Loving You, Always

Chapter 6. You have to Pay this Humilitation

Music by: Rousseau - Havana x Senorita (Camila Cabello / Shawn Mendes)

*****

A Black Audi A8 ran smoothly on the winding asphalt road deep in the pine forest, before stopping in front of the solid iron gate. A security guard with a brown uniform, and a handy-talkie dangled on his shoulder, approached the car while guiding his dazzling flashlight on the driver. He put his mouth close to the handy-talky, letting his partner open the gate after he recognized the visitors.

Once again, the car followed the asphalt road to reach the villa. The place was deserted, no one would expect if there was a residential complex in the woods. There wasn't any voice instead of the roaring from the car and chirping from the birds. Deers peeked behind the trees, wondering why there were humans in their habitat.

The car stopped in the large parking lot in front of the villa. There were some fancy cars, indicating that all the visitors already there. The villa designed in a modern minimalist concept, with half of it made by the glass wall, and the other part was painted in wooden-like dark brown and ivory. You could see clearly inside when the light was on, but now it covered by the thick cream curtain. Only the colorful blinking from the light that leaked out as a sign that there was a life.

James walked on the concrete path over the giant fishing pond which separating the parking lot and the main building. An old butler with a tuxedo greeted him as soon as he reached the entrance as if he knew that he already arrived.

"Good evening, Mr. Hardin, " the butler said in an old voice, yet firm. "Young master is waiting at the recreation room."

"Good evening, Harman," James replied, passing by without letting him his jacket. He didn't wear any because he didn't want to be bothered waiting for it when he about to leave the next morning.

James' circle contained five persons, including him. Kevin Sanders, the host and also the closest friend of him, was the heir of the media tycoon, mining, and plantation companies. Alex Goldman was the grandchild of the corrupt officials that built the hotel and restaurant chain both domestic and international. His family also had the biggest shareholder of a domestic airline company. Lucas Evans, his family's company, held the right for international franchise brands of F&B and clothing lines. The fifth member was Ian White, his family was the owner of leading tobacco companies and the owner of the biggest private bank in Stovia. They were famous to be high-quality bachelors among the gold diggers and social climbers.

The recreation room was dim as James entered. Some girls were back and forth, only covered by thin lingerie, holding a tray full of wine's flute. The band was performing a lounge music on the stage at the far end of the room. Kevin and Alex were playing billiard, while the other two were having such an interesting conversation, accompanied by their girls.

James threw his ass on the couch opposite his friends, as hard as possible so they could notice. Lucas and Ian only took a glance at him before continuing their conversation. James, who insulted with their ignorance, poured himself a glass of wine.

"Hey! Let's toast for me!" James screamed, raising his wine. His act successfully grabbed his friend's attention.

"Oh, man. What's up to you? You're really ugly." Ian snickered, mocking at him. The two toasted their glasses as if they won the battle to make James angrier.

James dropped his hand, his jaw clenched as he glared at them. He drained a wine in one shot then put the glass in a hard thud, making it broken into pieces.

Ian and Lucas transfixed as they seriously stared at James, but only for a moment.

"Whoooaaa..." Ian hailed, and the two started laughing.