A Soulmate's Love

Chapter 75 - The Sixth

Fuck, these pills were good at numbing me!

I was cruising through the crowds without a drop of anxiety because, my dear friend, my beloved Jacques and I had rediscovered our pills. I know, I know. I've been resisting taking these pills for pretty obvious reasons, but past Althea cannot judge present Althea for her decisions, because present Althea has not slept in three days and is about to have a mental and physical breakdown!

Cheers to that, I thought to myself as Jacques and I both stole a flute of champagne off of a passing platter and quickly downed it. We were on a mission to feel and think as little as possible tonight, especially since I was leaving for New York tomorrow. 

"Come with me," I rasped, my voice starting to fail me due to how much I've had to network and speak tonight. 

Jacques tilted his head in my direction, taking a few more pills than I had. "Where are we going?" He slurred, the world probably spinning just a little in his eyes. I walked to his side and made him hold my side so that he could lean on me without appearing like he was. Right now, he just looked like a gentleman at my side for the evening. Meanwhile, we were both drunk and high with little will to live. 

Ah, just like old times. 

"I'm going to New York for the week," I told him, both of us taking another flute of champagne off of a platter. We had a technique, however, and never took more than two glasses from the same server. There were at least six on duty tonight though, so we were good.

"Why the fuck not?" He exclaimed a little too loudly, making this old man beside us look in our direction. I redirected us to avoid the man thinking it was us and laughed at Jacques's frankness. 

"I'll go ask your father. You go to the bathroom and do a line." He left without question, both of us having made the promise years ago that if one of us told the other they needed to do a line, it was for a reason. If his father saw him slow and high, he would beat the living shit out of him when they got home - literally. Jacques needed to be at the top of his game and alert, and I needed Jacques there for New York.

I strode up to Mr. Bernard with poise and the vibe that 'I'm the daughter of a multi-billionaire' and not 'I am your son's coke partner'. Mr. Bernard knew that I was more disciplined and mature than his son, and regarded me highly for my 'good influence' on the golden boy of Europe. 

"Mr. Bernard, has this evening been to your liking?" I began by asking him, using the man's ego to my advantage by phrasing my question in a manner that appeals to him. 

"It has, thank you for asking." He smiled smugly, making me want to cringe away from him. He hurt Jacques - my family -  and had the audacity to be smug. "Your opening speech was well done, Althea. I applaud you for your discipline - god knows Jacques could use some of it." He laughed at his own joke, and although it wasn't funny, I had to chuckle along to get what I wanted. 

"You flatter me, Mr. Bernard," I said sweetly, maintaining my charming composure despite wanting to pass out and kill him simultaneously. "As you know, Andrew is having a gala of sorts for his company and hosting events with investors and North American businessmen next week in New York." I began, selling the idea that it would be important for Jacques to be seen at the side of the CEO's sister. Mr. Bernard wanted his son to be successful, and if I could sell the idea of Jacques being surrounded by wealthy CEOs and investors, he would let me have Jacques right away. 

"Yes, of course. Send Andrew my congratulations." I hated interacting with Mr. Bernard so fucking much, you had no idea. I was entertaining Jacque's abuser.

"Thank you, you are so kind." Flatter, flatter, flatter. "I was wondering, considering the multitude of business opportunities for Jacques and you yourself this trip holds if Jacques could join me in attendance? He would be joining my mother and I on the jet and would have the chance to network with the most consequent men due to his affiliation with Andrew as his sister's partner." I tried to keep my persuasion short to avoid any suspicion that Jacques would be coming for any other reason and to avoid going on a full-on rant.