Earlier that day...
Nick slumped in his luxurious estate, feeling utterly alone in its vast emptiness. It had only been five hours since his return, yet he already felt suffocated within its walls.
"Hello, brother," a familiar voice called out, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere. The suffocating house seemed to constrict even further as Ashley, his twin sister, gracefully made her way towards him.
"Hello, sister," Nick replied, acknowledging her presence while his gaze remained fixed on the large flat screen mounted on the wall.
Ashley's long, black hair flowed elegantly as she moved, and she couldn't help but comment, "Look at you. You look absolutely amazing."
Nick was well aware that her smile was often deceptive, concealing her true intentions beneath its facade.
"What brings you here?" Nick asked, deliberately ignoring her as he focused on the screen before him.
"I heard my baby brother is getting married, so I simply had to come and see how he's handling the news. From the looks of it, not so well," Ashley remarked with a smirk, playfully running her fingers through Nick's hair.
"I'm not your baby brother. We're the same age," Nick retorted, pushing her hand away with an air of frustration.
"That may be true, but I'm the more mature one," Ashley replied with a smirk, expecting a retort from Nick. Yet, to her surprise, he remained silent.
"You know, if you don't want to marry, you don't have to. No one is forcing you," Ashley offered, her tone slightly softened.
And in that moment, Nick finally understood the true purpose behind her visit.
"Yeah, I'm not being forced, but I would prefer to marry a hundred times over than let you take my inheritance," Nick stated firmly, locking eyes with his sister.
Since their childhood, Ashley had made everything into a competition, always striving to outshine Nick. Despite her efforts, she never received the same attention as he did, solely because she was not a boy.
Driven by her unwavering interest in business, she yearned for her father's acknowledgment, but he dismissed her, urging her to focus on other aspects of life.
Undeterred, Ashley had done everything in her power to prove her worth and reach the top, even if it meant tarnishing her brother's reputation.
Their relationship had suffered, growing distant over time, though it had never been particularly close to begin with. As a result, Nick took charge of their father's businesses overseas, while Ashley assumed control of the local affairs.
But she hungered for more, yearned to usurp his place entirely. Nick knew that her relentless pursuit of power and control was the driving force behind her visit today.
"I'm only trying to help. I know how much you value your freedom. Once you're married, you won't have that anymore," Ashley replied, feigning humility.
"Yeah, sure," Nick responded dismissively, rising from his seat and making his way towards the exit. He needed some fresh air, a change of scenery.
He decided to head to a bar, seeking solace in a few drinks and the company of women who could help temporarily alleviate his distress.
*******
Nick stepped into the dimly lit bar, seeking solace from the weight of his troubles. Clad in casual attire, he still exuded an effortless charm that never failed to attract attention. As he settled at the bar, his gaze traversed the room until it landed on an alluring blonde standing at the counter.
Despite his inner turmoil and the burden of his problems, Nick found himself drawn to her. Perhaps, he thought, she could offer a temporary respite from his worries.
Summoning a touch of charm and confidence, he approached her, a warm smile gracing his lips. "Hi. You have really beautiful eyes. Has anyone ever told you that before?"
He began his words stumbling slightly, realizing the cliché nature of his pick-up line.
But to his surprise, the blonde's smile deepened, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. Nick silently thanked his good looks for this stroke of luck.
"Thank you," she replied, her voice melodic. "But I must be honest with you—I actually have a boyfriend."
Undeterred, Nick's smile persisted. Its charm intensified, capable of enchanting any woman. "Who cares about him?" he quipped, his eyes locked on hers. "I was talking to you."
The woman playfully tapped his chest, her laughter laced with a hint of flirtation. "Stop it. I'm sure you say that to every woman."
Nick's smile widened, his confidence unwavering. "No, I really don't," he assured her, his hand reaching up to gently caress her cheek.
Everything was proceeding according to plan until an inebriated woman sitting next to them abruptly disrupted the moment.
Stung by the turn of events, Nick's initial frustration overwhelmed him, and in a moment of misplaced anger, he turned to the woman. "Hey, are you drunk or something? Clearly, you're out of your mind," He sneered.
Undeterred by his hostile demeanor, the woman fired back without missing a beat. "And clearly, you're a disgusting pervert who wants to sleep with another man's girlfriend."
Nick's temper flared, his expression darkening as he prepared to storm away. "You're a crazy bitch, and I'm not going to waste my time on you," he spat, his voice laden with contempt.
However, as he made to leave, a sharp retort pierced through his rage. "Yeah, just walk away, Ass."
Nick's footsteps halted abruptly, his anger momentarily eclipsed by surprise. He turned on his heel, his eyes ablaze with indignation. "What did you call me?"
"An Ass."