Sweet Rivalry : From Bitter Enemies To Sweet Lovers (BXB)

17- The fall

Neo awoke to find himself in the dimly lit room. Charles, a steadfast presence by Neo's side, exuded an aura of concern, his eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight.

With a trembling voice, Neo mustered the strength to inquire about the hour, his heart pounding in his chest. Curiosity tugged at Neo, prompting him to ask Charles about the time.

Neo: Ah! You are here? What time is it now?

Concern etched on Charles' face, he inquired about Neo's well-being.

Charles: How are you feeling now? Do you know you suddenly fainted just now?

Neo: Where is Adrien?

Charles: I told him to go home. As he had his practice sessions. I thought sending home first would be good.... It was hard, he is kinda stubborn..

Neo (Fake smile): hahaa, I know that's how he is.

Charles: How are you?? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?? Are you okay??

Neo, choosing his words carefully, responded with a thoughtful "hmm" and a nod.

Sensing Neo's reticence, Charles gently grasped his hands and urged him to share his true feelings. He implored Neo to reveal the truth, to lay bare the depths of his emotions.

Charles: Is something the matter? Do you need something??

Neo's eyes, haunted by a memory, flickered with a mix of fear, averting his gaze, suggested,

Neo: A drink maybe?!..

Charles, apprehensive about the idea given Neo's recent fainting spell, deflected the request and pressed for an explanation. The memory of Neo's pallor during the phone call with his father lingered in Charles' mind, fueling his worry.

Charles: I don't think it will help. I'll not suggest you to have a drink now.

Neo's stomach churned with tension as Charles stayed silent...

Neo: I really want a drink right now.. don't you want to know what is happening to me??

In a moment of vulnerability, Neo offered Charles the chance to uncover the truth by tagging along.

Charles, torn between caution and curiosity, driven by a deep-rooted need to protect his more than friend, accepted the request then.

Charles took the car's keys and drove the Car to the pub with Neo. As they stepped into the bustling pub, the pulsating beats of the DJ reverberated through the air, intermingling with the vibrant lights that illuminated the space. The pub hummed with energy, teeming with patrons seeking solace in the night.

The pub was crowded it was hard to find the seats they could fill in. So Charles, approached a waiter and requested an empty seat for him and Neo.

The waiter gestured towards a spot near the bar, and the duo settled in, ready to delve into the heart of the matter. Charles asked,

Charles: Now tell me? Are you okay? What happened on the call? What did your dad say? And who the hell is Tim now?

Neo: I'll have a drink first...

Sensing Neo's unease, Charles rose from his seat, offering to fetch the drinks.

Just as Neo began to gather his thoughts, a cold hand settled upon his shoulder, causing him to freeze. Slowly, Neo turned around, his eyes widening as he beheld a figure from his past.

It was Tim, his toxic ex-lover, standing there with a sinister smirk, his left hand resting possessively on a woman's shoulder while his right hand held a drink.

Tim: Long time no see love.

A surge of strange emotions surged within Neo, fear gnawing at his core.

The unexpected encounter with Tim sent shivers down his spine, as memories of their tumultuous relationship flooded his mind.

With clenched teeth, Neo managed to utter Tim's name, his voice barely above a whisper.

Neo: T-Tim!?...

Tim's chilling smile widened, reveling in the power he still held over Neo.

Tim: Oh you still remember me? That's an honour.

Meanwhile, Charles, witnessing this unsettling reunion, felt a jolt of shock course through his veins.

The pieces of the puzzle began to connect in his mind, linking the phone call and the appearance of Tim before him. His gaze shifted between Neo and Tim, realizing the depth of Neo's discomfort.

Neo's trembling eyes betrayed the fear that consumed him, leaving Charles with a mix of concern and determination to protect him.

As he observed Neo's trembling form, fear etched across his face, Charles's protective instincts kicked in. He stood up and started walking towards Neo.

Before he could finally reach towards Neo, Neo's stomach churned with unease, a wave of nausea overcame him, threatening to consume his every thought.

He stumbled out of the bar, his legs carrying him as fast as they could, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere that had suddenly engulfed him.

Outside, the cool night air brushed against Neo's flushed cheeks, offering a brief respite from the overwhelming emotions that coursed through his veins.

He doubled over, his body convulsing with each retch, as he emptied the contents of his stomach onto the pavement.

Charles, ever the steadfast companion, followed Neo closely, concern etched across his face. He reached out, offering his hands as a lifeline of support, his voice filled with genuine care. He reassured,

Charles: It's okay. I'm here. You have me.

Neo was hugging the tree and feeling lifeless after emptying his stomach. He felt a sense of security with Charles beside him.

Back inside the pub, Tim's eyes gleamed with a twisted excitement, relishing in the chaos he had seemingly caused. The tension in the air thickened. The women accompanying Tim asked

Woman: Who was he?

Tim: My prey. (Chilly smirk) Nevermind tonight, I have you. Let's have fun!! Woahooo!! C'mon,... to the dj!!

Meanwhile on the outside, Charles stood by Neo's side, presence a beacon of strength. And as Neo slowly regained his composure, wiping away the remnants of his distress, a newfound determination flickered in his eyes.

Neo found solace in Charles's unwavering support. With a deep breath, Neo summoned the strength to face his past head-on, ready to confront the demons that had haunted him for far too long. The battle may be fierce, but together, they would emerge victorious, leaving behind the darkness of their shared history.

Neo said,

Neo: I'll tell you.. all about me now.. I think I'm ready to share the load within me with you...