Chapter 97



I was at a bar from 3 PM to 9 PM, sipping drinks more to pass the time than to get a buzz. Eventually, I reached a state of mental blankness and physical lightness.

The owner, James, knew me well enough to keep an eye out, ensuring my solitary drinking sessions didn't end in trouble.

"When are you planning on heading out? Someone coming to pick you up?" James had this fatherly concern about him, looking to be in his fifties, reminding me of what my dad would have been like had he still been around.

"I guess now's good," I mumbled, not really wanting to leave.

But, work awaited me tomorrow, and I needed to rest up. Tonight marked the definitive end of whatever was left of my connection with Conrad.

I started to get up, but James intervened, "I can't let you leave like this. I'll get someone to drive you."

away in a little alley,

visit was during my school days, driven by jealousy and heartache after seeing Conrad dance with a girl who had a crush

some soup prepared by James. He advised me then, "Whenever you feel down and

His protective

like me, offering a

agreed, not wanting to worry him

here, don't go wandering off," he

a familiar

looked over to find Dustin

face. "James, looks like

roof. Meeting him again tonight felt like more than a coincidence, but I knew better than to

tab," I

velibe

next time," James refused, but Dustin, without a word, scanned a QR code, paying a generous 2000, much more than what my

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