Chapter 4: Brief

At the party...

ROMEO: Bro....ain't no cheap thrills here. You gotta admit, it was worth a wait.

IVAN: ( Excitedly moving ahead of them and picking up a glass of wine from the waiter) I told you guys, trust my instincts.

COLLIN: ( Looks around and notices Tracy at the other end) Tracy's here too.

PETER: Seems she's not alone. There those two love birds next to her. They look pretty rich too.

IVAN: ( Without looking) let love flow. Get yourselves someone here too. Only one trick...act richer hehe.

COLLIN: ( Looks at the couple next to Tracy and notices a familiar face) Hey Ivan! That face looks familiar to you right? And I know you had already noticed when we came in.

PETER: ( Looks at the couple too) Sure it does. And looks like she's looking at you Ivan.

IVAN: ( Looks back plainly and then away. He sips turn of wine and continues to walk off) Hmmm

Meanwhile, Treasure stares at the boys frustratingly and frees herself from Roy. On noticing this, Tracy moves away from the two and towards the boys. Romeo notices her her coming.

ROMEO: ( Pats Ivan on the shoulder, who in return... turns plainly) She's heading this way. Knowing her, she might want to cause trouble. Should I speak to her? ( Ivan sips another glass and smiles)

IVAN: ( Happily) Of course. Be a man.

ROMEO: She's coming for you bro, not me.

IVAN: ( Even more happily) Then I'll be a man.

HARRY : ( Sighs and rubs his hair) Here we go.

TRACY: ( Upon reaching them, she looks at Romeo then speaks) What a coincidence. Four years and we've met again. What are you guys doing here, mind me asking?

ROMEO: Spoiling money

TRACY: Is that so?

HARRY: Why? You're here too aren't you?

TRACY: It's where I belong. Where people like us belong!

ROMEO: You don't look at Ivan?

IVAN: ( Sarcastically) She wouldn't dare! ( Smiles, looking at her anticipatingly) Would you?

TRACY: ( Angrily) You've never changed. Arrogant as ever.

COLLIN: ( Quickly interrupting the moment) How have you been Tracy? Long time no see.

TRACY: Well enough till now!

COLLIN: Too bad we didn't come for you. At least not yet.

TRACY: Hmmm.....I ain't that cheap!

PETER: And yet poor quality.

IVAN: ( Looks at Peter) You stop that.

TRACY: Why would he? It's what you'all do.

IVAN: We were once friends. But now you hold beef.

TRACY: It's good you know.

IVAN: Yeah I now know. ( Comes closer to her) We had such nice memories together sometime back. But you're willing to throw all of them away? Can't say I didn't see it coming. I mean it's how you rich kids drill. So if there's nothing you want to say to me..... I'll be heading off. ( He turns to leave)

TRACY: ( Angrily) She loves you no more!

IVAN: ( Emotionlessly, without turning) I know. Neither do I. Whatever happened years back was only us growing. Now we're mature. No need to cling onto the past.

TRACY: ( Tears dropping from her eyes) Really? Is that what you think? You think doing all that shit and keeping her company for all those years was just you growing. Tell me why you're such a self centred jerk....huh? Tell me....You.....( Before she could get carried away, someone held her back gently and touched her mouth. It was Treasure. Meanwhile, Ivan did not turn to look back)

ROMEO: Treasure!

HARRY: Treasure?

TREASURE: ( Gently) Am sorry for disturbing you. My friend is so troublesome. Hope you don't take it to heart. ( She then looks at Ivan softly, who doesn't look back still)

COLLIN: Of course not. We...( He is interrupted by Ivan)

IVAN: ( without turning)This place is starting to bore me. I think we should leave . ( Before he starts to move, Roy holds his shoulder).

ROY: ( Looking at Treasure, then at Ivan) Hey. Don't you think it's only right to return politeness for politeness?

ROMEO: ( Holding and pulling off Roy's hand from Ivan's shoulder) And who are you to assume that?

ROY: Oh...so rude of me. I am the young master of this place, that's to say, my Father owns it.

IVAN: ( Turning for the first time to look back, but keeps his eyes away from Treasure's. As she releases Tracy, Ivan speaks up) Remarkable. You indeed look classy. But you must have the wrong Idea here, I didn't respond to your girlfriend coz she actually did nothing wrong. None of the two did. And another thing, if you hold me again without consent....I'll beat you up. Thanks for the hospitality, we'll be leaving now. Guys...we can can leave.( Ivan, Peter and Harry gently walk off to the exit and out of the party. Romeo and Collin stay behind)

COLLIN: ( To Roy) Mind giving us a moment with these two please?

ROY: ( Looks at Treasure and Tracy) Sure thing. ( Roy walks away from them and heads for the counter)

ROMEO: ( looks at Tracy)Was that necessary?

TRACY: ( Looks at Treasure, who eyes are stuck at the exit where Ivan passed. Then back to Romeo) Yes it was. I hate it when one does not show any sign of remorse. He didn't even look at her. How is that supposed to make her feel?

ROMEO: Is that so? ( Looks at Treasure passionately) Is that how you felt?

ROMEO: ( Hesitatingly)....Y-E-S! ( She looks at Romeo, then back at the exit again)

COLLIN: ( To Treasure, but softly) He meant no harm Treasure. He's just not figured out how to approach you yet. I know him well. And I know you understand the situation.

TREASURE: ( Turns to look at Collin, and smiles softly) I do.

ROMEO: How is she? ( Smiles gently at Treasure)

TREASURE: ( Smiling back at him) She missed you, alot

ROMEO: Oh.....I missed her too. I'll get sometime and drop by. Just have to gather the courage to. And you?

TREASURE: ( softly) I want to see him. Face to face. I have a lot of questions for him.

ROMEO: ( Smiles widely) He knows that! You're now here. You guys will eventually talk...and he'll answer everything.

TREASURE: Yeah. Hope so.

ROMEO: ( Curiously) Have you enrolled in any school yet?

TREASURE: Yeah I have.Olives International

ROMEO: Oh okay. You're in for more surprises. The five of us will be there too.

TREASURE: ( Anxiously) Ivan too?

ROMEO: Yeah . Him inclusive( Romeo suddenly notices a change in Treasure's moods. She appears happier and more comfortable)

TREASURE: ( Happily) Oh....okay. ( Tracy looks at her friend's sudden change in moods. Her old friend had actually been displayed once more after such a long time.)

TRACY: ( Holding her cheeks happily) I really missed that face, that smile. ( Then to herself) This is what these guys are failing to understand, what makes her happy, what make her comfortable.

COLLIN: ( Interrupting the moment by clearing his voice) Ah, Tracy. Do you have some time to talk, later today?

ROMEO: Later today?

TRACY: ( Aimlessly looking at him) I thought you said you weren't here for me? Sudden change of mind?

ROMEO: ( To Collin) Later today has plans. You guys shall talk some other time.

COLLIN: Shit...I almost forgot

ROMEO: You did forget

TRACY: That's fine with me. He has nothing much to say.

COLLIN: That's harsh. You don't know that

TRACY: Don't think I need to know.

ROMEO: Hmmm. ( To Treasure) Am really sorry we had to meet up like this. The environment is giving....but not the situation. Is there anything you want me to tell him?

TREASURE: Yeah, just send back my greetings. Oh! ( She takes off a light blue jade bracelet and hands it to Romeo) On the sixth of this month, It'll be my birthday. Take that to him as my personal invitation. If he wears it, he'll come. But if he doesn't, that will mean he has turned down.

ROMEO: ( jokingly) And us? Won't we taste the cake?

TREASURE: ( With a gentle smile) Of course you will. How can forget the four of you.

ROMEO: ( With a deep sigh) ...he might want to make things hard you know. But he's the most understanding guy I know.....so I'll try convincing him okay?

TRACY: ( he better doesn't disappoint, or he shouldn't ever appear in public again. ( Looking at Collin) and neither should you!

COLLIN: ( Pulling Romeo so they can get going) You know I rarely disappoint

ROMEO: (To Treasure) I'll be in contact with you soon.( Looks at his phone) Today is the thirtieth, in six days time, we'll be at you door. I promise. ( Treasure nodds in agreement with a beautiful smile as they make their way to the exit ) On reaching outside, they look among the luxurious cars, the head to their car. In the car, they find Ivan playing games while the other two are sound asleep. They then enter the car and there's a weird silence. Then Romeo speaks)

ROMEO: (To Ivan) She says hi

IVAN: How is she?

COLLIN: ( Inserting the keys into the car) She wants to see you.

IVAN: But she did

COLLIN: ( Looking at the tunnel Infront and starting the engine) You know what I mean Ivan!

IVAN: I'll think about it

ROMEO: See what I was saying. He's here acting tough again.

IVAN: Huhhh....this topic again

ROMEO: Bro seriously? You should have seen her reaction when I told her you were joining her at school

IVAN: Ahhh...bro....marry her if you like.

ROMEO: Seriously?

IVAN: I gat no business with her anymore. I'll see her whenever I want.

COLLIN: ( To Ivan) Yeah! And that's going to be very soon.

IVAN: ( Calmly) When? Her birthday? I have programs that day. Her boyfriend will attend.

COLLIN: (Looking at Ivan and smiling) Hmmm. You never seize to amaze me Ivan. ( Then to himself) I actually knew you wouldn't disappoint. Since you remember her birthday, just proves you still care. That's a green flag for her.

IVAN: I think our business is done here. We can leave.

Collin starts the car and they head off back to their crib