The entire school day is one big blur. After last night with Leo I've only been thinking about how I'm losing him. How could this have happened? Why now? Can't he stay? I can help him, right? No. I will help him. I'm going to make sure Leo doesn't leave Sunday. I can't just sit back and do nothing. He's always been there for me in a matter of seconds. Even when he's busy, he'll drop everything to make sure I'm okay. I owe him that much. But first, I have to deal with Azriel.
I make my way to the address and I realize one thing. This guy's rich. Like dumb rich. The neighborhood is so clean and pristine. All the houses are modern and all of them have at least two stories. They even have garages and driveways. The plants all look trimmed and well kept. The birds are flying and chirping. I feel like I'm in an episode of the Twilight Zone. It's all so… perfect.
I finally find his house and beautiful is an understatement. It's three stories with glass windows from top to bottom. It has a contemporary look with dark natural wood lined dark plaster. They even have a front yard with the most green grass I've ever seen. There's rose bushes and a small pond, I can only assume they have fishes in there. But my attention shifts to the driveway and what's on it. I already know the skyline belongs to Azriel but I don't care about that one. Next to his car there's a white Rolls Royce Phantom and a white Porsche 911. They stick out compared to the dark exterior of the home. It almost looks offsetting, just a little unnatural. The house itself looks warm and inviting, but the cars make it seem superior.
I walk to the front door and ring the doorbell. It's a deep chime from the outside. God why did I make that bet.
"Hello! May I help you?"
Wow. Of course, I should have guessed. They have a maid. She's a short lady with light brown hair, pulled back in a bun. She has light skin with wrinkles and other signs if aging. She doesn't look bad though, if anything it all suits her. Her deep brown eyes are warm and I can already tell she's the kindest woman on the planet.
"Hi, I'm here for Azriel. Is he home by any chance? I kind of owe him something."
"Of course. Please come in." she says with a welcoming smile.
I walk into the house and I'm in awe. There's art on the walls and fancy light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. The rugs look expensive and even the furniture looks clean, like no one's actually sat in it. I follow the lady into what I assume is the living room. For all I know it could be one of many.
"Please wait here while I go get Mr. Wilson."
She leaves me in the room and heads up a flight of stairs. I sit on the couch and I instantly regret it. These couches are hard as hell. Obviously no one cared to be comfortable.
"He'll be down soon. In the meantime can I offer you any tea or maybe something to eat?"
I turn down the offer and thank her. She gives me a deep nod and leaves me once again. I kind of wished she stayed. Her kind aura seems so inviting and honestly I'd rather talk to her than the asshole upstairs. Suddenly my phone buzzes.
-Leo-
I don't know how to respond. If I tell him where I am he'll flip and I don't want to piss him off. But I know he's just trying to spend whatever time he has left here in Tokyo.
"Hey."
I look up from my phone and see him. I forgot how tall and big he was. He's wearing a simple black shirt with beige cargo pants and some sneakers.
"Hi."
"How are you?"
"Fine. I'm down $1,000 but what can you do?"
His face drops a little like I just hurt his feelings. I could care less though. I just want to get this whole thing over with.
"Here. All in cash like I promised." I say as I hand him an envelope.
He hesitates to take it, but just for a second. He takes the envelope and stares down at it. He probably didn't think I'd show up. Let alone with all the money.
"You have a nice house."
He looks up and examines the interior, as if really seeing it for the first time.
"Yeah it's nice I guess." he says in a bored tone.
"Why do you need it?"
"What?"
"The money. Why did you bet $1,000 when you're clearly taken care of. It doesn't make sense. You have everything you want. Your house is bigger than most apartment complexes. Jesus, you even have a maid. So why?" I couldn't help but raise my voice a little.
He just gives me a blank stare in return. What the hell is wrong with him? Where's that asshole ego from last night? All of a sudden he wants to be quiet? Yeah right.
"It's to pay for all my tickets." he smiles and turns to walk away. Nevermind, still an ass.
"Wait what? Tickets? Your fucking with me right?"
"Nope."
"Why don't you use mommy and daddys money for that? I'm sure they can spare a $1000. I doubt they'll miss it."
He stops at the base of the stairs and turns to look at me. Suddenly he starts laughing.
"You think I want to use their money? Shit I probably could and they wouldn't even notice. They're not around anyway to tell me no. But I'd rather not. Especially since you've so kindly donated."
"It's obvious you do though. That skyline didn't pay for itself!"
"Woww, you know I knew you were naive but not that naive. I don't touch or use my parents' money. I actually have a job dumbass. That car is all me! All the tuning and modding. I paid for that car with MY money. So unless you have something important to say you can leave now."
Oh hell no.
"I get it now."
He makes a look as he jokingly says, "Excuse me?"
"I understand. Mommy and daddy are never home and I'm assuming you have no siblings, or any that live here. You're alone basically all the time and to make yourself feel better you go out and race. Taking other peoples money to pay for your stupid tickets and probably car parts. People who worked day and night for that. Just to make enough to pass by. You're just another rich kid that throws a tantrum when nothing goes your way. You take this house and everything you have for granted. And that so called job is probably just another word you use for allowance. My money, my ass! You're nothing but a spoiled little boy whose parents pay for everything!"
He's pissed now.
"This is a joke. YOUR telling ME what I've done. Listen up darling, I worked for every inch of that car. Your so ignorant to believe it, I almost feel bad for you. You also come into MY house and disrespect ME! Now that's where you fucked up. I won't take that shit. So take your little princess ass and get the hell out of my house."
"Fuck y-
Out of nowhere we both hear a crash coming from inside the house. Azriel immediately runs to the sound and I follow him. We end up in a kitchen and the lady is on the floor unconscious. There's broken glass everywhere and food scattered.
"Sobo!" Azriel shouts as he slides onto the floor, stopping next to her.
"Oh my god! Is she okay?"
He checks her pulse and examines her for any cuts or bruising.
"Call an ambulance. NOW!"
Later...
The doctor tells Azriel that she'll be okay, but that she won't be able to work for at least two weeks. Apparently she had a heart attack and he wants her to stay in bed for a week. Away from any type of stress or work, since she needs to relax. The doctor leaves, returning to his other patients. Azriel just stands in silence for a while before turning to me. He frowns before sighing. There's concern in his eyes and for once I notice how much he truly cares for this lady.
"She means a lot to you huh?"
"Yeah, she does. She's not just a maid or some lady who works for my family. She's been with us since I can remember. My parents were always away growing up so they left us with Kana, that's her name. She was more than a nanny though. She came through for my siblings and I and truly cared for us as if we were hers. We eventually called her Sobo and next thing we knew she was family."
Wow. Now I feel guilty. More for the lady though than him really. He was basically raised by Kana and it's obvious she cares for the family. The one I just insulted earlier.
"You can leave now. You paid the money so there's no reason for you to stay." he says in a cold tone, as if he suddenly remembered the argument and I'm now the last person he wants to see.
"I'm sorry again for everything. I didn't mean to get out of hand or even start something. Please tell Kana I'm sorry for my behavior and for being a rude guest. I hope she gets well." and with that I turn to walk away. I truly am sorry. She'll be out for a week and who knows if she'll come back. She had a heart attack for crying out loud. She probably needed the money too. For her family or to support herself. Her bills, food, clothes, and such. Damn it.
I can't help being the person I am. Once I feel guilty I have to make up for it and set things right again. I don't like leaving the situation like this. Nor do I want to feel like crap for putting an older ladys job on the line and potentially causing her a check. Which is why I turn and walk back to Azriel.
"Let me work." I say to him.
He turns around confused. He probably thinks I'm joking which is probably why he looks pissed now.
"I told you to leave. So go."
"Listen, I know I'm the last person you want to see right now. Believe me the feelings mutual. But, I can't help thinking that I'm probably causing Kana to lose money. Money that she probably needs. And I don't know how you and your family run, so she probably doesn't get paid sick days or leave. I'll work in her place. I don't need the money. I just want to make sure she gets her checks like normal and not have to worry about anything."
He's quiet and bewildered. Believe me I am too. It's not every day I willingly decide to work for free. Let alone want to work for this asshole in his house. But the whole thing isn't right so yeah, I'm doing this. Azriel's face changes from surprise to amusement to a sadistic smile. God what did I do.
"Okay. Tomorrow. 5am." and with that he walks away towards the elevators.