Fireworks and champagne corks poured life into the night sky, and from the penthouse pool to the tiki bar it was clear that money was no object. The surrounding city was dwarfed beneath the deluxe complex, the scent of extravagance sickening to one girl.

Drinks were passed around as others enjoyed more illicit substances, dollars thrown around as fuel for the bonfire of a party. Sparkling wine flowed like water, touching the dress shoes of the man who stepped into sight.

His tacky gold suit accompanied a pair of dark shades, his classic smile lighting up the night as he pointed finger guns at those he invited. Walking by the side of the pool with a remote he pressed, the bubbles that rose revealed it moonlighted as a hot tub.

One of the hired girls ran up to him with a shaken bottle of champagne, the star of the party sending off a cork over the balcony, people’s cheers brightening the blinding smile as he shot foam into the sky.

Beach bodied models hung onto his arms as the party exploded, fireworks illegally being set off from the balcony as the shooters waved. He couldn’t be happier, looking over to the very reason he started this party.

“Mei, baby! Lookin’ good!”

His golden suit and smile shone in the night as he leaned against the balcony railings, pointing finger guns towards the girl who stared off into the night sky. The giant ring that surrounded the planet shined with moonlight, something that caught her eye.

Dark silky hair ran down her back as she turned to look at the man who called her name. Intense brown eyes pierced his soul, her blood red dress hypnotising him, the party and all the other girls becoming distant memories.

Her spell kept him in a stupid daze as she raised an eyebrow, answering his question with a prying tone.

“What do you want, David?”

When he heard that, he cleared his throat, regaining his composure as he swirled a glass of champagne.

“Please, hon. Call me Mister Mcmire or even CEO. It’s more professional.”

Her fox-like eyes narrowed, the piercing gaze stabbing into his heart as she spoke.

“If you want to be treated like a professional, act like one.”

“Jeez, Mei. It’d be nice if you stopped poking me with that sharp tongue of yours. It really hurts, you know?”

He swirled his glass with a smile, placing a second drink on the barrier of the railing just for her.

“I spent a lot buying the most expensive drinks, you know? Why not have some?”

“No thanks. You don’t want to see me drunk.”

He found the conversation growing dull, hesitancy in his voice as he pointed over to the pool with a nervous smile.

“How about the pool? I got the guys to install a hot tub function just for today, it’s better than it looks and I can tell you it looks good.”

David was surprised to see her frown turn into a smile, shaking her head as she answered.

“Sorry, I didn’t bring a swimsuit. You never mention you fitted a pool into your penthouse.” 

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He froze when he realized the mistake he made, Mei leaning in with a cruel smile as she poked a finger into the chest of his tacky suit.

“Did you tell your accountant about this?”

“I…”

The smile on his face faded, fear taking its place as a growing fury filled her soft voice. The entire party felt the creeping tension as she pointed out his fatal mistake.

“You know how mad I get when you leave out details like this. Do you really love me, David?”

“Of course!”

Her cruel smile faded, David paralyzed by a cold gaze as she let him go.

“Then tomorrow morning we’re going over your taxes. Come to my office at eight, sharp.”

David watched as she left the party, her traditional sandals and foreign dress making her unapproachable, something she enjoyed as she waved goodbye to the party, returning to her office to prepare for the hangover of a bill they would review.

All he could do was sigh, sipping on the champagne glass that could never satisfy him.

----------------------------------------

Hangover shattered his skull, David stumbling into her office before dropping his head on her desk. Lucky for him, she prepared by laying down a pillow beforehand, something he addressed with a raised hand and a muffled voice.

“Thank you…”

On the opposite end of the table was Mei, the girl pouring herself a cup of tea as he rested. Reaching over, she patted him on the head as she spoke.

“There there. What happened after I left, David?”

His dull eyes lifted as he answered, exhaustion accenting his voice.

“My buddies… They brought out the tequila shots. Things went downhill from there.”

“Did anyone die?”

“Not this time.”

She nodded after hearing that, scribbling down his answers into an innocuous notebook before turning around her laptop. The blue light of the screen made him shiver, the sight of spreadsheets and accounts payables sending shockwaves.

“I know it’s hard for you, David…”

Placing a cup of tea by his head, he could feel the soothing warmth and the wonderful scent, inching towards it as she spoke.

“So get up and work already.”

“Aren’t you supposed to say something nice and encouraging?”

She couldn’t help but laugh a little, watching as he took a slow sip of her herbal tea, regaining a bit of energy as he sat up. Her words worked, David ready to begin as he stepped up to the plate.

A billion dollar company doesn’t run itself, and his finances wouldn’t take care of themselves. No matter how hung over he was, messing with the government’s money is something that was a genuine threat to his freedom.

Thankfully he had Mei to help, dragging him out of the tax pit he fell face first into, cold water hitting him as the two worked through the morning. 

“Deductibles… deductibles… Why am I doing this…”

“You know, there’s an easy fix to this spending problem of yours.”

Hearing that, he perked up to hear her advice, something delivered in a deadpan tone that matched her expression.

“Stop buying useless junk and act like an adult.”

“But how? Are you telling me I’m supposed to live without all the stuff I need?”

She froze, her eyes narrowing as she honed in on what he said.

“Need?”

Pulling out a handful of receipts, David proceeded to rummage through the ridiculous, almost manic purchases he made over a single night of partying. The time they were bought was proof enough of the mental state he was in, not a drop of liquor involved.

She saw them too, her eyes widening at the sight of the junk she never expected, a look of horror striking her usually calm demeanor as she let out a sigh.

“You know, David. They say what you own ends up owning you and in this case, it's safe to say you have quite the owner.”

“Don’t be silly! I’m not an addict, I just like nice things!”

Mei saw the way he panicked, waving his hands as he laughed nervously, her judgement ending the dilemma with one swift decision.

“As your accountant and secretary, I’m going to make an appointment for you, one you can’t refuse.”

“What kind?”

He shivered when she stamped her fist on the table, announcing just what she had planned for him.

“Therapy.”