✨Written in the Stars✨

Chapter 2 - The Morning Afterwards

Gerald awoke to an empty bed, early rays of sunlight streaming through the window onto his face. Eric must have gone down for dinner, he thought. He got out of bed and put on his outfit for the day, a regular suit designed specifically for businessmen. The fit was perfect, a man of his caliber would only wear the very best.

He made his way out of the room into the dining room, where the rest of the Birlings were sat eating. Arthur was the first to speak. "Ah, Gerald my boy, glad to see you up and about! You've only missed about 5 minutes of breakfast." Gerald smiled and sat down next to Eric, across from Sheila, who was looking down at her plate and picking at her food reluctantly. "Not sitting next to Sheila?"

"For pity's sake, Arthur, give them space! The events of last night were a lot for young people like them to deal with." Sybil tutted at her husband's pushy nature. The end of her sentence was met with a slam on the table as Sheila looked up in anger. "Mother, had we not established yesterday that we're old enough and mature enough to handle these things? I've already told you all that me and Gerald are through!"

Gerald was a little hurt at his ex-lover's words. He was still conflicted over his feelings for her, his feelings for Eva, his feelings for—

"What nonsense! Gerald, tell your future wife that she's overreacting!" Arthur looked at the lad expectantly, and Gerald felt his face heating up, but Eric stepped in to save him.

"Father, Gerald and Sheila are done, accept it!"
"Eric, it's not up to you to decide that!"
"Balderdash! Come on Gerald, we both need to get some fresh air..."

Eric grabbed the other man by the wrist and pulled him out of the room and out of the house, ignoring his father's shouts of displeasure behind him.