A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE NINECcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

THEME: She said… No

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

BELL RUSH PUB

After a few minutes of driving around, Christopher found a spot and he parked the car in the driveway. He entered the pub, his eyes scanning the area lightened by colorful lights. His intention was to have good shots of tequila several times until he gets drunk.

At least getting drunk would stop him from thinking about Jessica’s rejection and how to deal with his family and the outcome of not being able to meet his father’s condition just to claim his possession.

“A bottle of tequila.” Christopher requested when the pub attendant turned to face him.

The music booming through the speakers was a bit loud.

“A shot of tequila?” The bar man asked just to be sure of the order.

Christopher got angry by this question. So out of frustration, he repeated his order louder than the usual tone and taking a break after each word.

“I. WANT. A. FUCKING. BOTTLE. OF. TEQUILA.”

“Oh! Got it! Coming through sir.” The bar man turned away to get a bottle of tequila from the bar. “Here you go, sir.”

Christopher grabbed the bottle of Don Julio and the small shot glass to find a spot in the large room. He spotted a group of eight men having a drink as they laughed at whatever someone among them said. He walked passed several other customers before he found a spot at the far end of the room.

“The perfect spot to forget everything.” He settled down on the stool and opened the cap of the bottle of tequila. “At least I got my request granted here.” He gulped down a shot of tequila. The liquid burned down his throat but it felt good.

“This is good.” He mumbled.

But the situation was more than that. He was brooding over Jessica’s rejection and it would take the whole bottle of tequila for him to feel comforted at least. He felt nauseous at the thought. Everything was disturbing his mind even more as he gulped down more shots of tequila.

Christopher became sober. He was trying to bottle things up in his mind but it was really hard. He knew that he had to talk to someone. And the only person that would understand him is Benjamin Williams. His best friend always understand him better than anyone else.

Christopher took out his cellphone from his pocket and he pressed down on the power button to switch on the device. He fumbled at pressing the screen to reach the call log section.

“What… the… hell is wrong with this… dimwit?” Christopher tapped harder until he dialed the last number that had called him in Idaho. He was getting tipsy already.

“Christopher! Why haven’t you been picking up your calls?! Oh… no, did you switch off your phone intentionally to have a good time with your woman? Woah! I feel betrayed to know that my best friend switched up on me. You should at least be grateful to me for giving you such a great plan to win your woman.” Benjamin was trying to tease his friend.

He was excited and anxious to know the outcome of the proposal plan. He had tried to call Christopher several times but the phone was switched off.

Benjamin cleared his throat to speak up again when his best friend didn’t say anything.

“Hello, CEO Christopher of Crawford Corporation and soon to be husband of Jessica Campbell.” Benjamin’s tone depicted that of joy. He giggled after he was done with the appraisal

Christopher could feel tears at the corners of his eyes. He wished things had turned out well. But the plans had failed so the whole appraisal was a waste. He wasn’t a crier but his emotions were whirling around and he couldn’t control it. He was heartbroken.

Benjamin was quick to sense that something was wrong. The Christopher he knew would have jested in return with silly but funny words and even filled him in about the outcome of the proposal plans.

“Is… Is everything okay, buddy?” Benjamin asked.

Christopher sniffled as he blinked back tears that threatened to spill anytime soon. “Bell Rush Pub at Klebbins Avenue.” His words were slow but Benjamin was able to detect that he was possibly drunk.

“Are you drunk?”

Christopher disconnected the call.

“Christopher-Christopher-” Benjamin called out but the line already dropped.

“Bell Rush Pub…” He typed it quickly on the google map. “Damn it! He is in Idaho?! This is not even our usual spot!” He gasped out in shock.

Benjamin hurried down the stairs and out of the apartment till he got to the car. He drove off and trusted the google map to direct him to the pub. He couldn’t believe that his best friend was back in Idaho.

Benjamin would have thought Christopher came back to Idaho so fast because Jessica said yes even though he had planned to stay for a week but it wasn’t that way because he didn’t sound good over the phone.

Finally, Benjamin reached the Bell Rush Pub. He recognized Christopher’s car.

“Something is definitely not right.” Benjamin mumbled.

As Benjamin was about to step out of the car, he hit his head because he didn’t flex his body to fit into the door frame.

“Shit!” The pain was sharp and he knew a lump would appear there. He uttered words of pains and regrets. He couldn’t blame it on anyone but himself.

He wasn’t patient enough to remember that he was a tall man. If a lump should appear on his forehead, it would affect his scheduled modeling gigs but he didn’t even think about it. Instead, his mind was occupied with seeing his best friend and finding out what had happened in Idaho.

Benjamin raced into the pub, he didn’t do a hard job of finding his best friend. He saw Christopher laughing out loud to nobody’s joke. His eyes were glued to his cellphone and seemed to be making jest of himself.

Benjamin motioned towards him and he realized that Christopher’s face was swollen. He has been crying. He looked so unkempt, some red colored particles stuck in his hair and his shirt was stained from tequila shots.

This confirmed that Christopher Crawford was drunk. Without even asking Christopher about the plan, Benjamin knew it fell through.

“Chris.” Benjamin called out to him.

Christopher looked up from the cellphone. “Oh! There you are buddy!” The phone slipped from his hand to the table.

Benjamin glanced down to see a picture of Jessica smiling brightly on the phone.

“I… have.. been waiting… for so long! Come. Sit. Down.” Christopher said with his facial expression bearing mixed emotions.

Benjamin heaved a sigh as he moved closer to him. He placed his right hand on Christopher’s shoulder. He knew he had to comfort his best friend. He already prepared to hear the worst concerning the proposal plans.

“She said… No.” Christopher laughed.

Benjamin watched as tear slipped down his cheek again. He didn’t know what to say to comfort his best friend. He has never seen Christopher act this way ever since they became friends for more than two decades now.