CHAPTER 2

                    RAYMOND POV

I woke up with sweat all over my body as my heart was racing so fast due to a nightmare I had just encountered. This was just one of the many nights where I had to struggle with the thoughts from that very night. All I see whenever I shut my eyes is blood gushing out of her mouth. 

24 months have passed and I have constantly lived as a shadow of myself like one without purpose. The events of that night still haunt me, and the memories still linger.

This was the price I had to pay for not hiding her words that night. Perhaps if we stayed home that day and had our movie date as Jasmine suggested she would have been with me right now. 

The heavens should have taken me in place of her rather than keeping me here to torment me with memories from that night. 

I tried to shake off the lingering effect of Jasmine’s death as I stumbled out of bed and made my way into the shower. I splashed water on my face hoping that the cold water could ease my racing thoughts.

The cold bath therapy didn't seem to have much effect as I could still hear Jasmine's last words pressing down on me suffocating me with anger and guilt. 

I knew that staying home wouldn't help matters as I needed to distract myself to clear my head just as I have done countless times. 

I looked into my closet and picked a black V-neck collarless long-sleeved shirt with a daring V-line in the middle. The shirt gripped my torso in just the right areas, emphasizing my elegant tone and physique. I paired it with black trousers and a pair of shoes from John Lobby. 

“You have great style, you know,” said my mom as she walked past my room. 

I smiled back at the compliment. Indeed, my mom had a way of making me smile. My mom has always been my ride-or-die. Her constant support and care are the reason I'm still breathing. Without her, I would have given up when I heard about Jasmine's death. 

        

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With my father's wealth flowing like an endless river partying and clubbing together with alcohol who has now become my number one buddy have slowly become my best things to do.

The music was blaring and the atmosphere was lively as I made my way to Concave bar’s counter to meet up with my drink mates who are ever happy to help me squander my father's wealth. 

"The day is still young, so feel free to place an order for whatever you desire," I told my friend. He didn't object and called for a bartender to come over. 

We ended up ordering some pricey bottles and even arranged for a private stripper to dance exclusively for our table.

As I danced along with the music, I thought to myself, "This is where I feel safe. This is my happy place."

The night wore on and we found ourselves playing a heated game of truth or dare. We asked ourselves to do unspeakable things. We laughed and drank as I tried to hide and ignore the unspeakable pain that lingered within me. 

As laughter and music began to fade one of the waiters informed us that their closing time was fast approaching. Drowned in alcohol I reached out for my card wanting to pay for our drink as always. 

“Insufficient funds sir” was a word that had never been said to me before. “What! Please try again. It must be a wrong card,” I said as I tried reaching for another card. 

Little did I know that my father had longed to stop my monthly allowances due to my flamboyant lifestyle. It's no longer news that he is fed up with my reckless spending and partying. I had pushed him to his limit, and now I was about to face the result of my reckless acts.

“You don't have enough funds, sir,” said the bartender who handed my card back to me and went ahead to report the case to his supervisor. I turned to ask my friends for funds but they were nowhere to be seen.

I had no other option than to call home but there was no response. I sat on one of the couches at Concave Bar for hours, my mind racing with thoughts of how hurt my mom would be when she heard this. 

Just a few days ago she begged me to reduce my alcohol intake and take up some responsibilities in the company to make my father happy. 

I spent the early hours of the morning at Concave because I got held up. Luckily I was given a comfortable place to sleep because of the relationship I had with the CEO. 

It helped that he is a friend of my dad’s who supplies luxury drinks for his events. Once again my surname “Laurence” came through. 

On the morning of the next day, I was still lying on one of the couches in the bar when my mom walked in.

She looked like a storm cloud prepared to burst, and I couldn't even bear to meet her gaze. 

Mother didn't even have to say a word. It was at that moment that I knew that I had let her down, and sooner or later my actions would come back and dine with me.

We left the bar and her anger and frustration came pouring out as she lashed out at me, “ If you don't take charge of your life then your father would have to come in.” 

“ Raymond, you can't keep wallowing in self-pity and depression.  The sooner you heal from your grief the better off you'll be else the outcome of your reckless acts will come knocking in no time. 

‘’You're a Laurence, a lot of people would beg the heavens to be in your shoes. Don't you dare forget that”

Her voice echoed with disappointment and anger, with words heavier than the air itself as she made those statements. 

I knew that she was not going to make more excuses for me as she had given me so many chances to pick myself up but I had squandered it all. I have slowly become a burden, a sad tale to everyone around me.

As I headed towards the car, a figure stepped into my path. It was a man who the look in his eyes told me that trouble was brewing. 

He was dressed in a worn-out black coat, looked dirty and unkept yet his unfazed spirit sent a shiver down my spine.

I tried to ignore him and make my way into the car, but he blocked my path and I saw a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

"Leaving so soon?" he said, in a sardonic tone. “ You owe me for keeping your secret from last night."

I felt nostalgic in the pit of my stomach. What secret? 

I didn't remember doing anything out of the usual, but my hungover ass and hazy memory of last night made it hard to be sure.

"What do you mean?" I stammered, trying to look unfrightened by his statement.

The man's smirk widened.

"Remember this face, because soon I'll be at your door to collect what you owe me, " he said, waving his hand in front of my face. 

"And if I don't get what I want, there will be consequences, things are going to get a whole lot worse for you Mr Raymond Laurence."

I glanced as the man walked past me, my heart racing as I searched my thoughts trying to remember the events of last night.

“How does a man like that know my name? What consequence was he talking about?” I said as the thought of the man sent a wave of panic through me.

"I'll... I'll find him," I mumbled, as my mind was racing with thoughts of what I must have done last night.