I stepped out of the giant metal gate, tugging my black hoodie over my head to block out the sun.
Still felt like knives stabbing into my skull from last night.
As I crossed the driveway,I looked up.
Lena.
She was leaning over the balcony railing, wearing the short silk dress and a robe that barely stayed tied, smiling at me in that same gross,kinda seductive way.
Eyes trailing down my body like I was some piece of meat she couldn't wait to eat.
I scoffed under my breath and looked away.
Pathetic.
I shoved my hands into my pockets and headed toward the street.
And that's when I heard it.
"Oh my god, Vincent!"
I turned —
Cassie.
She sprinted toward me in heels, her blonde hair whipping behind her.
"I'm freaking out! What the hell!" she gasped, stopping right in front of me.
"I've been trying to reach you since yesterday morning! I sent like fifty messages you basically ghosted me!" she half-laughed, half-pouted, smacking my arm lightly.
I sighed.
"My phone got stolen," I said, shoving my hands deeper into my hoodie pockets.
"And my car too."
Her eyes widened like I'd just told her someone died.
"Oh shit, not your baby!" she gasped.
"Wait ...your Ferrari?! How?!"
"I was drunk. It's gone. Whatever," I muttered.
"Are you okay?" she asked quickly, her hand flying up to touch my chest, then my arm, like checking I was still real.
I stepped back a little.
"Calm down, Cassie. You don't have to panic."
She let out a big dramatic sigh.
"Still... losing your Ferrari? That's, like, serious trauma."
"I'm getting a new one today," I said. "Not a big deal."
Cassie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled.
"Well... are you still coming to my party tonight? Please don't bail on me!"
She grabbed my hand for a second before letting go.
"Everyone's coming and Kelvin's worried too. No one could reach you all day."
I scratched the back of my neck.
"I don't know. I've got a lot to do today. I'll try."
Her face fell for a second then she forced a bright smile again.
"Okay! No pressure... but if you come, you'll make my night," she said, squeezing my arm again.
I shifted awkwardly.
"Hey... could you give me a ride?" I asked.
"Of course!" she smiled.
"Let's go!"
She grabbed my hand again dragging me toward her bright red Mercedes like she already owned me.
We drove in silence for a while. The city stretched out around us ,glass towers, busy streets, flashing billboards.
All this noise. All this life.
But inside me, it just felt... empty.
"Where are we heading first?" Cassie asked, glancing at me like she was scared to interrupt my thoughts.
"Phone store. Then the dealership," I muttered, resting my head back against the seat. "I can't live like a caveman without a phone and a car."
She laughed ..
"God forbid. Vincent Aston, walking on foot like a poor man? I'd pay to see that."
I smirked faintly.
"You couldn't afford it," I said without thinking.
She burst out laughing. "Still an arrogant asshole, even when you're phoneless and Ferrariless. Good to know."
I chuckled a little. Not because it was funny.
Just because it was easier than explaining how wrecked I actually felt.
We drove in silence after that.
I watched the buildings and people pass by.
Everything about this life was fake.
A prison made of gold.
After a few minutes, she asked, in a much softer voice,
"Are you... okay, though? Like, really?"
I turned my head to look at her.
Her blonde hair was tied messily back, like she rushed to get ready just to see me.
Her makeup was slightly smudged. Her hands gripped the steering wheel too tightly.
I sighed and forced a small smile.
"I'm fine, Cassie. Seriously," I said. "Just need to fix my shit today. Then everything goes back to normal."
Normal.
Whatever the hell that even meant anymore.
She didn't believe me. I could see it all over her face.
But she smiled anyway. Like she always did.
When we got to the phone store, she parked quickly and hopped out like we were on some date.
"I'll come in with you," she said, way too eager.
I didn't argue. I didn't have the energy to fight her.
Inside, the place was cold, reeking of plastic and fake smiles.
Sleek phones lined the walls.
I just pointed at the first one that looked expensive and told the guy behind the counter to get it ready.
Money was never the issue. It never had been.
While we waited, Cassie kept talking about her stupid party. The food. The drinks. The people coming.
I wasn't listening.
Not really.
Her voice just became background noise while my head spun with other things.
Once I got the phone, we drove straight to the dealership.
I didn't waste time. I bought the shiniest, most expensive car they had, a black Ferrari, faster and meaner looking than my last one.
When I tapped my card to pay, the machine blinked twice before going through.
I frowned.
My balance was low.
Really low.
I hid my shock, but deep down, something twisted in my gut.
My old man never let my cards expire, no matter how mad he was.
If he was cutting me off now...
It meant something bigger was coming.
Something I wasn't ready for.
"Vincent? Are you even listening?" cassie asked, almost laughing but also a little hurt.
I dragged my eyes back to hers and sighed.
"Cassie... I appreciate you, really. But I'm a bit off today," I said, running a hand through my hair. "There's a lot going on and... I just want to be alone."
She blinked, trying to hide the hurt in her face.
The sun was already setting outside.
I shoved my hands into my pockets.
"I don't think I'll be able to make it to your party tonight," I said quietly. "I'm sorry."
She forced a smile.
"Aww. It's alright," she said. "I just hope... whatever you're going through, you know you can talk to me, right? I'm always here."
She leaned forward and hugged me tightly.
I froze for a second before lightly tapping her back.
"Tell Ken I said hi," I mumbled as I pulled away.
She nodded, still smiling.
I turned without looking back and got into my new car.
As I pulled onto the street, the sky was already dark.
The city looked beautiful.
But I couldn't shake the feeling.
Something bad was coming.