Chapter 99: Chapter 99

(Jeff’s Thoughts)

Walking back to the hotel, all the conversations Kendra and I had keep on running inside my mind.

There are many things I didn’t know about her, things that I should know about her. I am her fiance after all.

“But why do I feel so left out? Why hasn’t she even shared these important information about her life? Am I not worth it?”

So instead of going straight to the hotel room, I dropby the hotel bar and sit at the counter, and order some drinks.

“Evening, man. What can I get you?” a bartender with a happy mood comes in.

I lift my head and nod at him, “Yeah, can I get some scotch?”

“Clean or on the rocks?” he asks while preparing the glass.

“On the rocks, bro, and make it two,” I order.

“Oh, somebody’s starting really strong, tonight, any problems, man?” the bartender keeps on asking question.

“nothing, just wedding blues,” this is the excuse that I give.

“Ohh,” he seems happy about it, “Congratulations, man! And good luck!” then he laughs out loud.

“Huh! Are you married–” finding his nametag, “Renz?” I ask.

But he shakes his head tremendously, “No, no, no! I love women, so I can’t be married to one!”

I laugh at his joke and concentrate on my drinking. More and more customers came in, so the bartender finally left my side.

I didn’t want to be rude so I talked to him, but I didn’t appreciate him going to my stuff.

I drink peacefully, and I plan to get wasted.

Then, I feel my phone vibrating from my pocket, so I take it out, but it slips my hand, and it drops.

Luckily, some passerby picks it up and hands it over, “Uh, man, you okay, your phone drops, here, take it,” he says, but his voice sounds so familiar.

So I turn around still wobbly, and I see Siegfried’s face. Both of us are surprised.

“Jeff,”

“Cohen,”

Then someone calls him from outside the bar, “Hey, man, are you moving or what?” one screams.

Then he responds, “Nah man! You go ahead,” he says, then he sits beside me.

“Dude, you look wasted, have you been drinking alone? You should have called me,” he acts friendly towards me.

Then he order, “Hey, Renz, this is my friend, Jeff, and she’s Avery’s fiance, can you give us some more drinks over here?” he shouts at the bartender. They seem to know each other, and, Avery, too.

“Does he know Avery?” I ask him.

“Oh, yeah, Avery and I and K, used to go here when we have staycation. You know, I was always the thirdwheel to them,” he even jokes around.

In my mind, I say, “Why is he being friendly? He isn’t obliged to!” So I bravely ask him,

“Hey, Seid, don’t get me wrong, but, are you just trying to be nice to me because of Avery?” I ask him.

I could see how he flustered, and at the same time, his disappointed face. Then he drinks the first shot before he answers, “Well, you could say that, Jeff!” he shortly says.

I drink again, “Don’t you have hard feelings towards me? I mean–” but even before I could finish my sentence, he says.

“Chill, dude!” he says, “If you are going to ask that, man, just drop it, will ya? Let’s just drink, and maybe I can help you with what you are dealing with!”

My eyes widen at his offer. “What I am dealing with? What does he know about it? How could he say that?” I ask myself.

I clench my fist under the counter table, and scoff, “Why do you care, Seid? You were Avery’s ex. And I don’t think you are the person to talk with!”

“Suit yourself, man,” I hear the annoyance in his tone. I may have said something harshly, or acted rudely.

“Damn, this alcohol is getting me bit by bit,” I scratch my head.

“Sorry, man, I just, feel terrible. Sorry!”

“Cheers to that, man!” he shortly replies.

The bar is now packed with people. Lots of guests are enjoying here. And here I am drinking with my fiancee’s ex.

“So, what’s wrong with you, Jeff? Did you and Avery fight?” he starts it again.

“I just feel, left out.”

“Care to elaborate?” he asks.

“I went to Kendra’s place to ask about Avery. I realized, we are only months away from the wedding, but, I still don’t know a lot of things about her, I don’t know how to–”

“–Handle her?” he finishes my sentences as if he really knew.

I look at him puzzled. Then he speaks up, “Look, Jeff, Avery has been through a lot, and it’s not easy for her to break out of her shell. She, is still, probably searching herself. So be patient.”

He sighs, and adds up, “It’s easy to fall in love with her, but she’s challenging to keep, but I am telling you, she’s worth it,” he says with dismay written all over his face.

“Then, why didn’t you keep her?” I counter.

“That’s the biggest mistake I ever did in my life. I took advantage of her, thinking she would be by my side forever. I thought, since she had nothing but me and Kednra, she won’t leave me,” then he shakes his head and scowls at himself, “But I was wrong.”

“You said she’s hard to keep, why is that?” I continuously inquire to my fiancee’s ex-boyfriend.

He drinks another two rounds before answering. In fact, we almost empty this bottle of scotch, and I think, we are going to need another one,

“Avery doesn’t open up. You don’t know what’s on her mind, what her plans are. She does things on her own, she’s very dependent on herself alone, not to anyone else. But, she’s pure. She’ll show you when she’s mad, happy,and sad. She’ll tell you when she loves you, adn when that love is gone. She will not take advantage of you or your feelings,” he says.

Because of what I heard, there’s some peace in my mind. He is somewhat, right. Avery doesn’t have any intention of beating around the bush.

“Thanks, man. I really need this!” I say. “Cheers?”

Then we raise both our glasses and begin to drink the whole night.

My phone vibrates on the counter, and Seid tells me about it, “Hey, Avery’s calling!”

So I immediately picks it up, “Hello?” I answer with my drunken voice.

“Babe, where the hell are you? Did you forget about our dinner? I am literally starving here, you know?” she shouts at me. “Wait, have you been drinking?”

“S-o-rry, Seid and I, are j-just talking?” I answer.

“Hey, Ava!” Seid shouts.

“Where the hell are you? I’ll get you! My goodness!” she hangs up.

***

(Seigfried’s Thoughts)

After the call Jeff received, minutes after, a beautiful woman walks inside the bar. I am the first one who saw her, she’s wearing a gray mini dress, and I see everyone looking at her.

This woman, was my ex, and my first love. This woman, was supposed to be my fiancee, but because of my foolishness, I lost her.

She waves at me, just for a second and smiles. “She looked at me, she looked at me, again,” I told myself.

I was happy with the little attention she gave me. But that attention easily left me, when her eyes are all focused to Jeff, who was sitting just beside me.

She hits Jeff in the back, “I’ve been waiting for you, and you’ve been drinking all along! No sex tonight, okay?” she scolds him while picking him up and assisting him to stand.

I was supposed to be the one you are looking at, Ava! I was supposed to be the one you are taking home! I was supposed you’re saying those words to!

I look at them, cuddling each other, fighting with each other. Then before leaving, she calls my attention, “Hey, Seid! Are you good? Can you drive, or should I call someone for you? Please don’t drive while drunk. I can get you a room if you want,” she says with worries on her voice and face.

“Please don’t go. Please drive me home, just take me home. Can’t I just stay with you in one room?” these are the words that didn’t leave my mouth, it was all in my head, buried in my heart.

The only thing I respond is, “I’m good. Take him to your hotel room.”

Then without any second look, she leaves with her fiance. As she walks away, I want to hold her hand and pull her towards me. I want to embrace her and tell her to be mine again. But I know, it is already too late.

“I should have taken care of your heart while I still can,” I blurt out unknowingly. Then Renz walk by.

“Hey, man, you are going to need this,” then he hands me another bottle of scotch.

“Thanks, man!” and I spend the night drinking alone, regretting of letting go of the woman I loved and still love.