Bound To Him {Felientte}

Chapter 16: Drunken Truth

Go to the truth beyond the mind. Love is the bridge - Stephen Levine

The sun shone brightly through the gaps of the curtains. I sat up groggily, my back aching from laying on the floor. I looked around. "Wait. This isn't my apartment... oh yeah,". I stood up, dusting myself off, only to see an empty sofa. 'Where'd he go?' I asked myself. My question was soon answered as a horrible, sickly figure stumbled out of the bathroom. I froze. Why was this embarrassing? Maybe because I'm in his house. Or he's walking around in a robe! Or because he looks like he almost drowned like two seconds ago! Or a mixture of everything. That works too.

He saw me. Didn't even flinch. Part of me wishes I was awake when he saw me when he first woke up. Maybe then he'd show some sort of emotion.

"Morning Miss. Dupain-Cheng,".

"Morning... sir,".

He grabbed a cup of coffee from the counter and lent against it, taking a sip before making eye contact with me. I felt my cheeks heat up as his blue eyes met mine. Again. Something was drawing me in. I couldn't place it but...

"Take a seat. I'd like to...apologise for my indecent acts yesterday. I had forgotten myself. If I said or did anything last night please excuse my actions,".

"I- uh. N-no. Nothing to be sorry about,".

"I also must discuss one more thing. You see. I have retrieved my item, with much success and assistance from you. And, I find, that I have no use for you. Meaning, you may return to your old state of living before our encounter. Of course we'll need a few more weeks before officially breaking things off, as people say. And, as a form of compensation, I should like to offer you any job you wish to have in the company. You have been of great use to me. And I'd like to repay your... forced, generosity,".

I almost gasped. Its over. Most of me was relieved. Like a weight lifted off of my shoulders. But part of me was angry. All of that, all of my work, my dedication. Gone. I gave him my career. I had no energy to argue with him, however, I had every intention of being stand offish. "Thank you. I shall get back to you on that offer,".

Timeskip

It's all gone. It's all over. So why don't I feel fulfilled? Why aren't I happier? What is wrong with me?

I kept tossing and turning. I had a movie playing on in the background but I could barely focus on it. Why was my life like this?

I had so many questions but then a sudden memory flooded back to my brain. That night. I remember. A voice. It was talking to me. From the Miracle box. What... was it? I remember feeling drawn to it. Like we were connected. There was a reason that I hated that feeling. It was the same thing I felt as I held him... in my arms....
As I watched the life drain from his bitter, sorrowful eyes. How could a boy make me so happy but leave me so broken at the same time.

I decided that I could stay there. I needed to leave. Get out of my head. I hauled down a taxi, letting it drop me off in front if the Blossom Park. It was almost pitch back. The only light coming from the stars that stood independently amungst their peers. The moon seemed to be in some sort of hiding.

I walked through the maze of the gardens until I came to a clearing withing the bushes. A place that only I knew of, from my knowledge. I set myself against a tree, laying my head back. I sighed. "Why is my life like this...".

"Who knows...".

Yeah...wait!

I whipped my head up to see a silhouette stumbling in front of me. I got ready so scream, run, anything of defense until I say their face. Felix?

"Sir? A-Are you okay?".

Was he, drunk? Again.

"When is anyone okay Miss. Dupain-Cheng," He replied, plonking himself down on the grass next to me. He wreaked of scotch and whiskey. His voice slow, eyes tired and puff. What happened?

"We used to be close you know. He... was like my brother. We understood one another. But. I was always jealous of him. His fame, the love, the recognition. It made me bitter. I began to resent him after his first year of public school. He got to experience what I'd yearned for my whole life. He acted like his mother's death hit him hard. But I knew. He just wanted that sympathy. He couldn't give two shits whether she died or not. He hated both of them, that's for sure. My dad loved him. Always tried, especially after his mother died. But he wasn't having it. So he stopped. My father loved him more than me. His son. No one cared when my mother died. Not even my dad. She died in a car accident you know. Drunk driver. That's why no one sees me drinking. Which is why I feel so... pathetic,".

I just sat in silence. Did he really know what he was saying? Either way. I could at least listen. I didn't owe him crap but...

"He talked about you a lot you know. He seemed to actually like you. He always said you were the only person that listened to him. When you came to the company, I was eager to meet you. And I guess it was fate. He always said that he'd never love anyone. I thought he was wrong when he met you, but he was always right. In his twisted way, he was right. I know you know this but, my cousin.. he was cruel. He was manipulative. He did like you, Marinette. But he also despised you. I do not say this with the intention to harm your memories of him. But I know you know how bad of a person he was. Tell me. What was it like when he died. The grief, I mean,".

I gulped. My voice caught in my throat.

"I-I was in pain... until I- until I found out... everything. L-Ladybug. She came to me. Sat me down. Told me. I broke down. I couldn't have one thing that made me happy? But as she kept explaining everything, it was clear that he was not my happiness. He was my pain. My agony. My entire life revolved around him and his stupid schedule. I was drowning. Still. The grief was to hard to explain. We were close in a way. Even if he was a manipulative idiot,".

I wanted to cry. I wanted to sob. But I kept myself composed. I couldn't. Not in front of him. Instead I let one singular tear roll down my cheek.

"I-I am truly apologetic Miss. Dupain-Cheng. However. I find myself needing one more thing from you,".

My head lifted. Was he about to ask me for a favour now?

"I need something else... of high importance. There is the annual masquerade that the Mayor hosts and every year we are invited. I must retrieve something. But I need a partner. So if I may, I ask you you be my 'girlfriend' for just a couple moments longer,". Longer? I knew I should've said no but....

"Sure. Why not,".

Hey Problem Children! New chapter. I was not about to let my story be so pointless. There is more coming. I will have more of a relationship development in the next chapters instead of skipping to the ball immediately. This was just to set the bases of a proper relationship. But yeah. I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for reading this and I will see you in the next chapter. Bye.

Word count: 1323