Light, prolonged

春分 [16] / [33]

"Just forget about work, at least for now. I don't want to think of it anymore tonight."

"Me too, let's dissolve our concerns in some alcohol."

He got up to his feet to fetch more drinks once they had their first. At that moment, he found Violet sitting quietly at a table in the opposite corner, and next to her was Ed. Ed noticed Alexander standing there while he touched Violet's cheek and neck.

Alexander almost had forgotten that Ed knew Violet since Alexander had started to date her long before. Ed told Alexander at the time how lucky he was to have such young, beautiful woman in his life, and with such a pure heart: a gross misunderstanding of her character in his opinion. Alexander never expected Ed would date her this quickly, and so publicly. It was not his matter now, but it was definitely not pleasant to see your coworker tangled up with your ex in front of everyone.

“Oh, look who's here!”

Violet giggled at the sight of Alexander, she seemed already to be pretty drunk.

"Alex, what are you doing here?"

Ed asked, chuckling without any sign of awkwardness.

"Have a drink with us,"

slurred Violet, as she motioned for him to come.

"I can't," said Alexander, smiling, but looking at Ed as he spoke,

"I have to get back. I'm out with Cynthia."

Ed kept smiling, but Violet frowned.

"Who, your boss?"

He could tell she wanted to sound amused, but, in her drunken state, couldn't hide her agitation.

"You two have a good night,"

said Alexander, not wanting to engage her further.

Nothing good would come of that, he thought to himself. He left them, headed to the bar, fetched the drinks, and went back to his table. He didn't want to keep Cynthia waiting.

Alexander took his seat, but neither Ed's face nor Violet's would dissipate from his mind. Cynthia noticed his unpleasant expression, and asked.

"Is anything wrong?"

"No, I'm good."

He opened the wine bottle. A slight wisp of smoke curled up from the tip of the bottle. He poured the wine into each glass.

"You look odd,"

Cynthia told him.

"There's Ed. And next to him, my ex girlfriend, Violet. You know her,"

he said flatly.

"Ed and your ex?"

Cynthia looked surprised.

"That's an unexpected combination."

Alexander sniggered bitterly. It wasn't very nice seeing his ex girlfriend out on a date with his colleague. Despite the fact that he didn't love her anymore, it was still awkward as hell.