"I've missed you, bro. I see you've been busy and we barely even speak. Sometimes you ghost me''. Carl said while grabbing a towel to clean his wet body.
''I know we've got separate lives but never be too busy for your pals. And I'm glad you finally agreed to come to see me here in Canada,'' he added.
"Dude, I know we've been best friends since we were five years old and you're right we got our separate lives but you can't compare yours to mine. I only came to see you cause you paid for my trip from New York here to Canada. You're filthy rich, so nothing bothers you. I on the other hand,'' Carlos exhaled sharply.
"I have works to do that I can't stop and it drains the shit out of me and most importantly, I have a girlfriend I am committed to."
Carl laughed hysterically.
"A girlfriend you say, you of all people have a girlfriend? Nah! You can never stick to one girl I know you that much. And besides, who said nothing bothers me? My mom is forcing me to get married to a girl she picked for me I barely know her name and my kid brother is being a pain in the neck."
"Wow, that's too many problems," Carlos said sarcastically.
"We've been apart for more than a year and I don't think you still know me that well. I have a girlfriend that I love and we've been dating for a year now." Carlos added.
"That's bullshit!! You treated your exes like trash and you always cheat on them. Once a cheat always a cheat.'' Carl said confidently
"Well, this one is different, and to prove I'm not lying, once you get to New York, I'll introduce you to my sweetheart," Carlos said
"Yeah, stories!!" Carl said rolling his eyes.
"Speaking of New York, I want to buy a big company over there to start a police firm."
"Wow, that's huge!! In that case, you'll relocate to New York right?'' Carlos asked
"Yes. With my family'' Carl responded
"Please when you've completed your project in New York give me a job. You know I've always wanted to be a lawyer." Carlos said
Being a lawyer has always been his dream job.
"Of course, I have no problem with that. What are friends for?" Carl said
***
That same week, Carl moved to New York and bought a mansion there for him and his family to live in.
"I hate it here and I want to go back home. I don't like it here at all" Carl's younger brother Richie said throwing tantrums.
"Mom, tell Carl we need to go back to Canada''. Richie pouted, trying to maintain a cute face.
"You're turning 13 real soon. You're no longer a kid so stop all this nonsense". Carl warned his younger brother.
"You too argue like you're both twins when there's a whole 14-year-old gap''. Carl's Mom, Ms. Sarah said shaking her head in disbelief.
"I'm sorry Richie but you have to adapt to your new home and very soon you'll make new friends and you'll get to love here."
"I'll try! But mom please take me to school. I can't stand Carl holding my hands tight in public like I'm an egg. Other kids make fun of me because of that."
"don't tell me you're ashamed of me your elder brother," Carl said to Richie
"Duh! You barely use your exotic cars. We trek down the road like we're simpletons. I know you're kinda humble but please allow me to leave a good life. I'm not as old as you". Richie said as he took his school bag to wait for Carl outside.
"I'm only 27!!'' Yells Carl.
"Mother!! Do you see what just happened? You're spoiling Richie and he now talks without control".
"Sheesh forget about him. So when are you getting married to Blair?" Ms. Sarah said, waiting for Carl's answer.
"Look, mom, I'm not looking for any sort of relationship right now besides, Blair and I don't even love each other". He said starting to get upset
"Who told you Blair doesn't love you? Her family is also wealthy and she has class. I know you're scared of relationships ever since what happened between you and.."
"Please enough I don't want to have this conversation with you any longer". Carl interrupted and walks out
"I am still going to set a date between the both of you whether you like it or not". Carl's mom yelled, watching Carl's back view as he leaves the house.
"What took you so long? Do you want me to get to school late on my first day? Damn old people". Richie cursed as he facepalmed.
Carl grabbed Richie's hand.
"Mind your language, mom isn't here right now to save you". Richie could see the seriousness on Carl's face.
They walk down the road and waited in the subway park. Richie saw his age mates laughing at him because of how Carl held his hand and he became embarrassed.
"Let go of me," Richie said to Carl.
"No, I will not, you ill-mannered brat!" Carl retaliated.
Meanwhile, There was a young lady at their front but backing them. She was also waiting for a subway train.
She was wearing a skimpy black dress that made her hourglass figure visible. Richie had a terrible idea on his mind. He kicked her butt with his knee.
"What is wrong with you?" Carl whispered to Richie with gritted teeth.
"I'm really sorry miss I... I..."Carl stuttered with his mouth agape.
He looked like a love-sick puppy as soon as he saw her, face to face.
The lady was Anne.
Her black dress made her white skin shine like that of Snow White the Disney princess and her jet-black long hair was packed in a high ponytail.
He stared at her silver eyes wondering if it was real or contacts lens. She looked so good to be true. She's beautiful beyond all measures and she looked so unreal.
Her arched brows are well carved, also her slim pointed nose and her beautiful silver orbs could get you hypnotized.
Carl felt like he was in slow motion as he scanned Anne's features. He has never looked at a woman like that before.
His eyes traced her sexy full pouted red lips and he immediately came back to reality when she slapped him hard on his cheeks.
"Pervert!" she growled with gritted teeth.
she adjust her dress and walked out of the scene.
"hahaha," Richie laughed hard. "You should look at your face. Oh, do I see blood on your lips?" Richie said pointing at Carl's lips.
Carl touched the bottom side at the corner of his lips and felt tiny blood on it.
"What kind of a woman is that and how is she so strong to give me a slap that injured my lips". Carl said to himself.
"This is all your fault, Richie!! She probably thought I was the one who kicked her butt but it was you. You little brat!!'' He yelled.
"you could've just let go of my hand when I told you so. I already like that lady who stood up for me cause you're such a bully" Richie said.
"Wait what's that on the floor," Carl said to himself while picking it up something.
It was Anne's bracelet. ''ANASTASIA" he read it to himself.
"This must be that pretty lady's bracelet but how can I get it back to her" He searched around with his eyes but he couldn't see her in the crowd.
"Something tells me I might see her again besides she'll come looking for this". He kept the bracelet in his pockets.
Carl took Richie to school and said to himself smiling. "Finally, that Lil brat is in school.
The next day morning, Carlos received a text from his best friend Carl.
'I am now the new president of NYPD (New York Police Department company and I also work as a prosecutor. I am offering your dream job to become a lawyer at my company, what do you say?'
Carlos was amazed and couldn't wait to share it with his girlfriend Anne.
***
At Anne's bakery
"Where's my bracelet? What am I going to tell Carlos if he finds out I misplaced it" Anne said to herself in anxiety as she search for her bracelet.
As she searched the counter and she felt someone hug her from behind. She recognized Carlos's scent.
"Gosh, you scared me," Anne said trying to find her balance.
"I'm sorry sweetheart," Carlos said as he disengaged from hugging Anne.
"I'm really excited because I just got a job at NYPD. They want me as their personal lawyer" Carlos grinned.
"Oh my goodness!! I'm really happy for you" Anne hugged him in excitement. "I'm so proud of you," she said, holding his hand.
"Where is your bracelet? The one I gave you as a gift to mark our one year of relationship anniversary" Carlos asked with a straight face.
Anne saw how Carlos's face changed from being jolly and excited to being very serious as he paid attention to her wrist.
He got upset all of a sudden seeing that the bracelet is not on her wrist.