"Oliver, this graph is not legible!"
Oliver rolled his eyes at his father. "My responsibilities in the firm have really downgraded. Two months ago I was managing meetings and creating agendas. Now you're making me create graphs?"
Ed sighed in disappointment. "I have lost faith in you. I know your break up with Nora was tough but your work has dropped in standard. Showing up late to meetings, sometimes not even showing up at all- it's like you think you can do whatever you want."
"That's not true-"
"Do you need more time off, Oliver? Is that it?"
"Dad, it was just a graph! You're overreacting!"
His father clenched his jaw and pointed his finger at him. "It wasn't just a graph. It was a test and you failed. You need to get it together. I'm ready to give you as many responsibilities as you want but I don't think you're ready, son."
Oliver scoffed. His father was really getting on his nerve. He just barged into his office and began to berate him. Did he really think Oliver wasn't ready? That was bullshit!! He could probably become CEO by the end of the week. Oliver was good at his job. So what if he was late to a few meetings or messed up a few graphs?
"I am ready-"
"You were ready. I don't know what happened but lately your work has really downgraded."
"Dad-"
"This isn't a suspension. We'll tell everyone you took a vacation. Take a week or two. Clear your mind. Stay off the drugs and alcohol. Oliver, you're a genius when you're sober!"
Oliver lips flattened in disapproval at what his father was saying. It was all nonsense. It was just another excuse for his father to pick on him. But a paid vacation did sound tempting...
"What about the deal with Nour Pharmaceuticals? It's huge! You need me here."
"Right now, all you need to worry about is your health."
Ed walked up to the tall window overlooking Manhattan's sky scrapers. He watched the New York skyline in silence for a minute as Oliver sat awkwardly at his desk, not knowing what to say or do.
Eventually one of the secretaries scurried in urgently, interrupting the silence. "Mr Scott, you have a phone call," He paused, after sensing the tension in the room. "I can tell them you're busy but it is quite important..."
Ed sighed and shook his head. "No, it's fine. I'll take the call from my office."
As he was leaving the office, he took one final look at Oliver. There was something sad in his eyes. Disappointment. It made Oliver feel a myriad of emotions. He felt queasy and angry and nervous and ashamed and he would have done anything to make his father stop looking at him like that.
"Please, son. Please take some time off."
Oliver nodded slowly. "Okay."
"And stay off the drugs and booze."
"Okay."
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Oliver yawned as he popped open his second bottle of pinot noir. "I can't spend my week off like this," He sighed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Charlie nodded in agreement, taking a long drag from his vape. His arm straightened and pointed at the TV, flicking aimlessly through the channels. "We should go somewhere. Leave this damn apartment. No offense."
"None taken. It sucks here."
"Right?! Plus it can't be healthy to spend our days watching TV and smoking. We have to break the routine."
Oliver blew a raspberry as he brainstormed places they could go. Nora used to love Italy. Or they could go to Florida; that was where he and Nora went on their first date. Or Thailand, where Oliver and Nora spent their two-year anniversary.
"What about Vegas?" Charlie chirped after a few minutes of silence.
Oliver had only been to Las Vegas once when he was sixteen. Nora had organised the trip for her, Oliver, Madeline and Spencer. It was only a weekend getaway but just those forty eight hours proved that anything could happen in Vegas. Anything.
His father's words echoed in his mind. "Stay off the drugs and booze." However, teetotalism and Vegas seemed almost oxymoronic. How could someone go to Vegas and not do a few shots and white lines?
"Vegas actually sounds good. I can probably get the Scott Corp jet ready for tomorrow morning."
Charlie licked his lips as he took a swig from his root beer. "I should probably just warn you that I may have to sell in Vegas."
"Sell?"
He sighed and nodded. "I got these new pills that I need to sell. Only problem is that the people in our social circle don't like to experiment. Most of them come from old money whereas it's the nouveau riche that really like to try new things. And where is the first place the nouveau riche go when they strike gold? Vegas."
"Fine. Just promise me we'll get to spend some time together."
Charlie paused, his lips lingering over the bottle he was about to drink from. His lips contorted into a subtle smile as he made eye contact with a now blushing Oliver.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Charlie laughed and shook his head. "No reason. And yes. I promise you that we'll get to spend time together."
Oliver rubbed his hands together. The two of them in Vegas would no doubt cause chaos. It was going to be epic.
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The next morning, Oliver and Charlie were in the air, en route to one of Vegas' many private airports. Oliver had booked the penthouse in The Lotus, one of Las Vegas' biggest hotels. And, ironically, it was most likely going to be filled with lotus-eaters, like him and Charlie. People that were there temporarily to clear their heads and escape their worries by indulging in a few games of chance. Perhaps this wasn't what his father wanted for him to do during his week off. But it would still benefit him and his work ethic. And, Oliver planned to binge everything during his time in Vegas so that when he returned to New York he could finally put an end to his bad habits. No more drinking. No more cocaine. This was going to be the last time.
"This sushi is amazing," Charlie chirped, stuffing a rainbow roll into his mouth.
Oliver nodded in agreement, picking off the caviar with his chopstick and placing it in a napkin. He hated caviar. Aside from that, he had to agree. The food was very good.
"I think the last time I was on one of the Scott Corps jets was when I was thirteen."
"Woah. That long ago?"
"Yeah! I think I just tagged along with you and Spencer to one of your boys' trips. We went to Cali, remember?"
Oliver did remember. It was one of the only times he and Charlie hung out when they were younger.
"Why did we never hang out when we were younger? I mean we did but barely. I get that you're older than us but only by two years."
Charlie shrugged. "Lots of reasons. I was always travelling, especially after I finished high school. Plus, I'm sure Spencer didn't want his messy older brother with him whenever he went out."
"Actually, Spencer used to get really upset when you left. He looked up to you. He still does."
Charlie chuckled sardonically. "Oliver, I'm a mess. He literally has no reason to look up to me. In fact, I think he was better off without me."
"I don't know.... I think, because your dad walked out on you guys, Spencer would get especially hurt when you would leave to go on your grand voyages. He really loves you."
Charlie became quiet, his face becoming more solemn.
"It's good that you're back," Oliver added, a bit more quietly this time. "We can make up for lost time."
Charlie smiled at him before taking a sip from his champagne. "I can't wait."
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Guysssss all I'm going to say is chapter 8 and 9 are..... wow.