THE GOOD LIFE

JOSH

I was standing at the classily designed terrace of my penthouse, in my favorite designer robe, sipping on a glass of one of the most expensive wines in my collection and to have ever been produced, the 1992 Screaming Eagle Carbernet. 

Once that rich and velvety texture with notes of dark berries hit my tongue, I couldn't help but get mesmerized by the taste.

I looked up at the bright morning sky, of which the sun basked me in its heat and its rays illuminated my skin gloriously. I also had a great view of the lively and splendorous New York.

I looked down at the boisterous happenings below me. Vehicles zooming off, vendors out and proclaiming their products to prospective buyers, and officially dressed folks marching off to their places of work, hoping to arrive on time.

I smiled at the state of the average man, whereas people like us couldn't be caught dead involving in the eager hustle and bustle of the intermediate class or the working class.

 "Ah, te voilà" (Oh, there you are), came a tender and purring voice from behind me and I smirked before turning to the source. Posing seductively at the sliding doors, and even more seductive in her black lacey underwear set, was a tall, shapely slender and incredibly sexy French blonde supermodel I'd hooked up with last night. 

I couldn't remember her name but I met her at an exclusive party I'd attended last night at one of the biggest clubs in New York. 

I wish I could go into details about how it all went down with this French beauty in the sheets, but that information was classified, sorry. (Wink).

But one thing I could let you in on was that she was amazingly exuberant, and probably the reason why I was having a glass of wine so early in the morning instead of a cup of coffee like a normal person would. 

But I'd like to believe that I was having it this way because I wanted to and because I could, just as I could do many other things without any limitations. Besides, who said I was a normal man? (Wink).

"C'est vrai magnifique, maintenant donne ce joli petit cul à papa très vite" (That's right beautiful, now get that pretty little ass to daddy real quick), I came in my virilely deep voice, arms positioned comfortably on the glass balustrade as I beckoned on her with my fingers, my eyes hazy with lust. 

Though not as much as hers as she heard my command and instantly obeyed, strutting towards me, her lush and plush locks bouncing with every step and her bottom lip sucked in between her teeth. Damn I loved women, I was sure you could already tell. 

When she got to me, I couldn't help grabbing her ass, lifting her up where she wrapped her legs around my waist and then we jammed our lips together in a rough make out session like our lives depended on it. 

After we disengaged our lips, we were breathless, smiling at each other. "Le vin?" (Wine?), I asked her, picking up my glass. 

"Oui, mais je veux plutôt le goûter de ta bouche" (Yes, but I want to taste it from your mouth instead), she purred and I smirked. Then I gulped down the entire glass whiles looking into her deep blue eyes, before taking her lips in mine again and leading us into the penthouse. 

I guess it was safe to say that I loved my life because I could get whatever and whosoever I wanted. If I wanted to go to about 10 countries right now, I could. I could spend millions of dollars in a day and it wouldn't leave a single dent in my bank account. 

I've had women from several parts of the world. I was the most adored and desired by the whole of New York and one of the top 10 most young and richest men in the US. 

I was the life of the party as I hosted the biggest parties and also, there was never any big event without my presence.

I guess you must've been wondering whom the hell I was. Well, I was the famous Josh Carter of the reputable Carter family, as well as the billionaire heir to the Carter heirloom. 

You thought I was a big shot because I was a famous billionaire already, (chuckle). Just you wait until I get my inheritance, my family's vast fortune and then I'd be a god with the world as my footstool.

•••

I was laughing like I'd been given an anaesthetic. I swear if my grandfather, Monroe Carter wasn't known for his successes in the world of real estate which led him to become the top multi-billionaire real estate mogul in the country, I would've bet he made his money off comedy. 

"Wow grandpa, that was funny. Do another one" I came still laughing. "I'm serious Joshua" my grandfather came in his slightly shaky though stern voice showing his earnestness. 

Woah, he called me by my full name, which I fucking hated by the way. It was damn serious now.

 I couldn't help but stop laughing immediately and then sat up properly from my carefree sitting position on one of the chairs in my grandfather's lavish bedroom, searching his perfectly aged face for any dubious characteristics. 

Grandpa wasn't much of a joker but he was getting old and could probably say some crazy stuff out of nowhere. And that I hoped was the case right now.

"So what do you say son?" "Grandpa you can't be serious, I can't get married" I stated as a matter of a fact, feeling perplexed.

"And why not?" He asked with a casual shrug. "Uhhhh, because I'm not ready." 

He exhaled, "Then I guess you're not ready for your inheritance as well" grandpa came and with his automated wheelchair, he turned and began moving. I sprung up and followed him.

"What the fuck grandpa!" "You will not address me in that language or tone young man!" he came sternly as his wheelchair turned to me, that he was facing me.

"Was it Elizabeth? Did she put you up to this? What did she tell you this time huh?!" I yelled as I banged my fisted hand on the table. I was so mad right now and confused as to why this was happening. 

"Look, I might be old but I can't be easily persuaded by anyone or anything, except it's a really good business deal. I make decisions based on what's good for this family as well as our legacy Joshua.

I'll be gone soon and I need to make sure everything is left in good hands."

I laughed in unbelief, unable to comprehend everything as I paced about. "So what does me having my inheritance have to do with me getting married huh? I'm only 26 years old and I've still got my whole life ahead of me. I can't get married" I replied, saying the word 'married' like it was the most disgusting thing to have ever been made to happen.

"You need to be a man and learn responsibility and commitment son as those are the things you lack. You spend money recklessly on parties, women, alcohol, irrelevant vacations and other expensive junk without a single thought for substantial investments, because you think of no one else but yourself and have no one closely to keep you in check.

You're always reported to be involved in scandals which bring disgrace to the family name.

You're so aloof with the company as you've decided to do things from the sidelines without being integrated in the business. It's not just about making orders because there are people to work, you have to be an example by showing your commitment son. But instead you've chosen this carefree lifestyle that will only lead you to ruins.

In as much as you've been made to acquire all I've built and worked so hard for, I still can't trust you with all of it. With great power comes great responsibility son and I fear that I might be making a big mistake leaving everything to you.

You're better than this son, I've seen you do better. Anyway, the first step to proving you're accountable and competent enough to be given your inheritance is by finding yourself a wife or else, your brother, Spencer would have to be the heir."

"But that's not fair at all!" I yelled, hitting the table once more. "And Spencer, is not my damn brother!" I added, seething in anger. Suddenly it was like I was out of air, I couldn't breathe, I had to get out of here. 

I found myself walking towards the exit with my grandfather calling for me, though I paid him no mind. Right now my head was in a frenzy, I was in a mesh of unpleasant emotions. I was sad, mad, confused, suspicious, and the list just went on. 

I got to the double doors and when I opened them up I was met with Elizabeth, my step mother. Her eyes gave off something, they were jeering at me as the corner of her lips curved up in a triumphant smirk.

I seethed my teeth in anger as my fists tightened, what the hell was she doing here now?

"I've arrived sir Monroe, how're you doing today?" She announced and brushed past my shoulder walking in, her heels clacking rhythmically, exhibiting her sophistication and poise. But behind all that, was a grand manipulator.

I couldn't help but scoff out a laugh at her actions. "Ah, Elizabeth. You came to check up on me again" grandpa stated with a fond smile on his face and she finally got to where he was. "But of course, that's what families do" she answered, turning to look at me, obviously trying to mock me again and I sneered at her.

"And how's Spencer, our best-selling author doing? I heard he's now working on a biography with Elon Musk. He's doing good." 

"Yes, you know I often tell him to write a biography on himself but he refuses, saying he's not up to that stage yet and would rather just serve others" came Elizabeth.

Grandpa chuckled and at that point I found myself walking away as I wasn't up for the whole energy I was getting right now.

"Oh Spencer, such a humble and dedicated young lad. He sure would make a great leader some day" grandpa's voice echoed out and I just couldn't help but grit my teeth at that. 

Spencer was just as manipulative and contemptible as his mother and I wasn't gonna let him have my inheritance.

AUTHORESS

After Josh had left, Monroe Carter looked on at the doors with an expression of concern. 

"Why suggest he gets married before getting his inheritance? You know he's just gonna find some random bimbo to present to you right? That boy's obviously not ready to settle down, he doesn't even wanna be a CEO. He just wants to inherit everything else, the money, the estates, the lands and the rest of them" came Elizabeth as she walked towards a chair and sat majestically. 

Monroe Carter smiled at that, "Hopefully everything goes according to plan, we need our old Josh back" he came, still looking towards the exit and so did Elizabeth, with an indifferent expression but with a malicious glint in her eyes.

JOSH

I drove my gold-plated Mercedes Benz down the freeway in ultra speed like an angry racer. Usually a drive like this calmed me the fuck down but it wasn't working this time around.

 The more I thought about all grandpa said, the more mad I got. He wanted me to learn responsibility and commitment and thought the best way was to force me into marriage? I couldn't help but laugh at that. I wasn't even fond of dating.

Grandpa and his weird ideas, yeah he said the aim of this already, but I couldn't help but think there was something deeper he stood to achieve, that was if he could actually stand at all.

I thought and laughed at my dumb joke, okay Josh that was unnecessary. But on a serious note, I couldn't help but wonder what damn game that old man was playing this time.

I thought about what he said about me not being committed to the company and he was right. I didn't think I'd ever want to put myself in that situation anymore, not after what had happened because of my foolishness, I thought I had everything under control but I guess I was wrong. 

It was all my fault and I regret ever trying to be the perfect boss. 

Before I fell into that depressive hole again, I had to focus on the goddamn issue right now, finding myself a wife. I laughed at how ridiculous it was for me to think of that and thought of how I was gonna go about it. 

I had gotten to a street and slowed down on my driving. It was at the point that I stopped and was waiting due to the red traffic signal that I just turned to the side, where I was met with and was suddenly dazed by the most beautiful sight to have ever graced my eyes.