Six

Tristian

I halted and tucked my moist handkerchief in my breast pocket.

I pulled out a business card from my wallet. “Here”, stretching out my arm to him.

But he seemed very reluctant and confused at the same time. His face filled with mixed emotions. Knowing how stubborn he is, I moved closer to him with caution, fastened in my muscles and slid the card into his pocket. He seemed to flinch a bit but he couldn’t even resist because of how disoriented he was.

“Look, I mean you no harm, okay? I..I am worried cause I care so much about you and I  just wanna talk”. I took a pause, “9am tomorrow, I’ll be expecting you”. I whispered into his ear.

Even I realize how ridiculous I must have sounded to him. I know how much he must resent me right now. Especially now that he’s seemed to have downed his sorrows along with the rest of his senses in alcohol.

“You must be out of your damn mind”, he slurred with a wave carrying a strong stench streaming out of his mouth. What could I possibly get from you? Uhnn”. He gets closer in what seemed like a pathetic attempt to hit me again.

He misplaced his footing and tripped, but I caught him before he could fall.

I pulled him closer to me. The stench of alcohol was everywhere, but it didn't seem to bother me. I wasn’t a heavy drinker, but I could definitely hold my bottle for as long as I needed to.

I sighed as I managed to pull out my phone with my other hand. I arranged for a ride to take him to a private suite I booked impromptu due to my influence. I paid extra so he’ll be well taken care of and also for his car to be taken there also.

I noticed that the fuzz from earlier seemed to have died down as I stepped into the bar.

I feel like I’ve used up all my composure in just these past few moments and my mind was gonna break.

“What the hell was I thinking?” I muttered to myself as the moments I got so close to Williams replayed in my head. I just stood there lost in thought.

I thought it would have gone down, but I didn't. I had earlier put my hand in my pocket, pressing down against my steeled up crotch. I can’t believe how much I was turned on just by holding him in my arms for a few minutes.

I gulped as I walked further to the counter, dropping my wallet and car keys. Williams bottle sitting idly. The bartender must have thought that he was coming back.

“Hey”, I signaled the bartender, throwing my hand in the air.

I pointed out the lonely bottle. “You can take that away now. It’s on me”.

I ordered something light and easy. With each sip I took I get a weird feeling in my chest as I thought about my feelings for William. How insane must that be?

I’ve kept it all to myself for a long time. I’ve watched him love someone else, even though it was for naught. I watched him sacrifice it all for my brother. I felt so hurt and jealous. But it’s already crazy enough to be attracted to a man. But being in love with your  brother’s boyfriend was just something else entirely.

Still I don’t think I can bear to see him resent me any further. The games were fun while it lasted but, things are clearly getting out of hand and out of my control.

I raised my glass and noticed that I had emptied the entire thing. I instinctively reached for the bottle and wriggled before calling on the bartender for another drink.

“Here you go sir”. He gently opened the bottle and filled my cup just almost to the brim.

I nodded in appreciation for his gesture. And moved on to dwell on my thoughts almost reflexively. I need to do something.

Is he really gonna come tomorrow? A hint of doubt lingers in my heart.

I somehow pulled myself out of my thoughts and cleared my throat. I stared into the void for a while. And then turned my gaze to my dark Hublot wrist watch.  It’s a little bit past ten.

“Oh wow”, I muttered as I requested for my bill. Williams' bill was also added just as I had asked.

I grabbed my wallet and keys from the counter as I turned to leave.

“Have a good night sir”, the bartender’s voice followed from behind me.

“Good night to you too”, I nodded with a bit of a smile on my face.

Since I didn't take anything too hard, I was sober enough to get myself home. Just before I turned on the ignition, I heard a pop up notification sound from my phone. I picked it up to check what it was.

After going through the short message, I heaved a sigh of relief and then responded, “alright”.

Then I drove home for a well deserved rest and to prepare for whatever tomorrow may hold.

                                                               *********

Alexa came walking straight to me, her eyes brimming with things that I know would probably stress me out. But they were necessary.

“Good morning Mr Richmond, I trust you had a wonderful night?” She greets.

“More or less”. I responded with a neutral tone. “Did you get my message last night?” I queried.

“Oh, yes sir! I got your message around 11:30 pm last night”. Her voice was riddled with sarcasm.

“And? Is it done?” I pressed even further with a bit of  a stern look.

She nudged, “Yes sir, it is”.

“I’ll be in my office”, I said as I quickened my pace towards the hallway.

I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I had no other options. I don’t wanna see him in such a pathetic state just because of a little gamble. And I also didn’t want him to hate me even more than he already has, so I decided to make a little peace offering.

But I still had my doubts, after all it was 9:40 am. I sighed. I wasn’t totally surprised that he wouldn’t show up.

I was about to further immerse myself into the dealings of the day, when I heard a subtle knock on the door.

“Come in”, I responded.