Blessed Moments (book 4)

Chapter 6: drowning

The yellow glow of thousands of candles on hanging chandeliers shine down from the ceiling as I walk inside. Everything is awash in the dim, warm glow of the candles. The beauty of the room makes me think of Yugi and how much he would have appreciated it. I instantly regret my thought about Yugi because merely thinking of him reminds me of the overwhelming pain I feel in my chest. I am alone. Yugi didn't want to come here with me so I was forced to come here by myself. It is probably childish of me to feel so bitter about it, but I can't seem to help myself.
For a banquet ran by the Kaiba corporation there is fairly no one here. If I had to take a guess I would say that there were about twenty to twenty five people here in the room. Pretty slim pickings for a Kaiba banquet. Though I am grateful for the lack of a crowd, less people for me to have to maneuver through or be forced to have an intelligent conversation with which I will have to pretend to be interested in having.
"Yami!" Joey calls from across the room, a goofy grin present on his face as he waves at me. His other hand is interlaced intimately with Kaiba's and the mere sight of it simply rips open the fresh wound even further. I frown and subtly wave back dismissively before turning away forcing myself to look elsewhere. I am the only single person here. I'm married and yet I'm alone in a ballroom full of pairs. The gods have a sick sense of humor this evening. "Yami?" I barely make and effort to turn and glance over my shoulder to see Joey standing only a few feet away from me.
Bright blonde hair stands out in brutal contrast to the deep raven black of his tuxedo. Concerned brown eyes stare at me meaningfully and a silent question is plastered across his face, "where is Yugi?"
"He's not here." I answer smoothly, averting my gaze so Joey couldn't see just how much it bothered me to admit that. "You don't have to talk to me. Yugi isn't here so your only connection with me is severed."
"No it isn't." Joey says softly a sad glow on his face. "Even without Yugi here, you and I are friends. Aren't we?"
"Yes Joey, we are." I say apologetically. A deep sigh escaping me. "Forgive me, I never should have spoken like that to you. I just feel...conflicted."
"I understand." Joey says with a soft and sincere smile. "Please try and relax. Seto has to talk to a few people for a while, but I'll let him know that as soon as he's finished that he should come talk to you." I open my mouth to protest but the look onto eye face at the moment leads me to believe that it would be pointless to argue. Whether I like it or not I will have to talk to Seth about it. Joey grabs a small glass of champagne from a wandering sever and hands it to me. "At least try to pretend like you're having fun." And with that he turns away from me and leaves.
I am left standing here holding a glass of shimmering, bubbling wine that entices me to drink. It's been centuries since I last had a taste of alcohol. If memory serves I rather enjoyed the taste of it. I press the cool glass to my lips and allow the sweet, burning liquid to dance on my tongue before washing down my throat like a scorching, blissful wave.
"That's heavenly." I murmur before drinking another glass. My eyes would occasionally glance up at Seth but he was so busy in his conversations that he never seemed to notice my presence. Seems like I'm being disregarded by everyone this evening. That bitter thought leads me into grabbing two more glasses. The server I grabbed them from looks at me with a concerned expression on her pretty face, but wisely says nothing as she takes in my glare. She moves to walk away from me but I grab her tray and place an empty glass back onto the black surface. "Thank you for your service." I whisper. She nods briefly with a sheepish expression before hurriedly walking away.
The room is suddenly too hot for me and the world seems to be spinning at a rather breakneck speed. My breath comes in slow and unsteady gasps as I stumble and stagger my way over to a wall. I rest my large hand on the wall in an attempt to steady myself but the silky wallpaper holds no traction as I slowly sink to my knees. My fingers run over the wallpaper almost as if in a trance, the soft texture is so nostalgic. Where would I have ever felt something so soft? The memory of tricolored hair flashes before my mind's eye. Yugi.
Yugi isn't here. He left me. I left him. My thoughts are swirling like a vortex that I can't seem to escape. Who cares about who left who?! All I know is that I want Yugi, desperately. Silver tears begin to stream down my face as I slump my back against the wall. I am certain that I look pitiful in my current state, but I can't seem to bring myself to correct my appearance. All I want in this moment is my husband, my missing piece.
"Yami?" Joey calls out for me, his voice a distant, muffled sound. He comes around the table and his eyes go wide with shock as he takes me in. "Oh my god are you alright?" He grabs onto my shoulders and steadies me, forcing me to look into his warm brown eyes. "Are you going to be alright?!"
"I..." I choke out through suddenly heavy lips. "I want Yugi." My body has become so heavy that I'm struggling to keep my head up. "Yugi."
"Oh my god..." Joey pulls me to him and struggles to get me to my feet. "Someone go and get mr. Kaiba." There is the loud scuffle of feet and murmuring voices as everyone tries to figure out just what is transpiring before them. Joey holds onto me tightly forcing me to stand up right. "Yami, I need you to try and stand."
"What the hell happened?" The familiar voice of Seth breaks through the murk as he places two warm hands on my face. "Who the hell gave him alcohol?!"
"I-I did." Joey stammered.
"Damn it!" He snapped. Seth yanks me away from Joey making me grumble in discomfort. "He is never to have alcohol." He spits with evident frustration. "I'll explain later. We need to get him out of here."
"I'm so sorry!" Joey says with a loud apologetic voice making me wince in pain.
"You damn fool!" He says as he pulls my arm over his tall shoulder. "Such a damn fool." Without needing to be told I know that he is talking to me. I struggle to open my mouth to say something but the world fell into darkness before I could.