Chapter 37 – Officer Sean: What Did I Forget? Oh, It's Just My Niece's Birthday!
This fatal blow, like an invisible hand, instantly gripped Alan's fate by the throat! The joy he had just felt at Charlie's humiliation melted and collapsed as quickly as ice cream under the California sun.
As soon as Charlie finished speaking, Alan disappeared from Charlie's sight like an Olympic sprinter. Even the smugness he had just displayed vanished, leaving only a deep sense of dread and relief at dodging a bullet.
Alan thought to himself:
Thankfully, it was just a threat; he didn't actually demand money!
Alan's current financial situation is even more fragile than his ego; he is absolutely unable to afford the rent for even the smallest studio apartment in this luxurious beachfront villa!
After all, Judith, who was going through a divorce, not only destroyed Alan's confidence; but she was also like the IRS, precisely squeezing the last dollar from Alan's bank account.
"Now that Jake has finished his game, and you've 'treated' him to a feast!"
Sean pushed open the car door, and the salty ocean breeze immediately rushed in, dispelling the lingering smell of food and Charlie's complaints from inside the car:
"I should head out now."
The game is over, the meal is done, and there is indeed no reason to linger any longer.
Sean thought:
I can't exactly go back to Rose's for another night, can I? Even though she'd be thrilled.
Last night's marathon session, which could only be described as "intense and exhausting," had taken its toll, especially considering he'd spent the entire day at the soccer field.
Having just had a massive meal, Sean felt pleasantly drowsy.
Even with Sean's robust constitution, he needs to go home and crash.
Of course, if he were to have a rendezvous with Gloria, Brooke, or Rose right now, Sean would still be more than capable of performing.
Right now, Sean is just suffering from post-feast food coma, and all he can think about is going home to sleep.
After Sean got out of the car, Charlie shook Sean's hand firmly, a genuine smile spreading across his face—a stark contrast to his earlier attitude towards Alan.
Charlie couldn't help but add:
"Hey! Sean, you're always welcome here. No need to ring the doorbell. Next time, just grab the key from under the rock by the front door. There's only one rock there—can't miss it."
Charlie's welcome to his cousin, who always arrived bearing two cases of premium liquor as his "admission ticket," was absolutely heartfelt. He even granted Sean permission to come and go freely in the future.
After all, no one in this world can say no to a case of top-shelf rum!
And that definitely didn't include Charlie.
However, to be fair, Charlie's house policy could be described as:
'Anyone can enter, except Evelyn.'
But even at the moment of parting, Charlie couldn't resist taking a parting shot at Alan:
"If only Alan could be like you, but the words 'generous gift' and 'thoughtful gesture' probably won't come out of his mouth until hell freezes over."
Sean merely smiled slightly, without replying. For Sean, who was fairly familiar with the show, this was nothing. There would be plenty of memorable scenes of the two brothers' dysfunctional relationship later on.
Sean turned and walked toward his black-and-white Crown Victoria Police Interceptor parked in the driveway—department issued—and waved goodbye to Charlie with his left hand out the window.
As the car slowly reversed out of the driveway, Sean casually rested his left hand on the open window frame and waved to Charlie, who was still leaning against the Jaguar.
Charlie raised his hand in response, his figure appearing somewhat blurred at the boundary between the porch lights and the deep night.
Charlie watched as the taillights of the iconic police cruiser merged into the traffic on Pacific Coast Highway and disappeared from sight. Only then did he slowly turn his gaze away, lean against the cool car door, look up at the starlit sky, and take a deep breath of the air, which carried the salty ocean breeze.
Charlie's brain, still buzzing pleasantly from earlier drinks, began to actively consider whether he should call an escort service and crack open a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label to make the most of this long night.
Without further ado, Charlie pulled out his iPhone from his pocket with almost ritualistic flair, scrolled through his contacts, and expertly dialed a number he knew by heart.
As the call connected, Charlie's lips curled into a charming smile, and his voice took on a lazy, magnetic quality:
"Hey, baby, it's me, Charlie…"
This was standard operating procedure for Charlie—poor Alan, once again condemned to listen to Charlie's bedroom activities through the walls, spending another lonely night. No! He still had his magazine collection in the closet for company.
——————
After parking his car in the garage and opening the door, Officer Sean once again returned to his house in Hancock Park.
The antique wall clock silently pointed to 10:30 PM. The house was quiet, with only the floor lamp casting a faint glow.
Vanessa and Sophia's room was dark beneath the door, clearly indicating they were already fast asleep.
After a quick shower, Sean went to bed.
After all, he had only managed to cobble together less than seven hours of sleep in the past 48 hours.
Sean, focused on sleeping, was oblivious to the state of his life.
Surprisingly, when Sean closed the bathroom curtains this time, Rose didn't appear and ambush him. She must have been exhausted from last night!
Monday.
For countless souls struggling through their commutes, punching time clocks, and trapped in their cubicles, these two syllables are nothing short of torture.
But for Sean Horace, who was on administrative leave at the moment, it was just another day.
Sean lazily rolled over, buried his face in the fluffy pillow, and vaguely thought:
What day is it? Haha, does it matter? I don't have to work! I love paid leave.
His tense nerves finally relaxed under the protection of his vacation, and he let himself indulge in the comfort of his bed, ready to catch up on lost sleep.
However, this tranquility did not last long.
A sharp, chaotic cacophony of children's voices, like nails on a chalkboard, dragged his drowsy consciousness back to reality, abruptly pulling him out of deep sleep!
The sound pierced through the door, filled with excitement and chaos, and sounded particularly jarring in the quiet house.
Amidst the children's noise, Vanessa knocked on Sean's door, calling into the room:
"Get up! The guests have arrived!"
Guests? What guests?
Sean, forcibly dragged out of sleep, was still groggy. He abruptly threw off the covers and, full of confusion, flung open the door, only to find Vanessa waiting outside.
"What guests?"
Sean's voice was low and hoarse with confusion, his brows furrowed.
Vanessa looked at his bewildered expression, a mixture of exasperation and amusement on her face. She sighed and reminded him:
"Have you forgotten? Today is Sophia's sixth birthday!"
Sean slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering, a hint of embarrassment flashing in his eyes.
"Right!"
He'd been so overwhelmed with work lately that he completely forgot about this important event.
I've been ruined by work stress and late nights, completely burned out. From this day forward—I need to get my act together!
Not daring to delay any longer, Sean quickly showered and shaved his stubble.
Unlike his usual casual style, he changed into a well-fitting suit.
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