DRUNK

I walked into the pub and immediately ordered a drink. Today turned out to be one of my worst days. I poured myself a shot and drank in one go.

I felt the drink burning its way down my throat, and I loved the satisfaction I received. Charles always comes here with me, but hearing that Emily returned left him in a worse mood than I am.

Today is not one of my days. I kind of wish he was here so I could distract myself with his nagging. I looked around the pub and figured out how empty it was today.

Aside from me, there were two more people sitting on the other side of the bar. One was a lady with blonde hair, and the other was a man dressed in his work attire. I guess I'm not the only one who had something going on to drink for.

But something was familiar about the lady with the blonde hair; she reminds me of someone I met today. I could only see the side of her face, so I didn't know if it was her or not.

I don't think she is the one, even though they both had a blue dress on and she didn't look like someone that could be found in a pub in the middle of the night.

My phone rang, and I went outside to take the call after seeing who the caller was.

“Hey son”

“Dad, what do you want? Why are you calling me so late at night?”

“I wanted to invite you to a business gathering that will benefit you; are you up for it?”

“I already scheduled how my day will go tomorrow, and I don't have any spare time.” What is he up to? Why is he being so nice all of a sudden?

Getting me a business proposal and inviting me to a top business gathering that is unlike him.

“Try and make time to be there; I need to introduce you to Mr. Barnard, and then we can also discuss the proposal together with him.” He always has a way of making me change my mind about things.

“I will see if I can make time and get back to you.” I ended the call and couldn't help sighing. I better start heading home; I can't get drunk tonight.

I went back to the pub to grab my suitcase and my suit jacket, but I saw the bartender having a difficult time trying to get the blonde-haired lady up on her feet.

“Hey, you….lea… ve me alone!” She lashed out, pushing the guy away from her. She ran her hands through her hair before grabbing her handbag and heading for the door.

Just when I thought this night could get a little better, instead, I have the same lady from earlier standing in front of me. She walked towards me as she struggled to keep her balance.

What on earth is she doing here?”

“Oh, it's you.” She said this as she pointed her finger at me while blinking, like she was trying to make sure I was the one standing there. She took another step towards me but failed to keep herself from falling as she hit the ground.

“Aaah!” She let out a sigh before kicking her heels off and throwing her handbag along with it. I can't believe this. I will just ignore her and go my way.

I'm sure she will find her way around. I grabbed my suitcase and suit jacket and headed out. I turned a blind eye to the lady, who seemed to have passed out on the floor.

Why should I care what happens to her? Why did she have to drink if she couldn't handle her alcohol properly? On getting to the parking lot, I took my car and drove down the street.

But I just couldn't seem to get myself to leave her behind. That area isn't best for walking alone at night, not to mention a drunk lady.

I hit my leg on the brake of my car, stopping myself from driving further away. I was frustrated and confused. Why should I even try to help her?

Running my hands through my hair, I cursed under my breath. I can't believe I'm doing this for someone whose first impression I hated.

I drove back to the pub to get her, but she was gone. Did someone pick her up? I better ask the bartender.

“Excuse me, the lady with the blonde hair, the one that was here before I left; do you know where she went?”

“Some guys walked in, claiming to be her friends, and took her.”

“Some guys? About how many of them?” I asked in panic.

“About four of them.”

“Four men came in here and took a lady, and you assumed they were her friends; are you that stupid?” I was angry. Why will he let four men take her without getting suspicious or confirming if they are really her friends?

“It's because she went willing with them, so I thought she knew them.”

“She was drunk; do you really think she is in her right mind at the moment!?” I stormed out of the pub and ran down the street, looking for her.

Can't today get any worse for me? I'm beginning to think I was seriously cursed today. I ran all the way down to the bus station and saw her sitting on the waiting bench. I took a deep breath of relief before approaching her, but something drew my attention.

On the other side are four guys seriously discussing something, and in their hands were the handbags I saw her with. I walked up to them, but they were too focused on their discussion to notice me.

“Hey!” I called out, drawing their attention.

“Give that back,” I said, referring to the handbag. The one with very bright pink hair took the bag and walked up to me. What type of guy dyes his hair pink?

“You want this? Then you can have it,” he said, throwing the bag at my face. Their laughter filled the air as they made a joke about me. And it really pissed me off. I never wanted to fight or break anyone’s lib, but I guess I'm going to do that.

I picked the bag up and found it empty. There is no way she would come out without her ID or her cell phone.

“I will ask you guys this just once: did you happen to remove anything from this bag?”

“Yes, we actually took a lot of her belongings,” the pink-haired guy said with a teasing smile on his face.

“Return it now that I'm being nice to you.”

“Or what? What are you going to do about it?” He replied, coming even closer to me. I didn't think twice before hitting my head straight on his nose.

He let out a scream of pain as he covered his nose with his hand, backing away from me. I walked up to him as he backed away in fear. Where did all the bravery go?

“Are you going to return the item, or do I need to break another nose?” I asked towards the three others standing and looking at me in shock. They are just kids, and I bet none of them is up to twenty except for the guy with the pink hair.

He looked older than the rest; what I don't understand is why he is taking these kids around and stealing from people.

“At the count of three, if you are going to have a pin from this bag, then I will make sure you spend the rest of the year behind bars.

One, two……” They all quickly rushed towards me, dropping the items at my feet.

“We are really sorry.” They all chorused.

“Good, now run home and focus on your studies. If I ever hear or see you guys taking things that are not yours, I will make sure you pay deeply for them. Now, get lost, all of you!”

I watched as they all ran off, leaving me with the pink-haired guy whose nose was bleeding massively. I grabbed him by the collar and glared at him.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty” His voice came out shakey and lacked the confidence it had from the beginning.

“Do you want me to call the cops on you?”

“No, please, I can't go back to prison or my mum might die.”

“If you love and care about your mum so much, why did you choose this part?”

“I'm sorry; I promise I won't do it again.”

“Drop whatever you took from this bag and get lost." He took out her phone and ID card and dropped them next to the others before running off.

I sighed in relief. I'm glad this is over. I picked up her ID and stared at it. Alda Barnard, her last name is Barnard?

I placed every one of her belongings back inside her bag before walking back to her, and to make matters worse, she had passed out.

“Hey, miss, miss. Alda, Alda, wake up,” I said, slightly shaking her, but she was completely knocked out. I can't believe this. I picked her up and carried her back to my car.

I went through her phone and couldn't figure out who to call, and that left me with two options: taking her home with me or leaving her at a hotel with the hope of her finding her way by tomorrow morning.

But I just couldn't do it. Why do I keep feeling like I should take responsibility for her, at least just for today?

“I hope I won't regret saving you. I really don't know why you keep appearing in my way.” I muttered to myself.

I hit my engine as I drove home.