Zelus (Perseus Reimagined) (BXB)

Chapter 33

Twenty. An age where everything starts to go downhill depending on the individual's perspective. 

2015

"I DON'T GET IT," ALEX crumbles on the lawn, face flat on the grass, which makes my face itchy. "What am I doing wrong?"

If there's one thing I know about Alex is that when he sets his mind on something, he never stops until he achieves it. Or at least satisfy him. He's been like this for as long as I knew him. Determination in ways I could only imagine.

There was a time when he and his parents wanted a makeover of their house. Alex was in charge of painting the living room, kitchen, gym, and of course, his own bedroom. This happened when we were fifteen. It was during the weekend, and I offered to help.

I don't know why. Usually, I never step foot into other people's business unless they ask. I guess Alex and his folks were different. Maybe I just liked them because they were more of a family than my own. Compared to Alex being normal... ish, his parents are somewhat unique? His dad wasn't the typical average father who worked a nine-to-six job, came home for dinner with his family, and paid the bills. Nor was his mother. She wasn't a housewife who specialized in cooking and cleaning. Those stereotypes do not apply in this family. However, they're both businesspeople who came from a wealthy background.

Mr. Beau's father owns a successful restaurant that serves one of Seattle's best guacamole dishes. Since his passing, the rest of his family went on their own paths while Mr. Beau happily took over the business. With his determination and mindset, the restaurant has grown even more successful. He's a soft-hearted man. The kind of man who shows compassion towards people who don't deserve it. Like racist people or entitled Karens.

His mother, on the other hand, with her burgundy pixie haircut, bikini body, and ageless skin, she's a beauty guru with her own salon. She started her business in late 2005. That seems normal, right? Creating cosmetics for the people. No. Mrs. Beau stood out the most because, in her work, she brought in models who own obvious imperfections such as acne, scars, and various body shapes. She did what many makeup companies won't do.

Portray realistic expectations. And the best part is that her makeup is for both males and females and is available for every skin type.

I guess that explains why she's totally cool with Alex liking boys.

I think.

Anyways, Alex proposed a challenge. And that is to finish painting all four rooms by the end of the week. That would be doable if they lived in a condo or an apartment where the rooms were smaller than their current home. I believe Alex's room is three times bigger than mine, and don't get me started on the living room. More like a living hall.

I tried convincing him that he would stress himself out and end up causing a mess leading to more work. Of course, my words entered his right ear and out the left as he carried on with his challenge. I stayed and helped where possible, but I had a curfew and usually got home by six. On the next day, I would return to see Alex still up, painting. He'd finished the gym and kitchen and was currently patching his room.