Chapter 49 - Amethyst Eyes 4: Veni, Vidi, Vici (1/2)

In the end, Alex decided to meet with his college buddies – something he'd never done since meeting Ashley. After ending the call, he took some time to calm himself down. He sat behind his desk for half an hour before he was calm enough to go.

He sent Ash a message saying that he'd just drop by and say hello to his friends then go back home immediately, but she sent him a message that made him upset once more.

[It's okay. I won't be home either. You should stay and spend time with your friends too. ]

Upon reading the message, Alex basically gave up.

Fine!

If Ashley wanted him to go out and stay out he would. There's no point trying to find a way to be with someone who obviously didn't want to spend time with him today. He'd just hurt himself more. With a frustrated snort, he got up from his chair, grabbed his jacket and left. Soon, he was finally reunited with old friends.

All five of them were now sharing drinks at a classy bar he'd never been to, talking nonstop to each other like a bunch of women. Years had passed already and a lot of things had changed – even the appearance of some but there was still something unchanged about his friends that made him smile.

Braggarts.

Each one of them remained like that – comparing conquests in money matters or relationships. They didn't brag to Alex, however, as they knew he was still their king, as he had always been lucky on both.

But unlike ages ago, Alex found that he had changed. He was no longer interested in those talks that he used to be at the center of. He no longer felt smug or that thrilling satisfaction about the fact that he was still the best in their group.

So, instead of listening to his friends, Alex decided to busy himself with studying the place. This was the first time he'd been at this classy bar since he hadn't gone drinking much since he became the CEO of the company. Being here now, however, he found that he liked the place and wondered when he could bring Ash here. He was sure his fiancée would like the place's ambiance, but then stopped as he remembered how annoyed he was at her at the moment.

There was just one thing he didn't like though. The other customers seemed to be too much interested in his group that most of them stared at them – or stared at him, in particular, that was a little disconcerting.

”Hey Li, you've been quiet,” one of his friends commented which made him turn his attention back to them.

”Sorry,” he said. ”What were you guys talking about?”

”Psssh,” another friend shook his head disapprovingly at him. ”This is the first time we're able to make you come with us after years and you're not paying us attention. That hurt Li,” he added dramatically which made Alex laugh and give the same friend a friendly kick.

”Sorry guys. I had been busy these past four years and now I am busy preparing for my wedding,” he said apologetically making his friends gasp in mock horror.

”No shit Li – you're getting married?” they asked in unison making him laugh at their comic expressions.

”Yes, I'm getting married,” he announced as he took out the envelopes Ash placed on his table earlier and gave his friends one each.

”Holy shit – he's not kidding,” one of the guys stated in wonder and Alex just smiled at him. ”Oh man, what a waste,” said another which made him frown.

”What do you mean it's such a waste?” he asked; his face had on an offended look and all his friends sighed.

”Actually Li, we didn't bring you to this place just for you to admire the ambiance,” they said and he raised a brow in inquiry. ”We brought you here for another reason.”

”What's that?” he asked curiously, wondering what kind of trouble his friends were trying to put him in.

”Well, this bar's very popular for its mysterious patron you know, and we wanted you to meet her. We're kind of hoping that you two would hit it off,” they said and Alex shook his head.

He's very disappointed. ”I'm done with that kind of thing,” he told them but his friends all sighed in regret in return, saved for one.

”But you have to try!” the friend said desperately and this time, Alex was suspicious.

”What the hell's going on here?” he demanded as he scowled at his friends.