4
859 Words
Unedited.
•••
BANG!
Leonardo Musk.
9.95 points.
BANG!
Seth Bezos.
10.0 points.
BANG!
Michael Arnault.
9.98 points.
Behind each shooting booth stood three young men of similar tall heights each wearing a pair of earmuffs and protective tinted googles.
Anyone watching them would first notice the one obvious thing they all seem to have in common, it's their exceptional good looks but then there was more than one.
Their love for guns and the fact that their all heirs to different multi billion dollar corporations.
"You don't think he stood us up right?"
Leo asks as he adjusts his rifle.
"He wouldn't dare."
Seth murmured back absent mindedly as he prepares for another shot.
"Do you think he fell asleep on his way here?"
Mike joins in the conversation.
BANG!
Seth Bezos 9.98 points.
"Wouldn't be the first time."
Leo answers.
"Speak of the devil."
They all looked in the direction Mike had spoke in and watched as the white Ferrari pulled into the driveway.
The door opened and Ryder stepped out in all of his glory. Dressed in all white as always with his signature hairstyle, he strode towards them with his hands tucked in his denim pockets ommiting an aura that seems to repel every being, every being except for that of his three friends.
"You're late."
Seth chided him with a glare that didn't look at all playful, his rifle pointing towards Ryder.
"No. You're just early."
He answers in his calm husky voice as he shrugs off his jacket, a range officer quickly came forward to collect the piece of clothing before handing him pairs of white protective gears.
Always white.
"The nerve of this guy,"
Leo scoffed.
"What? Did you fall asleep behind the steering wheel?"
The question was meant to be a jeer at Ryder. Who knew he'd agree to it.
"Mm"
Ryder lowly hummed his agreement as he took his stand behind a rifle.
'He really did fall asleep behind the steering.'
Mike thought with a shake of his head.
★★★
"Betrothal Between The Waterfall And Dawngray Corporation Heirs"
The news headline read.
"...the banquet was thrown to celebrate the succes of the anticipated WDG project collaboration between the Waterfall and Dawngray Group which was said to be created and led by the waterfall corporation heir Ryder Waterfall.
Zachary Dawngray, CEO and founder of the Dawngray corporation took it up to announce the most anticipated news of the night right after his speech about the betrothal between the Waterfall and Dawngray corporation heirs, Ryder Waterfall and Abigail Dawngray.
The CEO further went to explain–"
The flat TV screen went blank.
Mike lowered the remote control and simultaneously with the other two spun around on their bar stool to stare at Ryder who was bent over the billiard table.
They stare at him with mixed expressions.
Surprise.
Confused.
Curious.
"Is there a reason you're all looking at me like that?"
Ryder asks while striking a ball.
"You got engaged."
Seth said as if confirming to himself the news was true.
Of course it was.
They had all been present at the banquet when Zachary Dawngray dropped the news.
Seth being the dramatic fellow he was had spat out his drink with wide eyes.
That had earned him a few curious glances from nearby guests and a glare from his parents, but he was never one to care about public image.
"And that surprises you because?"
Ryder asks.
That was a good question.
Seth shouldn't be surprised. He was also part of the elite society, formal engagements like that was something that is very common among them. It was something they have no choice or say in.
But this was Ryder.
He's not the type to sit back and watch others make decisions where it concerns him.
"Are you okay with this?"
The question came from Leo.
"Is there a reason I shouldn't be?"
Mysterious.
That is one word to describe Ryder right now.
Leo tilts his head as he observes Ryder as if trying to read him.
Impossible.
Ryder does the reading, the reverse is impossible.
"You don't even like Abigail Dawngray."
Mike reasoned as he couldn't think of a reason why Ryder was agreeing to this.
"I don't hate her."
Ryder responds his focus never shifting from the game he was playing.
"Ah..."
Seth spun back his chair to face the counter with a sigh.
Nobody understands this guy.
They'd all been friends for years.
They literally grew up doing everything together, but Ryder has always been a mystery.
He was always the guy in white found loning in a corner when everbody else is seen having fun.
His thoughts always remained within him.
His actions can never be predicted.
Just when you think you're starting to understand him, he does something that makes you question your entire judgment about him. But one thing about Ryder that could not be questioned was his loyalty as a friend.
Years of friendship made them draw to that conclusion.
"So what are your next plans?"
Leo asks after a brief moment of silence.
"I return to the Academy."
•••
- Writer
