“No. Not so soon. I won't. We can fix this. You don't have to leave without a fight!”
“Jones, I've tried. She has already given me divorce papers to sign but I asked for six months. I pleaded we separate for six months, to enable her to have a rethink before guess what? Grace claimed she was pregnant and then she went straight to tell my wife. I moved out of the house and it's been almost two weeks now. She said I either sign it or meet her in court. She has even gone as far as using emotional blackmail. You know how much I love her and I don't want to hurt her. She's been going on and on with this ‘if you really love me, sign it’ thing and I'm fed up. I'll just allow her to go even if it's going to hurt,” Noah lamented and supported his head with his hands.
“Common, be strong, Noah. Have some wine please. Don't think too much. I'll do as you said.”
“And the worst is that everything Grace did has been adding up. She once sent a text, saying thanks for last night and my wife saw it. That night, I had gone out to help Frank pick something. The day my wife said she was moaning while on the phone with her was the day we had an impromptu business meeting and I had to travel. Emily said it was to continue our rendezvous. And it was during that business meeting that this happened. I swear I didn't touch this girl, but she had succeeded in ruining me. Now, she wants to pin a child on me. Dad believes her and is against my taking a legal action and that's the most annoying thing!”
Jones filled Logan's half run glass with wine.
“Enough. Drink up. Meanwhile, a legal action would not be the best here. She has proof of sleeping with you while you can't prove that she drugged you. It will be tagged a consensual act and by then, you have washed your dirty linen in public. I'll prepare the divorce agreement for you. Just calm down, okay?” Jones assured him of his help and services.
“I'm sorry. I know you came to see me to have our moment, but this came up.”
“Funny. You know apologies aren't your thing. I find it funny whenever you apologize to me,” Jones laughed.
“Damn! You are the worst person to be here. I'm supposed to be crying or drinking away my sorrows but you are making me laugh. If my wife sees me now, she will think I'm happy to call it quits. What's wrong with you?”
“Drink Noah Haper and keep your mouth shut. I'm sure you can't wait for me to begin my hilarious stories. A lot happened on my last trip and you will be laughing out your lungs when I'm done. Listen, have fun now that I'm here, laugh while it lasts and you are free to cry on your bed at night, okay?”
“Silly boy!” Noah said and they both laughed again.
Noah had a good time and by the time Jones left, he felt lighter and his mind was no longer burdened as it was earlier. Jones was the kind of friend anyone would wish for. He was perfect for every situation and knew how to handle them well. He could put a smile on your face when you are down, or give you the best wine when you want to get drunk. The only thing Jones was bad at was giving advice. As someone who didn't take anything outside work seriously, he would joke with even the advice you need from him. But once it was work related, you would never believe Jones could be jovial or unserious.
Noah lay on his bed, feeling weak and his head was spinning. He had too much wine and nearly got drunk save for Jones who reminded him that he had to drive home that evening. He took out a new bottle of wine from the bag he returned with and opened it. He needed more of it to feel better. Jones was thoughtful enough to have bought an extra bottle for him to go home with. Funny, but that was Jones for you. He would always say that sometimes, getting drunk was nice and if you wanted to get drunk, you should go ahead and do so! Noah thought of how it all started, how he was involved in a one night stand scandal with Emily years ago, the anger surging and bubbling in his heart back then, the reunion and the days they were happily married. It hurt him that all these would be memories now. His son, the bond they shared, would all become memories. Emily requested full custody of the child. She said she didn't need child support from him. According to her, he should use it to raise his new child. She never spared any chance to remind him of his infidelity. What hurt him most was that this wasn't true but there was no way to prove his innocence. Thinking of all these, Noah drowned himself in more alcohol.
He opened his eyes the following morning, feeling very uncomfortable. He ran into the bathroom and threw up. He vomited for a long time, giving the quantity of wine he had consumed the previous day.
When he opened his eyes again, he realised that he passed out again in the bathroom! The hangover had been a great mess. He was still wearing his work clothes, his wristwatch and even his shoes. The only thing was that he was no longer having a headache as he had earlier but he was very hungry. The last time he ate was in the morning, when his secretary insisted on getting him breakfast. James claimed he looked pale and asked the CEO to give him the permission to serve him breakfast and he did a great job, which Noah was grateful for.
He stood up from the bathroom floor, washed his face and brushed his teeth, then he staggered into his room. He took off his shoes and wrist watch and lay on the bed. Having his bath would come much later. He called for the cleaner and ordered breakfast. Work was ruled out as he wasn't going to work in that state. That was the good thing about being the boss. No one questions or queries you.
The two came at the same time, the person who delivered the food and the cleaner.
“Young Master, should I wait outside till you are done before I clean?” she asked carefully.
“No. Go ahead,” Noah ordered and turning to the hotel attendant with his food, he said,
“Place it on the dinning.”
She did as she was told, bowed and left, leaving him alone with the cleaner.
Noah walked to the dinning and ate his breakfast with relish while she cleaned the room. She kept stealing flirtatious glances at him but he didn't notice her one bit. He ate quickly and returned to the bed. Noah was a handsome man and every woman's dream so the young girl couldn't help but stare at him.
“Will you clean or stare?”
“I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry sir.”
She realised the implications of what she was doing and it could cost her job! She focused and was done in no time.
He fell asleep the third time and the ringing tone of his phone woke him up from his sleep. It was his sister, Gu Yanxi.
“Hello big brother! How are you?” she greeted in a sweet clear voice.
“I'm fine, and you?”
“I'm great! Brother, my wedding is finally coming up! It's just a few days now! I want you to come with your family, your wife and son. You will do that, right?”