ENRIQUE
The first thing I did when I awakened was drop three tablets of aspirin into my mouth. Reaching out to my beside table to down it with the glass of water, my hand grasped an empty cup.
I felt my jaw tic as I spat the tablets out. "Catherine!" I called out. Catherine, my chamber maid and house servant, had just one job. Just one job.
In less than five seconds she stood outside my bedroom door, her head bowed. "You called for me, sir."
I glared at her, gesturing to the empty glass. "What is the meaning of this?"
I watched as her jaw dropped, realization dawning on her face. "I-I... sir, it was a mistake. I'll go refill it."
I shook my head motioning her to keep quiet. "Just shut up! If this ever happens again, I'll make sure you never get another job in this state. You get that?"
"Y-yes sir," She muttered. I could see the tears already forming in her eyes. I rolled my eyes, turning over in my bed. Why Mother always hired a bunch of blithering idiots as servants was beyond me. They all seemed to be genetically foolish.
Sighing, I rolled out of bed my head still pounding. I had been on set the whole day yesterday. It was always so busy for me during this time of the year. I had gotten home around 4am today and I still had another tomorrow morning. This obviously didn't give me enough time to rest. But I guess that was what came with being a famous actor; everyone wanted you in their movies.
As per my morning ritual, I completed a thirty minute workout session then gulped down two cups of my special smoothie. I also wanted to go for a drive, but I decided I would pass. To socialize and drink was what I needed. Deciding, I sent a text on our guys group chat asking if we could meet at our usual spot. Once they assented, I had something to look forward to.
I rang Catherine to prepare my bath water and ready my outfit for the day. Before long it was mid-noon. I glanced up at the outfit Catherine had laid out for me, grunting in approval. She could have done better, but it was better than the last one.
When I was finally ready to go, I hopped into my favorite car; the sleek Lamborghini Tariq had gotten me as a birthday gift last year. Usually, I would summon my driver. But I didn't let any one else drive this car.
Thirty minutes later I had arrived at the bar. Unsurprisingly, I was the first one to arrive. Shaking my head I ordered my first drink to get myself started. I could see the ladies staring longingly at me. Already annoyed, I gulped down the vodka and asked for a refill. Terry, our regular bartender, looked up at me. "Just you today, sir?"
I shook my head. "Always the first one here, remember?"
"Right." Terry laughed, sliding my glass to me. I picked it up, taking it in one gulp just as my phone began to ring.
I sighed heavily when I saw it was Mom calling. She only called randomly like this when she wanted to give me one of her lectures. It was always the same old story. I'd had it up to here, and I might just slump if I had to hear it one more time. As much as I didn't want to, I picked up.
"Hey baby," I heard her soft voice float to me from the other. I recognised that voice. She used that voice when she wanted to blackmail me into doing something she knew I would protest to.
I held back my sigh. "Hey Mother."
"How are you doing?" She continued without missing a beat.
"Great, Mom. What's up?"
She laughed. "I'm glad you asked. We nothing is wrong. I just wanted to remind you of the event. It's coming up in a few days."
My brows furrowed. "What event?"
"The charity event. Mr Davenport specifically requested your presence, remember?"
I refrained from sighing. I'm sure he did. We both knew that it was just another excuse for her to unsuccessfully try to hook me up with ladies she never failed to push around me.
"It would so be a good opportunity to meet some nice young women," Mother added. I rubbed my eyes, starting to get pissed off. I loved Mom but sometimes she really tried my patience.
As she spoke, I saw Bryan and Tariq walk into the bar like they owned the place. Well to be fair, Tariq did own the place.
"I have to go now, Mother," I said, wanting to end the call before they got closer. They wouldn't let me hear the last of it if they found out that my mother was trying to play matchmaker. Again.
But she wouldn't give up. "Oh baby, I'm not done telling you about Rebecca. She is such a sweet girl, I think you'd really like her. The good news is, she will be at the charity event. Isn't that great?" She droned on and on, not even stopping to let me contribute.
Mother was still talking on the phone when Tariq and Bryan got to our spot, slapping my shoulder in greeting when they saw that I was on the phone.
"No, Mother, I don't remember Judge Hanson's daughter," I exhaled.
Bryan spat out the vodka he had just poured into his mouth, cackling. Tariq joined almost immediately. I groaned internally. I knew this would happen.
"Would you like to meet her?" Mother asked.
"I don't want to meet anyone, Mother," I said, trying not to snap. Before she could say anything more, I added, "I'm hanging with the boys right now. Talk later, love you."
I was greeted with the loud snickering from the boys.
"Would you like to meet dear Stacy," Tariq mocked, doing his best British accent.
Bryan nearly choked on his drink. "Y'all, please let me drink in peace. This shit is expensive," He motioned to his glass still laughing.
"Bro, that woman really doesn't give up does she?" Tariq asked, watching me.
I poured myself another drink. "You know it."
"Looks like the crazy rich bachelors are gonna lose one member really soon," Bryan commented. He boomed with laughter as I glared at him.
I was glad when the conversation finally swerved from me to something else. Talking about it always made me sick. What Mother didn't realize was that forcing these women on me only increased the aversion I felt. And besides, I didn't have the time for commitment. I fucked women as I pleased and I never had to see them again. It was that simple, no strings attached.
As usual, I boomed with laughter whenever I was with them. That was one of the reasons why they were my best friends.
I had known Tariq basically since I was a baby, and we had both met Bryan at this very bar a few years ago. Seeing as we appeared everywhere together, the media had started to label us The Three Musketeers. I guessed it was befitting. We were around the same age, we were famous, wealthy, and of the same class.
"Yo, let's get this party started!" Tariq whooped, getting up from his chair and ordering the DJ to play the music louder. I let out a long laugh. Well to be fair, he was the life of the party.
I ordered another round of drinks, watching in amusement as Tariq began to show off his dance skills.