2| Hangover

┏━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┓

Hangover

┗━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┛

Chapter 2: Hangover (Spencer's POV)

I groaned as the sunlight poured through the window, blinding me in my sleep. "Shit," I sighed, rolling onto my back and draping one arm over my eyes. I let out another groan before taking a few breaths, trying to ignore the hammering of my head. It genuinely felt like someone was taking a hammer and nailing something into the back of my head.

I sighed and let my arm drop to my side before I slowly squinted my eyes open. I checked the time on the clock that was up on the wall first. Noon. Great, I mean it's not like I have anything to do anyway. I rolled over to my nightstand and found a pack of Advil on it with a post-it note stuck to my nightstand.

Take the medicine before coming down for breakfast.'

Must be from Ms. Sunny, the head of staff and housekeeper of this place. She was the housekeeper of the palace before I moved here and she helped my mom raise Nico and me, but when I moved out of the palace and here to this castle, she said she would quit her job unless I brought her with me. And I couldn't let her quit, because she doesn't actually have anywhere else to go. She was the same age as my mother, and she was hired after she ran away from her wedding. So she doesn't quite have a home or any family.

I stuck the note back to the table and grabbed the glass of water she left with it. I took one pill and drank it down before leaving the rest on the nightstand as I got out of bed. I walked to my closet and took out a black t-shirt, pulling it over my head. I walked to the door and stopped with my hand on the doorknob. I tilted my head in confusion, trying to remember last night.

Didn't I go back into town without telling anybody? How the hell did I get back?

I opened the door and went downstairs, into the dining room. I have an entire long, rectangular dining table here, even though I eat at it alone. There's a ballroom here, even though it remains locked and unused. There's a huge library where I read alone too. Because there's nobody else here in this haunted castle of mine. Nobody but me.

I sat in the chair I usually sit at, at the head of the table, and waited for breakfast. I rested my elbow on the table and held my head in my hand, trying to gather my scattered memories of the night before. I remember sneaking out and driving myself. I remember roaming around in the car, looking for a nice bar or restaurant where people wouldn't recognize me or simply be too busy to do so. I remember that waitress, what was her name? Devin? Daisy? I think it was Daisy.

I jumped when my tray was slammed down in front of me. I let out a sigh and looked up at Ms. Sunny.

"Morning," she said coldly.

"Morning," I mumbled, looking at the tea. It looks different. I glanced at her before taking a sip, almost spitting it back into the cup. Not only did I burn my tongue, but it was the most bitter tea I've ever had. "Ms. Sunny, what is this?"

"It's Kuding tea."

"What happened to my regular tea?"

"Oh, it's there. We've got plenty of teabags left."

"Then why the poison?" I huffed.

"It helps the heart, body weight and it prevents brain malfunction. I thought you could use it, considering what you did last night," she scolded, hitting the back of my head.

"Brain malfunc—" She hit my head again and I shut up, grinding my teeth together. "Ms. Sunny!"

"You were very reckless, Spencer! Somebody could have seen you, you could have gotten robbed, hurt, or murdered!"

"Why would I be—"

"I'm talking!"

I sighed in defeat, leaning my head back.

"You drove yourself out of your estate, down to Everton, and got utterly wasted!" She glowered at me.

"And? I had a moment," I shrugged.

She raised her hand as if she would slap me. I stared at her blankly as she let it drop. She huffed in frustration and sat down in the chair beside mine.

"How did I come home?" I asked, eating the scrambled eggs and toast.

"Mr. Neil came to get you."

"How?"

She sighed, "He convinced a friend to come here and give him a ride back into town. He walked to the bar you were at and picked you up." Mr. Neil is the chauffeur around here, not just for me but even for the rest of the staff. Whenever the staff wants or needs to go into town, he's there to take them, even though he resides here. He also has no family. Goodness, why does nobody from my members of staff have their own family? "You! Are you even listening to me?" Ms. Sunny stood back up. She hit my head a few times.

I groaned, pushing her hand away. "I have a hangover and you're making it worse," I gritted.

"Hangover? Yes, you have it because of what you did. And I'm making it worse? Good, you deserve it," she scolded. "What were you thinking?"

"I was hungry and you were taking too long to cook since you don't know how to do it," I smirked.

She sat back down with a pout.

"I went down to Everton to get myself some dinner. But I just ended up going to a bar first and getting drunk. Then I got hungry again and looked for a different bar which served good food. And I don't remember anything after that." I resumed eating and she watched me carefully.

"You don't feel sick, do you?" She put the back of her hand to my forehead.

"I'm all right," I replied, eating another bite. "How did Mr. Neil know where to find me? Surely he didn't wander around Everton looking for my car."

"We got a call."

I frowned. "A call?"

"It was a girl. She must have worked at the bar you were at. She called and informed us that you were drunk and passed out, so she requested somebody come to retrieve you. That poor girl," she sighed. "Mr. Neil said she was the only employee still there. She waited till you got out safely before leaving. Have some shame!"

"I would if I remembered it," I mumbled, finishing the toast.

"Your father is coming today."

I stopped chewing and stared at the plate, my fork clattering against it as it slipped out of my hands. "Why?" I clenched my jaw once.

"He called and said he needs to speak to you. He's bringing Nico, so at least you won't be alone with him," she sighed softly.

"Tell them not to come, especially today when I have a hangover. One that's strong enough to make me lose my sanity and kill them," I smiled, stabbing the eggs.

"Spencer," she warned. "Nico doesn't know."

"He's not stupid, Ms. Sunny. He knows. I know he knows," I mumbled, pushing my plate away.

"Just meet them and get it over with. You'll be free from it."

"Yes, until they decide to come bother me again, right?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "What time are they getting here?"

"Soon. You should get dressed."

"I am dressed."

"Spencer," she complained. "You look like a mess and it won't be of any help if they see you like this. Get dressed and get your act together, hmm?" She gathered the dishes and picked up the tray, leaving with it.

I clenched my jaw, hitting my first on the table a few times before standing up and going back to my room. I grabbed a pair of trousers with a black button-up and then went to shower. I took a quick shower and dried myself off before getting dressed. I got to my room and pulled my shoes on before taking a look in the mirror.

It's just once, it's just for an hour or two. I'll just listen to their bullshit from one year and throw it all out through the other. It can't be that bad.

I got downstairs and saw that they had already let themselves into the lounge room. "Spencer," they greeted in sync.

"Why are you here?" I asked bluntly, tucking my hands into my pockets. "A warning would have been nice."

"If we told you in advance, you would find an excuse to not be here," my father replied.

"Or you'd make sure we couldn't be here," Nico sighed.

"Hmm," I nodded. "Precisely, because I don't want to see you. But you're here, so spit it out and please be on your way out. I don't want you here."

"It's a long chat we need to have. Let's sit down." My father sat in the seat while Nico sat beside him.

I worked my jaw and sat on the couch, crossing one ankle over the other knee.

"This castle is yours, Spencer, because your mother left it to you in her will," my father stated.

"And?"

"And she also stated in that will that..." Nico trailed off. He couldn't say it.

"That you can only live in it once you're married," my father said, shooting Nico a stern look.

"It doesn't say that anywhere in the will," I replied.

"It does," he argued.

"It doesn't," I shot back. "I've read that will a dozen times and nowhere does it say that I cannot live here on my own. It only states that I'm free to live in it after I'm married, but nowhere does it say that I cannot live here before I have a wife. You're twisting the words but I'm afraid it doesn't work that way."

My father smiled, leaning back. "Why don't we ask a judge or a lawyer?"

"Who? Somebody you bribe to work in your favor so you can take this castle from me too?" I lifted a brow. "I left the palace, I stepped down as prince."

"That doesn't mean I could step up," Nico bit in. "I'm older, it should be me."

"You're free to take over, Nico. I'm not the prince of Everton anymore."

"It's funny you say that because the people only seem to listen to you," he huffed in frustration.

"It's not my fault our father made such a mess. He's the reason the citizens hate you both, not me. Everybody has their suspicions about you two, you can't blame me," I smirked. I could tell my words were hitting Nico right where they should, he was getting riled up.

"We only came here to warn you."

"Go ahead then, father. Amuse me."

"You should get married, Spencer. Or we have every right to challenge that will and take this castle from you."

I dug my fingers into the armrest. "Do your worst."

"Don't worry, we will," he grinned. "You have three months." He stood up with a sigh while fixing his tux. "Find a bride and get married. If you don't, we'll be here to take this place."

"Because it's rightfully ours," Nico added, standing up too.

"Funny. That's not what the will says whatsoever. The will says—"

"The will says if anybody can take this castle from you, it's your grandfather. He's dead, Spencer. Don't you remember?"

"He's alive," I gritted.

My father sighed, stepping closer to me as I stood up. "He's been in a retirement home since your mother died. He's lost all his memories, what do you think the court would decide?"

I ground my teeth. "Why don't we wait and see?" I asked. "For the time being, get the hell out of my house."

"Gladly," he smiled, turning to leave. "Let's go, Nico."

Nico lingered for a moment. "Come on, man. Why are you ruining my life?" he whispered.

"You have no idea what it feels like to have your life ruined," I scoffed. "Get the fuck out, Nico."

He rolled his eyes and turned around, following our father out. It's what he's always done. Followed our father. Even that night, he did just that.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 2

Okay but Ms. Sunny and Spencer's almost mother-son duo >>

next chapter: desperate