Chapter 58

Alice had no clue what kind of brainwashing was coming her way. She spent the whole class daydreaming and didn't even realize she sent a voice message to David.

As soon as school let out, she grabbed her stuff and dragged Esme out of the classroom.

"What's up?" Esme asked.

Alice replied, "I need a drink."

Esme's face shifted a bit. She slung her bag over her shoulder and asked, "Why the sudden urge to drink?"

Alice looked at her with a sad puppy face. "Isn't it 'cause you reminded me about my crush on David, and how he doesn't like me back?"

"Alright, let's go get a drink," Esme sighed, realizing it was kinda her fault.

They headed to their usual bar. It was pretty chill at this hour since the place only got busy around nine.

They snagged a private booth. The bartender brought over some low-alcohol drinks. Esme grabbed a grape-flavored one, popped it open, and started sipping it through a straw like it was juice.

Alice slumped against the sofa, legs up on the seat, a cushion behind her back. She looked totally bummed out, sinking into the sofa like she was in a fog.

The music in the hall was smooth, making the vibe even more of a downer.

Esme propped her chin, biting the straw as she watched Alice. She couldn't help but laugh at Alice's drama. "Is it really that bad? It's just David. How about this? I'll find you some hot guys. Whatever you want, just name it, and I'll hook you up."

Alice glanced at Esme and said softly, "I want hot guys."

"Huh?"

"Like David."

Esme looked at the glass bottle in her hand, wondering if she could use it to smack Alice and if she'd win the fight.

In a few seconds, Esme gave up the idea and slumped back on the sofa, feeling bummed out herself.

"David's a no-go. How about Felix? Sure, he's 11 years older, but he's way better than David. He's sweet, thoughtful, rich, and good-looking. Not a bad deal, right?"

Alice said, "Then you go for Felix."

Esme was speechless.

Felix was too old; she couldn't handle that.

Taking a couple of sips of wine, Esme said gloomily, "I like younger guys."

Just then, Alice spotted a familiar face in the hall. She nudged Esme. "Look, a younger guy just walked in."

Esme's eyes widened as she looked toward the hall. When she saw the red suit, her mouth twitched. A name popped into her head, and when she saw the face, it matched instantly.

"No," Esme said flatly, "he doesn't count."

Alice said, "Then your guy might still be in high school. Give it up."

At that moment, James noticed Alice and Esme in the corner. He ditched the woman he was with and walked over to them.

"Out of school already?" James glanced at his fancy watch to check the time.

As soon as he spoke, Alice and Esme said in unison, "None of your business."

'What the heck! Did I piss them off?' James wondered.

James hesitated for a moment and looked at Alice. "Did David chew you out?"

Alice glanced at him and rolled her eyes.

James looked at Esme. "Did your boyfriend dump you?"

Esme was livid. "I don't even have a boyfriend! I'm single! Single!"

James looked at Esme with disdain. "Stop yelling. You want the whole world to know?"

Esme lunged at James to fight.

James pulled his hands out of his pockets and grabbed Esme's hands, lifting them up. No matter how hard she tried to hit him, she couldn't.

"With that weak sauce, you think you can take me on? Dream on, girl," James smirked.

Esme laughed angrily and glanced down at his crotch.

James caught on quick and let go, stepping back just as Esme's foot shot up, barely missing him.

"Alright, alright," James raised his hands in surrender, "I'm outta here. You two have fun."

He headed upstairs and vanished around the corner in seconds.

Esme ordered some snacks to go with their drinks and settled in with Alice, munching and sipping.

"Look, out of the three Tudor brothers, who do you like the most?" Alice asked, eyeing Esme.

Esme was cautious. "If I say David, will you hit me?"

Alice replied, "Nope."

Esme sighed in relief. "Then it's David."

"Why?" Alice pressed.

"Felix is cool, but he's too old. If he were a few years younger or the same age as David, I'd go for Felix. Felix is super gentle, while David's all cold on the outside but fiery on the inside. And James? Total playboy, not even worth mentioning," Esme explained.

Alice was quiet for a bit. "If a guy younger than me and your dream type showed up right now, who would you pick? He or David?"

Esme sat up straight, puzzled. "Why are you asking me this? What's your angle?"

Alice said, "I just wanna know if starting something new would help me get over David."

Esme replied, "David gave you a black card, and you wanna be ungrateful like that?"

"Do you even know what a black card means? Should I spell it out for you?" Esme asked.

"No," Alice refused.

"In our circle, a black card is a big deal. Not everyone gets one. Sure, rich folks have them, but not everyone with a black card is rich. The fact that David has one means he's not just anybody. And he gave it to you directly; I don't need to say more, right?" Esme pointed to herself. "My dad has a black card, but he usually uses a regular bank card. The black card is for my mom. Get it?"

Alice said, "So you're saying, to David, I'm special? Not a wife, but someone who can have his black card?"

Esme patted Alice's shoulder and said earnestly, "Don't be down. You haven't even tried to sleep with David. Why are you looking for a new boyfriend?"

She might never get to sleep with David in her lifetime.

Esme meant to tease Alice, but then Alice suddenly got up and walked to the bar. When she came back, she had two bottles of strong liquor in her hands.

Esme's smile froze. "What are you doing?"

Alice glanced sideways at Esme and opened the bottle cap with a blank expression. "Drinking."

When David got home, the housekeeper was cooking, but Alice hadn't returned yet.

When the housekeeper finished cooking, David stood in the living room, looking pissed.

The housekeeper stood aside, unsure whether to leave or stay.

David checked the time.

Six-thirty.

His face grew even darker.

Looked like he needed to get a copy of the school schedule from Oliver.

"You can go home now. Don't come back for the rest of the month. You'll still get paid," David said to the housekeeper.

After the housekeeper left, David grabbed his coat and headed out.

When Felix got David's call, he was having dinner with a client. He stepped outside to take it.

"What's up?" Felix asked.

"Is Alice with you?" David said.