This Is Me Trying

Chapter 9: Drunken Kiss

HAYLAND his nose from the pungent smell of alcohol in his nostrils the moment he entered Solis's room after his three-day trip at Siargao. Awkwardly, he stepped inside and carefully set aside the empty bottles of vodka messily sprawled onto the floor.

The room stenches added the messy empty bottles of soda, the dirty boxes of pizza, and a packed lunch of buttered chicken that he's certain, Solis had consumed while he was away. There's also a half bottle of whiskey on the bedside table and immediately, he grabbed it and decided to hide it away.

He learned from Solis's workmates that she hadn't gone to her workstation and instead stayed at home and did her assigned tasks attentively. He guessed that it was okay so he stopped bothering her for a while.

However, when he comes home, he doesn't expect to be met with the mess that his dear wife has done while he's away for a short while. He sighed, tightening his hold on the bottle of whiskey he just grabbed earlier. With a sharp breath, he moves quickly but silently.

He carefully cleaned the messy room. He makes sure it is spotless and even opens a new box of oil diffusers to make the room smell pleasant. The calming scent of lavender wafted into the air, dances into the nothingness that is too dreamy as it continue to burst its fragrance further. He smiled thinking that Solis would love this. He is silently praying not to be scolded for trespassing on his wife's space.

He wonders where did she go when it was now late in the evening. He texted her that he'd be doing something urgent in his office so he would come home late but when he arrived home, Solis was nowhere to be found.

He's worried as hell. Since his departure, she never dares to answer any of his calls too. Gladly, Mara is still updating him despite them not being on good terms. All that he knows is that they both care for Solis and Solis's welfare. At first, it didn't stir him to arrive home without his beloved woman inside but as time ticked, his anxiety started brewing.

"What if she already left? What if she did leave me all alone?"

He internally panics, rushing back to the guest room and a sigh of relief passed through his mouth the moment he found Solis's clothes there and some important stuff. For a moment, he is contented but not completely.

He dialed his wife's number once again but to his annoyance, still, no one was picking up. He began pacing back and forth when suddenly, a loud horn could be heard from outside. He quickly rushed towards the window to peak. His brows creased since he recognized Minerva's vehicle outside which made him run towards it, nearly tripping on his heels.

"Hey, you! I'm glad you're back and alive. I fetched your wife somewhere in a nearby club. Honestly, I don't like it. This brat is too wasted to even recognize me. She's with that ube woman again. Gosh!"

Minerva then ushered him towards the backseat where he saw Mara and Solis who both passed out. Mara's mouth is open, snoring loudly. Solis on the other hand leans on her friend, murmuring incoherent words.

"Thank you, Meni. I owe you big," Hayland genuinely said, looking dejected at his wife's wasted face with eyes tightly squeezed. He walked towards her, scooping her gently.

"Should I help you?" Minerva offered.

Hayland beams a tight smile, carrying Solis in a bridal style. "Thanks but I can do this. Really, thank you for making them safe."

"Very well then. Also, I don't have a choice. They're my friends so I am after them for their safety as well. I gotta go to catch up with something after attending to this woman over there. Call me when Solis is awake."

"I will. Thanks. Drive safe, Meni..." he bade as he carried his wasted beloved in his arms.

Solis then stirred as soon as he started going inside, causing her to wake up fully. "Hey... you're drunk."