Unproven Chapter Seventy Three "Put Your Mask On"

If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected, decide what to be and GO BE IT
-The Avett brothers

Recommend Reading Introduction to Unproven

DEFINITELY READ Prologue

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three

Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six

Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two Chapter Twenty Three Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five Chapter Twenty Six Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight Chapter Twenty Nine Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty One Chapter Thirty Two Chapter Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Four Chapter Thirty Five Chapter Thirty Six

Chapter Thirty Seven Chapter Thirty EightChapter Thirty Nine

Chapter Forty Chapter Forty One Chapter Forty Two

Chapter Forty Three Chapter Forty Four Chapter Forty Five

Chapter Forty Six Chapter Forty Seven Chapter Forty Eight

Chapter Forty Nine Chapter Fifty Chapter Fifty One

Chapter Fifty Two Chapter Fifty Three Chapter Fifty Four

Chapter Fifty Five Chapter Fifty Six Chapter Fifty Seven

Chapter Fifty Eight Chapter Fifty Nine Chapter Sixty

Chapter Sixty One Chapter Sixty Two Chapter Sixty Three

Chapter Sixty Four Chapter Sixty Five Chapter Sixty Six

Chapter Sixty Seven Chapter Sixty Eight Chapter Sixty Nine

Chapter Seventy Chapter Seventy Chapter Seventy Two

Chapter Seventy Three

The day following Dori's e-mail, Grayson was on a mission. He'd rented a room at another hotel for the rest of the previous night, so he wouldn’t have to set eyes on Tabitha again, especially now that he'd faced facts. He was in love with Aryanne Gilson. He had lain in the hotel bed listening to the recording repeatedly, just to hear her voice. And now he wanted to get home as fast as possible, to tell her how badly he'd screwed up and that he'd do anything to make it up to her.

He waited for his father to return his call, pacing across the small space, ignoring the multiple texts and calls he'd received from Jay. The phone finally bleated out the ringtone he'd set for his dad and he answered immediately.

"What is it Grayson, you sounded urgent."

"I want to come home. Today if possible."

"You...What is this about exactly?"

"It's about an unfinished game, the likelihood of losing will increase exponentially every day I'm still here."

There was a moment of silence on the other end. "You mean this is about Miss Gilson," he said flatly. "But you ended that game Grayson. You told her you no longer felt a pressing desire to win and decided to call it a stalemate."

Grayson's hand on the phone tightened. "You read my text messages?" He asked numbly.

"Only the ones sent to certain numbers, relationships I feel the need to keep track of."

A burst of anger washed over him and he fought to keep it from his voice. "I see. Well that message was orchestrated to discover what kind of response she would give. I would never give up on a game, especially not one I've put so much of my time into."

"Well, while your dedication is commendable, I actually thought it was the perfect ending to that particular game. I realize that I once told you to give up was akin to failure, but I've decided that there are exceptions. This girl is far too deep in her delusions. That isn't to say with enough time and energy you couldn't eventually tear them apart, but it's not worth it. It is time to move on to a new phase of life, use all the skills you've learned over the past several years for bigger things. Actually I'm glad you met her, now you can recognize those who are not easily manipulated, a necessary part of your learning experience. When you get home we'll discuss your new life strategies."

Grayson thought furiously for a way to change his father's mind. "I see your point," he said carefully, "but wouldn't it be an epic victory to break her? Wouldn't it then make it possible for me to do the same when I come across others with similar delusions? You've often said one of the most intolerable words in the English language is ‘can't’. Everyone can be manipulated, you just need to find the weakness."

"Grayson, it is Not. Worth. It. Down the road when you come across another like her, perhaps it will be time to begin the game anew. But not now, not with her, because as I've also pointed out in the past, she's still young and has yet to face the harsher realities, making this game more work than it's worth. Besides, it has become far too personal to you, and games should never be personal, not in this way. The game with Miss Gilson is over, you will leave it as it stands. I won't hear another word about it. Am I making myself clear?"

Grayson's shoulders sagged, he knew enough by the steel in his father's voice that the decision was final.

"Grayson?"

"Crystal-clear sir." He forced out in numb resignation.

"Good. Jason's waiting for you at Benendaro's for brunch, there are people whom you need to meet, future connections, and tomorrow you'll be attending a party at the home of the French ambassador. I don't have to worry that your head isn't on straight, do I?”

"No sir."

"That's what I want to hear. Make me proud son."

"Yes sir."

The phone went dead in his ear and he threw it across the room where it bounced off the wall and landed on the rug. It didn't break, the protective case he had on it was built to withstand being run over by a truck. But he wished it had, because then it would be a pure reflection of himself. There would be no talking his father back into it this time. It was over.

He sat on the edge of the bed and dropped his head into his hands. Why did I ever have to meet her? I would never have known there was more to this life than putting on a show.

Love would have remained a myth, unproven and unreal.

After a few minutes he forced himself to stand, and walked slowly across the room to retrieve his undamaged phone. He stared at it for a moment before calling a cab to take him back to his hotel where he would change into his costume and put his mask back in place once more.

Generously created for me by @son-of-satire

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