The Retreat (A Clean and Sweet Romance Novella) Read online

  Chapter Two

  "Are you acting, or are you just partying?"

  Thomas Winter was sitting with his father over lunch - a weekly routine that his father had instilled when he moved out of the house. Thomas knew never to break the arrangement. His father had been quite adamant as to the importance of them still seeing each other. Thomas didn't complain. If it wasn't for his father, he wouldn't be in the position that he was in. He wasn't sure that anyone would've even looked at him or considered him as an actor had he not been famous in his own right. The son to a wealthy billionaire came with many perks.

  Thomas sighed, "Of course, I'm acting. Partying is just part of it; that's all. It comes with the territory."

  "It does? But surely, you have to concentrate on actually finding work too? I know you've been in a film, but that was ages ago."

  Thomas knew that his father was right, but he didn't want to admit it, especially not to himself. "That's not how it works in the industry. I'm just starting out, anyway. And my film got a very good review. I mean, for a first-time actor, I'm not all that bad, don't you think?" Thomas threw a charming smile at his father and a wink for extra measure.

  "Your charismatic smile is not going to work on me, my boy. Remember, I know you better than all your fans. I know everything about you."

  "But come on, I was pretty good, wasn't I?"

  Thomas smiled again at his father, who couldn't help but laugh, "Goodness, you're lucky I love you. I always knew that your smile was going to get you in trouble, one day. But now, in all seriousness, what is actually happening with work? Anything lined up?"

  "I have a meeting with Geraldine after this, actually. She said she has a few things to speak to me about, so I'm assuming it's about work. Hopefully, she has some good ones for me. She's good at what she does, and I trust her."

  "Good. I like her too. I tell you what - I'm surprised at your choice in career. I didn't think this is what you'd choose. It's not a bad thing, of course, but it's still a surprise."

  "Yeah well, I mean? I thought about following in your footsteps, but let's face it - I'm not as good as you are when it comes to business. I always knew I'd do terribly in that, and I didn't want to fail. I hate failing. But I do like being in the limelight. So, I figured it was worth the shot."

  The decision to become an actor had actually been a surprise to him too. The whole thing had started when he was having beers with some of his friends. They were all settled down with jobs, and some of them even had families or, at least, serious relationships. Except Thomas. They kept joking around with him and telling him that he suited the lifestyle of p rich and the famous more than anyone they had ever met. The problem was, while he was certainly very rich, thanks to his father, he was not at all famous. And so, they convinced him to phone an agent. And that was when he met Geraldine - the woman who changed his life. She told him that he had the looks to go very far in the career. So, she sent him to some acting classes, got him a few small roles, and then finally landed him in a big blockbuster movie. He wasn't the main character, but he had a big enough role for people to sit back and notice him. And once he'd had a taste of that, he knew it was all he wanted from life. It wasn't even that he enjoyed the acting process so much. It was more a case of enjoying the limelight. Thomas Winter loved it when the whole world was talking about him. Suddenly, he saw his face appear in magazines and newspapers, and he was getting invited to events and parties and clubs that he hadn't even known about before. It was hard not to get caught up in it all. He didn't want to admit to his father that he barely thought about work. He figured he'd leave it up to Geraldine to sort out that part for him. The rest of the time, he was going to make sure that the public didn't forget who he was. And what better way than by partying up a storm and staying in the headlines.

  "Well, Thomas," his father was saying, "I'm just glad that you're doing something with your life. Your mother always warned me about giving you that money early, but I told her that I had faith that you would still want to make something of yourself. I wouldn't have thought it was acting that you would choose, but I don't really care what it is as long as you are happy. Now, you are happy, aren't you?"

  "What do you mean? Of course, I'm happy. I'm just slightly hung over today, that's all. But you're used to seeing me like this, by now, I'm sure. A good meal will sort me out. You know it always does. I'll be back to my old self in no time." Thomas hated it when his father got serious on him. Ever since his mother died a few years ago, he'd become a lot more interested in what Thomas was doing with his life. Before, he just let him do whatever he wanted to do. Now, it was as if he wanted to make sure that he was a good father, constantly checking in. He'd complained about it to someone once, and they'd reminded him that he was lucky to have a father that cared so much. Thomas had been taken aback by the comment, even though he knew it was true. He was lucky. But nevertheless, he wished he could just live his life without the constant check-ins.

  "You sure? I only ask because I care. All this going out - is it not a little extreme? From the sounds of things, all you do is go out and party. And there's just one girl after another. You're thirty years old now. I know that's not old, but shouldn't you be thinking of settling down? Or at least finding a girlfriend? You're just hopping from one girl to the next. It doesn't make you look good, Thomas."

  "Don't you mean it doesn't make you look good, Dad?" Thomas couldn't help but say it, then instantly regretted it.

  "This has nothing to do with me, Thomas. I don't care what you do, but I didn't bring you up like that. I'm glad you're having fun, and I know things are different now from how they were when I was growing up. But your mom and I met when we were young and stayed together all those years. Having that one person to count on is very special, and I don't want you to miss out on that. I cannot push you to do things differently. I know it's your life and that you have to do what you want to do. But you're a good guy, and you deserve a wonderful woman, not someone who is just after your money and your fame. That's not what I want for you, and it's not what your mother would've wanted for you."

  "Yeah, but Dad, you are lucky. Not everyone finds that person. I certainly haven't. If I had, then I probably would have a girlfriend or a wife by now. But the only way that I'm going to find that person is by going out and meeting as many girls as possible. One day, I'll meet the right one." Thomas was quite impressed with his speech. It wasn't true at all, but it certainly sounded quite good out loud. And he knew it was what his dad wanted to be true. But Thomas had no interest in settling down. He was having far too much fun meeting and partying with girls. And they all seemed perfectly happy with hooking up with him without wanting anything serious in return. It was just the sort of set-up he wanted in his life. He got the chance to be free, while still having fun with girls - it was the best of both worlds.

  "I guess you're right," his father was saying, and Thomas gave himself a mental pat on the back, "but just make sure you're meeting the right sort of women at least. So far, the women I've seen you with have been the complete opposite of a girl you'd settle down with. Just be careful, Thomas. That's all I'm asking. I'm only looking out for you."

  "Don't worry, Dad. I will be. I'm just having some fun. But I have my head screwed on properly. I promise you."

  "I'm glad to hear it," his father said with complete belief in Thomas. For a second, Thomas actually felt bad for duping his father. But he shrugged it off.

  "So, should we order?"

  "Let's order."

  Thomas somehow managed to avoid telling his father that he had a party planned for that night. He was already hung over from a party the night before, and he knew his father wouldn't take kindly to the fact that he was going out again. Perhaps, his father didn't want to know, or maybe he really assumed that Thomas would never go out two nights in a row, but the fact never got mentioned. They had a good lunch and a good chat, and when Thomas walked off, his father handed him a wad of cash. It wasn't necessary. Thomas had more
money than he knew what to do with. Not only had he gotten a huge amount of money from his father when he had turned twenty-one, but he was now earning money through his own work. And yet, every time he met with his father, he'd be given 'pocket money' or sorts. It was a lot. More than anyone should have just lying in their wallet. And even though Thomas didn't need it, he never said no to it, because nobody could have too much money, and he knew that he'd use it at the party that evening. Everyone wanted to hang out with the good-looking guy with a pocket full of cash. He knew how that seemed, but he didn't mind. Being the rich guy in a group of people hadn't lost its appeal. He didn't even have to try to make friends anymore - they just came flocking right to him.

  After lunch, he spent the day sleeping and then enjoyed an hour-long gym session, followed by a swim. After that, he picked up a take away meal and then got ready for the night ahead. He liked to arrive around ten o clock. He always found it was the best time to start the party; especially one that he knew was going to end up going on until the early hours of the following morning. A note on his fridge reminded him that he had a breakfast meeting with Geraldine the next morning, and he groaned. Thankfully, she'd made it quite late - almost a brunch - but he was sure he'd be arriving with dark glasses and begging for caffeine. He hoped that he wouldn't forget and set an extra alarm on his phone, as well as another reminder, just in case. Geraldine hated it when he was late, and he needed to stay in her good books.

  A cab pulled around at ten. He knew there was going to be lots of drinking involved, so he had decided not to take his car. He'd lost a friend once to drinking and driving, and it was now his number one rule whenever he went out. The party was being held at a restaurant down the road. The restaurant was owned by two comedians, who transformed the place into a party area once a month. The only way to attend was by invitation. So, when Thomas had received one, he knew that nothing was going to keep him away. The place was already full when he arrived.

  "Thomas Winter," he said to the man with the clipboard. The big burly man stood with a face that looked neither happy nor sad as he checked for his name, even though it was obvious who he was. But he supposed the man had been told to do his job, and he was doing it correctly.

  "Mr. Winter. Ah, here we are. Welcome, have a great time," the expressionless man said and opened the door.

  "Thank you," he said as he stepped inside. The music was pumping. The restaurant now stood like one giant dance floor. The only thing that remained the same was the bar area, which was now even more stocked with drinks than before. He headed straight there.

  "Thomas, you made it," Trevor said. Trevor was one half of the comedian act. Trent was the other, who Thomas could see across the room locking lips with some beautiful blonde.

  "Hey Trevor. I see Trent is having a good time."

  Trevor snorted. "Oh yeah. He's had his eye on her for a long time. He invited her specifically in the hopes that the two of them would get together. It's not the first time he's invited her, but she always ends up with someone else. Tonight, however, he put on all the charm. And by charm, I mean he showered her with drinks and gifts. Seems to have worked. She's all over him. Now, what can I get you?"

  "Surprise me," Thomas said. It was a game he loved to play with people. It was always interesting to see what sort of drink they came up with, and he'd noticed that people loved being in control.

  Thomas could see the twinkle in Trevor's eyes. "Oh yeah? Surprise you? Okay then? are you sure you want to be surprised? Do you trust me?"

  "I'm sure. I don't really trust you, but that's half the fun of it."

  Trevor laughed and turned around to survey his drinks. Thomas turned to look at the crowd, instead of watching him. It was a good crowd. He recognized quite a few people. Most were comedians, but there were a few actors and a few good models. It was obvious that they had chosen only the most beautiful women to attend, and Thomas smiled as he locked eyes with one, in particular, across the room.

  "That's Jenna," Trevor said, "She's one of the latest models. Very up and coming and extremely popular. She's got the face for it, don't you think? Oh and here's your drink."

  Thomas turned around and laughed as Trevor handed him a large bulbous glass of something green. He took a sip and his eyes widened. "Whoa, what is this?"

  "Do you like it?"

  Thomas took another sip. "It's actually pretty good. A little on the strong side, but nothing I can't handle." He laughed. "What is it?"

  Trevor burst out laughing. "I have no idea. I would never be able to recreate it. It's a bit of this and a bit of that. I honestly just threw a whole bunch of things together. But you're right about the strong bit. Good luck standing after that. Oh, here comes Jenna."

  Thomas turned and saw Jenna walking their way. She greeted Trevor and then smiled at Thomas. "Hi, I'm Jenna."

  "Hi Jenna, lovely to meet you. I'm Thomas."

  "Oh yeah, I know that. Wow, what are you drinking? That has to be the greenest drink I've ever seen in my life. A Shrek drink."

  "Or the Incredible Hulk drink?"

  "Nah, I like Shrek. Can I taste it?"

  "You sure can. But good luck?"

  Thomas handed her the drink and watched as she took a big sip. He thought that she was going to spit it out or grimace, but instead, she just smiled at him as she handed it back. "Oh wow, this is different. I like it. Trevor, can I have one?"

  "Coming right up," Trevor said and winked at Thomas.

  Trevor managed to come up with something close to the same drink, and Thomas sat with Jenna for the next hour, talking and drinking. It didn't take long for the two of them to get drunk. She dragged him onto the dance floor and leaned in to kiss him. Thomas couldn't believe how easy it was for him to get girls, now that he was in the movie world. It had always been relatively easy for him, because from the time he was twenty-one, he was a millionaire. Now that he was a billionaire, as well as a movie star, they just fell into his arms without doing anything. He thought Jenna was pretty when he'd seen her across the room, but now he was drunk, he thought that she was beautiful.

  "Come on," she said and took his hand. She led him into some back room that Thomas didn't even know existed. The room was dark, but Thomas could just about make out piles of tables and chairs. It must've been the storeroom where all the restaurant furniture was kept. Thomas wondered briefly how she knew about the room, but he didn't have time to ask her. She had pushed him against one of the tables and had taken his hand and shoved it up in between her skirt. Soon, her skirt was down and so were his trousers, and he was pushing into her. They could still hear the music outside, and even though the room was dark, there was still a good chance of someone walking in. They hadn't even bothered to lock the room. Thomas had slept with a lot of girls over the years, but doing it in a darkened room against a stack of tables was new for him. Afterwards, they giggled as they made their way back into the main room and looked around to see if anyone had noticed them. Nobody had.

  "Another drink?" Jenna said, and Thomas grinned. Of course, he wanted another drink. And after that, he wanted to go into that dark room again. This was gearing up to be a party he was never going to forget.