Chapter 53 Drunk And Devastated
NYC,
When William and Arabella were struggling in their marriage, a certain heartbroken male had a fight at the bar, he was drunk, his mind was hazy.
And not wanting to start a scandal, the owner advised him softly.
“Sir, please, stay in my cabin and call someone to pick you up,”
Scoffing, he opened his call log and there was ‘none’ for him.
At the moment, there was only one person who was aware of his ache, who might understand his condition.
Although he didn’t want to yet to call Peach was the only option left.
The news certainly displeased the busy woman who furiously came to pick him up, glaring at the man who was no longer in his senses.
“What the fuck, Luke?”
He was staring at the ground with dead eyes and overwhelming heartbreak in the VIP lounge.
She approached, grabbing his arm roughly and pushing him forward like a frustrated mother dragged her child back.
And it deepened Luke’s ache, foolishly believing she might bestow some pity but to no avail. Instead, she scolded him.
“Do you think I am here to pick up drunk guys? I was having an important conversation with my father on our new business-”
“Can you just once think outside of work’s circle and focus on a human’s life, Peach?!”
Shutting his eyes, he yanked his arm back, falling back on the seat, holding his head to show it was bursting from the pain and stress.
“Why do I care? I am here for my work, to focus on my goals-”
She scoffed, folding her arms at her chest, remaining stubborn, that he means nothing.
His lips quivered, clutching his chest with disappointment flickering. Those uncaring eyes pierced his heart. Unknowingly, it was much more painful than his imagination.
“I… I have been abandoned by the ones I called my own… I have no one by my side,”
His voice cracked, clutching his heart to display his pain.
Taken aback at his state, she swallowed hard, taking a step back cautiously. She didn’t know what to do, how to react.
And especially- ‘Is my hand going to provide any comfort in the first place?’
“I was consumed by anguish… there is literally no one left for me…”
He locked his eyes with hers with tears glistening and a trembling composure that made her silent.
“So I called for you…”
Then lowered his gaze, he sniffed, forcing a painful grin while wiping the tears as the solitude sank in the ache.
“But- Oh, how will you understand?”
And returning a glare, he hit her where it hurts the most.
“Heartbreaks are meaningless for an ‘unlovable’ woman like you.”
Stunned, her mouth gaped. Hanging her head low in shame, she grit her teeth when Luke rose from the seat.
He couldn’t stand properly, the pain had turned him blind and when he saw no hand for him, he dragged his feet along the ground.
His steps stumbled to which she instinctively held his arm, hesitantly calling him.
“You.. you can’t go home on your own-”
“There is nothing in that empty mansion anyways. I will lie around somewhere,”
Muttering, he pulled away from her, uncaring if the alcohol had blurred his vision.
“And hope I die,”
He only desired to find redemption from the loneliness and grief which was chasing him like nightmares.
“Luke, listen,”
“It’s alright. I am sorry for bothering you, for a second I forgot about your true nature. This is what you wanted after all…”
Whispering, he chuckled emptily and left, leaving her in a stunned state. When the resonance of his footsteps halted, she curled her hand in a fist and slammed them on the table.
“Dammit! Fuck you, asshole,”
Cursing him instead, she went back to her place as well yet no solace bestowed upon her. His words and condition stung her.
How he called her, believing she might help, at least. And upon attaining nothing but further ache, he vanished, disturbing her about his condition.
For a moment, she wanted to leave him alone in his ache but unable to do so. Stomping her foot on the ground in frustration, she went after him.
Praying he won’t actually kill himself but saw him walking down the road with a car rapidly approaching which he didn’t notice.
“LUKE!”
Screaming, she pushed both of them out of the way, leading him to the footpath, hitting his shoulder.
“What.. What the hell is wrong with you!? Can’t you walk straight?!”
“Why… are you here? Just leave me be. Laugh at me how you always do,” He merely mumbled, sitting down, too drained to fight at this point.
He chuckled dryly, “You hate me after all…”
She couldn’t reply and stopped before him, bending to one knee to get a proper glimpse of his miserable face.
It unknowingly pierced her heart.
“What have you done to yourself, Luke?... And for someone who left you willingly?"
“You won’t get it, Peach, that woman was my world, I.. I even forgave her for cheating too… I wanted to build a home with her,”
Inhaling sharply, she hesitantly placed her hand over his, giving it a soft squeeze with a gut-wrenching question.
“In that case, what comfort that home of yours was going to bring you?” None.
“All because she is the one you called home doesn’t mean it will be a beautiful one. Not all homes are peaceful.”
“Then tell me, what should I do?” Pulling himself away fretfully, he whispered painfully.
“I-I can’t get her out of my mind. Okay, break up happens but the way it happened… it- it had ruined me, Peach,”
“Who won’t be, Luke?”
Peach had no experience of consolation, she had harsh truths and not wanting to worsen his condition, she kept the talk short and held his shoulder.
“Come on, get up, let’s go to your place,”
“No! I don’t want to go there!” He panicked, shaking his head in denial.
“Each time I close my eyes… I hear… I hear her… her calling William like she only needs him… no, no, I won’t go there,”
“Okay, okay, come with me,”
Shrinking her eyes in compassion, she sighed, rubbing his arm and taking his unstable form to her condo. Her place was customized to her liking, it was all pink.
The vibrant color made Luke shut his eyes as his life lacked it for now. Peach placed him on the couch, opening his waistcoat and removing his shoes.
She was silent. One thing repeating in her mind- ‘Why am I doing this? Why!?’
Not sure, she was about to get back but he held her wrist, immobilizing her at the firm grip, amplifying her heartbeats.
“It hurts, Peach, I had never been in so much pain before,”
“It will fade,”
She forced a smile, tracing her fingers over his eyes to close them before whispering softly.
“No need to think about it for now. Just close your eyes and relax,”
He wanted to resist, decline but realizing he needed this solace desperately, he closed his eyes and fell deep into a peaceful slumber instantly.
Peach stayed next to him for a few minutes, hoping to contemplate what was beyond her comprehension and sighed.
“Oh Luke, how will you understand?”
Rising, her eyes turned stone-cold, using words she always did to protect herself from the same terrible outcome.
“Love isn’t the only painful thing in this world after all.”
But, by the next time she woke up, Luke wasn’t present and left with a small ‘Thank you’ note on her table.