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Yuto and Rob wasted no time heading to Union Station, where they boarded the Amtrak Acela Express. The Acela Express was a high-speed train running along the Northeast Corridor connecting DC to Boston. It would take them about three hours to get to New York. Yuto took a seat beside Rob and called Heiden as their train left the platform.
“Heiden, it’s me. I’m on a train going to New York.”
“What…? Lennix, for Christ’s sake!” Heiden exclaimed angrily, losing his temper when he discovered that Yuto was heading to New York instead of Quantico. Yuto had already told him about their plan to sneak into the party, so he didn’t have to explain why he was headed where he was.
“Get back here right now, or you’re fired!”
“Go ahead and fire me. I joined the FBI because I wanted to work this case. Heiden, this case means more to me than anything. I can’t afford to give up partway.”
Heiden spent a few more minutes berating Yuto for his reckless behavior, but once he ran out of criticisms, he sighed irritably.
“You stubborn ass,” he muttered testily. “There’s a detective called Matt Dickens at the New York Police Department Detective Bureau. I’m going to give you his cell number now, so write it down. —Did you get it?”
“Yeah,” Yuto said as he finished scribbling the number on his notepad.
“Matt is a friend of mine. I’ll let him know that you’re headed down there. Go to him for help if anything happens, but strictly on a personal basis. Don’t even breathe the word ‘FBI’.”
“You’re sure about this?”
Yuto didn’t expect Heiden to condone what he was doing.
“What choice do I have? Not like you’ll listen if I say otherwise. —Lennix, I lost my best friend to a terrorist attack. There were also political interests behind it, just like this one, and the investigation was canned. It still bothers me, no matter how many years have gone by.”
Although Heiden was angry, he also understood what Yuto was feeling. Referring Yuto to his friend in the NYPD was Heiden’s way of backing him up.
The train arrived in New York at the scheduled time. At Pennsylvania Station, located underground beneath Madison Square Garden, they disembarked onto the dark, cramped platform and were greeted by the musty, sour odour typical of underground stations.
They emerged above ground, which was a huge contrast with its bustle and neon lights beginning to turn on. Yuto and Rob flagged a taxi to the hotel.
“To the Marquiladin, please,” said Rob to the driver. It was one of the top luxury hotels in Manhattan. Yuto asked Rob if they were going to check out the place to prepare for tomorrow. Rob stared at him blankly.
“What do you mean? We’re going to stay the night.”
“But even the cheapest rooms there go for around five hundred, don’t they? I’ll look for another place to stay.”
“No can do. I’ve already booked us a room. If I cancel now, we’ll have to pay the full price in cancellation fees, anyway. Waste of money, if you ask me. Anyway, I’ve always wanted to stay the night there. Humour me, will you?”
Rob offered to pay for the room, so Yuto had no choice but to relent.
The Marquiladin was also located in Midtown West, and after a short drive, the taxi pulled into a wide driveway in front of a classical-looking building. As Yuto and Rob got out, they were greeted by a dashing doorman with a charming smile. After the doorman carried their things to the front desk, Rob was exceedingly friendly as he gave the man a tip.
“At the Marquiladin, even the doormen are charming,” Rob remarked with a smug smile once they arrived at their room on the thirty-second floor overlooking the Hudson River. Rob seemed to be more concerned about praising a young man’s good looks rather than appreciating the magnificent view or the luxurious room. Yuto gave his partner a cold stare for his uncouth manners.
“But you’re the cutest, of course,” Rob added hastily. “But I’m sure I don’t have to repeat myself, because you already know.”
Rob’s cell phone rang just as Yuto opened his mouth to retort. It was the friend whom Rob had asked to prepare their tuxedoes for the party. Apparently he was bringing them to the room for them to try on.
A while later, Rob’s friend, Chris Jaykins, appeared carrying an armful of clothing. He truly looked like someone who worked in fashion in New York, and the way he sashayed around like a model reinforced that image.
Chris was wearing light makeup that clashed with his goatee. His hair, shaven short to accentuate his small head, was dyed light link. He was wearing a tight-fitting shirt and pants. Unsurprised by the man’s appearance, Yuto gave him a smile and offered his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, Yuto. You can call me CJ, honey.”
CJ briskly laid out the two tuxedoes and encouraged the men to try them on.
“I’m positive they’ll fit perfectly, but no harm in making sure. Chop-chop, come on!”
Once Yuto and Rob finished getting dressed, CJ clapped his hands gleefully.
“Omigosh, cuties, you look fantastic! I wish I could just take you home and put you on display. But Yuto, maybe your sleeves are a bit short. How’s the collar? Not too tight?”
Rob looked annoyed as CJ ran his hands all over Yuto.
“Hey, stop grabbing at him like that.”
CJ arched one thin eyebrow.
“A little touching never hurt anyone! Right, Yuto? Isn’t it such a pain having a jealous professor for a boyfriend? How long have you been dating?”
When Yuto corrected CJ to let him know they weren’t dating, the man widened his eyes dramatically.
“My! Rob, you mean to say you still haven’t bagged this cutie? Since when did that pride and joy between your legs go out of commission? I remember you used to be such a bold guy when you were younger. Taking someone different home every night. I have good memories of when you used to be a bad boy. You were practically glowing. Forget Saturday Fever; it was Every Night Fever for you back then.”
CJ recounted Rob’s past racy exploits one after another like a rapid fire machine gun. Rob, rendered speechless, hastily kicked CJ out of the room, claiming that they had matters to attend to.
“…You look like you have something to say,” Rob grimaced awkwardly, noticing Yuto’s icy stare.
“No, not really,” Yuto said as he changed out of the tuxedo back into a suit. Rob began to change as well, but once he had stripped down to his shirt, he hovered around Yuto, seemingly unable to go without making excuses.
“You know, what CJ said was partly true, but it’s not like I enjoyed sleeping around. You know how it is with young people, not being able to distinguish between their ideals and reality. Back then, I thought The One was out there. I was chasing after a dream that didn’t exist.”
“Is that so? I just thought maybe you had trouble keeping your junior under control,” Yuto said sarcastically.
“You’ve got it all wrong,” Rob said, looking offended as he placed his hands over his crotch. “Junior here is well-behaved, just like me. Even when you’re sleeping in the bed right beside me, all defenseless, he still stays put like I tell him to.”
Rob tended to go on forever with his dirty jokes. Yuto decided to wrap up the mindless conversation and picked up his cell phone instead.
“Who’re you calling?”
“Detective Dickens from the NYPD. Heiden gave me his name. I have a favour to ask.”
It was highly likely that Manning, as well as the president of General Mars, had booked rooms in this hotel in preparation for the party tomorrow. Perhaps with Dickens’ help, he could find out who was staying in which room.
Apparently Heiden had given Dickens a thorough brief on the situation, and he seemed willing to help with Yuto’s requests even without much explanation from Yuto. Dickens promised that he would be in touch again tomorrow. With that, Yuto hung up.
Yuto and Rob left the room to get dinner. On Rob’s request, they decided to head to a restaurant on the top floor of the hotel which overlooked the city. Rob was in top spirits as they were shown to a table by the window with a view of the skyscrapers.
After dinner, Rob ordered some cocktails from the waiter. Although Yuto usually disliked sweet drinks, the cocktail was refreshing and easy to drink.
“So, you said you used to think that you were destined to meet The One someday. Did you stop looking, or?”
Yuto had figured Rob to have had many past lovers, and CJ’s words only cemented that notion. Yuto was interested to know about Rob’s perspective on love, given how experienced the man was.
“I can’t say I’ve stopped looking, but I’ve certainly abandoned those lofty ideals. When I was younger, I used to think that The One would suddenly appear in front of me, but I know now that it’s not always the case.”
“What do you mean?”
“I realized that The One is not someone you bump into. It’s someone you choose. When I was younger, I used to fall out of love with someone as soon as I saw a bad side of him. But there’s no such thing as a perfect lover. That’s why, instead of looking for the ideal person, I’ve decided that once I fall in love with someone, I need to fall in love with them entirely. Love them so much that you even find their flaws endearing.”
“Sounds like the words of a husband who has a horrible wife. So you’re saying that love needs compromise?” Yuto laughed as he sipped his cocktail.
“Well, that’s the unromantic way to say it, but you’re not wrong. What I want to say is that there’s more happiness in loving one person for a hundred years than loving one hundred different people. Money, power, and fame might satisfy your vanity and ego, but it won’t make you feel any less lonely. Only love cures loneliness. There’s no happiness greater than sharing mutual love with someone you care about.”
“I’m not quite sure if I should see you as a romantic or a realist.”
“I’m both,” Rob grinned as he lightly clinked his glass against Yuto’s. “Everyone has their dreams while they live their reality. What do you dream of, Yuto?”
Yuto glanced out the window, unsure of how to answer.
No clear words came to mind when asked if he had any dreams. How could he hold any hope for the distant future when he couldn’t even be sure of what would befall him tomorrow?
He had no interest in power or fame. Money would be ideal to have, but he only needed enough to sustain himself. As long as he kept working, he could cover that. He agreed with Rob in that an ideal life would be a life lived with one’s beloved, but it was unattainable if he couldn’t let go of Dick.
“That’s a hard question. I can’t think of anything at the moment.”
“Fair enough. Everything starts once this case is solved. —Hey, Yuto. Once all this is over and you get your peaceful life back again, and you happen to be single still, would you ever consider a life with me?”
Yuto’s gaze wavered at Rob’s unexpectedly earnest words.
“Rob…”
“You don’t have to give an answer. I just wanted you to know that I feel this way. I know that Dick is the only one on your mind right now.”
Rob’s kindness was painful. Instead of putting Yuto on the spot or cornering him, he had taken the high road, watching and waiting patiently. His banal jokes and flirtatious attitude were his way of showing consideration to Yuto; it was his way of keeping the mood light so that he wouldn’t make Yuto feel guilty.
“Rob, is that you?” called a woman’s voice right behind them.
Yuto tensed up. He recognized this voice.
“Jessica! You look especially ravishing this evening. You’re outshining the view of Manhattan, you know that?”
Rob stood up and kissed Jessica Foster on the cheek. Jessica smiled gracefully at Rob’s compliment. Her figure was robed in a racy cocktail dress with a plunging neckline.
“Hey, Steve. You’ll be coming to the party tomorrow, as well? Glad to see you again,” Rob said amicably as he extended a hand to Dick, who was standing beside Jessica.
“Likewise,” Dick said coolly as he shook Rob’s hand out of politeness.
Yuto hastily plastered a smile on his face as he also rose from his seat and shook hands with the both of them. Dick’s smiling eyes were icy cold in a stark contrast with the warmth of his hands.
The Dick in front of him was now Steve Muller, a bespectacled man with an intellectual air. Yuto was Alan Chen, Rob’s assistant. They mere strangers who had only exchanged greetings once before.
When Jessica suggested they eat together, Rob agreed good-naturedly. Although Yuto knew that it was a chance to glean valuable information from Jessica, for a moment he almost found himself loathing Rob.
“Are you two staying here, too?”
“Yeah. I’ve always wanted to stay at the Marquiladin. It’s a nice hotel. Are Mr. Manning and President Egan staying the night here as well?” Rob asked, discreetly putting out feelers.
“No,” Jessica said, shaking her head. “Egan and Manning should be arriving at the hotel tomorrow in time for the party. Oh, but Manning might be a bit late. He’s very busy with the upcoming presidential election.”
Jessica went on to tell them that Peter Waddell, president of General Mars, had already checked in and that she had gone to his room to give her greetings.
“You know all the big wigs, don’t you?” Rob said with an impressed air. Jessica smugly turned up the corners of her glossed lips.
Rob and Jessica carried most of the conversation while Yuto and Dick mostly nodded and hummed in agreement. Every time Jessica spoke, she would turn to Dick for agreement or gaze at his face intently. Dick, in turn, would respond to Jessica every time with an alluring smile. It was clear that they had gotten much closer than before.
Dick had mentioned that he would sleep with Jessica if he needed to. The mood between them was unmistakably that of a couple who had shared an intimate night in bed. Yuto clenched his fist several times underneath the table.
“Say, Alan, how old are you?” asked Jessica, her interest turning to him.
“I’m twenty-eight.”
“Really? I thought you were younger. I find Asian people look younger than their age. Were you born in the States?”
“Yes.”
“So you can’t speak Chinese?”
“I’m third-generation, so I can’t say I speak much of it.”
Yuto wanted to avoid personal questions since he was assuming a false identity. Perhaps his reluctance showed on his face; Jessica seemed to find Yuto’s attitude aloof and cold.
“You’re a man of few words, aren’t you? Unlike Rob. Don’t you agree, Steve?” A disgruntled Jessica turned to Dick for agreement.
“He can’t help it. Asians tend to be shy. I’m sure it just takes Alan longer to warm up to strangers. He certainly looks happier when talking to Rob.”
Dick’s tone was accusatory. Yuto wasn’t sure if it was Dick himself being cold, or if he was playing along with Jessica as Steve Muller in giving a snide remark.
A while later, Jessica invited Dick for a dance on the open floor in the middle of the dining room. The two rocked back and forth, gazing into each other’s eyes to the music from the live orchestra. Together they made an attractive couple, and naturally began to gather the attention of the guests around them.
“…You alright?” Rob asked with a concerned look.
“Yeah. I’m fine,” Yuto said nonchalantly, but Rob tapped him lightly on the cheek.
“Don’t force yourself. Let’s head back to our room. We’re not going to get much else out of Jessica apart from her bragging, anyway. Detective Dickens will let us know which room Waddell’s staying in.”
Dick and Jessica returned to the table, arm in arm.
“Sorry, but we’ll be excusing ourselves,” Rob said. “Looks like Alan’s had a few too many to drink. He’s not feeling too well.”
“Oh, really? That’s a shame,” said Jessica.
“Besides, we don’t want to disrupt anything between you two. We’ll leave it to you love-birds to enjoy the rest of the evening alone together,” Rob teased.
“Ugh, you rascal,” Jessica said with a girlish grin.
“We’ll see you tomorrow. —Alan, are you alright?” Rob asked, laying his act on thick as he wound an arm around Yuto’s waist. Yuto had no choice but to play along and lean on Rob as they made their way out of the restaurant.
“You made it seem like I got plastered over a cocktail. You know how embarrassing that is? What was that all about?” Yuto protested once they had made it to the hallway.
“Serves him right,” Rob muttered.
“Who?”
“Dick. You should have seen the way he glared at me when I put my arm around you. Like daggers. He’s probably seething with rage right now. Serves him right for being all over Jessica like that with no consideration for you. Let’s head back to our room and start over with some proper drinks.”