CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE

“YOU KNOW you can come over anytime you need someone. Come on, Ross. You don’t have to be sad by yourself. Come here. Let’s have a drink. You, me, and Jackson. He’ll have milk, of course.”

Ross chuckled at Jacob’s remark over the phone.

He was sitting alone in a bar when his friend called. He did not want to go home right away. Cyrel left, and it seemed like she also took the life of the mansion with her. He did not want to be unfair to the people he loved that remained there, but Ross knew they missed her, too.

“I’m a working man now, remember?” he reminded. “Thanks for your concern, Jake. I really appreciate it. I’ll see you when I feel a little better.”

“All right.” Jacob sighed. “Just call me anytime you need a friend. You can cry on my shoulder.”

Ross laughed.

“Hey, I’m not kidding,” Jacob retorted.

“Of course, I know that. You just made me want to cry right now, actually. But…” He took a deep breath. “I just missed Cyrel, okay?”

“I know, but call me when you get home. I want to make sure you’re safe.”

“I will. Thanks, Jake. Bye.”

“Cyrel wants to see you again in one piece.”

Ross clacked his tongue. “I know, I know.”

He finally ended the call. Before he put his phone down, Ross stared at his wallpaper. When they took the photo, they weren’t in love yet. Now, it hurt to wake up in the morning and sleep at night without seeing her face.

He missed her so bad. Heaven knew how much he wanted to call her and beg her to come back, but Cyrel must do something for herself alone. Ross wished he fully understood that. He would go with her wherever she liked. Ross would follow her to the end of the world.

He took a huge gulp of the beer from the beer mug and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. No, he was not trying to get drunk. He will only have one drink and go home after that. He did not want Cyrel to hear he had an accident because he was drunk driving.

He will be all right. When she comes back one of these days, he will be a better version of himself, if not the same. But for now, he would have to drink up his sadness.

I should have told her I love her, he thought to himself. I should have apologized to her, too. What if she doesn’t come back?

“One margarita, please,” a woman’s voice said beside him.

Ross did not lift his head to take a glance. But the woman spoke to him.

“You look drunk. Are you all right?”

He chuckled as he glanced at her. He stopped and blinked. The woman looked like Cyrel, only slimmer and taller because of her high heels. She wore a tight-fitting dress that only reached her thighs.

“I’m not drunk. Thanks for trying.”

“I kind of expected that answer. Why are you drinking here by yourself?” she continued in an alluring tone.

He showed the wedding ring on his finger.

She pursed her lips. She uttered a ‘thank you’ to the bartender when he handed her a glass of ladies’ drink.

“You look sad,” she said, ignoring the message he conveyed. “I’m alone, too. Don’t you think it’s fate that brought us here tonight?”

“What?” he chuckled. “I just told you to leave me alone. I’m sure you’re not that stupid.”

“You know me, don’t you?” She cocked an eyebrow.

“I do. So what?” Ross smirked.

“We should talk somewhere private. I’m worried about my sister. I checked in at the hotel across from this bar. I’m sure you want to know what she’s doing right now, and I know—”

Ross grabbed his mug and unceremoniously splashed the remaining beer on Casey’s face.

A loud gasp bubbled out from her throat.

“I did not know you were ‘this’ terrible, Miss Byrne. I only thought you were selfish,” he said. “But I can’t hate you to the bone, you know. If you had not jilted me on that day, I would not marry the most beautiful person that ever walked this planet. You don’t deserve a sister like Cyrel. But, yeah, you made the right decision when you decided you didn’t want to marry me.” Ross stood up and pulled his wallet from his pocket. He pulled out a couple of bills and placed them on the counter. “That’s for my drink and hers.” Ross threw her a cold glance.

The bartender still looked stunned, but he took the money anyway.

“This is too much, sir,” the man said.

“I know. Thank you, by the way.”

Ross walked out of the bar.

Casey dropped to the stool, still in disbelief.

“I’M DRIVING,” Rustom announced when they got to the car.

“What?” Something snapped Ross from his misery.

“Yeah.” Rustom nodded confidently. “I haven’t driven in a long time, son. Besides, I don’t think you could drive safe in that situation.”

He frowned.

“I don’t have a hangover. I did not get drunk last night. All right?” Ross said defensively.

“I know. And we’re going to be late.” Rustom sat in front of the driver’s seat.

Ross stared in disbelief.

“You got to be kidding me, Dad.” But he sat on the passenger seat anyway.

But instead of going straight to the office, Ross found his dad driving to his mom’s mausoleum.

“Dad?” he uttered in confusion.

“I’ve always wanted to talk to you in private, but you seem too distracted at work and at home because you missed Cyrel,” Rustom said matter-of-factly.

Ross sighed. Of course, how could his father not notice? He looked like a lovesick fool.

“I’m sorry, Dad.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m sure your mom would listen to you without judgment.”

Ross groaned.

“Not a great joke, Dad, but thanks for trying.”

Rustom threw his head back, laughing.