Lost - Two Timer series - 7. Chapter 7

Patrick walked towards the Pleasure Hole with determination. He approached the crimson glass door with closed black curtains. A brass plaque, hung at eye level, had the words Ring Bell. He took a deep breath and pressed. In seconds a buzzer rang beckoning him to enter.

Patrick cross the threshold, and a heavenly scent entered his senses relaxing his initial anxieties.

“I’ll be right out,” said a voice, from behind a curtain.

Patrick walked around the opened room admiring the Victorian décor.

Everything in the place had a theme. They displayed lubrications like perfumes on three tiers and trays. They exhibited the Dildos on the wall, like guns. Enticed by two monitors between two naked mannequins.

“Welcome to the Pleasure Hole,” said a voice whispering into his ear.

Patrick turned his head surprised at the handsome face. He couldn’t move his eyes from the brown ones staring back at him. The eyes and hair were different, but the height, face, and lips were his Adam’s. Patrick’s words escaped him as his body betrayed him.

Devin tilted his head, something Adam never did, flattered by Patrick’s full attention. Patrick awoke from his spell and blushed from his behavior making Devin smirk.

“Thank you,” Patrick said, unable to find his words.

“I see you’re looking for a costume.”

“Just—browsing.” Patrick tried to control his pounding heart and shaky voice. He wanted to start again. Devin stood just behind him not touching as he talks.

“Well, we brought our costumes into the 21st century. Touch screen monitors to show, you, the buyer, different outfits. You’ll be able to make your own modifications. Extra cost of course. A sims model, close to their body type, models the outfit. We will give a date when the outfit’s ready.”

Patrick preferred Mia to make his outfits, but she’s become preoccupied with Paul and helping him with the Potter family’s town.

“This is fascinating,” Patrick said.

“Well, here, let me show you how it works.” Devin reached around Patrick and touched the screen, showing him a few of the functions. “Here you can see we have accessories you can use to enhance your outfit.”

Patrick tried to focus, but Devin’s voice was distracting him. He avoided eye contact so not to get flustered again. He needed to talk to Devin about Anton.

“Listen, I need to tell you something.”

“I know,” Devin said, confident.

Patrick turned to him staggered.

“You do?”

“Yeah. You’re Patrick Valdez.”

“How did…”

“I’d have to be a fool not to recognize one of the richest men in the world.”

“Yes well, I’m the son to the richest man.”

“You’re still the heir.”

“My family’s money entices you?”

“I’d be lying if I said no. But I have to say I’ve always had a crush on you.”

“A crush?”

“You’re gorgeous.” Devin stepped back so not to make Patrick feel more uncomfortable.

“You flatter me.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Devin, I have to tell you…”

“Wait, how do you know my name?”

Patrick realized his slip and just sighed.

“Anton told me.”

“Anton, Anton Potter?”

“Yes, I’m…”

“No. I don’t want to hear. You should go. I have work to do.”

“Please Devin, let me explain.”

“I don’t know what he told you but it’s all a lie.”

“You’re his son.”

“Did he also tell you he abandoned me?”

“He didn’t. He’d never do that to any of his children.”

“How are you so sure?”

“Devin, Tina kept you a secret from your family to punish Anton.”

“No, I’m not listening you.” Devin grabbed Patrick’s arm and dragged him to the door. He opened it and pushed him outside. “Go tell Anton that if he continues to bother me, I will not only get a restraining order, but I’ll sue!”

The door closed. Defeated Patrick turned and spotted a news van across the street. He recognized the reported who turned and looked at him. He turned his back to him and tried to think of an escape route. Through the reflection on the glass he saw them talking and pointing at him. How would he explain being at a place called the Pleasure Hole? He had to get back inside. He rang the bell. But the buzz never came. He rang again, still no answer.

“Please Devin,” he said to himself.

Devin moved the curtain aside and mouthed to Patrick to go away. Patrick rang the bell again looking at him with pleading eyes. Devin noticed Patrick’s destress when he eyed the news van. He considered, then opened the door. Patrick rushed inside just as the reporter called his name. Devin shut the door and turned to him.

“I’m sorry,” Patrick said. “I can’t let them catch me here. They’ll start a scandal and my father will flip.”

“Well it was your fault for coming here.”

Adam would say the same thing, Patrick thought.

“Is there a back door?”

“If they think you’re in here, they might already have the backdoor covered.”

“Then what am I going to do?”

“Don’t ask me.” Devin felt bad for saying that as Patrick pulled out his cell phone. “Who are you calling?”

“I’m not sure,” Patrick said defeated.

“I have an idea.”

“What is it?” Patrick speculate, why Devin had a change of heart.

“Will you trust me?”

Patrick had no choice. “Yes, I’ll trust you.”

Devin pulled out his cell and made a phone call. He talked to someone named Molly and it seem to go well because he hung up smiling.

“Molly will let you hide upstairs in her apartment until the reports go away. We’ll tell them you were a nervous customer who ran out the back door.”

“You think they’ll believe you?”

“They’ll believe Molly. She has a way in intimidating people.”

Molly appeared through a false door on the wall with her red hair tied in a pony tail.

“Okay, Mr. Valdez upstairs and make yourself comfortable. I’ll handle these jackals.”

“Patrick, Molly Basset,” Devin said.

“No time for formal introductions. The longer we wait the harder for me to convince them,” Molly said.

Patrick thanked her as he moved past her and up the stairs. When he reached the top, he found the décor, minus the sex toys, was in the same tasteful design.

A long couch with a coffee table, a record player in front of a bay window. A separate eat-in kitchen with a half-eaten meal on the table.

Patrick sat on the couch as he considered calling Anton when he noticed Devin standing at the top of the staircase.

“Why are you helping him,” Devin asked.

“He’s my friend,” Patrick said.

“How, he’s old enough to be your dad?”

“So.”

“You like older men.”

“We’re not lovers.”

“Do you have a lover?”

“Yes.”

“Does he know you’re doing this?”

“No,” Patrick said, honestly.

“He’s a liar.”

“Devin, there’s so much you don’t understand.”

“And I should listen to you, right?”

“If you just listen to everything you can make your own decision.”

Devin considered Patrick’s proposition and took a step towards him. But Tina’s words came rushing at him. ‘Anton got rid of you because he didn’t need you! He threw you away like garbage!’

“No, it’s all bullshit,” Devin said, moving to a window.

“There're diaries,” Patrick blurted out. Devin looked at him but said nothing. “Tina had diaries on all the children she carried for Anton and Troy Potter, including you.”

“And I guess Anton has them.”

“They sent Tina’s belonging to the Potters home. Anton found it while cleaning the basement.”

“How convenient for him.”

“It’s true. Anton was devastated when he found out he had another son.”

Devin shook his head. Patrick moved to him and grabbed his arm making him face him.

“Devin, just read the diary about you.”

“If you give me something first?”

“What?”

“A kiss.”

“What? No, I told you already, I have a lover.”

“So, do I.”

“Then you should not be asking me for a kiss.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you worried you might fall for me?”

Patrick realized he still held his arm and released him. He stepped back, but Devin moved a step forward.

“I think—you’re imagining things,” Patrick said.

“Oh, am I?”

Patrick miss guessed his footing and fell back onto the couch as Devin loomed over him. Patrick saw the difference in the man who resembled his Adam. He wanted to help reunite Anton’s family, but the risk seemed too high. He spoke when Devin walked away.

“Forget what I said,” Devin said, regretful, he moved away dejected. His cell rang, and he answered. Once he hung up, he looked at Patrick. “Molly said the reporter’s gone.” He started down the stairs and Patrick followed.

Molly returned upstairs Devin promised he’ll explain everything later. He walked Patrick to the door opening it for him. Patrick walked past him not sure what else to say. He faced Devin in hope of one last attempt to persuade him.

“Devin…” But is cut off when Devin kissed him. Patrick backed away stunned. Devin tasted his lips and smiled.

“It was so worth it. Come to my apartment tomorrow, I’ll be off and bring the diary.”

“Fine, I’ll bring Anton.”

“No, you come alone, or I won’t read it.”

“Being alone with you is not a good idea.”

“I’m not a rapist. You’ll be perfectly safe. I want to see you again.” He handed Patrick a slip of paper with his address. “Remember, come alone. We’ll have lunch.”

The door closed as Patrick walked in a daze back to the park where he left Anton waiting but when he arrived, he was nowhere in sight. He called him, but it dropped to voicemail.