Empathy

Questions

The warm water on my skin gave me goosebumps.  I couldn't help but smile.  I stained the water with blood.  It felt so good to get the ick off of me.

After I was done with my shower, I changed into some comfortable clothes.  I took the stairs a floor down.  I spotted Bret on a couch with a bottle of wine.  The living room faced outward towards the city of New York.  The lights gleamed so beautifully.  I walked towards him and sat down next to him.

"You look better when your clean."  He teased as he poured the wine into two glasses.

"I feel better."  I chuckled.

"Okay, we need to talk."  He handed me a glass of red wine and gestured me to sit down.

"You drink red wine?"

"Well I'm more a hard liquor kind of guy but I figured you liked it.  You seem like you do."

"Lucky for you its my favorite."

"Lets just call it your 'Welcome' present."  Ugh, that smirk kills me.

"So, what do we need to talk about?"

"Well, I'm sure you have many questions."  That I do.  "So now will be your time to ask them."

"Okay, whats your name?"

"You know my name, it's Bret."

"No your full name, whats your last name?"

"Carter.  Bret Carter."  Hmm.  Bret Carter.

"What do you do?"

"I make money, I'm a businessman."

"What business are you in? Where does all your money come from?"

"You don't want to know."

"Then why would I ask?"  

"I never talk about this." He put his drink down.  His head lowered.

"Why, Bret?"  I scooted closer to him, I put my drink next to his.  

"It involves my past."  His voice faded.  I looked at him, he looked at me. 

"It's okay.  I'm a good listener."  I smiled.  He sighed and turned to the city lights.

"My father was already rich.  When he died all the money went to me.  My ma got sick around the same time, even though we had money, the treatment would eventually drain our bank account later, so that meant if ma died, I would have paid for pointless treatments and end up with nothing to survive." 

"So, what'd you do?"

"I got into drugs-"

"You did drugs while your mom was sick?" He sighed, I should of let him finish.

"I didn't do drugs.  I was dealing them.  A friend from school helped me, then I realized how good of money I was making.  Turned me into a millionaire.  The money helped a lot with the treatment and everything but, it didn't last long.  My ma died about a year and a half later.  After she died I continued with it and made more and more money throughout the years which eventually lead me to being a billionaire.."

"Oh my god.  I'm so sorry."  I felt terrible for asking.

He leaned over to pick up his wine glass, he drank more of his wine.  I wasn't sure weather to keep asking questions.

"How old were you?"

"17."

He was 17 and dealing with drugs?  I know we only met a few days ago, but I'm starting to think that this was a good guy.  There was definitely a sweetheart under this bad boy.

"Why did you have your men come get me?"  I said changing the subject.

"Sorry?"

"The night I go arrested.  Frank and Marty came and just took me out.  Why?"  When I asked the question he chuckled and looked at me.  "What?  Why are you laughing at me?"

"You know their names?"

"Well, it was my understanding that I would be living here so, why not?  Can you answer my question?"

"You'd think I leave you there?"  I thought about what he said for a minute.

"Why is it that they just walked in?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean they just walked in and took me out.  Didn't you say you were a drug dealer?  Aren't you wanted?"

"Yes, I'm probably wanted, I'm the biggest drug dealer in New York."

"So why did they let them just walk in?"

"Weren't you listening?  I'm a billionaire.  I got enough money to buy their asses out."

"Good point.  My best friend, Francesca, when can I see her again?"

"I'm not letting you step out of this building for awhile.  The only exception is if she comes here, which I would need to think about."  

"Fair enough."  After I said this he laughed.  "Why do you keep laughing at me?"  The laugh was starting to get to me.

"I would of thought you'd be screaming for not leaving."  He had the cutest smile.

"Well Mr. Carter you thought wrong.  I'm actually a very calm person when you get to know me."  I went serious and stood up straight.  You could tell he didn't like it when I played boss.

"Then let me get to know you, Ms. Murray."  And so he did.  We spent the entire night just talking and drinking red wine.  We laughed, we shared stories, we got to know each other.  Before we knew it the sun was up.  He stood up and held out his hand.  I reached for it as I pulled up from the couch.  

I began to think that living here was going to be okay.