Alex
"My head hurts." Derek wined. I glanced over at him. He was currently doodling on one of the files, instead of doing the actual work that Christian had instructed us to do.
If it wasn't for the bruises along the top of his forehead, I would have most likely jumped across my desk to choke this man out. Apparently, Derek's girlfriend had beat the shit out of him as soon as he got home. The bruises were from the countless random objects she'd thrown his way and managed to hit him with. She had claimed he smelt like another woman. He said he smelt that way because he had ran into a friend on his way home, and she had given him a hug.
The truth could most likely be found by determining what Derek's idea of a 'hug' is.
In all honesty, Derek was a wild card when it came to monogamy and loyalty and faithfulness. It could have been a hug...but it was more likely something more. The way Joan and I saw most of Derek's relationships, was like this: not our relationship, not our problem.
We'd probably have viewed things differently if the girls Derek dated and cheated on them with, weren't so fucking mental.
I couldn't help but wish to live long enough to see Derek find someone right for him. Really couldn't tell you who that might be, but I'm sure there had to be someone on this planet for him... right?
I glanced back over at Derek. His hand accidentally knocked over his coffee mug which flipped and spilt all over his dress pants. He stood up so suddenly, his ice bag fell off his head and whacked Joan in the face. The intense glare she gave Derek, made him scoot further away as he mouthed her an apology. There was now a very large crotch stain on his khakis that made him look like he peed himself.
Okay... maybe not.
"Derek, just break up with the poor woman already. We all know this relationship is the farthest from healthy." Joan spoke sternly.
"But the sex is so good." Derek whined. Joan smacked the back of his head. "Ouch!"
"Then establish something casual. Stop nose diving into commitment you know you're not ready for." I said. Joan nodded in agreement.
"But woman don't want something casual." He argued.
"So you rather manipulate someone into a relationship where they're under the assumption you are devoting yourself to just them, and investing time in just them... just to get some pussy? You'd do all of that for some pussy?" Joan snapped. Derek's head hung low.
"Well when you put it that way..."
"No other way to put it, sugar. Go get you a good woman that won't put you in the goddamn hospital, because you and I both know you don't have health insurance."
I couldn't help but chuckle at Joan's comment.
She was right though. Just how some people calculate they might have fifty or sixty more years to live, Derek was three girlfriends away from ceasing to exist.
I always wondered where the hell he found these chicks.
"Enough about Derek and his stupidity, are you making it to the Gala this year, Alex?" Joan asked.
"Yes, Christian mentioned that it's important for me to be there." I replied, glancing past the computer screen to to lock eyes with her briefly.
"Oh nice! I'm excited for you to finally have the experience. The food is always amazing, and it's open bar all evening. You've been so busy the last few Gala's, I'm glad you found some time this year." She shot me a grin.
I gave her a smile, but it faltered slightly. The reason I hadn't attended a Gala yet was pretty simple: I had no family to take. Derek brought both his parents to the last event, and Joan had brought her mother. She would have brought her father too, if it wasn't for the fact that her mum and dad couldn't be in the same room together without killing each other. All I had left was my mother, and she'd need to get clean first before I'd even think of bringing her anywhere.
"Oh god yes it's heavenly. I was thinking I might use one of my plus one tickets to take Sabri-" Derek started, but Joan quickly cut in.
"Leave that psycho bitch at home, Derek, I'm not playing. Leave her ass the fuck at home. I'm not dealing with none of your relationship bullshit. Plus, you get handsy when you get tipsy and I don't think you should give that girl a reason to make a scene at our company event."
"That and let's be very serious here, Christian would down right kill you if you did." I added.
"Well she's never seen where I've worked before. I wanted to flex a little, ya know? Show her what I do." Derek explained.
"You take calls about fitness products. There is really no flexing to be done." Joan replied.
"Okay, rude. I'll have you know I'm a necessary asset to the company. Some would argue I'm irreplaceable."
Joan and I laughed out loud at that. Derek had gone back to doodling on one of the files again. "Maybe those words would hold some weight if you were actually a productive member of society. Now stop doodling, and get the fuck back to work." I snapped at him.
Christian
"How much longer do you think they'll be?" Brad asked.
"It's already been like 32 minutes. They can't go at it for that long, right? I mean they're old." I replied. Brad gave me a shrug.
We were currently waiting for our parents to finish having sex. This home was far too big for us to hear them (thank god), but the way in which they both went upstairs (with my mother literally in his arms) was a dead giveaway.
"I mean, he has been gone for a long time." Brad explained. I shook my head at him.
"But mother's gone to visit him a few times, right? They're acting like they haven't seen each other in literally five years."
"Well you know how hard it is to access his research site. Hell, even we aren't cleared to enter, and whenever mother goes through, it's a whole damn process for her. I'm sure she's enjoying the freedom of seeing him in the comfort of her own home." Brad spoke.
I hated when he was right.
Before I could think of something clever to respond with, we heard the sound of shoes tapping against the marbled floor as they walked. When our father entered the living room, he looked entirely different. He had trimmed the beard, and fixed the few strands of hair that had fallen out of his slick bun. He'd also put on one crisp suit. A suit so crisp, I was convinced it was impossible to wrinkle.
"Are you ready?" He asked Brad and myself. We both gave him a nod.
"Is mother coming?" Brad asked.
"She's going to rest a little while. I think I really wore her out." He said to us with a wink. I felt my insides churn.
God, that was gross.
"Where are we heading?" I asked in a hopeful attempt to move this conversation in a new direction.
"We're heading to Ivanov Corp." He replied. "It's time to fire some motherfuckers."
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