The Potion

Chapter 2

It was close to the end of the day and Ian was grasping desperately to every idea that popped into his overactive mind to get Joey to drink something. Nothing made sense. No matter the scenario, he would just be a random asshole approaching Joey and pleading with him to drink. It would surely make Joey suspicious. Ian felt unbelievably creepy for even thinking such. But he had to. He had to get this potion down Joey’s throat. The sooner the better.

            With purpose, Ian bid David a good day and strode to the elevators. He had a pleasant conversation with one of the customer service reps (whose name escaped him), then marched purposefully to Human Resources. Most of the desks were already empty; the others were being evacuated quickly in preparation for the weekend. Ian heaved a huge sigh of relief when he saw that Joey was still there. The gorgeous god-like creature was bent over his desk, rummaging in the top drawer. Ian darted into the stock room where the coffee pot sat. He picked it up and swished it around.

            “Still warm,” he whispered to himself. “But not too hot that it will burn his lips. I plan on using those quite a bit this weekend.” Ian chuckled to himself while pouring a cup of coffee. Glancing over his shoulder, he slipped the vial from his pocket. This is it, he thought, giddily. This is going to change my life forever. Quickly, he emptied the murky liquid into the coffee. It blended easily, issuing no smell. Or if there was a smell, the odor of the cheap coffee would have surely masked it.

            Stepping cautiously out of the supply closet, he saw that Joey was preparing to leave. He flipped a black satchel over his shoulder, waved goodbye the dark haired man at the desk ahead of him, and started to walk in Ian’s direction.

            “Hey,” Joey smiled and nodded.

            “Good afternoon,” Ian smiled. “Care for some coffee before you head out for the weekend?” Ian held up the dark blue cup. It was chipped on the handle and the sides were stained with thousands of coffees past, but to Ian, it was perfect.

            “Uh…” he looked at the cup then looked at Ian. “I suppose…”

            “Don’t mind if I do!” came a voice from behind Joey. It was the dark haired man. He was smiling wildly. Ian stood there like a dope the mug was swooped out of his hand and downed by the dark haired man like it was his life’s mission.

            “What?” Ian blinked.

            Joey smiled at the man and nodded. “See ya on Monday, Anthony!” Just like that, his life partner was gone. Ian gaped as he strode out of the department.

            The sight he saw next was the man that had stolen his one chance at getting Joey, staring at him, slack jawed and glassy eyed.

            “Who the hell are you and why did you do that?”

            The man blinked a few times, the dark eyes sparking with life once again. “My name is Anthony Padilla,” he said. “I was just thirsty, Ian.”

            “You know my name?”

            “We work in the same building,” the man seemed confused as he shook his head and looked away from Ian to his desk. “I gotta get my keys. Hey, do you need a ride home?”

            “No! I can drive myself,” Ian snapped. He practically ran to the elevator. The sooner he got away from Mr. Padilla, the better. “Asshole,” he muttered. “Ruining my life, I should stick my foot so far up his ass, his grandchildren will be half loafer, half human,” he continued to mutter, trying to ignore the shadow that followed him into the lift.