Chapter 55: Chapter 55
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools."
-Ernest Hemingway-
***
Raphael had drunk his pain away that night, he went to the nearest bar and indulged himself in alcoholic beverages, shots after shots went by quicker than the bartender could make them, usually he was not someone who would resort to alcohol to ease his pain. Yet the pain he was feeling was beyond anything he had been through before. He just could not take it anymore. Something inside of him knew he should not be doing it and it would solve nothing, but you cannot make reason with miserable people.
He was half drunk when he realized he could not go home alone, with all consciousness he had left, he called Gilbert and asked him to pick him up as soon as possible, knowing fully that the last shots he made would make him completely drunk. Still, he ordered them anyway. The bartender seemed to be concerned but he had known Raphael must be somewhat a man of power and dared not to refuse his order. It was never good to be involved with the affairs of the rich and powerful.
It was on his eight glass of vodka mix did he lost all of his senses. Unaware of his surrounding, he unleashed his accumulated anger by punching the bar table with his fist and shouted his heart out. Fortunately, no one seemed to care, as they were busy attending their own glasses. The place was not even that crowded to begin with. It was fortunate for him that only a few were there and none of them recognized who he was. Otherwise it might be the next new scandal.
In his drunk state of mind Raphael kept on thinking about Clara. It was almost as if she was haunting him, making sure he was unable to move on for her. It was her who was in the wrong but the image of her made it look as if everything was his fault.
Gilbert ran inside the bar to find Raphael on such state. He was practically making a fool out of himself. It would make a bad publicity if anyone knew of his identity. So far no one seemed to realize it was Raphael Desroches who were acting like a drunken bastard. It was no excuse to not move fast, so he approached him and touched his shoulder, trying to lift him up to bring him back to his house. When he did, Raphael suddenly lifted up his face, his hazy gaze met his.
"Gilbert, my friend." Raphael gave him an eerie smile, he laughed and pat both of Gilbert's shoulder hard. His next sentences sounded like slurs in his ears, and Gilbert knew he had to somehow get Raphael out of there.
"Let's go back to your place." Gilbert was embarrassed in his place, Raphael had been a well put together man who barely went out of control like then. It was so strange looking at such a respectable man in such state. It made him wonder what caused the man to act like that. The Raphael he knew would never do that, unless he had strong enough reason to do that.
"Wait, just one more shot." Raphael pointed to the bartender but Gilbert did not think it was the best idea, he put his arm around Raphael's shoulder and brought him outside. Raphael was so heavy and since he was taller than Gilbert, often he would slouch down and nearly fall before being pulled up again. It was a struggle carrying him all the way to the car, but he managed to do it somehow. He placed him on the back seat and the man fell on the couch. His eyes were closed and he was unable to move his body much.
Gilbert positioned himself in the driver’s seat and started driving away from the place. He could see glimpses of him from the driver's mirror and he was not looking good. His eyes were half open most of the time, his lips were parted slightly, he was in a daze. It was as if his mind wandered somewhere dark. His face appeared slightly pale as well. The man definitely had a pretty rough time which drove him to act like a reckless child, he had no intention of making assumptions, but he could tell whatever happened to him must have hit him hard.
He assisted him all the way inside the penthouse, he had to pick up the key from his pocket and it was not an easy task. Gilbert had to lean Raphael on the wall as he searched for the key, opened up the door and then helped him again by holding his shoulder. He could not hold the man any longer and semi threw him on the couch.
Catching his breath, he found himself unable to comprehend his behavior. Raphael had definitely passed out, he was thinking on leaving him like that, since Raphael was not a kid, he should be able to handle himself. His job was already done. He turned around to leave when he heard a small but clear murmurs escaping Raphael's lips. He was murmuring someone’s name.
"Clara... Clara." the name was repeated over and over again, no other word was heard. Gilbert instantly understood the cause. Something must have happened between him in Clara that tore him apart into such state. It seemed Raphael truly fancied the woman otherwise there was no way he would act in such manner.
He just could not comprehend how a woman was capable of creating the chaos. Gilbert had only met Clara twice, which made him lack in depth judgements toward her, but his snap judgement toward her had been well. He would not butt into their business, Gilbert was not a nosy person. He did care about Raphael, but what happened in his life was completely his own responsibility. Drawing out a blanket from the drawer he laid it down on top of Raphael.
"Sleep tight."