Episode 2

Warren

Problems

Pressures

That's what has been surrounding my life lately ever since my sweet grandmother decided that we need a child at home, or better yet, that I need to marry and have kids, that I must give her great-grandchildren. She told me she doesn’t want to meet her great-grandson when she herself is already wearing diapers. Emotional blackmail is what she has learned to do with me over the past year since she found out Michel became a father, and to make matters worse, that bastard Dylan got lucky, two at once, son of a b***h. At least she doesn't know about Barbara's pregnancy yet.

And so the old lady with her powerful canes keeps tormenting me with the subject of children, and as if that pressure weren’t enough, she also wants me to take over the family business because, according to her, “if I don’t assume my commanding place,” the partner’s son will lead us to bankruptcy.

But I love what I do; I studied hard and struggled like hell to get where I am, even though what I earn wouldn't buy the apartment where I’m currently living. My salary doesn’t reach two hundred thousand dollars per year, which is even less than what my family's business makes in a day. The partner's son, Marco, constantly throws that in my face, no matter that he doesn’t know what I really do. I couldn’t care less; I’m happy with my achievements, and that’s what matters to me.

I’m at a cafe near the precinct with some teammates; we usually come here whenever we can. The work is exhausting, and sometimes the atmosphere gets so suffocating that we need to breathe. I don’t mean pure air because there’s no such thing in New York.

My phone starts ringing. I pull it from my pocket and see it’s a call from Dylan. I furrow my brow in confusion; at this hour, he should be enjoying his sudden trip with his wife.

☎️– You shouldn’t be doing anything that doesn’t involve a phone, should you? – I ask as soon as I answer, stepping away from the table where I was sitting.

☎️– But I am – the ex-bastard says with a smirk; I can recognize his mockery from a distance – Can you go to Flora's school? She did that thing you taught her.

☎️– Who did she hit? – I quickly ask; the only thing I taught the kid was to defend herself. In today’s world, self-defense is crucial, and I believe that’s one of the reasons I don’t want to have kids. Today’s world is a totally dangerous place, especially for children – Can’t anyone else go? I hate elementary schools, Dylan.

☎️– You’ve never been to one, Warren – he retorts, and he’s right; I’ve never been, and my plan was not to – The principal is already waiting for you, and who knows you might find the love of your life there?

☎️– Go f* yourself, Foster – I snap back, reprimanding his silly remark – I’ll be there in twenty minutes – I inform him after glancing at my watch to check the time.

I stash my phone in my pocket, still cursing that son of a b***h for making me go there. It’s not that I have anything against kids, but I do everything I can to avoid them. It’s no coincidence that I had a vasectomy despite always using condoms.

"I have to go; I’ll meet you guys at the precinct" I announce, leaving a tip on the table to help pay for the coffee. I then make my exit, hearing footsteps behind me, and I don’t bother to turn around because I already know who it is.

"Always so mysterious" Agent Sheffield says, leaning against my car door before I close it. She leans in and kisses my cheek. We have hooked up a few times in between shifts, nothing too serious; I got involved with her before she was transferred to my district.

"And late" I say firmly; I’m not known for handing out smiles. In fact, many question my lack of them "if you’ll excuse me."

She walks away, knowing I have no patience at all. I hate games of seduction and pressures; it’s enough that the guys I call friends already fill my head with their nonsense. I know that my appearance helps a lot in winning over the beautiful women who have slept in my bed, even though they don’t know I’m a major heir.

I always keep my personal life as private as possible; I’m aware that nowadays people betray for petty reasons, so I tend to avoid risks. In fact, my friends already put us at enough risk.

"I’m Louis Warren; I’m expected in the principal’s office" I inform the receptionist as soon as I arrive at the private school where Flora studies. As I enter, the receptionist stares at me, startled and completely mesmerized, damn this infernal appearance. I walk swiftly towards the principal's office, and the woman beside me walks as if she’s holding her breath, her gaze on me ever since I stepped in, still caught in some hypnotic state.

"Uncle Warren" Flora runs up to me, clutching my legs the moment they open the door for me to enter. I see other children in the room and a woman who seems overly frightened, wearing what appears to be a service uniform, along with the principal, dressed in designer clothes and sporting a beaming smile as soon as she sees me.

"So, the guardian of this delinquent has arrived" the man entangled with the other two children barks, and I almost smile.

"Sir, she is just a defenseless child; you shouldn’t speak about her like that" the terrified woman in the gray uniform defends Flora. I’m not surprised she’s defending “my niece,” as she’s probably only doing it because of my presence. I stare at her, trying to understand why on earth something about her makes me look twice, and why she wants to give the impression of being sweet and understanding. I notice her staring back at me; I knew there was some interest in her behavior "Sir, you’re dirty."

She points to my cheek; I frown, and she steps closer, rubbing my face. Her hands against my warm skin feel as soft as a feather.

"There, now you’re presentable to defend a child" she says, gazing at me intensely. Her light brown eyes are like a sunny day, reminding me of the sun. She lifts her upturned nose as if reprimanding me, ready to step over me without mercy, then returns to her spot, leaving me momentarily bewildered by what just happened. Wasn’t she supposed to be judging me for my looks that make women fall at my feet as if I were some kind of sorcerer?