Chapter 1 - Grayson
"All you ever do is work. When you asked me to move in I thought I would see you more, but I understand now that isn't the case." The fiery red head shook with anger, "And now Europe?! I see you for maybe an hour every few days and now you tell me you're leaving for six weeks on business?! I thought I was important to you. Clearly, I was wrong. Call me if you ever get your priorities straight." She turned and stalked into the waiting elevator, impatiently slamming her finger into the button marked 'G'.
The memory played in Grayson's head through his entire trip. The plane ride itself seemed to take years, the shrill sound of Mollys voice ringing in his ears the whole time. She seemed important to him at the time, or he wouldn't have asked her to move in, but the truth is that he didn't actually enjoy her company at all. The moment they took that next step Grayson realized they had nothing in common at all. When they did have time together it seemed all he could talk about was work and the only thing she ever did was scroll social media while at her 9 to 5 receptionist job. He didn't really want to hear the latest whose who, so he would tune her out most of the time. He found himself picking up more hours just to avoid the confrontation he knew was coming, and before he knew it, he was almost never home. He would come home to shower and sleep but that was pretty much it, and it always conveniently coincided with her work schedule. Grayson did feel guilty for leading her on the way he did.
This seemed to happen every time he found himself in a relationship. The spark would just die, or maybe the lust that got them there in the first place, he didn't know which. He found himself pulled toward spunky women even though he himself was probably as boring as it gets.
Being 6'2 and knowingly handsome with a lean figure and dark curly hair everyone that saw him probably thought he was a partier or maybe an athlete but, in all honesty, his favorite pastime was probably just reading a book or watching a movie. He had a home gym that got some use but nothing like his body fooled people into thinking. Most of his looks came from genetics and the long hours he spent walking the halls of the hospital he basically called home.
Grayson's reminiscing came to a halt when the meeting lead spoke.
"Alright everyone, with that I would like to thank everyone for volunteering and taking the time out of your schedules to help our outreach program this year. Every single one of you have made a difference in someone's life during these last few weeks. For the folks leaving this evening, safe travels, and for the few that choose to spend a couple more days, please enjoy yourselves. Hotels are paid up to Monday morning. Have a great night everyone."
The balding man stepped away from the podium with a light round of applause following him.
Grayson felt a hand clamp tightly on his shoulder, "Hey, glad I caught you before you left," Grayson turned to see one of his colleagues that he had met and spoken to a few times since he landed in Europe, Mika.
"I was just seeing if you were interested in coming to a party with a few of us. Nothing extravagant, just a couple pretty high-class people. Very low profile." Mika said, sliding his hand across Grayson's shoulders to rest his arm and lean a little closer as he almost whispered the last few words.
"Thanks man, but I'm pretty wiped. Was thinking of calling it an early night." Grayson gave a small chuckle and tried to pull away, but Mika tightened his grip ever so slightly.
"C'mon, it will be fun. And besides, I heard a few of the men going are some high-ranking individuals, it would be good to make some connections maybe, eh?" He wagged his eyebrows, his accent coming out a little.
"I really should get some sleep; I was thinking of seeing some sights before I head out tomorrow night." He tried to step away once more but again Mika stepped with him.
"What better sights to see than what the locals have to offer uh? I hear some talk about an auction with some very high value items. You mentioned you were a collector didn't you? Maybe you find something that catches your eye?" Mika raised his eyebrows and gave a sly smile.
Grayson sighed softly and plastered on a smile, "You got me there, what time and place?"
Mika laughed heartily and clapped him on the back, " I'll send a car for you at 6, it's black tie so wear something nice. And bring your checkbook." He winked, squeezed Grayson's shoulder and sauntered off with laugh.
'Oh Great' Grayson thought, 'There goes my lazy night in'.
He gave a sigh and strode off to hail a cab, rolling his eyes at the fact that he would have to steam his suit because it was likely sitting at the bottom of his bag, not having been used in the passing weeks.
