Chapter 1 - Mr.Soap

Present

22 March 2019 , 5:45 P.M.

Mason's P.O.V

"I'm sorry Mr.Bryan, but what the hell is this?!" My client dropped the craft I made for his apartment on my desk. As I could see, he wasn't happy with the results.

"I don't understand, Mr.Soap. Is there anything you didn't like about the plan?" I asked as kindly as my nerve system could let me to.

"Oh... oh nooo no." He suddenly spoke calmly and laughed alrighty. "I was just testing you, how would you react." After that comment, I laughed in relief and confusion. Relief because this Soap dude is paying me a shit ton of money to get his apartment done. And I really need the money... being a successful architect this days is difficult. You can get lots of money only if your name is well known to the world for your work of course. And I'm still quite far away from that...

From other hand I laughed in confusion because I tried to figure out if he was just being sarcastic and he is actually disappointed at my work.

And ladies and gentlemen, the results came out by the time he hit his hand hard against my desk. Not a single hehe followed after that but pure silence.

Yep... he was pissed.

"I have no time for games Mr.Bryan." He said as calmly as he could. I took a deep breath and pushed myself to be professional no matter what he says. I almost got fired twice, so apparently.. I didn't have another chance. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, before going back at him.

"Alright then.." I turned the plan to face it he right way. "Where is exactly the issue?"

"There." My client, pointed at the whole craft. "The whole plan is the issue!" he placed his one hand on his hip. "When we had our first meeting, I asked for a modern plan. You said okay and we closed the deal for a modern plan I repeat! Not this garbage!"

"Haaa..." I sighed. "In case you forgot Mr.Soap, when we we're closing the deal I gave you a warning that it might not come out the way you wanted it. You asked me why and I told you that since the croft is too small for your ideal apartment, I warned you that there was a 20% chance to get it done the way you asked. You trusted me and you were the one that said okay," He rolled his eyes. "After scanning and counting the areas of the place...my plan was literally the best choice I could get!" I raised my voice slightly.

"What am I paying you for kid? Make it bigger!" After that comment, I officially started to lose my temper.

"You clearly know I can't do that, since there are families that live beside you and above you. I can't kick them out and make their apartments yours! If you want to get the apartment just the way you wished for, you will have to move into a bigger property. Which in that case I would suggest a penthouse, because as I can see, this is what your reference."

I could now officially feel the tension building up between me and my client. And no matter how badly I wanted to punch his face, I had to keep it professional because for the reason I mentioned earlier. The same reason could also get my name and abilities promoted. So I had to play his game.

I saw him fixing his tie while looking at the plan. He then looked back at me and rested his hands against my desk. "Are you THAT thirsty for money?"

"Not everyone has the same sense of thinking as you, Mr.Soap." He chuckled in irony and looked away. "Do you know who I am, kid?"

"And do you know who I am?" I asked back and took the plans in my hands.

"You're a nothing. Just another employee that tries to keep his counted cents in his pockets. Little you know is with one finger snap, I can have you out of the company."

I remained silent, since I didn't want to become violent with him. So I simply started to gather the crafts, and then I handed them to him.

"What are you doing?" He asked confused.

"I'm sorry Mr.Soap but since the result of my work didn't satisfy you, we should 'call off' our collaboration and get the result you desire from another employee." He looked at me amazed and slowly clapped his hands.

"Wow..." He paused and crossed his arms. "I am so amazed from what I hear, Mr.Bryan. And I thought your parents raised you wrong. You still have manners." He said low-key mocking.

'Did he just include my parents in this?'

"I suppose I was mistaken, thinking they are froward...since their son seemed to be this way just a couple seconds ago... am I wrong Mr.Bryan?" he asked smiling.

At that point, I've had enough.

I tossed the plans against his chest and his eyes widen open. "Wh-"

"Get the hell out of my office!" I yelled at him and his reaction was priceless.

"Excuse me?!"

"Take these before I shove them somewhere else!" I tossed the plans back at the door.

"You're kicking me out?! Your client?!" He yelled back.

"Yes and if you won't get out alone, you'll get out with four people under you! Get out!" I yelled once again and he walmed furiously towards the door, kicking the plans to the side. He gave me a death stare and got outside of my office.

I sighed as I sat down, resting my head on my hands.

"Asshole..." I muttered to myself before checking the window.

I know what I did was beyond rude... but when it comes to my parents and Rosalie...I literally lose control.

Mom... dad... her.. they all left me all alone...and all of that because of me. If I wouldn't choose to be blind and run away from the obstacles...they would still be alive...

And here I am right now...26 years old... no girlfriend, no stable house, no people around me... I'm all alone..

I sighed in stress as all these bad memories and self-blame started to come back again in my mind...

But luckily, a sudden knock at my door drove me away from my thoughts. I cleared my throat and fixed myself. "Come in." I said as I took a seat on my chair.

The door opened, revealing my childhood friend and co-worker, Steve. "Howdy, partner." He walked in as he was holding two cups of coffee. Steve is the only friend I have left since high-school. And I can say, he is my only REAL friend. Not to mention that he is the only person that knows literally everything about my past...because he was the only one I could actually trust.

"Hey man." I sighed as I rested my body on my extremely comfy chair. Steve placed one cup of coffee right in front of me.

"Seemed like you needed this coffee, so here I am." He sat down as well, holding his own mug.

"I sure needed it. Thanks." Steve gave me a look and frowned his eyebrows.

"You okay?" He asked, concerned.

"Do you want me to be honest or lie?"

Steve shrug his shoulder. "Whatever makes you comfortable enough." He said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Then no, I ain't okay." I answered, taking the coffee in my hand as well.

"I see. What's the reason behind it? Mr.Soap?" I stopped drinking and looked at Steve surprised.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"I saw him walking out of your office, and heading to the boss." He replied, leaving the mug on the desk.

"Fucking great." I complained as I stood up. "I'm fucked. If he will talk to Gonzalez I will be out of the company." I was walking back and forth as I was trying to enjoy my coffee at least.

"Why are you THAT nervous? What happened?" I stopped and turned to face Steve.

"Let's say he found my sensitive buttons." I replied, placing my other hand in my pocket.

A few seconds passed by and Steve rested his back on the chair.

"Parents, or Rosalie?" he looked at me at the end of the question. I took a deep breath and took another sip of my coffee.

"He said that they aren't as froward as he thought. Meaning that they raised me that way." I took a step closer to my desk. "Little did he know is that they are dead so they couldn't raise me anymore." Steve remained silent.

"And then what happened?"

"I lost my temper and curse him out." I replied and he sighed.

"Mason, it abreast happened twice for the same reason-"

"I know, I know. And in trying to fix it. I'm trying to move on from it. But I still need time."

"Look," Steve stood up and walked towards me. "It's hard. I know how much it hurts to lose the people you love the most....but it's been 10 years, brother. You kicked everyone else out of your life and you're now closed to yourself. If you continue living like this, when you have your whole life ahead you...you won't be able to take it man. I'm saying this for your own good."

I looked at him and then my eyes faced the ground. He was right..and he always tries to cheer me up, he tries to help me move on.

"I can't understand the situation you are in because I didn't felt that emotion of losing someone. I'm being completely honest. But if you really want to make them proud, you need to show them that you moved on. That you finally are happy and do the things you love." Steve completed as he placed his hand against my shoulder and got closer. "Don't you want that too?" I nodded in response.

"Do you think... they actually see me right now?"

"All the time." Steve said and he pulled away. "And I will only tell you one thing, partner." He started as he took the mug back in his hand. "People die once we forget about them completely. If we remember them and smile, they will always remain alive in our minds and hearts. But also be able to move on from them...no matter how hard was for us. We HAVE to." He completed, giving a weak smile.

"Alright...I'll try and... be nice next time." I said and Steve patted my back.

"I'm glad to hear that."

Just then, the door knocked. Steve and I pulled away and I fixed my shirt before saying "Come in."

The door opened... and I saw Mr.ShitSoap with my boss, standing.

"Bryan. To my office please." Mr. Gonzalez, my boss kindly asked.

That moment I realized one thing...

I am screwed...