Chapter 7

I showed Arden to his room. Leaning against the doorway as I watched him decide whether or not to unpack. I don't understand why he bothered, he was awful when it came to being organized. 

That suitcase would be dumped on the ground where it would stay for three days until he recalled that there was space underneath his bed. And he would dump it in there instead with all the contents still inside. 

" You know, I think I'll just unpack later, " he made a dismissive motion with his hand. 

" Oh, am certain that you will. "

" So, about what we talked about in the restaurant - "

" Don't worry about that, I understand you were still jet lagged. "

He looked at me as if I was the crazy one between us. The he shook his head, retrieving his phone from his pocket. 

" No, I was serious. And I need your help to find a wife. "

Could he hear himself talk? I wonder what they served him on that flight. 

" What do you mean you were serious? "

I walked into the bedroom. Crossing my arms in front of him as he settled down on the edge of the bed. 

" Look man, I already made up my mind. "

" When? "

" Twenty minutes ago while I emptied the wine bottle, try to keep up. "

Rubbing a hand on my forehead, I tried to think of something to tell him. A logical explanation as to why he was born without a brain. But I came out short. Even I wasn't that smart, which is saying a lot considering that I have two masters in Art. The plan was to become a psychologist, that was back when I was a teenager. Then I thoroughly rethought that plan. 

Why would I want to spend my life getting paid to hear other people's problems and acting like I a can actually solve them. The getting paid part was good. The other made me want to kill myself. 

" You're over thinking it, look Gabriel, it's actually quite simple. "

" No, it's bizarre, that's what it is. Who do you even think would want to get married to you? You're a psychopath. "

" No no no, "

He put his hands up to stop me. Shaking his head as if I had said something he wasn't aware of. 

" I'm a wealthy and attractive psychopath, that's basically every girl's dream. "

Yes, I thought, every girl that was raised by a rabid pack of mentally ill wolves. How could he not see how absurd his plan was. On no fundamental level would it succeed. Not to mention that it was just plain stupid. 

He sighed and put his phone down. 

" No, that won't work. "

I asked him what he meant. See, he was talking to himself now. I was starting to get worried that he was slowly losing whatever tiny fragment of his mind that was still left. 

" I was trying to find a girl online. But I'm not comfortable with that. "

" I think you're past the point to be complaining about what you're comfortable with. "

He looked up at me with that look. That look that reminded me that we had been friends for twenty one year's. And that it was my legal obligation as the idiot that had chosen to be friends with him to help him on every situation. 

Bloody hell! I hated that look. 

It was a male version of puppy dog eyes. Only more creepy and weird. And I could see where this conversation was heading so I shook my head and refused to take part in his insanity. 

" You have to help me! You've been here for a while, I'm sure you know some hot girls that wouldn't mind playing along with my story. "

" I do know some hot girls, But I can't remember any of them. " I honestly told him. It was true. I only associated with the female gender when I had specific needs to be met. And everything after that was history. And by that I mean I had no use for them. I was not even aware of any of their names. 

" Gabriel, " Arden said as he stood up. Leveling his gaze with me almost as if he was pleading. I had given him my advice, all he ought to have done was tell his father no and go on with his reckless life. " You HAVE to help me, I don't know what else to do. "

I blew out my cheeks, this was way more than I had bargained for. But I knew that in the end the outcome was inevitable. I would end up helping him anyway. It was impossible not to. I cared for him. 

And I also wanted him to stop looking at me like that, it was getting creepier by the second. 

" What if I make a good time out of it? " he suggested. I wondered where this new turn was leading. Those are words you should feel weary when they are spoken by Arden. 

" How so? "

He rubbed his hands together and his face brightened up. 

" Let's make it a game. "

" What kind of game? "

Now this I had to listen to. It was an old tradition of ours.We always found ways to make games out of almost anything. And I figured that it would not hurt to get some fun out of his stupid idea. 

" I get to pick any girl. It doesn't matter if I'll see her walking down the street or in the store. As long as i like her, I'll pick her, "

" And? " Well wasn't this interesting. 

" And then, you will have to convince her to marry me, "

" What if the girl you choose is already married? " 

He looked up. Finding reason in my question no doubt Then he simply shrugged and waved it off. 

" That's your problem, but you have to convince her. " 

Just who did he think I was. I could go to jail for that. Forcing some poor soccer mom to tie the knot with him simply because he was infatuated by her curves. 

" I don't think so, "

" What if I pay you? "

He knew me so well. Not that I actually need the money, like I keep telling you, I'm rich. And I know you're fed up of hearing me say that but you have no choice but to suck it up. It's true and I'll keep saying it. 

" How much? "

He pretend to be thinking. Then he told me to pick an amount. Now that was an offer I couldn't turn down. I decided on half a million. He could use the other half on his fake honeymoon. He agreed without a second thought. Then I asked him how we would go about it. 

" We don't. Like I said, I can pick anyone. And once I pick, you have to do the rest. "

This would be quite tricky. And I would probably just end up using the money he'll pay me to bribe a desperate girl into accepting the offer. But this was no longer a game. It was a challenge, and I would win. 

" Oh, and if the girl agrees but I don't like her, we'll just have to start all over again. "

" Okay, but you can only choose three times. No more, " 

That was my only condition. If I didn't set it then he would most likely choose through the entire Seattle population before he landed on a girl he actually liked.

" Fine then, it's a deal. "

We shook on it. We had two weeks to find him someone desperate enough to agree to his offer. And then we had to teach the girl everything we could concerning him. He was already working on a story about how they met. 

Poor girl. 

" I'm glad you agreed. Now I have someone to blame if the plan backfires, " he said while patting my back. And I threatened to lie to his whole family that he was gay if he refused 

" You're free to do so. It's not like they'd believe you. "

" They will if I tell them that we are a couple, don't forget that your parents were always concerned about the amount of time we spent together. "

He shook his head and laughed. His parents were basically like the ones I never had. I used to spend most of my holidays in Russia with them because my own had forgotten to pick me up from school. 

They had raised us both into the respectable men we were. 

And yes, I was definitely joking about the respectable thing. But the point is, his parents took over the task of caring for me when my parents were too busy caring for the actual dog they had bought. 

" Hey Gabe, "

" Yes? " 

Arden smiled as he looked at me. 

" I'm really glad I came, "

I could see that he meant the words. No matter what happened between us we would always be close.

" I am as well. Now how about we go find you a wife. "

He laughed and led me out the door. We decided to eat and catch up some more first. Then we would begin our hunt. I just hope that whoever he chose would not be someone that got on my nerves. Wasn't this going to be quite the adventure. 

I couldn't wait!