Ezra's POV
I stare at the water dripping from the tap and sigh longingly, I'd rather be flushed away through this sinkhole than have to go out there again and pretend to love my life with my druggie friends, and I know I agreed to this stupid as hell side quest but I'm well on my way towards regret. I wasn't even aware that Micah brought coke. Shit, what if we get caught again? My dad would absolutely be disappointed. And unfortunately, there's no stopping those people when they start.
Looking around the toilet, I notice how normal everything is, the normal sinks, toilets and even tiles. It calms me a bit. I like things that are not too exaggerated, having to keep up with the impression of materialist.
I wash my hands again, preparing myself on what lie to tell Micah and the others that tagged with us. Maybe something like 'I'm staying off coke because I have an important meeting later on' or some shit like that. I wipe my hands and step out, I can't hear anything, which is weird because those guys are never silent.
I walk towards the tables to see Kandra staring a girl down like she's the scum beneath her shoes. Typical Kandra. I literally don't even know why I tagged along for this but I guess it felt good to go somewhere without a five-star rating.
I ask what's going on but I'm mentally cut off as the unknown woman turns towards me and Kandra saunters over. She's actually quite beautiful, especially for someone working as a waitress. With her gold-hazel eyes and pink lips, she'd pass for a popular Hollywood actress. It's been a while since I saw a woman who I could for sure tell she was totally natural. And honestly, I could look forever.
I ignore Kandra and walk past the woman towards the table and I'm still momentarily distracted by her rare beauty. Wait, was Kandra saying something? Christ, it's becoming a pain to listen to her these days.
I stare at the unknown woman again standing in front of me while taking a sip of whiskey. Something's wrong. She looks like she might rain fire and brimstone at any moment but would rather keep it in a leash, she also really needs to work on her fake smiles, they are very obviously fake. And do I see a red handprint on her cheek or am I tripping?
"Are you-" I try to ask, but I'm cut off by her abrupt bowing and fast walk-off. I sigh, I bet Kandra had something to do with this. I stare at her for some time as she walks away. And turn back towards the others.
"Something happen when I was gone?" I pick up my coat asking.
"You didn't hear me?" I turned to Kandra who had her arms folded with a disapproving look on her face.
"Sorry?" I blink at her.
She rolls her eyes. "I said I took care of it. But, you would have heard me if you were listening at all" Oh, that's what she was saying.
I nod "Okay, great to hear. Well I have to get going so I'll see you guys later" I state, already walking off.
"Wait where are you going?" "You're going already?" Kandra's inquiry clashes with Micah's question.
"I have some work to do but I'll be sure to let you guys know when next we can hangout again." Yeah, no. I'm never doing this again.
I answer for both of them already halfway across the room. I'm stopped with a hand on my arm to see Kandra pouting at me, "But you promised me we'd go home together, you know we have to keep up the idea we were dating so it will be convincing enough for our parents". Yeah, that.
Obviously, there's no billionaire spawn without arranged marriage, it's literally the worst thing my father has asked me to do for the company but I won't be surprised. His marriage as well is arranged. But this, this has to be another form of imprisonment. I don't think I'd be sane to marry someone like Kandra that I'm for certain sees other guys.
"Yeah, our parents won't be mad if we don't go home together for one night." I counter and shrug.
She raises a menacing brow. Sighing, I say "Look Kandra, its okay for both of us to have separate lives, you really don't have to pretend with it. With me. I understand" I wince at her and gesture for her to join the others who were making toasts and drowning in alcohol. Oh the life of debauchery.
With her eyes still narrowed at me, I slip away from the bar but not before looking around the bar not knowing exactly what I'm looking for and being weirdly disappointed when I come up unsuccessful in my search.
I pull my baseball cap further down and slip out without being noticed. I guess it wasn't that bad an idea after all to choose a basic bar. I got to feel basic. Which is rare for me these days.
I take a deep breath then look around taking in the town like a drug. It's quite a beautiful town, I can't deny it. It feels good taking in the spring leaves on trees and the apartment buildings with the roads leading deeper into the town.
The weather today is both sunny and cool. I exhale then walk to my car. I have to attend a meeting soon.
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I walk into my penthouse, taking off my baseball cap and shoes. We just concluded the final meeting, and it took quite some time. It's for a funding/sponsorship event that happens every year at our company; Briggs. We're inviting some top actors and actresses with other exclusive invites. Dad wanted me to organize the event myself with some of our shareholders at the company because I'll soon be taking over the company.
Which reminds me that finally, dad is retiring. Mum is ecstatic; she's always hated when dad is too busy and overworked, which was most of the time anyway. But now they can both enjoy retirement.
I was ready for this, in fact, I was born ready and lately I've been drowning in way too much sex and drugs, I'm ready to have a purpose even if I have to walk that path alone.
I walk to the kitchen and check if the chef cooked anything that I'm feeling like eating. I plate some mac and cheese, eat in the quiet of the house and scroll through my phone. I then see that I've been invited to a house party by one of my college acquaintances from Stanford. No party without the golden boy, right?
I sigh, do I really want to go? I might have, in the past. But now it just seems like a hassle. I'll have to go and pretend like I'm enjoying myself and end up drunk and high with a girl I'll probably never remember again or worse Kandra.
Yeah no, I'm going to pass. I ignore the message and keep scrolling. I see one from my elder sister, Elissa, asking me if I've heard from her asshole husband. I mean I'm bad and I admit it. But Felix, her husband, he's way worse than me and that's because he's married to my sister, yet that fucker sleeps around with anything that moves. While lying to my sister, not that she doesn't suspect but she won't even admit it. My parents also suspect the same thing, but let's just say we're a fucked up bunch. I send her a quick no because Lord knows I better NOT hear from that douche.
I proceed to take a quick shower and decide that I'm just going to the gym and rest tomorrow before the event next tomorrow. I realize I'm so tired and climb unto bed early grateful for my discipline today in the area of coke or sleep might have been a far off dream. I decide that i'm going to have to drop those distractions as I have quite the expectations to live up to now. Then with image of long dark hair, I fall deep into sleep.