Chapter 3

The lights are dim but vivid with color, and there's somber music playing in the background. Eryx, Ryker, and I are seated facing the counter, each of us drinking wine from our own glass. We were all staring at the wall with the wine bottles on each cube, and nobody wanted to disturb the silence.

"While you guys are having a good time, I was busy keeping things together here. Is this world so selfish?” Lyall clutched a bottle of whiskey and muttered. The bar is closed because we reserved it for these kinds of hours, so he is acting as the bartender for the three of us.

Hearing Lyall's grievances, Ryker scoffed. He inhaled and exhaled while shaking his head.

"You would really rather be at your place right now than here," Ryker remarked.

The three of us sighed in frustration. Lyall just kept staring at us, seemingly bewildered.

“What happened?” Lyall asked.

I poured another glass of wine after emptying mine.

I smiled and said, "I am a married man now." However, I feel as though someone has dumped a bucket of ice on me.

“What? How?” Lyall's mouth opened and his eyes grew wide as he exclaimed.

“Who knows?” I grinned.

Confused, the three of them turned to face me. Their expressions are brimming with questions, but none is brave enough to ask anything.

Who is the unfortunate girl, then?” Breaking the icy barrier that had formed between the four of us, Lyall questioned.

“Rowan's girlfriend,” Eryx remarked. Although Eryx is a one-word man, all that comes out of his mouth when he talks is the truth. He is the man of his own words; thus, it doesn't matter if you'll get hurt in the process.

"What?! Are you serious? Aiden?” Lyall shook his head and gave me a dubious gaze.

"I didn't know; had I looked further, I should have known, but I didn't." I answered, "It was a very unsettling event, and I found out too late."

I was even eager to steal her, so I didn't bother to find out more about her romance life. If I had been more careful, none of this would have happened, and I should have realized it was Rowan. It started in the library. Until then, we kept on running to each other, which led to unexpected encounters and deeper attraction. She doesn't know this, but ever since I saw her, I've planned each maneuver. I wanted to regret everything since I planned everything up but I couldn’t, now that I'm with her — why is she crying and no longer smiling?

“You love her, do you?” asked Lyall.

“No, it was only a playful jab. She's different, therefore it's exciting to see her feel frustrated and upset. But, love?” I answered, "No, not beyond that.”

"Dude, marriage is not a child's play. You got married just because it was fun? You fool, and you even crossed a seat that you shouldn't have," Lyall remarked.

Lyall seems the most sensible and logical to the four of us. He views the world in a different light. How do our differences lead to friendship? It's because we grew up together, our families are business partners and close friends, so we end up getting attached to each other unknowingly.

“I know. Now, I made an enemy out of my niece,” I retorted.

I even caused a girl to cry out through the night and lock herself in our room. Even though it's my house and I have control over my room, watching her in such hopelessness keeps me from getting a good night's sleep. Leaving her to mourn, I drove here with these idiots. I only hope that I won't be the cause of her smile going away; I want to see that faint, filmsy smile of hers once again.

"An enemy?” Lyall remarked, "I don't think Rowan would go that far; he'll be upset, for sure, but Rowan treats you like his father and has great regard for you. He will never betray you."

Rowan is my niece, and because of my sister's negligence, I feel obligated to watch over him as he grows up. I had no idea that I had taken on the role of a father figure.

“Have you ever thought of getting a divorce, Aiden?” asked Ryker.

I glared at him to get him to stop talking. He held up both of his arms in a surrendering gesture. I drained my drink once more and shook my head.

"Now, what are your plans?” Lyall enquired.

"I'm not sure.” I replied, "I'll just go with the flow for the time being and deal with the consequences later.”

Together, we heave a sigh. I wonder if these three are trying to relate to me or if they are dealing with personal issues. I believe the latter is true; even though we are friends, we never interfered in each other's issues; instead, we would offer counsel and support as needed when it comes to our troubles. We manage our own affairs; therefore, it makes perfect sense that I'm not the only one having a rough day today.

“I'll go first, a married man shouldn't stay late,” I tried to lighten the mood by cracking a joke, and it worked.

We parted ways after humiliating and insulting one another. I arrived home at midnight. I immediately go to my room, which was locked when I left but is now unlocked. When I opened the door, I saw a peacefully dozing angelic face on my bed. She's already asleep, I was considering sleeping in a different room but now that she's sound asleep in my bed I don't think that's possible.

I took off my necktie and tux before heading into the bed. I perched on the edge carefully and fixed my gaze on her. When she's awake, her eyes are filled with an abundance of emotions, yet when she's asleep, she looks calm. That's what drew me to her, I simply know. Her eyes never lie, even when her words and actions speak and act the part, her eyes always tell the truth about who she really is. Her eyes are closed now, though, and she appears peaceful. Perhaps because she cried through the night and went to sleep when she was exhausted, her eyes are swollen.

"Why would you agree under such unfair conditions? Why did you give up your happiness to make someone else happy? When you have the option to be happy, why choose suffering?"

Even though I know she won't be able to respond to my questions since she is asleep, it feels good to ask all the things that have been bothering me ever since she accepted my proposals. But there's a question I couldn't let out loud, and I want to keep it to myself until the end of the line.

Now that I have someone at my side, will I be able to sleep? Will the nightmare persist as it is?

It's a calm, lengthy night. But unlike the calm night, I don't have much time.

I'm running out of time, and I'm sorry for making you my escape plan.