My first attempt at writing so apologies if its not so good.
It's intended course would be around 12 chapters and I have a few already started, feedback to cfgw2000@aol.com good or bad would be appreciated.
There's very little sexual content, the story evolves as growing relationships.
The content of this story is purely a product of my imagination and has no basis on persons living or otherwise.
Life's Illusions - Chapter 1 - Party or Pity.
Party or Pity - Chapter 1
Hurt and angry (not the physical sort of hurt but the pain was just as real) Paul James Thorn (PJ) 25 years old today, sat in the back of the limousine taking him to his grandfathers New York City office.
He should be home now having birthday drinks with his partner of four years Josh (Joshua Paul Hartnett) and their close friends, before setting out for the ballroom at the New York Woodruff (Flagship hotel in the family business) venue for his 25th birthday party, but he'd been AWOL for the last 8 hours.
His day had started really well being woken by Josh a little after 7am with a fantastic birthday breakfast tray in bed including a beautiful red rose in a crystal vase. They'd eaten and kissed their way through most of the food before turning to more serious matters, it wasn't long before PJ and Josh were entwined in passionate lovemaking bringing PJ to climax before he lay back exhausted, his arms wrapped around Josh.
As PJ lay spent softly stroking Josh's firm pecs he was surprised when Josh pulled away and headed to the bathroom, " Hey you didn't get off" turning slightly as he entered the bathroom Josh blew him a kiss " No time now you have a breakfast meeting in precisely 55 minutes, I'm taking an IOU which I intend to collect tonight after the party" PJ sprang out of their super king bed and followed Josh into the bathroom where the shower was already running.
Grabbing Josh tenderly around the waist they kissed "Ok deal, I owe you and I'll make sure to pay that debt with interest later, and how do you know what meeting I have scheduled, you keeping tabs on me?" PJ was puzzled by Josh's nervous answer and presumed Josh was arranging some surprise for his birthday and didn't want PJ digging so he dismissed his boyfriends strange behaviour in favour of an intimate cuddly feely fun shower.
A little over 55 minutes later after making a slight detour to a Manhattan Jewellery Store he was in his Grandfathers office awaiting the arrival of his Father and Grandfather (Peter Thorn and Paul James Woodruff ) looking over the performance reports of Woodruff European Leisure and Hospitality which Celia, his Grandfathers PA, had informed him would be the focus of today's meeting. The reports made pretty grim reading they showed a marked and steady fall in revenue from the European section and it took PJ no time at all to drill down to the root of the problem, Spanish properties. He suspected he was asked to attend this meeting because he'd dealt with a similar problem here in the US and successfully placed this sector back into profit.
To fill in time he dialled the number of the New York Woodruff and was put through to the entertainment manager who paid special attention to his requirements for a dramatic drum roll moment at his direction later that evening when he brought out what would be a surprise for all, he would ask Josh to join him on stage where he would go down on one knee in front of around 200 guests and ask Josh to marry him.
Deep in thought studying the rings he'd had specially made his Grandfathers arrival startled him and jumping up he immediately enveloped the smaller man in a hug enjoying the feel of the hug being returned,
This was something he never did with his father, strange, but he dismissed the thought. He'd never been really close to his father even though apart from his college years they'd lived in the same house for 20 years first as a family and then just the 2 of them since his Mothers death when PJ was 10 years old. Since she passed away it had been his late Grandmother (who passed away just 2 years ago) and this man his Mothers Father who had been his constant source of love. He knew his Grandfather tolerated his father purely because he had married PJ's mother, even PJ had to admit his Father had below average business sense relying on his staff to run the European Sector he controlled and often suffering Grandfathers wrath for poor decisions. His Grandfather had built the company into a Multi-National Giant with divisions of Banking, Leisure, Property and stakes in many other interests, the company, Woodruff Inc, as a whole was now a Multi Billion Dollar Global Company and still family controlled.
The company shares were split between 4 people, PJs Grandfather held 55%, PJs Father held 12% which he inherited from his wife after her death, PJ held 29% inherited from his Mother and Grandmother and the final 4% held by Josh left to him by PJs Grandmother who like PJ believed Josh to be his soulmate.
Spying the ring boxes his Grandfather asked to see them and approved the darker gold bands with a white gold thinner band overlaid around the centre, the inside inscribed, PJ/Josh For all Time, Soulmate's.
"You're set on doing it then?" His Grandfather asked, "Yes he's the one, the only one" PJ replied.
Whilst awaiting the arrival of his Father PJ used the time to gather information on today's meeting which his Father had arranged.
"It's the damn Spanish Hotels" his Grandfather told him "they've been getting worse and worse for the last year an a half, "PJ knew Sylvio Ramos was the head of Spanish Operations in the Leisure sector and had never rated his performance or abilities, he viewed him as lazy and greedy with poor people skills surrounding himself with management heavies to frighten the staff into line, not at all PJs way of working but he was PJs fathers problem (his father was President of All Europe Operations) PJ hadn't gotten involved up to now.
"So why am I involved it's not my area", he asked. (PJ was President of North American Operations)
PJ had a gut feeling he knew what was coming, when he'd taken over North American Operations a little over a year and a half ago (which until then had been managed by his father) there were 22 Hotels badly under performing spread over 6 States now all but one were back into the performance area expected of them, the one misnomer was the Washington Woodruff Hotel Resort and this one was a work in progress where the management team had allowed the property quality to slide badly and competitors to gain ground.
PJ had a dedicated team working alongside the Hotels Management Team to upgrade facilities and lobby previous high profile guests to return to the fold and it was working to plan so much so that the current plan was to have the specialist team pull out in the next week.
"I'll let your father explain if he ever gets here" he was now 15 minutes late something PJs Grandfather (and PJ) hated.
Just at that point Celia, PA to PJ's Grandfather buzzed through to say his Father had been detained and we should go ahead and conduct the meeting without him.
PJ was pissed to say the least and could see his Grandfather was equally annoyed, he guessed his Father was ducking out of asking him to swap continents and clean up his mess yet again, relying on his never disappointing or refusing anything his Grandfather asked.
PJ stood up "I propose we postpone this meeting and let Daddy Dearest do his own dirty work another time" His Grandfather was chuckling, knowing PJs Father would be seriously annoyed that his plan had backfired. "I'm going to play hooky today so I'm swearing you to secrecy, don't let the Chairman of the Board find out or he might sack me" PJ said to his Grandfather, he grinning replied " I reckon you have that old fool wrapped around your little finger so I'm guessing you have nothing to fear on that front" PJ hugged him again kissing him on the cheek "careful what you say about our Chairman" PJ told him "He's no fool and I for one love him dearly" "Back at you boy" his Grandfather told him as they walked out into the executive lobby. "I'll see you later at the party" his Grandfather told him as he caught the elevator down to the parking garage.
PJ decided to return home and maybe pay his recent dues to Josh, after all it was his birthday and he liked the idea of a randy mid morning romp before a long leisurely lunch followed by maybe a lazy afternoon romp as well.
He had no idea his decision would wreak havoc throughout every part of his life, nothing would ever be the same after today, his life which He considered idyllic would be left in tatters.
As he exited the private elevator into the lobby which served the 2 penthouse apartments he mused that in the 6 years he had owned this apartment he had never met anyone from the Investment Company that owned the other apartment.
Entering his own apartment he had the strangest feeling but couldn't put his finger on what was troubling him, and then it hit him, there on the ornate side table in the entrance lobby sat a set of keys which he immediately recognised and realised the Fire Red Ferrari parked 2 away from his in the underground garage belonged to friends of Josh, Bill Freemantle and his partner Dave , he didn't like them and had always refused any party or outing where they were involved, they were creeps, leeching off and leering at whomever they were out with and constantly regaling all and sundry with their tales of group sex and swingers parties, but Josh had known them a long time and it wasn't PJs nature to dictate who Josh should or shouldn't have as friends, they must be helping Josh with something for the party tonight, now PJ felt guilty for not going ahead with the meeting his Father didn't attendant leaving Josh to get on with his surprise.
Rather than startle them he dropped his keys on the same side table and headed to the kitchen to get a coffee then headed into the lounge where he noticed Josh's tracks pants and white tee on the sofa along with what looked to be 2 other shirts a tee and a white button up, calling out Josh's name he heard a mad scrambling sound from the bedroom, as PJ walked through the lounge Josh came from the hallway which led to the master bedroom suite looking like he'd spent a night in a whore house, he had on only his D&G almost transparent white bikini briefs, he looked shocked and agitated, causing PJ to suppress a giggle, at a guess PJ would have said Josh was embarrassed being caught having a sly mid morning pull, after all PJ had left him blue balled earlier, but he wouldn't, would he? not with two of his closest friends here, and PJ was sure they were here.
It was a surreal situation, PJ's usually alert mind seemed to be struggling, having great difficulty making 1+1 add up to 2 and almost before the conclusion registered the tears started coursing down his cheeks. He could hear someone saying "No please no, please it can't be" It was PJ himself groaning out those words, he pushed past Josh and there in the bedroom his worst fears were confirmed, Bill shirtless pulling up his pants, Dave stark naked frantically grabbing for his pants
PJ turned to Josh as Bill approached them, "Why?" Was all he could manage as the wracking sobs engulfed him, he tried to push back past Josh to get away from this nightmare but Josh and Bill both had hold of him, ignoring pleas from both of them to wait, he punched Bill hard in the face twice enjoying the resounding crunch as Bills nose erupted in a fountain of blood, pushing Josh roughly aside he heard and saw Bill's nose spurt blood in every direction as he fell backwards into a side table smashing it, scattering pictures and ornaments, just then he felt an arm round his throat choking him and dragging him backwards, pushing back with all his considerable might he propelled himself and what could only be Dave into the mirrored doors of a closet hearing the doors smash and a scream from Dave as his naked back was cut by broken glass.
Dave released his choke hold and fell to the floor groaning as Josh crossed the room towards them, PJ saw red and landed a punch to the side of Josh's jaw and a second jab caught Josh to the side of his nose propelling him backwards into a bedside table sending both Josh and a crystal lamp smashing to the floor with blood now pouring from Josh's nose as well.
Looking around the room he saw Bill on the floor almost unconscious and groaning with blood pouring from his shattered nose, Dave lying half in half out of the shattered closet with visible cuts to his back and shoulder and Josh, his Josh, until now his soulmate or so he'd thought also lying there bleeding.
"This was why you were acting strange this morning why you didn't want to get off with me?, you wanted to save yourself for these scumbags, you think so little of me, of our life you'd throw it all away for shit like this" He said, pointing at Bill and Dave.
Josh was sitting huddled arms around his knees sobbing, "You have 15 minutes to be dressed and out of here, after that I'll have security remove you dressed or not".
PJ walked out of the bedroom across the lounge and into the kitchen where he took a beer from the chiller not remembering what had happened to his coffee, he wished he could wind back to earlier before all this happened but realised that just meant Josh would still be doing this but behind his back. He heard the front door slam and assumed they had left then a few moments later a noise of someone clearing up in the bedroom, he stormed towards the bedroom fists balled ready to do serious harm to someone but found Josh alone crying as he gathered up broken items into a trash bin from the bathroom. "What are you doing, I asked you to leave or are you deaf now as well as devoid of morels?".
Josh turned to him still crying "PJ please, we need to talk".
PJ saw red and before he knew it he was screaming at Josh with tears flooding from his eyes, "Talk, you think talking will resolve this, are you fucking mad, how the hell is talking going to help us now, you trashed everything Josh, me, us, our life together, just for a fuck with those 2 slime balls, well I hope it was worth it because there is no more us now get what you need together and make sure you're gone before I get back".
PJ stormed out of the apartment almost falling into the elevator stabbing frantically at buttons to shut the doors, he needed to be away from here, he didn't care how badly Josh was hurt, he couldn't see, his eyes were blurred with tears he just wanted to go back in time to not see or know what his mind refused to accept, his Josh, his soul mate, the love of his life the one he would die for, fucking around whilst PJ worked and PJ so stupid so blind he didn't know. How could he be so fucking stupid, how had he not seen this, how many times had they laughed about his stupidity, how many more of his friends knew about this whilst PJ was blissfully ignorant? He just shut down.
PJ didn't know how he got there or even where he was but he became aware of someone wiping his face with a freezing cold cloth. As his vision cleared he saw Billy, CEO of Fielding Presidential Hotels, PJs best friend and partner in crime since age 5 when they met on their first day of school, 2 terrified 1st termer.
Billy was crying looking down at PJ. "PJ mate, for fuck sake tell me what's wrong you're scaring me"
Over the next hour between bouts of both rage and sobbing he told Billy what he'd found returning to his apartment that morning, by the time he'd finished he felt numb, all cried out as Billy hugged him tight rocking slowly back and forth until PJ drifted off into a restless sleep.
When he awoke Julia, Billy's girlfriend was leaning over him placing a steaming mug of coffee on the side table. PJ sipped at the coffee and grimaced, it was heavy with sugar and he didn't take sweetened drinks, Julia saw his expression and cut off the protests with "stow it buster you need the sweetness to replace some of that lost energy now drink" she told him that Billy had shared his problems with her which she knew would be alright because she was almost PJs sister they'd been friends so long.
Billy came into the lounge talking on his phone, breaking off he spoke to PJ "All hell is breaking loose, no one has been able to contact you for over 8 hours, I have your Grandfather on hold and he's worried sick but I haven't told him anything except that you're upset and safe, he wants to talk to you" PJ took the phone from him and could hear the concern and relief in his Grandfathers voice as he spoke, PJ told him he'd gotten a really bad shock earlier and needed to see him but he didn't want to talk on the phone, he asked about the party and PJ told him he wouldn't be there, right now he didn't want to be around anyone except his Grandfather. His Grandfather mentioned that Josh was worried and had been searching for him, PJ replied harshly "Oh I bet he has, well he's top of the list of people I don't ever want to see again" PJ could tell his Grandfather was shocked, he asked if PJ had his car, which PJ honestly didn't know, he didn't remember how he got here so his Grandfather suggested he would have his driver pick PJ up, he was already on standby to take his Grandfather to the Woodruff for the party.
And so here he was in the back of his Grandfathers Limo heading to his Grandfathers New York office knowing he would have to pour out all the sordid details but confident Gramps would help him sort this mess, he was PJs rock and always had been.
Paul James Woodruff sat across from his grandson in the lounge area of his large office looking stunned with tears running down his cheeks, "I'm so sorry PJ, right now I want to take him out and flog him publicly".
PJ had calmed down some since telling his Grandfather everything, more than that he felt cold it could be happening to someone else, he felt nothing, he asked his Grandfather to do something for him that he knew he wanted so badly, to help him escape, to leave this nightmare behind.
His Grandfather was alarmed and upset thinking PJ was going to leave both him and the business but he calmed down when PJ outlined what he wanted.
PJ told him no one could object to what he would be asking (meaning his Father) because it was what they had been meant to discuss that morning had his Farther bothered to turn up for their meeting.
PJ wanted to head up the European Division but would report only to his Grandfather no one else, he wanted Carte Blanche Authority to reshape, remodel, hire and fire as he saw fit, he wanted a 10% increase in the Spanish Operating Budget for a period of 12 calendar months from the beginning of next month because he knew that's where the main problem was not around the other European Countries, he wanted his specialist team on the ground in Spain in the next 48 hours, and going forward they would be his staff alone, no one else would have use of them as had been the case in the past.
PJ was adamant he wanted no involvement in anything that remotely involved Josh.
His Grandfather raised only one point, would PJ attend board meetings where he would have to be in the company of Josh, PJ told him he wouldn't attend in person but would participate by video conference which his Grandfather was ok with. One of PJs first acts after taking his place on the board had been to convince his Grandfather that video conferencing was an effective modern tool for companies of their size and so they had long since departed from the practice of dragging people from all around the world to be half asleep around 1 table, it was counter productive and costly so board meetings tended to rotate around the globe and the nearest Managers to the venue would attend in person whilst those further away would video conference giving a mix of attendees at each meeting.
PJs Grandfather agreed to all of his requests and called in Celia his PA and dictated what was effectively PJs Appointment Directive commencing as of midnight tonight including all of the conditions PJ had requested, he asked Celia to get it down to their legal guys for scrutiny and have it back to him in 2 hours during which time he would be taking PJ out to dinner.
As they left the office his Grandfathers mobile rang and he looked angry when he saw the caller ID, he answered with a sharpe "What!".
PJ was stunned, he'd never seen his Grandfather this angry or openly hostile and then he realised his Grandfather must be talking to Josh.
"So you expect him to turn up and pretend everything's fine for your benefit so you can save face?, well let me explain something in simple terms, he won't be attending your party, he's going out for dinner with someone who's loved him like a son since the day he was born and still does, someone who would rather lose a limb than hurt him, something you failed miserably at you pathetic piece of shit now get your useless ass to reception and make sure they charge every last cent of that party cost to you personally and remember I'll be checking on that , and Josh, don't ring me again unless you want me to come over there and push that phone publicly down your throat, be in my office tomorrow 9am", at that he cut the connection.
He was visibly shaking and stood there in silence, PJ put his arm around him "Come on Gramps" something he hadn't called him for a long time but was his name for him in the years he was growing up, "Salvage a little of this day for me, let me have a pleasant dinner with the one member of this family I love more than anyone else on this earth" and so it was settled they went out to dinner just the 2 of them and to make it even more special his Grandfather took PJ to the Fielding Presidential, Billy's Flagship hotel in New York.
He must have had Celia call ahead because to PJs surprise they were greeted by none other than Mr William Fielding (Billy) himself and on his arm Julia, they were led to a prime table in the centre raised executive dinning enclave prompting considerable interest throughout the dinning room, after all it was common knowledge that there was a massively expensive party in full swing at the New York Woodruff which was being hosted by Josh Hartnett, PJs lover of 4 years, in honour of PJs birthday and here was PJ choosing to snub that party which signalled a pretty significant rift in both the ranks at Woodruff and in PJ and Josh's private life.
As we were about to order Celia arrived and I asked her to join us, she argued but as Gramps pointed out, I wanted to be surrounded by people who loved me tonight so she gained automatic entry and he was right.
During the meal I realised in a few hours I would be flying away, across the Atlantic in Gramps private jet, leaving behind these people I loved and right now I was so hurt and confused I didn't know if I'd ever return.
After dinner, in Gramps office we finalised my contract and I took a few minutes to send an email to Josh.
Oh Josh
This is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life.
I want to ask why, why you would hurt me so badly but I don't want to know the answer because that would probably hurt even more, to know that the person I thought was my soulmate the one I loved and would have given my life for, the one I'd planned to ask to marry me didn't love me at all. It would be so much easier if I could convince myself I didn't love you, but I can't . I'll always love you Josh but I can't forgive you.
By the time you read this I will be gone from the States and I doubt I'll ever return.
The locks and entry codes for my apartment will be changed at midday tomorrow so if you want to take anything, anything at all, do it before then.
I doubt I could ever face going back there, it would always remind me of the heartbreak I had to face there, of losing you, of losing us, so tomorrow the realty agent will list it for sale.
Goodbye Josh.
PJ
TBC