Strangers

Fifteen

It was almost a catastrophic emptiness in those eyes. If a few months ago, they mimicked the foxy-like sight, full of plans, determination and simply a sly nature he was, then now Jaehyun looked through the glass pattern. The whiskey was already invading and, at this point, just burning is esophagus. He lost the count of the amount of miserable alcohol he drank, yet it was such a candied poison. It was making his reason forget about the fact that the child might be actually his, and also made his body forget about the tender touches in that night that he tried to throw in the oblivion. His lips, yet, recalled every single trace and ardent breathe, the extraordinary sympathetic kisses that were being gifted to one another.

And it's been a while. Maybe a few weeks, maybe a few months. He lost the track of time, he's been drowning his disappointment and anger in an ocean of spite.

Jaehyun was sitting on the high stool, the pads of his fingers rhythmically tapping on the marble surface of the bar. He was losing his patience even when It took Taeil a few moments to pour another quantity​​​ of pure venom in the crystal glass. Starting to misplace the ground underneath his feet, and the ability to see the fixed image as it was supposed to be, the room was wrapped in a blurry, foggy-like obstinacy. The passing by figures were getting dissolved into the background, just like the noise that became just a high pitched sound that scratched his brain.

The edge of the glass got pressed against his brims, leaning his head back enough to have the alcohol swiftly flooding his throat. Whiskey felt balanced, it was creamy and rich at the same time, with a drop of cereal and hot allusion, yet all Jaehyun could sense in this liquid was the bitterness of his own feelings.

It was getting exhausted, feeling his limbs slowly getting numb under the mighty dominance of the satanic drink. Jaehyun stayed still, he was still thinking rationally and reading everything happening around him. From the prostitutes waiting for their knight, directly to the barman wiping the clean glasses, then serving drunk people the exotic cocktails they craved so desperately. The funny part of it was Jaehyun being a piece of the whole image. He was desperate to drink, he was spending money, and tried to wipe his memory off, at least temporarily.

"More", the young CEO slammed the glass on the counter, lifting his tired eyes as a command to the man standing behind the bar.

"Whiskey or do you prefer something else? You've been drinking whiskey the whole night so I'm wondering if you'd prefer to try another drink".

"I prefer you to shut up. Taeil, I really don't care, just fill my glass faster before I lose my shit. You're being too talkative tonight and I just wanna be alone with my thoughts".

The barman could understand without asking another question. He saw the minuscule veins in Jaehyun's eyes being alarmed, the blood rushed inside, which made the optical globes seem as red as fresh wine. The next thing Taeil did was to pour another half of the glass of whiskey for Jung's sorrow. As a barman, he was used to see broken hearts, broken people and lives, what could really surprise him? He shrugged his shoulders right after and went back to serve the other clients.

Like before, Jaehyun stared at the liquid, seeing his reflection perfectly, and it wasn't exactly what he enjoys. He looked like his life was losing it's sense even if nothing phenomenal happened. He had an empty hole inside his essence, he didn't know where it came from, an annoying sentiment that couldn't be overtaken by alcohol.

Eventually, he felt a double pat on his shoulder from behind, out of nowhere but which caught his attention unconditionally. Jaehyun spun his head to the side, throwing his eyes over the same shoulder to meet the familiar slim face. The tall frame had a seat next, on the free stool. Doyoung was wearing a dark blue costume, black shirt underneath, just like all his other accessories. That thin body was perfectly wearing the clothes like he was a walking mannequin, from head to toes, he looked flawless in the embrace of the club lights.