Like Chalk and Cheese | ✏️

Chapter 5 - Wes

As I tighten the gold-gilded marble shower faucet, I shake my hair free from any remaining water and curry particles and step out of the walk-in glass shower. Although I feel and look clean, I still have a lingering sensation that I've missed a spot or two of curry on my skin. The scent of Cambodian cuisine lingers in the air, making my nose curl as it mixes with the scent of my shampoo and body wash; lilac and coconut. 

I wrap a towel around my waist and head for the bedroom, throwing on my last clean pair of pyjama shorts and my nicest silk robe, leaving the drawstring untied. Brushing back my hair neatly with a comb and hanging my towel on the rack, I go to the living room, joining a very bored Hugo on the couch. 

The loungeroom looks a lot better now that Hugo's cleaned it in his boredom. My leather couch, once consumed by clean and not-so-clean clothes stands out against my ornate rug work and glass coffee table.

"You doing alright now? Also, could you tie that up? Why are you always shirtless near me?" Hugo says, eyes drifting down my open robe, grimacing. I shrug, sticking a cotton swab in my ear as I sit next to him. 

"Just enjoy the view. And yeah, I'm doing fine. Absolutely peachy." 

Noticing the sarcasm in my tone, he quirked up the corner of his lip, picking up the remote, flicking through the channels. "Hey, at least we didn't have to pay for the food. Poor waiter, I hope he didn't get fired or anything."

I roll my eyes, propping my feet up on the glass coffee table in front of the couch. "Always the saint. The idiot ruined my favourite shirt. He should be paying me!"

Hugo shrugs. "Accident's happen. You can just wash your shirt; he can't just magic up a new job."

Folding my arms, I let my mind wander as Hugo settles on some nature documentary about penguins. I just hope I never see that clumsy waiter again; lord knows I'm staying away from that restaurant for the remainder of my time on the Gold Coast. I almost feel bad; if he didn't spill our order on me, I might have given him my number. He was a damn cutie. I could have sworn he was checking me out when I had unbuttoned my shirt due to the heat, but maybe I'm just looking too much into it.  

Ah well. There are plenty of men to pine after. 

I look over to Hugo, who's on his phone, scrolling through a webpage. His eyebrows are knitted together. "What's wrong? Looking for takeout options? I swear if you get curry-"

He shakes his head. "No, your brother invited me to something."

Hugo shows me his phone. Painted across his screen in gold, black and red trimmings is a party invitation. Written across the screen in the fanciest cursive writing, the invite said: You are cordially invited to the legendary Spurnrose event of the season; a delightful masquerade ball. Formal wear is a must, but once the party starts, the party starts. One plus one only, click the button below to confirm your invitation.

I blinked, unsure of what to make of it. Grabbing my phone from my pyjama pant's pocket, I open my emails. 

Nothing. Bastard. 

"He didn't even invite me. Rude." I say, tossing the phone on the couch. Hugo snorts, still looking at the invitation.

"Well, why would he? He hasn't seen you in a few months, with him living with your dad. When was the last time you even saw your family, by the way?"

I shrug, fiddling with the strings of my robe. "I dunno.  At least a year?"

Hugo shakes his head. "You should make more of an effort to see them, bro. You only get one family."