Diplomacy

“Briefing folder?” Liz produced a dark blue file from behind her back. “You will find your average, very stuffy, middle aged career diplomat at the front desk….” she checked her watch, “In about ten minutes.” 156 | Z a h r a O w e n s

    Lucas knew it would probably take him at least fifteen minutes to walk to the front desk, so technically he was late already. Luckily he knew the inside of the U.N. building like the back of his hand and with a short run across the public arena, he could make it just in time.
    On the final stretch, he opened the folder, so he would at least know who he was looking for. His heart stopped.
    The head shot on the visitor’s pass was a photo of Jack.
    He stopped just around the corner from the courtesy desk and leaned against the cold stone wall. Could he face Jack? Could he actually walk up to him and pretend nothing had happened between them two and a half years ago? Maybe Jack wouldn’t want to see him? He couldn’t blame the man for feeling resentful, of course; Lucas hadn’t even said goodbye after seeing Jack in the hospital.
    Lucas often wondered if he had done the right thing. In retrospect, he felt he should have stuck around, waited for Jack to make up his mind and do what they had talked about. Now it seemed they both had different careers, but Lucas wondered what would happen if Jack saw him here. He felt torn in half. On the one hand, he wanted to call the PR office and try to get someone else to give Jack the tour; on the other hand, this was a chance for closure. To put a stop to the ‘what-ifs’ that had been running around his head ever since that night at the hospital. Besides, if Jack got the job, they’d bump into each other on a regular basis.
    Lucas took a deep breath and slipped into his professional role. He could do this, be accommodating, pleasant and welcoming, no matter who was in front of him. He was a public relations officer for the United Nations for Christ’s sake!
    As he rounded the corner, Jack was right there. Lucas immediately recognized the light grey suit as being the one they had picked out together on their first weekend in Antwerp and he felt his throat go dry. It was like time had never passed, like he could still go over to him and see that spark in those beautiful blue eyes. Jack looked so handsome, a little thin maybe, but still…
    “Jack?” Lucas cleared his throat, trying to sound professional, but failing miserably at ridding his voice of emotion.
    Their eyes met across the courtesy desk and Jack’s face went pale.

    D i p l o m a c y | 157

    “Lucas.” A weak smile appeared on Jack’s face as their eyes met briefly. The American took a deep breath as he scanned around the hall.
    “I didn’t know… you work here?” Jack asked rather hesitantly.
    Lucas nodded, “I’m in Public Relations now, and I’ll be showing you around this afternoon. If that’s okay with you, of course?” Both men stared at each other for a few moments, until Lucas regained his composure and gestured to Jack to step through the metal detector. He then handed Jack a visitor’s pass.
    “You need to…” he gestured to his own jacket lapel, since he felt uneasy making any kind of move in Jack’s direction, “pin it on. Has to be visible at all times. If you’re hired, I’ll get you a personnel badge later.” Jack nodded and clipped the badge onto his jacket.
    “So when’s your interview?” Lucas asked as they proceeded to walk across the hall towards the elevators.
    “At four,” Jack answered blankly, looking around and taking in the majestic view.
    “You’re early.” Lucas was amused by that, since this was so different from the always busy and therefore, always late Jack that he remembered.

    WALKING through this grand building next to Lucas, Jack realized he hadn’t really been all that nervous for this interview. Getting the job here would make life considerably easier, but it wasn’t an absolute necessity, and besides, he would probably be found to be overqualified again. Now all of a sudden, his suit was uncomfortable and he felt sweaty and warm. Did he want a job in a place where he would no doubt bump into his ex-lover on a regular basis? Even though Lucas clearly didn’t want him any more, Jack’s feelings for the young man hadn’t changed. He didn’t know if he wanted to hear why Lucas had left, but then again it might help him close that chapter of his life for good.
    Jack looked sideways and saw Lucas