Six

Tristian

The tension in the air hung heavy as I tucked the moist handkerchief into my breast pocket, my mind still reeling from the mess of emotions that had unraveled in mere minutes. Trying to anchor myself, I pulled out a business card from my wallet and held it out toward him.

"Here" I said, stretching my arm out.

William’s glassy eyes flickered with confusion, hesitation battling with anger. His expression was a cocktail of emotions, none of them simple. He didn’t take the card, his reluctance almost tangible.

Knowing how stubborn and drunk he was I moved closer with caution, my muscles tense, ready for resistance. He flinched as I slid the card into his pocket, but he didn’t stop me. He seemed too disoriented, too lost in his haze of alcohol and emotions.

“Look, I mean you no harm” I said softly, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I... I’m worried because I care about you. I just want to talk.”

He blinked, confusion shadowing his anger.

“9 a.m. tomorrow. I’ll be expecting you,” I whispered into his ear, my voice low but firm.

The words felt absurd, even to me. I knew how ridiculous I must have sounded, especially to someone like William… someone who probably hated me more than anyone else in his life. He was spiraling, drowning in a sea of resentment and alcohol, and here I was trying to pull him out.

“You must be out of your damn mind,” he slurred, his breath heavy with the acrid stench of whiskey. “What the hell could I possibly get from you, huh?”

He staggered forward, his anger reigniting as he swung his arm in another clumsy attempt to hit me.

“Stop” I muttered, sidestepping his sluggish motion.

But before he could regain his footing, he stumbled, his knees giving way beneath him. Instinctively, I caught him, pulling him upright before he could hit the ground.

The moment felt heavier than it should have.

His weight pressed against me, his body slack from exhaustion and drunkenness. The sharp scent of alcohol clung to him, but I ignored it, focusing instead on steadying him. My grip on his arm tightened as I pulled him closer, my breath hitching for a fraction of a second before I forced myself to snap out of it.

I sighed, reaching into my pocket with one hand to pull out my phone. This wasn’t a situation I could leave to chance. I arranged for a car to take him to a private suite I’d booked on impulse, knowing he’d be safer there than wherever he might have ended up on his own. I paid extra for someone to look after him, ensuring that both he and his car would make it there in one piece.

By the time I reentered the bar to collect my own things, the earlier commotion had died down, the patrons returning to their drinks and conversations as though nothing had happened.

But I couldn’t shake the weight in my chest.

“What the hell was I thinking?” I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair as I leaned against the bar.

Images of William’s tear-streaked face flashed through my mind, the feel of his body against mine still fresh. I’d gotten too close. Too involved. And it had taken every ounce of self-control I had not to…

I clenched my fists, forcing the thought away.

But even as I tried to push it down, I couldn’t ignore the heat pooling low in my stomach, the way my body had reacted without my permission.

I shoved my hand into my pocket, pressing against the tight discomfort there.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I couldn’t believe myself… how much I’d been turned on by something as simple as holding him in my arms.

This was dangerous. He was dangerous.

And yet, as I stood there lost in my thoughts and I couldn’t deny the pull he had over me, no matter how much I wanted to.

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. The image of William, broken and drowning in his own anger and sorrow, lingered in my mind. I didn’t want to see him in such a pathetic state… not over a gamble. And if I was being honest, I didn’t want him to hate me any more than he already did.

So, I decided to make a peace offering.

But doubt gnawed at me as I glanced at the clock on my desk. 9:40 a.m.

I sighed as i leaning back in my chair. It wasn’t surprising that he wouldn’t show up. After everything that had happened, why would he?

Shaking my head, I turned my attention back to the day’s tasks. Papers and emails demanded my focus, and I was ready to immerse myself in work when a sound cut through the quiet.

A knock.

Subtle but distinct.

My heart skipped a beat as I straightened in my chair.

“Come in” I said, my voice steady.

The door handle turned and the suspense tightening around me like a coil.