Billionaire's Affection

JULIAN’S POV In the hushed stillness of the morning and the occasional sound of car horns I have gotten accustomed to, I was jolted awake by the blaring noise of my alarm clock. “It seriously can’t be morning already” Its shrill beeping echoed through the room, shattering the peace as I hurriedly reached out to silence it. I nestled back into the bed, seeking solace under the warm covers until I heard her. “Rise and shine, sleepyhead” Liz exclaimed in a singsong tone as she barged into my room. The loudness of her voice matched that of the alarm clock. I turned it off a few seconds ago. “Go away, it’s not morning yet,” I mumbled as I sank deeper into the bed. “It is morning, lazy head and you have a busy day ahead.” “Just two more minutes Liz, Please” “Okay, fine.” I sighed in victory and was about to drift off to sleep when I felt the covers come off my body and a chilling cold took its place. “Elizabeth!” I screamed at my best friend who was staring right back at me, arms crossed with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You’ll thank me later my darling.” She blew me a kiss as she walked away adding an extra sway to her every step. “I love you Liz but you’re a pain in my ass!” I screamed after her. Liz and I have been inseparable since we were kids and she always had a knack for shaking me out of my comfort zone. She had just moved into our neighborhood with her family and on one sunny afternoon, fate brought us together at the playground. I was trying to get on the swings for the first time but could not summon the courage to when I noticed her move towards me. She eagerly scampered to the swings, her tiny legs carrying her with unbridled excitement as she hopped on it. Fixating her gaze on me, she stretched out her hand and I grabbed it as I hopped onto the swings beside her. With a burst of energy, she kicked her legs back and forth and the swings complied. I tried to follow suit but it stayed in the same position, rocking gently. Liz looked at me and we both started giggling, our laughter filling the air and hers blending harmoniously with mine. From that moment, a bond was formed. Liz, with her wild spirit and untamed creativity, left our small town at the age of 17 to pursue her passion for art in the bustling city of New York. She yearned to immerse herself in the vibrant art scene, learn from the masters, and showcase her unique talent to the world. I remember the day she left, her eyes sparkling with determination and tears as we promised to stay connected, no matter the distance, and to support each other's dreams. So when I called her crying in the middle of the night two years ago, after four years apart that I needed to leave our town, she welcomed me into her one-bedroom apartment with open arms. Liz had started working at an art establishment inspired by her passion and I found a job as a waiter at Delights restaurant. However, the pay wasn't enough to cover all my bills, so I kept searching for better opportunities. Soon enough, luck was on my side, and I landed a job as a junior staff at one of the biggest companies on the continent, Kreig's establishment. After a while, Liz and I moved out to a two-bedroom apartment with our hard-earned money. I juggle the two jobs together, working as a restaurant attendant in the mornings and as a junior staff in the morning. However, the pay from both jobs is just enough to stay alive and keep the roof over my head. I let out a long sigh and laid back down for a few seconds trying to get myself together when it finally hit me. “Shoot! It is morning already.” I hurriedly jumped to my feet and rushed towards the bathroom, a new wave of adrenaline flowing through my body. I had to resume work at the restaurant by 7:00 am, and my alarm is always set to ring at 6:00 am. Doing a little calculation in my head, I knew I had spent much time laying around and would have to rush myself to meet up. I hurriedly took a shower and brushed my teeth with more force than needed. I looked in the mirror and the consequence of binge-watching our favorite series, Gossip Girls with Liz up until midnight stared right back at me. My long brown hair was a mess on my head and dark eye bags that I’d accepted as permanent rested underneath my hazel eyes making them appear duller than usual. I hurriedly packed my hair into a messy bun. Then applied concealer before some loose powder and eyeliner. At least now I look better. “You can do this Julian. It is just another day and you will make it through” I repeatedly told myself as I scanned through my closet. Giving myself pep talks like this has become a ritual, a way to empower myself and set a positive tone for the challenges ahead. But, it wasn’t just my own words that inspired me. My older brother always encouraged me to believe in myself and whenever things seemed tough, he always told me to give myself pep talks to remind me of my capabilities and strength. I was told my dad died from a car accident before I was born and his absence was deeply felt throughout my life as a child. However, I was fortunate to have my older brother by my side. He stepped up to fill the void left by my father and we had a bond that was so strong. He provided guidance and unconditional love that even my mother couldn’t provide. He was always there to offer a listening ear, advise, and cheer me in all my endeavors. But just as I leaned on him for support, life took another painful turn. My brother, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism, decided to serve the country and left for war. I remember the day like yesterday and every day, I carry the weight of my brother's absence in my heart. When he left for war all those years ago, I was just a wide-eyed 13-year-old, unaware of the pain and longing that would consume me in his absence. As years went by, the memories of our childhood adventures and laughter became bittersweet echoes in my mind. I clung to the photographs and letters he left behind, cherishing them as precious fragments of our bond, hoping one day he would walk through the doors he walked out from and hold my hands again. Scanning through my closet, I finally settled on a light pink top, black pants, and flats. I got dressed in no time and headed out. I caught sight of Liz, she was preparing for work and had placed her pancakes on the counter. I stole one and raced out of the house. “I will get you Juls!” I heard Liz scream “I love you too Liz” I shouted in response with a smile on my face. With a sense of urgency in my steps, I dashed down the familiar streets. The weight of the work I had to do today pressed heavily on my shoulders, propelling me forward despite the exhaustion that threatened to consume me. As I approached the bus stop, I saw the all-too-familiar sight of the bus pulling away, its doors closing just as I reached the curb.