30 Meet the Five! (1/2)

Now the entire circle of his friends would know that he had been flirting relentlessly with the girl.

Damn.

Jimmy stared foully at Hart, who only shrugged in response.

Then, his expression turned grave.

”Jimmy,” he said seriously, ”What was that anyway? What in the world were you doing?”

Jim almost turned red, but he didn't want Hartley to tease him endlessly, so he said nonchalantly, ”Just what I said it was. Practice. I don't want father to be able to question us.”

Hartley raised his brow at the word 'us'. He then grinned devilishly.

”I've known you for twenty years, mate. Don't use that stupid logic on me.”

”It's not stupid. It's logical.”

Hart rolled his eyes.

”You know, I have a shoot today, so we'll talk about it over dinner. Me and the group are throwing you a party in the evening. The usual place.”

Hartley was an established actor, working for the media and entertainment company called ”Gravestone Entertainment”. It was owned by the Hunter Corporation, and Hartley Greene was the best investment they had ever made. He was excellent at what he did, he was handsome with easy-going manners, and the ladies loved him.

Jim nodded solemnly, not really wanting to go to a dinner party. But then, he couldn't refuse, for it was like a ritual that took place every year. He and a couple of his close friends got together and basically insulted each other to death the entire evening. Jim could well imagine what they would be bullying him about tonight.

Sighing, he took Hartley's leave and went back to his room.

Mr. Park was reluctant to let him work, but he still skimmed through a few files. The entire day was spent in answering birthday calls and other wishes sent through other media. Jim didn't care much for any congratulations, but he humbly answered a few important ones.

Time flew by, and his mind kept wandering back to his bride.

What was she doing? Could he go mess with her again? What were the odds that she would really hit him this time? And why the f*** was he so obsessed with her?

Shrugging, he took another bath, wore a casual suit and left his apartment keys with Mr. Park. He then gave instructions to drop Miya to his place for she obviously wouldn't be returning to her own apartment. She thought it had been raided by the police, and he wouldn't be telling her the truth. Also, he told Park to let her know that they would be meeting old Mr. Hunter the next day. Just in case she needed to be mentally prepared.

Mr. Park couldn't help but notice what a good boy Jim was being. Not to mention, he really cared about that little gangster girl.

He smiled. All of this, and in just one day of knowing the chick. This duo had a full year ahead of them!

The dinner party was to be held at Diamond Royale, a hotel owned by the Hunter Corporation itself. Because it happened every year, when Jim reached there, he was automatically given a heartfelt welcome, along with a single box wrapped neatly in a blue foil as his birthday gift. Ten years ago, the hotel owner had made the mistake of giving him a loud and boisterous present, along with lots of balloons and a cake. He had almost lost his job.

Jim went to the room prepared exclusively for him. His gang had already collected there.

When they saw him enter, a brown haired man called out loud, raising his class of champagne, ”Well, he's finally here. I drink this to our lady killer and pervert, Jimmy Hunter. He's finally 31, and still not mature enough.”

With that, he gulped down the entire glass.

Jim had been ready for this.

”Well,” he called out, in an equally loud voice, ”The lady I killed and directed my perversion at, happens to be my wife, you ass. And I'm mature enough to at least not start a party without its chief guest.”

Hartley and two other men seated at the table laughed aloud.

”Welcome, Birthday Boy, Welcome,” they all cheered.

Jim took a seat at the round table.

The five men at the table were all dressed in smart casuals. Garret, who was a stout man with a heavy build, had muscles that made him resemble a wrestler. It was hard to believe that he was an internationally acclaimed chef. Shekhar, who sat right next to him, was the smallest in the group, and had a typical nerdy look to him. He wore glasses, was lean, and only spoke when absolutely necessary. He was a scientist. Bolin, who had called out to greet Jim earlier, was a fantastic lawyer and worked for the Hunter group itself.

Next to him, sat the ladies' boy, Hartley. He was the only one who had dared to dress in an inviting blue shirt, amongst others who had chosen only black and grey. This group of five had been fast friends for over ten years now, and even though they met only five times each year (on each one's birthday), it somehow never effected their relationship.

As soon as Jim had taken his seat, glasses were prepared and filled simultaneously. It was going to be a drunken night, with lots of great food and exquisite alcohol.

”Stuff your faces, boys,” Garret hollered, as he got up to open the door, ”It didn't cost you a cent to have this great chef prepare these dishes for you, anyway.”

”Nor did it cost you a cent when I advertised that stinking hotel of yours, Gar, using my beautiful face,” Hartley retorted, gulping down his glass of wine.

”And it didn't cost you a cent when I got you out of that libel case last year, Hart,” mocked Bolin, gobbling down his glass too.