Chapter 9: Heartbreak

Auden and I left the house at dusk the following day after an early dinner. He had a plan for how I was going to see Vaughn and it came sooner than I anticipated. He must have ears on the ground or else how would he have known that Vaughn was going to be at the Havana tonight?

We arrived two hours early as I paced up and down between the Havana and a side beach bar that was hidden by the road. I was restless and impatient as I waited for Vaughn.

My patience paid off when a white escalade was parked by the Havana parking lot. Standing opposite the far side of the Havana, I watched as Vaughn, Elaine, and the same guy who had accompanied them walked into the club.

The guard that Auden had bribed whispered something to Vaughn and he immediately turned in the direction we were standing at the opposite end of the Havana. His eyes widened and I beckoned him to follow me without a care in the world if he did.

Walking over to a beach bar that was deserted, I spotted Auden sipping his drink nervously. He stood up when he saw me and rushed to me. "Did you see him? What happened?"

Before I could speak, I heard Vaughn's voice behind me. "Do you think I am your dog that you can summon? What the f*ck do you think you are doing, Wade? Did I not make myself clear yesterday?"

The damn brat truly had a foul mouth. My body vibrated and Auden quickly moved to pull me away but I was quicker than him. I pushed Vaughn to a nearby table, face down, and then breathed down on his ear. "I warned you. I hate being pushed around or being talked down on."

He turned his eyes to look at me and his gasping sounds went right to my c*ck. He smirked and whispered, "If you wanted this badly you could have just said so."

His statement had a clear meaning hence I let him go and stood further back in embarrassment.

Standing beside Auden were Elaine and their friend. They both looked at us at a loss for words witnessing a different side of Vaughn. Elaine was the first to speak. "Wade, this is Alden Gideon. Our good friend. Gideon, this is Wade and that is Auden. They work at the museum art gallery."

Gideon walked over and extended his hand to me and Auden. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

I stared at him wondering why he looked familiar and then the article about Vaughn's engagement came to mind. They had mentioned him, the son of the president's chief of staff who was running the family's motor business.

I looked at Vaughn and muttered, "Do you have something to say to me?"

He sneered and then said, "You are the one who lured me here. State your mind. I don't have the whole night."

I moved over to him, and we stood toe to toe. "Did you forget to tell me that you are engaged when you kissed me this afternoon?" I heard Elaine's gasp and Auden's groan.

"So, you are the kind that airs dirty linen in public?" Vaughn drawled in anger.

"I asked you not to push my limits. But your remarks were rude yesterday. And what do you take me for? Do you think I would kiss you and flirt with your sister? I was raised with manners that a man should be faithful to one partner."

He closed his eyes and sighed in frustration. I was determined and did not care if he was battling his internal demons.

"We should leave them alone," I heard Elaine suggest.

"I agree," Auden responded.

"Is Vaughn gay?" Gideon asked. "My best friend is gay, and I had no idea. Did I miss the memo?"

"Shut your mouth, Gideon," Vaughn threatened.

I grabbed Vaughn's hand and then tried to pull him away into privacy. But he stood his ground and pushed me away. "Do you think that I'm interested in you? This was just a one-time thing. A moment of passion. Don't tell me you want to hold on to nothing?"

"Are you listening to yourself, Vaughn?" I whispered. I felt so much hurt and anger.

"Please don't make this harder than it already is. I have a fiancée and my life had been set out. I'm not interested in you. I was just confirming if I felt something or if it was just a passing moment."

"Spare me that nonsense. You can sell it to the elite society, but this kind of bullsh*t does not work on me. You know very well what is between us is real as it gets," I sneered.

"Two gay people? One from the Elite and the other from the lower-class society. A union made in heaven," he said sarcastically.

I sat by the table and stubbornly smiled. "It sure did feel like heaven yesterday in the storage room. I want more of that."

"Are you insane?" Vaughn whispered.

"I did not foresee Wade as the romantic type," Auden remarked dryly.

"He is the perfect guy," Elaine stated. "A handsome gentleman. I would love him as my brother-in-law. You have no idea how annoying Vera Bexley is."

"Why do you keep complimenting Wade all the time?" Gideon asked in frustration.

I walked over to the counter and picked up Auden's glass of whiskey and chugged it. I sat by the counter and my fingers ran through my hair.

"Why do you want to make our life difficult? Do you know what we both shall go through? The elite society is brutal and will chew you alive. My mother would be hurt and retaliate."

"So, you are concerned about me?" I asked sarcastically as my eyes blazed in anger. "I am a grown man who can handle any sh*t that comes my way."

"I can't risk my family for you, Wade," Vaughn whispered. "Losing my dad was enough trauma for me. I don't even fit into this society and now you want us to have a relationship?"

"How are the two related? Will you be in a relationship with me or the society?" I seethed. "I fail to understand what love and happiness have to do with society and class."

"You sound as if you have nothing to lose, Wade. A b*stard like you who cares about only themselves," Vaughn accused.

"When it comes to matters of the heart, why bother involving people?" I raised my eyebrows in question.

He laughed and then took a step forward and whispered, "Don't tell me you have never been rejected before? I am not interested in anything that you can offer. You don't have a right to breathe the same air or be in the same space with me. I'm above you and always will be."

I staggered back and then looked away. "I hope you remember and keep your word shortly."

And with that, I walked out of the beach bar and headed to the truck. I could feel Auden's following me. I got in the passenger seat as Auden drove us back home.

The journey was filled with silence as tears threatened to spill. We arrived home and found Pa watching a movie. He took one look at me and walked over to give me a warm hug. I felt Auden rubbing my back as Pa stepped back.

I heaved a sigh after composing myself. "I am ready to go to Milan, Pa."

"Okay, Wade. It's all right son. I had already planned for the same. Your godfather was so happy to hear the news. Milan will be good for your heart. To heal and be away from this society."

I nodded and then whispered, "Thank you Pa and Auden. For your support and understanding."

***

We spent the next day packing the house furniture in storage and shipping our stuff to Milan. Pa's paintings were unfinished and were also shipped as Auden resigned from his position via email to which Mr. Winston responded enthusiastically, letting him go with best wishes.

The neighbors all gathered for a farewell party, but I remained low and hidden in my room. The time had come for us to leave Valletta for Milan.

I dragged my feet as we boarded the plane and once we were airborne Auden tapped my shoulder. "We have a new life that awaits us. Focus on that, Wade. We can work hard and get rich, then come back and terrorize them."

Auden's words sounded like he was jesting but they sank into my brain. I turned to look at him as my eyes blazed and he finally realized what he had suggested. He was nodding his head vehemently while I responded, "You are right, Auden."

"Me and my big mouth. Please don't let Pa hear you. He will be worried," Auden whispered.

I closed my eyes and rested my head back on the seat. I made a vow to myself. "Vaughn Everette, I will come back stronger, and you will eat your words."