Love At Last

LILY

“Hey mister,” Cayden called out to the bartender, “throw this pathetic fellow out of here,” he was referring to Jarod obviously.

Before I could utter a word, Cayden immediately grabbed Jarod by the collar and pulled him closer. “Leave while I’m being nice,” he whispered. “You are being really pathetic right now,” he added.

“What are you doing?” I cried out in awe. “Calm down Cayden.”

Jarod immediately pushed Cayden in a bid to free himself from his grip. At once, Cayden retaliated and a fight ensued. Jarod graced his jaw with a couple of punches, Cayden of course did same. In no time, the situation spiraled out of control. I and the bartender tried to stop the fight between those two but they were too caught up in their fight to pay us any attention.

After trying all I could to stop them from fighting but to no avail, I yelled out, ‘can you both just stop?!’ to everyone’s surprise.

Like what I did had some effect, the duo managed to calm down and in no time, I succeeded in putting an end to the fight. The bartender, completely ticked off by the whole dramawe displayed and the ruckus we caused, kicked all three of us out. I held both of them by their arms and dragged them. We walked out, with me in the middle feeling the most embarrassed.

On getting outside, they wanted to continue from where they had stopped as Jarod hit Cayden by his shoulder but I couldn’t let that happen. I held on tightly to Jarod to prevent him from lashing out again. Asides that, he staggered as he was completely out of. I guess I was more concerned about him falling than starting another fight with Cayden.

“Thank your stars Lily keeps holding me back,” Jarod said as he pointed Cayden continuously. I barely managed to maintain my balance; Jarod was being really uncooperative.

“Just get lost already. You’re a disgrace to friendship,” Cayden retorted.

“I’m sorry Lily,” Jarod kept saying. I was too annoyed and embarrassed to make anything out of his plea.

“Just keep shut already!” I lashed out on Jarod. “First things first, we need to get you home, Jarod.”

I felt really angry with Jarod but at the same time, I knew I had to get him home somehow, I couldn’t leave him all by himself in the state he was in. I booked him a cab and in no time, sent him on his way. I was then alone with Cayden.

I heaved a sigh and stared at Cayden for a while without saying anything. Like we were in a staring contest, Cayden also did nothing but stare. I thought to ignore him and leave but I was too curious to do that. That was one hell of a coincidence. Cayden was the least person I expected to show up!

“What were you doing back there?” I fired and finally broke the weird silence. Cayden, instead of giving me a reply just kept staring. “I ask again, Cayden. What in the world are you doing here?!”

Cayden heaved a sigh and replied, “listen to me, Lily. I need you so badly right now, I really do,” Cayden said in a humble tone.

“You need me?” I didn’t understand where the plea was coming from. “I don’t get it. How is it that you suddenly need me now, Mr. Perfect,” I said sarcastically.

“Yes. It’s a matter of life and death. It’s a matter of urgency and emergency, Lily. Please help me, you have to help me,” he pleaded.

“So you only run back to me when you’re in a pinch, right? You completely embarrassed me yesterday and did not even deem it fit to apologize to me, Mr. Cayden!” I barked angrily. “Whatever it is you’re here today for won’t work out so I suggest you kindly leave,” I gestured and looked away.

“Can you please cut it out already?!” he yelled, causing me to redirect my stare at him. “I need you to understand that this…is a matter of serious urgency. I won’t have you battering words with me, Miss…,” he paused,” you caused all this in the first place!” he scolded. “I will pay you in full. Take care of the mess you created,” he concluded.

Just when I was about to yell since we were in a yelling competition, I noticed blood dripping from the side of his head. “Blood!” I exclaimed.

“What?” he immediately rubbed his index finger against the blood and on seeing it, he staggered a bit. He felt feint, no doubt.

Immediately, I took out wipes from my bag and gave it to him to press against the wound to control the bleeding.

It was obvious he sustained the injury during the fight with Jarod. At that time, he gave off a defenseless aura, I couldn’t yell at him any longer. I couldn’t help it, I felt pity for him. I decided to help him, I obviously could not leave an injured person there all alone because of a mere brawl.

I held on to him to provide him with support and helped him to his car.

“Where are your keys?” I asked mildly.

“My pocket,” he replied in a very low tone. He felt a bit light headed due to the head injury he sustained.

I dipped my hand in his pocket, brought out his keys and opened the car with them. I immediately kept him in the passenger seat as he was in no condition to drive, and sat behind the wheel. I had to be his driver for the night and take him somewhere safe, get him the needed care.

While I drove Cayden, I kept feeling sorry for him and blamed myself for what happened back there. I kept stealing glances at him without saying anything in particular.

“Why do you keep staring, miss.” My cover was blown. He knew the whole time that I was staring.

“Staring? Wha…what do you mean?” I stuttered as I was completely caught off guard.

Cayden did nothing but chuckle and groan slightly.

“If you’re in pain, you can adjust your seat and lay comfortably,” I suggested.

“Just keep driving, miss,” he rested his head against the seat and closed his eyes.