Please, just a little

It was the long awaited Fredrick Lopez, the aloof business tycoon, at the bar with his secretary Max, and a client who is eager to partner with him.

"Mr Lopez, I'm grateful you found it worthy to meet with me despite your social and financial status. I've always admired your work. It would be an honor to partner with you." Mr Zach said.

"What qualifications do you have, Mr Zach?". Fredrick asked, sipping his glass of wine with pride.

"I know that I don't really have at least for now, but…"

"I've told you severally that your company is not up to standard, I can't invest in a company that's going bankrupt". Fredrick scolded, with his brows furrowed.

"Mr Lopez, that's why I need your help. I'm sure once you sign the contract, the company will rise again, please don't reject my proposal". Mr Zach pleaded.

"Fine, I will sign the contract, but if your company doesn't do well in the next three months, then I will withdraw all cooperation". Fredrick said.

"Deal!". Mr Zach said enthusiastically.

"Take, I've signed the contract". Fredrick said, handing him the signed contract.

"Thank you so much Mr Lopez, I will not disappoint you". Mr Zach said with a smile while giving Fredrick a handshake.

"Alright, we are done for the day. You can leave now".

"Thank you once again". The man left happily with his two bodyguards.

"Sir, are we heading back now?".Asked Max, Fredrick's secretary.

"Let me just take a little wine before we head back". Fredrick responded.

"Sir, you know quite well that your system can't handle alcohol, even if you take a little". Max said.

"I've been avoiding alcohol for years now, after the previous experience with it, I just want to know if my system has adjusted a little to handle it". Fredrick insisted.

"Alright Sir, please just a little".

"Okay. You can join me if you wish".

"Thank you sir, I will pass".

Fredrick ordered the bartender to get them a glass of wine.

Meanwhile at the stairs, the music was playing loudly and people were dancing and having fun, unlike downstairs which was not as noisy as upstairs.

A long time friend of Martha was holding her birthday and because she was from a wealthy family, many dignitaries graced the party. Martha too was at the to have fun and share in her joy.

"Hello mom". Martha said, trying to excuse herself from the crowd.

"Where are you?". Madam Theresa asked through the phone.

"Mom, I told you that I will be attending a party tonight, and the party has just started". Martha said to her mom, while adjusting her makeup at the restroom mirror.

"Oh I forgot. In that case enjoy yourself and don't get drunk, you have no one there to look out for you". Madam Theresa said.

"Alright mom, kisses.  I love you".

The call ended and Martha kept her phone inside her handbag before continuing to adjust her makeup.

"I really look good tonight. I just wish I could see Fredrick Lopez with this beautiful look". Martha complimented herself.

"Alright I'm done here, time to party!". She said to herself and headed back to the party ground.

At the ground floor, Fredrick started drinking more than usual and began to show signs of being drunk.

Max looked concerned and exchanged a worried glance at him.

 "Sir, I think you are getting tipsy," Max said.

Fredrick's speech becomes slurred, and he starts making jokes that fall flat.

Max confidentially tries to intervene, suggesting that it might be time to call it a night.

"Sir please it won't be good for your reputation if you get drunk here. People are watching and you know your return has not been made open to everyone". 

"Let them watch Max, I don't give a fuck". Fredrick said sluggishly. "You know Max, it feels so good to get drunk, you will forget what people think about you". Fredrick said while savoring another taste of the wine.

"Sir, when you get to the villa, you can drink as much as you want please not here. Your reputation will be dragged to the mud". Max pleaded while trying to grab Fredrick's glass of wine from him.

Fredrick waves off Max's concerns and orders another round of drinks.

The situation escalates as Fredrick's behavior becomes more unstable, drawing unwanted attention from other customers in the bar. But it was fortunate that people didn't recognize him because they only saw him on television.

Max frantically tries to figure out a way to help his boss without causing a scene.

Lucy at the other end was already tipsy, the bartender that served her got concerned because she knew that Lucy wasn't in a good mood and she didn't bring anyone with her that will assist her when she's drunk. The bartender walked up to her to tell her to stop drinking.

"Miss, you have had enough already, please don't drink anymore". The bartender said with a concerned look. 

Lucy heard her and started laughing uncontrollably. While trying to stand up, she staggered and the empty bottle of whiskey fell off.

"How dare you tell me what to do. Can't you see I'm having some fun here? Lucy yelled, as she was staggering. "Right now my name is worriless. Now I understand what people always say. When you are drunk, all your worries and sadness goes away". She added as a strain of tears ran down her cheek.

The bartender was left in a confusion, she wondered how she would assist Lucy in her drunken state.

"Miss what really happened to you?". The bartender asked worriedly.

"Nothing happened to me, does it look like something happened to me?". Just then Lucy started sobbing.

"The pain is still not going away, I don't feel better at all". Lucy said.

"Can you share it with me?, maybe you will feel better after sharing it with someone". The bartender tried showing concern.

"I lost my parents, I'm left with no one to care for me, my parents betrayed me. They want me to stay alone in this world". Lucy said amidst sobs.

"I'm so sorry about that. Our situation is kinda similar. I also lost my parents years ago. That's why I'm here today working in this bar, trying to make a living. Please take it easy on yourself, with time all your wounds will be healed". The bartender tried to convince her not to drink anymore.

Meanwhile, upstairs where music was still playing loudly, Martha was dancing, obviously enjoying herself. Until a man with a scary scar on his left cheek walked up to her and offered to dance with her.

"Hello beautiful, come let's dance together". The man said while trying to flirt with her.

"Get your hands off me, you ugly monster". Martha responded angrily.

"Don't play hard to get because anyone I show interest in, I will definitely have her either by crook or by hook". The man said, smiling devilishly.

"What?!. I will call the security on you if you touch me again". Martha warned, flinging away from him.

"The securities here are my subordinates, so don't waste your time". 

After this statement by the man, Martha became scared, she ran out immediately towards the ground floor, the man smiled slyly.

"If I were you, I wouldn't waste my time running, because you can't run from me".The man murmured to himself before bringing out his phone to make a call.

"Hello boss". A dangerous voice answered from the other side of the line.

"Keep your eyes on her, and don't let her get away, understood?".

"Yes boss".

As Martha ran towards the ground floor, finding a means of escape, she sighted a familiar face. She slowed her pace to get a closer glance to be sure about who she saw.