Tainted Desires | 18+

56 - The Bar

Terrence Toussaint

"Are you okay, man?"

I looked up from my half-empty glass, the amber liquid inside barely reflecting the dim light of the bar. I met the concerned eyes of Landon, who had just pulled up a stool beside me.

I chuckled dryly.

Was I okay?

How could I when the love of my life hated me?

The way she looked at me was like a dagger to my heart. It reminded me of how she looked nine years ago. Mirabelle's eyes, once filled with warmth and affection, held a mixture of anger and betrayal. The way she turned away, her shoulders tense with disappointment, as if my very presence had become unbearable.

How could I explain that the article was a twisted fabrication, that Eloise's pregnancy was definitely not true because I never touched her?

The weight of regret pressed down on me like a physical force. I had dared to dream of a life with Mirabelle, a life free from lies and secrecy. I had broken off the engagement with Eloise, knowing that my heart and my future belonged to Mirabelle's entirety. But the universe seemed to take pleasure in dismantling our plans, allowing these false tales to flourish unchecked.

How could I even begin to admit to Landon that I was far from okay? The woman who held the key to my heart now saw me as a villain, a heartless deceiver. The pain of that realization was a constant ache, gnawing at me with every breath I took.

In the dimly lit bar, surrounded by the clinking of glasses and the distant hum of conversations, I was a man adrift. The laughter and joy that had once filled these corners now felt like distant echoes, mocking me for my naivety in thinking that love alone could conquer all obstacles.

The turmoil I felt within me was a tempest, raging against the fragile facade I had constructed. How could I explain this turmoil? The guilt, the regret, the desperation to undo the damage that had been done to the woman I love. It was a maelstrom of emotions that threatened to consume me.

"Why did you bring it here?" He gestured to the small box that was opened in front of me, my heart clenched.

The small velvet box, holding a beautiful engagement ring meant for Mirabelle. I had purchased it with hope and anticipation, imagining the joy on her face when I finally went down on one knee, revealing the full extent of my love. Now, it sat before me like a symbol of my failure.

Inside, nestled on a bed of satin was the ring I had so carefully designed for her. The soft glow of the overhead lights played off the polished metal, creating a dance of glimmers that seemed to mimic the uncertain flickers of hope within me.

The ring's band was crafted from white gold, its smooth surface gleaming under the dim lighting of the bar. Along the sides, delicate engravings depicted intertwined vines, a symbol of the connection Mirabelle and I shared. The vines, like our love, were intricate and beautiful, their paths twisting and turning in harmony.

Nestled at its centre was a breathtaking diamond, a brilliant solitaire that sparkled with a radiance that mirrored the light in Mirabelle's eyes. Small sapphires, her birthstone, encircled the diamond, their deep blue hue, a reflection of the oceans of emotions that had surged between us. The setting itself was an embrace, cradling the precious gem with gentle arms that whispered promises of protection and devotion.

"Isn't it beautiful?" I managed to murmur, my voice carrying a mixture of melancholy and wistfulness.

"Why didn't you give her the ring?" Landon's gaze shifted from me to the open box, and I felt a mixture of vulnerability and regret wash over me. I could almost hear Mirabelle's voice echoing in my mind, the warmth of her laughter, the tenderness of her touch.