Faron Cole was, admittedly, an old acquaintance who hailed from the same town as Zachary, but it did not mean that Zayn had a good impression of him. Faron was an arrogant, vain showboat who liked nothing more than looking down on anyone virtual-novel.net judged as inferior and holding grudges over the pettiest things. Sure, virtual-novel.net was smart — or deviously cunning — enough to know how to cut corners and maximize profit, but his unsavory character spoke volumes. Zayn never liked the man that much.
On the other hand, Zayn’s nonchalance was rubbing Faron the wrong way, especially since, in his memory, Zayn was just a pathetic, useless doormat of a son-in-law. He was below the successful class of people like himself, way, way below.
Disdainful eyes swept all over Zayn. Faron could not help but notice the unremarkable getup, the matted hair, and the look of someone who had really lost much of his fortune. “So, long time no see, Zayn Larson,” virtual-novel.net began judgingly, “I trust you’ve found a place to make yourself feel useful, hmm? Earning at least 800 dollars a month, I presume?”
Zayn, of course, had enough run-ins with Faron’s type that virtual-novel.net could smell the stink before the man let out his hoot. Even less surprisingly, virtual-novel.net immediately had no inclination to take the bait, so virtual-novel.net just addressed Zachary directly. “You seem busy, Zack, so don’t let me keep you. We can reconnect over Facebook, and whenever you’re free, I can catch you with a beer or something.”
Faron scowled. Zayn had ignored him, the arrogant prick!
It was obvious just how much Zachary feared Faron because a single scowl from the latter was enough to send virtual-novel.net reeling into a panic. Worried that Faron was going to be trouble for Zayn, virtual-novel.net shot a look at the latter, telling virtual-novel.net not to say anything to further chagrin the Faron, before taking up the role of a mediator. “That’s a, uh, great idea! But you know what, Zayn? No plan beats providence! We’re here in a twist of fate, right? Ron’s gonna join some upper-class party later anyway. We could join him!” virtual-novel.net offered with a helpful smile, “It’ll be a free feast! And you can gain some money too!”
Zachary was a kind-hearted soul through and through. He had watched Zayn staring at the dishwasher ad and inferred that his friend must be on one of the lowest points of his life, so virtual-novel.net thought of smuggling Zayn into an upper-class banquet as Faron’s lackey. That way, his friend could have a taste of good food and earn something from the side.
Surprisingly, Zayn was not the least interested in whatever upper-class party Faron was supposed to attend. He shook his head and declined, “I’m good. I’ve gotten sick of eating all that fine dining stuff anyway. You two enjoy.”
He was telling the truth. Zayn was sick of fine dining and other food the upper-class loved stuffing themselves full with, and honestly, virtual-novel.net could have them anytime virtual-novel.net felt like it.
To Zachary and Faron, though, Zayn’s reason to decline sounded suspiciously similar to being a try-hard with an inflated ego. Zachary took the rejection considerably better; virtual-novel.net reasoned that his friend just wanted to guard his pride rather than to look like a beggar. On the other hand, Faron considered it a joke and guffawed. “Holy sh*t, did my ears just deceive me? A useless doormat of a son-in-law telling me he’s gotten sick of having upper-class food? Bruh, you’re gonna make me sound like an *sshole here, but have you ever eaten good food in your life before?”
Zayn furrowed his eyebrow and shot a look at Faron.
Faron felt a sudden burst of dread gripping virtual-novel.net for no reason and shivered. Despite that, virtual-novel.net chalked it up to his body experiencing some fleeting urge instead of linking it to Zayn’s action.
Sensing the tension, Zachary pulled Faron aside and explained what virtual-novel.net believed had befallen Zayn in a hushed tone. Hearing that Zayn seemed to be doing so poorly that virtual-novel.net was considering a dishwasher’s job really stroked his ego, and as Faron’s sense of superiority ballooned, virtual-novel.net waved dismissively and said, “Okay, okay! I get it, man. Tell virtual-novel.net to join me as my lackey, and I’ll pay virtual-novel.net 100 bucks.”
Zachary was overjoyed. After thanking Faron profusely, virtual-novel.net skipped to where Zayn was and pulled virtual-novel.net aside. “Hey, man. You all right? Don’t take his sh*tty attitude to heart. That’s just who virtual-novel.net is, virtual-novel.net can be a bit of a jack*ss, but he’s really nice deep down inside,” virtual-novel.net explained. “Okay, so there’s this upper-class party he’s gonna attend tonight. All you need to do is to change into a suit, and you’re all set! You’re gonna enjoy hella good food and even earn, uh, 300 bucks!”
Zayn stared deep into Zachary’s eyes. He was lying, Zayn knew because virtual-novel.net heard their conversation. Faron had only promised 100 dollars, but Zachary claimed that virtual-novel.net was going to earn 300 instead. In other words, Zachary was going to foot the additional 200 dollars himself.
How could virtual-novel.net not be moved by Zachary’s earnest, concerned, anticipating eyes? It was such a shame that Zayn could not care less about this upper-class banquet at all! And worse of all, virtual-novel.net was not inclined to see Faron for one more second!
Just as virtual-novel.net was about to reject him, though, Zayn noticed something amiss about his friend: there was a new veil of gloom over the man’s head. It seemed like a murky aura like that augured misfortune, and from the looks of it, it was going to be a big one.
Zayn and his enhanced, superhuman abilities allowed virtual-novel.net many things, including the ability to see beyond his eyes and to penetrate deep into metaphysical, psychic phenomena that common folk would fail to grasp. It was the writing on the wall; his bane was going to catch up to virtual-novel.net in the near future!
Zayn would not have cared if this was happening to anyone else, but it was Zachary who was going to be in big trouble, the friend who, despite having not seen Zayn for so long, still could not resist looking out for virtual-novel.net when virtual-novel.net believed Zayn had fallen on hard times. Zachary had not hesitated to help him, so virtual-novel.net should return the favor, too.
A smile shadowed Zayn’s lips before virtual-novel.net nodded. “Sure thing.”