Chapter Ten
1600 Words
“Come on Antonio, give me some credit on picking out this really cool bar.” He said In a whiny voice and I couldn’t help but laugh.
Matteo shook his head and pulled out a counter still then sat on it and I did the same. He turned to the bartender who asked for our order and told him what drink he should prepare for us.
“Two Aunt Roberta please.” He said to the bartender and I stared at him with a horrifying expression.
“Dude, are you crazy? Are you trying to get us drunk or what? I said.
The bartender watched us as we turned and waited for us to decide on what we were going to drink.
“Aunt Roberta can’t get us drunk bro. And besides, we came to the bar to drink so the possibility of getting drunk is quite high.” He patted my shoulder as he talked.
“Please proceed with the Roberta.” He turned to the bartender and said. The young dude nodded then turned around to begin the mixing of alcohol to arrive at the desired order.
“I have to go to work tomorrow Matteo, I can’t get drunk tonight,” I said to him matter of factly in case he had forgotten.
“A shot wouldn’t hurt, come on” he whined. “Besides, you’re the boss, you can decide to go to work or not.”
“Yeah well I have to go to work tomorrow because I have the interview with the applicant for the post of my assistant.”
“Come on Antonio, don’t be such a party pooper. We came here to drink so let’s drink and if you end up drunk then you taking the day off tomorrow. Period.” He slid the hot glass at me and I shook my head.
There was no convincing this guy when it involves drinking. He always had the final say.
“Fucker.” I cursed silently before raising the shot glass up and poured the entire substance into my mouth. “Shitt.” I hissed when I felt it burn my throat.
“That was hottt.” Matteo said as he held a grimace on his face.
“Another one.” I turned to him and said.
“Now this is the Antonio I know.” He beamed and slapped my shoulders then turned to the bartender and requested for another shot of aunt Roberta.
The first shot was always the deal breaker for me. After the first glass, I’d want to continue drinking, till I drop dead.
“Cheers to nothing brother.” I said as I clinked my shot glass with his then poured the liquid down my throat in a swift motion.
I cursed as I felt the familiar burn in my throat. It was hot as hell, but this time it wasn’t as bad as the first time.
I said my glass towards the bartender and requested for another.
Three shot, four, five, six shot of aunt Roberta down in my system and I was beginning to get tipsy.
“Heyyy, I think that’s enough.” Matteo said as he tried collecting the glass from my hand.
I swatted his hand away and poured the liquid down my throat immediately. I wasn’t tipsy anymore, I was drunk as f**k. The alcohol had already began to react in my system.
“I need to use the restroom.” I announced as u stood up from the stool. The minute I got up, I fell back down immediately.
“You’re drunk bro.” Matteo said as he facepalmed himself.
“ I am not drunk.” I retorted and bursted out laughing.
“Yeah right.” He muttered in response.
A drunk person never admits to his drunkenness. So I am not drunk, I’m just a little tipsy.
I blinked away my blurry vision and readied myself to stand up. This time around I stood on my feet without falling back down.
“I told you I wasn’t drunk.” I clicked my tongue as I turned around to walk to the bathroom.
I might be a little drunk but I wasn’t stupid.
I turned around and faced the bartender then asked, “Where is the bathroom?”
“Down there.” He pointed down a hallway and I followed his hands.
“Thanks brother.” I said and brought out my wallet the took out a hundred dollar bill and slammed it on the table. “Tip.” I grinned before staggering my way in the midst of people and to the bathroom.
I avoided so many obstacles on my way to the bathroom and when I finally arrived safely, I gave myself a little high give in my head before doing my business.
I washed my hands and splashed water on my face before walking out of the bathroom, feeling less drunk that I felt before. Half way out of the bathroom, I collided my shoulder with that of a lady who had her head down and was struggling to tie her apron around her waist as she walked hurriedly to wherever she was heading too.
“Ouch..” I winced.
“I’m so sorry.” She apologized immediately without raising her head up and ran into the middle of the crowd.
That voice.. It sounds familiar.
I knew I had heard that voice from somewhere. I could never forget that voice. That was her.. Yes, it was. I’m sure of it. That was Irene’s voice.
The alcohol had dawned on me and I was a hundred percent sure that it was Irene’s voice I heard.
“Irene.” I called out and turned around then scanned the midst of the crowd for her. I walked into the middle, avoiding bartenders carrying drinks on their tray.
There she is.
My gaze finally landed on a female who had the physique of the person I had bumped into earlier and I grabbed her by the hand and spun her around.
“Irene.” I called out desperately as I prayed and hoped for it to be her.
“Excuse me!” The lady said in confusion. “My name isn’t Irene.”
“Oh.” I said in disappointment. “My apologies. I mistook your for someone.” I apologized as I let go of her hand and watched her walk away.
I heaved a heavy sigh and looked around the room, hoping to see her. If it was truly her.
“Yoo, dude, are you okay?” Matteo appeared from nowhere and asked.
“Yeah yeah, I’m fine. Let’s leave already. I’m tired.” I replied in a low voice as I turned down around and made my way out of the bar.
I was sure it was Irene’s voice I heard. I could never forget her angelic voice. The realizing feeling that followed the sound of her voice is something I would never ever forget in my life. But at the same time, I was a little drunk so it could be the alcohol and my jumbled emotions playing a big game on me or something.
I opened the car door and sat inside then waited for Matteo to enter.
“Are you sure your okay Antonio?” He asked the minute he slammed the door.
“I don’t know Matteo. I really don’t know. I think something is really wrong with me.” I shook my head and answered truthfully.
I really don’t know what was wrong with me. One minute I’m hearing Irene’s voice and I’m seeing her and mistaking other girls as her. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Please don’t tell me this is about Irene again” he asked as he facepalmed himself.
“Who else.” I closed my eyes and sighed deeply.
“Fuckin’ hell” he cursed in frustration. “What is it this time?”
“I saw her.” I said flatly.
“You saw who?” He asked.
“Irene.. I fuckin’ heard her voice on my way back from the bathroom.”
“What the actual f**k Antonio!” He exclaimed in frustration. “You saw who?”
“I know it sounds absurd but I’m really sure I saw her at the bar. I bumped into her on my way out and heard her speak. It was her voice Matteo, it was Irene’s voice.” I explained, trying to sound convincing.
Matteo looked at me with a confused expression and shook his head.
“I think the alcohol has finally kicked in. You’re beginning to imagine things.” He chuckled mockingly.
“I am not imagining things. I know what I heard Matteo. I’m sure it was her.” I thrusted my hands into my hair and pulled on it painfully.
“You are imagining things Antonio. I mean,I don’t know, it’s been sixteen freakin’ years and you think she’s gon’ look and sound the same way as the teenager Irene. She isn’t a vampire Antonio. What the fuxk bro! I thought you were smarter that this.” He reprimanded as he shook his head.
“I just wanna see her one last time. One last time is all I ask for.” I mumbled as I drifted asleep.
I just wanna see her one more time and say goodbye properly, maybe, just maybe I would finally be able to move on with my life.
“Let’s get you home you love sick dude.” I had him say before finally losing consciousness.
- Writer
