5.

Raine was having a terrible day so far. The news of the little incident with her superior had spread quickly. The rumours that had been flying around about her didn’t help matters. She was called into the human resource office, her pay was docked and she was suspended for 3 days. No one was bothered enough to hear what she had to say.

“This is so unfair. No... no silver linings. I have 3 free days. Yes, I haven’t had so much free time in years.” She consoled herself as she clocked out.

She stared at her phone as she sat in the car. Argen hadn’t returned any of her calls or replied her messages. The past four years had been really hard on both of them. It was hell, even more so for Argen.

At least I have my family and a place to run to but she has no one, just me. To think that idiot Casper would waltz in so casually after she finally got better... No, no, no... please no!!! God no, I hope she’s alright. Suddenly panicked, she tossed her phone aside, revved her engine and sped to Silver. All the way, praying that nothing had happened to her friend.

Without knocking, she hurriedly put in the pass code to the locks.

“Gen?” there was no reply. The apartment was completely empty. Raine ran down the stairs to the back of the bar and pushed the door open. It opened. A few feet from her, on the floor, lay Argen.

“Gen!!” she screamed as she rushed over to her side and lifted her up. “Gen?!” with shaky hands she tapped her friend’s tear stained face continuously. “Please, please wake up.” Desperation crept into her voice as she cried and pleaded for Argen to wake up.

Argen finally stirred and opened her eyes. Hugging her tightly, she let out a long sigh of relief.

“Where’s your phone?”

“I forgot it in the backroom last night.” Argen answered quietly.

“Can you walk?” Raine asked as she lifted her on to her feet.

“I was tired and just fell asleep. You don’t have to worry.”

“Hmmm... I call in another bartender for the next 3 day” she spoke watching Argen with keen eyes “but right now, let’s get something to eat.”

***

Casper sat at the dining table next to Kain, opposite his grandparents. He had been called over for dinner along with Kain. They had been chatting away merrily all the while and though he participated, he was deeply buried in his thoughts, unable to forget what had happened earlier in the day. In the years he had known her, Argen had never cried so much. She never got so emotional.

Did I touch a sore subject for her? What could possibly have happened for her to get such scars?

“Dawson told me you spoke to him about her. So, did you go apologise to her like I asked you to?” Millevern’s attention was on him.

With no idea how the conversation had become about her as he wasn’t paying attention at the time, he looked up from his plate, “I did go to see her, earlier today.” As he replied with nonchalance.

“I take it that you didn’t apologise to her.” Doore spoke now.

“Grandma, I-”

She cut short his attempt to offer an excuse “It’s fine. About this I will not chastise you anymore. However, Casper you will regret this deeply. These words that you constantly hurl at her in a bid to hurt her, you will regret saying them.”

“I won’t. I promise you that.” Casper said confidently as he looked straight at her. A small sad smile formed on her lips.

“If you feel that way. Anyway, do you intend to keep staying at a hotel?” she was speaking to both him and Kain.

“I got an apartment.” Kain replied quietly. He had always been a man of few words. He seemed to only speak when he felt it was necessary not caring if he were misunderstood. During the four years he stayed with him, he felt like he was with Argen sometimes. Both were quiet and often ruthlessly logical, it could drive an overly emotional person to the brink of madness.

“Is it because you’re hiding a woman from us?” Doore teased playfully. Kain didn’t offer a reply.

“Oh my! Vern. My nephew is really interested in a woman. I should quickly inform your mother.” Doore continued with genuine surprise.

How did she even come to that conclusion? He didn’t say anything.

“Just friends.” He replied.

“Oh... I see. It’s because you don’t know how to approach her.” Millevern chipped in.

“It’s a little difficult.”

Casper almost choked on the mouthful of water he just took. It was true?! What? How did they even understand when he hadn’t said anything meaningful?

“And you, Casper? When do you intend to return home?” Doore asked.

“I was also thinking of getting an apartment for myself. This house would be too big for me alone when you leave the city.”

Millevern nodded in agreement. “Kain can help you out then.”

The night continued filled with pointless chatter, eventually, Casper managed to push the events of the day out of his mind.

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