'Look after her, son' Lyla's words were repeatedly running in Ricky's head making him feel alarmed.
As he stepped out of the door he looked around to see whether someone was eyeing them.
"Come on Ricky." Michelle said.
"Um.. you wait here, I'll get my car."
Ricky got his car as much closer he could to the main door.
Michelle stepped in. Ricky kept glancing around,
"could you.. bend over?"
"Why?" She scrunched her nose out of doubt.
Ricky continued watching around.
"Please.."
"Why? Because of Dwane? I'm not scared of him." She sternly said.
"Your mother asked me to look after you, so bend, only till we are out of the villa." Ricky said with concern.
"Fine " Michelle rolled her eyes and bent her back.
Soon enough they reached Rags and Riches.
After a couple of drinks, Michelle started feeling tipsy.
"Does Alec despise me so much that he didn't even call me once?"
"That's not true Mish, Alec has been miserable all this while, drowning in guilt." Ricky tried to console the teary Michelle.
"I don't blame him for the miscarriage. But he didn't support me when I needed him the most." Michelle frowned.
"Whatever it is, I know you both will reconcile soon."
"Or maybe not."
Ricky was taken aback by her words
"Why?"
"I shouldn't be telling this to anyone but I've decided to join the Shadows and leave South-Hills." She whispered.
Ricky widened his eyes in shock. "Are you sure?"
"Not exactly, but I think it's for the best."
Ricky didn't want her to leave 'There is still some hope, I need to talk her out of it' he thought.
They continued to chat and laugh when their attention was diverted by the noise of someone entering the private section.
It was Alec.
Michelle and Alec looked at eachother, they both stood at the same place looking at each other as if the time had stopped for them and everything felt frozen.
Alec looked haggard with his unkempt grown beard and reddened eyes. Clearly he wasn't taking care of himself all these days.
It had been days since they saw each other and despite everything that transpired they missed each other terribly.
"Alec." She called out in a tipsy voice.
He walked towards her in a visibly drunk manner and softly placed his palm on the side of her face.
"El" his gentle face darkened when he saw that she was drinking with Ricky.
"Why are you here? You shouldn't be drinking."
"Neither should you." She replied coldly.
"You look awful Alec."
"How else will I be without you."
"Yet you didn't try to reach me, not even once. I was waiting all this while." She said as a small tear dropped from her deep brown orbs.
Alec couldn't bear to see the sight of her crying. Cupping her face in his hand he wiped her tear with his little finger. The love and desire for her overwhelmed him, alleviating his guilt.
"I missed you El."
"I missed you too."
He leaned closer and kissed her lips. The drunk couple exchanged a sloppy awkward kiss.
Michelle kissed him back but at the same time her hand was on his chest pushing him away.
She still resented him for not being by her side during her toughest time.
Meanwhile at Diana Manor, Dwane received a picture from his informant. It was a picture of Alec and Michelle standing in front of each other at Ricky's bar.
Right away Dwane received his incoming call, "Give your word boss and I'll bring her to you, kneeling for mercy." Dwane smirked at his ignorance.
' You'll get your ass kicked by her first.' To his surprise, Dwane replied,
"Let them be." After a short pause he continued, "But keep me updated." He hung up and looked at the picture again zooming in into Michelle's face.
Back at Rags and Riches, Michelle and Alec kept drinking and kept their conversation to a minimum. They still had their differences and miffs towards each other which was yet to be talked out and resolved. But their drunken daze stopped them from doing so.
All they did was drink and call out each other's names and break into awkward sloppy kisses.
Ricky looked at them, the silence and distant nature between the couple didn't go unnoticed by him. 'At Least they are on talking terms, baby steps.' he genuinely hoped for them to get back together.
Alec looked outside and saw that it was getting darker, "Alec." Michelle called him out again in a tipsy voice but Alec found it alluring.
"What are you looking at?"
"You." He replied looking deep into her eyes.
"No.. you were looking outside. Do you want to go?" She pouted.
Alec shook his head. The ambience around him only made Michelle look more tempting to Alec. He desired to be closer to her. 'close' like a husband would be with his seductively irresistible wife.
Grabbing Michelle's wrist, Alec walked towards the private room. Michelle blankly walked behind.
"Stop," Ricky held Alec's hand.
Alec raised his eyebrows towards him.
"What do you intend? She is drunk." Ricky's voice got accusatory.
He usually felt protective towards her but today he was much more vigilant. He felt responsible for ensuring her well-being especially after Lyla asked him to look after her.
"She is drunk, I'll send her home." Ricky said.
Alec felt vexed at Ricky's interference, "She is my wife. You have no business looking after her in my presence."
"I gave my word to her mother that I'll look after her so I've…"
"I'm fine Richie." Michelle interrupted him.
"You sure?" Ricky was concerned.
She nodded clumsily.
Alec pulled her in not allowing them to say anything further.
Ricky continued to worry about her, she was too drunk to think straight.