It Ends with a Joke

"Hey Harv, how you been?" The familiar voice from the other end of the line said.

"You know me. Just fine and dandy. Marcy is doing fine, I come by every now and then to cook for her and see how she's doing."

"So how is she?"

Harvey took a long puff from his cigarette, he didn't know how to answer the question especially now.

"She's lonely without you. During the first few weeks she drank herself to sleep. Have you been calling her?"

"Of course. I miss her too."

"Well, everything is going to plan anyways, I have made inquiries here and there about your surprise." Harvey let out a sullen sigh. "I miss you bro. We all miss you. No one else is taking it as hard as Marcy though."

"Well... We'll see how it all plays out. This is for her anyways."

"She'll understand everything once you pop the question."

"Thanks for the encouragement bro. Life is hard out here. I'll go and call her now then. I'll catch you later."

"See you then. Take care."

Harvey heard the distinct click ending the call. He felt his throat dry up and his heart beat slower. "Marcy tastes sweet." he heard himself say with a sigh.

"Who was that just now?" Marcy asked, as just came out from the shower. She had her towel wrapped on her head like some Indian and she was cleaning her ears with an earbud.

"Vance." Harvey heard himself say. He didn't feel like himself today. Guilty as he was, he still stared at Marcy's body like it was his for the taking anytime. It was, actually. He had a contract for a month to be her slave.

Beautiful. Luscious. The view from the bedroom to the bathroom was heaven. Of the hundreds of women he had serviced, only a few were beautiful. Only a handful are this gorgeous.

"What did he say?" Marcy had a hand on her hips as the other held the earbud on her ear. Her smooth skin still damp from the hot shower. He watched a drop of water trickle down from between her breasts and settle inside her perfect bellybutton.

"Well?" Marcy asked again.

"What did you say?" Harvey suddenly realized he was staring.

"Perv. What did Vance say?"

"Oh, he asked how I was doing. I told him all is well and he should call you up."

"Well, why hasn't he called yet? It has been about five minutes of your staring."

"He's probably mustering up some courage to call you up. He'll come around soon."

"Why does he call you first and not me?"

"I wouldn't know. Maybe because this is the first time he called me up ever since he left?" Harvey lied, as Vance calls him up once every week and they exchange emails often. Mostly about the plans for D-Day as Vance so fondly refers to his surprise.

"Ok then. He's forgiven. He calls every other day or when he's not busy just to check up on me."

"Don't tell him I'm here and you know that he called me okay?"

"I know. That's basically suicide."

She turned around to check on her teeth one last time and smiled at herself. She winked and blew a kiss to the mirror. "I'm done!" she cried out in a very sweet manner and blew a kiss towards him.

Harvey watched as she skipped out of the bathroom to pick up her robe at the edge of the bed and wore it. He watched her apply lotion on her legs and arms. Afterwards, she pulled a seat by her table and tilted her head to undo the towel to further dry up her hair. She was beautiful. She was heaven, and he was plunging further in to hell.

Some piano tune knocked him out of the stupor he was in. It was Marcy's cellphone now and the name "Daddy" was flashing on the screen.

"Speaking of the devil, that must be my Vanny boy." She plopped on the bed to reach her phone beside Harvey and answered it.

The happy and perky nubile girl that was just in front him started breaking down after a few moments of saying hello.

He didn't want to eavesdrop as her words didn't belong to him so Harvey stood up to leave the room.

Her hand held on to his. Her eyes told him to stay with her.

It seemed as if she wanted him to see what happens whenever she talks to Vance. His closed ears suddenly paid attention to what she was saying now.

"I know, Van. I miss you too. How's work?"

She turned around to face the ceiling now. One hand on the phone, the other was grasping Harvey's. He sat down beside her and she immediately shifted to rest on his lap.

"That's good to hear. I went shopping the other day with the girls after work. I bought myself a new purse and some clothes."

Harvey didn't really mean to peep, but the half closed robe still bared a pair of white breasts out to him. He was suddenly getting the impression that she was doing things on purpose. Either that, or she is really like this around Vance. He had to take his mind and his eyes off from it so he took the towel from her lap and started to help dry her hair.

"Harv visited me yesterday and he cooked this awesome shrimp salad. I never knew that you could make warm salad, but I loved it. I wish you were here to taste it with me."

He closed his eyes and he let the scent of berries and sweet honey invade his nostrils. She had soft and delicate hair and he laboriously straightened them out under the towel to dry. He felt the damp hair seep through his jeans as it seemed to cool down the raging pole between his legs.

He suddenly noticed that the tone of her voice mellowed down and started to soften. Her free hand started to roam on her chest.

"Daddy... I really miss you. Can I ask for a favor?" she asked. She was almost purring.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew where this was coming to. Ever since their first night, she had been very shy about everything.

Was this the true effect of his service to those with confidence issues? He felt like he had just opened pandora's box.

"Could you pretend to make love to me?"

Harvey wanted to go out the room. Sex over the phone was bad enough when you're doing it, but listening in on others while they do it was probably too much. He tried to set her head down on a pillow but again a steady hand held him close. She sat up to look at him.

That look of hers; the robe falling down from her shoulders; the parting of her thighs. It was all it took for his loyalty to break down.

"This is madness." he thought as he approached that sweet part of her womanhood. He had been immune to all sorts of scents from that area; but Marcy's was different for some reason. "You got to love vegetarians" he thought to himself as he let her familiar scent invade and stop all train of thought.

Almost mechanically he began to taste the nectar from her fruit. She was already wet from her moaning. She tasted like diluted honey. It smelled of flowers with a soft salty tinge. It was sweet bliss.

"Oh Van..." she muttered while pulling Harvey's head down on her. His hair acted like reins for a tamed horse was steadily being guided as she pleased. Harvey was playing his part diligently.

Harder.

Softer.

Faster.

He listened to Marcy's commands as if it were his.

"Suck my breasts and finger me, Van." Harvey followed. He let her taste her own and she sucked on his finger like a child would get milk.

He listened to her moan with his every kiss. He watched her squirm as his fingers gently entered her.

"Van..." was the name she cried out while his tongue encirled one goosebumped breast.

"Van..." was her moan as he sucked on her nipple, glistening and hard.

"Oh, Van..." was the breath she exhaled while his fingers entered deeper and pushed on that sweet place.

Harvey was jealous; but he was turned on to the point that he couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't help it. He wasn't supposed to. He wanted to see if she will still cry out his friend's name if he fingered the tighter hole.

His pinky encircled it lightly as it was already wet from her flowing juice. Inside it went while his other finger was in the other one. Her legs tightened as if to jam it further in while her back arched. He could feel the little tremors as he sucked on her breasts.

Harder now.

"She's just like any other customer." he thought over and over. Trying to be careful about the clause that he himself created.

"I want it inside Van. Please..." Her hand was pulling her closer now. He undressed and took a deep breath. It was different without the alcohol. Everything is so vivid and clear.

He closes his eyes and enters her softly. Nothing else mattered now.

They were still doing it long after the phone was put down.

He left her curled on the bed and dreaming. His phone was ringing.

Duty calls.

He had to make it quick so that he could report to the office in the morning.

She heard the door close behind her and opened her eyes. A tear fell from her cheek. "What have I done?" she asked herself.

Trying to recall the things that she had been doing these past few days, she realized that she had found a new confidence in herself. She gleamed, beamed and burned bright. She has started doing the things that she liked doing. Past fears and inhibitions have slowly disappeared.

Friends at the office tell her that she seems to be more open. Her position now fits her and it no longer seemed like she got it because she deserved it. She got it because it was made for her.

This thing with Harvey seemed to be exactly what she needed.

It just didn't seem right.

Vance was the man Harvey could never be, and Harvey was the man Vance could never become. It was a sick and twisted reality.

"Lick your wounds Marcy. Lick your wounds." an ache seemed to swell from within. She missed vance terribly, and she was even using Harvey now just to understand things.

"Understand what?" she suddenly realized

"I have forgotten the answer to that question." The reason behind the question also left her, and it only made her more confused about her whole situation.

She suddenly felt empty and lost.

Three weeks went by. Harvey was still distant as ever. He was kind and caring. Loved to pamper her with sweet nothings every now and then. It's just that he's always somewhere else. They never talk about this thing that they keep doing whenever the need takes them. Everytime, it gets kinkier and she wants more. She always wanted more.

Harvey thinks that Marcy was getting more and more confident about herself, but at the same time, she was getting a little too needy. A little too bossy. A little too abusive whenever they do it. He tries to be a friend, but he could no longer look at her the same way.

It had been exactly 30 days now from the time that Marcy availed of his services. He had been true to his word in fulfilling the terms of the contract. And like any other customer, once it's done, it's done. He chose not to make contact with her anymore.

Two weeks pass. He hasn't seen nor heard from Marcy, He didn't even make any attempt to visit her. The contract was done. His life was back to normal. He wasn't obligated to do anything for her anymore.

Marcy on the other hand, was wondering about Harvey. How he was doing and all. Vance still called her from time to time and it was from him that he learned that Harvey was okay. She told him that she hadn't seen or heard from Harvey for two weeks and she was worried that he was sick or something.

"That's just the way he is." was all Vance could say.

She remembered the contract. That must be the reason why he no longer came around. She dialed his number right after he ended the call with Vance.

It just kept ringing.

Closing her phone, she sighed to herself. Maybe something was amiss. He went through Vance's address books and couldn't find his address. She tried calling their common friends until finally, one of them pointed out that Harvey hangs out in a singles bar every thursday.

That coming thursday, she checked out the bar on her own.

After ordering a Cosmopolitan, she sat there and chatted with the bartender who told him that Harvey was a regular and that he directed customers to him.

"If you see him tonight; tell him to come to that table." she pointed out a table by the corner. The Bartender obliged and handed the drink that she ordered.

Two hours pass. Random people tried picking her up and failed. She already told herself that she would wait until he would appear. Three hours later, Harvey finally appeared.

True to his word, the bartender told Harvey about a customer waiting for him in the corner. He handed him some loose change and walked towards the corner.

He got surprised when he saw Marcy.

"Hey Harvey. What took you so long?" Marcy asked, with a sarcastic look in her eyes.

"Hey Marcy. Long time no see. I have to go." He was about to turn around when Marcy grabbed his hand.

"Wait. Do I really have to pay you for your time? Aren't we friends?"

"Friends don't fuck each other." he replied cooly.

Marcy stood up and slapped him.

"Okay. I'll sit down then." he sat down in front of her. A welt appeared where Marcy slapped him. "What do you want?" The look in Harvey's eyes were cold. The features on his kind face had all but disappeared. She tried to look for that familiar face that greeted her so cooly, before the contract ended.

Tears welled up in Marcy's eyes. "What happened to you? It seems like I don't know you anymore."

"This is who I am, Marcy. That is why Vance held off on letting you meet me." Harvey lied. It was Vance who wanted him to meet her but he kept on saying no.

Marcy sat down, feeling a little weak on the legs. She was partially drunk from all those drinks that she ordered while waiting. Staring at empty space seemed to give her a little comfort.

"Look, you're drunk. I'll take you home." Harvey held out his hand.

Marcy obliged.

"Stupid, that's why I never bring a car when I go here." Harvey shook his head when he saw Van's car at the back. Marcy was silent all the way. "What would you do if i didn't arrive? Get yourself killed? Stupid-ass bitch."

Marcy could only look at his reflection from the window. He had a stern face now but he was driving real slow. "He cares." she thought. Vance would drive home like a madman when he's angry but Harvey was considerate enough to drive slow and safely.

It was like how he makes love.

The thought woke her up a bit as flashbacks of all their moments of passion suddenly came in to mind. She was starting to think that she was crazy after that.

When they got home, Harvey helped her up the stairs and left the key on her vanity mirror.

"I'll be going now. Don't do that again."

"Don't do what; try to see you?" Marcy replied, still feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous.

"I meant getting yourself drunk outside your house." Harvey said. He smiled that impish smile of his. "Take care."

"Hey, when will you come visit?" she asked of him.

"On a better day. See you around." he turned around and did his signature salute.

With that, he left and closed the door gently. She listened to that familiar squeak when you close the gate.

Lying down, she felt something hard behind her back. Looking at it closely, it was her cellphone. She must have left it behind earlier.

'27 Missed Calls'

'14 New Messages'

She thought that it could've been Vance.

All of the messages came from Harvey. One call from Vance, the rest were from Harvey.

"Where are you?"

"I'm not kidding, where are you?"

"Have it your way then."

"Vance told me you weren't answering you phone, where are you?"

"God dammit Marcy where are you?"

She read the other messages that Harvey sent and the rest were similar. He had been looking for her all this time? Maybe because Vance told him to because he got worried. She didn't know what to think anymore.

Three days later. On a rainy sunday afternoon. Marcy coddles her phone limply by her fingertips. Aptly wondering what to do. Harvey's contact details were currently on the small LCD screen. She misses him, and she is confused if it was his company that she misses more, or what they shared for a dozen or so nights.

Mustering enough courage to call, she presses the call button and holds her breath.

"Hey." says the bright and familiar voice of Harvey.

"Come over Harvey. We need to talk." her voice was trembling. She had practiced so many scenarios on what to say and how to say it but it felt like some school girl crush all over again.

"Sure thing. I'm around the area so I'll be there in around fifteen minutes or so.

"Thanks, Harv." she said. Wondering what he was thinking on the other end.

Harvey on the other hand, was at the mini grocery store stocking up on food items. He was planning to go there, and she just beat him to it. Her call pretty much solved his problem on how to bring about the fact that he wanted to visit. As friends at least.

Minutes later, unlatched the gate and parked his car in the garage.

Marcy was at the front porch, sitting on the bench. She smiled and waved at him.

"I thought you might like dinner so I brought some stuff to cook." Harvey said.

"I would love that, Harv. Come in."

Harvey cooked for her that night and they talked and laughed about random topics. There was a very heavy air between them and all they could do was hurriedly think of the next topic to talk about.

Both of them were thinking the same thing; they wanted to talk about what happens next.

"Hey, I like it this way better." Harvey told her. Obviously trying to be a friend to Marcy.

Marcy smiled back and nodded. "Want some wine?" she asked.

"I think I'll pass. You know how it gets." he joked with an impish smile. Apparently pointing out Marcy's tolerance for alcohol and how horny she gets with wine.

Marcy got it right away. "You're so bad!" she cried out, hitting him with a throw pillow.

"Hey, I'm just joking. Anyways, I have to get going for now. Let's hang out another time, okay?" he meant it this time.

"Sure thing. I'm glad you came. Thanks." Marcy said to him. She felt relieved that Harvey didn't make a move on her. She was glad she didn't make one either.

Weeks pass and they regularly hung out at Vance's place. They watched DVD's on weekends and Harvey cooked for her every time he was there. They even put Vance on speaker phone and talked to him at the same time.

The increased sexual tension between them though, seemed to have reached its peak one sunday night.

They have just finished watching TV when a new commercial of a softdrink company came out. It was like a little gathering of friends. SOft background music, laughter in the background. Until they needed some more soda. A guy and a girl ended up in front of the refrigerator with only one can of soda left.

They looked at each other for a few moments and the scene faded out to another scene back at the table. The two were smiling at each now and it ended with a catchy slogan.

"I wonder what happens next?" Harvey asked, and when he turned around to look at her, Marcy's face was within a breath's reach.

Marcy was surprised as well, because she was reaching for the chips beside Harvey.

Their eyes locked.

That familiar moment of timelessness suddenly enveloped them both. Every breath was heard. Ever heartbeat seemed to shake both their bodies. Even the sweat rolling down from the side of Harvey's face seemed to make a sound.

Their lips met.

Tongues were exchanged.

Bodies exchanged hands.

"I have to go. This shouldn't go any deeper as it is." Harvey told her after making love.

Marcy gave in. He was right and the whole point of them trying things out as friends was to stay friends. What they had previously changed the way they looked at each other forever.

"Harv." Marcy called out to Harvey as he was putting on his clothes.

"Yes?"

"One more for the road?" Marcy pursed her lips. She couldn't help it.

It was them after that. They still played along with Vance and pretended that nothing was going on. Harvey now practically lived there and this time, no contracts were made.

Marcy insisted that Harvey quit the sexual service hobby of his and he agreed. He still felt empty though, as the existence of their relationship was kept in secrecy.

The first three months was like an adventure. They went to different places, had dates in obscure locations and did silly things they wouldn't do in a real relationship. They lived every day knowing that they wouldn't be found out. When it felt like they were about to be discovered, they both got really excited.

And horny.

They did it while Marcy was talking to Vance. Marcy tries to distract Harvey whenever he was the one talking with Vance.

"This thing we have here... what is it exactly?" Marcy asked one time.

"I don't know. What happens when Vance suddenly arrives?" Harvey asked of Marcy, but not saying anything about their secret.

"Well, I don't know either. We'll know when that time comes."

"I don't want to have to choose between the two of you." Harvey told her softly. "Maybe we should end this while it is still early?"

"Why so soon? You don't want me anymore?"

"I want you. Honestly, I do. I just can't live with the fact that you aren't mine to begin with. You are my best friend's girl." he argued.

Marcy thought he was right. Most times, it was Harvey who had these kind of thoughts and she just wished that he would just do everything carelessly like he used to.

"I'm in love with you, Harv. Please don't say that." Marcy pleaded.

"You're in love with Vance. I have morals too you know. I just don't like the fact that I'm playing the part that you wanted Vance to be."

"You are who you are, Harv."

"I don't know myself anymore Marcy. I'm on a really bad guilt trip."

"You don't look so guilty whenever you make love to me." Marcy was replied with a hint of anger.

Harvey fell silent. She was right.

"You're a hypocrite and you know it. You want me but you're just using your best friend as an excuse."

"What about you? You're using me to make up for whatever Vance isn't giving you."

"Giving what? A good fuck?" she interrupted.

"No, Time." Harvey hated this side of her. She was unreasonable when angry, but this time, she had a point.

"And a good fuck. That is what you mean right?" Marcy retorted.

"What is it about sex anyway?"

"You like it right? Don't give me crap about who's using who because you're using me as well." Marcy had a nasty look in her eyes. She knew she was right. She just wanted Harvey to know what she felt.

"Look, let's just drop this. End this here." Harvey couldn't take it anymore.

"Oh so now you're running away from a pretty good thing?" Marcy's replied again sarcastically.

"I meant the conversation." Harvey said, it was his way of giving up.

During the next few months after that conversation, their verbal fights increased. Heated arguments over the same thing. Next thing they knew, they were fighting over small things. Over nothing.

Harvey kept walking out but this time, it was he who came back. Usually, he brings offerings of peace like food or a massage. Marcy knew that Harvey was already immersed deeply in this thing that they have just as she was. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn't let go either.

They were both happy and miserable at the same time.

A month before the scheduled date of return of Vance, Harvey broke out the secret. Marcy was shocked and yet, saddened by the fact that this could no longer go on.

"I told you I didn't want to have to choose." Harvey told her.

"I-I don't know what to say."

"Everything goes according to plan. In my book anyways. You'd best keep everything a secret if you want it to work." Harvey told her.

"What if I want you instead?" Marcy asked Harvey. She was beginning to look like the same person he fell in love with again. No more tension. No more anger. Just pure sweetness.

"I just can't." Harvey answered.

Marcy just watched him pack his things. Every piece of clothing that rested on his little corner. His shoes. His toys. Every picture he had that Marcy posted around the house.

Marcy watched him as he paused in front of a picture at the side of the bed. It was a picture of the both of them.

A picture of better days.

"Hey... Harv?" Marcy called out to him.

Harvey looked at her.

"Do you really have to go? I mean, Vance won't be arriving until the 24th right?" Marcy asked.

He caught on quick. "I'll think about it. I don't know if I can handle it." he replied, setting the picture down.

"Will this help?" Marcy asked. The Maverick in her was taking control, out of curiosity for what reaction Harvey might have. She raised her shirt to show her breasts.

Harvey dropped the picture. Apparently, he wasn't expecting such a flasher from Marcy.

"Marcy... please. You know I hardly have anything left to resist you." Harvey pleaded while coming closer to her. He tried to put her shirt back down.

Marcy hugged him as hard as she could.

Harvey was having a difficult time resisting her as it is and was now thinking of puppies and dinosaurs to help. Harvey knew that Marcy knows his weakness. Yet he let her drag him in, helplessly back in to that hole. That void. That sweet, succulent aspect of their relationship.

"No more, Marcy. Please."

Marcy rubs the sides pelvic bone on Harvey's crotch.

"No more or... more?" Marcy teased him, pretending that Harvey was just joking to make her come on to him.

"I'm not a toy Marcy."

"You are until Vance comes back. This is what you want right?"

Harvey gave up.

It continued on until the last day. It was the day before Vance's arrival. Harvey wanted out, Marcy wanted him to stay. She kept attacking that side of Harvey that couldn't resist. She simply wanted his company, and she never could tell him that she just wanted him to be by her side. It was Harvey who was complicating things. For him to give up, she had to give in.

This time, Marcy asked of him, "One for the road?"

Harvey couldn't resist it either. This time though, Marcy was the one who declined.

"I choose Vance." Marcy said, tears welling up from her eyes.

"Me too." Harvey answered her. He felt like crying too.

Those times that they were together changed them both. Marcy was now open and outgoing. No longer the timid girl everyone used to know of. Harvey was housebroken. Manners and good habits were forged inside his core.

"We won't be separated too much, don't worry." Marcy told him assuredly. "We'll have a lot to joke about now." she winked at him.

"Yeah... One for the road?" Harvey joked.

"Sure."

--end--

-:Prologue:-

Vance's plane landed without delay. It was supposed to be a secret meeting between Harvey and him. Marcy was left at home to wait. Of course, she had to act out some facade of surprise once she meets with Vance. She had been practicing with Harvey all morning for it.

The plan consisted of a party where a lot of people would be invited. It was like a little cosplay for Christmas where the attendees were required to wear a costume with a mask. Harvey's job was to suggest that she wear an angel's costume.

He didn't have any problem persuading her. She had to.

Vance will pop the question after revealing his second costume. His first costume was some hideous looking thing and he was going to make attempts to dance with her. Once she agrees, that was the queue for the organizers.

Everything went as planned.

Except that Vance changed the program without everyone's knowledge.

He proposed to Harvey.

-end-