CHAPTER TWO

DOMINICK

'What do you think might be causing these recurring nightmares?' My fourth therapist of the year, Dr Hudson asked me.

I rolled my eyes at the ridiculous question, 'If I had an answer to that, Doc, I wouldn't be here right now. He raised an eyebrow at my response, I stared him down, and he looked away.

'You should revisit your past, maybe you could find the source of what's plaguing you. How's your insomnia?' He asked

'The same, it's erratic and fluctuates daily, but I don't sleep past three hours'

'Mmmm'. He wrote something in his notes. 'I'll prescribe a new drug for you. Hopefully, this will make you sleep better. Our time is over, I hope to see you next week, Mr Kincaid'.

I collected the prescription note from him, shook his hand, and went to collect my drug at the pharmacy next to his office. I got in my car and drove. I haven't told anyone about my nightmares or meeting with Therapistss, not even my driver and my secretary know about my weekly meetings. I'm not ashamed, but the legal scene in New York doesn't allow its Lawyers to be anything but strong. If a whiff of this gets out, it might be the end of K2 Law Firm.

Besides, I once trusted someone I thought I loved and who loved me in return and it almost cost me everything. I'll never trust anyone like that, ever!

I maneuvered and parked my car in the underground parking lot and took an elevator to my office. Fortunately, I didn't have much to do today and I could take a break from things. I brought out my phone to message DJ if he'd be available for drinks this evening.

He replied immediately; 'Yes! I'd love to, is The Happy Hour okay?'

I responded in affirmative, it was our regular hangout scene whenever he came to New York

I finished up at the firm, let my driver go and drove down to the bar downtown. DJ was already there, sitting at the counter and nursing a beer, it was impossible to miss his fiery red hair.

'Hey, man' I greeted him and gave him a one arm hug. 'How have you been?' I haven't seen him since the time he was in New York six months ago.

'I'm doing great, my man!' He replied enthusiastically and hugged me back.

DJ and I have always been different. He's a rich pampered guy with loving parents and I'm the guy from the wrong side of the tracks whose parents abandoned him. He's very friendly, popular for all the right reasons while I'm not. It's still surprising how we managed to stay friends. But, I'm glad I have someone like him on my side.

'How is your job? I heard you're now the acting CEO of JJ's Capital Ventures, I hope it's not too taxing.' JJ's Capital Ventures is an investment corporation founded and owned by DJ's father. Apparently, his father wants to take it slow because he's getting older.

'I'm doing okay.' He gestured to the bartender to get us another drink. 'You know I've been preparing for this my entire life, so I'm ready.'

'Okay, that's good.' You can always reach out to me when you're having a difficult time. The irony of this statement is not lost on me, I rarely ever ask anyone for help.

'I know, man, I know, thank you. Now, enough about me, how are you doing?'

'Same old, same old, the firm is keeping me busy.'

'How's Tristan?' He asked

He's good.'

He has never liked Tristan and I don't know why, I've tried asking him several times, but he finally relented and said he was a crook and a fraud. While Tristan is not the best of guys, I'm sure he's not as bad as DJ is making him out to be. But I told him I'd keep an eye on him. He hasn't said anything negative about him after that.

We were silent for a few minutes, drinking our beer.

Then he asked, 'Are you in a relationship?

I raised an eyebrow at him because he knows fully well that I'm not in a relationship, at least a serious one. I only meet women for sex and kick them to the curb after, no cuddling or cooking breakfast for them. It's easy for me to get women as they are very interested in my face, my body and my money. They all think they have a chance at becoming the next Mrs Kincaid, even though I'm always honest with them. For me, it's sex and nothing but sex.

However, it has been a long time since I had an assignation like this because it's quite tiring, but I would never tell DJ this, I'd never hear the end of it.

'You really should stop with those kinds of women, they are not right for you and you're not right for them. When was the last time you went on a date?

'I don't have the time for a relationship, you know what happened last time.'

'Yes I know what happened last time, but you can't let one bad experience prevent you from living your life to the fullest. You should go out there, date and get a woman perfect for you.'

I didn't say anything and he dropped it.

'I just want you to be happier, man. You look sad and withdrawn. Having a good woman close to you will take some of the edge off, you know'

'I know, I know, thank you' Moving onto lighter topics, I asked why he was in New York.

'I came to see my sister, Phoebe, you know she's in New York University studying pre-law. She doesn't know I'm coming, so I plan to surprise her.'

I nodded, vaguely remembering a little girl in pigtails who came to visit in college. For a minute, I felt a pang of pain for the family I lost, but I disregarded it.

'I hope there's nothing wrong', I wondered out aloud

'There's nothing, I just wanted to surprise her.'

We ordered another round of drinks and kept talking until midnight.

'It was nice to see you, my friend', DJ said as we paid for our drinks and said our goodbyes.

He got an Uber and I called a designated driver to get me home since I've been drinking.

In the backseat of my car, my thoughts drifted back to what DJ said. Am I really that unhappy? Do I need a woman to make me happier? I scoffed and rolled my eyes, DJ is such a romantic.

But the lingering feelings of sadness persisted as I watched the night go by.