Chapter 4 RICHARD

Donning my dark shades because the last thing I needed was paparazzi, I alighted from the obsidian Mercedes Benz S-class S 580. Lanke flanked my side as we made our way to the entrance.

In haste as to not get discovered, I didn't stop to admire the dramatic, cantilevered roofline and the gleaming chrome-coated porte-cocheré that marked the hotel entrance.

That changed when I stood in the lobby. It wasn't my first time, but I couldn't help but admire the decor. The sight always has me tranced no matter how many times I see it. High-ceilinged with a vast crystal chandelier that refracted light into a kaleidoscope of colors, which appeared dark with my shades. The dark marble floors polished to high shine and the walls, painted with murals and scenes from Greek myths and clouds with cherubs spanning the endless blue.

Cream colored plush sofas were arranged in pairs each facing the other and divided by a circular marble table of the same hue.

Lanke stalked off to speak with one of the receptionists, and once again I was reminded that I needed a personal assistant. That was another job area people don't have the patience and humility for. The worst part of it was that these people need the pay and heaven knows I'm more than generous. Yet they leave after a few months of employment, most times, days. It was a simple job, do all I tell you to do exactly how it's specified and never get on my nerves. But they always just have to ignore the last part. They always have to do something wrong.

"As I live and breathe, if it's not Raky

Richy"

By gods, how I abhorred that name and worse the voice uttering it. Muttering a curse, I turned to face Lindsey.

"Hello Lind" I said, masking a smile.

" You know I hate it when you call me that..."

" Likewise" I retorted before she could say more.

Waving off my statement, she continued in that squeaky voice I have come to hate,

"Anyway what brings you here, business or pleasure, you know I can always join you if it's the latter" she ran her manicured fingers down the length of my arm.

Something rose at my throat at the thought of doing anything with her again. When I met her that night at the 'Suns Arts Auction' staring at the painting of swirling colors on a dark background captioned 'Dream'. I had wanted nothing, but to fuck her until she saw all those colors and I did a few hours later. After a nice long conversation where she had given me the name "Raky Richy". But after, as I stared at her snoring beside me I just wasn't feeling her anymore.

Don't get me wrong, Lindsey was beautiful with short straight brown hair, gunmetal eyes- which had been what had attracted her to me. The way those colors of the painting created a mesmerizing art within her lashes. A full red lips and a petite body. But I remember feeling disgust as I watched her sprawled beside me.

When people stare at the person sleeping next to them especially after rounds of raw fuck, it's usually to memorize their beautiful features, but as I stared at her, I noticed that her nose was slightly crooked, freckles surrounded it, her lips weren't so perfect and from the slight opening between them, I saw that one of her front teeth was mismatched. I had asked myself why I didn't notice all these things before fucking her and for fear of noticing more, I remember dashing out of there at 2 am.

Holding her hand away from me, I gritted, "Nice seeing you, Lind, but I have to run along now"

She grabbed my hand as I made to leave, leaning close, she whispered nibbling at my ear,

" You know I haven't forgiven you for that stunt you pulled leaving me all alone in that hotel room or for ghosting and blocking me after on X, Facebook, hell blocking me everywhere, but gods have I missed you and that beast" in spite of myself I felt the beast in question reacting to her hot mint breath on my ear.

"Oops, looks like he missed me too" she moaned, biting harder as her palm rested on the bulge beyond my fly.

"Eh hehm" Lanke coughed behind me.

Stepping away from Lindsey, "A pleasure to meet you, Lind" I brushed a kiss on her hand and followed Lanke.

"I will be expecting your call, Richy!" She called after me.

People stared, but was I glad she hadn't called me by my full name. It seemed none had recognized me yet. Holding my phone before the bulge, I quickened my steps.

"Sir, you look uncomfortable" Lanke

joked as we followed a staff to the gold

elevator.

" Not one more word, Lanke" I emphasized with a raised finger. He had kept his cool until the elevator dinged shut, that was when he burst into laughter. A deep throaty sound I rarely hear, and hella infectious cause I found myself laughing too.

Bright lights greeted us as we stepped out of the elevator to a sprawling open-plan living area with a baby grand piano and a fireplace.

"Money is good", I heard Lanke whistle as he took in the penthouse my friend lounged. The glass-enclosed balcony offering a 360° view of the city. The bed that could house 6 hefty men comfortably. The arts. The lights.

"What is it, again? I told you guys that my friend is coming, can't you give a guy some peace?

Walking towards the sound of the voice, I saw my friend curled up by the side of the bed or... what's left of him.

Chad's eyes were reddish and rimmed with a purplish tint. His face was swollen and had red blotches, his lips were a fading shade of fuchsia as if he was dehydrated.

"Hey Chad, it's Rich. I'm here" I squatted to his level as he raised his hands to my face as if he was finding it hard to believe it was really me.

"Richy, is it really you?" I answered with a nod, not trusting myself to say anything as tears brimmed at my eyes.

Another fact about me is that I tend to get very emotional at times. Maybe it's because of my heart condition, being weak and all. I always try to hide it, layer it all underneath rage, but it's there no matter how much I try to hide it.

The thing with hiding stuff is that the more you hide them, the better you become at doing it. Sniffing the tears back, I held my friend as his flowed.

"I know you hate seeing me like this. Weak. Crying like a child and shit. It's pathetic, I know, but this shit is hard. I try to stay strong, to get her out of my mind. Even fuck other bitches, but she's always there, haunting me like a fucking ghost" he had said in between sobs.

Shushing him, I said, "It's alright, I may not understand what it feels like, but I've got you" aiming for some relief, I added, "just happy you didn't come with all your cards though, cause I won't say the same against your ass-whooping mama"

"Oh, shut up" I felt the quiver as he chuckled.

Truly, I hated seeing a grown-ass man reduced to a cry-baby, all for something as wack as love. And I know for damn sure that this will never ever be me any day, not in the future and most definitely not in another lifetime.

Tossing my phone with my left hand, I mouthed Lanke to call Aaron to see what's keeping him. Cause clearly I really needed extra hands on Chad's situation.