01 The Remington

Luren,

The vibrant sounds in the club were deafening, and I felt a bit out of place. 

I didn't want to be there, really, but Xavier had just taken over his father's company, and we had come to celebrate the victory with him. 

It was an all-expense paid weekend celebration by Xavier, and I wasn't comfortable about it. 

We had been friends since college, so our friendship had endured despite being from different social classes. 

I was happy for Xavier, especially when I knew his father did not trust him initially. Still, he convinced his father, through hard work, discipline and diligence, to hand the company over to him instead of selling it. Xavier was only twenty-six, but he was a leader. 

Xavier also invited his childhood friend, Soren, to join us. He was from Xavier's social class, and just like Xavier, he was cool.

The drinking was a bit much. 

I wondered how Soren and Xavier were faring, seeing how they kept going strong after drinking several tequila shots. 

After the second shot, Landon and I had given up and settled for soft drinks instead. Regardless I knew I would have a headache in the morning.

"So when will you resume?" I managed to ask Xavier.

"Tuesday next week!" he said, obviously overjoyed about his good fortune.

"I want you guys to come over to the office when I resume," he added, and I shook my head immediately. 

I had an interview with a small firm in Stonegate town. If I make it, I won't be around next week Tuesday. I needed to get the job because, unlike Xavier and Soren, I had responsibilities and no one to help me bear them.

"Come on, Lauren, I am sure you will like the view from the tower," Xavier said jokingly, and I shook my head.

"Maybe some other time," I said, hoping that wouldn't be the case because I would leave town if I got the job, so I wouldn't be around. I did not want my friends to know my plan until it was certain, so I kept it to myself.

"I am sure you will make an exceptional executive, Xavier and hopefully, your company can now engage in actual CSR, not what they have been doing all this while," Landon said, the humanitarian in him rising to the surface, and we laughed.

"What's up with you and Luisa?" Soren asked Xavier about his ex, and I knew it would spoil Xavier's mood because she had broken up with him a few months ago when she found out he won't be taking over the Blackwood business. I bet she will regret her actions now.

"Good riddance," Xavier said, and we all laughed and clung our glasses and bottles in agreement with his statement. Luisa was indeed bad news.

The club we were at was situated in the Remington Hotel, where we were staying on Citadel Island, an hour's flight away from our city, Riverbend. 

Landon and I being the broke ones were sharing a room. 

Since Soren was footing his bill, Xavier had offered to pay for a room each for us because there was no way we could afford the trip. 

Knowing we weren't bringing anything to the table, we opted not to make our companionship expensive, so we took a room with two single beds. It was just for the weekend, and it had worked for us so far.

We spent a while, and soon, I got tired. We were to head back to Riverbend City the following day, and I knew I would be hungover in the morning, so I decided to call it a night. 

"So early? Stay with me awhile," Xavier pleaded, caressing my hand and staring directly at me with the sexy boyish grin that made women go crazy around him; unfortunately, I was immune to his charms.

"Not everyone can handle their liquor like you two. I wonder how you do it. Anyway, I need to rest and prepare myself for the hangover I will face in the morning," I confessed, pulling my hand away from him, and Soren laughed.

"Go on, we are still here. The night is still young," Soren said, and Landon stood up and shook his head.

"It is one in the morning; I might as well call it a night and go to bed, too," he said, and Xavier had a fake sad expression.

"Okay then, good night, you two," he conceded, kicked back a tequila, and then smiled at Landon and me. I laughed, and we left Soren and Xavier to continue their 'young night' experience.

Landon and I moved through the crowd out of the club and into the hallway that led to the elevators. 

The silence was much welcomed. I thought I was going deaf with the loud music in the club. 

We walked to the lift, and I pressed the button for the thirteenth floor where our room was.

"I am happy for Xavier," Landon said when we got into the lift, and I nodded. 

We all knew how hard he tried to prove himself to his father. It was great to see it had paid off in the end.

"They sure handle their liquor well, those two. I wonder if it is a rich people thing," Landon said, and I rolled my eyes, which made him laugh. 

We got out of the elevator and headed to our room.

"This time tomorrow, we will be back to reality," Landon said, and I laughed.

"How is the job hunting going, by the way?" Landon asked me, and I smiled. He was the only one who remembered that I was still unemployed.

"Still looking. I hope to move from being a waitress to being gainfully employed." I said, and we laughed. We got to our room and entered. I didn't waste any time. I got my pyjamas from my luggage in the wardrobe, ready to change and sleep.

Landon turned around so I could change. 

Landon had been my friend longer than Xavier. I was comfortable changing before him as long as I wouldn't be completely naked; now, that would be something else. 

Regardless of my comfort, he always turned and shut his eyes which was cute. 

"Maybe you can ask Xavier for employment. You graduated with a first class in business. I am sure he will need someone like you to balance his knowledge since he is just an economist," Landon said.

"Nah, I won't impose. Besides, it is bad enough that his friends and family think we are leeches. What do you think will happen if he employs me? I have my dignity, Landon. I am sure he has all the help he needs," I said.

"You can turn around now," I added when I finished changing.

I got on my bed and turned off the lamp on the side. I shouldn't have drunk so much. I dreaded the hangover, but I knew it was coming. Sleep finally came.

A loud knock on our room door woke me up from sleep. The bang was incessant and deafening. I guess the person intended to wake us up.

"Please open up!' I heard Xavier's apprehensive voice. 

"Lauren! Lauren!" I heard Landon's voice coming from the bathroom. 

My head was throbbing, just as I had feared.

"Yes," I managed, getting off the bed and heading towards the door.

"I'll get it," I managed.

Unlocking the door, I opened it, and Xavier stepped in. He was dishevelled and looked perturbed. Although he tried to be calm when he stepped in, he did a terrible job at it.

"What is the matter?" I asked Xavier, stepping away from him because he didn't seem stable even though he looked calm, and I had just gotten up from bed. 

Just then, Landon joined us. 

It seemed Xavier needed a minute, so I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

I returned five minutes later and found Xavier sitting quietly on the couch in our hotel room.

"What is the matter?" I asked Landon.

"He won't say; he seems shocked," Landon's aid and I looked at Xavier.

"Is everything okay? Did someone die?" I asked, and he looked at me and shook his head.

"I got married this morning," He confessed, and my eyes widened with surprise and shock. What the fuck had he just said?

The last I remembered, Landon and I left Xavier and Soren at one in the morning. How did he get married? I knew many things happened in Citadel, and sudden weddings at night were one of the things but not Xavier. He wasn't even seeing anyone.

"Let's be calm, Xavier. You can have it annulled. It happens every time," I said calmly, trying to make it seem as if it was no big deal, and he looked at me.

"You think I haven't thought of that?" he said, and Soren walked in looking worried and underdressed. Just like us, he had woken up from sleep and joined us.

"What the fuck am I hearing, Xavier?" He asked Xavier, interrupting our conversation. Neither of us looked like we had showered. Soren looked unkempt with tangled, messy hair, singlet and boxers.

"How the fuck did it happen?" he asked Xavier, and I wondered how Soren knew what had happened since Xavier was with us. There was no way Xavier told him and found his way down to our room after. 

Before considering coming to our room, Soren's room was most likely the first place Xavier would go to. They were childhood friends. 

Disregarding the oddity, I looked at Xavier.

"You were trying to tell us something," I said, taking us back to the matter, and Xavier looked at me. His eyes filled with confusion and worry. 

I could swear he was pleading with me to make it okay. It might also be the hangover deceiving my vision.

"She said no," he said, and I frowned at him, trying to figure it out. I had a headache, so I was bound to be slow.

"She said she won't annul the marriage. I do not even know who this bitch is," he said, and I could see he was angry and worried.

"How did it happen?" Soren asked, looking confused. 

"I do not know what happened, but I woke up this morning with a naked woman in my bed, and she had a wedding band on," Xavier said, showing us his ring finger. 

"She has a certificate with my name on it too. I took it from her and wanted to rip it, but I know it will be pointless because she will just have another one printed," he said, pulling out a folded A4 paper from His pocket. I did not need to guess what it was. He handed the paper to Soren, and his eyes bulged.

"Fuck, Xavier. This isn't good. If she refuses to annul and apply's for divorce instead, you will lose half of your shit. You just took over your father's company. It means your family will lose half of their shit. What the fuck were you thinking?" Soren asked, and we stood looking at each other.