Bound By Fate

The Bachelor Party

Aaron Archer sat in his plush seat on the private jet, staring intently at his phone screen. The soft hum of the plane's engines and the occasional clink of glasses were the only sounds breaking the silence. His best friends, Theo, Ben, and James, tried to engage him in conversation and get him to loosen up, but Aaron was having none of it. He had created important calls for himself, even though he was supposed to have the weekend off for his bachelor party in Las Vegas.

Theo, his childhood friend and business partner, leaned over and said, "Come on, Aaron, you need to relax. It's your bachelor weekend, not a business trip."

Aaron didn't even look up. "Just one more call," he muttered, scrolling through his contacts.

Ben, always the joker, made a grab for Aaron's phone. "Give it a rest, man! We're here to have fun."

Aaron shot him an icy glare that could freeze water. Ben immediately recoiled, rolling his eyes. Theo, however, was not so easily intimidated. With a determined look, he snatched the phone out of Aaron's hand and walked away, locking it in one of the private jet's compartments.

"What the hell, Theo?" Aaron barked, standing up.

Theo locked the compartment with a loud click, pocketing the key with a smirk. "You'll thank me later," he said calmly, taking his seat again. "Now, how about we start this weekend off right?"

Aaron's eyes blazed with fury. "Give me my phone back, Theo. I'm not in the mood for your games."

Theo leaned back in his seat, unperturbed. "No can do, buddy. This weekend is about having fun and relaxing, not work. We've all agreed."

Aaron's fists clenched, and for a moment, it looked like he might forcefully retrieve his phone. But the tension in the air was thick, and even Aaron knew a confrontation wouldn't end well. With a deep, frustrated sigh, he slumped back into his seat. "Fine. But don't expect me to enjoy it."

The friends clinked glasses and toasted to the weekend, the alcohol helping to loosen the tension. When they arrived in Las Vegas, the bright lights and lively atmosphere were infectious. They headed straight to a high-end casino, eager to test their luck.

Aaron, always the risk-taker, placed a hefty bet right away. An hour later, he had lost a million dollars. He cursed under his breath, but then, with a steely resolve, placed another bet. This time, luck was on his side, and he won five million dollars. Theo, Ben, and James, however, weren't as fortunate. Each of them ended up losing around five hundred thousand dollars.

"Well, that sucked," James said, nursing a drink and looking forlornly at the roulette table.

"No kidding," Ben replied, his earlier enthusiasm dampened.

Theo, ever the optimist, grinned. "It's just money, guys. We'll make more. Besides, the night is still young. Let's hit the club."

They made their way to a club that Aaron owned, a fact not lost on his friends. The bouncers recognized him immediately, giving them a VIP welcome. Inside, a waitress approached to ask if they wanted to open a tab, but the manager quickly intervened.

"He's the owner," the manager explained to the waitress. "He doesn't pay for anything here."

The waitress blushed and hurried away, while Aaron just nodded, unfazed. The group found a prime spot in the club and settled in, drinks flowing freely. The music was loud, the atmosphere electric, and for a while, Aaron allowed himself to relax and enjoy the night.

Two girls made their way over, clearly interested in the group. One of them, a tall blonde, sidled up to Aaron, but he glared at her so intensely that she backed off immediately. She and her friend turned their attention to Ben and James, who welcomed them eagerly. Theo politely declined their advances and moved closer to Aaron, sensing his friend's mood.