'' I'm sorry Kenny. But you're just not enough for me." Tiana said unapologetically.
Malcolm couldn't help but clench his fists. At this point, he was keeping his cool because he wanted to be one less thing for Kendrell to worry about.
Glancing From Tiana to Jordan, Kendrell's thoughts wandered off to the moments they spent together as a group of friends. The smile on Tiana's face whenever they hung out.
Oh, what about Jordan, whom he and Malcolm always made fun of. If only they knew!
Needless to say, neither of them felt awkward about it, especially when they were together as friends, knowing they were having an affair. So there was no point in asking if they felt bad even for once.
" Jordan " Kendrell called with his gaze directed at no one.
" What?" Jordan replied, folding his arms.
" Tiana" Kendrell called again.
" Kendrell I...''
" Let me talk!" Kendrell exclaimed, as he looked at her, startling Jordan and Tiana temporarily.
Glancing from Jordan to Tiana, Kendrell managed to speak.
" I don't know what I ever did wrong to deserve this from the both of you. But I hope that you reap the fruits of the seeds you've sown. And you Tiana," Ken said as he turned to face her. " I gave you my heart, but this is the path you trailed. You did not only make a fool of me, but you were cheating on me. With the person I once held dea..."
" That's enough Kendrell! I think you should leave now. We've heard enough. " Jordan interjected rudely.
" I can't believe this is who you truly are Jordan. I can't believe my eyes and ears right now. I can't believe I once considered you human. You have no soul!" Malcolm said, looking at him, appalled.
" What can I say. It's not my fault Ken chose to fall in love with Tiana, whom I first met." Jordan said. A look of surprise appeared on Malcolm's face, except for Kendrell, who's face had suddenly become void of emotion.
" Yes, I did. We met in San Huego 5 months before Ken moved to Hentritch. Right babe?" Jordan asked Tiana with a smug look, placing his hands on her shoulder, while she caressed his hand which was almost resting on her boobs.
" Is that a valid reason, you punk?!" Malcolm asked through his gritted teeth, while Kendrell clenched his fist.
" What do you think?" Tiana asked, with a smirk.
" We met again when he moved to the city, before Ken introduced him to me." She added.
" So you've made a fool of me longer than I imagined. " Kendrell said this time.
" It's not my fault that he bagged over 70 percent of the start up capital for my restaurant, even before I asked." Tiana said with a shrug.
Kendrell felt the air was becoming too stuffy. Not even in his dreams would he have imagined Tiana and Jordan to be this emotionless and apathetic.
Fighting back the urge to tear them apart, Malcolm voiced out in anger!
" You both are gonna pay dearly for what you've done you two timers! I hope you suffer deeply! And when you both come back to beg for forgiveness, you will.."
" You wish!" Jordan chimed in rudely.
Glancing at them one last time, Kendrell turned to Malcolm.
" Let's go." Kendrell said as he turned to leave, without waiting for him.
'' I hope the next time we meet, you both would be leading a miserable life." Malcolm said.
Taking hurried steps, Malcolm walked up to Kendrell.
" Ken I..."
" I don't wanna talk.'' Kendrell said after Malcolm had managed to catch up with him.
Kendrell flagged down a cab, as soon as he sighted it.
" Ken! Kendrell!" Malcolm called out when Kendrell opened the door, without saying a word. Malcolm was scared Kendrell would do something stupid. This is the worse he had seen Kendrell, because something like this has never happened. He didn't see it coming!Though Tiana was not his first girlfriend, he had not been as emotionally invested with anyone he had dated like he was towards Tiana.
To think that his friend, whom he considered a brother was at the other end of the whole thing was heart wrenching.
There was no traceable emotion on his face so Malcolm was in a dilemma, unsure of what to do. Did he really need time alone? Or he needed someone by his side right now.
Yes, he and Kendrell were best friends, they still are, but he didn't understand him like Jordan did, owing to the fact that they spent almost 5 years away from each other because they attended college in different cities.
Malcolm couldn't help but release an exasperated sigh at the thought of Jordan.
Brushing his hair backwards, Malcolm finally decided to head home. He also needed to clear his head. What happened moments ago took a toll on him. A classic instance of TOTALLY UNEXPECTED! Earlier, he was quite surprised at desire to visit Jordan.
But after the whole experience, he knew better than to not trust his inner guide.
He walked a little further, before flagging down a cab.
* * *
" Where to Mr.?" The Cab driver asked Kendrell after he had shut the door.
" Swarm Bar. '' Kendrell said, looking through the window.
Of course, home wasn't the first place he'd go to. No! Not where her cologne which was still very much in the whole place, would make her presence feel more than an illusion.
Not where they've created so many memories. Memories he used to think were beautiful. He needed some time to clear his head and process what had just happened. Then maybe by the time he returned, he would be too drunk or tired to think about anything. Home, would feel too lonely! He might loose his mind. Not like he hasn't already!
~ Swarm Bar ~
When Kendrell got to the bar counter, he placed his order.
" A bottle of dry Vodka Martini." Kendrell said to the bartender.
" Here." the bartender said after he stirred the vermouth and ice in a cocktail shaker and served it in a martini glass.
After taking a few sips, Kendrell scoffed.
" This is indeed what you order when you get to a bar like this.'' He said in a mocker smile.
Downing several bottles, Kendrell managed to stand on his feet, without falling. But he had his genes to thank for that!
Kendrell wasn't the type to yell or create a scene, so he was barely noticed. But he also had the dim lights to thank for that, because he was handsome, more than enough to turn heads twice.
When he managed to make his way outside, he flagged a cab and found himself mentioning his house address to the cab driver.
Kendrell staggered to the door and made many failed attempts at inserting the key into the knob, when he got home. After failing severally, he finally got it right. Twisting the knob, he pushed the door and went inside, tossing the key in some area in the living room.
As he slumped on the sofa, the scent from Tiana's signature Cologne hit his nose. Just enough to stir an unfamiliar rage.
Abruptly, he felt something running down his cheek. Using his hand to brush across his face, he realized it was water or better still, tears.
He didn't realize he had been crying until that time. Using his hand dishevel his hair, Kendrell screamed
" Damn you!!!! " He shouted to no one in particular.
" I hate you! I pray the both of you drown in pain and never find solace!" Kendrell exclaimed.
Abruptly, he stood up and angrily turned the sofa upside down! Then he swept all the contents on the coffee table.
His whole body was trembling from rage. It took only a few seconds before he started punching the wall, till he bled.
The pain from the bruises, nothing like the one his heart felt. For the first time, he had suicidal thoughts, while he was at the bar.
The world felt strange and new to him, all of a sudden.
" Fuck you Universe!" Kendrell shouted.
With his back on the wall, he slid down, while stream of tears rushed down his cheeks.
Holding his hair, he roared again as his grip on his hair tightened.
But shortly, the bawls transitioned into a chortle. Like a psychopath, Kendrell laughed with his eyes closed as he laid on the ground and dozed off almost immediately.