KING

“Hey, you never know when opportunity may strike.” Ariel had always wanted to start a little family of her own. She’d done that, of course, but it hadn’t gone as planned - she’d ended up a single mother who didn’t know who the baby daddy was, but she wanted something more than that. She was almost never respectful when it came to speaking to others, but it only felt right to call Maxim sir when she spoke to him - besides, she personally found it to be kind of hot. But she couldn’t say that, of course. “It’s pretty nice, but I got tired of it pretty young. I always wanted to move to New York and have my own life up here, y’know? Most of my family lives there, though I do have a few relatives in the area,” She said with a smile. “It’s definitely better here, though. I like the hustle and bustle of it all, and Mary Catherine seems to like it well enough.”

“Yes. I suppose. I’d rather focus on the work I have as of now though. It’s stressful but there’s just too much at risk if I let myself get distracted again. One day. Maybe.” Perhaps one day he would meet a certain someone who could hold his interest enough and still continue to do his job while he was at it but he didn’t see it happening anytime soon. He was fine with his wealth and temporary one night stands. . Life is known to throw sudden curveballs though so he wouldn’t be certain of anything yet. “Things are definitely busy here. It’s perfect for the people who seek for a great city thrill or two and also for the youth. Business is great too. Lots of hungry sharks willing to throw their chips for an expansion of their assets. It’s challenging for someone like me. The rivalry is quite refreshing.” He acknowledged. “I’m glad she does. Have you two found any favorite places to visit yet?”

“That really is too bad, it’s such a lovely name.” Ariel said with a smile, rolling the stroller back and forth slowly to soothe Mary Catherine who was now babbling away in the stroller. At nearly three years old, it was almost time for her to start preschool and Ari was thankful for that - she needed a break from being mommy all day, every day. “Oh, yes sir, it’s very nice. I like it a lot - out apartment isn’t huge, of course, but it’s big enough for the two of us and it’s nice.” She wished that they could live somewhere nicer, but she simply couldn’t afford it. Ariel made good money, enough to support the two of them and have some left over, but between the bills and her drinking habit she didn’t have enough to move them into a place like the Chalet. Seeing the flirty gesture being returned, Ariel shot a wink in his direction before following after him headed toward the cafe. Lately, she’d started being into men who were a bit older than her and Maxim fit the profile. “I’m actually from New Jersey - Newark, to be specific. I lived there until I was twenty, then I moved up here.”

“It is, dear. Perhaps one day I’ll have that opportunity again. I’m not going to hold my breath though I have too much work to do now-a-day.” Maxim felt as if committment is not made for people him. Sure it could have worked out years ago when responsibilities had not drowned him but he priotized nothing but his own empire and only occasionally would he allow himself to have a bit of entertainment. When she called him sir it made the smile on his face smug and he grew a strange temptation to touch her jaw. It would be too forward he supposed so he reeled back on that. “Newark huh? What’s it like living there? I’ve made several trips to Jersey though I was never content enough to stick around unless it was a part of my job. How are you liking this city? Is it better?” He asked directing her to the nearest cafe.

“That’s such a beautiful name, though. Alma - that’s just really nice.” Ariel never would have thought of the name herself, but she loved it. Maybe for her next child, if she ever had another one, she supposed. “Ariel, yes, like the mermaid,” She said with a grin, nodding her head in confirmation. “I do, yes sir. We live in the Blackwood.” Ari shifted a bit, adjusting the bags on her arms so they weren’t cutting into her so badly. “We’d absolutely love to, that would be great.” She was putting on the charm now, not able to stop herself from flirting even the slightest bit, batting her eyes at him - it was just in her nature, she supposed. She’d always been a flirt ever since she was young, and that had never changed.

“I thought so too. It’s too bad she didn’t see it that way.” Maxim replied with somewhat of a sorrowful smile. He didn’t see a lot of things eye to eye with his wife and it had saddened him to no end. What had begun as an amazing spark turned empty. “Ah..... Blackwood. I’ve seen the building a few times. Is it nice living there?” His apartment was richly polished to suit his liking though he did get lonely there. Smirking when he saw her batting her lashes Maxim thought he could return the approach by flashing her another charming side of his. He hadn’t been getting any action in awhile too preoccupied with his paperwork. “Perfect. Come then. The cafe should not be too far away from here.” He smiled. “So are you from around here, Ariel?”

Ariel’s problem had developed long ago. Her father was an alcoholic, though he’d cleaned up his act in recent years, and between that and her job she’d picked up the habit. She wouldn’t admit that she had a problem, though - that simply wasn’t going to happen. She did her best as a mother, staying sober most of the time until she put Mary Catherine down for bed, and that was what mattered the most to her. She didn’t want the kid to see her getting fucked up. She smiled when he spoke, nodding her head in agreement. “Well, thank you, I picked it out myself. I’ve always thought that it was a pretty name, so I just had to choose it when the time came,” She took his hand, giving it a shake once he offered it. “I’m Ariel - Ariel Franzese. It’s nice to meet you, Maxim.”

“Oh I’m quite atrocious with names. My ex wife hated it when I suggested the name Alma for our first daughter. She said it reminded her of a ghost.” Maxim laughed bittersweetly not wanting to remember his good old times with Clementine but sometimes he just couldn’t help himself. He’d spiralled after their divorce though he was thankful enough for the support of his peers who had backed him up and aided him build his empire. “Ariel. Like the mermaid? It suits you.” He said flashing her a charming smile. “Do you live around here, Ariel? I was thinking of getting some more coffee in a minute. Perhaps you and your daughter would like to join me?”

Ariel was grateful that the man stopped to help her. She was getting shaky from a lack of drinking all day and was ready to get inside and pour herself a glass of something strong, but having to set everything down to pick up the pacifier would only delay that further. She couldn’t handle it much longer - she knew her time limit of not having a drink and knew that, that time was coming up. Her hands shook a bit as she grabbed her coffee from the cup holder and took a swig before putting it back in its place. “Thank you, I really appreciate it,” She took the pacifier and dropped it into one of the pockets on the stroller. “Thank you - yes, she’s mine. Her name’s Mary Catherine.”

Maxim drank on a daily basis but he wouldn’t consider himself an alcoholic. With that being said he’d been made aware a long time ago about the signs of one and he noticed how her hand was shaking when she grabbed the cup. It made him frown but he wasn’t about to comment just yet. He never really cared for others well being and it wasn’t his business anyway. He just felt bad for the kid. “Mary Catherine is truly a beautiful name. A bit vintage but it only makes it better in my opinion.” He said flashing his million dollar smile and offering his hand to her. “And yours? If you don’t mind my asking of course. I’m Maxim.”

Ariel had been out with her daughter for most of the day. She’d been doing a bit of shopping, picking out some summer outfits for the two of them. After a long day of shopping, she’d stopped by the nearest coffee shop to grab a latte before heading home. With her arms full with shopping bags, hands busy pushing Mary Catherine’s stroller with her coffee in the attached cup holder, she walked them down the sidewalk back to the apartment building. Most of the day had gone by without incident until now - when the two year old threw her pacifier out of the stroller and onto the concrete. “Shit,” She muttered, looking around for a moment before finding the nearest person. “Hey - sorry, could you pick up her pacifier? My hands are a bit full.”

Maxim was a very preoccupied man. He never really had sufficient time to go and have an outing for himself but his consultant this morning had advised him to at least go out and take a breather. Although the CEO had rebelled at first he had relented only about an hour after just to shut his consultant up since he had heard enough of his nagging. Sighing, he decided a stroll would do some good. As he passed by he heard somebody asking for his aid. He turned around to acknowledge what’s happening then bent down to pick up the pacifier. “Here you go.” He said. He was usually stone cold though he had been trying to put on a better attitude. It’ll be good for his public image too. “She’s adorable. Yours?” 

with new years (thankfully) over, joel manages to start poking his  head out of hiding. like a fox from his den, really, when he appears on the streets for seconds before rushing back into hiding. his body is still high-strung from the ordeal of fireworks and his mind hasn’t released its flight or fight mode. his body aches, and he fights off his panic by forcefully scratching the back of his hand until it’s streaked red from irritation. he still sits on the street, with his duffel bag and cardboard sign even if he wants to run run run. tight smile, pause in the scratching, wiping off the blood, gloves back on. he hugs himself tightly and forces a smile, the hunger that ravages his stomach more than enough of a reason to endure the pitiful, scornful looks he gets from those better off. why don’t you get a job, and thank you for your service is all that accompanies his restless rest on the cold sidewalk. there was a time when the thanks warmed his heart and pushed out the cold, but it wasn’t the case anymore. he thanks them halfheartedly, ignores the ones goading and taunting him. 

five hours later he still sits there, even more curled into himself. a car door slamming makes him flinch and reach for the phantom rifle he imagines still resting against his hip so many years later. he buries his head against his arms crossed over his bended knees and takes a shaky breath. a clink of a coin hitting another in his shabby beanie laying on the ground before him gets him to raise his head and he smiles, thanks them, give’s a god bless even if it’s hypocritical. he reaches to check how much he has, sure that there’s already at least ten dollars to be used. he picks the coins and counts them, his hopeful smile faltering when he notices the latest coin tossed is a peso. what was he going to do with one peso? his shoulders slump and he throws the useless coin back among the rest, his back soon pressed back into the cold wall and his body pulled as small as it can go, considerate of the people passing by. thank you for your service. get a job. what a slob. can i buy you a meal. there’s someone who stands by him next, wordless, and he glances at them before lifting his head and offers a smile. “ am i in your way? i’m sorry, i can move– ” he starts gathering his things, pulling the beanie back and letting the coins drop in his pocket before he puts the ht back on. he pushes himself upright, age, the chill, and prolonged immobility stiffening his joints as he does. while he throws his duffel bag over his shoulder and grips the cardboard sign he speaks, “ just this and- there, i’m sorry. ”he pats his free hand against his pocket before gesturing for the stranger forward, just broad enough to seem… not so timid. “ sorry again. have a good day, ma’am/sir. ”

Safe to say Maxim isnt a social person. When he wants to talk to people he will do so but only under very imperative state of affairs and even then the CEO would rather have his lackeys do the work. So he was quite surprised to find himself propotioned against the alleyway and staring at some homeless men while wondering if he should count his luck as the cofounder and owner of a colossal empire. His mind often wandered into the what could have been realities. Once upon a time he used to live under the dirt and bathed in sweat but he managed to climb his way ontop. He wondered what would have happened if he had given up back then and he was glad he didn’t. He would have otherwise found himself here amongst these people.

He placed his brown cigar between his mouth. The night was young but he felt like coming up late to his appointments. He was the owner afterall and he had everything wrapped under his fingers so he didn’t have to worry about not being there exactly on time. Taking the last puff he then turned when the man spoke. He raised his eyebrow then. His expression cold and distant but not bothered. “Frankly it’s fine. You look like you could use warmth though.” He said. He pulled his pack of cigars and offered one to him. “And tense. Here. Few puffs should help ya. Or you can take the whole pack if you want.”