Brian Gorrell and His (Sordid, Scorching, Sensational) Tale of Betrayal

When and how did you meet CK? You sounded like you were swept away by this man.

I WAS swept away.

It’s still hard for me to talk about this because I don’t want to think of CK in a positive light. It does not help me when I recollect the wonderful times we had at the beginning of our relationship.

I was not looking for a supermodel boyfriend. I was not looking period. It just happened. He pushed the right buttons.

CK is very dashing. Don’t be fooled. He sucks you in very quickly. If you are not looking out for it, it gets you. Some people are very sneaky.

Looking back, I don’t know what I was thinking. Truth is, I am embarrassed.

Where did you meet? Bora?

I met him at the Manila Peninsula. I was meeting my best friend from Canada. And then we were going to Bora for two weeks. CK was having a photo shoot at the poolside for his paper. We met there. Sooo romantic. He just happened to be going to Bora as well. So we spent about a week together on the island. That’s it. Then I went home and started to send money.

You were swept away.

I was in love. I still can’t believe it. Oh my gosh.

Was all the money for the business or were there instances when he would just ask?

There was the business money, about 7,000 US dollars a month. Then there was the money for our plans for Boracay. House security deposits… You name it, I sent money for it.

Did you give him access to your bank accounts?

I gave him my ATM card once on Bora. To take money out. The next week my card was gone. He took my card to Manila. He called me one day, “Oh Brian, I don’t know how your card got in my bag. As long as I have it, can I take out some money for business expenses and such.” I said “OK, how much?” He said, “About 20,000 pesos.” He took out almost six thousand bucks (US dollars) over a one-week period. Hello, he totally ravished my account!

When he came back to Boracay, I confronted him. I was distressed. He was freaking out. Pacing the floors. Closing the windows so people (the maids next door) would not hear us. I told him, “You took all my money.” I was so shocked. I asked him where it was. “Oh, business, business expenses.” He left me with five thousand pesos in my account. He took everything he could get. My accountant had a heart attack.

CK thought I was rich. I don’t know why. I am very simple. He just took everything he could. Could not help himself. Like free money.

After that incident, how long before the breakup?

About two months later we broke up.

How old are you, Brian, and what is your profession?

I’m 38 years old. I am a landscape gardener.

Interesting job. Did you save all that money from landscaping?

I once had a flower shop in Sydney that I am very proud of. Hehe. I have always saved my money. Ever since I got HIV I have been careful.

You never hid your HIV status from CK?

Never. I have never hidden it from anyone. I told CK the day I met him. I told Christine the day I met her too.

It begs the question then: you saved all that money for your condition and it was amazing how quickly you parted with it. Well, some of it, as you say, were stolen but…

I know what you are saying. That’s why I tell everyone. Don’t be blinded by love. Keep your head straight. Stay alert. Focus on the bigger picture. I took my eye off the ball. I admit it, and I paid the price.