Shared Investment

Chapter one: Stranger

"Wake up! You can't be sleeping on the job."
I was startled awake. I swiftly raised my hand to wipe the drool from my face, feeling a sense of embarrassment creeping in. Blinking rapidly a few times, I turned to face my boss, Gina. "What the heck were you doing last night that has you sleeping on the job, Santiago?" she asked with frustration and concern. At that moment, my eyes widened in shock as I took in the scene before me. The once-empty diner was now bustling with hungry patrons waiting to be served. It dawned on me that Gina's frustration was completely justified. My usual mid-day nap had resulted in neglecting my responsibilities, and I had left the diner unattended during a busy time. Feeling a rush of guilt, I quickly sprang into action, setting up tables, seating customers, and ensuring everyone was served promptly. This had been the most work I've done in a long time.

[Later]

As my work shift ends, I make my way back to the apartment I share with my roommate. I turn the doorknob and step inside. As the door swings open, I am embraced by a burst of vivid colours painted across the walls and a symphony of energizing music filling the living room.
Reference:

"Hey, roomie! How was work?" Jessica White, my best friend since the 6th grade, asked while whisking up some new concoction wearing the apron I bought her for her birthday.
Apron in question:

"It was surprisingly tiring today. There was a sudden lunch rush, so I had things to do" I stated sarcastically as I plopped down on the sofa. I grabbed the remote to change the channel but before I could begin watching "The Office" my phone began to ring. "Hello?" I breathed into the phone waiting patiently for a response. "Hi Gin, um could you maybe come and pick me up from this club on Valley Wood Lane? I want to go home but Trish and Mark don't want to yet." my friend Natasha asked, trying to sound as sober as she possibly could at this hour. Not this shit again. "Fine. Which club are you in?" "I'm at Vortex." I sigh as I hang up the phone, grab my car keys and head out the door. After about fifteen minutes of driving on an almost empty road, I finally arrived at the club. I roll down my car window to see if I can spot Natasha anywhere outside. Great, this bitch isn't even outside. I sigh once more thinking about how different my life would be if I had chosen different friends. I turn off my car and hop out. As I walk towards the door this tall figure begins to step out, swinging the door in my face. "Do you not watch where you're going or something?" I asked, nurturing my nose. As I look up to face the asshole who has no common sense I realize that I was suddenly face to face with a man that looked like he did modeling in his spare time.

"I don't think I'm in the wrong here, wasn't it you who was the one not looking where you're going? I mean who the hell just walks right up to a door like that?" he asked me with a smirk plastered on his face and an eyebrow held up high. He's a bit rude but I could get over it. "Excuse me! You were the one who swung the door back so hard that you hit me in the face." I said with every bit of attitude I had within me before I shouldered his side on my way in, causing him to scoff and walk away. I immediately spot Natasha by the bar talking to some guy over a martini. I stormed up to them, grabbed Natasha by the arm and dragged her outside to my car.

"When you ask me to come out of my house after a long day of work to pick you up from a club the least you could do is be outside," I stated firmly to Natasha on our way home. God, I sounded like her mom. Natasha was lying across the back seat fidgeting with her phone case lanyard. I felt awful. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound that rude it's just on my way in to get you I ran into this rude guy." "What guy? What did he look like?" she asked as she shot up from her previous position. "He was tall, probably over six feet and looked handsome like model handsome. He also smelt like expensive perfume but was wearing a plain polo and dress pants," I finished. "It sounds like you ran into one of the club's investors," she said calmly while gathering her things before hopping out of the car. Anyways, thanks for the ride Gin!" she waved and blew me a kiss before opening the front door and entering her house. A club investor? Him?  I sighed as I started driving myself home. Maybe she was mistaking him for someone else, she was drunk after all.