On vodka, beers and company

Conrad's POV:

Right after Meredith drove me out of their house, I was devastated. I have never felt this way before and I have no one to call. I've messed the wall I built all these years by opening to my mother who acted on my behalf. Meredith's reaction when she learned that it's my mother making sure Billy would never get in our way was understandable. And so, I drag my wounded heart into one of my properties in SoHo and wait for Andrew to show up to replenish the alcohol I consumed in the small bar.

"Sir?"

"Hmm, took you long." I mumbled. "Did you get me what I told you to get me?"

"Yes, sir. But why?"

"Sit...sit..." I was feeling light headed now. Which was good because I really need a listening ear who doesn't have a fat mouth. "Join me."

Andrew haven't seen me like this in years.

I figured that I won's satisfy the pain that I feel inside brought by Meredith's rejection. I need to go to a bar. ot just a bar, but an upper-class and elegant, unlike the clubs I frequented in the city, and Andrew had been extremely strict about which bar to go. As if he could stop me. His only choice was to come with me or let me go out on my own which was higlhly unlikely.

I need to relax. To see young ladies. Not the ones we kidnap. But those who would come to me because I am Conrad Knight. Contrary to what Meredith thinks, I can get whatever I want without my mother's approval. I know I had to deal with her and the feelings I have for her tomorrow, but atleast, I had fun tonight.

Andrew is already working the room with champagne and dragging me behind him like a pet puppy. I am completely out of my depth in this scene. I’m doing my utmost to act relaxed and casual about being here. I know the owner and I told her I need a woman. Andrew wanted to stay sober and alerted my other men who arrived shortly but were acting like they don't know me at all because that will break my cover. They are there for additional security purposes. My business caused me to have more enemies than friends in the underworld.

A young woman so stunning walked in with Miss Sofie, the owner. She's the age of my mother and she made her pass on me years ago to no avail.

“Conrad, honey. This is McKenzie. She swallows and she's very talented in other things.” She giggles, leaning in and whispering something provocative in my ear before pulling back and running a finger down his tie. Most men here wear expensive suits and good tailoring, and everyone reeks of money. "Are you sure your companion doesn't want a piece of heaven?

Andrew shakes his head, "Nope. Thanks."

"Your loss."

“Well, hello there.” I scan her features, McKenzie is tall and blonde but not close to Meredith. She extends a hand to me, kissing the back of mine when I connect to shake it. Uncomfortable immediately, my gut is saying something is off in this whole scene, but then I’m not a beginner in whore houses. I’ve avoided most charity events my family attends and prefer New York’s more urban nightlife to social niceties by the upper crust.

“Hi. I will give you a good time." She purred.

I smile briefly, pulling my glass in front of me to fold my arms across my chest and my eyes rest on the hint of cleavage she has on show. McKenzie is almost wearng nothing, an overly revealing dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. Classic cheap hooker ensemble. I have been on a downer since I called Andrew this afternoon, and spent a long-time mulling everything. I hoped coming out would make me feel better, but I feel dead inside. Somehow, Meredith made a dent in my carefully perfect and pre-planned life. Though she told me she's just cancelling dinner---to me it was more than that.

She's dodging my calls. I fear that she is really severing my connection to her and it’s killing me inside like I’m half of a person.

“Hey, do you like to party?” McKenzie moves in closer, leaning into me as Sofie slides past her to talk to another man behind in the crowded bar and leaves me alone. I have zero interest in McKenzie, she isn’t even that charming, like Meredith and I want to move on out of here. But I had to wallow in my self pity first.

“I used to, I guess. I’m trying to tone it down nowadays.” I try to maneuver myself a little space, but she leans in further so I can feel her breath in my neck.

“Oh, that’s a shame. There's a private party tonight, and I would love to see you on the list.” She smiles in my face, the stench of booze hitting me hard, and I try not to visibly gag.

“What do you mean list?” I frown, raising my voice to be heard over the crowd as Sofie seems to cut back in.

“Come on now, you two. No one seems to be getting drunk!” Sofie pushes herself between us, turning to catch the bottom of my glass and pushing it up against my mouth. “Down, down, down.” She chants with a smile, forcing me to gulp down most of the glass in one go. I almost choke with the effort as the liquid comes up before running back down my nose because of the rapid intake. I cough violently as I try to sniff it away painfully, screwing up my face with the effort. Sofie grabs my glass and immediately thrusts another in its place.

"Hey, that's enough." Andrew butts in.

"What are you? His mother?" Sofie retorted.

“No, really, I’m trying to …” I protest, but upon hearing her say the word mother, I took the offer.

“You need to loosen up, honey. You’re stiffer than a board, and we need to work on that. I’m not trying to get you smashed, just merry drunk, so you can chill out and have a little fun. Trust me; I’ll take good care of you. We are friends and I know your people are here..” Sofie raises an expectant eyebrow, smiling widely as I eye her warily. My head tells me to relax and trust her, but my gut tells me to get out of there and go home. I know this is probably the last place I should be tonight while trying to prove to Meredith that I am more than meets the eye and that my mother is not the one in charge of me. they can trust me.

I place the new glass to my lips, vowing I will only have a couple, and then cradle anymore she tries to pour down my throat. I don’t want to go home, she will be there waiting for me. It would be another story if it was Meredith waiting for me back home. I’m beyond all that and know that alcohol will only blur everything.

Unfortunately, McKenzie's face seemed to merge into Meredith's. Fuck it. At this rate, I should be hating her. She is the only woman who told me that I am a mama's boy indirectly and as a man who worked so hard to escape that----she hurt me bad.

But it doesn't matter because I like her. I like her so much!