“Thank you for your patronage, hope to see you again!”

I smile kindly at the receding customer before starting to wipe down the counter. “Another peaceful day at work it seems, maybe I will close early and go home to read the book I didn’t get to yet.” My phone buzzes softly in my pocket, I reach my hand in my pocket and grab my phone to answer it. “Hello?

The person on the other line speaks, “Why hello my dear son, it has been a short while since I have seen you. I would talk to you about that but that is not what I am calling for… I have a potential Mrs. Vaughn for you.”

“Ah… I see, another one that wants dad’s money huh.” I sigh while pressing slightly on my temple, “ Don’t they know that I turned down the inheritance of the company? I guess not since dad made sure that no one got the word that I did such a thing yet.”

The person on the line is my mother of birth, she has always been looking for marriage candidates for me since I turned 15. Nine years later and she is going strong without any hint of giving up it seems despite how many times it has failed, “Oh don’t be like that Axel baby, I think you might like this one… call it a mother’s intuition.” Oh how many times I heard that line before, I say to myself as I continue listening to her.  

“... Be a dear for me and clean yourself up and head to the Hemingway, will you? She should be there soon, try to be a gentleman and not arrive too late,” The phone hangs up.

“Great…” I say to myself as I plop down on a chair. “Guess I really am closing early today.” I grab my things and flip the open sign, turning off the lights and locking the door on my way out.

I drive home to my apartment in my car. A humble abode I rented out with my own money, I never try to ask for things from my parents since I am trying to live my life the way I want to, instead of taking over father’s company.

The apartment is situated near the main park in the city, it’s not the best pad out there but it isn’t the worse either. Well-lit and good neighbors and fellow residents, never ran into problems with anyone living nearby yet other than the garbage mix up a couple of months back. Although at times I fall asleep at the cafe in the upstairs room when I am too tired to drive home.

“I’m home,” I say as I walk into my apartment, setting my things on the table and heading to my bedroom. I open my closet and grabs out a blue suit and tie, dressing into them in a hurry. “It hasn’t even been a month since she last sent me on one of these dates with a marriage candidate. She should know by now that none of these girls are my type, they all want power and money. I’m just the golden ticket.”

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

I spray a dash of cologne on and walk out the house, driving to the Hemingway.  A Five Michelin star restaurant that is a favorite among celebrities and wealthy individuals for it’s distinguished gourmet cuisine. I could care less for the place because of the cost, but I won’t deny the food is exquisite.

As I get into my car, I text mother, “I am on my way there, be there shortly,” As I am waiting for the light to turn green  I see an ad for the YQ CO. about their new product, a new breakthrough in stem cell research to genetically revert your aging by years. I look for a second with absent-mindedly before the light turns green and I go back to driving.

I arrive at the restaurant and leave my car with the valet. I tell the valet while handing the keys over to him, “Sorry it ain’t no supercar like the usual here, but my baby won’t lose so easily against these cash cars in a little race or two.” I wink at the employee and receive a chuckle back as I make my way inside the restaurant through the grandiose glass double doors diamond-studded on the handles made of 18 karat gold.

I whistle as I pass through the doors held open for me by two rather cute employees, I could probably buy 2 year’s worth of coffee beans with just the handle of the doors. I quickly examine the brilliance of the diamonds shining in the door handles before continuing onward.

I think the last time I came here was for the daughter of the CEO of Genos Co. the rising corporation that halted it’s dynamic growth after being caught for tax fraud that had been kept hidden for five consecutive years. Their daughter was clearly a means to create a relationship between our two companies and further increase Genos Co.’s market shares and stock prices. Though she was deathly beautiful, if not for their clear intentions felt dripping through her breath and gaze, I might have given it a possibility.

As I make my way through the bar to the dining area I feel a pair of eyes watching me. I listen closely for something while slowing down my pace as I pretend to gaze around the room looking for someone.

A middle-aged woman in an olive green dress sitting at the bar with her friend starts conversing, “Hey look over there… isn’t that the son of YQ Co. Axel Vaughn?” She whispers to her friend who had been absently taking a sip of her glass of 1990 Latour.

The bewitching middle-aged woman looks over my direction “Oh, it indeed does seem to be so. I wonder what brings him here, he does not frequent these parts much.” She ponders for a second before coming to a conclusion. “Ah maybe he must be on a date with someone, perhaps a fiance maybe,” she says giggling to her friend.

I give a quick business-like smile to the two ladies as I walk on by the two. This is why I can’t stick around these locations. Too much gossip goes about, and I am usually part of the topic. I prefer my humble coffee shop with it’s delightful customers much rather than these affluent individuals with too much time on their hands.

I make it to the door signaling the end of the bar and entrance to the dining area. Alright Axel, let’s just meet the girl, see what she wants, eat and go back home to our book waiting for us. With a quick sigh I prep myself and open the door to the dining room where this mystery girl awaits for me.