Chapter 56: Chapter 56

"Take things as they are, punch when you have to punch, kick when you have to kick."

-Bruce Lee-

***

The next morning Raphael woke up with a heavy head and a petty hangover, he massaged his temple which was pounding like crazy. He could not remember how long it had been since the last time he got wasted, probably during his first year in college.

He headed to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, his hand was shaking even as he did so. Gulping it down, he found it was not enough and added another. As his consciousness started to re-enter his mind, he realized it was not the weekend. He had to go to work in a few hours, spending thirty minutes to sober up was difficult for him.

He should have read on how to get sober quickly before he decided to get drunk. At the moment he really hoped he could just stay home that day, but he could not. There were a lot of things he needed to settle at work. With his state though, he was not quite confident that he would be able to go through everything well. It terrified him.

His head became much clearer as he took a shower, cold water poured down his face down to his chest and his legs. Waking him up from his hazy state of mind. He began to ponder over what happened the previous day. It happened in a blink of an eye. Everything that happened the day before was a joke. It was a nightmare. He did not even want to accept the reality.

Right, he kicked Clara out.

She cheated on him with Corentin. Everything was happening so fast, it felt surreal, he loved her so much. Raphael was badly hurt when he recalled Clara's agonizing face. If he was given a chance to turn back time he wondered if he would do anything differently.

Did Clara really cheat on him? Doubt entered his mind, there were so much hypothetical questions. What if she did not? What if it was all just a big misunderstanding? What would he do then? He shook it off, of course she did. Raphael could not imagine the consequences of him being wrong, filling his head with his own thoughts, he created his own reality to cover up for his feelings. He wrapped a towel around his waist and got dressed up. Right, he needed to do what was necessary. He needed to focus on work.

It was what he kept on telling himself. He repeated the phrase in his head over and over again like a broken disc. He decided to wear something a bit different that day, instead of the usual black and white suit, he wore an all-black suit that day. Along with a gray tie. Combing his hair in front of the mirror, he tapped his cheek and checked his eyes, ensuring he looked like a sane man, although he was not inside.

He was about to head back downstairs when he passed by Clara's old room. Where they had fought hard the previous day. He knew he should just walk away from the room, but his feet dragged him over. He twisted the knob and found the room in the same mess as yesterday. The household maid had yet to arrive, everything was still intact and left as it was.

He knew he should not come inside, but he stepped in anyway. He saw her clothing on the floor. The dress she wore during their trip together to Maldives was on the bed. The one she wore when they went on a date for the first time, the clothes he bought for her were all displayed properly in her closet. She had never spent more than what she needed, which was so different from the women he had known his entire life. His cards were still on the table where he put it after she threw it to the ground.

Her bed was still wrinkled, and her winter scent still lingered in the air, a mix of oud, tonka, vanilla and amber. He remembered getting it for her as a surprise gift, and she had always worn it during fall and winter. She must have forgotten to take her perfume with her, It sat still on top of her vanity, he picked it up and saw the engraving of her name on the side of the perfume where he had customized it for her when he first ordered it.

As he held the item in his hand, he could not help but imagine her face. Her smile, how her green eyes always twinkled like emerald every time she looked at him. How much fun he had when she was around, how sometimes she could be so stubborn yet caring, how she always held him close at night and guard his soul when he was asleep.

How he missed her.

No! I can't. She betrayed me!

He put it back and left the room. Raphael was bothered, he needed to change the room back to the guest room.

Right before he stepped outside he heard his bell rang, since no one would open it for him, he had to do it himself, opening the door, he saw Corentin standing in front of him. He was wearing a casual loose gray t-shirt and a pair of jeans, it was obvious that the man was not heading to work. Strangely enough, he looked as if he had not gotten much sleep as well, it was obvious from the darkness under his eyes.

What business could he possibly have here?

"What do you want?" Instead of getting an answer, a punch landed on his stomach. He had to take a few steps back from the impact as his anger was rising.

"What the hell!?" Corentin stepped in and closed the door, punching Raphael once more, this time it hit his face. He had not recovered from the previous pain therefore it came as a double hit on his side.

"That one is for Clara." At this point Raphael was completely pissed off, he wanted to attack Corentin back but Corentin was faster than Raphael. It was no surprise for Corentin had learnt MMA at one point in his life. Grabbing Raphael by the collar, their faces were so close to each other. He could see veins popping in his neck, it was clear he was upset, though he wanted to know why. Because in his mind, he should be the one punching Corentin right then, he was the one who stole his woman after all.

"Do you have any idea what you have done!?" Corentin spoke in a low and dangerous tone, a tone he rarely used. Raphael pushed Corentin and he was able to free his collar. Yet before long, Corentin pushed him once more and this time Raphael fell on the couch. Corentin rummaged his fingers on his hair. At that moment he really had the desire to kill Raphael. It was strange since it was supposed to be the opposite.

"Clara is in the hospital right now." He finally declared. Raphael's eyes widen, he straightened his back and stared at Corentin. For a split second, his expression fell.

"What did you say?"

"She came to me yesterday, saying goodbye. She planned on going back to Bordeaux because you kicked her out, in the middle of winter! How can you allow her to do that? You said you love her!"

"She cheated on me! With you!" He tried to defend himself. Though there was a hint of hesitation in his voice merely because he was starting to doubt himself for no reason.

"She has never cheated on you, that was my fault. I was the one who kissed her. It was my mistake. Someone just happened to take a shot of it. She is innocent. Clara is innocent! You out of all people should know that better than anyone!" Corentin was beyond frustrated. Raphael should have known it, he lives with her, laughed with her, share meals with her, he should have known better.

When he heard it, regret occupied his mind, he fell on the couch, his whole body was weak, he could not even stand up. In that moment, he realized how childish he was, how easily influenced he by things which were unconfirmed. He had no idea how he was supposed to make up for it.

He had done her wrong.

"Are you satisfied now?" There was obvious sarcasm in his voice, Corentin realized there was no other reason for him to stay in there. He was about to leave when Raphael told him to wait.

"Where's she now?"

"Why? You want to see her?" Raphael was still pissed at Corentin for punching him but he needed to lower his pride a bit if he wanted to get an answer.

"Yes." He replied briefly.

"And why should I tell you?" Corentin challenged. He was clearly not pleased that Raphael was asking a favor to him after what he had done to Clara.

"Because she is my woman!"

"She was your woman, until you dumped her because you could not contain your jealousy."

He wanted to punch him right in the face, but he knew he was right. At the end, all he could do was to beg Corentin to tell him about Clara's location, and Corentin knew no matter how much he hated the man at the time and wanted to strangle him so badly, Clara still had feelings for him. In the end, he softened up a bit and did what he thought was the right thing.

"Fine, I'll tell you everything."