Stay Toxic

#1- KAMAIA

"Maia, chérie", I heard papa call and I quickly put away the bottle of vodka. "Yes, papa", I walked to the study to see him sat there with his head in his hands.

"Papa, is there an issue?", I asked. He didn't answer and I noticed his gaze on his laptop screen. I took it from him, he didn't oppose and I looked at it. My eyes widened and I felt a knot in my chest.

"Papa?", "What's all this?", "Oh, please, papa, answer me.", "I'm going to file for bankruptcy", he said and my heart sank like I didn't know that was the only possible solution but I guess I didn't want to believe it.

Papa had said that sales were going downhill but I didn't know it was this bad. "But, there must be something we can do", I said with a glimmer of hope.

"The only way according to John is to find a company to merge with ", he said . "And why can't we do just that", I asked confused. "Because, Maia, the only way for that to happen successfully is to establish legal ties between families for the sake of publicity for both companies", I understood now.

"Look, chérie, I'm not asking you to get married, John is already processing the whole bankruptcy stuff", he said and I stared at him like he was stupid. "Come on, papa, I'm going to do it."

"I'm not letting you get married to an obnoxious stranger that might treat you like shit", he said. "But all the same, it's my choice, isn't it?", I said and he just stared. "Oh, come on, now what company are we talking about?", I said seriously.

"Well, considering the fact that our company produces cosmetics, I think we need a company that produces something that our customers would purchase, you know like....", he was deep in thought.

"How about fashion?", I suggested. He thought for a while, "Actually, that could work, many huge fashion designer lines actually produce cosmetics as well ", I smiled.

"Now what company?", I asked him. "Uhm... Carozza?", he said and I unknowingly scrunched sort of.
Carozza was a big name among designers. It was owned by an old man and his wife but was now being managed by their son.

"Okay, I'll call Mr Carozza's secretary and set up a proposal meeting on Tuesday", "Don't worry, papa, everything's going to work out just fine", I squeezed his hand. He gave me a half smile and I stood to leave. "Goodnight, papa"

"Kamaia", I turned "I love you", he said. "I love you too, papa",I smiled. "Now get some sleep, no more thinking, okay?", He nodded. I left the study.

+++
Roulian Carozza's
"There's really nothing I can do", I said. "Nonsense", the old man in front of me spat. "I did try everything, father.....I really did", he just stared mockingly. "You're useless", he spat again and began coughing.

I got a glass of water and handed it to him. I was rubbing his back to try and ease the cough. "Get away from me, you murderer", he spat and I felt that pang of guilt in my chest again and everything just seemed to slow down as I'm drawn into another memory.

"Roulian.....Roulian, you have to go."
"I'm not leaving you here""Come on...go...don't worry about me""I'll be back her asap with an ambulance, please hold on a little longer""not like I have a choice", he laughed humorlessly

I shake it off walking away from my father's office. Another flashback? Twice in one week? Damn, I need to call Dr. Stone.

Dr. Stone, a 46 year old man with a doctorate degree in psychology, also Roulian's therapist.

"What is it now, Mr Carozza?", Dr. Stone answered. "I told you not to call me that", I made a stern face like the old man was actually there to see me. "Was it another flashback?", He asked and I nodded before remembering that he couldn't see me and I let out a weak yes. Damn, I sound like a fucking puppy.

"I'm coming over now", I stated "Do you know the time kid?", Dr. Stone asked. I remained silent. "Fine fine fine, but be careful, no fidgety driving, okay?", He finally gave in. I grabbed my keys to go there immediately.

"Roulian, what a pleasant surprise", Dr. Stone exclaimed as I entered the office. "You asked to come here five minutes ago", I stated. "Still can't take a joke, kid", he laughed. "I'm 23 years old", I mumbled.

"So what seems to be the problem?", he asked fitting his tiny frame glasses on his large nose. I snickered internally. "You gone deaf, kid?", I realized I had zoned out. "Uhm, sorry I've been having flashbacks and nightmares too", I said

He took out a pen and started scribbling some stuff on a notebook labelled Roulian Carozza. "These flashbacks, how do they happen?", He looks up from his glasses. "Uhm, everything just slows down and it feels like I'm teleported back there", I say my vision already clouding.

"Earth to Roulian", he snaps his fingers at me. "How often do these flashbacks and nightmares occur?", He asks. "Like once a month but recently, I've had two in one week", I say. "Interesting", he notes down before taking off his glasses and glancing back up at me.

"Now, is there any significant date that just passed or is approaching for you?", he smiles. "Actually, our birthday is in like two weeks", I answer. What's that got to do with this?

"How do you feel about that?", He asks again. What's with the unecessary questions. Just prescribe me some shit. "Uhm, I don't know?", I say. How do I even feel? "Now, Roulian, go home, try and understand what you think you feel about your birthday approaching, call me once you're done and we'll meet back here", he says already putting away my notebook.

"Seriously, you're not prescribing anything for me?", I ask. "Drugs don't solve every situation, kid and this is one of those, now, out you go, I have a family", he practically pushes me out the door. I scoff....how does it matter in anyway that my birthday is approaching. Yup, this is why I hate therapy.

My phone vibrates and I see an email from my secretary, something about a merging proposal from K. Armani beauty. I'll handle that tomorrow. Right now, I need to think and sleep.

Author's note
I seriously don't know what this is, it might get better though...blah blah blah... thoughts?
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