NOW THAT I HATE YOU LESS

CHAPTER 11: OLD, BUT GOLD!

I took off after I had dropped Nancy off at the penthouse I'd rented a day before. I was really angry, and I had to find myself a bar to cool off. It was already too late so I couldn't call Steve. Halfway drowned in alcohol, I heard a strange voice behind me.

"Long time no see, Alaric."

I only turned my head slightly, gazing at a man with short black hair and black eyes. He appeared with a woman who was dressed like a stripper. She looked lustfully at me like she had other plans for me, but I didn't pay her any mind.

"Do I know you?" I asked as I was not in the mood for any nonsense. I was already pissed off, but I kept my cool nevertheless.

"Don't you dare do that!" The man commanded. "Don't you dare pretend like you don't remember me. I know you remember every single detail."

I raised an eyebrow at him, not even understanding the angle he was coming from. He gave the bartender quick signs, and he quickly arrived with a bottle of wine.

"You thought you could ruin my life, ey Ric?" He snickered. "Guess what I haven't forgotten what you did, and now, it's payback time!”

"If you're going to keep sprouting nonsense, you might as well leave now with your balls still intact," I growled, not sparing the filth a look. He daringly took a step forward, his hands going into his pockets, but I swiftly kicked him, drawing the attention of other bar users.

"Damn you!!" The guy said, throwing a punch in my direction.

I remember this guy. He was the one Clumsy had confessed to back then at work. She was so devastated at the rejection that I took matters into my own hands and chased him away, almost breaking his bones permanently. Seems like he healed, what a shame.

He threw another punch at me, just below my nose. It hurt really badly, and I was sure blood would follow suit.

I clenched my fists tightly, my anger very visible in my face. As I was about to give him a taste of his own medicine, I heard one of the bartenders calling 911.

Hearing this, the fool who had punched me was already fleeing, his girl right behind him. That elevated my anger, but at that point, I could do nothing. Absolutely nothing!

I didn't want to be involved with the cops for any reason at all. Whether as the victim or culprit, I didn't want any.

I gave the barman who had placed that call a long, harsh look before leaving the scene.

And after about thirty minutes of speedy driving, I arrived at a lonely neighborhood, far away from other apartments. A large metal gate with all sorts of biblical creatures and inscriptions greeted me, prompting me to sigh.

Home sweet home, I guess.

I had thought about going back to the penthouse to check on Nancy. But I wasn't quite sure she wanted to see me, and that thought of her scolding me a second time made me change my mind.

I drove in slowly, and a grey, black manor greeted me. An old lady stood at the front, waiting.

"Good to see you back, Mr Wealth," She smiled warmly, clad in a silk nightgown. I must've woken her.

"Have Wolfgang park my car, Mary, and I'm not hungry, so don't bother with dinner tonight," I said lazily, strutting up the stairs, my legs feeling heavy and unsteady. I hadn't realized it before, but I was damn tired and really needed some time alone with my bed.

"Yes, sir." She said, but hesitated.

"What is it?" I asked, almost regretting it immediately as I stared at the large box behind the door with narrowed eyes.

"Your grandmother called," she said nervously.

"Tell her I'm busy," I retorted. I already had enough on my plate as it stands, and the last thing I needed was my crazy grandma sticking her nose up in my business, at least not now. Mary looked like she wanted to say more, but, I didn't give her the chance to say a word. I was still seeing things due to the alcohol, and I needed rest.

I walked up the mighty staircase and held on to the rails tightly so I wouldn't miss a step. The house was very old, even older than most of its occupants, including me. But it had been newly renovated, giving it a vintage look. I walked towards my bedroom on the top floor, flung my door open in one lazy gesture and immediately threw myself on the bed with a groan. I lazily turned towards an old table nearby and the picture of a beautiful teenage girl smiling brightly as she hugged a boy.

Yeah, the young girl was Nancy, and I was the cute young fellow.

That picture had been taken on our first anniversary back in high school. We were so close then. We weren't dating, since we didn't give it that label, but we were close, more like best friends. Not until she suddenly texted me, saying I should never talk to her again. I had wanted to ask her why, in fact, I sent her millions of text messages and called her relentlessly, but she never picked up. It really broke me, and I felt out of place for days, but I vowed that I would get her back; it was and still is just a matter of time. All those thoughts were heavy on my head, and I didn't know when I fell asleep.

Opening my eyes again, I was sprawled across the bed like a carcass, and my head banged like never before.

It was surely the alcohol.

Further looking around, I noticed I was still in my work clothes, my laptop beside me and my hair a total mess. The first thing that came to my mind that morning was no other than Nancy. I wondered if she was still mad at me.

Begrudgingly, I sat up after and headed straight to take a bath, cleaning up the room and then heading to the basketball court near the manor.

At the court, I was about to make a three-pointer when my cell phone rang out, making me miss my shot.

"Damn it!" I said, already sweating as I'd been there for about an hour.

I picked up my phone, wishing it were Nancy calling, but the words "unknown caller" gave me a warm welcome.