Desolate Love

Chapter 19: Hotel

Alec POV

I shouldn't be doing this.

I very much should not be doing this.

But I need to reconnect with Vanny. So here I am - snooping through the reception desk during after-work hours in hopes of finding out where Vaughn is staying. The only flaw in my plan was that I wasn't sure yet how to explain why I knew where he was sleeping without seeming like a stalker - however, that was a worry for later on.

It took about 10 minutes until I found Vaughns's fake name, "Jaden Pittman" next to "Room XXX, Ploegh Hotel, XXX Street" within some random book in the third draw.

'Only 15 minutes away,' I thought to myself, as I scribbled it down on my hand, before returning the book to the correct draw and leaving the building - hoping nobody planned to check the footage from the reception.

I quickly return to my car, driving home as fast as possible to inform Toby of my new plan.

***

"You what?" Toby gasped as I explained why I was late, "Al! That's illegal!"

"I know," I tried to explain, "But now we can go and see him and reconnect!"

"No!"

"Why not?" I was confused, didn't he also want forgiveness from Vanny?

"He will just judge us!" He argued, "Listen - I want to reconnect with Vanny as much as you do, but how can you just show up at his one safe space within the shit town. We already make him feel unsafe - showing up at his door just seems unfair."

He had a point. Yet, I hated that point. If only we hadn't fucked up all those years ago, we would still be a safe space for Vanny - yet now all we brought him is pain. I wish I could still be with him.

"... Toby"

"Yes, Al?"

"If we don't do this, how are we supposed to meet with him?" I asked defeated, "I feel shit about it as well, but he won't meet with us any other way."

He took a few seconds before answering, "You can just try to sway him during work - then he can meet with me! It will be just like how it was before."

"Toby, he's not here for much longer," I breathed out, "And he avoids me at every possible time. I can't sway him if he doesn't even let me talk to him! It's shit but turning up at the one place he has to be is the only way to get him to talk to us!"

Toby looked defeated, "...okay."

***

"Are you sure about this?" Toby asked when we arrived.

"Absolutely," With that, I knocked on the door.

I waited a few seconds, but heard no noise coming from inside. He had to be home - work was over. With that, I knocked again and waited, yet there was not even the noise of movement.

Where was Vanny?

"Al," Toby asked worriedly, "This is the right place, right? You said he had to be home."

I look down at my hand - confirming that it was the correct place and number, "I'm sure. And he should be, the work place is locked! And it's 7AM, he can't still be out!"

"....So where is he?"

"I'm not sure." I sighed defeatedly, "But I'm not leaving before he comes home."

***

We waited for an hour, almost ready to give up and break into the room ourselves when Vanny finally showed up. However, he looked odd. His hair was a mess, his shirt was inside out and his face looked red.

My mind started racing.

"Vann- Vaughn, are you okay?" I panicked, "That's even yesterday's clothes! What happened?"

Vaughn whipped his head towards us, seemingly not having noticed us there previously.

"What are you doing here?" He sneered.

"We can explain that later!" I panicked, "For now, what happened? Are you okay?"

Vaughn seemed surprised before quickly going back to his usual cold look, "Why do you care?"

"Because we care about you!" Toby butted in before I could answer, "Please just tell us what happened."

Vaughn smirked a little, making me feel uneasy.

"I was with the girl I met at the club," He shrugged, "Nothing happened to me, so stop faking your concern because it isn't needed."

A girl?

"What do you mean you were with a girl?" Toby voiced my thoughts.

Vaughn rolled his eyes. "We fucked." He said blatently.

My eyes widened as my heart swirled with jealousy.

...He fucked someone?