Chapter 129 Flashback

He purchased an additional bottle of Carlo Rossi California Red and gave some of it to me to drink. I was extremely drunk at that moment, but because he had already handed me a glass of wine, there was nothing I could do except accept it. I couldn't deny it because it was already in my hands. As he began to recount his narrative, I raised my glass to my mouth and took a sip.

"Have you ever questioned whether or not you are someone who is deserving of love?" He inquired.

It appears like this guy is brokenhearted like me. I felt so awful for him. I was almost ready to respond to his question when all of a sudden, he began talking again.

"Because I did. It all started with my parents, and now it involves a girl whom I've put my faith in for many years... You're probably aware of this, but it's terrible. Never had the opportunity to be raised by caring parents who would accept me for who I am and love me unconditionally..."

"Don't you have parents?" Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked.

"I did. I was raised by my adopted parents. He's my dad's brother. When my parents were killed in a vehicle accident, I was eight years old at the time. When my biological father passed away, the business that had been in his name was temporarily given to his youngest brother, who later became my biological father. My biological father was the first son in his family, and the company had been in his name. My uncle will run the family business in the interim, until I am ready to take over. I was still a child when I was given such a heavy load and such a significant amount of responsibilities. Over the course of time, I began to experience a great deal of stress as a result of all of the things that my uncle insisted that I study. I had no choice but to educate myself on how to handle and manage the business. It was required of me to be familiar with every single one of the nation's competitors, regardless of how large or tiny they might be." He showed a defensive stance by crossing his arms over his chest while looking down.

"It seems like you were under a huge responsibility."

"Yeah, I am. I am under a lot of pressure on a daily basis, but the moment I met her, I was finally able to find some happiness in my life. The one who brought light into my life even through the most difficult times. Her name is Lilly. That certainly is a lovely name, don't you think?" He inquired while looking at me strangely for a moment.

I felt uneasy. Is he already inebriated at this point?

"Yeah, I have to admit, it's a very nice name..." I replied.

He gave a happy smile. A smile that seems to come from the heart. It seems as though he places a lot of importance on that particular girl. But what ends up happening?

"Lilly has been my closest and most trusted friend. I met her in elementary. We typically share our snacks with one another while we play together. The traditional connection of a best friend, and then high school came along, which is when I started getting this strange feeling toward her. I used to be close to her, but when she started radiating such positivity out of nowhere, I was taken aback. I had no idea that she would be such a stunning beauty. She is not the same as she was before. Significantly more feminine than it was before. I ended up developing affections for her in the end..."

After filling up my glass with wine, I take a few sips while maintaining eye contact with the person in front of me. I was curious and said, "Have you told her how you feel about her?"

"Yes, I did. After that, we actually started dating each other."

“Mhmm… At least the work you put into confessing your feelings wasn't for nothing in the end." I tried to speak clearly but failed.

"We have been in love for years, but everything changed when she unexpectedly moved to the United States to finish her education. Since then, everything has changed.  I traveled to see her in the United States with the intention of surprising her when I got there, but I ended up being the one who was taken aback by the scenario. I waited for her at her apartment and prepared some surprises for her, but when she arrived, she was with another man. What tears my heart is the fact that they were holding hands and she looked so happy with him. It's been way too long since I last caught a glimpse of that smile on her face."

I am unable to discern any form of expression coming from him. The only thing I can make out is an expression of complete blankness. After listening to his story, I have now come to the realization that our stories are strikingly like. What are the odds of that happening...

"It would appear that you and I have had a similar experience in love, Mr?  I am truly sorry. I believe I forgot to ask you what your name is—"

“Ramirez. Mr. Ramirez. But using my last name to address me is unnecessary formality; you may simply call me Zac." In the midst of it, he interjected.

“Right! Zac… I'm Myst… You know what, that was exactly the same thing that happened to me earlier on." As I thought back on what had happened earlier, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

I can't tell him my first name because he is a stranger. Perhaps if I just tell him my second name, it won't be such a huge problem. Also, this won't tell him anything new about me.

“Myst? It does, after all, sound mysterious... To put that aside, could you please explain what you mean by what you just said? Zac asked.

I filled him in on everything from the very beginning, including everything that had occurred to me. Suddenly, as I was in the middle of speaking, I had the unpleasant sensation that my urinary bladder was going to burst. Perhaps this is what happens when you drink two bottles of wine in a row. I have to hurry because I really have to use the restroom!

"Uhmm… E-excuse me… I really need to—I really need to use the restroom right now..." I stated it while stuttering and wasn't able to talk properly because my surroundings were already whirling around when I said it.

Oh, God! I'm so drunk!

"Hey!" He said and caught me in his arms when I was about to fall down. "Do you need my help with something right now? It would appear that you are unable to walk normally in this state—"

"No! There's no reason for you to do that! It's not a problem for me. I will be quick, so please give me a moment."

Because of how dizzy I feel right now, I made myself stand up and move even though I can't walk in a straight line at the moment. I am currently walking around the hotel's corridor in an effort to locate the restroom that is the most convenient to me. In the past, when I went around this area, I wandered aimlessly and eventually got lost due to the fact that the doors are remarkably similar to one another. When I look in the opposite direction, nothing has changed.

"How come it's the hallway again?" I said to myself. It seems as though I've gotten myself completely turned around.

Sob...

As I began to lose control of myself, it felt as though the world around me began to slowly spin out of control. There's definitely a shift going on in my gut. Please let me know where the nearest restroom is located. I have to go. This is not an appropriate place for me to throw up. It is embarrassing when other people, including hotel personnel, see me abruptly throw up in public places.

It's starting to come across as quite peculiar... I have spent a significant amount of time wandering around the hotel, but I have not yet come across any other guests. I'd really appreciate it if someone could just show up and show me the way to the restroom.

I grasped the door that was in front of me as soon as I noticed that I was beginning to feel dizzy. I simply shut my eyes and rested my head against the door for a while before moving on. I've reached the point where I can't take this dizziness any longer; it's gotten out of control.