CHAPTER 22

                 The sun finally gave in, submerging beneath the skyline. One by one, guests took leave and most part of the venue is bare silent. Mike is more free now. Swings of heavy legs crossed the balcony and stood next to Joseph– leaning to the handrail with his forearm. His coat had been long abandoned, wearing just the silk brown shirt. Its sleeves fold up to his elbow, sinfully accentuating his build as the top of his bicep balled against the fabric. In a way, he even makes his own father envious.

“Dad...”. Joseph nodded as he drew another puff. He then extends an upright cigarette to his son.

“Want a puff?” looking at the horizon, he blew off his lung's content. The beautiful scent of man’s common addiction waft through the air, into Mike and automatically ignites memory on his taste buds. Enough to rejuvenate his sluggish face. At the same time, a mild lemon tinge slipped into his nostrils, reminding him of a c