114 STRAINED APOLOGIES


    LUKE’S POV


    Lucifer had left me, and here I was, my head being flooded with heavy thoughts. The party continued,


    and people were still joyful, except for me. I stood still, outside the mansion, my hands fixed on my


    waist, my eyes narrowing down, heavy sighs escaping my lips.


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    The song ying at the moment was enough to soothe someone, bring the tranquility right into your


    soul, and make you be at peace. It was melodious, the tune was really heavenly. But guess what? I


    was not at peace here, after what that man had mentioned to me.


    It was a good thing to be rich, silk–stocking, prominent, known by the people. Not by all, but by most.


    Good rtionships, bad rtionships, they were all present. Envy, hate, bitterness, were still counted


    right here. And I could see what these were tranting into. A death wish, nning to put me in the


    grave, taking my soul away, a scheme to send me to the other world.


    Confusion was still over me, my brain was still cracked each minute, trying to get a clue of the person


    bringing out all these schemes. There were tons of conflicts, and many haters. But I swear, I was too


    laborious to store the foes in my head.


    Facing moments like this, the terror gets worse each day, and the anxiety might shackle you, leaving


    you with nothing left to say. Only the fear of losing your life, and the people around you. But this fear


    wasn’t a new thing, since I had lost the people most precious to me.


    And I could only me myself for Riley’s death. The little one would have still been here, smiling today,


    if she had note to live with me. Life was quite unpredictable, and there were regrets for making


    certain decisions.


    But right now, who was left to lose? What was left to be gone? My life? I couldn’t care less. If I could


    back in time, I’d do it. I’d sacrifice my life, just to make sure Riley’s legacy goes on.


    “Luke Reynold,” someone mentioned my name, and I had to turn around. It was Andre, he was moving


    closer to me. “It’s actually a nice thing to see you at the party.” He shook hands with me, with a smile


    on his face. “d you made it. I thought you weren’t going to show up.”


    I smiled back, knowing why he said that. “Well, I did. And I came here to say sorry.


    “Sorry for what?” He asked, as our shake came to an end.


    114 STAINED APOK


    273


    “You know, for what happened this morning, around my house,” I reminded him.


    “Oh, that? I wasn’t mad.”


    “Are you sure about that?” I queried, raising an eyebrow.


    “Yes, of course. You had every right to be upset, seeing the two of us that way. After all, Ariel is your


    wife. I should be the one apologizing.”


    I gave him a baffled look, cause man, I was exceedingly surprised with his words.


    I had tough slightly, taking my face downward. “Look, I understand the fact that you’re trying to be


    nice around here. Bute on, you don’t really have to say all those things, and we just got to face the


    truth. I spoke hurtful words that didn’t even make sense. And I regret that moment. Trust me, I totally


    do.”


    Andreughed, and then he held my shoulder. “Luke. These things I’ve spoken are nothing but the


    truth. If I were in your shoes, I’d do the same. Or even worse, I’d beat the hell out of the man I see


    holding hands with my wife. You don’t have to worry about anything now, I promise it won’t happen


    again.”


    I couldn’t help but give Andre a wonderful smile. His thinking was just kind of remarkable, and at this


    point, I could say I was envy of his demeanor. But we need to be real around here. I was really stupid


    this morning, just talking


    nonsense. I knew Andre was only trying to be nice. It was clear that he was a man of peace.


    “So, why don’t we go inside, and have a few drinks?” Andre suggested, patting my shoulder.


    “Thanks, but I’m good. I don’t think I’m in the mood for drinks right now,” I told him. I was still thinking


    about what Lucifer told me, wondering if it was true. He told me to be very careful, but how the hell was


    I supposed to? I didn’t even know who this for of mine was, if what Lucifer brought out to me was true.


    “Come on, Luke. We’re at a party. This is the time to celebrate. Be extremely happy, and forget about


    anything else. Forget about business, forget about all sort of problems. Just forget about everything,


    and enjoy every moment of this party.”


    I exhaled deeply, my mind still not soothed. “I wish it was that easy.”


    “Of course it’s easy. You just need to get yourself some drinks. Chat with people, have all sort of


    conversations. Laugh to the fullest, joke around. You know, stuff like that.”


    “Andre!” A man with mustache approached us, wrapping his arm around Andre’s neck. “Where have


    you been?”


    Andre grinned at him. “Mr. Humphrey. Wow, you came to the party?”


    “Of course. I couldn’t miss this special event.”


    “Howe I didn’t see you?” Andre kept on with his smile.


    “Probably because there are thousands of people around here. Especially the


    beautifuldies,” the man responded in a yful tone. He nced at me. “Good evening, sir.”


    “Good evening,” I greeted back.


    “Hold on a minute,” he furrowed his brows at me. And then I found his finger pointing at me. “Aren’t you


    Luke Reynold?”


    I nodded. “I sure am.”


    “Wow!” He opened his mouth widely. “It’s actually an honor to be at your presence.”


    I smiled slightly. “Please don’t.‘


    “What do you mean by that? You are one of the most greatest businessmen in New Haven. Everybody


    knows you. I mean, who doesn’t want to work with The Reynolds?”


    “A lot of people,” I teased myself in a whisper, only heard by me.


    “What was that?” Mr. Humphrey asked, raising an eyebrow.


    “Oh, it’s nothing.” I grinned shaking my head. I was just being honest with myself. Because after that


    situation between Harriet, Ariel, and me, years ago, a lot ofpanies decided to withdrawal their


    partnership.


    It was quite fucked up, embarrassing, and painful. But as the years went by, people came back to their


    senses. Well, not everyone. Some people still had that stuck in their head, up till now, never ready to let


    go. And it wasn’t like they were the ones who lived in those moments.


    Mr. Humphrey moved closer to me. “You lost your grandfather, and cousin. I didn’t have the chance to


    tell you this. But here I am now, standing before you. So, sorry for those terrible moments. It’s such a


    sad thing to lose the ones that are dearest to us, the ones who we cherish the most.”


    I took a deep breath, since this man had me harking back to the moment when Riley was shot. I felt


    speechless, as the dark event moved within me.