Ten Years Later New York. Who would have thought I’d move here it’s big building and shiny people made my skin crawl. It wasn’t as bad as Los Angeles with the beautiful people and the fake smiles, but close enough. I wanted to live my life in solitude and peace where waters run clean and the air smelt like roses. I would own a small house built out of wood. It would hold a large fireplace that would burn bright in the winters. The windows large and arched for summer time when I’d open the stained glass windows to let the fresh air waft through my home. I’d have rugs of different colours and cultures sprawled all over my hardwood floors, giving the room an eastern feel. My gardens would be long and large as far as the eye can see, where my dogs and children would play. I’d build a swing for my daughters and race roads for my sons. I’d come home to my husband and everything would be perfect. But my dream was not meant to be. It all ended ten years ago when the man of my dreams left me. I had spent countless years after I graduated from Pittsburgh of Fine Arts to find him. When he left I was young and helpless, I got a job as a photographer for a small magazine company. All my money that I earned was spent on finding him. I gave up when I turned twenty-five no matter how hard I tried or how much money I spent I just couldn’t find him. I gave up my small meaningless job and moved to LA, where I worked hard to be what I always wanted to do. It came as a surprise to my friends and family when I gave up my basketball life and took up art. I guess it was the only source that helped me deal with everything. I was good…really good that I won a lot of competitions in school. Despite my late enrolment in PFA, my portfolio was good enough that I got the place. My dad never spoke up on my choice I could tell that he was hurt that I wouldn’t be playing college ball. Our conversations seemed strained but I had lost all hope in everything that I didn’t care anymore. LA was a bad place for me emotionally but a great place to showcase my work. Even though I doubted the mindless people actually understood my art I made a lot of money. Enough to buy three homes on different sides of the world. I bought and I gave but nothing could fill the emptiness left my him. I had my relationships that lasted all but a few months before even they left. I only had one other regret other than Brian, and that was Tom. A blonde haired hunk who was a few years younger than me. I was at another nameless gay bar drinking my sorrows away when the toothy smiled angel decided to be a bar tender. He ordered me drinks and listened to me yap on about Brian, declaring my love to a man who hated me. Listening to me talk about a boy who I knew when I was seventeen. Eight years later and I was till hung on him. He nodded and soothed me, and I wished to God that I could fall in love with him. Days passed and I got to know him a senior at the local university who was studying for a degree in journalism. We met up during lunchtimes and dinner time. We talked on the phone every night and emailed and texted each other during the day, after awhile we became inseparable and I stopped thinking about Brian as much. But he wanted more and I only wanted his friendship. I gave into him and we made love the night he turned twenty-three. As beautiful as it was it wasn’t his name that I called out when my orgasm hit me and I remember the crushed look on his face when it ended. I felt my eyes fill with tears but I couldn’t cry, after years of crying over Brian it seemed as it was now impossible. He quickly got dressed his face wet and broken, and I felt my life feel that much more pathetic. “Please don’t make people fall in love with you Justin it’s not fair.” And with that he left with my heart bleeding and my shame long gone. Days went past and we no longer talked or had dinners. It’s not like I tried calling him anyway. I was too numb. Daphne tried to help me but to no avail LA was killing me but I had nowhere to go, until Daphne told me ‘Exquisite’ a private owned art gallery wanted me to showcase my work in New York. I jumped at the chance and Daphne other than being my best friend was my manager made all the arrangements. So now I’m standing here in my new penthouse looking across the beauty that is New York. The river looking dark and murky and the skyline bouncing across the shiny buildings. I hear the door rattle and close. “It’s time for the meeting Justin”, said Daphne placing a hand on my shoulder. I needed advertisement and was meeting a new sleek modern company called ‘Justice’, who’d be helping me with the marketing of my show. I nodded my head and shrugged on my long black coat and followed my friend out of the house. * The drive to the restaurant was short, we pulled up outside a delicate looking establishment. It was small but intimate and I smiled at the choice. Our car was parked by the valet and I lead Daphne but the arm into the place. “Nice choice Daphne”, I said looking at the décor of the place. Rich colours adorned the wall. Statues waterfalls, pebbles, plants were place around the whole restaurant giving it an authentic and original taste. “Oh I didn’t choose it Mr. Kinney did.” My step faltered but Daphne kept dragging me along. I felt my heart start to beat fast . It wasn’t possible. I knew that. We headed towards the back booth which was much more private. “Mr. Taylor please meet Alex Thomson and Brian Kinney partners and owners of Justice.” And ten years flashed before my eyes when I looked into those hazel eyes which held shock and fear, and I started to shake.