Emerald had never seen her friend this happy since she got her cherry popped two years into college. Even when she had her first skinny-dipping, she wasn’t this elated and admittedly, Emerald couldn’t contain her own joy as well as her face broke into a grin.
“What did he say?” She replied with enthusiasm as she unfolded her legs and sat up on the couch.
“He said if I could keep it up, then my promotion was inevitable and imminent. Mera! I could get promoted anytime soon!” she squealed as she jumped around, doing crazy dances.
Emerald laughed at her friend’s antics as she watched her wiggle like a salted earthworm, which was trying to free itself of the sodium chloride on its skin.
“I’m really happy for you, Ori. You deserve every bit of it and so much more, girl,” Emerald smiled as she pulled her friend into a hug, making Oriana squeeze her tightly in return.
“We have to celebrate this! We really have to,” she exclaimed as she went back to scrolling through the album.
“When will the news update be out?” Emerald asked.
“Probably by tomorrow. It should be on the Daily Times and certainly on E-news and other channels. It should most definitely be on air on various radio networks as well. This is really a jackpot, Mera,” she beamed as she finally stopped at the song she had been searching for before picking up two cookies and stuffing them in her mouth at once.
“Good. I’ll be sure to read tomorrow’s papers,” Emerald supported as she stood up and grabbed her water bottle and the Ziploc containing only a few more cookies, the majority of which Oriana had viciously consumed.
“Well, I’m off to bed. Congratulations again, McStuffins,” she walked out of the living room but not before catching her friend falling and hitting her head again. Oriana let out another groan with additional series of profanities, while rubbing the other side of her head, different from the side with the already protruding horn.
Emerald only rolled her eyes as she trudged up her room to drown in a bit of fantasy before giving in to a much needed slumber.
▬▬▬▬▬
His bloodshot eyes stared into the mirror which was a bit foggy due to the steam that had emanated from the shower. He raised his pruned hand to wipe off the haze that had covered the surface of the mirror as he continued to stare at his appearance.
He had spent quite a long time in the shower, his mind drifting off to the beautiful and classy pest that had infested his thoughts. She hadn’t left his mind since the first time they had met and the urge to even think about her had surprisingly grown rapidly when she had, on their second meeting, dared to speak those disturbing words that had stabbed right into his past.
It seemed as though even thinking about her now became a natural thing. Like his life was a desert of immeasurable acres of hot sand; his life, a torrid and arid place and she was his source of water.
She was the beautiful but dark rain cloud that was much needed in his life, yet even rain clouds couldn’t take away the entire aridity of a desert. Even the biggest and heaviest rain clouds would eventually run out of water and the desert would once again be its usual self.
He let out a frustrated sigh as he ran his hands through his dripping wet hair and brushed them down his face in fatigue. He had been thinking of her again. Turning around, he walked out of his apartment-sized bathroom and made his way out of his room towards his closet.
His closet was in an entirely different room from his bedroom or rather, the entrance to his closet was in another room while his closet was a totally different part of the entire mansion. It was in the room directly opposite his bedroom and it was embedded into the ground like an underground basement but instead of the usual underground door or displaced floorboard like the normal average people had, his was encased with a transparent dome-shaped case.
He walked into the room in nothing but a towel hanging low on his waist and made his way towards the transparent dome. He reached forward and pulled the projected handle before tossing the black-rimmed plastic case aside and walking down the spiral stairs into the endless ocean of extravagant clothes and shoes; suit jackets, pants, dress shirts, and let’s not forget rows and rows of casual wears.
He walked past the seemingly endless glass cases of wristwatches, shades and ties, completely ignoring his infinite shelves of shoes until he stopped in front of a particular case in the casual wears section. Immediately reaching for a random drawer, he pulled it open and settled for a pair of black sweatpants with the Nike logo on it and a fitted casual grey shirt that fit him like a glove, showing the outlines of his well defined abs.
He got dressed but not before putting on some briefs. He walked out of the closet and shut the case before completely leaving the room, switching off the lights. Walking into his room, he entered just in time to hear his phone ring on his king-sized bed.
Picking it up, he saw the familiar name flash through the screen and he tapped on the Answer button as he walked into the bathroom to return the towel.
“J,” the voice came through.
“Hmm. . .” he hummed tiredly as he sat on his soft bed.
“How’s it going? I heard you’ll be unveiling the new wine in a few days.” The accusatory tone in his voice was definitely evident.
Jordan heaved a sigh. He was too tired to deal with a nagging Keelan.
“Keel, I’ve been too busy to contact you or speak to you about it. My schedule has been even tighter than ever. I apologise,” he mumbled as he felt his eyes drooping. His head was pounding mercilessly.
“What? Did I say anything?” He asked, the sarcasm lacing his words as he tried to act nonchalant.
“Kee-”
“Besides, I know how tired you must be with your constant trips and all. Plus let’s not forget your Mafia duties. I’m gonna be the bigger person and let this go-”
“Good. Thanks Kee-”
“-on one condition,” he finished, making Jordan release a groan as he fell back on his bed.
“What?” He asked gruffly.
“We have to celebrate this. You and I. At the club. This Saturday. No excuses, I’ll pick you up at eight. Nighty!”
“Keel?”
“. . .”
“Are you there?”
“. . .” he was met with silence. Keelan had hung up on him.
Jordan begrudgingly adjusted himself on his bed, not wanting to move an inch from his position. Getting under the covers, he switched off the lights with the simple snap of his fingers. He grunted in content as he felt the burden of fatigue ease off of him. His stomach growled in search of food but he was too tired to leave his bed.
Slowly drifting off into a state of blissful unconsciousness, his mind wouldn’t leave the emerald eyed temptress yet unusually, he was anticipating Saturday night.
As to why he was looking forward to it, he had no answer.