1 Chapter 1
Prologue
A box of chocolates tied with a scarlet ribbon. The images of the sweets on the cover entice and tempt. The golden linings around the edges emphasize the lavishness of the gift. Normally it would mean that the one who gave it prepared it with everything he had. His heart. His love.
Declan pondered over it. Love?When this was meant to be a farewell gift?
“Parker, please. You’re leaving, after all we’ve had?”
Parker turned away.
“What do we have? You’re in LA, I’m in London. Then, the next time I’m here in Venice, you fly home.”
“That’s not what I mean.” Declan immediately thought he was too harsh. “Sorry, but we’ve been together all these years…if you consider us together.” His voice quieted. “Or do you have another reason?”
Parker turned back suddenly, ignoring the fact that the mountain of clothes he’d been packing into a carry-all went sliding to the floor.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not hanging out with Ryan—if that’s what you are afraid of.”
“I’m not accusing you of playing around with him. Or do you feel I am? Is that the truth, Declan?”
“Parker, Ryan’s like a big brother to me. Besides, he’s got Vanessa, hasn’t he?”
“Will that stop you?” Parker’s voice was dripping with pain. He dropped to his knees and started gathering his scattered clothes. Declan went down beside him.
“Look, what made you like this? I love you, can’t you believe that?”
“You look elated when you’re with him.”
“Of course I do. I have a new movie with him. You’re also like that during your premieres.”
“He’s a great actor.”
“That he is. And I’m lucky to be his sidekick.”
“He’s a man of principle, yet he’s made blockbusters.”
“Parker?”
Parker’s voice cracked. “I’m nothing compared to him.”
“What?”
Parker rose and wiped his eyes brusquely. “I try to have principles, and look what kinds of movies I landed.”
Declan was bewildered. “T-h-e b-e-s-t,” he stated quietly.
He stood up too, took Parker’s shoulders in his hands, and turned the man to face him.
“Parker, would you not think about Ryan for once? Would you think about me—and you?”
The moist blue eyes slowly rose to meet Declan’s gaze.
“You only needed that one movie to really open people’s eyes,” Declan continued. “And those people’s hearts were yours forever. They’ll find out what you’re doing, and they will impatiently wait for the next movie to come out. No matter how small it is.”
Parker tried to pull himself away but Declan gripped him hard.
“As for me, I still have to chase characters in those pop-corn, cheesy, mindless blockbuster films so people will still want to see me.”
“Declan, I’ve never thought—” Parker smiled sadly.
“Oh, I know your real opinions about the roles I played. That’s exactly my point. You are a far better actor than me. I’m nothing compared to you.”
Parker went silent as Declan watched him. Parker felt inferior to Ryan but Declan had the same thing toward Parker. The same insecurity.
Parker swayed as Declan released him, his mouth open as if to say something, when a gentle knock at the door. Parker sighed and Declan shrugged, regretting the interruption as well. He went and opened the door.
“Hiya, Declan!” Ryan called out and gave him a mighty hug. “Care to escort me to dinner tonight?”
Declan hadn’t managed to coax Parker to stay that day. Tight-lipped and ashen-faced, Parker left the house with an accusing stare.
Then this package had arrived this morning, and Declan couldn’t make himself open the small card that came with it.
It might only break his heart more. 1
Parker left in his indigo BMW. He drove cautiously, trying not to succumb to his high-strung emotions. He was aware there were eyes everywhere watching him. He was still quite popular no matter what he said to Declan. Sliding down the driveway to the entrance of Ritz, Parker urged himself to act as casually as possible. He took his duffel bag from the passenger’s seat and passed on his car key to the valet. Parker even managed to smile a little at the young man, probably his age, who was excited to find out who he got to meet.
Only after Parker reached his room, his usual room every time he was in the city, could he take a deep breath. No one had bothered him, not in the lobby, up the elevator, or down the hallway. Perhaps it was because of his glasses—he hadn’t put on his contacts before he left Declan’s house, or perhaps because he looked so grim that nobody dared to greet him.
Parker looked around. The huge cream-colored bed still sat in the middle of the room. A big flat screen TV stood in a corner, a set of sofas and a table in front of it, and a big bouquet of carnations had been placed on the side table. Two spacious windows with drapes on both sides looked out to a cloudless sky, and far below was an Olympic-sized swimming pool that echoed the blueness of it. It was still the room he loved. The room he’d once stayed with Declan before he bought an apartment in the city. The room hadn’t changed a bit. Or had it?
Well, it lacked Declan…
Parker put his bag down. Leaning down to feel the silkiness of the bed cover, Parker felt his eyes begin to sting. No, he would never cry, he thought to himself. Declan had betrayed him. And worse, he’d lied to him. There was nothing to remember. There was nothing left to fight for.
