The Other Side

CHAPTER [4]

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¬¬CHAPTER 4¬¬

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Vincent needed not to be made aware of the impending danger with being unable to adorn himself an impressive way of dressing. He could feel the urge to be oozing with great attraction and to sanctify himself with a pleasantly inviting scent. It was clear. He was a mortal ready to pay an acknowledgement of gratitude in the immediate vicinity of a goddess. On this present day, it was irrefutably different. He displayed interesting features of his character that weren't usual to the eye that regularly saw him. Vincent was known to be a casual individual; how to dress was something that really didn't matter to him. He only considered oxygen as the key to get things going but not on this day. He needed more tips on looking neat and smart than inhaling a necessary substance—air. He really was desperate for the provision of assistance just to impress Lucia. One thing had to be done first. The executive to his personality—his ego, had to lie in submission.

Eventually he refrained from being self-conscious and called for help.

He thought of receiving aid from his mother. Before taking action, he took a moment to think about how his father clothed himself. Falling deep in his thoughts, he realised it wasn't going to work. Bernard was too casual as well. Vincent then made an assumption and passed judgement that it probably was how Poshia liked it, hence avoiding help from her. It was quite odd having him recognise how repulsive his dressing was yet he was accustomed to it. There was an hour left on the clock before his date. At this point he had no choice but to ask for help from George.

"Hey do you think this will stun her?" Vincent asked

Before responding to him, George laughed in a high-pitched voice. An untucked brown t-shirt, black formal jacket and blue jeans were a dramatic work of art that was satirical in tone for George.

"Are you off to the farm?" George posed a rhetorical question as a way to convey contempt.

Vincent looked at himself as though nothing was wrong with the way he dressed. He wasn't happy with the ridicule passed by his uncle but a part of his mind agreed with him.

Without wasting time George stood up from his sit and walked from across the room to Vincent's current position. Reaching there, George made his lips hold tight to his cigarette while his hands did some fashion fixing and perfection. He instructed Vincent to remove his jacket and tuck in his t-shirt. It was a simple adjustment but it left him sharp and neat. At this point Vincent was ready to present his adjusted well-bred character to Lucia. It was time he left for the date.

"Thanks." Vincent said as his way to show appreciation.

"Don't worry about it. Before you go, here is my perfume." George insisted so as to ensure that Vincent impresses the lady with a gentleman fragrance.

The preparation for his date consumed much time. Vincent was definitely running late. He had to think of the fastest way to get to 6th Avenue. He was convinced that driving there was not an option. He knew pulling up on the scene with his father's van was an act of quality embarrassment. Cycling to the coffee shop was the next best alternative for it would also help with avoiding traffic. Vincent hopped onto his bicycle and cycled as fast as he could. He was on a race against time.

Meanwhile as Vincent was on his quest to be on time, Lucia was facing her own kind of trouble. It was undeniably true that Lucia had the eye for Vincent. She felt something special for him but she wasn't too sure if it was worth it. While Lucia was waiting for Vincent, she put herself in a state of repose as she sat on a bench that was under an old oak tree. Lost in her own imagination, the expected happened.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" It was Albert who politely requested an invitation to sit next to Lucia. That simple question gave Lucia a sudden burst of electric energy. She was in shock. Despite the fact that they weren't together anymore, Lucia still found Albert to be possessing the power of charm by agreeable qualities. Albert on the other hand, in that moment, had found a place to wind up his night on a positive note. It had been long since the two had time to sit and chat like they used to in the past. This particular night presented a wonderful platform for them to do so. Lucia enjoyed the conversation so much that she even forgot that she was waiting for Vincent. Seeing the two happy one would safely say a channel for reuniting emotions had been created. Now, Albert began to realise how much he had missed Lucia.

"My mother would have liked you." Albert said in a calm low voice while he looked at Lucia's glittering eyes that were a bit more enhanced from the glow of the shining stars. She was in shock. Those few words alone had created a complete alteration of mood. She had no knowledge about Albert's mother passing on. Her affectionate side quickly switched on but little did she know, she was also about to create a regrettable scene. She pushed herself close to him for a tight embrace as a way to display the good worth in comforting. Albert wasn't hesitant to hold on tight as well. Tears began to pave their way down Lucia's cheeks. It indeed was an emotional phase they had entered.

Just when they thought all was going well, reality spoke of a path to a new time phase upon Vincent's arrival. He was sweating profusely from the swift cycling, hoping he would experience the sweetness of burning emotions just by being in Lucia's presence. There was no doubt, his imagination was a fantasy never to be a reality. His eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing. He was in deep shock. By the time he was in the vicinity of the scene, the hugging had advanced to a more intimate expression of comfort. Lucia had lost it. Her lips were the ones left to utter a language Albert only understood without question. The two were kissing passionately.

Vincent was emotionally bruised by having his eyes getting lured to such a site. He was deeply hurt. He saw no need to be at the scenery so he quickly broke free from the dark atmosphere. He dashed to his bike and in a quick clutching motion, got hold of his bicycle handles, hopped on and finally allowed his emotions to take control as he took off. His rapid physical motion between points in space created a remarkable expression of alertness in Lucia. She looked in the contrary direction and indeed her gut feeling was right, she saw Vincent cycling off. On her feet, heart pounding fast, eyes showing a reflection of worry, she called out, "Vincent! Vincent!"

With no positive response from Vincent, she didn't know what to do. She was perplexed. A light in the night had begun to fade away just when she thought, Vincent's fleeing was the worst highlight of her night. Albert had his own art to present. "I will take my leave, take care." Albert said. She looked at him and just couldn't believe what she heard.

"Just go! You coward!" she cried out in a voice laced with frustration.