Chapter 25
1402 Words
♣ Henry Smith ♣
“Hey man, so how're things going there in Germany? How's work? And the testimony?” Derrick asked through the video call.
“Not good.” I groaned, recalling the fact there was some rival who'd come here before me.
And this person had come anonymous at that.
What was that about?
“Why? You didn't get it?” He asked.
“Yeah, some other company beat us to it?”
His brows pulled in obvious surprise. “The Divan Trust?”
“No, this company had come as anonymous, probably to not be found.” They probably knew I'd file a case if they didn't give it back.
“Really? What the heck?” He seemed as annoyed as I had. “Do you think it might be the Divan Trust?”
It could be, but I doubt they'd care to come anonymous.
They would know I wouldn't be able to file a case against them because this was about us both.
So this had to be someone else.
“No, it just doesn't make sense. It's not them.” But who was it?
“Yeah,” he sounded like he was also thinking the same way I was. “Don't stress yourself about it, I'm sure a solution will come up.”
“Hopefully.”
How I really wished his words would come true.
We stayed in silence for a while, both lost in our own thoughts.
This was eleven in the night, but being the workaholic we both were, this wasn't a time to go to bed.
Which was why we'd decided to call and chat about how things have been.
“So, how's it going with Marie?” He broke the silence, immediately reminding me of what had overtaken my thoughts all day since last night.
“I got drunk last night, and we kissed.”
A dramatic gasp left my friend. “What the— Are you kidding me right now?”
“Did it sound like a joke.” I rolled my eyes when he gasped even louder.
“Seriously? How on earth did it happen? Who made it happen?” He seemed just as shocked as I'd have expected.
But I couldn't blame him.
Even I was surprised by the kiss.
And the fact she'd kissed back.
“I don't know, it was just my drunk self in action.” Something I wasn't sure if I was proud of.
A grin took over his still stunned expression. “How did it happen? And what happened afterwards?”
“It was the alcohol doing its work, so I just, like, kissed her without giving it a second thought.”
He let out a chortle. “Woah. Did she push you off or slap you and things like that?”
I cringed before saying what had made me cuss at myself all day. “Actually, she kissed back but I'm the one who shouted at her to get out.”
Silence.
Like, the type that happened when the other was trying to process your word or trying to check if his ears were still hearing right.
“Surely you have got to be kidding, right?” I could already note the annoyed words he'd send my way once he had fully gotten everything in his head.
“Nope. I was not in my right state of mind. It was the alcohol doing its work.” As I just recalled it, I found myself getting more and more annoyed.
It had come as some kind of reflex.
When I'd kissed her, I was too tipsy and not thinking, but the further we got in the kiss, the more my sense began snapping back, bringing me to reality.
And once sober enough, I just… panicked.
I knew if I continued with the kiss, things might end with us naked, and her regretting it the next morning.
That wasn't something I wanted to do with her.
As much as I'd want to have s*x with her, it should be something done when no one is drunk or when no one would regret.
Which was why I just had to control myself by shouting at her to leave.
But believe me when I say, if she'd hesitated for even a second, then I wouldn't have been able to hold back drawing her into more kisses.
Good I reacted that way (maybe I should've been less stern though).
“So you threw her out?!” Derrick obviously won't see things the way I did.
So I didn't bother explaining anything to him.
“Not my proudest moments.”
“You threw her out?!” That was obviously what he cared about the most.
“It was a reflex.”
“Have you lost it?!” Maybe I had actually.
“It was for the best, believe me.”
“Oh shut up,” he growled, looking extremely mad at me, “you are hopeless when it comes to romance. Hopeless!”
“Guilty as charged.”
“I've given up on you, seriously.” It was obvious my nonchalance annoyed him.
“At this point, I think I've given up on myself.” Because it was obvious at this rate, there was no making her fall for me again with how angry she was at it all.
“Yes, end up getting a divorce and living single till your death. Goodbye.” He hung up.
With a sigh, I dropped the phone beside me on the bed, then leaned to rest on the pillows.
This was a disaster.
At least I could enjoy the one year I had left with her.
Just knowing she was home with me should be enough to keep me happy.
Who knows, maybe in the future, after our divorce, I could adopt a child to take over the company when I retire.
And also to at least be a dad.
The sound of my ringtone cut through my thoughts, and when I picked the phone up, I was a little surprised to see Derrick's video call.
“Listen man, this girl liked you for so long, and when you two kissed, she kissed back which means there might still be a part of that love she once had.” He said the moment I answered the call.
A small smile appeared on my lips.
Of course, I should expect him to not just leave me that easily.
“I think after last night, all that emotion died.” She had seemed mad for the entire day.
“But she still kissed back last night, which means something is buried deep down there somewhere.” He shook his head. “I feel so annoyed at myself for doing this, believe me when I say I'd love to just let you die single, but that would only make me die guilty, especially when we're old and I'm with Anna, while you're there sulking and all alone.”
Though I rolled my eyes, I still found myself smiling. “Thanks, I guess.”
“Whatever.” He huffed. “Now, let's talk about Marie. I really like her, and she's perfect for you so if you don't come to your senses and get her while it's still possible, then I'll be the one to actually hang you.”
“Will keep that in mind.”
I was replied with an eye roll. “Do you seriously think you can survive the rest of your life without her? Seeing her get married to someone else, have kids and stay happy. Without you.”
The thought made me shiver.
Nope, that was a nightmare.
“Of course not.”
“Well then, use your brains and actually make her fall for you. For once let someone in on how you feel. Your emotion.”
That wasn't something I was good at doing, but the thought of losing her felt even more scary than I thought it would.
Knowing that she was out there making children without someone else.
That'd wreck me.
No, I couldn't let that happen.
I had to not let that happen.
“This time Derrick,” confidence echoed in my tone when I said, “I will truly make her fall in love with me again.”
A smile spread across his lips. “That's the spirit.”
Oh yes, it was the spirit.
- Writer
