Chapter 73: Chapter 73

CHAD

02 June 2018

I look up at the slender high rise building while I scratch the back of my head. I've made an executive decision to try and get my shit together by applying for a job that will make a difference in the world.

I'm applying, no, scrub that.

I am volunteering to be a big brother in the B.B.B.S.N.Z (Big Brothers, Big Sisters, New Zealand.) Mentoring Foundation.

Thanks to detective Evie for reaching out to me when I was down in the dumps two days ago.

She picked me up in an unmarked patrol car, taking the scenic route through the southside under the bridge where all the little hoodrats and homeless kids hang out.

"This is the hardest part of the job." She said with her words heavily coated in anguish. "These kids will never have the tools to live a fruitful life. This right here is as good as it gets for them, unless, someone steps up and tries to get these kids off the streets offering them a guiding hand to greatness."

We drove through many reserves, under multiple bridges and through countless shopping centres where hundreds of kids camped out. What I was witnessing struck a chord in my chest. I felt privileged and I was using MY privileged life to sell sex.

I instantly hated the person I've become.

We ended up at a bar when the night was drawing to an end and we got talking.  She had asked me what I wanted to do with myself now that CLUBROOMs was shut down.

I was a bit thrown off with her question at first and discreetly avoided her genuine questions until I was on my fifth beer.

Gods!

I shamelessly opened up like a delicate flower.

I told her how much of a shit brother I was to Caddie, an even shitter son to my mother and it took Caddie to move to Australia for me to realise that I actually liked having a sister.

Even if we are just stepbrother and sister.

I carried on with my soppy stories telling Evie how much I use to torment Caddie as we grew up and how badly I regret leading her astray. I could have been a better brother.

But,

I chose not to be and I blame myself for the life she leads today with the endless struggles she's going through.

I mean, fuck me...

I pimped my little sister out.

I tugged my log, watching porno as my nephew slept in my office and at one stage I had thought about pinning Cadz to a wall and nailing her.

Ha. Ha. .....

Yeah, I admit...  that's some real fucked up shit on my behalf.

Though,

working in the sex industry will have that effect on people when all you can smell is sex in the air. Beds banging against the walls and moaning from sexual pleasure resonating off the corridor hallways.

>>>

I walk through the entrance lobby, marvelling at the interior of the building and I suddenly feel out of place.

I walk up to the security guard standing at the bank of elevators.

"Name?" He asks in a nonchalant tone.

"Chad, I have a meeting with Rafaele." I nod at him as he regards me with a scowl. "Yeah... I didn't receive the memo for the dress code."

I internally facepalm myself.

Wishing I had asked over the phone before showing up. I look like I'm about to pick up my nan and take her out shopping for the day.

Everything about me screams 'Loser!'

The guard presses his hand to his ear and turns away from me. I rock on the balls of my feet, shoving my hands in my pocket while I let out a shaky sigh.

A few heartbeats later, the guard turns back around and presses the button for the elevator car.

When the doors part swiftly, he pops his head inside and presses a button. "Have a good one mate." He says as he motions for me to enter.

I step inside the elevator, "Cheers bro."

When I exit the elevator car, I follow the signs on the wall until I come to the 'Brothers and Sisters Mentor' department. Before me stands a bulletproof glass barrier that frames the receptionist's lobby.

I tap on the glass wall getting her attention and when she looks up at me she smiles and buzzes me through

"Chad?" She asks with a smile.

I nod, "Rafaele is expecting me."

"He's free now, his last meeting was cancelled so you can go straight through. Just walk to the end of the corridor and take the second door on your left."

"Thanks." I throw over my shoulder as I walk away.

I follow her directions, standing outside the second door that was on my left and I knock, waiting for a response.

"Come on through." A male voice answers.

I walk into the office and take the wooden chair placed in front of the big mahogany desk that takes up a substantial amount of space in the room.

Rafaele's attention is still focused on the computer in front of him as his fingers glide across the keyboard in a tapping motion and I cross my left ankle over my right leg, patiently waiting for him.

Moments later he pushes back from his desk, rising to his full height and buttons up his jacket. He walks around his desk and parks his arse on the edge of it in front of me.

Sighing loudly, "I've read the shit that's been plastered across the news and to be honest with you, I wasn't going to allow you to socialise with my kids. But, Evie asked me to do this as a favour on her behalf, she also pointed out that you have been through hell and could do with the distraction." He pauses, cocking a brow at me.

I scowl at him, trying my fucking best not to stand up and tell him to shove his organisation up his fucking arse where the sun will never touch.

"So, what's the verdict?" I flash him a cocky smile, pretending that his remarks did not strike a nerve.

"You're in, but there's a catch." He says with amusement crossing his smug face.

"There always is.." I mutter under my breath.

Nothing ever comes easy for me.

I exhale loudly, "What's the catch?"

"The only position that is available at the moment is for the crew flying out to Apia, Samoa."

"Samoa?" Fine lines etched into my pimple scarred forehead. "I don't speak Samoan, there will be a language barrier between us." I protest.

"You'll be fine, the kids are taught English in class. Besides, look at it as a paid vacation to hang out with the underprivileged kids."

I sit back and rub my jaw deep in thought.

"Fuck it, when do we leave?" I finally answer.

A look of shock passes over his face. "My man..." His shocked expression quickly fades as he stands up and holds out his hand.

I place mine in his and he yanks me up to my feet, shaking it.

"Plane leaves at eighteen hundred tonight."

"Tonight?" I choke on my saliva.

"Yeah, mate, Tonight. Is that gonna be a problem?" He asks, standing back with his hands in his pockets.

I scoff, realising this is a pissing contest for him and before my mentality can catch up to my ego, I answer him. "Nah, man. I just hope the Samoan beauties will be ready for me." I turn on my heel and walk to the door, yanking it open. "Fa, uce." (Later, bro) and I storm out of the building, chuckling.

That interview went from zero to a hundred real quick.