Midnight Rendezvous: A SandRay Story

Chapter 13: Old Ghost of Past Love

Short note from the author:
Sorry this one took longer than expected. I had some personal issue that needed sorting out. Hope you will like these 2 chapters I am adding today! Vote if you can and leave me a comment so I can come back right away. Thanks!
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Sand's POV

These last two weeks with Ray had been nothing short of bliss. We were practically inseparable, save for our classes and my shifts at work. It was a time filled with constant discovery and wonder.

Ray was like Pandora's box, each day revealing new layers and facets of his personality. Most of them were delightful surprises, as I found myself immersed in his caring, kind, and sweet nature. It felt almost magical to be the one who had captured the attention of this beautiful creature, a siren whose allure drew me in closer and closer with each passing moment. Conversations with him were a wonder, an exploration of thoughts and ideas that left me in awe. And, well, his prowess in bed was nothing short of legendary. It was a deadly combination, and I couldn't have been happier to experience it.

However, life has a way of reminding us that moments of peace and bliss are often fleeting, meant to be savored while they last. It was past midnight when I stirred from my sleep, jolted awake by the sound of an agitated Ray on the phone. I watched as he hurriedly dressed and searched for his keys, his expression fraught with concern.

In my groggy state, I sat up, attempting to make sense of the situation. "Hey Sand, sorry, did I wake you up?" he asked, his voice laced with urgency. "I need to go to Mew. Something happened with him and Top. But you can stay here until I come back, right?"

I blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Do you have to go right now? It's late, can't this wait until tomorrow?"

Ray shook his head, his movements hurried. "I'll talk to you later," he said, before darting out the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

The unsettling thing about being burned once is the lingering wariness of the flames. Yet, Ray was like a moth drawn to the irresistible allure of Mew's flame. And try as I might to suppress the bubbling anger and jealousy within me, I couldn't help but feel like I was failing miserably. All it took was one call from Mew, and Ray was off, running to his side.

Realizing that I was bound to spend the next few hours stewing in my own negative emotions, I decided to get out of bed and seek refuge at the local bar. Maybe a drink and a chat with Jane, the bar owner, or Tay, the bartender, would serve as a welcome distraction.

Upon arrival, I was surprised to find the place less crowded than I had anticipated. Tay handed me a drink and leaned in, speaking in a hushed tone. "It was packed here about an hour ago, but things got pretty messy, and most of the crowd dispersed."

I arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "What happened?"

Tay continued, "Apparently, that tall, buff guy who's always here, Top, was cheating on his boyfriend. You know, the sweet, bespectacled guy who's close to Ray? I always thought he was the kindest one in the bunch, but he threw a mean punch tonight. Turns out, Top was fooling around with their friend, the promiscuous one."

Well, that was quite the bombshell, I thought to myself. Out loud, I asked, "You mean Boston?"

"Yeah, him," Tay confirmed. "What a mess their group is in. I was just surprised that Ray wasn't here. Boston's boytoy, that meek guy with curly hair, didn't take too kindly to being dumped. Out of spite, he sent Mew a bunch of incriminating photos of Top that he apparently found in Boston's things. It was quite a scene."

It all started to make sense now. Ray's abrupt departure had been to comfort Mew in the midst of this tumultuous situation. Top's cheating didn't surprise me, given his reputation, but I couldn't fathom why someone as seemingly innocent as Mew had chosen to date him. Still, I held my judgment, recognizing that everyone has their reasons and preferences.

What did surprise me, however, was the apparent lack of respect within their group of friends. Apparently, rich people grapple with complex emotional dilemmas instead. The weight of their problems often stems from matters of the heart and friendships rather than financial concerns, highlighting the unique challenges that come with privilege. Mew must have been deeply hurt by this betrayal, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. Yet, my anger simmered beneath the surface as I considered how easily Mew had summoned Ray, knowing he would come running like a loyal, leashed puppy. I willed my emotions to calm, half-listening to Tay as he recounted all the juicy details of the evening's events.

Ray's POV

The tranquility of the night had settled around us, a familiar and comforting presence. In recent times, Sand and I had established a new routine—preferring the coziness of my home to the bustling nightlife. After our evenings at the bar, we'd retreat to the comfort of my sitting room, where laughter, conversations, and shared moments became our currency. It felt like we had endless topics to discuss, our connection deepening with each passing day.

Sand was a captivating presence, and the more I got to know him, the more I found myself drawn to him. His dry humor, quick-witted comebacks, and the eclectic taste in music that we shared were just a few of the things that endeared him to me. His knowledge, both vast and diverse, never ceased to amaze me. Of course, I couldn't ignore the fact that he was incredibly good-looking, and our chemistry outside the bedroom was a testament to what happened between the sheets.

Perhaps what I cherished most about our newfound relationship was the refuge it offered me from the complicated dynamics of my past. Being with Sand meant I didn't have to venture out with Mew and, by extension, Top. Seeing them wrapped up in each other's affections was a sight I could do without.

As I lay there beside Sand, nestled in the peace of our shared space in bed, I couldn't help but be grateful for the simplicity we'd found together. It was a stark contrast to the tangled web of emotions that had defined my relationships in the past.

But just as serenity had settled in, it was shattered by the shrill ring of my phone, displaying Mew's name on the screen. It was an unexpected intrusion into our peaceful night. I immediately roused myself, trying not to disturb Sand's slumber. I didn't want to worry him unnecessarily, not without knowing what was happening.

I answered the call, and on the other end, I was met with the sounds of Mew's sobs and hiccups. He was incoherent, his words drowned in tears, but amid the chaos, I managed to piece together a heartbreaking story—Top had cheated, and the other party involved was Boston.

A cold sense of dread washed over me, and the instinctive worry I felt for Mew kicked in. It was a feeling that had become second nature to me, a habit I couldn't break. Taking care of Mew had become an integral part of my life, and his distress tugged at my heartstrings. For so long, my life had been devoted to taking care of him and making sure he was happy that it never crossed my mind to deny his timid request for me to come over.

I assured Mew that I was on my way to him, but as I hung up the phone and hurriedly gathered my things, I was overcome by a wave of inner conflict. I couldn't ignore the fact that Sand and I had our own unresolved issues regarding Mew, and this situation only added to the complexity. It would probably reopen a still half healed wound in our relationship. But at that moment I forced myself to focus and my priority was Mew, who needed me right now.

As I headed out to my car, determination set in. I knew that once I had ensured Mew's well-being, I would return to Sand and explain everything. We needed to address our concerns and find a way to navigate this unexpected turn of events together. Perhaps our time together is still too short to expect trust and everything is still up in the wind between us but all I can do is hope and have faith that Sand will wait for me.