016- Rich

Waking up in a sweat Tala stared at his ceiling. His naturally spiky hair spread over his pillow. He wiped his face clean and sat up hoping his nightmare hadn't have cause his sheets to be soaked again. But that was the actual case. He sighed in annoyance knowing he couldn't remember the nightmare that has made him so afraid. The only thing he remembered was seeing a young man just about his age, nineteen, with beautiful lilac locks and shining green eyes that were always looking right back at him. He could never remember if they were accusing him of something of threatening him.
He got up and decided to get ready for the party his company had always forced him to go to. He stood there with his plain boxers on and noticed he was starting to get much thinner. His ribs were starting to show so he let out a sigh. He could never really eat at these parties so this night wasn't going to be fun.
He took a shower and looked at his tuxedo. It looked so traditional and not his thing. He straightened his hair, as per his business partner's request, and looked at himself in the mirror. The ascot around his neck felt uncomfortable but the silk material felt very nice. His tuxedo coat had an extra-long tail which always made noises when it hit the back of his legs. His cummerbund was matching red color with his tie.
He sighed looking at his appearance.  He hated these events and now he was hosting one. The only positive thing about the night was that he would meet his partner's son who was around his age. He admitted to himself that he didn't know enough people his own age so the opportunity was a very nice one to have for once.
"Master Tala?" A maid called for him outside of his room.
"I'm finished getting ready. When will the guests be arriving?" He asked.
"They will be here within the next half hour. Would you like me to get you anything?"
"No. I'll be down to greet the guests soon."
Tala heard her footsteps go farther away and he left his room. He needed to calm down and make sure he would have a level head for the night to come. So he walked down the empty and silent halls hoping he'd be able to relax by looking at the things he had worked for over the years. It didn't take him long to reach the end of the hallways where a picture of his parents sat. He sighed as he looked at his father in his military uniform with an arm around his mother. As his eyes focused on the photo he jumped when there was a noise outside and rushed to the window. He saw the lilac hair that had made him wake in a sweat and he needed to know who this was.
He ran down the stairs and out the front door in search of the young man with the stunning hair. He was already panting and a bit sweaty by the time he reached the back yard. He saw him leaning against a table and looking at the rose covered verandah.
"You! What are you doing here?" Tala yelled at him.
As he turned he saw the face of the young man who had been in his dreams. He seemed to be fixated on the roses that he didn't hear Tala. It got him more upset and he yelled once more.
"Hey! Listen to me!" He yelled. He finally noticed Tala and they looked directly into each other's eyes. His beautiful shade of green had made Tala mesmerized.
"You seem familiar." The young man said. "Have we ever met before? It feels like I should know you."
"We've never met. Why are you here on my property?" Tala asked.
"My father told me to meet him here. When I didn't get an answer at the gate I hopped over it and came here."
"You hopped over my front gate!? That gate is at least ten feet!"
"It was easy. I found a pole and hopped over it no problem."
"What are you an athlete?" Tala started to fume with rage again.
"I hold the record at my school. The track team jokes around by saying they want me to flunk a year so I can stay on the team and train the newbies." He said with a chuckle.
Tala stared at his relaxed composure and started to feel a pain in his chest. He had only felt this once before. It was only when he was a young child. It was jealously. This young man, the same age as Tala, had a happy normal life. His family's wealth doesn't seem to change his attitude or his mannerisms. He seems happy to live this way. He wasn't like Tala, burdened to take on the family business immediately. Being forced to have no friends his own age and only business partners, it made his life very dull and lonely.
"You're Ivanov right?" He said to Tala.
"Yes I am."
"My father brought me so I could meet you. I'm Bryan. Nice place you have here!" He said with a grin on his face. "My place isn't even this big! Plus everything is really nicely taken care of."
"I take care of the garden…" Tala said under his breath.
"You do? But I heard you had a gardener! I thought he was in charge of all the plants."
"No… He takes care of everything but the small garden I have."
"Really? You don't act like any other rich kid I know then."
Tala sighed and waved him towards the house. He wasn't like every rich kid. He had to learn how to spend his money wisely since running the family business. There was no time for useless expenses. As they walked inside the maids ran to him frantically.
"Master! The guests started to arrive and you weren't here! What happened?"
"I went to greet a guest. This is Mr. Plushenko's son. So I was greeting a guest." He said back to the maid. "He wanted a tour so I gave it to him." He said looking back at Bryan.
"Oh thank goodness. We thought you had been hurt."
"No need to worry. Bryan lets go meet the other guests shall we?"
"Sure!" He said following Tala.
"The security talked to the maids. You're lucky I told them I was with you the whole time. The security is very rude to non-invited guests." Tala said.
"They would have hurt me for trespassing, you mean?" Bryan asked.
"Yep."
They shared some laughs as they walked to the large ballroom down the hallway. Tala shook Bryans hand and went off the greet everyone. The ballroom was large and very brightly lit, although it was unnecessary due to it being the middle of the day. Tala walked from person to person who complimented the arrangements. The silverware, the food, the lights, the decorations, all of it was complimented by number people in numerous ways. It made him smile happily. This was his home, this mansion of lights and beauty. This rich house full of rich people, it didn't make Tala happy. What made him happy was that there was someone who wanted to speak with him for no ulterior motives.

"Hey Tala?"
"Yeah Bryan?"
"How long have I been living here again?"
"Who knows? I lost count years ago my friend. Anyway shouldn't we be heading to school?" He asked.
"Yeah but…" Bryan messed with Tala's spiky hair. "What's the fun in having money without doing something different?" He said with a huge grin on his face.