Arrogance and Humility
This is my first fic and the first time I write something so please be easy on me. Keep in mind I speak Spanish; English is not my first language which means there are going to be mistakes in grammar. I couldn't develop everything the way I wanted because of the language barrier but I hope the story is understandable.
Disclaimer: Nothing in this chapter belongs to me.
Paris Gare du Nord
Tom, a workaholic and control freak, was pissed, his friends force him to take a vacation from his busy working schedule, he was the heir of Oliver Corporation, a media company. Jason and Zack decided to take him backpacking through Europe. They wanted to stay in hostels and use public transportation something he didn't understand and completely disagree of. They had no need to travel like that when they could afford all the luxury the money could offer. They started the trip in Paris which was a complete nightmare for him; whenever he went to Paris he stayed and ate at the best places, but this time they stayed in a hostel, it was the worst experience he ever had, he had to sleep in a room full of strangers in a uncomfortable bunk bed, he had to go down the hall to use the toilet, the shower was another catastrophe, although it wasn't a group shower, he didn't like the idea of strangers showering next to him, and on top of that he had to bring his own towel, the breakfast was ridiculous, baguette with marmalade or butter, orange juice and coffee, Jason said they were lucky to get pain au chocolate, he just wanted to punch him.
"This is so much fun! I thought it was impossible to have fun without spending thousands of dollars!" Zack said while waiting for the train to depart from la Gare du Nord.
"I don't know what you're talking about; this is the worst vacation of my life!" Tom said.
"Come on, we just got here 3 days ago, are you going to keep this attitude till the end of this trip?" Jason asked.
"You shouldn't have brought me here, and hostels? What the hell is that? There's no need to travel like this. How can people stand this?" he asked irritated.
"You are so arrogant. This should be exciting for you, all you do is complain." Jason said.
"Am I supposed to be excited? I don't need this right now. I have work to do. You don't have the same responsibilities as me." Tom said.
"We know that. That's why we thought you needed a break. You're only 25 man, you need to relax!" Zack said.
"Relaxing is not going to take me anywhere! Besides why can't we stay at a 4 star hotel and take a jet to Brussels? It takes 2 hours to get there in this repulsive train!" Tom said with a disgusted look.
"This is not as bad as you make it seem, this way we get to see the country, and is something new, well get to see things from another perspective." Jason said. Tom didn't answer he just look out the window.
"I don't need another perspective, OK? I love quality and privacy, don't see why I need to change it for this!" Tom said, irritated with their stupidities. Jason and Zack didn't say nothing more for the rest of the trip, they knew Tom was about to explode.
They only stayed for one day in Brussels; they didn't like the city that much. Then they went to Amsterdam and stayed in a houseboat, Tom could at least pass the boat because they didn't have to share it. Their next stop was England, where they did the usual stuff people do when visiting London, from there they took an airplane to Ireland, stayed in Dublin for 2 days and took a train to Wicklow, where everything changes.
"So, can you tell me once more what are we doing here? Of all the places in Ireland you choose a place no one knows. There is nothing to do here! They probably don't even have internet!" said Tom.
"Don't be ridiculous internet's everywhere. And we're here to explore the unknown! You should be excited!" Zack said joking.
"Why is everything exciting to you?" Tom asks. "Why is nothing ever exciting to you?" Zack asked back. "For crying out loud shut up!" Jason said annoyed.
Zack looks at Jason "Fine, there is one of those pub hotels in here. let's see if they have something available."
"I think is obvious, who on hell go's on vacation to a small place like this and stays in a pub?" Tom asked.
"Someone that appreciates the little things." Zack said irritated.
Jason rolls his eyes and opens the door. Inside they see a very pretty girl with long brown hair standing behind the bar talking to a local costumer. She saw them and instantly smiled. She knew they weren't from around there.
"Hi welcome to Riverside Pub and B&B, can I help you?" she asked smiling. They notice her accent was American and wondered what she was doing working in a small town in Ireland.
"Actually yes, we decided to come here on a whim so we don't have reservations. Do you by any chance have something available?" Jason said.
"Well I know for a fact there is enough space for you 3." The girl said.
"I bet." Tom said sarcastically. The girl looks at him with a raise eyebrow and says "sorry did you say something?"
"I was just thinking out loud." Tom smiled arrogantly.
"Yeah I bet." She said sarcastically. Looking at Zack and Jason she says "Well we have 3 rooms available. They're small, only twin beds, but what more do you need to sleep?" She asked jokingly.
"Great, we'll take them." Jason says smiling.
"Great! Twin beds!" Tom says sarcastically once more. He continued "There goes my sleep! I hope you include the sheets and the pillow!" She gave him an annoy look, but didn't say anything.
"So the price is 40£ a night it includes breakfast" she is interrupted by Tom "wow what a bargain! Really breakfast is included? You just made my day, free breakfast guys, isn't that something?" they couldn't believe he said that in front of her, they were embarrassed by his attitude.
He continued "I can imagine the breakfast! Bread, ham and a dirty coffee mug! Plus I'm sure they don't even have internet. What am I suppose to do in this place huh? Eat a cable?" He said angrily.
The girl looked at him and angrily said "Listen asshole if the idea of staying in a place like this repulses you so much then get the hell out of here no one is obligating you to stay, is unnecessary to make fun of me or my grandparents place, this is a humble place so arrogant assholes like you are not welcome here! And aren't you old enough to make your own decisions? Or do your friends have an invisible chain around your body that I can't see?"
Tom was dumbstruck no one dare talk to him that way, especially women. Jason and Zack were surprise but at the same time they were trying not to laugh. Tom deserved all the things she said to him.
Since he didn't replied Jason decided to apologize for him "um you see my friend here doesn't mean no harm he is just hopeless. When he is not in control he snaps."
"Well you should keep your friend under control!" She looks at Tom "you can't go around treating people like that, it's not nice!" Tom look at her but didn't say anything, he was lost in thought. This is the kind of girl he needed one that stood up to him and wasn't afraid of telling him the truth.
"So now that's settle how about the rooms?" Zack said nervously. He looked at her with pleading eyes.
She hesitated for a moment and said "Fine, but if he pulls something like that again, he's out of here. Anyway, like I said 40£ a night, breakfast is included, oh and before you ask we don't accept credit cards so you have to pay cash" she looks and points a finger at Tom " don't even think about making a comment about that or I'll kick your ass out of here."
He still couldn't believe this girl, she was so aggressive and he didn't impress her at all. He like her! He really did. He couldn't believe he was attracted to a girl like her so out of his league. Yes she was beautiful but she wasn't delicate, her clothes were plain, she practically wore no makeup and she had no class.
"What are you looking at you dumb-ass? Looking for more ways to make fun of me?" Kim said aggravated.
Finally he said "Sorry if I insulted you ok? I'm just mad; I'm not use to staying in places like this" He pulled his wallet and gave her 600 pounds. "That should cover the 3 of us for 5 nights".
"Well at least you're honest; I need your names and info." They gave her their names and info and then she handed them the keys "rooms are upstairs, the stairs are behind that wall and no we don't have an elevator. If you need anything let me know. I'm Kim by the way and is a pleasure to meet you 2" she says looking at Jason and Zack "and you not so much, oh and we do have internet" she said looking at Tom. They picked their bags and went upstairs.