Page 90 of The Tattoo Artist

The bar seems to fade away as I sip my vodka, lost in my thoughts and regrets. I couldn’t bear the ache in my heart, the feeling of being torn apart from someone I love so deeply. But drowning my sorrows in alcohol wouldn’t solve anything, and I knew that deep down.

Yet, for that moment, I needed the temporary escape. The alcohol provides a fleeting respite from the pain, even if it was only for a short while. But I also knew that I couldn’t keep running away from my emotions. As I sat there, I wrestle with my feelings, trying to find a way to make sense of it all.

I wish I could turn back time, to when things were simpler and when we were blissfully in love. But I’ve said that before. Twice now. But life had dealt us a different hand, and I had to find a way to navigate the storm.

“Is everything alright with you and the Mrs?” Christian inquires, well aware of the ongoing situation between Alexandra and I. “She still doesn’t remember. I used to be her favourite bartender,” he chuckles.

“And I used to be her husband,” I answer, swirling the liquid in my glass.

“Used to be? Are you getting divorced?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she asked for it.”

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turn my head to see Adonis joining the seat beside me at the bar. “A glass, please,” he calls out to Christian. “Now, it’s been three days, and you haven’t spoken to a single person since.”

“He’s spoken to me,” Christian snickers, sliding the glass over to Adonis, who swiftly reached for the vodka bottle.

“You spoke to Christian before me? Wow, I thought I was your favourite,” Adonis teases, raising an eyebrow at me.

I gave him an unbothered look. “I came here to get away from everyone.”

“Ouch, again—you out here breaking hearts or something?” Adonis joked, taking a slow sip of the vodka.

I let out a weary sigh. “You have no idea.”

Adonis gave me a sympathetic smile. “I know it’s tough, man. But you can’t shut yourself off from the world forever. You need people, especially now.”

Adonis and Christian exchange a concerned glance as I pour another glass of vodka, my words heavy with emotion.

“I need her.”

She is all I wanted.

She is all that was on my mind.

She is what I need.

She is the only one that can repair my broken heart.

“I don’t need anyone else but her.”

Adonis’s comforting hand remains on my shoulder, his empathy evident in his eyes. Just as I try to find comfort in my drink, my phone on the table started buzzing loudly. For a fleeting moment, my heart races with hope that it might be her name flashing on the screen.

But instead, I saw ‘Aunt Coraline’ displayed.

Feeling disappointed, I quickly end the call, not in the mood to engage in conversation with anyone at that moment. I return to my drink, trying to drown out my thoughts in the numbing haze of vodka.

Adonis looks at me curiously. “Everything alright?”

The phone buzzes again, and I let out a sigh before reluctantly answering it. “Aunt Coraline, this isn’t a good time-”

“Where is she, Ares?” Her urgent tone caught me off guard.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Give me the phone to Alexandra right now,” she insists. “Her parents are on their way, and she isn’t answering the phone.”

My brows furrowed, and I sat up straight, the drink forgotten on the table. “Aunt Coraline, what do you mean? Alexandra left three days ago.”

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