Chapter 1492
After graduation, one became a lawyer and the other a judge, and with their lines of work, they still saw each other fairly often.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
During the four years he was apart from Jamie, Ben often met up with Caden for drinks, finding it a small comfort for the ache he carried. Their friendship ran deep, and lending some cash was no big deal. "Alright, I'll just come out with it. Could you lend me $20,000?" Caden asked. "But I'll need it in cash. Let's meet at the bar tonight, and you can bring it with you."
"Why cash? A transfer would be a lot easier." Ben's curiosity was piqued.
After a pause, Caden explained, "It's for my grandma. She's in her eighties, doesn't read, doesn't have a phone, and trusts cash only. I owe you one, buddy."
"Alright, old place tonight," Ben agreed, thinking he could use a drink himself.
He withdrew the cash from a nearby bank, placed it in a small paper bag, and drove to their usual bar. Over the years, he had come here often enough to be familiar with the staff.
The moment he walked in, a woman in a fitted dress carrying a drink approached him. "Mr. Lucas, good to see you! We just brought in some new cocktails. Would you like to try one?" "No, thanks." Ben didn't even spare her a glance.
Undeterred, she moved closer. "Well, what about a fruit platter on the house? And if I'm not your type, we have some new girls here tonight, each with their own unique charm. I can set something up for you."
Everyone in the place knew Ben's
reputation. As the eldest son of the
Lucas family, he was wealthy
beyond measure. If any of the
women could get his attention, it would be a gold mine.
Ben stopped in his tracks. "I said no. Is that not clear?"
"Understood," she replied reluctantly, watching him walk away, a look of frustration on her face.
She had dressed to turn heads, and every guy in the bar noticed her, except Ben. She couldn't help but wonder which woman had managed to hold his interest.
Ben made his way to a secluded booth, where Caden was already waiting, surrounded by an assortment of beers and spirits.
"What's going on? Looks like something's bothering you." Ben grabbed a beer, downing it in one go.
Caden ignored the topic and went straight for it, "You dive into drinking the second you get here. Still hung up on that ex of yours? Women aren't rare, man. Why cling to Jamie like she's the last one on
Caden wasn't alone in his thinking. Every one of Ben's friends agreed Jamie was the one who had been lucky to date him. Sure, she was pretty but Ben had the whole package. He was handsome successful, and wealthy.
Jamie didn't know how good she had it, and she had the nerve to leave him. Why waste time on someone like that?
"It's been four years. Of course, I'm over her," Ben said, denying his feelings to save face.