21|Set His World Right

They left the hotel just after 7:00 PM, with Mark still buzzing from the free-flowing booze he'd guzzled throughout the evening.

He fiddled with the stereo, searching for upbeat tunes to keep him all fired up. Eventually, he settled on some house music and cranked up the volume, sending the metal walls of his car shuddering.

"We did it, man! Woohoo!" he cheered, slapping Levi hard on the back.

Levi breathed in sharply, wincing in pain. He'd never get used to his friend's strength; he was a mass of muscles, thanks to his strict daily sessions with a personal trainer.

"So, did we kick butt or what?" Mark asked, linking his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his seat, content with himself and life in general.

After being fondled half the evening, Levi would not have expected anything less, and he was mighty glad the gala was finally over. Now that he'd fulfilled his duty to Van Holt Industries, he hoped his father would not ask him for anything else for at least another year.