3rd P.O.V.
"Because I saw it with both of my eyes. Every time he hurts me, shouted at me… every time he does something inhuman, he will come to me and say his mistakes. He will admit it and apologize with all of his heart. And he will not sugarcoat everything that he did or justify it for him to prove that I am the one who is at fault, and not him. He could admit his mistakes and at the same time, he’s HOT, okay? I can’t deny that fact, he’s hot.”
Charis and I laughed, especially Charis, as she heard about being hot.
It's really the first thing that matters to me. It’s the first thing that made me interested in him and curious about him what made us closer, right?
I’m not just his contracted wife, but also a sex worker to him. But to me, I’m not just doing this because of work, or because he told me to, or because he needed someone to take out his lust.
Charis, Harley, and Beatrix are still drinking.
For them, it’s their day off the next day so it doesn’t matter.
Beatrix slumped on the barstool, her head heavy in her hands. She took another shot of whiskey, her third for the night, feeling the alcohol burn her throat. Harley stood next to her, silently observing her. He knew she was going through a lot, but he couldn't help but feel frustrated about the situation.
"Bea, I know things have been rough lately, but drinking won't solve anything," Harley said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I know, I know," Beatrix muttered, shaking her head. "But right now, I just need something to numb the pain."
Harley sighed, knowing he couldn't do much to help her. "You know, I've been thinking about us lately."
Beatrix raised her head, looking at him with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"
Harley took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "I mean, I've been wanting to tell you how I feel about you. I know it's not the best timing, but I can't keep it in any longer."
Beatrix looked at him, surprised at his confession. She had always known that Harley had feelings for her, but she never thought he would admit it while she was going through a tough time.
"I appreciate your honesty, Harley," Beatrix said, giving him a small smile. "But right now, I have other things to worry about. My brother is still in the hospital, and I don't know what's going to happen to him."
Harley nodded, understanding her situation. "I know, and I'm not trying to pressure you or anything. I just want you to know that I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
Beatrix smiled at him, grateful for his friendship. "Thank you, Harley. You've always been a great friend to me."
Charis, who had been sitting on the other side of the bar, joined in on their conversation. "You know, Beatrix, you have a life too. It's not being selfish if you wanted to fall in love or try to be in a relationship. You deserve to be happy too."
Beatrix looked at her best friend, feeling conflicted. She knew she had feelings for Apollo, but she also knew that their relationship was complicated. She didn't want to hurt anyone, especially her brother who was still fighting for his life.
"I don't know, Charis," Beatrix said, shaking her head. "It's just that everything feels so complicated right now. I don't want to make things worse."
Charis placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. "I understand, but you have to remember that you can't put your life on hold because of what's happening to Andrei. You still have to live your life, Bea."
Beatrix nodded, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. She knew that her friend was right. She couldn't just give up on her own happiness because of the hardships she was going through. She had to take a chance, even if it meant risking everything.
"I'll think about it," Beatrix said, smiling at her friends. "Thanks for being here for me, guys."
Harley and Charis both smiled back at her, knowing that they would always be there for her, no matter what.
—-
RIX’s P.O.V.
Hours had passed.
It’s early in the morning since we started drinking and now, it’s afternoon, and I still wanted more tequila.
Am I trying to kill myself? Anyways, this is just for today, I don't drink often. So maybe this is okay.
Charis and Harley have been sober because they were asleep the whole time I was drinking the last three bottles of tequila, then when they woke up, it was almost nighttime.
"Are you trying to beat a world record for how long you will going to take the intoxication of alcohol?" asked Charis.
I just laugh at her.
Actually, I can't even hear her properly. I was out of myself. I've been, intoxicated too much.
Harley butted in, "Don’t worry, Charis, you should go home first since your home is the nearest one to the club. As per Beatrix, I will drop her off, okay?”
Charis nodded.
We bid our goodbyes.
As I was feeling dizzy and out of control of my body, I let Harley take over the control as I was walking out in the club.
He called for a taxi but I told him that it would just make me puke and I'll be so sad for the taxi driver because he will have to clean it up all day just to remove the smell of the puke, so I don't want it to happen.
So I asked him to just call for a tricycle and drop me off at the gate of the Cartier’s family house.
But then, before we get into the tricycle, I told him that just give the tricycle driver a little money because I'm not feeling like riding any vehicle right now, so he did as I ask.
Harley and I walked although I’m still feeling dizzy, this is my way to cope with intoxication and sober up.
I also don’t want Apollo’s family to see me like this.
As I was near to sobering up— well, actually, I'm not. Maybe that was just my hallucinations and I was just being untrue to myself.
Harley spoke.
"Beatrix, I will take this moment to tell you what I really feel.”
I looked at Harley.
I feel a little better right now than a while ago so, I can understand what he will say.
“I already know about it. Why do you keep on saying?”
"Really? If really know about it already then tell me what is it.
"You would just say that you like me. Harley please, stop hurting yourself. You know that you're not the one I needed and the one who I liked. Honestly, I still don't even know if I still like him, it's growing.; It's more than just likeness.”
Harley seemed to be pissed off.
"Why him? Why not me?”
“Maybe because you were so slow at admitting your feelings to me and you don't want to get rejected that's why you're making sure if ever I will feel the same way. That's when the time you will step into action. You know what even before you confess your feelings to me, I already know everything about it. But since you are so unsure of yourself, you're not confident about yourself and do not trust me, then here we are right now.”
Harley stopped, so I stopped too. He held both of my shoulders and fixed his eyes on me. "What do you mean, Beatrix?”
"I like you before. But you are always unsure! You're always unsure of what you will say to me. But then, look at us now. Maybe we're better off friends. At least we're forever, there’s no breaking up, just little arguments, maybe?” I said.
"I don't want to remain friends with you anymore, Beatrix.”
I was tired of listening to his stories so to end this conversation, I looked at him with a serious face. making sure that I show the signal of my seriousness.
"I might look intoxicated to you because of alcohol. But honestly, I feel better right now and I know what I'm saying for me so please stop it. Stop liking me, and do everything to stop it. Because I did everything to stop mine. I already gave you a favor before. I gave you a signal that I like you. but you're not doing anything.”
"So does that mean that boys have to take the initiation always?”
"Harley, it's not what I'm saying. It’s just that, maybe if you secure your position, you’ll be the one that I’ll like for the rest of my life. I appreciate you for not saying anything about your feelings if it's because of my brother's condition, or thinking of being extra baggage to me. But since it is not a reason, then I can't do this.”
Harley gave up on convincing me.
We started to walk again
It’s better this way than talking about nonsense things.