The Boys

Gregory's wet chest glistered with the glow from the sun. He glided smoothly out of the swimming pool and sat comfortably on the lounge chair, turning to Maxwell who was lying on one of the chaise, a sun shade on his eyes and a glass of wine.

"Oh Max, how I love this place, I can't even begin to explain it." Gregory said, pouring some wine into the empty glass placed on a side stool beside his chaise.

"I know, man, it is a home away from home. Somewhere you can run to and hide comfortably without the hassle we face every other day at work." Maxwell replied. "Believe me, Drewers remain one of the most beautiful and serene location in the whole of Palverase." he added.

"I agree." Greg said, leaning his back on the chair as he sipped from his glass. "I'm thinking of bringing my children down here whenever Nelson visits. Or I'll just bring Angelina and we can come again when Nelson visits. She rarely have time for herself and her boyfriend, oh, that boy is just too calm. He can't even hatch a plan and kidnap her to some fun place. I mean, take her away from work for a few days. That's what romantic lovers do." He complained sadly.

"Angelina has a boyfriend?" Maxwell asked laughing.

"She said he's just a friend." He shrugged. "But the boy has feelings for her. You won't look twice to notice that. But you know Angie...."

"Well, congratulations to you, man. I don't know a thing about Becca's love life. Just the ones she tells me and so far, she hasn't told me anything about her relationship. I've been dying to know, but, nothing from her." Maxwell lamented.

"You have to ask her. Don't keep silent, ask her man. They won't tell you of their accord."

"I did, I asked. But she said she's not with any man yet. So, I let her be. Don't want to be in her matter all the time." Said Max. "This Angie's boyfriend, you know him?" He asked.

"I met him twice or thereabouts. She keeps introducing him as a friend though." He said scratching his head. But you know you can actually run a check on Becca's love life if you wanted."

"Nah, Gee, it's not worth it. That would mean prying into her privacy and believe me, it's so not worth it. I'll just let her be and hope she tells me when she's ready." Max tapped his friend gently on the chest. "Gosh, Gee, that's some thickness there. Do you sleep at the gym now?" He added, touching Gregory's bare chest once more.

Greg chuckled shoving this friend's hand away. "It's called dedication and determination. I have to look good for my outfits. I can't afford to be lazy with my health." He added. "And why did you ditch the gym, what happened?

Max laughed. "I can't kill myself. Have you seen the intense exercise routines those gym instructors expect us to do? I can't even try those. Potbelly isn't such a bad thing. Do you know how many damsels fall for this beautiful physique of mine every single day? As long as I have enough pretty little ladies to have fun with, I'm all good." He said sipping his wine merrily. "Six packs ain't some food or money. Nobody really care."

"Whatever helps you sleep better at night, Max. At least Becca is a fitness freak, even with her extremely busy schedule. I guess she's repping both of you." Greg said with a smile.

"Oh man, Becca! Becca, my darling daughter. I'm so proud of that girl. In fact, I'm proud of our children. Angie is out there working so hard and breaking boundaries. I saw her on news-org the other day and I couldn't help but smile like a proud Godfather." said Max.

"I'm glad our kids didn't get too comfortable with all the wealth surrounding them. It's good to them hustling so hard to make names for themselves."

"You don't say, Greg, very responsible lads. Determined and focused." Maxwell added.

"I agree. The kids are really trying. Although, it scares the hell out of me when Angelina make those big decisions and take bold steps. I find it hard to see her beyond my little girl."

"Hmm, It should scare you, my friend. Their dreams are so big and wild. That is the only way it can make sense. If it doesn't scare you, then it's not big enough."

"Does it scare you too? I mean, Becca is so successful. She own one of the biggest high street fashion brands in the world and as young as she is, she's already breaking boundaries all the way from North Pacific! Does it not scare you at all?

"More than ever, you have no idea. I pray every day that she doesn't fall in love with some irresponsible man that will end up ruining everything she worked so hard for." Maxwell said as both friends stared at their cup in silence aware of what was going on in each other's mind.

"But I'm a proud father." Maxwell said, slicing through the silence. "There is nothing as beautiful as having kids who are innovative, smart, and creative."

"Hmm, let's make a toast to that." Greg said, raising his glass, but was interrupted by the sound of his phone. "It's Angie." He mouthed to his friend as he picked up the call.

"Hello sweetheart."

"Hey daddy, good afternoon." Angelina's soft voice sounded from the other end of the phone.

"Good afternoon to you too. How are you today. Is everything okay?" Greg asked.

"Yes, everything is great. I've tried calling several times, but your line wasn't reachable. You're not home, are you?"

"Who is asking?" Greg threw back at her with a smile.

"I am. You are out with uncle Max aren't you?"

"What's with the questions, or should I say interrogation. I'm out having fun. Is there a problem that I'm not aware of?" He asked with a knowing smile, but got silence as an answer. "Well," he continued. "We went swimming. But I'll be home soon. Do you wish to pay your old man a visit?" He asked pleadingly.

"I'm just checking up on you. Making sure you're safe. Again, you are not old Daddy. You don't look it one bit, not with those toned muscles of yours. You can pass out for a hot model in his early thirties. I even have someone I'd you to meet. She's nice, calm, super intelligent and gorgeous. You ha....."

"You want to set me up on another blind date?" Greg interrupted, catching Maxwell's attention.

Max turned to him, stifling a laughter. He tried to create a picture of Greg on a blind date with some lady, and it made him laugh even more.

"A blind date is not such a bad idea. You will like this lady. I'm assuring you. She is such a nice person." Angie tried convincing her father.

"So, we're way passed Aunt Pauline now? No more, 'give aunt Pauline a chance?' He asked.

"It's obvious you don't see my Godmother in that light and I can't keep forcing her down your throat. So, I've decided that it's okay to try someone else." Angelina chuckled.

"Let's talk about this over lunch tomorrow, baby." Greg attempted bargaining, seeing it as an opportunity to spend some time with his daughter.

"D.a.d.d.y" Angie called, empathetically laughing out loud. "I know what you're trying to do, but that's fine. If seeing me tomorrow will make you listen to my offer, then I'll be home by two. I'll stay until evening because I have a sip and paint date with Valarie later in the evening." She ended.

"Valarie. That's your new flatmate, right?

"Yes."

"You know what? Why don't we eat out? Just the two of us at a fancy restaurant and maybe you get to tell me about your boyfriend?" said Greg with a smile.

"I should have known that you have an ulterior motive." Ashley said laughing. "Maybe I'll invite a friend, Gloria. You're yet to meet her, she's an amazing....."

"Another lady you want to force down my throat?"

"Come on daddy, you make it sound so bad. Do you want me to come tomorrow or not...."

A pause followed. "Fine, if I could survive through the other one, I can survive this one." He sighed.

Ashley chuckled sweetly. "And no boyfriend talks, Dad. I told you already, I don't have a boyfriend. I promise to tell you when I have one. Okay?" she pressed.

"Okay sweetheart. I'll be ready to listen when you're ready to tell."

"Thank you." she whispered. "Say hello to uncle Max. You boys should take care of each other." she added.

"Yes ma'am. Although I'm the one taking care of Max at the moment. You know how much of a baby he...."

Maxwell grabbed the phone from him before he could finish.

"I'll take care of him, honey. You have nothing to worry about." He spoke into the phone with a giggle.

"Uncle Max!" Angelina called excitedly.

"My pumpkin." Max called back.

"Please take care of yourself as well." she added.

"Definitely, and you too. Bye now, my sweetheart."

"Bye uncle," said Angie before ending the call. Maxwell handed the phone back to Gregory with a childish grin.

"You didn't even ask if I had something else I'd like to say to her. Really, Maxwell! Oh,The heart of man." Greg joked, placing his phone carefully on the side table. He stood up and went to the pool bank.

"Gee, your body has turned to a real work of art. At this point, you should be named the King of hearts because, with that body, you will steal the heart of whoever Angie is setting you up with." Maxwell complimented.

"What can I say man, I need to be serious with my health." Said Greg. "And I can't even believe Angie wants to set me up with some lady." Gregory chuckled. He looked up at Maxwell who was stifling a laughter. looking at each other, both friends burst into actual laughter.

Gregory's phone rang again. He picked it up almost immediately.

"Hello."

"Hello, good evening Sir. This is Owen Wilbert from ZED Agency. You asked that I call you by 5:00pm sir."

"Oh, yes I remember. Mr. Wilbert, I remember quite all right. How are you?"

"I'm very fine Sir." Owen replied.

"Alright. Do you by chance work on Saturdays? I'm packed up during the week and I have little space that I can comfortably squeeze you in this Saturday."

"Usually, I don't sir. But I can make an exception."

"That's beautiful to know." Gregory said. "I'll be at the Coastal Inn tomorrow by three o'clock. If you can make down tomorrow, we should be able to sort everything out." He offered.

"I'll be there Sir. Thank you so much for your time and patience."

"Thank you too Mr. Wilbert. It was nice talking to you again. Let's do this some other time. Bye."

"Bye Sir."

The call ended and Maxwell gave him a quizzical gaze. "Some ad company that is neck bent on running a promotion on the new business. The young man wants to use the opportunity to prove himself to his Boss and I just want to help him. That's all." Gregory explained.

"The Good Samaritan. They should rewrite that passage in the bible and add your name to it."

"Now wouldn't that be fine."

"Delusion." They laughed.