Chapter 11
A wave of panic hit Roy, like something crucial was slipping right through his fingers, and he just couldn’t hold on.
“Roy, are you okay?” Angela’s voice came from behind, a shade of worry coloring her words.
Snapping back to reality, Roy quickly pocketed his phone and forced a smile. “It’s nothing, just some work stuff I need to sort out.”
Angela nodded, a hint of dependence in her eyes. “Alright, go handle it. Don’t let work pile up.“%
Roy nodded back and left the hospital room. But instead of heading to the office, he drove straight to his usual spot–the club.
Inside, the dim lights and pounding music were a familiar comfort. Roy sat at the bar, downing drink after drink.
Before long, his friends surrounded him, grinning and teasing. “Hey Roy, what brings you here tonight? Thought you were at the hospital with Angela.”
Roy just kept drinking, saying nothing.
One friend gave him a playful nudge. “Aren’t you worried Emma’s gonna catch on, with all the time you’re spending with Angela?“%
Roy paused, then pulled out his phone, showing them the message from Emma.
They all leaned in, erupting in laughter. “So Emma finds out? Perfect timing! Saves you from explaining.”
“Exactly, you don’t even like her. Use this chance to break up. Angela’s birthday is tomorrow–just ask her out already!”
“Yeah, you’ve been into Angela forever. Now’s your shot!”
Their words only added to Roy’s agitation. He took another long drink, his eyes unfocused.
“Roy, why are you so quiet? Don’t tell me you actually love Emma?” a friend asked, noticing something was off.
Roy’s hand froze, the glass trembling slightly. He wanted to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come.
Love Emma? No way.
Angela had been the one since high school. Emma was just a fling, a practice run.
But why did his heart twist when she said it was over?}
Why did her leaving feel like such a void?”
The club’s dim lights and loud music wrapped around Roy as he clutched his drink, eyes blank.
His friends sensed the change, their teasing fading.
“Seriously, Roy, you didn’t fall for Emma, did you?” one asked, incredulous.
Roy’s grip tightened, the glass making a faint noise in his hand. Still, he didn’t speak, staring into his drink like it held answers. “Come on, say something!” another friend urged, impatient. “Don’t tell me you’re really into her. She’s just practice, right? Angela’s the one you want.“2
Roy’s brow furrowed, the agitation inside him burning hotter. He tried to speak, to argue, but no words came.
Then one of the quieter friends chimed in, his voice calm but commanding attention. “Honestly… it’s not that crazy to fall for Emma, is it?”
He paused, reflecting. “She’s stunning, amazing in bed, kind, and always takes care of people. Remember last year when Roy was sick? She was on a business trip but rushed back to care for him for three days, barely sleeping. And after that party, we were all wasted, and she handled everything without a complaint. And when Roy’s rival showed up, she grabbed a bottle and stood up for him, smashed it right over the guy’s head. She’s something else. Who wouldn’t fall for her?“>
He continued, a hint of envy in his voice. “If Roy hadn’t made a move first, I’d be asking her out myself.“>
