“Geez, Edward. Why do you look so messed up?”
Samuel hurriedly approached, pulling a chair and sitting directly facing Edward.
Thirty minutes ago, he had just arrived home feeling exhausted. After taking a shower, Samuel was suddenly contacted. Upon checking, it turned out to be Edward calling.
“I’m tired, Edward. Let’s meet tomorrow,” Samuel rejected when he found out Edward wanted to meet. Besides, he felt extremely tired because he had just finished an operation that afternoon.
“No… you have to meet me now at Bosova, Sam. I need you.”
“Just call Kairos or Shawn. For God’s sake, I need some rest.”
“Come on, Sam.” Edward sounded persistent. “I really need a friend to talk to. You know Kairos won’t listen to my stories. He’ll just be busy mocking and cursing.”
Samuel sighed heavily. He felt extremely reluctant to follow through.
“I beg you, Sam. Just this once.”
Samuel grumbled. Eventually, he relented and complied with Edward’s request to meet. Upon arriving at the bar, he found Edward in a mess, gulping down alcoholic drinks.
“Why do you enjoy getting drunk like this?!” Samuel looked irritated. He regretted following his friend.
“I’m not drunk, Sam,” Edward countered. “I’m 100% sober.”
“Nonsense!”
Samuel then snatched the vodka bottle from Edward’s grasp, placing it on another table, and offered a glass of water that was available on the table. “Drink this quickly. I’ll take you home right now.”
Edward shook his head. From his expression, it was clear he refused to be hurried home.
“No… I want to relax for a bit.”
“Geez, it’s already 11 PM, Edward.”
Edward nodded.
“I know, Samuel Knight. Because it’s still eleven, I think it’s too early to go home.”
Samuel groaned lazily. He leaned back in his chair, observing Edward who was clearly in a chaotic state.
“What actually happened? Did you lose the bid?”
Edward laughed. The man shook his head casually.
“I never get drunk just because I lose a bid.”
“Then? What makes you act foolish like this?”
Edward sighed deeply. He smiled, then answered Samuel’s curiosity.
“I’m desperate to find Bella, Sam.”
“Bella?” Samuel repeated.
“Yeah,” the handsome man nodded. “Where else should I look for Bella? For God’s sake, for anything, I’ve mobilized everyone to search for Bella’s whereabouts. But, no one has found any trace of her until now.”
Samuel fell silent. Seeing Edward’s face, he knew his friend was truly frustrated. Moreover, Samuel was sure that no matter how many people Edward mobilized, if Kairos intervened, it would be difficult for him to find Bella. Besides, Kairos had sworn not to easily help Edward find Bella, who he had clearly harmed before.
“I’m almost going crazy, Sam. What if Bella is already dead?”
Edward’s voice hinted at deep despair. From his facial expression, he looked so pitiful.
“Is there no hope for me to apologize? Is there no chance for me to take responsibility for my children?” Edward’s voice trembled. He poured out the sadness he felt. “For anything, I know I’m too much at fault, Sam. But, am I not allowed to fix all this?”
Samuel felt conflicted. On one hand, he felt sorry seeing Edward so desperate.
“Enough. Let’s get ready. I’ll take you home right away.”
Instead of agreeing, Edward shook his head again. He still refused to accept Samuel’s offer to be taken home immediately.
“No. I still want to drink. I swear by anything, my head feels like it’s about to explode.”
“Then, will your problems be solved after drinking?”
Edward shook his head once again. He smiled casually in response to Samuel’s question.
“It won’t make any difference. But, at least I can forget this sadness for a while.”
“Let’s go home.” Those words came out of Samuel again. He even got up from his seat and deliberately pulled Edward’s arm to get him to stand up. “I’ll take you home right now.”
“Sam… I beg you.”
“Edward… listen to me.”
Edward focused his attention. He stared at Samuel intently.
“What?”
“Go home quickly and rest. Meet me at the hospital tomorrow afternoon.”
Edward’s eyebrows immediately furrowed. He was certainly puzzled why Samuel suddenly asked him to come to the hospital.
“For what?”
“Just meet me tomorrow afternoon at the hospital. I’ll tell you where Bella is.”
Edward was instantly startled. His eyes widened upon hearing what Samuel had just said.
“W-what? You know where Bella is? Where, Sam. Where is Bella right now? Please tell me where she is?”
“I’ll tell you. But, you have to go home and rest first. Tomorrow, I promise I’ll tell you where Bella is.”
Like a child receiving a special gift, Edward immediately complied. Right then and there, he agreed to be taken home by Samuel. In fact, he seemed impatient to wait for tomorrow.