Chapter 37

VIVIAN

As I lay on the couch, I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhaustion wash over me. The events of the day had taken a toll on me, and all I wanted to do was relax and unwind. I had just started to drift off to sleep when my phone rang, shrill and insistent.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering who could be calling me at this hour. And then I saw Kian's name flash on the screen. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered why Kian would be calling me. We hadn't spoken in weeks, and I had assumed that he was busy with his own life.

But as I picked up the phone, I was surprised to hear a barman's voice on the other end. "Hello, is this Vivian?" he asked, his voice gruff and unfamiliar.

"Yes, it is," I replied, my confusion growing. "Who is this?"

"This is Joe from the Red Lion Bar," he said. "I have Kian here with me. He's in a bit of a state, and I think you should come down here and talk to him."

My mind raced as I tried to process what was happening. Kian was at a bar, and he was in a state? What did that even mean?

"Okay, I'll be right there," I said, my curiosity getting the better of me.

As I arrived at the bar, I could see Kian sitting at a table, nursing a drink. He looked up as I approached, and our eyes met for a brief moment.

"Vivian," he said, his voice slurred. "I'm so glad you came."

I sat down next to him, trying to make sense of the situation. "What's going on, Kian?" I asked, my voice soft.

He looked at me, his eyes bleary. "I don't know, Vivian. I just feel so lost. I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

As I listened to him talk, I realized that Kian was struggling with his own demons. He was lost and unsure of himself, and he didn't know how to find his way back.

As I held Kian's hand and helped him up from the bar stool, I couldn't help but notice the concern etched on his face. His eyes were bloodshot, and his skin was pale. He looked like he had been through a rough night.

I wondered if I should take him home, but before I could suggest it, he pulled out a large suite key from his pocket. "My place," he slurred, gesturing for me to follow him.

I nodded and led him to his suite, trying to support him as he stumbled along. Once inside, I helped him sit down on the couch and handed him a glass of water. "Drink this," I said, trying to sound calm.

Kian took a sip of the water, his eyes fixed on me. "Thanks, Viv," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded and pulled out my phone to order him something to eat. "Nobody has ever called me Viv these days” I smiled

“I'll get you something to calm your stomach," I said, scrolling through the menu.

As I waited for the food to arrive.

The doorbell rang, and I got up to answer it. I took the food from the delivery guy and brought it back to Kian. "Here, eat this," I said, handing him a plate of pepperoni pizza.

Kian took a bite, his eyes closing in relief. "Thanks” he said, his voice a little stronger now.

As he ate, I sat down next to him, trying to make sense of the situation. What had happened to Kian? Why was he so upset?

As I looked at him, I noticed that he was dressed in a crumpled suit, his tie loosened and his shirt unbuttoned. He looked like he had been through a rough night, and I couldn't help but wonder what had happened.

I was dressed in a simple white dress, my hair pulled back in a ponytail. I had been planning a quiet night in, but that had clearly changed.

As Kian finished his food, he looked up at me, his eyes searching. "Vivian”. He called

Kian hugged me, I was taken aback by the sudden display of affection. I had been so caught up in the moment, trying to process what was happening, that I hadn't expected him to hug me. My hands were still in shock, and I couldn't hug him back at first.

But as he held me tight, I could feel his warmth and his heartbeat. I could sense his sincerity, his desperation to be heard. And as I listened to his words, I felt my own emotions stirring.

"Viv, the wedding isn't true," he said, his voice muffled against my shoulder. "I didn't agree with it. My mom has been pressuring me."

I felt a pang of sadness, of regret. I had been so caught up in my own hurt and anger that I hadn't stopped to think about what Kian might be going through. I hadn't considered that he might be feeling trapped, pressured by his family.

As I hugged him back, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I had missed him, I realized. I had missed his warmth, his kindness, his presence in my life.

"Shush, shush, shush," I said, patting his back. "Everything is going to be fine."

I held him for a long time, just holding him, just being there for him. And as we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I knew that everything was going to be okay. We would get through this, together.

As we pulled back, Kian looked at me, his eyes searching. "Viv, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was so blind, so stupid. I didn't see what was right in front of me."

I smiled, my heart full of forgiveness. "You're not blind, Kian," I said. "You're just human. We all make mistakes."

Kian nodded, his eyes filling with tears. "I love you, Viv," he said, his voice cracking. "I love you so much."

I felt my own tears rising, my own heart overflowing. "I love you too, Kian," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I always have."