Elegi Of Rose
Chapter 31

Yeyena laughed. Rin snorted and said, "Okay, go now. We'll take care of things. She goes after you, we'll be right behind to pull her pretty black hair back."

"And drag her down the street," Yeyena added. "I'll do the honor."

"Thanks," Ayu muttered. And then she realized something. "Uh, I left my bag in Roy's car. I need money for a cab."

Yeyena rolled her eyes but opened her purse. "I only have a hundred dollar bill. You better pay me back. Doctors aren't rich, you know."

"You're a doctor?" she asked, shocked.

"Yes, I am. And I need money too. And I still can't believe you're walking off."

"Don't mind her," Rin said dismissively. "She's got money you couldn't count. And go. You need a break."

Ayu smiled at them gratefully and walked off. She didn't bother replaceing her husband. He could be anywhere talking and smiling with his associates. What a moron... And how many times had she called him that today anyway?

The moment she stepped out the restaurant doors, she briskly walked away. She didn't know where she should go. And her high heels weren't helping at all.

Where? Where are we going, Yu? She asked herself.

She looked behind her, silently hopeful that Roy would appear and run towards her to stop her from leaving. Too much for wishful thinking... she sighed when she saw nothing familiar.

"I need a drink," she muttered. Her first instinct told her to call Herland and invite him, but she decided against it. He would think she was having trouble-which was true-and who could imagine what he'd do? So she went alone. She needed time for herself without Roy, Lis, or Roni to think about.

*****

Drinking helped her clear her mind and calmed her down. Don't take it wrong because she's not a drunkard. She just needed a drink that moment. Of course she knew where to go for a drink and she chose a bar with enough security. She was not that stupid, anyway.

Ayu didn't know how long she'd been gone, or what time it was, but she didn't care. All she knew was that it was getting dark and her husband was probably searching for her-if the thought crossed his mind that his wife was missing, that is. It was a good thing she knew the bartender on shift that day. Karl had been successful in shoving away every man who tried to hit on her for the last couple of hours since she arrived. She gave him a grateful smile as the last man walked off with a cuss. Karl just winked and continued with his work, his big muscled hands expertly working on some bottles.

She gulped down the rest of her beer and closed her eyes. She was not drunk, but she was tired. Tired of everything. "I really need to pull myself together. I'm in a freaking chaos," she said to herself.

She wanted to blame everything to her dad, but she's not like that at all. All had been said and done and she had to move on. She had to handle things on her own and she had to stand firm.

"Why did I do that?" she asked, remembering her encounter with Lis. "I shouldn't have cared. Sure, he's my husband, but he's not really my husband, right?"

"Hey, Yu, you okay?" Karl asked with concern. She didn't notice that he was standing across her in the bar, wiping his hands with a towel.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine..."

"You're talking to yourself."

"I know..."

"What's wrong? You don't talk to yourself when you drink."

"It's nothing. Give me a beer," she ordered.

"I don't think so. You're alarming me right now."

"I'm fine, Karl. Give me a freaking beer."

Her friend shook his head.

She glared at him. "Fine. Here," she handed him her phone, the only thing she had on her aside from the money Yeyena gave her.

"What's this?" Karl asked, taking her phone.

"It's my phone. You can call my husband when something goes wrong with me. He's on my speed dial."

"You have about ten missed calls from..." Karl worked on her phone and continued, "Rin and some guy Roy-" her statement must have already reached his brain because he stopped and snapped his head towards her. "Wait... you're married?" "Yeah, yeah, I am. Now, give me that beer."

"Hey, it's ringing. It's Roy."

"Don't answer that. Now, the beer?"

Karl scratched his bald head, his face crunching up. "Fine. But I'm calling your husband if you as much as throw up."

"Whatever," she muttered.

*****

She was halfway through her beer when Karl walked back to her, his face frowning. "Your phone's been ringing like crazy and I can't work with it buzzing against my ass." "Then give it back," she reached out blindly.

Being a bartender made him an expert in assessing those who are able to walk alone and those who will need a ride home. "I think I'll give your husband a call now."

"No, give my phone back," she exclaimed and almost fell off the high stool, the alcohol climbing up her brain.

"I already did," her friend said apologetically, sliding her phone across the bar and walked off after handing her phone over to her.

"I hate you!" she shouted at his back.

"And I love you, Yu. Just don't get too drunk next time!" he said over his shoulder with a laugh.

Her first instinct was to walk out before her husband came, but it was too late. She already saw his familiar frame outside the door.

Without thinking, she jumped off to the floor and walked to the entrance of the bar where Karl was working.

"Hey, Yu, you can't enter beyond that point!" Karl shouted, but she was already past the point and was striding towards the big bartender. "What's wrong with you? Did you take something?" "No," she hissed as she hid behind him, peering through the gap between his arm and his side. Karl was a big man and a great shield.

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"What the hell are you doing?" Karl asked, looking over his shoulder. "I'm working and I'll be dead if my boss replaces out about this." Some customers at the bar were already staring curiously at them. "It's your fault," she hissed, slapping his back. "Just stand still."

"Are you hiding from that man?" he pointed his head towards his right. She peered through his armpit.

"Ayu," Roy's voice said not far away. "What the hell are you doing?"

She pretended not to hear and pressed closer against Karl's broad back.

She felt Karl's shoulder shrug. "Yu, someone's talking to you," he said.

"Tell him to go away," she said loudly. "Tell him I don't want to see him."

"You're acting like a kid," Roy said, but his voice was already beside her. She grabbed Karl's shirt and pulled him so he was between her and her angry husband.

"Really, people, you should get out. This bar is off limits to customers..." Karl was trying to explain.

"I'm not leaving with you," she said, addressing her husband.

"And why is that?"

"Because I might kill you, you moron!"

"What?"

"You heard me right. I might kill you!"

Karl suddenly freed himself from her grip-and it was an easy task-and she was left standing there facing Roy. "Okay, get out," Karl pointed towards the entrance of the bar. "I'm too numb to walk," she lied.

Roy huffed in disbelief.

"That's not a problem," Karl said with a smile. He placed his towel on the counter and walked towards her and swept her off her feet and carried her out the bar and to the door. "Hey! Put her down!" Roy ordered, following behind them.

"Okay, now, either you two leave or have a drink where you belong. Inside the bar is off limits," Karl told them as he placed her back on her feet. She had kept her mouth shut because she was afraid she'd throw up.

"I'm going home," she muttered, handing the ten dollars to Karl. "Thanks anyways."

"No problem," he answered and turned to Roy. "It was nice meeting you." And he was off.

Ayu walked out the door and out in the street without looking at her husband. Once outside, she whirled around, knowing he was behind her and punched him. Her fist landed on his chest. It seemed that her pent up anger towards Lis and him was suddenly released free.

"What's wrong with you?!" he demanded, clutching his chest. His face was contorted with pain. Her punch obviously served its purpose.

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 00005s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you! How dare you talk to that woman when you know she hates my gut?" She couldn't help herself and kicked him right on his shin. "What the-" he jumped up and down, his left leg hanging in the air in pain. "We were discussing something!"

She strode towards him and pushed his chest. "What? What were you two discussing?" she demanded.

His eyes wavered. "It's confidential, okay?"

"Bullshit!" she hissed and walked off, stumbling as she struggled with her heels.

"Where are you going?"

"Home!" she shouted.

He grabbed her hand and whirled her around. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"Sorry about what?"

"About Lis. I shouldn't have taken you to the party. I didn't know she was his sister. And it was you who insisted we go, remember?"

"And now it's my fault? I know I said I wanted to go, but still, you talked to her like you know nothing! You did not even realize I was gone, did you?"

"I never thought you hated her that much, okay? And I was talking to her about something important. I didn't know you were gone, but I went searching for you when I found out. I called you incessantly."

She held up her hand to stop him and said, "I know you have a lot to worry about other than your stupid temporary wife. I understand that now. Don't worry, I get it." She pulled her hand from his grip, but he held on tighter. She slapped his hand with her free one, but he did not budge.

"What the hell are you talking about? You're not making any sense," he peered at her. "Are you jealous?"

She glared at him and punched him one more time with her free hand. "No," that was obviously a very big lie. "I'm pissed. Your mood swings are getting in my nerves."

He frowned, "I don't understand what you're talking about." He received another punch for that one. "Hey, stop that!"

"Yeah, I know, because you're such an idiot to realize you're unbalanced." She pulled at her hand once more, but his grip was tight she couldn't get free. "You act so cool taking me camping and the next thing I know, you won't even talk to me. Then you call me up to drag me to a freaking party and I replace you smiling and talking to everyone. What the hell, Roy! Are you playing games with me? Because if you are, I don't like it."

"No, I'm not. Okay, why don't we go home and talk about this once you've calmed down? You're drunk and you're talking nonsense."

"I'm going home with you, but I'm not talking," she snapped.

"Why not?"

"Because I can't stand you right now."

His face went blank and his grip loosened. "Fine. Let's go home then."

She nodded and walked after him towards his car. Tonight, she was sleeping in her room and sleep off everything. She knew he was trying to be gentle at the moment. But she was sure he'd be as furious as she was once he realized she was sober. She was pretty sure they'd have that big fight couples talk about.