HOMELESS
A thick fog of exhaustion and hangover clouded his mind, lingering from the wild shenanigans of the previous night. Ashton Black was left with nothing but a dull, empty feeling as he realized he was now completely penniless and without a place to call home.
He had nothing left. All his material possessions were gone: the house, the car, and his so-called friends who used to attend his lavish parties drink his expensive alcohol, and indulge in gourmet food. But now that he was living on the streets, Ashton saw the truth - those people were never truly his friends. Even his gold-digging girlfriend had abandoned him.
Eddie Black - Ashton's father was the youngest son in his family, and after his grandfather passed away, Eddie inherited the family business 'Black and Sons.' But Eddie's trust in his own siblings was shattered when they betrayed him and abandoned the company that he had worked so hard to build. 'Black and Sons' was once a thriving business that Eddie took great pride in, but now he found himself homeless and without a place to work. Despite his dedication to the company and its employees, Eddie was ultimately cast aside and left with nothing.
When Eddie's childhood best friend Clark learned of the difficult situation he was facing, he immediately offered his shelter and support. As a friend who had never missed a single birthday or Christmas celebration, Clark's offer meant everything to Eddie. The warmth of their friendship and the unwavering loyalty that Clark showed was something Eddie cherished deeply, especially in this moment of need.
The cab came to a stop with a screech of tires and a puff of exhaust. The driver turned around in his seat and said, "We have arrived, Sir."
Eddie patted his son's shoulder and said, "Ashton, it's time to go." The twenty-two-year-old reluctantly paused his game on his phone and looked up at his father. When he followed his father's gaze, he saw the tiny two-story house nestled behind Eddie.
The house had a quaint charm to it, with its white picket fence and colorful flower beds lining the walkway. The windows were adorned with curtains made from vibrant fabric, adding a touch of personality to the otherwise simple exterior.
"Let's go inside," Eddie said, leading the way up the front steps.
Ashton's disappointment was evident as he turned to his father and asked, "Is this where we'll be living? In this dump?"
"Ashton, if you'd rather stay at the budget motel, you're more than welcome to leave," his dad said as he opened the car door.
"He's my best friend. He embraced us when others turned their backs. He extended a helping hand when no one else did and welcomed us into his home with open arms. So stop complaining and help me grab our belongings from the trunk. Let's go."
Ashton let out a groan, stretched his shoulders, and stepped out of the taxi. Eddie Black stood in front of the door, taking a moment to gather himself before he finally pressed the small doorbell with a deep breath.
Clark flung open the door, a wide smile spreading across his face as he caught sight of his long-awaited friend. His eyes shone with excitement and anticipation. The warmth in his heart could not be contained as he stepped forward to greet his friend with a strong embrace.
A piercing scream tore through the air. The source of the scream seemed to echo from upstairs. It was a sound filled with raw fear and desperation, causing all three men to jump in startled surprise.
"Is she alright?" Eddie said with concern.
"Dad! There's a spider in my room and it won't stop staring at me!" Emily exclaimed in fear.
Clark rolled his eyes. “I apologize, Eddie and Ashton. Please come inside. Please feel free to make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a moment." He hurried up the stairs to tend to his teenage daughter.
With a creak, Eddie and his son stepped through the front door of their home. The air inside was warm and inviting, wrapping around them like a comforting hug.
The scent of freshly baked goodies filled this cozy space. They kicked off their shoes and sunk into the plush sofa, feeling at peace in the familiar surroundings. As they settled onto the couch, Eddie couldn't help but smile, they were simply happy to have shelter in this little slice of heaven.
"Dad!" Emily cried when Clark burst into her room. The young girl's face was filled with fear. "He crawled under my bed."
“Calm down, Emily. It's just a spider.” Eddie strolled into her room, where Emily was lying on her stomach on the bed, watching the spider's movements intently.
"They have fangs, Dad. They bite. Some are even poisonous." She said, her eyes widened with fear.
Her father quickly grabbed a tissue from the bathroom and used it to catch the spider. He then walked over to the window and carefully released it outside. "There, my dear, you've been saved," he reassured her.
“My hero,” she exclaimed. “Thanks, daddy.”
"Hey Em, Eddie is here with his son Aston. Clean up a bit and then come downstairs for dinner," her father instructed.
"Dad, I can't stay for dinner. It's Michelle's birthday today, remember?"
"Okay, well before you leave, at least come say hi."
"Fine."
~*~
Eddie and Clark sat at the kitchen table, in a deep conversation their voices carrying outside in the living room.
While Ashton was lounging on the plush living room sofa, engrossed in his phone, scrolling through social media.
When his ears perked up at the sound of heels clicking on the staircase. He tore his eyes away from his phone and saw a pair of shapely, sun-kissed legs descending gracefully.
The smooth tan skin seemed to glow in the light, drawing his gaze upwards from her heels to her toned calves and finally to her slender thighs. He couldn't help but be impressed by her flexibility, evident in the way she moved with fluidity like a ballerina or dancer.
A small spark of attraction ignited within him, piquing his curiosity about this mysterious girl.
His heart raced with anticipation as she descended the staircase. The sounds of her footsteps echoed against the wooden steps, each one causing him to sit up a little straighter.
The young girl was dressed pretty in her red mini skirt and white crop top, revealing glimpses of her flat stomach and tiny waistline. Every movement she made was graceful and alluring, from the way her hips swayed to the bounce of her full breasts.
Ashton couldn't help but study her lean-looking figure, admiring every sensual curve and perfect line of her body. His eyes traced up to her chin, then lingered on the corner of her mouth, taking in every detail of her stunning beauty.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs and turned around the corner, he couldn't deny the overwhelming feeling of desire that washed over him.
She was not just beautiful, but undeniably sexy as well.
He couldn't believe that a place like this could hold such a treasure.
As he looked at her, thoughts and theories brewed in his mind. Now at least something will keep him entertained in a shitty place like this--he thought to himself.
~X~
