Chapter-7

Casey P.O.V

Deciding I needed something stronger than water to handle this, I moved to the bar. I can not watch my ex-boyfriend kneel down and propose to the girl he cheated on me with anymore like he did not make his happy paradise on someone's grief.

The bartender greeted me with a smile. "What can I get you?”. He was not wearing what the other bartenders were wearing, black shirt with the logo and pants instead he was wearing a sleeveless beige denim T-shirt , with a chain necklace around his neck , he was wearing scratched jeans , usually it looks on men like they have been disowned by their family and have been on streets for weeks but somehow he made it look great on him

It was like fate just slapped me on my face when the cheers grew louder.

"Whiskey, straight," I quickly replied, taking a seat in the bar. I shook my head when my head began to spin. It must be the wine I was drinking before.As the bartender poured my drink, I glanced over at my ex, who was beaming at his new fiancée. The sight made my stomach churn. The bartender placed the drink before me.

I downed my whiskey in one gulp and signalled for another. "You see that guy over there?" I slurred slightly as the bartender set down my second drink. "That's my ex-boyfriend. We were together for three years, and he never once said anything about marriage. I was hoping now, he will take our relationship to the next step but it never came. He left me for her . Her. Only nine months with her and he's already proposing.”

The bartender nodded and looked at the happy couple with narrowed eyes then back at me , refilling my glass. "That sounds tough.I do not know why people even try to date anymore. It seems like it's just a heartbreak waiting to happen.”.

“Ssh do not look at them. They will know we are talking about them”. The bartender turned back.

My lips were parted as I looked up at him with my drink in my right hand lifted in the air.

“You never have been in love”looking deep in his eyes I said that .

“After this thank goodness I never fell in love ”. He went back to mixing the drinks. Ignoring his words I looked back at the happy couple .They were wrapped up in each other, oblivious to the world around them, including me. He was showering her with affection, his eyes filled with a love that he never seemed to have for me .

Each affectionate show was a knife to my heart. I turned to the bartender who was refilling my glass, tears brimming in my eyes. "Am I not beautiful?" I asked, my voice cracking. "What am I lacking? What does she have that I don’t?”

The bartender paused, his expression little caught off-guards. " You are beautiful but it is not about what you lack," he said. "Sometimes people make choices that have nothing to do with us. It doesn't mean you're not beautiful or worthy ”. He gave me a playful look. “Or maybe he just got tired of how much you talk.” . I threw the peanuts at him that were served alongside the drinks. I shook my head at him with a smile on my face .

“Has someone ever told you that you are really bad at consoling people? ”

“Was not aiming to.”

I glanced back at my ex, who was now holding his fiancée's hand, a look of adoration on his face. The sight made my chest ache. "It just feels so unfair," I muttered. "I gave him everything, and he just... moved on."

The bartender gave me a small smile. "You can be someone's but it is upon them if they want to be yours . I may not have been in a relationship before but I know one or two things." He flipped the drink and poured it back on the other glass. “ You can not make someone love you”

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. "Yeah, I guess so.”

I sighed, swirling the amber liquid in my glass.

“ It's like no matter how much you give, it's never enough.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. "You know what? You're better off without him. Anyone who can't see your worth doesn't deserve you. Besides, you’re too good to be wasted on someone like that."

I laughed weakly, appreciating his attempt to cheer me up. "Thanks. I just... I don't get it. How could he move on so quickly?”

The bartender shrugged. "Some people just can not handle a good thing when they have it. They only realise what they’ve lost when it’s too late. And sometimes, they're just chasing the next shiny object, thinking it will make them happy.”

I looked at my ex again, watching him laugh with his new fiancée. The sting was still there, but the bartender’s words gave me a bit of solace. "Maybe you're right," I said, taking a sip of my drink. "Maybe I dodged a bullet.” He smiled and went back to make drinks when I suddenly felt dizzy. I lay my head on the counter and did not realise when I dozed off.

I felt someone was shaking me by my shoulder."Hey, wake up.” I blinked my eyes a little but everything was blurry before my eyes.“What is your address? We need to get you home.”

I lifted my head blinking, trying to focus. "My address? It's... um..." But before I could finish, everything went black.

Owen P.O.V

The restaurant was almost empty, the chairs stacked on tables and the last few patrons trickling out. I was behind the bar, polishing glasses and keeping an eye on the lone figure slumped over the counter. She had been drinking heavily all night. She had poured out her sad story to me, and being the gentleman that I am, had consoled her with a mix of sincere sympathy and well-practised charm.

she has dozed off on the bar counter. I sighed, putting down the glass and walking over to her. "Hey, miss," I said gently, giving her shoulder a shake. "It's time to go. The restaurant is closing.”She stirred slightly but didn't wake up. I glanced around.

“Hey," Oliver ,my long time friend and our restaurant chef came out of the kitchen, "I am leaving for the night. I have locked the kitchen. ….”. Barbara , the hostess and my not appointed assistant. I do not have any assistant, with time she started taking the role of my restaurant . I did not object because I knew her for a long time.

"What are you going to do with her?” Pointing at the girl Barbara asked .

I gave the girl's shoulder another gentle shake, and she blinked her eyes open groggily. "Miss, can you tell me your address?" I asked.

She lifted her head, blinking slowly. "It's... um..." She started, but before she could finish, she passed out again, her head thudding back onto the counter.

I looked helplessly at my friends, who all shrugged."I don't know what to do," I admitted.

My friends exchanged looks, and Noah spoke up, "You can't just leave her here.”

I nodded, knowing he was right. I walked out from behind the bar and carefully lifted her and took her purse. "Alright, I'll take her to a hotel nearby. Thanks, guys. I'll see you tomorrow.” This is not the way I thought I was going to spend my night.

"Be careful boss."

The girl started mumbling something incoherent in my arms . I had to balance her properly in my arms otherwise she would not stop moving around to be comfortable..

"Yeah Yeah I am here to be your own personal comfortable mattress, don't I princess?" I shook my head."You are going to be a pain in my ass ". Exiting the restaurant, Barbara closed the restaurant behind us , they said their bye and went their ways. My driver was already waiting outside. Seeing me with an unconscious girl in my arms he quickly opened the back door of the car and helped me to put her in the back seat. I entered behind her and closed the door.

"Drive to the hotel ".