บท 7: 7 The Groomsman
Peter's Pov
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that the Dominator, who's perceived as the devil incarnate by everyone, could also have such melancholic moments."
I took the room card, unlocking the door to the private club on the 33rd floor of the Empire Hotel. I breezily made my way to the sofa opposite Harrison and plopped down.
Since yesterday, when I knew Kayla was back, I knew things were getting complicated. Although Harrison remains grim, when he hears someone talking about Kayla, he can't even last a minute and leave.
I don't have to guess that he went after her.
As a friend of Harrison's, I know his past, including his romantic and sad relationships. I saw the whole thing. I saw how the always cold Harrison fell in love with Kayla and then got dumped. I saw how Harrison went from being a boy to the Dominator he is now.
Well, maybe ‘dumped’ isn't the right word. After Harrison falls in love with Kayla and vows to pass the Elder trial to become alpha for his sake, Kayla suddenly disappears without a word.
I still remember how I found Harrison in the middle of the night six years ago. He was emaciated, sitting on the street, drunk. His eyes red, he asked me, "Peter, am I being given up again? Why does life have to be so hard and painful?"
It was the first time I'd seen Harrison so vulnerable.
And now I feel that sadness in him again.
Now, in a luxurious room, he extended his arm, retrieving a refined whiskey glass from beneath the bar counter. Just as he was about to take another gulp, I intercepted his bottle.
"Your father reached out to me earlier about potentially selling this club. If you don't stop chattering, you'll be down one more property under your name."
My hand halted, and I dutifully placed the glass back in its spot. Then, I smiled at Harrison and said, "Don't worry, I won't breathe a word about tonight's events to anyone else. You're well aware that my father has finally allowed me to inherit the family business and be the next Alpha. Mr. Morris, spare me."
Upon finishing my words, I mimicked the action of zipping my lips, indicating that I wouldn't reveal his pitiable side to anyone.
"Why are you here? It's late at night," Harrison queried.
He was evidently agitated tonight, his tone unusually frigid.
If it were anyone else, they would be cowed by Harrison's aura and would hesitate to continue speaking.
However, I was different. I've known Harrison for a long time. I knew Harrison was just having a headache about something, and he wasn't ready to take it out on me.
I responded, "I just came to double-check if you're not going to be my best man at my wedding next month."
I intentionally assumed a crestfallen expression.
"We've been buddies since we were kids. I recall a pact we made back then. We said that when we both found our respective mates and ascended to the Alpha positions..."
"My answer is no," Harrison interjected, his tone resolute and even a touch intimidating. "Our personal rapport is one thing, but your wedding signifies an alliance between two packs. If I appear at your wedding as your best man, it could be construed as having political motives. You haven't even inherited the Alpha sceptre yet and such a gesture might bring you a heap of complications."
I chuckled. Despite his aloof demeanor, Harrison cared about his friends.
"I couldn't care less."
"I know you don't care, and neither do I. So many things in your life have been complicated to become Alpha, at least to make the wedding simple and happy."
I was silent for a few seconds, and took out an exquisite piece of stationery from my pocket and handed it to Harrison. "This is the list for my wedding. Take a look."
"What's there to see?" Harrison didn't even cast a glance at the paper in my hand. "It's your wedding, not mine."
I knew he'd react in this way, but I hadn't yet achieved my goal for tonight. I opened the paper and commenced reading its contents.
From the venue selection to the entrée choices, just as Harrison's patience neared depletion, I eventually got to the crux of the matter.
"... Bridesmaid: Kayla Reeves. Harrison, are you absolutely sure you won't be my best man?"
I locked eyes with him.
"I know you attended the Kelowna's dinner and took Reeves away right in front of everyone. A few years ago, when she disappeared out of the blue, you went mad searching for her everywhere, even skipping the Alpha trial of the Elder Council. Now that she's back, why not consider giving this relationship a second chance? I can sense that you still have feelings for her..."
A heavy thud echoed in the room as the glass hit the table with force, the amber liquid splattering across the glass surface.
"A second chance? Peter, you're making it sound so simple." Harrison's usually profound eyes gathered into a tempest, an uncommon sight.
"You haven't experienced love. In some ways, I envy you. If the moon goddess granted me a shot at a fresh start, I wish I had never crossed paths with her. I'd like to enter a business marriage with a woman like you. Both of us have clear-cut objectives, assisting each other in achieving our goals."
Harrison's eyes held a lot of emotions. It was anger, frigidity, resentment, and agony.
Indeed, agony. Everyone assumed nothing in this world could cause Harrison pain, but I knew that woman could reduce him to pieces in an instant.
A heavy silence filled the room, akin to a desolate expanse.
Harrison collected himself, regaining his composure as he returned to the sofa, refilling his glass with whiskey. He tilted his head back and consumed the contents in a single gulp.
I thought it best to let him cool off alone.
Afterward, I gave his shoulder a consoling pat, retrieved my suit jacket from the couch, and departed without a word.
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