Chapter 19: Leonardo’s POV
Chapter 19: Leonardo’s POV
I rushed to the cafe and can already see my wife laughing and smiling at the man I had met briefly at the hospital. I decide to get my wife. I walk in, make my presence known and pull Claire to leg town car I have waiting just across the street where we get in and argue in private.
I’ve pleaded with her.
I’ve apologized to her.
I’ve begged her.
I’ve waited for her.
I’ve been patient with her.
At this point I was desperate. I didn’t know what to do anymore. But I wasn’t going to lose her to whoever this Jordan guy is.
I tried to remind Claire of how much I love her.
I kissed her with more passion than I’ve ever felt in my life and I thought we were moving forward when she kissed me back. I thought if it could
remind her how good only I can make her feel –
that she’d put her ring back on and give me another
chance.
But she didn’t. I could tell in her eyes that she just
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Chapter 19: Leonardo’s POV
couldn’t. She needed space and my efforts in winning her back were smothering her. I was breaking her all over again.
I was trying so hard to fix it that I was shattering every bit of opportunity. I needed to accept that Claire needed time.
I listen as Claire tells me she will get a cab and offer her the car. I was not going to mistreat my wife because I felt defeated. I tell her I need a walk anyways. Although, Claire knows that really means I need a drink. I get out the car and watch as Claire is driven past me in the direction to our home. At least I’d know if she’s gotten home safely.
I walk up the block with my hand in pocket, holding Claire’s rings as they brought me comfort and enter the bar.
I sit at the first bench by the door.
“What can I do you for?” Asks the old man with a southern accent behind the wooden bar.
“A Scotch on the rocks. Make it a double.” I say as I stare at the bottle.
“Sorrows drowned by scotch will be nothing but sorrows tomorrow.” The man said with a small smile as he placed my drink in front of me.
“Guess I’ll have to come back tomorrow too then.” I look up at the man and give a small smile. It’s
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Chapter 19: Leonardo’s POV
wasn’t the best of jokes but it was something.
“You can come as much as you need. But I can’t promise I’ll be alive for as long as that is.” He tops off my glass and returns to the other patrons waiting for service.
I look over at the man. He hadn’t said much but he said enough. I couldn’t drown my sorrows in scotch forever. I had to figure out how to get Claire back.
I put my hand up and look over at the man for another scotch and I’m immediately caught off guard by the patron he’s serving.
It’s the guys I saw Claire with earlier.
I feel the heat radiating off of my neck as I get up and walk over to him. This prick was not going to take my wife.
“What the hell are you doing here, man?” I see the guy Claire calls Jordan look up at me and his face goes from confusion to shock to disgust.
“I don’t have to answer to you. But just so you know, a bar is a public place.” He says as he downs another beer.
“Let me make myself clear. I want you to stay away from my wife.”
“Claire is allowed to have friends. You don’t control her.” He says in disgust. His tone was pissing me
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Chapter 19: Leonardo’s POV
off.
“You aren’t a friend. I see the way you look at her. Claire is mine.” I say seriously and with anger. I watch Jordan turn to face me slowly.
“Okay, now it’s time to make myself clear, I have
known Claire since architectural school and we’ve
always been friends. However I look at her has nothing to do with you.” He turned back to his beer
“It has everything to do with me.”
“Look man, all I care about is Claire’s happiness. And what you’re doing isn’t making her happy – you’re hurting her.” He says in a way that almost makes me believe he’s sincere.
“My wife isn’t leaving me for you. Stay the hell away from her” I push Jordan off his stool getting ready for a fight. Nobody talks about what I have
with Claire.
I watch Jordan stand tall as he gets ready to defend himself.
In just seconds, we went from fury to full blows – punching each other until the old man running the bar steps in between with a baseball bat and separates us. I watch as Jordan spits out blood after the busted lip I gave him and I feel the blood running down my lip from the jab I received to my nose. I leave a hundred dollar bill to cover my tab
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Chapter 19: Leonardo’s POV
and a hefty tip and walk out without another word.
I call my driver and am back at my home in a matter of ten minutes.
What would Claire say when she sees me now?
