After wrapping up "Arrival," Lucas felt an overwhelming need to escape.
Without a word to Neil, Vincent, or anyone else, he booked a flight to Cancún International Airport. Tulum had been calling to him for years, and now seemed like the perfect time to answer.
As he stepped off the plane, Lucas adjusted his sunglasses and pulled his cap lower. The mask covering half his face completed his incognito look. He blended seamlessly with the crowd of tourists, just another face in the sea of vacationers.
The drive to Tulum was a blur of lush greenery and glimpses of turquoise waters. Lucas felt the weight of his celebrity status lifting with each passing mile.
Here, he was nobody. Just a guy on vacation. The thought brought a smile to his lips.
His first stop was the Tulum ruins. As he wandered among the ancient stones, Lucas felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
It reminded him of preparing for his role as Aron Ralston - that same feeling of isolation, of being small in a vast and indifferent world. But this time, the solitude was by choice, and it felt refreshing.
He snapped a few photos, more out of habit than any real desire to document the moment. This trip wasn't about creating memories to share; it was about reconnecting with himself.
As the sun reached its zenith, Lucas made his way to Gran Cenote. The crystal-clear water beckoned, promising relief from the heat and his thoughts. He changed quickly and dove in, the cool water enveloping him like a long-lost friend.
Floating on his back, Lucas gazed at the sky through the canopy of trees above. A few other swimmers splashed nearby, but in his mind, he was alone in the world.
'Time has passed so quickly,' he mused, letting the gentle current carry him. 'It feels like yesterday I was just a young man with a dream, and now...'
The peace he felt in that moment was profound. Even the complicated tangle of emotions surrounding his grandfather's suggestion to sue his parents seemed distant and unimportant.
'Before, I was just an actor with a dream,' Lucas thought, his mind drifting lazily like his body in the water. 'Becoming a big star seemed so far away. And now? I'm living that dream, but sometimes I miss the hunger, the excitement of the struggle. Did I rush too much? Did I miss out on something by succeeding so quickly?'
He took a deep breath, feeling the water buoy him up. 'But I guess it's fine this way,' he concluded, a warm smile spreading across his face. With a smooth motion, he flipped over and dove deeper into the cenote, leaving his worries on the surface.
For now, at least, Lucas was at peace.
***
As days melted into one another, Lucas found himself relishing the solitude. He'd wake up early, catch the sunrise over the Caribbean, and spend his mornings exploring hidden corners of Tulum. The afternoons were for lounging on the beach or diving into cenotes, letting the cool water wash away his worries.
He toyed with the idea of venturing further into Mexico, maybe to Oaxaca or Mexico City. But reality had a way of creeping in, even in paradise. A few eagle-eyed tourists recognized him at a local taqueria, and suddenly, Lucas felt the walls of his peaceful bubble closing in.
With a heavy heart, he booked a flight back to Los Angeles. As the plane touched down at LAX, Lucas braced himself for a return to the chaos of his celebrity life.
He wasn't prepared for the media frenzy that awaited him.
The moment he stepped into the arrivals hall, a swarm of reporters descended upon him. Microphones were thrust in his face, camera flashes blinded him, and a cacophony of questions assaulted his ears.
"Lucas! Lucas! Why didn't you attend the Tony Awards?" one reporter shouted above the din.
Lucas blinked, momentarily stunned. The Tony Awards? His mind raced, trying to piece together the dates. With a jolt, he realized he'd completely lost track of time during his Mexican getaway.
Another reporter piped up, "You're looking quite tanned, Lucas. There are rumors you've been on a secret vacation. Care to comment?"
Despite his confusion, Lucas couldn't help but smile. "Yes, I did take some time for myself," he admitted, his voice warm and a little sheepish.
As the questions continued to fly, airport security emerged around him. "Mr. Knight, please come with us," one officer said firmly, creating a human barrier between Lucas and the press.
As they escorted him away from the melee, Lucas caught snippets of conversation behind him.
"Did you see how relaxed he looked?"
"I wonder where he went..."
"Do you think this will affect his career?"
Lucas shook his head, bemused. It seemed his little escape had caused quite a stir.
As Lucas sat in the private room at LAX, waiting for his team to arrive, the reality of his situation began to sink in. He had completely forgotten that in this world, the Tony Awards ceremony took place on July 28, a stark difference from his previous life where it was always held in June. The date had simply slipped his mind during his impromptu vacation.
His phone, finally receiving signal, buzzed incessantly with delayed messages and missed calls. Lucas scrolled through them, noting concerned texts from Jennifer, Vincent, and even his half-brother Melvin. But it was Neil's angry messages that caught his eye:
"Where the hell are you?! The Tony Awards are tonight!"
"Lucas, answer your damn phone!"
"I had to accept YOUR award. You better have a good explanation for this."
Lucas couldn't help but smile. He typed out a quick response:
"Did I just become an EGOT?"
To his surprise, Neil's reply came almost instantly:
"Yes, idiot! Where have you been?"
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation. He'd gone from a peaceful solo vacation to winning one of the entertainment industry's highest honors, all without even remembering it was happening.
Lucas's phone rang, Neil's name flashing on the screen. Taking a deep breath, he answered.
"Hey," Lucas said, his voice tinged with embarrassment.
"Where the heck did you go?" Neil's angry voice blared through the speaker.
Lucas smiled despite himself. "Just had a vacation to reflect on my life."
As he said this, Lucas realized the truth in his words. There had been so much weighing on his mind lately. He'd been so focused on caring for others, on bringing down predators like Diddy, on helping everyone, that he'd gradually been losing himself in the process.
Neil's voice cut through his thoughts. "Well, that vacation better be worth it for skipping the Tony Awards."
Lucas chuckled softly. "It was worth it," he said, surprising himself with how much he meant it.
"What are you thinking?" Neil pressed. "Why did you skip the Tony Awards? Aren't you the one that planned to get Tony Awards and that's why you played in 'The Elephant Man'?"
Lucas felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. "Yeah, but..." he trailed off, then sighed. "Look, I apologize, alright? Let's meet later."
As he ended the call, Lucas leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes.
As Lucas sat there, the reality of his situation sank in. He had just become an EGOT winner - a remarkable achievement - and he'd missed his big moment at the Tony Awards. Yet, reflecting on it, he felt that his time alone in Tulum had been worth it.
In those quiet days of solitude, Lucas had begun to understand why he'd been feeling lost lately. He'd cared so damn much about others that he'd left no love for himself. The realization hit him like a wave: he could love others, but he must first know how to love himself.
With this newfound clarity, Lucas picked up his phone again. Ignoring Jennifer's worried messages, he typed out a new text:
"Hey, want to buy a new car with me?"
Jennifer's response came quickly: "Is that you, Lucas?"
Lucas chuckled, understanding her surprise. After all, he was known for being frugal, always putting others before himself.
"Yes, it's me this time," he replied. After a moment's pause, he added, "The real me."
As he hit send, Lucas felt a sense of lightness. For the first time in a long while, he was choosing to do something purely for himself. It was a small step, but it felt like the beginning of something important.
The EGOT, the missed award ceremony, even the impending explanations he owed everyone - all of it seemed less daunting now. Lucas had found something more valuable in Tulum than any award could offer: he'd found himself again.
***
Soon, Lucas was escorted out of the airport by his security detail. The team efficiently navigated him through back corridors, avoiding the press and fans gathered outside. Once safely in his car, Lucas let out a long breath, feeling the weight of the day settling on his shoulders.
As soon as he arrived home, Lucas knew he needed to address his absence publicly. Settling into his favorite armchair, he pulled out his phone and opened Twitter. After a moment's reflection, he began to type:
Lucas Knight (@LucasXKnight)
"I owe you all an apology. Missing the Tony Awards was never my intention, and I'm deeply sorry for disappointing so many. I wish I could have been there to give a speech and express my gratitude in person. But during my time away, I learned something crucial: in caring for others, I'd forgotten to care for myself. To my fans: love yourselves first. It's not selfish—it's necessary. Your own well-being matters. Thank you for your support, and for teaching me this valuable lesson. Here's to growing, together. ❤️ #SelfLove #GratefulHeart"
The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards)
"@LucasXKnight No worries, Lucas! Looks like you just gave your acceptance speech on Twitter. We'll allow it. 😉 Congratulations again on your win! #TonyWinner"
"OMG Lucas actually tweeted something substantial! And it's so heartfelt! 😭❤️ #LucasKnight #Blessed"
"Lucas Knight telling us to love ourselves? I'm not crying, you're crying! 😢 #SelfLove"
"Rare to see @LucasXKnight tweet, let alone something this personal. Must have been one hell of a vacation! #LucasKnight #TonyAwards"
@HollywoodInsider: "The most followed person on Twitter finally tweets, and it's to apologize and spread love. Classic Lucas Knight move."
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