed. We’re probably going to have to stay in tonight. There’s no way we’ll get a table anywhere on such short notice.”

“Oh, no,” Justin protested. “I guess we will have to stay in, though I was looking forward to dancing with you,” he added with the saddest expression he could give the brunet.

“Not. A. Problem,” Randall told the men. “Do you two happen to have your tuxes for your wedding?”

“Well, actually, we planned on wearing simple suits,” Justin replied warily.

“I’ll foot the bill for the both of you to buy one from our store. I’ll inform Julio at BOSS that you two will be down there today. If you go down there within an hour or two, Franco, our tailor, should be able to make any alterations you may need and have them delivered to you by five o’clock. Will that give you enough time to be ready for dinner by say, six o’clock?” Randall asked the stunned pair.

Brian wanted to run into his hotel room, shut the door and scream. However, he managed to reply, “Yes, Mr. Lewis, that should be fine.”

Justin made one last ditch effort to get out of their predicament. He voiced his concerns, “There’ll be no need to have the suits. We don’t have dinner reserva…”

Randall cut Justin off. “Yes you do.” He flipped open his phone and dialed the number for Black, the hotel’s largest restaurant. “Laurie, this is Randall Lewis. I will need two tables for tonight at six, preferably near the dance floor. One under my name and one under the name Kinney. Yes, the almost newlyweds,” he laughed. “Okay, thank you.” He flipped his phone closed, pocketed it and smiled at the men. “Just give them your name when you go down.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lewis,” Brian said, shaking the man’s hand once again.

“Yes, thank you,” Justin added. He wasn’t thankful at all. Not one bit!

“I’ll see you both at dinner,” Randall replied. “But don’t worry. Irene and I won’t monopolize your time. We realize this is a very special night for you both.”

“Yes, it is,” Justin replied as Brian pulled him inside the room.

“Holy fuck!” Brian yelled the moment the door was closed. “What the fuck was that about?”

“I…” Justin wasn’t sure how to explain it. “Brian, he totally cornered me. I thought I was helping you,” he defended himself.

“Helping me?” Brian hissed, falling back onto the couch.

“He somehow already knew who I was and he kept asking all these questions that I had to give him answers to. I didn’t want you to lose the account if he found out you lied about us.”

“Oh fuck!” Brian groaned. “You realize we have to get fucking tuxes and go to a fucking…” he paused and his whole body shivered. Brian sneered, “We have to attend a Valentine’s Day dinner.”

Justin laughed at Brian’s horror as he placed his bags in the bedroom. He took the envelope of money out and placed it in the bag with his clothes, it was so close to his skin it’d felt like it had been burning him. He was glad to be free of it. “It could be worse,” he said walking back to sit beside Brian.

“How in the fuck could this be any worse?” Brian asked in disbelief. “I am not good with dates. I’ve never been good with dates. I don’t even think I’ve ever been on a fucking date.”

“Me neither,” Justin groaned in reply. “But we’ll just have to play happy couple and make it up as we go along.”

Brian glared at Justin. “I suppose you’re going to want to be paid for this?”

Justin laughed. “Brian, I am getting a fucking tux out of the deal.”

“This is going to be so bad,” Brian declared. “I can feel it.”

Justin nodded. “You may be right. But think of it this way, I’ll let you fuck me for free when we get back.”

Brian shook his head. “You really don’t have to use that on me since you are helping me.”

Justin smiled. “Good.”

“But I wouldn’t particularly mind a blowjob right now.”

Justin giggled and straddled Brian. “You can fuck me and then we’ll both benefit from our dire circumstances,” he teased, nipping at Brian’s neck.

Brian cupped Justin ass in his hands and squeezed it. “Not here, in the bedroom.”

“I want to ride you,” Justin whispered huskily.

Brian held Justin to him and pushed them off the couch. Justin’s legs wrapped securely around his waist and they kissed their way into the bedroom. “You’re a rather demanding boy, Sunshine,” Brian chuckled as he threw the blond on the bed.

Justin smiled in satisfaction as Brian crawled toward him.
 

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