Ascent - Passion's Paradox - VOL.1

.03. Lawson Marshall

           Every ceremony, whether it's a gala, a commemorative reception, a corporate event, a fundraiser, or even a wedding, is a real affair that is meticulously planned to the last detail. Every detail counts, because it's all about appearance. The guest list is made in such a way that everyone on it ends up eating out of your hand. But it's not easy, it requires a perfection that they will not hesitate to destroy at the slightest mistake. And why? Because all your guests, whoever they are, and even your allies, are your competitors.

And today, I should silence the mouths and crush all the hopes of the competition: because it's my night. The night of my promotion to CEO, my crowning achievement in a position I've coveted only too much in recent weeks. From tonight on, everyone will have their eyes on me, even Neferu NepTet.

To be honest, I didn't have that ambition when I was younger. I was mostly the youngest who stayed behind, watching his elder excel in every conceivable way before turning off the highway and taking a one-way trip. It wasn't until the red sign went up, a few months after my mother died, and recently my brother was locked up, that my father turned to me. I was exactly twenty-three years old, fresh out of Harvard, when he took me by the shoulders and ordered me to take over the work my brother had to do. I must admit that I was jealous of Faramir for a while, and if I wasn't very ambitious at first either, I soon got on the business highway.

I certainly don't have the right to say "finally" because the road to inheritance was already paved for me; but succeeding his father was not easy either. I already had the knowledge and certain qualities that he didn't need to teach me, but I had to make up for the childhood of preparation for the position that Faramir went through under the unwavering authority of a father who doesn't want to see his dynasty dry up under the blood of another.

" Weren't you supposed to make it official with Trinity?"

"Yeah...," Javier murmured and ran a hand through his hair, "but you know, something happened yesterday that made me cold, and I hope I get some ideas, because if I don't, I swear I've got a real sicko! I mean, I was sure I was lucid!"

Javier is a friend I made in the early years of my childhood. My mother, who is still alive, had a business with Javier's parents and we spent a lot of time together until we became inseparable buddies. Even after his death, he continued to stick by me. Lately, he's been doing it less because he's been hanging around looking for a new girlfriend who's tired of the booty calls from his ex. And then he met Trinity, two months ago.

"What did she do? What did she do?"

" Well, you know what, yesterday she finally invited me to her place. We were kissing, we finally made out, you know, the whole shit...," he sips his glass of champagne and looks at me rather embarrassed for someone who's usually so easygoing. "And... I already knew she had weird tendencies! She's asked me to role play before and all that, but she caught me off guard when she said, "Call me Dolores and I'll call you Shawn". The name of her ex and current girlfriend! She wanted me to strangle her and be bad to her."

Trinity had really done this? Damn! Just by looking at her, I knew Trinity wasn't done with her ex and I warned Javier, but that idiot wouldn't listen to me. I found out about her and her ex from a few of her friends that I had fucked in the past, and frankly it wasn't pretty. I would have told Javier that I was right, but as a good friend, I would hold back and just be aghast. I would just laugh at his terrible luck with women poor guy.

"Hell yeah she's a sicko! You really do come across cases!"

" Well you know it gets worse every time I meet a new one. Women are not for me... I'll end up trying men."

"If you're ever thinking about switching sides, Harlem's been waiting for you since he was eight years old, man. I think he's getting desperate now."

Javier winces and gives me a dirty look. Far from being gay, I know, it still makes me laugh to remind him that our friend has had a crush on him since the sandbox. I think even if he turned to Harlem, though, Harlem wouldn't accept. The assholes who are his parents are already groping him every day to find a fiancé to keep up appearances. It make me bad for him.