Our Kind of Love

Chapter 8- Level Failed

“s**t! s**t! s**t!!” Max shouted as he pressed his game controller. He was losing the game he was playing. “F*ck!” he yelled again.

'Level Failed' The sound of defeat echoed in his playroom.

“Goddammit,” He cursed, dropping his console controller. He leaned his back against his couch before palming his face.

It was already Sunday evening, and he just woke up after having another stint last night with Karona, the lady he affronted a month ago. She asked for farewell s*x, which he didn’t decline. After doing a short business in France, she would be back in Italy for good.

Picking up his bottle of beer, he took a sip before checking his phone. He saw a message from Damien. Smiling, he pressed the call button to call his cousin.

After the third ring, Damien answered his phone. “Maximus!” he greeted as he entered his own apartment carrying the new blender he bought from the mall.

“Hold a second. I’m getting in my apartment,” Damien said while carrying a big box.

For the third time in a month, he saw the beautiful lady he knew as Mikaela at the kitchenware shop. Mikaela was buying a dishwasher when he noticed her. Trying to impress, he ended up buying himself a blender. He was feeling defeated, though, after finding out that Mikaela was already dating someone.

“Take your time,” Max said, sipping his beer.

Setting his newly-bought blender on the counter, “Hey, what’s up?” Damien asked.

“Hey, buddy. I’m good. how is it going?” Max asked on the phone.

“Good as well. I spoke to mom this morning. Same s**t,” he said as he took a can of beer inside his fridge. “It's worst this time. She had told her circle of friends about my upcoming engagement to Jastin,” he added, opening his beer.

Chuckling, “That’s funny, buddy.” Max said. “and insane,”

He knew his Aunty Mathilda hadn’t stopped pushing the Lionel lady for Damien. The woman was always bad news, and he had encountered her once in his bedroom years ago.

“It’s annoyingly funny, buddy,” Damien chuckled, “And f*****g insane!” he foiled out.

“Well, if your mom is annoying you. Mine is dad,” Max held. “He called me again this morning and kept asking me when will I come back.” He added.

Sitting on the couch, “Oh, God. Why are our parents bugging us!?" Damien complained.

“I don’t know as well, buddy. Dad is such a pain in the ass. I told him to give me time, but he couldn’t wait.”

“I understand you. Well, honestly, uncle John was only a name as my vice. He does a little job, but he knew I might need extra hands soon. Maybe that was the reason he’s nagging you.” Damien said.

Smirking, “I know that, buddy. I will help you but not now. I am enjoying my life here. I will be traveling in the next two months, and then I will see when I will go back to the big apple,” Max held.

“Ohh, That’s great to know. Who will handle your business then?” Damien asked.

“I’ll leave it with Ellie and Kevin. I sold the second one. All I have right now are the ones located in the main city. It's still doing well, though.” Max answered.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I really find it absurd, buddy. It seems someone is trying to f****d you up,” Damien said, “I’m judging it according to your stories about losing customers, and even an unknown person bought it?” he clarified.

Max chuckled. He never actually met the two buyers. He only spoke to the lawyers of his bars’ new owner. His first bar was already knocked down. He thought the new guy would continue it, but it was taken down after two months, and the area was still empty.

The second was still operating, but according to his sources, it was doing great. For some reason, the patrons and customers came back, and the bar was back to its old glory.

“Yeah, it's bizarre, but I couldn’t care less. I can still open new ones if I want, but I will travel first,” Max said.

“I can’t blame you.” Damien agreed. “How about the threats?” he asked.

“Oh, I never received any since last month after calling him or her. I bet it's one crazy ass person who doesn’t know how to enjoy life.” Max calmly answered.

Huffing, “But don’t ignore that, buddy. It could be one of your exes.” Damien kidded.

Chuckling, “That’s why I don’t date now. I only ‘wham bam, thank you, ma'am’ now,” Max ribbed.

“It runs in the blood, buddy. It runs in the blood,” Damien kiddingly agreed.

Max and Damien spent another hour talking and catching up. They mostly conversed about business since Damien was also facing a dilemma about his accounting and finance department. He knew he was losing money, and there must be something happening in one of his business branches.

“I would suggest you hire an independent accounting firm to assess your finances and books. Do it silently as there might be people doing some inside job. You know what I’m saying, right?” Max said while fiddling with his gamepad.

“I know. Thank you, I’ll think about that.” Damien said, “I’ll deal with it soon after, mom. She messaged me again, and I just received random messages right now, congratulating me for some stupid reason," he added, checking his other phone.

Max couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, God, buddy. You have so much on your plate. Go get a woman!” he suggested.

“Well, I’m about to….” Damien said, reading a message, “I got to go, buddy. Someone is in need of a company,” he added, smirking

“I hear you. I actually might need some company tonight.” Max said, “How I wish the girls that I f*ck know how to play video games. If I ever meet one, I’ll keep that person,” he said thoughtfully.

“I know you are a keeper, buddy. I know you,” Damien agreed. “Bye, buddy.”

“Bye and have a safe s*x, cousin!” Max teased.

“Likewise,” Damien said before hanging up the phone.

Max was about to get up when he heard his doorbell ring. Scowling, he looked at his wristwatch. It was already eight in the evening. Walking out of his entertainment area, he checked the peephole of his main door.

It was Caroline, but she was somehow standing with another lady. Opening the door, “Hey, love…” he seductively greeted.

Caroline was wearing her usual skimpy dress that stopped above her knees. Her hair was in a messy bun. The lady next to her was also wearing a revealing dress. Her light blonde hair caught his eyes. Her slightly tanned skin was flawlessly stunning.

“Hey, lover boy… I brought us some company…” Caroline said as she caressed Max’s chest before winking at her new friend.

Max smirked. “May I know her name, love?” he asked.

“I’m Cherry, monsieur…” the lady seductively introduced herself, offering her hand.

Max's thick brow arched before taking the hand and kissing the back of it. “You surprised me…” he said, looking at Caroline.

Giggling, “Are you up for us?” Caroline asked.

“Welcome, girls…” Max smugly smirked.

The girls entered his house. Closing the door, Max heard his phone ring. Checking it, he saw another message.

'Count your days down.'

Chuckling, "F*ck you," he mumbled.

~

“s**t! s**t! s**t!” Charlene exclaimed in annoyance. “Argggh!!!” she shouted out, foiling before scratching her hair.

‘Level failed,’ said on the screen.

“Fu*ck! That’s my last life!” she complained again before dropping her phone on the bed. The whistling sound of the candy crush saga music rang around her room as if mocking her failure.

“Shut up!” she shouted at her phone before picking it up. Pressing the home screen, she speeds dial Adeline’s number.

After the fourth ring, Adeline answered it.

“Yes, Har-lota…” she greeted in a croaky voice. “Good f*****g morning,” she greeted.

“Good f*****g evening from here. I can smell s*x and sweats from there.. and your voice… Gosh! Do you have neighbors?” Charlene bluntly teased right away.

Charlene checked her wall clock. It was already seven o’clock.

Adeline laughed on the other side.

“Still sleeping, b*tch?” Charlene asked. It’s already Monday morning in Asia.

“No…I’ve been up since your brother woke me….” Adeline answered, “It’s so early. Why are you calling? Any problem?” she asked.

“Adeline…” Charlene said, “Please do me a favor. Can you send me life?” she asked.

“What the f**k Charlene?! You just called me to request for life on your candy crush game?” Adeline blurted out.

“A-huh?...Are you busy?” Charlene asked, “Oh, sorry,…Are you and my brother having s*x?” she bluntly pried.

Giggling, “We just finished. He’s in the shower now,” Adeline shamelessly admitted.

“Perfect. Get his phone and send me a heart. I badly need it!” Charlene held, chuckling.

“Oh, God. You harlot,” Adeline palmed her face. “Will you get a man to keep you occupied? Not that childish game you are playing!” she scolded.

“Hey! Stop! It's not a child’s game! I know an old lady downstairs who’s addicted to this beautiful game!” Charlene defensively replied.

Adeline cracked up. “My good Buddha…” she said, tottering.

“Come on!” Charlene said, chortling as well. “It's my past time! It's Sunday so I should be relaxing! Tomorrow is Monday again!” she complained.

“I know, but cant you play something worth your day?” Adeline asked.

“What? Play myself?” Charlene bluntly said,

Laughing, “Aside from that! Come on, Karlota!” Adeline yelled out. “Get a dog or a cat or go outside and do some retail therapy!” she suggested.

Heaving a deep breath, “I’m not sure about the cat or dog, but I just went to the mall and found nothing. Waste of time, and I don’t shop alone.” Charlene sadly huffed again.

Breathing out, “Whew! Charlene, I know you love living alone, but you at least need someone with you! I hope you can find a friend or friends or it would be great if you find a lover. That would make your life happy!” Adeline sincerely advised. “Hang out with Chloe, perhaps,” she added.

Charlene mentioned Chloe many times.

“I know! I’m friends with Chloe, but that young lady will set me a date with Jesus before anything else. It's Sunday, and it’s her church day, and I am not the type of person…” Charlene said.

Adeline chuckled, “I hear you….” She huffed,

"Glad you hear me..." Charlene said, "Work is hectic nowadays, some shits happening," she added.

"Damn... Not yet over?"

"Nope!" Charlene said, popping the P. "Hopefully soon,"

"Well, worst to worst. Come over here. Your presence is missed." Adeline whispered.

"I will!" Charlene agreed. "Not that soon, though"

“Okay.. I’ll send you a life, and I’ll get Diego’s to send you more heart!” she added, yielding.

“Yay! Thank you!” Charlene thankfully said.

“Oh, God…” Adeline huffed. “I got to go, girl. I’ll message you soon,” she bade.

“Bye! Say hello to my brother!” Charlene bade as well, “And Adeline! Please hurry up! Give me niece or nephew soon!” she teased.

Giggling, “We will try again tonight,” Adeline agreed. “Khob Khun Ka”

"Love lots! Bye!"

Hanging up the phone, Charlene looked at her screen. It was the picture of the Eiffel tower that she took more than a half-year ago. The memories never left her mind.

Opening her photo album, she browsed the city's pictures and videos that she took briefly. She went there for business, and since Damien broke his promise. She didn’t have time to enjoy the scene.

Scrolling, her eyes furrowed then widened soon as she saw the close-up photo of a sleeping man. He was slightly lying on his side. She had no recollection of taking it out of her drunkenness, yet somehow, the gorgeous face of Maxi was on her screen.

His eyes were closed, and his long lashes were almost touching his cheeks. His mouth was slightly ajar as he was maybe snoring from the exhaustion of what they did. His light stubble was as dark as his thick hair. Zooming in, she saw some tattoos on the arm that was showing in the picture.

Arching her brow, “How are you, Maximus?” she mumbled before resting her phone on her chest.