I need to stop doing this. If I continue, I don’t think I’ll be able to walk again. I slowly sat up on the bed and searched around the table beside me. Where are my damn cigarettes?

“Looking for smokes?” I can hear the older man mumble next to me, passing me a pack of his own. He’s not that old. He’s forty. That’s what he told me anyway. I didn’t bother to thank him. He’s already gotten enough out of me. I pulled out a cigarette and started to light it, “Light one for me, too.”

“Piss off,” I muttered under my breath, with a chuckle. The man sits up beside me and snatches the pack. This naked man beside me is Kingsley, the leader of the South Side Crew. If I could describe our relationship in a few words, my answer would be friends with benefits.

Ever since I was eighteen, we meet up, have sex, and then act like nothing happened. However, this inappropriate arrangement was starting to become a hassle. He keeps asking to meet me, even when I was at college or had other important things to do. My phone goes off all the time with his stupid name on the screen. I haven’t complained about it yet. It would be troublesome to find someone else who is ready to give me what I want when I’m ready for it.

As usual, we didn’t share an elaborate, eye-opening pillow chat about work, TV, or philosophy. However, it wasn’t awkward between us. I smoke and skim through my phone, while Kingsley grunts and pours himself a whisky.

“Sebastian.” He murmured my name. I dropped the phone and glanced at him, “Are you sore?” Kingsley started to smirk. I shrugged my shoulders and focused on my phone again.

“I’m a man. I can handle it.” My backside was aching, though, but I was used to it. He’s never bothered to treat me like a princess and I never said I hated it.

“I know you can handle it. That’s not my question.” I rolled my eyes and unlocked my home screen on my phone.

“Then, yes, I’m sore. Why? Are you going to kiss it better?”

“Just want to know what I feel like.”

“Great conversation we’re having.” I could feel myself snort, not bothering to look back at him.

“Well, it’s better than staring at your phone.” He hissed. I smirked at his reaction and pulled myself out of bed, collecting my clothes that were scattered across the floor. Could he at least fold them? They cost a lot of money, “Are you going to shower here?”

“No, I’ll shower at my place,” I answered. I wanted to get out of here, I had enough of him and his apartment. Suddenly, my hips were yanked back towards his firm, muscular frame. I sighed and tried to slap his hands away, which earned a chuckle and shoved me back onto the bed, “What do you want?” I groaned. I could feel Kingsley return to my neck and playfully suck it. I gasped at the sensation.

“I want you to stay for a bit longer.” He muttered against my neck. I could feel his warm breath creeping along my skin, which resulted in shivers.

“I got things to do, Kingsley. Can you let me go?” I mumbled, struggling to away from his grip. Why did he have to be bigger than me?

“I’ll let you go if you please me once more.” He teased, chuckling against my neck. I clenched my fists. This guy doesn’t know when to quit.

I know he’s taking advantage of me. However, I can’t refuse, I had a feeling something terrible would happen. Especially with a trade deal between him and my father, I don’t want to affect my father’s work. I sighed and lowered myself to the floor. His length was still solid, despite having three rounds earlier, “Hey, don’t look so disgusted. That’s not very nice.” I could feel his hands caress my face as I was forcefully guided to meet his intimates with my mouth.

The door rang. Thank god.

“Fuck!” Kingsley yelled and stood away from me. I quickly grabbed my clothes and rushed to put them on. I had no idea who was at the door; it was probably no one important. However, rumours can still spread, “What time do you call this?” I could hear Kingsley hiss at the door and the mysterious guest. They laughed and invited themselves in.

Fantastic, I was ready to go. With caution, I quickly peeked to identify the visitor. Fortunately, it was one of Kingsley’s members, so I grabbed my keys and headed towards the door, “Wait.” I could hear Kingsley mutter. I can’t stand being spoken to like this, but I had to listen like an obedient dog. He walked over to me and kissed me, “You got away this time,” I could hear him murmur in my ear.

“Are we done?” I asked, opening the door.

“Make sure you answer your phone. Took me two weeks to finally get hold of you.” Kingsley ordered me. So possessive.

“Life is busy when you’re a drug dealer, you know that.” I winked, finally making my sweet escape.

I jumped into my car and started the ignition. My pack of cigarettes was waiting for me on the dashboard. I’m so relieved to be away from Kingsley. He drains me, literally. My phone starts ringing, and I take my time to answer; without checking who it was.

“Hello,” I greeted.

“Sebastian. Where are you?” It was my Father. Shit. He was probably wondering where I was.

“I was meeting with someone, but I just left.” I lied through my teeth. My Father has no idea about my ‘relationship’ with Kingsley, and it had to stay that way. I have a large family, full of people who like to talk. If my Father discovered what was going on, he would probably disown me and kill Kingsley in the process.

“I need to talk to you. Please meet me at the mansion.”

“Right.” I wonder what he wanted to talk about.

“Are you OK?”

“Yeah…why?”

“You sound like…you have a sore throat or something.” I chuckled under my breath. I wonder who caused that?

“You worry too much. I’m fine.” I dismissed, releasing the clutch in my four wheels BMW.

“Well, you are my youngest. You’re not twenty-one yet, so I still have time being a protective parent.”

“I’m twenty. I’m pretty much an adult.” I laughed.

“In your projects, you are, but in my eyes, you’re still my kid.”

“Alright, Father. Don’t get all sentimental.” I could hear him laugh over the phone.

“Hurry up and get over here, you hear?”

“OK. See you soon.” I hang up and drive away from Kingsley’s apartment complex. Although I was still annoyed about Kingsley and his controlling behaviour, I don’t have much time to ponder on the subject. I have work to do. I took a brief shortcut through Granton. It was hard not to notice the ‘gangsters’ hanging around the street corners, thinking they have something. Unfortunately for them, my family, The Luxe Family run the city and these small gangs pretty much carry out our dirty work.

To be honest, I have always wanted to meet someone from around here, but my Father was against the idea. He’s always worrying about me; it’s frustrating. I’m turning twenty-one in a few months and already completed over ten successful, large scale drug trades in my assigned ‘project’ alone. Yet, everyone continues to patronise me and treat me like a child.

Soon enough, after drowning in a million and one thoughts of my hectic life, I arrived at the Luxe estate. As I stepped inside, the patrolling guards gave a small bow. I never get tired of it; I feel like royalty. I found my Father sitting in the study, as usual, smoking his cigars. He immediately smiled when I walked in.

“That was very quick, Sebastian.” I sat down on an armchair near the fireplace, “So, how is your ‘project’ going?” The term ‘Projects’ refer to trades that each Luxe family member is managing individually, such as drug trafficking. We gave it a codename because I assume every drug trafficker does that. It’s just common sense. Even if we’re not being watched, we were discreet with everything we do. If anything, we should be more focused on investigating non-family members and check if any of them are rats.

“It’s going well, just waiting for supplies to get ‘shipped’ from Brazil,” I answered, watching my Father smoke from his cigar.

“Good. Listen, since you’re waiting for that to arrive, I have something to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“I have a deal coming in tomorrow night. It’s with a local group located on the eastern side of Granton. They’re getting big, and I want to expand our contacts. They seem reliable and not ready to screw us over.”

“They won’t grow to be as big as us though, right?” I muttered, unconsciously wrinkling my nose. I never thought my father would participate in a deal like this. I preferred to stick with our usual professional circles.

“True. However, they can be helpful to us. For example, they can keep an eye out for any threats. Kingsley’s crew started over there and now look at them.” His words eventually made me nod. Father was always right, “So, I will oversee the trade, but I would like to have you come with me. To make sure they take us seriously.”

“What do you mean?” My Father raised an eyebrow and put out the cigar.

“Well, they’re closer to your age, so I thought they would listen to you more.”

“That’s not true! They would definitely take you seriously. You’re a well-respected figure in the industry.” My Father chuckled.

“It’s comforting that you deeply respect me, Sebastian. Unfortunately, some need to be reminded of that sometimes. So…?” Perhaps it was best to keep an eye on Father. He’s a highly successful man in this lucrative trade. I’m sure there are many people out there who want to take his place.

“Yeah, sure. I have nothing to do anyway. What time are you going?” My Father smiled and clapped his hands together.

“Brilliant! Nine in the evening tomorrow at Kingsford Park. Just come here, and we’ll go together.” I nodded, and my Father smiled, “You’re such a good son. Make sure you stay out of trouble until then.” I felt a sting of guilt. If only he knew what I was doing with Kingsley.