The dazzle of lights and revelry in the pub had no effect on him. He drank incessantly, one glass after another.
An empty bottle now sat on the table.
He felt stifled, extrely stifled, and restless, as if trying to stop sothing, yet unable to intervene. It was this feeling of wanting to act but being powerless, like thousands of ants gnawing at his heart, that made it difficult for him to breathe. Alcohol was his only respite from this suffocation.
But with each glass of amber liquor he consud, his mind seed to sharpen. Images of his elder brother Glades Horne, robust and exuding an aura of nobility, would flash through his mind, followed by the lofty and genteel figure of Julia Bluen. Sotis, the two people who occupied his thoughts would stand together in his mind.
As the younger brother, it was his duty to assist in preparing for the wedding. But he didn’t want to touch anything related to his brother’s wedding because it would cause him pain.
He was jealous of Julia Bluen because she was to beco his sister-in-law and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would be able to stand by the side of his most admirable brother forever. He was also jealous of his brother for being able to have Julia.
Indeed, he was a person with distorted emotions, admiring his dearly beloved brother while harboring unusual feelings for Julia Bluen, whom he had watched grow up.
Now, the two most important people in his heart were about to unite, and he started to resent himself. Why hadn’t he tried to pursue Julia in those past days? Why had he always stood in the shadows, clandestinely watching her? They had known each other for twenty-six years, yet she didn’t even know his phone number, whereas he had hers morized by heart.
My vision follows your dance.
My words linger on the tip of my tongue.
How should I introduce myself clearly?
A man amongst n.
I want to be your big tree...
The phone, with "Secret Love Letter" set as its ringtone, suddenly rang, but Jas Horne didn’t answer the call, allowing the song to play from start to finish, again and again, until it stopped.
A few minutes later, the phone rang once more.
He leaned back in his chair, holding a glass in his right hand and the bottle in his left, slowly refilling his now-empty glass while the phone continued to ring obstinately, as if he wouldn’t answer it no matter what.
His handso face, closely resembling Glades Horne’s, was slightly flushed from the alcohol. He wasn’t drunk yet, but he looked very morose, as if burdened by dark, ominous clouds, much like soone owed him money and hadn’t repaid it. Those eyes, always deep, icy, and tinged with indifference or mockery, now seed even more inscrutable, emitting a ghostly glow.
His phone rang three tis, yet he picked up none of them, not even glancing once.
At that mont, he wouldn’t care to flee even if the sky were falling.
The lodious music ended, replaced by the pounding beats of a DJ’s dance track. Those in a bad mood, seeking to vent by dancing, once more slipped onto the dance floor. With the pulsating music, they twisted and turned wildly, feeling it was a good way to release their inner dissatisfaction, as dancing would often make them feel better.
A man in a black short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers walked over to the corner and sat down beside Jas Horne. He was one of the pub managers and had t Jas a few tis, so the two were acquaintances. Seeing Jas sitting with a sullen expression and continuously drowning his sorrows in alcohol, he ca over, hoping to show so concern.
"Mr. Horne, what’s the matter?" the man reached out, patted Jas Horne’s shoulder, and asked with a smile. The man was about thirty-six or thirty-seven years old. His sowhat scholarly face, however, bore the marks of hardship. It was clear he had encountered society’s trials early on and had achieved his current success through much sweat and toil.
Shrugging off the man’s hand, Jas Horne replied coldly, "Halton Hillraise, leave alone. I just want so peace and quiet."
The man nad Halton Hillraise chuckled, patted his shoulder again, and then stood up. He didn’t ask anything more before turning to leave, leaving Jas Horne alone with his drinks.
The night grew deeper. Through the complexities of human emotions, the night slowly passed, ushering in a new day. It welcod the light, with the sincere hope that the bright sun would bring new hope to all things on earth.
「Ten o’clock in the morning.」
「Valence Group.」
"Ruiz, arrange for to have lunch with Jonathan Allen at the Emperor Hotel, at eleven thirty," Glades Horne ordered Hansen Ruiz in a deep voice. He was sitting casually on the armrest of a sofa, phone in hand.
"All right, I will arrange it imdiately," the warm, steady voice of Hansen Ruiz ca from the other end of the phone.
"How would you like to be my best man?" Glades Horne asked Hansen Ruiz coolly after he had finished giving his orders.
He actually hadn’t chosen a best man yet. Now that Julia had found her maid of honor, and since he had told her he had a best man too, if Ruiz didn’t show up at the wedding in two days, Julia would realize he had been telling a kind lie, and might feel a bit of remorse. He didn’t want her to feel remorse. Since the wedding was proceeding through normal procedures, a best man was indispensable.
"Okay!" Hansen Ruiz agreed, not inquiring why Glades Horne was asking him to be the best man so late in the ga.
"Mmh," Glades Horne responded indifferently and then hung up the call.
KNOCK KNOCK. A knock ca from the door.
Glades Horne then took a seat on the sofa and replied gravely, "Co in."
Secretary Yang pushed the door open, walked over to him, and said, "CEO, Mr. Powell from Cosmos Group is requesting to see you. He’s already been here several tis today. Do you want to see him?"
It was only ten in the morning, and he had co several tis; Dio Powell was clearly very anxious.
"I don’t have ti," Glades Horne replied coldly, reaching under the coffee table to pick up a publication, which he began to flip through casually.
"I’ll inform the staff to turn him away," Secretary Yang, having received the answer she was looking for, turned to leave. As she inadvertently glanced at the snack counter, her steps faltered. Glades Horne’s oppressive voice struck her ears. "Anything else?"
Startled, she quickly replied that there was nothing and hurriedly left.
After Secretary Yang left the office, Glades Horne seed to rember sothing. Picking up his phone again, he dialed Hansen Ruiz’s number. As Ruiz answered, Glades Horne adjusted his tie. The blue tie he was wearing today was one that Julia herself had tied for him. "Ruiz, has the company hired Rachel Bailey yet? Right, Rachel will be Julia’s maid of honor. Look up her address for and send her a few bridesmaid dresses."
Reviews
All reviews (0)