Chapter 2 Party Time

Andre got home and was greeted by his housekeeper, Maria, a woman who was in her late forties. Whenever she sets her eyes on Andre, her heart leaps for him. She pities him. Darn Andre has gone through a lot.

"Good evening boss" she greeted him as she took the briefcase from him.

"Evening Maria. How're you this evening?"He asked as he plopped himself on the couch.

"Am good, I guess. By the way,how was work today?" She smiled at him.

Andre exhaled. "Stressful as usual".

"You really are gonna grow old if you don't reduce the way you stress your poor soul. You know what, you ought to take a break from work. Go on a vacation, to places like Hawaii, Miami, else you'll look older" she suggested as she began to massage his muscles.

"Am not getting any younger Maria" he replied her.

"I know you're not getting any younger, at least you should look your age, not like some oldie" she told him.

His lips twitched as if he wanted to smile, but he didn't. No, Andre Neil Demarco never smiles.

"By the way,Doc. Robin called today".Maria continued.

"Remind me to give him a call, after dinner"Andre told her as he got up from the couch and made his way to the stairs.

"OK sire"Maria bowed at his retreating figure.

Maria's joy knew no bound when Andre told her what he just said. 'He'll be having dinner this evening?' Gosh she was just so happy.

The only person Andre respects was Maria. She's his mothers best friend, and him and his late sisters nanny. His mother loved Maria so much that she didn't want to let go of her, so she made Maria her children's nanny.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Some minutes later, Andre came down for dinner. He has freshened up already, no doubts. He put on a sweat pant and shirt. He met Maria setting the table. He took his usual spot on the dinning.

"You know am really happy you decided to eat tonight" Maria said as she notices his presence.

"Well, dinner is ready" she continued.

Andre just shook his head at her, as he began to eat.

About thirty minutes later, Andre was done with dinner. He sat on the couch listening to and watching a regular show on the television.

"You asked me to remind you to call Doc.Robin" Maria reminded as soon as she was done with clearing the table.

Andre nodded. He picked up the telephone from the side table and put a call through to Robin. The man at the other end of the call, picked at the third ring.

"Hello Mr DeMarco"

"Robin, I was told you called my house today" Andre said.

"Yeah. Mrs Demarco's condition isn't improving at all.She has refused to eat or drink anything at all. If you'll permit us, we'll take her to America. A doctor who treats psychiatric patients bases there. Her condition is really detoriating. Its getting worse every passing se......"

"Do not take her out of the hospital, got it?" Andre said cutting him off.

Robin sighed. "OK sir".

The call disconnected. Maria noticed that Andre looked shaken after the call. She felt for him. 'How can life be so unfair to one person?' She thought. His Mother is in the psychiatric hospital, his wife and child dead, father is nowhere to be found, and sister is dead too. That was unfair' She thought to herself. His world was just too dark. He keeps drowning in loneliness. She prayed and wished that someone would come and light up his world.

Andre on the other hand didn't like the news one bit. His mothers condition wasn't improving at all. Gosh. He thought of the only way to forget about his worries. And that was 'drinking'. Ever since his world took this turn, he has resorted to drinking. One funny thing is that no matter how he drinks, he never cease to forget his troubles. The drink doesn't even affect his mental balance.

He dashed into his room and came back, dressed in a casual clothes.

"Where are you going sir?" She asked, but then again that was a rhetorical question. She already knows he was going to the club or bar, whatever it was.

Andre didn't respond to the question. He left the sitting room. Maria felt for him. He's been through a lot. Can't life be fair to him?.

Shortly after he left the sitting room, Maria heard the sound of car driving away.

As soon as Andre hit the road, he drove on full speed, not obeying the traffic signs. The road safety officers didn't even reprimand him for disobeying the traffic rules. Instead they steered clear his way. You wouldn't blame them though. Which man in his right senses would dare reprimand someone like Andre Neil Demarco? That man must surely have a death wish. In the whole of Italy, Andre was feared.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nivea, Samantha and Michael arrived at 'DA grooves' , a popular club in Italy. They were greeted by the loud music blaring inside the club.

"Woo hoo; I love this place. Kudos Michael, I never knew you've got something upstairs. Let's go rock it baby" Samantha said as she dragged Nivea into the club.

As soon as they were inside the club, Samantha began to sway her hips to pop music that was played.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to DA grooves. Its party time" the DJ yelled.The people cheered as they began to dance. Nivea danced only for a little while and became tired. She managed to get through the crowd. She went to the bar area and sat down.

"What can I get you?" The Asian bartender asked as he saw her.

"Can I get a glass of water to calm my nerves?"Nivea asked.

"Sure" the guy smiled at her and left. He returned shortly with the water, and handed it to her. She muttered her thanks as she took a sip.

Samantha noticed that Nivea wasn't in the dance floor with her. She sighted her sitting on the counter.

"Gotcha. Why'd you leave me alone?" Samantha asked, but Nivea didn't respond.

"What are you sipping?; water?" Samantha asked.

"Yeah" Nivea nodded her head.

"Why?"

"Pardon?" Nivea creased her brows.

"Gosh. You really need to grow up Nivea. It's not every time you take water whenever we go to clubs. Don't be such an old school" Samantha groaned.

Nivea rolled her eyes. "You have any problem with that?"

"Yeah. I have a problem with that"

"Suit yourself" Nivea told her as she sipped her water.

"May I get two glasses of tequila and an ice pack?" Samantha turned to the waiter.

"Sure ma'am" The waiter dashed behind the counter.