Rhen and Azrel head to the beachfront to get some needed breath of fresh air. They stand side by side overlooking waters crashing into the rocks on the wooden rails of the open-air bar.
The white sandy beach is dimly lit by the outdoor lamps giving it a calm and solemn feel that soothes the atmosphere.
Azrel is holding an E-cigarette in his hand, Rhen never knew Azrel does this kind of stuff given his status as a Hero and a member of the police force. This is the first time Rhen has seen it, but he didn't reprimand his brother for it as he is an adult.
Azrel inhales through the vape's mouthpiece, he exhales a white cloud of smoke before giving it to Rhen.
"Try it, I usually do this when I have a lot to think about." Azrel encouraging his brother.
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[Try it]
[Refuse]
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Rhen isn't much of a smoker to begin with and he never even considered being one, still, he takes it and gives it a go. The white smoke enters his lungs leaving a minty taste. Because he's unaccustomed to it, he coughs it out as if having a cold.
*Cough!*3x
Azrel chuckles at his brother's reactions.
"Why do people do this?" Rhen questioned his brother.
"For me, I do this as a way to cope," Azrel replies as he pops another smoke.
"Cope with what? You pretty much have a perfect life." Rhen questions his brother with a higher tone than usual.
Azrel gives it a thought. "You know, it was Scarlet who proposed to me first instead of me, but stuff happened and we fought."
"I don't see that as a problem, just say yes and everything will work out," Rhen tells him with a straight face.
"Actually..." Azrel paused for a moment before continuing with a pained expression.
"I managed to cheat on her with one of my co-workers. It was just one night. However, my co-worker is... Let's just say good at 'It'." Azrel chuckles, yet his face looked regretful.
"You've gotta be kidding me. What happened then?" Shocked, Rhen probed for more.
"Scarlet sensed something was off, and she wanted some answers." Azrel bits his lower lip reluctant to continue. "Look brother, I'm not a Hero like what you think I am, I'm just a regular guy with wants and needs."
Arel then pops another smoke before continuing "Scarlet managed to find out, but she never said anything. She just has this sad look when we're alone. I realized my mistakes and called it off with my co-worker. Sadly, I also found out she was talking to another guy after she found out what I did. She said it was just her friend, but I didn't believe her."
"She slips her tongue by telling me that I did it first, she was right, but it also confirms that there was something more going on with her friend. One thing leads to another and we fought hard to the point we even broke up." Azrel rubs his moist eyes and then sighs. He has a hard time talking about it to anyone but is relieved to say it to some he trusts.
Rhen's face is in utter disbelief, he always knew them as the perfect and happy couple, but after Azrel's confession, it gave him a new perspective on what's really going on behind the scenes.
"And you're telling me this now!? when did this happen?" He pressed his brother for more details, if there is something Rhen can do, then he's going to do it for their sake.
"Last year before she came back from the academy. Honestly, I was happy that she actually came back after telling me she wants some space." Azrel replied.
"I never did it again, and we talked it out. Apparently, this friend of hers was her way of trying to cope with the things that I did. Unlike me, she didn't have any sex with this guy, lucky me I guess. However, when I proposed to her again, she said she wasn't ready.
I don't know how long I can keep this up, I know she's testing me. However, when you have a face like this" Azrel points to his handsome face before continuing.
"There's just temptation everywhere. Once you start exploring other options, well you realize Scarlet isn't really the best when it comes to things in bed. Between you and me, she can't even give head." Azrel chuckles at the thought.
Although Rhen's feelings about his brother have changed, he is still his brother, and what Azrel has done pales in comparison to how many women's hearts Rhen has destroyed in the past. The main difference is that Rhen never lied to any women, but Azrel betrayed Scarlet's trust.
Azrel looked gloomy after his confession and Rhen ought to give him a reply.
-
[Tell him Scarlet loves him]
[Tell him Scarlet should deserve someone else]
[Tell him you like Scarlet]
-
"I think you already know what to do brother, Scarlet loves you and that will never change." Rhen pats his brother's back.
"Yeah, I know. I just want someone to listen to me." Azrel replies with a warm smile.
"You know, I thought we came here so that I can talk about my nightmares. I didn't come here with you, to be your therapist." Rhen stated sarcastically.
"True, but you will never truly talk about them unless I open up first, I know you have regrets about the past. So can we talk about what really happened during that night when you stabbed Lena?"
Azrel's question enraged Rhen; he doesn't dislike his brother, but his blood boils whenever someone brings it up. The question is akin to someone pointing out his incompetence.
"I didn't stabbe-" Rhen cut himself off knowing Azrel is right, and that he was the one who stabbed Lena in the chest.
"I don't want to talk about it, she's dying anyways and I only did what she requested. It's better off that way." Rhen looks away from his brother, unable to maintain eye contact any further.
However, Rhen understands deep down that what he just said wasn't entirely the whole truth. Despite Lena's wish, Rhen could have saved her if he had brought her to a healer. He knew Lena wished to die, not because she's dying of blood loss but because she couldn't bear the thought of living with Rhen, tainted and so did he.
If the God's would've given him a second chance, he would never do it in the first place. He knew that It was by his own will he killed his lover, blaming it on some other factors was just a way for him to cope.
Azrel holds Rhen's shoulders. "Look brother, I'm here for you. I know it's hard to open up, but if you want to talk about it. Just come up to me and I will listen, I'm heading back to my room and get some shut-eye."
Rhen felt his bond with his brother got stronger after having a heartfelt conversation.
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Azrel - Relationship Level: ♥♥♥♥♡♡♡♡♡♡ +1
-
Azrel goes back to his room, as for Rhen, he stayed for a while watching the soothing waves crash into the rocks. He contemplates the things that happened in his past and how to move on just like his brother did.
Rhen already knows what to do, he just has to accept that he failed to save the one he loved dearly. For some reason, he just can't seem to accept it. He knew that he dislikes commitments not because of wanting to play around with women, but because he fears losing someone he holds dear once again.
He heads back inside and heads to the bar for a drink midnight drink, intoxicating himself before he went to bed.