Vincent was still dressed in his black suit, stained with a little blood, his head lowered as if asleep. But Klaus knew he was just trying to bottle up his feelings.
Who would have thought? The girl he was so proud of, the girl he talked about every day, had betrayed him like this.
“My baby,” Ava’s voice croaked.
Vincent didn’t lift his head. His voice was hoarse. “Please leave. I want to be alone.”
Morticia began to sob, her heart breaking at the sight of him. She had never seen him like this before… and to think the show he’d been looking forward to for so long was now ruined.
Even his career was in jeopardy, with people online lashing out without knowing the real story.
Klaus clenched his jaw; he had an idea he didn’t like but knew he had no choice. This was his best friend, after all. There was no way he’d let Vincent stay in that cell overnight.
He excused himself and dialed the number of the person he despised most: his father.
“Klaus… wow, it’s so good to see your call. How are you?” Mr. Barnard asked, and Klaus held back the urge to snap.
“Did you watch the news?” Klaus asked.
“The news… yes, about Vincent,” his father sighed. “You want me to do you a favor and get him released.”
“He’s innocent. The girl he trusted made him lose his temper, and President Peter deserved it. He planned to get engaged to one of his artists’ girlfriends. Besides, he’s not exactly clean. My friend is innocent.”
Mr. Barnard sighed again. “Fine, I’ll help him out.”
“Tonight,” Klaus added firmly.
“Tonight,” his father agreed, and Klaus quickly ended the call. Damn, it was hard to stay calm.
Vincent never looked up at his family standing before him. He wished they would just leave and not see him like this. Their presence only broke his heart more.
The cell door suddenly opened as three officers stepped in with Klaus. They unlocked the gate and asked Vincent to step out.
Vincent finally raised his head slightly, shooting Klaus a glare. He knew what Klaus had done to get him out.
Slowly, Vincent stood and stepped forward.
“My boy,” Ava reached for him, but he pulled away.
“Can I just… just be alone tonight, please?” Vincent requested.
“Where will you go?” Morticia asked, her voice trembling.
Vincent clenched his jaw, seeing Morticia and Ava’s tears. This was exactly what he had wanted to avoid. “Anywhere. I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
The officers escorted him out.
“I’ll keep an eye on him. You should go home… he’ll be fine,” Klaus assured.
Klaus ordered a driver, and Morticia and Ava reluctantly headed home.
In the car, there was total silence. Vincent’s gaze was fixed outside, watching the houses lining the streets, their lights shimmering under the moonlight.
“I need a drink,” Vincent finally broke the silence, his voice hoarse.
They stopped at a bar, and Vincent quickly got himself a drink. It had been a long time since he’d had one.
“Hey, handsome,” a girl approached Klaus with a wink.
“Fuck off,” Klaus warned, and she rolled her eyes, walking away.
Vincent smirked but said nothing. By his third bottle, he was already drunk but had no plans to stop. He wanted the pain to disappear.
Apparently, she had betrayed him because he was “too good,” and she got bored.
He chuckled bitterly and looked at Klaus.
“I look so fucking pathetic, don’t I?” he smirked, drunk.
“Sure you do,” Klaus replied.
Vincent nodded, his eyes drowsy. “Do you know why she broke me like this?” He continued without waiting for an answer. “Because I was too good for her. Too good… I mean, what more could she want? All women are bitches… well, except my mom, my sister, and… I don’t know… you?” He pointed at Klaus, who sighed.
“He’s wasted,” Klaus mumbled. His phone rang; it was Nica calling.
“Hey, I’ve been trying to reach Vincent, but he’s not picking up. Is he with you? Is he alright?” Nica asked, her voice frantic.
“Come to Gazy Club. Your dorm isn’t far from here, right?”
“Yeah, on my way.”
The call ended, and within a few minutes, Nica arrived. Vincent was already unconscious.
“Vince…”
“I didn’t ask you to come here just to wake him up. Your friend owns this club, right? We just need a room,” Klaus said before Nica, who was trying to catch her breath, could touch Vincent.
After securing a room, Klaus helped Vincent to the bed. Klaus had also had a few drinks, needing it to push away the thought that he’d actually asked his father for help. He hated it.
“Um… is there something I can help with?” Nica asked, her eyes fixed on Vincent on the bed, concern swirling in her gaze.
“No, we’re good. Thanks for the room,” Klaus said, lying on the bed beside Vincent, tired.
Nica nodded and stepped out. She decided not to leave. She had requested two rooms so she could at least see Vincent before he left the next day.
She entered the room opposite theirs, freshened up, and lay on the bed, exhausted. Why would anyone cheat on a guy like Vincent?
If she were the one, she’d never let a guy like Vincent go. Her heart ached, knowing the show Vincent was supposed to perform was now ruined… all because of that ungrateful woman.
Nica stirred from her sleep at a knock on her door. The music downstairs was still playing. She checked the time-it was 2 a. m., and the party would end at 3.
Maybe it was a drunk guest at the door.
Sighing, she decided to send whoever it was away, but was shocked to see Vincent standing at the threshold, his eyes showing he was still drunk.
“Hey… Vin-”
Before she could finish her words, Vincent pushed her back into the room, pinned her against the wall, and slammed his lips on hers… hard.