CHAPTER FOUR
Alex P.O.V
I rolled out of bed and landed on the ground with a loud thud
“Ughhh” I groaned in annoyance as i managed to get up. My head was banging and I was seriously hung over.
I finally got up, and took comfort in my bed again as the events of the weekend came pouring in.
I woke up to a bottle of scotch on Friday morning. Today makes it exactly two years that my brother was involved in an accident that claimed his life few hours later. I’ve always blamed myself for his death.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered brokenly to no one in particular as I took another huge chug from the bottle
“I should-n’t ha-ve reacted t-hat way….. all I felt was r-age coursing through me at that moment,”
I was full on sobbing now, as I continued to drink.
I was done with the drink in no time. I wiped my tears from my face and decided to get another one to numb the feelings of pain, guilt and remorse I was feeling at the moment.
I got to the refrigerator only to discover that there were no drinks there
“What the hell!” I shouted angrily.
I knew who was responsible for this so, I immediately went in search of my phone from my bedroom and dialed his number
He picked on the first ring, and without giving him a chance to talk, I lash out on him
“Care to explain what happened to the drinks in my refrigerator!” I boomed
“Hey…. Take it easy, man” came his calm response
“Dude, I’m not taking anything easy with you until I get my drinks back, and I want them back now!” With a click I hung up.
He knows better than to ignore me.
Exactly five minutes later, I heard my apartment code being punched in, and my best friend, Frank stepped in.
He came faster than I thought he would. Well, he’s just an apartment above mine, so I guess it was easy for him to just rush down here.
I don’t know if I can call him that though, ‘best friend’? Is he really?
Frank is the first guy I made friends with when I moved to New York almost two years ago. He was the only one that got stuck with me all through the mess. Although I’ve made a lot of friends alongside him.
What Frank knows about me is just the bit of information I told him which is not the entire truth about me. After what happened before I came here, I decided to close off on everyone except my elder sister, Claire.
My parents are as good as dead to me after what happened. So, I guess he can be considered as my best friend.
I grabbed the drinks out of his hands as soon as he was within my reach, and placed them back in the refrigerator. I grabbed another bottle of scotch and went to join Frank on the couch.
“Easy man, you were like this around this time last year too…. Are you ever going to tell me what happened?” he asked, his voice laced with sympathy. One of the things I hated, I don’t need anyone’s sympathy or pity!
I chose to ignore him instead. I mean, what made him think I would ever give him a reply to that. He asked me this same question last year and I practically shoved him out of my apartment. What would make this year any different?
We both sat down in an uncomfortable silence until he decided to grab a drink too.
Frank was a responsible drinker though, so he ended up having to clean up my mess when I got drunk.
I continued my drinking habits all through the weekend with Frank looking out for me, ensuring that I’m okay.
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“I must have drunk a little too much last night” I groaned in annoyance again
A special ring tone I assigned for my sister burst through my phone speakers, and I scrambled out of bed to get it from among the pulse of my things on the floor by the door side.
“Hey” I greeted with a dry throat.
“Hey? Really? That is no way to greet your elder sister, buddy” she remarked
“Really? Why don’t you tell me how?” I teased
She let out a little laugh at the other end before she delved into a conversation I was hoping to avoid
“How’re you holding up, buddy? Is everything fine with you over there?” she sounded agitated. She hates not knowing.
I cleared my throat “I’m good sis, just a little hung over. Nothing a tablet of ‘M’ won’t fix” I told her sincerely.
I heard her release a long sigh before she stumbled word
“Alex…”
then she broke down in tears. I couldn’t stop my tears too, so I joined her. We both missed our brother dearly, there’s no denying that.
Few minutes later, after crying and consoling each other, we hung up on a note where she reprimanded me on my drinking habits.
I placed my phone on the table and went in search for an aspirin, My head was killing me.
After downing the aspirin with a glass of water, I hit the shower for a much needed relaxing bath. The cold water cascaded down my body and relieved me of some aching nerves. I washed off with the body lotion my sister sent over to me.
She has practically become the only ‘parental figure’ in my life after the incident that severed my ties with my parents. Although, they had tried to reach out to me over the years, I ignored them. They chased me out, so what more did they expect from me.
My body was boiling as the incident kept recurring in my mind. I shut off the shower in annoyance and got out. I grabbed a towel to dry myself off and immediately threw on the first shirt and jean my hands came in contact with from my closet.
Once I got everything ready, I grabbed my phone, wallet and keys and made my way out of my apartment. I saw Frank in the parking lot as I was about driving out.
“Hey, buddy. Can I ride with you?” he pleaded,
I just gave him the look that said ‘like you needed to ask’.
He got the message and hopped into the passenger’s seat.
“Your sister called me earlier this morning, she wasn’t able to get through to you. Have you spoken to her now?” he asked me as I resumed driving
“Yeah, I did. I spoke to her few minutes ago” I replied as a smile made its way to my lips with the thought of my sister fretting over me.
My sister has been the one catering for my every need ever since I walked out of my childhood home. Well, technically I was chased out. She’s an independent woman and she’s happily married to the love her life, they’re expecting their first child in four months time. I’m so ecstatic, I’m going to be an uncle!
Read more…Chapter two, Chapter three
We got to school in record time and I drove to my parking space as usual but I got shocked at what I was seeing.
Now, you would imagine my surprise when I saw another car parked in a spot I’ve claimed for myself over a year ago.
“Whoa, whose car is that?” Frank asked, I could tell he was surprised too
“We’ll find out soon, not to worry,” I replied with a smirk
This person is going to be sorry for parking here. I have a reputation here at school and no, I’m not a bully. I just have a way of getting what I want, whenever I want it.
My father’s name has proven to be quite useful for me, Leman. He’s the CEO of LEMAN CORPS- a Pharmaceutical company. The man is a billionaire, no doubt but I don’t need his money. His name has gotten me out of sticky situations a number of times.
I decided to park my car somewhere else. I bade Frank farewell as we went to our respective classes.
I was eight minutes late already, so I walked hurriedly to class.
On getting to the class room, I didn’t think twice before I grabbed the door knob and snapped the door opened.
Apparently, the class was already ongoing as everyone’s attention was now focused on me. What a great way to start the day.
Professor Harrison looked at me with a slight disgust on his face before he said “Good morning, Alexander. It’s nice of you to grace us with your presence this morning”
The sarcasm in his voice didn’t go unnoticed. I grunted in response and made my way to the back of the class, my usual spot. I met a lady on my seat, yeah my seat.
As I approached her, she kept staring at me in confusion. I noticed her hazel eyes as I got closer
“Hello pretty eyes, do you mind scooting over to the other side?” I asked her politely.
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