A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE FIFTY ONE

THEME: Christopher’s frustrationNôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

CHRISTOPHER CRAWFORD APARTMENT

Christopher twisted and turned in the suit pants. The suit seem too tight and unfitting but deep down within him, he knew there was nothing wrong with the outfit. He was just too nervous and was trying to take out his frustration on the poor pants.

He glanced towards the door again. He had been expecting Benjamin to show up like an hour ago, but he hadn’t heard from him and it only put him on the edge. All through the night he was having silly thoughts on something going wrong, his father finding out about the fake marriage and taking away all of his inheritance. He had even thought of Raven running away claiming she wasn’t interested anymore and his mind raced through so many things.

Finally the door opened to show Benjamin smiling widely like a joker. “Guess who is here?! Benjamin Williams! Did you miss me?”

Christopher grumbled. “Tch took you long enough.”

“Your sour attitude should be kept hidden at least for today.” Benjamin said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed with his legs crossed.

“Where the hell have you been all day man? I have been going crazy all morning.”

“Which was why I went to get you this.” He said handing him a cup of an iced coffee that he hid behind his back.

Christopher Crawford gave him an odd look. “Do I look like a joke to you?”

Benjamin shrugged before inserting a straw into the cup and slurped on it. “Your loss.”

“You are so fucking annoying man!” He mumbled, slumping into the bed.

“It is a favorite part of my character.” Benjamin grinned.

“What if it goes wrong Ben?” Christopher spoke up after few seconds of silence.

“Come on, Christopher stop being so pessimistic and get your ass working. Raven isn’t one to fail her promise.”

“I am trusting you on this.” Christopher said.

“You should know better.” Benjamin smacked his lips. “Hmm, this taste so damn good.”

Christopher eyes his best friend in disgust. “You need to know how dumb you look right now.”

Benjamin stuck out his tongue. “Man, you are just pained.” He teased.

Walking back to the front of the mirror, Christopher straightened his pants and buttoned up his shirt but just as he attempted to wear his tie Benjamin stopped him.

“Hold it right there man!” He said dashing towards him with a frantic look in his eyes.

Christopher stared at his best friend in confusion. “Do you mind not getting in front of me like that? I don’t kiss guys.”

“How could you be so cool with taking my duty away from me with no remorse?”

Christopher sighed in frustration. “What are you babbling about now, Benjamin? Don’t piss me off man!”

Pulling at the end rope of the tie, Benjamin got to work with it. “Is it you being oblivious or just not interested? How do you not know that it is the job of the best man to help the groom make his tie?” Benjamin beamed at the perfect tie he had made and he patted his friend on the shoulder.

Christopher bent his head to check himself in the mirror. “If I didn’t know better I would have thought you had a pussy. You are such a drama queen.” He said.

Returning to his seating position, “You are such an ungrateful element. I wonder how I got so unfortunate.” Benjamin attempted a groan, leaning his head back and moaning in fake despair.

The laughter that erupted from Christopher was uncontrollable. Most times he wondered if Benjamin was eye on a happy pill. He acted like a teenager every chance he got that one would think he wasn’t in his thirties yet.

“I am in no mood for your mess right now, Benjamin Williams.” Christopher told him, as he put on his shoes.

“Come to think of it, I never got to ask you what you thought of Raven?” Benjamin queried with his face fixed in a frown.

“I don’t think anything of her.” Christopher responded loosely.

“How can you be so dismissive? I know you have been acting all sweet with her mom, so what’s up with the attitude?”

Christopher exhaled deeply. “Look here Benjamin, for the past two weeks I haven’t tried to make any form of contact with Raven unless it is necessary. And as for her mom, you know how charming I can get with this older women. Moreover, If for anything I kind of feel sorry for the boy having to go through such ordeal at a little age. So it means that I was just giving a bit of moral support. And is that a bad thing?”

Benjamin shook his head in understanding. “It is a good thing.” He clicked his tongue. “So Raven doesn’t interest you in anyway? I mean… Haven’t you noticed how beautiful she is?” Benjamin pressed on, knowing he was heading for a rough patch.

Christopher’s eye twitched a bit as he gritted his teeth. “Are you trying to get on my nerves Ben?”

“I ain’t doing that man.” Benjamin answered.

“So you trying to annoy me?”

“That’s not what I am doing bro. It’s just an innocent question, why are you acting all up?”

“Because it’s irrelevant goddamnit! It’s mere business just business and nothing more. I have no interest whatsoever in getting acquainted with her! You of all people know that all I want is to get my deserved position in Crawford’s corporation, get a fucking life for myself! And forget all about women, I don’t want nothing to do with such betraying species!”

Benjamin stared in disbelief. All through the break up, aside the time Christopher embarrassed himself at the bar, he hadn’t seen him have such outrageous outburst. He had bottled up so much inside of him and had been playing strong the whole time.

Guilt washed over Benjamin, he had no intention of causing a trigger in him. Raising his hands up in surrender. “I swear on my life man, I had no intention of hurting you. I was just asking. You never can tell what the future holds.”

“I know what the future holds and it is me becoming the CEO and treating every female that comes at me like the trash that they are.”

Benjamin was tempted to give his best friend a rash reply but he bit his tongue to avoid any further argument. “I am sorry.” He muttered.

Christopher’s phone rang as he sort to reply, the caller was his father.

‘Hey Dad.’ His voice came out as a grumble but he cleared his throat almost immediately. ‘How are you doing dad?’

‘Hey son, feeling the heat already?’ James crackled from the receiver.

Christopher tried to match up his father’s good mood. ‘How did you know dad?’

‘Because I have been there son. And I tell you this is the best decision you have made so far. Finally, you have become a responsible man, taking the most crucial step which is getting married. I am so proud of you son and I wish you many years of happiness and joy in your union.’

Christopher rolled his eyes. ‘Thanks Dad. I really appreciate this.’

‘You are always welcome son. So… are you ready?’

‘Yes dad.’ He checked himself out.

‘You should be the first to arrive at the registry, it would be unheard of that a Crawford gets late to his own wedding.’ James chuckled.

‘I won’t be late.’ Christopher replied.

‘Alright son, see you soon.’ Jane’s disconnected the call.

Christopher let out a deep breathe. “For Christ sake would you all let me rest at least.” He blurted out.

All of a sudden he snapped his fingers at his friend. “How about the rings?” It had almost skipped his mind that he had asked Benjamin to get him some nice and expensive pair of diamond rings.

“Trust me man, I got you covered.” Dusting himself, Benjamin stood up as he adjusted his suit. “It’s your day isn’t it? Let’s get this done with!” He said and walked out the door.

“I can’t wait to get this done.” Christopher muttered under his breath.