The Habits of My heart

Chapter 10

(2,142 words)

It was early in the morning and Frank was starting his usual round ups for the members of the firm. His next stop was Reggie's townhouse on Caradoc street. He knocked on the door a few times without hearing an answer. Sighing, he picked through the keys on his key ring to find the right one before unlocking the front door.

" Reggie mate? It's me Frank. I'm here to pick you up for your meeting." No response. Stepping foot through the door, Frank was immediately hit with the smell of booze. Some people were sprawled out on almost every piece of furniture including the floor, passed out. Some were randoms and some were workers from R&R; most being the show girls.

Reggie was laying on his couch without clothes. A velvet pillow being the only thing covering him. Cigarettes spilled out of ashtrays, inducing the house to reek like a whorehouse. Sex, booze, and cigarettes filled the air. Frank coughed loudly to gain Reggie's attention, but failed to do so. " Right then. You leave me no choice", Frank made way to the kitchen and filled an empty vase with cold water. Tossing it on Reggie, causing him to gasp for air.

" The fuck?!" Reggie yelled.

" Get dressed and meet me out front in 10. That is, if you still want a job." Frank tossed him a shirt from the floor.

" If you still want a job, you'll leave me to drown in my sorrows". Reggie slowly pulled the shirt over his torso. Frank shook his head in frustration. It was his sister, his only sister, that died, and yet, he still had to get up every morning and go to work. As painful as it was, he knew that the world kept spinning and left no time for those who lost. Reggie pouting and feeling sorry for himself while he was one of the ones to cause Frances the most pain was ludicrous.

Reggie didn't deserve the luxury of hiding away from the world to heal, not after what he did. Frank wasn't a stranger to what went on in his sisters' life. He knew of the infidelity. He just had to separate his personal feeling from his work life, even if it was his sister. " If you don't get up, then I'll have to call for back up. So, save yourself the embarrassment and get your ass up".

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Monica was resting peacefully, wrapped in her bedsheets. Her nipples erect through the thin fabric, showing she had nothing on underneath, but of course not. Not after the night they had. Ron was fixing eggs with bacon as he waited for the coffee to get done brewing. Occasionally, he'd peer over to see Monica's beautiful face.

He'd soon gaze at her breasts and felt himself have an insatiable appetite, one that the breakfast couldn't satisfy. Ron slowly walked over to Monica to caress her face and trail his touch down her body. She stirred in her sleep but didn't wake. Ron then decided to kiss her neck and leave some love bites, Monica moaned. Stretching her arms up, smiling at him. " Good morning," she yawned.

"Morning doll", Ron kissed her forehead. Monica took in the view of Ron sitting on her bed in just boxer briefs and felt as if it was a dream. Most of her expected him to be gone by sunrise, but was surprised to see him still here and with breakfast made for her. Maybe the special night they had changed his mind.

Before they could sit down and eat, the phone rang. "Hello"?

" Yeah Monica? It's me Frank. I need some extra hands down here. It's Reggie. He's in real rough shape."

" Right, I'm on the way".

No kiss goodbye or heads up to where she was going, Monica left Ron and the apartment quickly.
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I began to knock on the door, but it swung open. Frank stood there frantically, rushing me in towards the living room. " I evacuated everyone and got the rest of his clothes laid out, but I have more errands to run and can't be delayed dealing with him. Just get him up and ready. When you're done, I'll head over to pick him up. Deal"? Unclear of why Frank called me, of all people, to do this, I nodded anyway.