Kristopher

With my back leaned down on the sofa, I sighed tiredly rubbing my hands down my face.

The soothing sound of Vivaldi- The four seasons played in the background.

I clenched and unclenched my fists as I slowly shut my eyes.

The music played with my senses  carrying me along with it.

A  smirk broke on my face as the music relaxed my muscles.

The gentle nature of the song soothe me bringing back a memory for my childhood.

It wasn't a pleasant one, no. But atleast I had the music to calm me whenever I tensed.

I subconsciously began humming along with the music, it was calm, it was gentle, it was soothing, it was everything I needed, it was .....

I groaned arching my back forward at the sudden ringing of my phone.

I hissed as I reached towards  my phone. I never really got calls except work related, I hated the fact that I got one now, why now? Now that I really needed a rest.

The caller ID didn't make it any better, it was someone I didn't expect to see in a million years.

Someone I had buried along with my past.

I contemplated on picking the call or not before I reluctantly answered the call.

Raising the phone to my ear, I waited for him to speak first.

There was long silence before I heard his voice, The huskiness of his voice was something I doubt I'll ever forget.

"Kristopher?" Suddenly hearing his voice brought chills to my spine.

"Kristopher?" His second calling pulled me out of my trance.

"What is it?" My Voice appeared differently from my thoughts. I sounded indifferent, I'm glad he couldn't see my hands tremble.

"Come on Kris," he chuckled
"Is that how you talk to someone you haven't seen for years?"

"What do you want?" I wanted to get off the phone as soon as possible.

"I wanted to wish you a happy birthday? Is it wrong to call my brother and wish  him happy birthday? Today is your birthday, isn't it?"

I scoffed at his words, he hadn't wanted to wish me a happy birthday for the past ten years so why now?

"If you don't have anything else to say now, I'm hanging up." I prepared to cut the call before he called back.

"Can you not be such a baby? Mom and Dad miss you-"

"Oh, they miss me? They miss me now that I'm successful, they realized I'm not the failure they thought I was. Why didn't they miss me over five years ago when I was still sleeping on the streets!"

I took a minute to calm down.

"Don't call this number anymore, I hope we don't meet in the near future." I warned, about to hang up once more before he called again.

"You see Kris, I don't think that'll be possible. I'm already in your state and I'm not leaving here to I get to see you, who knows? I might even drag your ass all the way to see our parents. Happy birthday bro." He hung up

I clenched and unclenched my fists, his every word replaying in my head.

I hated the sound of his voice, I hated that the conversation affected me more, I hated that he was the one who got to end the call.

Now, everything seemed annoying; the cold and icy feeling in my house, the classical music playing, how tight I held my phone, Everything.

I sense of relief and satisfaction over took me as I threw my phone at the wall, watching it crash into a thousand pieces.

I leaned back into the sofa trying to enjoy what was left of the music but it was of no use. If I stayed down here, I'll only end up destroying more stuff.

I was already on the first stair when I heard the ringing of the door bell. It annoyed me so much that someone was at my door, that I had to walk all the way to the door and check who it was.

Simon wouldn't just let anyone in, infact the only person he'd ever let was Micah.

I tsked when I confirmed my guess.

"Happy birthday!" That was the first thing I heard upon opening the door. Micah went ahead and let herself in.

"Why did you switch your phone off, dude it's your birthday! I mean who does that? I had been trying to reach you since morning but...." She trailed off staring intensely at my face.

"Mr Lyon, are you okay?" Her voice sounded so innocent and peaceful, that was I voice I didn't want to lie to.

"Do I look okay?" I looked up at the ceiling pinching my nose.

Why now? Why?

Why now did a tear threaten to fall out of my eyes?

"Mr Lyon, whatever it is, you're bigger than it." She had  such a reassuring smile on her face.

I'd have expected her to drown me in her apologies and pity Truth be told, that'll only make me fill worse.

"Talk about over a glass of Tequila?" She asked dropping a little black bag by the corner of the door.

I shook my head.

"I prefer Whiskey."

"Sure," she folded her arms hugging herself from the cold "lead the way."

I sat on the kitchen stool watching Micah pour the liquor into the glass cup.

She sat on the opposite side of the table passing the drink. I didn't think twice before gulping it down.

"Another."

She groaned before getting up.

"You know, you got to start staying 'please' more."

She poured more liquor into my cup under my intense gaze.

"Aren't you drinking?" I asked, curious as to why she wasn't pouring herself a drink.

"No," she shook her head. "I get drunk easily."

She passed me the glass.

"Plus tonight, it's all about you."

She packed her hair into a bun, exposing more of her neck.

"Why?"

I asked a question that I'd been holding back for so long. I had to ask it, if I didn't it'll kill me.

It killed me whenever I was rude to her and yet of retaliating, she'd smile.

"Why are you still here? I've given you so many opportunities to leave. You know I'm not going to change my mind, it involves money. In this world, I only love money. Money doesn't break your heart, money doesn't love you and live you alone, Money doesn't betray you. Money is the only thing that is completely loyal to the master."

"You know, anyone who loves money more than life is nothing but a servant to it. I guess I'm still here despite everything is because I have so much to lose if I walk out of the deal. I'll feel guilty that there was something I could do but I did nothing. Money's great and all, but they don't wipe your tears, they don't tell you everything will be ok."

I was silent after she spoke, I guess it's because I didn't know what else to say. I stared at the ceiling gulping down bottles of the liquor.

"Hey, don't you think you're drinking a little too much?" Micah called me back.

"I guess what they say about your past catching up to you is really true."

"Huh?"

"Don't you want to know what got me disturbed?"

I was tired of keeping it all bottled up for years, for once, for tonight, I wanted to be listened to.

"Oh, yes."

I took a deep breath, ready to talk about a portion of my life which I hadn't told anyone aside from Dina.

I just hoped the popular saying was true.

'Tequila to remember, Whiskey to forget'

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I know I haven't updated for a whole month, I'm sorry everyone. I've had a lot going on.

Thank you all for patience.