Hiram walked into a late night bar outside the small town of Malibu. A low key bar, filled with strangers in different tables. Directly in front of him was the counter, behind it, attenders serving hundreds of different drinks. He made his way to the counter and found a stool which he sat on, it was at a strategic place, hidden from most and therefore ideal for him. Everyone shouting his name and asking for selfies was the last thing he wanted. He got his phone as he waited for an attender.
"First one is on the house." A female voice told him and he looked up from his phone and gave her a smile.
"Thank you," he told her then picked up the glass and emptied it.
She refilled it with a smile and was about to walk away. "Can you leave the bottle," he requested, she did and walked away to serve other thirsty customers.
Minutes later the bottle was empty. The attender walked to him as he opened his wallet. "Why are you doing this to yourself?" she inquired taking the bottle and his glass.
"I have a lot on my mind." He told her placing the money on the counter and walking away. She thought he looked familiar but couldn't place him, she picked up the cash and the shock was evident on her face. The largest tip she had ever gotten. She looked for him in the crowd but he was already gone.
***
At breakfast, Hiram's mom turned to her husband who was busy on his MacBook, "Yes you got a lot to do but would it kill you to put it away?" Camille asked closing the MacBook with a smile to her husband.
"Fine," Darius agreed pushing the closed MacBook away and one of their helps served him breakfast.
"Hiram," his mom called taking some bacon, "you've been stressed lately, is everything ok?"
"Mom," Callie started before Hiram could answer, "He's dealing with a lot at school, dad is training him to take over the company of course he's stressed."
"Thank you Callie for the very detailed answer." Camille teased.
"But she's right dad," Hiram said seriously. "School in itself is already a headache, I don't think it's the right time for me to get involved-"
Darius cut in, "Son I know you are a little scared but believe me, this is the correct time for you to come into the company." Darius told him.
Hiram exhaled deeply and looked at his father, "I'm not scared dad, it's just that school has my hands full already."
"Son you can't see it but this is me trying to give you a good future, trust me you getting into the company is what's best for you."
Hiram had enough for one morning, he picked the napkin from his lap, wiped the ends of his mouth and stood, "I'm going to be late for school," he said plainly, taking a step from the table and he walked away.
"Don't you think you are pushing him too hard?" Callie asked sipping her juice.
"Callie my dear you and your brother are too young to understand what your father is doing-"
Callie interrupted, "Mom, you of all people should know how much his school work demands, he studies for more than eleven hours a day and comes home late with headaches," She explained to them.
"Honey your brother knew what he was getting himself into, I'm sure sooner rather than later he is going to realize that I'm doing this for his own good." Darrius told her
"I really hope you are right dad."
"Callie darling do you think I would do anything to that would harm your brother?" He asked looking at her.
"I didn't say that dad."
** ** **
The longest break Hiram had was lunch break, he always ate with his friends, Artemis, Rob and Trisha, Trisha Hathaway.
"Three months have passed since you guys broke up," Artemis pointed out. Hiram and Trisha looked up at her.
"You getting to a point Art?" Hiram asked with a distant smile.
"Why haven't you guys moved on?" She asked taking a sip of her milk shake.
"Why would you think we haven't moved on?" Trisha asked, pretty calm and composed.
"I haven't seen you with anyone for starters," Artemis told her looking at her.
"Then your observation skills are not as good as you hoped." Trisha teased and they all laughed.
"So you are seeing someone?"
"I didn't say that." Trisha told her turning to her food.
Three months had passed since Hiram had broken up with Trisha, they hadn't really moved on. For Hiram, it was because of his tight schedule so he didn't have time for a relationship, for Trisha however, she didn't tell anyone but she hadn't moved on because she still loved him, for lots of reasons but mostly because he made her feel loved, every time she saw him, she always got excited for no good reason. She wished that Hiram felt the same way and that one day they would get back together. She didn't want to believe that their love was just gone, not after everything. Some part of him must surely still have feelings for her.