The Unconventional Guide to Screwing-up Friends

By Hank Fredo

Jack is a goal-getter. The one guy that knows how to achieve his dream and remains completely unstoppable.

Ever wanted to know how to get ahead? Get the girl of your dreams, a contract or that promotion you've been seeking? Jack knows the way.

 

Jack Hudson is a creative director and Marketer in Sekani Advertising Agency. He has his eyes on the top and has the abilities to get what he wants irrespective of who gets hurt. Whoever gets in the way simply becomes collateral damage and when he needs to solve a problem? Jack knows that the end always justifies the means.

Using an unconventional guide, he is able to move his brother, sister, and best friend out of the way of his goals. He achieves everything he desires and everything works his way.

So, if you have your eyes at the top, let Jack show you the way. Nonetheless, with every action comes a consequence. Hopefully, you are willing to swim in these oceans with him as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seagull Editions
• Release date: May 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223920762

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The Right Way to Get the Girl of Your Dreams

––––––––

Sometimes, one cannot help but wonder about having some little extras. Like a hot girl by your side. A girl so hot, she causes jaws to drop when she walks into the room. Albert chatters endlessly about the girl he had met purely by accident and I watch on with amusement. The four of us are seated around the horizontally shaped lunch table. Two at each side. Albert and Felix sitting on one end, I and Cole on the other.

I watch Cole take a swing from the soda bottle in his hand and fix his eyes on Albert with a controlling interest. Albert on the other hand takes a generous bite from the pizza in his hand and smiles back at us, excitement dancing in his usually cold dark blue eyes.

You guys need to have seen this girl. She's hot! He squeals, shaking his left hand in the air to emphasize how attractive she was.

The table is silent as we watch him talk. I guess the others are as surprised as I am. I have known Albert all my life. My younger brother is one of those who hold their noses in the air and insist that they would never be attracted by vain things such as a beautiful face or a banging body. It is insane to watch him endlessly yap about how amazing this girl was. I take another look at his eyes.

Perhaps that subtle glow isn't just from excitement? Perhaps there is something else in his eyes that we seem to ignore. Perhaps it is... love? I gasp. The realization causes me to choke on the soda I'm indulging in.

Easy man, Cole says beside me, his hands gently patting my back. I nod in gratitude and then turn to look my brother in the eye.

Did you say her name was Emma? I ask with a small smirk on my lips.

He smiles back and stretches the sleeves of his shirt.

She's hot, Bro. She has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.

Dang it! This guy's in love! I exclaim, snapping my hand on the desk. All three heads on the table snap in my direction.

Don't look at me! Look at him! I say defensively with an added shrug. Cole and Felix fix interested eyes at my brother and I can swear I see him turn the shade of beetroot. He bends slightly and his eyes dart all around the cafeteria.

Listen! She's mighty fine. What if I'm in love with her? He asks.

Laughter echoes around the room.

Love eh? She got you that hard? Felix asks between fits of laughter, wagging his eyebrows at Albert for extra spite.

Leave him alone, Felix. You don't want me to go through your history books. I snap in defense of my brother. Felix shakes his head and raises his hands in mock surrender.

My point is, she's fine and I'm thinking of asking her to be mine, Albert announces.

Isn't that a little too quick? Cole asks, finally taking a pizza slice.

My brother shrugs.

She's nice and we already have a great connection. We've made out a couple of times, nothing serious yet and I think she might be the one. He says quietly.

I baulk in shock. Perhaps from the sting of betrayal.

Woh... Woh... Albert. All this detail and I'm just finding out? I ask, dark brown eyes filled with unbelief.

I'm sorry Jack. See, the thing is, you know how I am. I was just too concerned about the vain things this time and I had to make sure I was driving right. He replies

I nod. It was an excuse sufficient enough.

Can I at least see what she looks like? I ask.

All along, I was entertaining the thought that she was some random girl he had met at the bar or the mall. If he is this hooked on her and they have met up a couple of times, then this is something serious. I watch him tap a couple of times on his android before handing it over to me.

Staring back from the brightly lit screen is a picture of a very attractive woman. Her bronze skin shines attractively against the white tank top. Her face holds no smile but her dark brown eyes pull me in. There is something mysterious about her. Something hot. It explains why Albert is so hooked on her. I mean who wouldn't be?

Damn boy, she is something, I mutter beneath my breath.

Cole stretches his neck and Felix moves across the table to pop his neck above my shoulder. Together, all three of us murmur about how beautiful she was and how it was normal for Albert to be this hooked.

When I finally return his phone, I can see him swell with pride.

When do you plan to ask her? Cole asks.

Albert shrugs.

I don't know? Soon? I hope she doesn't say no.

Unless she's crazy! You are an amazing brother! I assure and patted him lightly on the shoulder from across the table.

Would love to meet her though I add.

Sure, Albert responds, a smile lighting up his face. We'll work on that

I give a nod in agreement.

It's past one, fellas. The lunch break is over Felix announces. I groan and roll my eyes. We all stand up from the table and made attempts to finish our sodas.

As we head towards the office building, I can't help it that Emma's face dances in my mind. Her eyes are beautiful. What will it be like to have those eyes stare back at you in the throne of passion? I shake my head. She is for Albert now. I shrug and try to hurry to my desk.

Maybe work will reset my mind and get her picture away from my head.

I take the elevator and say a quick bye to the guys, I have barely settled in my chair when I hear a knock.

Come in. I reply briskly and turn on my P.C.

How are you doing, Jack?

Lifting my eyes, I watch Felix settle into the chair across my table.

Good. Good. What's up? I ask, slightly worried.

He has an uneasy feeling about him. His beautifully patterned red shirt hangs weirdly on his body.

Errr... I want to ask for your advice? He says softly, almost inaudibly like he was afraid saying the words would bring death upon him.

I smirk and look at him curiously.

What? You also want to tell me about a girl you're in love with? I ask, teasing.

His eyes stare back in confusion for a moment before widening in laughter.

I wish! He scoffs.

So what's it then?

The campaign for Lilac Touch.

What's with it? I ask.

I have this idea but I'm not sure how good it is. Also, I want you to look at some of the ads I intend to show to the client. Tell me what you think about them. Just give me your honest opinion.

I look at him and stay silent for a while. One will think it is because his request has caught me off guard or that it requires the depth of thoughts. Actually, it did on both counts.

Nonetheless, it is because an image flashed through my mind. Lilac Touch is a massive client. If we satisfy them, it will move our agency up the ladder. Nonetheless, that isn't the exact problem. I remember working hard for a smaller client, sending in a pitch and getting them to work with us. I remember also being the one in charge of their advertising campaign and it has been nothing short of a massive success. My link ends up being the one that brings us Lilac Touch.

It hurt when the Boss would not let me handle their campaign. I need it to prove my worth and probably get that promotion I have been seeking. Nonetheless, he insists I work on these drab ideas for a boring company that deals in toilet paper.

However, I must admit that Felix is equally amazing as a creative director and he will do justice to the job.

Blinking twice, I banish the images from my mind and smile at Felix.

Sure. Why not? I respond, putting some cheer in my voice before leaning back on my chair and spinning.

He lifts his personal computer from his thighs and places it on my desk and then clicking play, makes a video come alive.

It is a two-minute video with beautiful models dressed in blue, applying the oils on their skin. I think it is ingenious to include the blue nature of the latest oil in the ad and use it to relate with the ocean. They swear the blue is the unique point in the oil's appearance and packaging and Felix has played that well. However, the rest of the video is simply generic. Same old girls, same old oil application, same old smile. Generic stuff we see on every cosmetic ad.

I think it's generic, I say calmly when he is done.

His hazel eyes widen in surprise.

Generic?

Yes. Same old... Same old. It's the same old thing we see in every cosmetic ad out there. Same blonde girls, same oil application and same fake toothed smile. If the main point of the oil is the uniqueness of the color. The ad should be unique too, don't you think? I ask with a shrug.

His shoulders slump. I feel a little sorry for him. The poor guy has probably worked his ass off on the video and tasked his team. He runs a frustrated hand through his short black curls.

What do I do now? It's due in three days. He groans.

I wish I could help, Felix. You just have to come up with something ingenious but it isn't too bad if this is all you have to offer. I reply calmly and lean back on my chair. In contrast, he jerks forward in shock.

Are you insane, Jack? Do you know how big a client Lilac Touch is? He asks in indignation.

I roll my eyes.

Yes but this is beautiful too, I say, gesturing towards the laptop screen.

It's just not unique. Nonetheless, you can make it work. You don't have to crucify yourself, Felix. This is lovely and I'm sure the manager would be proud. I say calmly.

Are you just saying that to make me feel better? He asks, raising an eyebrow.

I shake my head violently. I wish I was but I wasn't.

No Dude. You asked for my honest opinion? I'm giving it to you.

I watch him sigh and once again arrange his loosely fitting shirt.

Thanks, Man. I'll try and get something else done before three days. I might ask for an extension, he replies with a weary look in his eyes.

I shrug.

If that works for you, then it's fine. It would do you good to come up with something a tad bit more unique I add. He nods, offering thanks and stands up. His gait seems awkward and I totally understand. He must be under so much pressure to deliver something worthwhile. His video is amazing but probably too generic. It will do him good to redo it. I watch him leave the office and return to my work. I have barely moved my PC when the door flings open once again.

Man. I don't think I'm cut out for this. I think it's better that it's given to another creative Director. He groans. His eyes look troubled and wild. He moves unsteadily from left to right.

What tha...Felix. That's drastic. I respond quietly. Not sure what to do or say.

No, Jack. I'm not going to make attempts and make a fool of myself. I'm going to go ahead and see the Manager. I can't do this He sputters. Sweat