CHAPTER 4: NOT-SO-GOOD REUNION

My eyes stayed fixed on the billboard in front of me. I couldn’t help but feel envious. My former errand boy was now a very successful man.

I shook my head.

Tsk... If not for karma, I would be successful too.

I didn't realize I was clenching my fist, my teeth grinding. I hated this life. I hated karma for making my life miserable. Even though karma ruined my good life, I had no choice but to accept it, but I didn't change who I really am. I don't want karma to change my attitude too. The last thing I want is to satisfy karma.

Fuck you, Karma!

I looked away from the billboard when I heard a car horn. A car had just parked in front of the club.

I tapped Jude on the shoulder. "The chat is over. Time to work!" I pointed to the fancy car. "I'll take this one." I winked at him.

He frowned. "You're unfair, bro."

I laughed. I had gotten to the customer first, and the car looked expensive. I hoped I'd get a big tip. I gave Jude a teasing smile. "Money!"

I laughed and went to the fancy car. I bowed, even before the owner opened the window. When the window went down, I greeted him. "Good evening, Sir."

When I looked up, the driver gestured for me to come closer. I stepped up to the window. The driver looked at me—a man with wavy black hair and nice, slanted eyes. He was handsome, but I worked in this place—I saw handsome, muscular guys every day. They all seemed the same to me, like they could be twins if not for their different hair colors.

I was surprised when the man smiled at me like we had known each other for a long time.

"Yo, Neo," he said, sounding very energetic.

Wait... How did he know my name? Is he a regular? Why can't I remember him?

He must have seen my confusion because he spoke again.

"Don't you remember me? It's me, your handsome classmate," he introduced himself, pointing at his chest.

I tilted my head, trying to remember who this was. He looked familiar, but I really couldn't place him. I was bad at remembering faces unless I saw them all the time.

"Sorry bro, I don't remember you. Who are you?" I asked casually, losing my polite tone.

He laughed and looked at me from head to toe. "You really haven't changed," he commented, sounding like an old best friend.

I frowned. Who is this jerk?

He got out of the car, hands in his pockets, still smiling. Now I could see him better. He was tall, with grey eyes and a playful look.

"Hey, are you sure you don't remember this handsome face?" he asked again, pointing at himself.

I winced. Who is this jerk? He’s so full of himself.

When I didn't answer, he sighed, took the keys out of his pocket, and threw them to me. I caught them, and he smiled.

"Park it somewhere with few cars, I don't want my baby scratched, okay?" he ordered.

I just nodded.

"Look at that. You used to be the one I followed, but now..." he looked at me again, his hand on his jaw. "Now, you're the one taking orders," he said and laughed.

I gripped the keys tightly, my jaw tightening.

This jerk.

Obviously, he was looking down on me. He seemed angry at me. Well, I didn't care if he was angry, but did he think I wouldn't fight back?

I'm Neon Andrei Bonifarte. I don't let anyone push me around.

"Oh, I'm loving that look of yours," he said with a playful smile. "You know? I feel like I'm seeing the Neon I knew in high school," he said, arms crossed.

He stepped closer. He put his left hand on my shoulder. "Only your life status changed, but your attitude is still the same," he said in a low voice. "I hope you keep it that way."

He patted my shoulder and walked to the entrance.

I shook my head and started the car. He told me to park it in a spacious spot? Hell no.

I parked it in the worst parking area—the tightest spot, surrounded by other cars.

I smiled. Did he think he was better than me now? Fuck him!

I slammed his door shut and walked to the entrance, playing with the keys. I saw the jerk leaning against the glass door. Why wasn't he inside? Was he waiting for me because he didn't trust me? Damn him. He smiled at me, looking like he had the upper hand.

When I got close, his smile widened.

"Neo, man! How come you didn't change at all?" he tilted his head. "Look at that face, it's as if you're about to rip me apart," he laughed.

I threw the keys at him, but he missed and they fell on the floor.

"Are you stupid?" I said sarcastically.

He shook his head. "Is that how you treat other customers? Glad you weren't fired," he said and picked up his keys.

"No, you just get special treatment from me," I replied.

He raised an eyebrow. "Is this what you call special treatment? Should I be thankful?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and throw in a tip, too."

He laughed and grabbed my shoulders. "You're really something."

He put his arm around me and led me inside. I was annoyed. I took his arm off me. "Wait, don't tell me you want me to go inside with you? This isn't part of my job."

"Sshh, don't worry, I'll handle it. You said it yourself, I get special treatment. We haven't seen each other in a long time, let's make it count." He pulled me toward a large sofa. "Sit there."

I sat down and looked around. The club smelled like a mix of too many things. I took out a cigarette, lit it, and blew out the smoke. He sat on the sofa opposite me. We made eye contact. He winked, and I winced. He laughed again. He had been laughing at everything I did—like he was making me a clown.

"How are you, Neo?" he asked casually.

I didn't know what he wanted to hear, but I wasn't going to let him be satisfied.

"I'm okay," I said, leaning back.

He smiled and called the waiter. "Bring us drinks, the expensive ones."

After the waiter left, he looked at me again. "Are you really okay? Are you having a hard time?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why are you asking?"

"Well, look at you now. You're not the same Neon I knew—except your attitude, everything about your life changed."

I was annoyed. What if my life changed? Did that mean I was struggling? My jaw tightened.

"Yes, so many things changed, but look at me now—I'm still alive, breathing, smoking," I replied sarcastically.

He smiled. "You know, what happened to you should humble you, but the way you treat me right now... it proves you haven't changed at all."

"Why would I change?"

He laughed softly. I rolled my eyes. I hated being laughed at; it felt like he was looking down on me.

"You know, Helios would be really happy if he saw you."

Helios? I frowned. I didn't know this guy, and now he was mentioning a name I didn't know.

"Wait? You do know Helios, right?" he asked.

I shook my head, smoking my cigarette. "No way! Really? You don't remember Helios?" He covered his mouth. "Actually, never mind. He would be sad to see you, especially if you told him you don't know him."

"Why? I really don't know him, and I don't know you either," I said directly.

"I'm Stephen, your handsome follower. Does that ring a bell now?"

"Not the slightest."

"Ouch! That hurts." He held his chest like he was really hurt. "Wait, who among us do you remember? Jeno? Marcus? Alejandro?"

I tried to remember the names, but nothing came to mind. "Who are they?"

He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "Wow, are we really that worthless that you can't remember us?"

I shrugged. "Maybe."

He covered his mouth again, looking shocked. "You're just kidding, right?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

He smiled.

What did this guy want? He was wasting my time. I stood up and dusted off my pants.

"Wait, where are you going?" he asked.

I looked at him, impatient. "I'm leaving, you're just wasting my time."

"Wait, just sit there." He gestured to the sofa. "Don't worry, I know the owner of this club."

I narrowed my eyes. "So what?"

"Okay, I'll give you a tip," he said, pointing to the sofa.

I sat back down, feeling confident. I crossed my legs and crossed my arms. He smiled.

"If I pay you, will you stay here with me all night?"

I looked at him seriously. "Depends on how much you pay me."

He burst out laughing.

Damn it. He was definitely treating me like a clown. If I wasn't so broke, I would've killed this guy. So annoying!