TRIBULATIONS

23.

Bennett's eyes fluttered open, at first, confusion washed over him. But after a few seconds, he was no longer uncertain. He let out a groan, his head was pounding; Most likely a hangover. He rolled his eyes but even they felt sore, he clicked his tongue with regret. Why did I drink so much?

He looked around the room, the windows were covered with the curtains, but there was an opening, and Bennett could see that it was dark outside, maybe a little after midnight.

Bennett slowly raised his upper body, his heart sank in his stomach when he spotted someone else in the room.

Edena glanced at him, she was about to exit the room, but he had already gotten up. Bennett propped himself up, and he sat next to Edena, letting his arms rest on his knees; Back hunched. He murmured, "..You stayed?"

Edena sighed, a blush infiltrated her skin. "So you remember?"

Bennett nodded a little bit, his head felt like it was on fire. "Bits and pieces. I haven't forgotten how you took care of me,"

For once, he stared at her, and showed a genuine smile. "Thank you."

Edena uncomfortably averted her shocked stare, she sheepishly answered. "You're welcome." She wanted to bring up what he said earlier, but she decided to drop it.

While on the other hand, Bennett wished she brought it up. She must've been curious, or does she really not care as she has made that clear since they've been here?

Edena made up her mind and stood. She said a firm, "Goodbye." And Bennett listened to the way the clicks of her heels faded away. He let his head drop, "..Fuck.."

Where was Arthur?

Just then, the door swung open, revealing Arthur and Pierre, who's fists were clenched, and a trouble gaze settled on his face while he had his attention to Arthur.

Bennett let out a sigh of relief.

☠

Pierre drove back to the headquarters. Arthur gnawed at his lower lip, re-thinking about everything. He still desperately hung onto the Man who seemed disgruntled about his actions.

Pierre was too pissed. There was simply too much on his plate.

He silently turned off his motorcycle, while Arthur awkwardly stared at the back of the Man's head. He dismounted the cycle, eyes wavering, not wanting to make eye contact with the man, in fear of making him even more angrier. Pierre stirred different types of things in Arthur, fear, desperation, and dependency. He hated it, but there wasn't much he could do about it.

He took off the suffocating helmet, and he passed it over to Pierre who hurriedly snatched it away from his grasp. The Man started to walk towards the entrance.

His steps were fast-paced as he was determined to get away from his troubles. Burying himself in work. Arthur rushed towards him, they were now in the halls. Edena walked past them, she nodded at Pierre who returned the same nod, and she frowned at Arthur whose head turned and followed her, he raised a brow at her attitude.

Arthur grabbed Pierre's arm, "..Sir.."

Pierre let out a weary groan. He turned around, and Arthur did not miss the way he scowled at him.

Arthur mustered up his lost courage, "Please.. I know me begging is getting on your nerves,"

Pierre avoided his eyes, but Arthur was relentless. He gripped the man's jacket once again, looking up at him, he walked closer. "..But please.. I said I'll work, is that not enough? Mh? I'll try to do anything you want, but please, I know it's a lot of work, I know I'm bothering you, and you'd rather think of something else, but please."

Pierre's eyes subconsciously lingered on Arthur's promising eyes. His jaw moved side to side, he was being annoyed. All he wanted to do was rest, and Tomorrow — Well, today, he would start fixing his flaws.

Pierre's shoulders slumped. "..I expect you to do well tomorrow when Edena informs you of her job."

A wide relieved grin broke out on Arthur's face, "..Yes.. Yes.. I will listen to her," Feeling relieved, Arthur let out small giggles as his safety was finally reassure. "..Thank you, sir! Thank you so much! I'll be eternally grateful!"

Pierre rubbed the back of his neck, he stared down, squinting his eyes at the man who was practicing jumping up with happiness. He faked a weirded out chuckle while he patted Arthur's head who smiled at him. Pierre rolled his eyes, for fucks sake, I wasn't told I would be taking care of a literal toddler. He cursed in his mind.

He ushered Arthur away, he needed his rest. "..Now, go away, I bet your guy must be looking for you."

Arthur's stomach twisted into knots, he gulped, "..Bennett.." Pierre furrowed his brows, right.. The guy was missing.

Arthur rushed to his side, he turned the door knob that was open, Bennett's head raised up, revealing a scared expression.

Arthur smiled at Bennett, not noticing the way Pierre's eyes intensively glared at him. He ran towards Bennett, and threw his body over his. Bennett's eyes widened very slowly, he shouted out loud, "..WAI—!"

His nose throbbed with a burning sensation, Arthur's head knocked into his lower face. Pierre stood there, watching the two, eventually, he shut the door, and walked off to his room.

He needed someone, anyone, to get him these events out of his mind.