The following morning, Junior reverted to his aloof demeanour, feeling cold and irritable towards everyone at the board meeting. Each presentation was rejected, and the atmosphere was icy, leaving him discontent.
After adjourning the meeting, he sipped on whiskey while gazing out the window at the city, lost in contemplation. He called Jay to arrange a get-together later, suggesting they bring some company and perhaps distract themselves from Rain for a while.
Frustrated with letting one girl affect him, Junior reassured himself with self-talk, denying that he was beholden to any woman. He vowed to move on and not reach out to her.
Lost in his thoughts, he chuckled at his own musings, realizing he was amusingly fixated on a girl he had met at a club. "Wow, Junior, you're really losing it," he quipped to himself.
Just then, his phone buzzed with a notification. It was Jay confirming their plans for the evening. Junior felt a slight sense of relief, knowing he had something to look forward to. He quickly replied with a thumbs-up emoji and set the phone down, turning his attention back to the cityscape.
As the sun began to set, casting an amber glow over the skyline, Junior couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. Despite his bravado, there was an undeniable emptiness that echoed within him. He shook his head, trying to dispel the unsettling thoughts, and decided to get ready for the night out.
After a quick shower and a change into his favourite suit, he felt more like his confident self. He headed out the door, determined to put Rain out of his mind. The drive to the lounge was filled with upbeat music, an attempt to lift his spirits.
When he arrived, Jay was already there, lounging in a corner booth with a couple of their mutual friends. The atmosphere was lively, the air filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Junior forced a smile and joined them, exchanging pleasantries and ordering a drink.
As the night wore on, he found himself relaxing, the camaraderie and noise serving as a welcome distraction. He even managed to flirt with a few women, though none seemed to capture his interest quite like Rain had. Still, he reminded himself that this was exactly what he needed—a night of fun and forgetfulness.
In an instant, Rain's image filled his mind - her lips he kissed passionately, her teary eyes seeking attention, and her captivating smile. The memory of her smile, accentuated by those charming dimples, lingered as he envisioned cosy moments together.
A girl, assuming his interest, flirted and leaned in for a kiss, setting off alarms in his head. He pushed her away, causing her to stumble to the ground. As she rose, he glared at her, battling the urge to react aggressively. he tapped her chest with his sneaker, dismissing her boldness.
Confronting her, he demanded an explanation for her actions. The girl, visibly shaken, timidly explained, recalling his previous kindness and references to "God" and "Lord." With lowered head, she shared her perspective and feelings.
He listened intently, but his thoughts still drifted back to Rain. The girl's words seemed distant, like an echo in a vast cavern. He sighed, trying to focus on the present moment, but the weight of his emotions made it difficult.
"Look," he finally said, his husky voice but firm. "I appreciate your honesty, but you need to understand that my me here doesn't mean I'm interested in you."
The girl nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of disappointment and understanding. "I get it," she whispered, wiping away a tear. "I'm sorry for misreading the situation."
Now leave
As she walked away, he felt a pang of guilt but knew he had to. He turned and made his way back to the sofa where he often sat and thought about Rain. The sky was beginning to darken, and the first stars appeared, twinkling like tiny beacons of hope.
Lost in his thoughts, he pulled out his phone and stared at Rain's number, contemplating whether to call her. The memory of her laughter and the warmth of her embrace filled his heart with a bittersweet longing. Taking a deep breath, he decided put the phone in his pocket and left everyone at daze