CHAPTER 4

Austin and Angela stood on the rooftop, surrounded by the breathtaking view of the city skyline. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. Austin had made a reservation at this exclusive rooftop restaurant for their anniversary, hoping to make it a special night to remember.

As they perused the menu, Austin's eyes kept drifting to Angela's face, searching for any sign of guilt or remorse. He had caught her in the act of cheating, and the image of her with his rival, the football team captain, was still seared into his mind.

Angela, aware that Austin knew about her infidelity, seemed nervous and on edge. She fidgeted with her napkin, avoiding eye contact with Austin.

After ordering their meals, they sat down at their table, and Austin couldn't help but confront Angela about her betrayal.

That was the reason why he texted her back.

"So, you're not even going to apologize?" Austin asked, his voice low and even.

Angela shrugged, her expression vague. "I don't know what to say, Austin. I'm sorry you had to find out like that."

Austin's eyes narrowed. "Like what? Like catching you in the act with my rival? With the guy who's been trying to take me down on the sports field?"

Angela looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know, Austin. I just got caught up in the moment, I guess."

Austin laughed bitterly. "The moment? You mean the moment when you decided to throw away our relationship and cheat on me with someone else?"

Angela's eyes flashed with anger, but Austin could see the guilt and shame lurking beneath the surface.

"I don't know what you want me to say, Austin," Angela said, her voice cold and detached. "I'm sorry, okay? Can't we just move past this and try to work things out?"

Austin shook his head, his eyes filled with sadness and disappointment. "No, Angela. We can't just move past this. You cheated on me, and you don't even seem to care. You don't even seem to love me."

Angela's expression softened, and she reached out to touch Austin's hand. "Austin, I do love you. I just...I don't know, I guess I just got bored with our relationship."

Austin pulled his hand away, his eyes cold and hard. "Bored? You got bored with me? With our relationship? That's not love, Angela. That's just convenience. And I'm not convenient for you anymore."

Angela's face fell, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I guess you're right, Austin. I'm sorry."

But Austin just shook his head, his heart heavy with sadness and betrayal. "I don't want your apologies, Angela. I just want to know if you loved me”

His heart Broke yet again, he didn't want to think that Angela didn't love him. Yet she was there with nothing to say. Pain welled up in his chest and he stood up to leave.

He brought out the ring from his pocket and slammed it on their table. He saw her visibly shake from the sound. Then he barked out angrily “I was going to give you this ring as a promise. We were going to discuss our future and when you agreed to marry I was going to propose and we were going to be happy” a tear escaped and strolled down his cheek. “I guess that happy ending is never coming for us. I love you Angi. But it is over.” He watched her countenance and she seemed shocked she struggled for words but he didn't stay another moment to hear what she had to say.

He went to a bar and he proposed in his heart to drink till he forgot about Angela.

Parked by the entrance He left his suit on the driver's seat. He had unbuttoned 5 buttons on his white shirt revealing his chest. He found it hard to breathe. He folded the hands of his shirt and walked out of the car with his blue pants and black shoes. He sat down by the bar facing the bartender. He wasn't a regular here but he didn't want to see anyone right now that was why he didn't go to his usual place where he and his friends hung out. 

“What do you want”

“An Espresso Martini and be heavy on the vodka” 

Minutes later he was drinking the Martini and enjoying the taste of it. He stared at the pictures of Angela and deleted them one after the other. He brought out his phone and texted the number again still there was no reply 

Just when he ordered a second one. He felt someone approach him. He had never had the desire to kill but he wanted to kill this guy. The balls he had to approach him after having sex with his girlfriend. 

The blonde haired guy sat down on a stool beside him and ordered the same thing.

“You must have a death wish”

“Sure I would want to die by your hands.”

“So along with being a player you go around stealing people's girlfriends “

“You don't know me Austin. Your girlfriend on the other hand has been cheating on you since you both came to college. In your year 1 I have seen her many times at clubs with different guys and she was dating you then. She approached me when we got our second level. She is no good for you.”

“Of course,” he said with a sardonic laugh, “that is why you decided to add to the number of guys she slept with.”

“Austin” the taller guy's voice was low and dark. He squeezed the glass he was holding.

“You tell me you didn't want her” he downed the whole Martini. He was prepared to find a knife to slit his throat 

Oliver came just in time to remove Austin's clench fist that held the football captain's shirt. 

He walked away angrily and Austin had it in his mind to follow him and deliver his punch but Oliver sat him down.

“You are drunk” 

“No I am not,” he glanced angrily at the glass. 

“What did he want?” Oliver asked 

“Came to tell me Angela was a whore and he added to the number of guys she slept with.”

“He liked her, now he can have her. They can both funking marry and I don't care.” He drank his Martini 

“Let's take you home, you have school tomorrow and with an assessment.” Oliver tried to get him up

“I don't want to go” he pushed Oliver for him and ordered for another.

Oliver stayed by him comforting as best as he could till Austin was dead drunk and he carried him home.

As expected Ausin woke up with a hangover, his head was pounding and a pain relief was at his bedside. He quickly took it and drank lots of water.

He managed to drag himself to the bathroom, prepared himself, got dressed and drove to school. 

He was late for his test yet he managed to answer some of the questions his lecturer spared him and gave him extra time to answer.

When he was done he submitted and paid half attention throughout the classes he had.

He made his way to the canteen with Benjamin by his side talking about how handsome he is and soon he would find another girl better than Angela.

Benjamin led him to a table far from the counter and went to order them some food. 

A girl approached him asking if his friend was single and if he was he should deliver this letter to him with a cup of smoothie in her hand. He thanked her and took it back to Austin.

“So a girl met me and she told me to give you this.”

“Not interested in her or the smoothie.” 

“Then I will help you drink it.” Benjamin smiled. 

Austin continued sifting through the pictures on his phone, deleting every picture of Angela.

“Common man you have to eat.” His tone was laced with so much concern. 

“Not hungry” Austin said indifferently 

“Angela did a number on you.” Benjamin pitied him.

“Yes she did, I love her, not that you can understand,” his words came out like acid.

Benjamin swallowed the liquid forcefully down his throat. “Well I can help make you feel better”

“How?” Austin lifted his gaze from his phone looking at Benjamin 

“We can go drinking and partying till you forget her” Benjamin happily suggested rubbing his palms 

“Mm thanks” 

Oliver made his way to them removing his lab coat he dropped it by his side sitting opposite Benjamin and Austin.

“What bad ideas have you put in his head” Oliver looked at both of them 

“I have been good. I offered to take him to party and drink “ Benjamin smirked 

“That is supposed to help him, how?” Oliver wore a frown

“It will help him take his mind off Angela.” Benjamin answered nonchalantly 

“Temporarily you know.” Oliver said with a grave expression. Shooting daggers at Benjamin he turned his eyes to Austin “You will be fine Austin you come stay with me while we play video games” he smiled at him.

“Yes, after the party we can crash at his place.” Benjamin said with an insouciance tone.

“Sounds good,” Austin replied, concentrating on his phone.

“I didn't agree to the partying part” Oliver hands smacked Benjamin's head.

From that Monday. Austin's school work suffered

 He went drinking every night. He stopped reading. He texted that particular number and there was no response. His mum threatened to ground him. He didn't care. Lydia wondered what happened to him. He didn't give an answer. All that felt good to him was the alcohol that made him forget Angela. He met her on the days he made it to school. Seeing her looking so good made his heart ache more. She had approached him begging to talk to him and when he confronted her with the accusations he heard. She didn't deny it. He felt like a dam had broken and all the painful emotions he had locked came gushing out.The whole college gossiped about their break up and for a week straight he didn't go to school he stayed at home in bed crying, watching TV and drinking. He kept texting the number. He thought maybe the person who owned it would understand him. He had a nagging itch to call it and found out who helped him find out about his ex- girlfriend. He kept dropping messages each day he woke up and there was no response. His messages had been read with no response.