The Price Of Sincerity
Find a Substitute
“Do you still think of her?”
Max poured the wine ber—merk ‘Chateau Gruaud Larose’ into the two glass glasses in front of him in order before drinking it out and leaving one more glass for Dye who sat beside him. He would endlessly refill the wine in his glass when it was up. If told to answer, he is not sure of the answer, not sure what he has in mind. But he certainly thought of someone. A lady.
“He will be back. My Rose—, you must miss me. I'll pick you up.” Max hit his chest a few times, empty and hollow.
It has been almost a month since the woman's disappearance on a cruise ship. The luxury liner served as the venue for the engagement of a wealthy tycoon and his lovers, Max Miller and Rose Alexis. But the engagement becomes the end of a sweet relationship that they have lived for almost four years, Max lost Rose. She lost it shortly after she wrapped a 1.2 carat diamond ring around Rose's ring finger. But suddenly the woman disappeared without a trace even before the engagement ended.
Dye took a glass of wine that was still filled from Max's hand, not sure how many glasses the man had spent. “Enough. You drink too much, why do you still want to meet him. He even sent you a message not to look for him anymore. Did you forget? And now what I see. You still want to think about her? An AVC director crying over a woman? Oh—Shit.” Dye's annoyance led her to spend a glass of wine she had taken from Max in one brief gulp. This was the number of times he had to see his friend in his present condition.
“Dia—leave me? Haha, I'm Max Miller. No woman leaves a man like me. You know, we're already preparing for the wedding for next month. Wedding building, dress, new house, she even wants to honeymoon in Kyoto. I even bought a ticket last month. Do you think he'll leave after preparing all that with me? I'm sure something's not right, ah yes, someone must have kidnapped her, she must need me now. Yeah right, I gotta see him. I—aku must.” Max got up and tried to make his body stand properly, trying to step foot away from there in a state of mind and body that is not okay.
Buk.
One hard punch landed on Max's cheek, leaving the man lying on the floor. Dye hits him and hopes that through the punch can make Max aware and can think properly. He could not stand the nonsense that made his friend and boss so frustrated. “Fuck with all that. But clearly he's gone, he's left you. Do you still not understand? Ha?” Dye grabbed Max's collar, she clutched him firmly and a slight push she let go so as to make the man lie back on the floor.
Dye tried to catch her breath, trying to ease the anger that was stirring in her before she left Max who was still lying on the floor and raved indistinctly.
**
Six months later.
“Why did you suddenly want to come to Ethalos?” Dye embraced Max's shoulder easily as he was a few centimeters taller than her. They walked down the hallway and entered through one of the doors that a man had opened for them. And the two men entered haughtily.
Max breaks away from Dye's embrace and warmly welcomes each woman who comes to greet him with a kiss on the cheek and lips. He even received one kiss from one of the women who approached him. Warm welcome—it lasted until they passed the crowd and climbed the stairs to the top floor. “Finding women to fuck.” reply Max short.
“Whoa, did I not hear wrong?”
Looks like the Max I know is back...
Dye who sees Max with the women does not want to bother him, she looks for another place for herself to enjoy the exciting sensation as she sees it. It has been almost a year since the last time they came to a club called ‘Ethalos’. Dye is surprised when Max suddenly invites her there, at first she thinks there is a job or important thing to do because the place is filled with rich people who have power. But getting another answer from the man made her a little in disbelief, but honestly she felt a little relieved. Max is able to break out of his run aground love relationship halfway through.
An hour just passed. In a room that was only illuminated by a dim purple light Max and Dye stood in front of a glass wall on the top floor. Glass walls that cannot be seen from outside the room. Both held a glass of wine in their hands.
“Have you not found a woman who will spend the night with you?” ask Dye to Max who is following each person on the lower floor from the right to the left.
“So, everything looks the same. *****.” Max drank a little wine in his hand before turning away, he sat on the dark blue sofa that was there. While Dye was still standing and still paying attention.
“Oh yes? Looks like you should come down and really look for it yourself rather than just welcoming the women who came over you and responded to their seduction one by one.”
“Haha. You think they approached me because of what? And if I go down there, how is it different from the women who came to me earlier. They'll come without me coming.”
“Hemm. There's a point too.”
“Oh yes, do you think they will voluntarily jump into my bed?” Max puts his empty glass on the table, he stands walking towards Dye. “The woman will throw away her pride to get the one they want.”
“Yes. I concur. Money is that attractive, so are you going to leave without a woman? Come on at least for last night.”
“May-maybe-not here. Nothing interesting, but I had enough fun. Just enjoy your night,” Max pats Dye on the shoulder before leaving to leave her alone in the room.
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