The Emancipation of a Fuckboy - Chapter 60: Chapter 60

Valentine
I glued my eyes at the ceramic vase filled with colorful flowers as the nurse prepared the first aid kit. At the first look, I thought they were fresh flowers until I moved a little, and I instantly recognized them to be fake. It seemed too easy to replace fresh flowers with plastic ornaments just because they last forever.
"This is going to sting a little bit," The nurse warned as if I don't already know that it will sting.
"I know." I coughed.
I know it's just a sting, but that's the whole point of this damn situation. It's just a small sting, and that's entirely nothing compared to what I am currently feeling right now. I've got cuts and bruises all over my lips and face, but it's totally strange that I don't feel them at all. All I'm feeling right now is the sharp claws of misery scratching every inch of my inside.
"Okay, here we go," The nurse said as she began cleaning up my wounds. After a few minutes, she was already proceeding on patching them up, and eventually, she's finished before I even realize it.
I walked out of the hospital after paying my bill and went straight to my car. I sat quietly for about twenty minutes, seemingly stuck. My head went back to what happened an hour earlier. The guy just came rushing towards me and punched me in the face. I fought back at first, but then I gave up as soon as he managed to slam me on the ground. He had a bigger body than I do, and although I'm aware of my strengths, I just thought there's certainly no point in fighting back. I just laid there and let him kick me until I was already scrunching in pain. Some of the buzzing spectators had to jump in before the cops even arrived.
I didn't know who that man was or his relationship with Dominic, but I can't deny that they have something going on. Why would he be that aggressive and so protective of Dominic if they don't know each other at all? It definitely hurts to think they have something going on when Dominic and I just went on one of the best dates we ever had just a few days ago.
I needed some time to think and process every single thing that happened. I started the engine and drove to a convenience store and bought some beer and cigarettes, and the next thing I know, I was already parking my car at an empty lot near the bridge. I shut the engine, knowing that I'm going to be here for a while. This place is completely serene; with the absence of bright city lights and the noise of nightlife, it's definitely a place to hang out when you want to think. I wanted to go to the beach and feel the calming breeze of the ocean, but I'm fully aware of how mentally and emotionally exhausted I am to even drive that far. This is the closest place to a peaceful body of water that I could think of.
I brought the case of beer with me outside and opened one can. The first sip tasted so much like heaven, and the next gulp tasted more like a hint of a sorrowful night.
I made a mistake. I made a huge terrible mistake. I don't know exactly how Dominic found out about the list, but I should've destroyed that a long time ago. I should've shredded it to million pieces or even burned it until it's nothing but ash. What the hell am I even thinking? I shouldn't have started this foolishness in the first place. But I've already done all of that, and my huge terrible mistake was taking my hurt and transforming it into hatred. I should've just forgiven Dominic, even if it was the hardest thing to do. And now, I've finally understood that I don't really need to take revenge on him because I still love him and that I was just blinded by the sands of pain and hatred. I wasn't always the better person when it comes to judgment, but I always knew there are people behind me that I can turn to. There's my dad who's been there the whole time. My mom may have hurt him to the fullest extent, but he did not have to take revenge on her. He was in pain for a long time, but I'm sure he had forgiven my mom even before I went to apologize to her.
The truth is I just decoded the riddle that's been plaguing me my whole life. The clear answer towards that emancipation is nothing but forgiveness. I thought asking forgiveness from my mom is the key, but it turns out her apologizing and me wholeheartedly accepting it was the answer for me to be finally set free from the chains of this mother and son debacle. We will surely have a lot of catching up to do, and I'm more than ready to include Dominic in that process. However, at this particular point, I'm not even sure if that's going to happen.
I gulped the last drop of beer and opened another one. The heat of the alcohol is starting to take effect, and I just had the urge to smoke. I fished the pack of cigarettes in my pocket and quickly noticed that I forgot to buy some lighter. I was about to return the stick to the pack when I heard giggling noises below the bridge. I took a few steps to see what's down there, and I saw some teenagers having a bonfire.
"Hahaha. F***!!" I chuckled quietly. Is fate really that concerned about taking care of my bad habits rather than conspiring to make my love life a lot easier?
When I saw the way towards where the kids are having their little bonfire, I quickly staggered down.
"Hey," I called for the attention of the first boy that I saw. I saw he had a cigarette in his hand and quickly hid it out of my sight.
"Are you a cop?" He asked immediately, and everyone who heard it went on high alert.
"No, I'm just here to borrow a lighter." I replied. And as soon as everyone heard my response, they all went back to doing their smutty business.
"Oh, sorry." The boy said and walked a few steps towards me. "Here," He handed me the lighter, which I quickly noticed to be an Armor Jim Beam Zippo lighter.
"Where did you stole this?" I asked, brewing with such curiosity. This is a crazy expensive lighter, and I doubt a kid like this guy could afford it not unless his parents are rich and they're okay with him smoking cigarettes.
"It's my dad's." He answered.
"You stole it from him?" I flipped it and lit my cigarette before eventually tossing it back to him, which he barely catches.
"I didn't steal it. I just borrowed it." He spat, justifying his actions.
"How old are you, kid?"
"No, you're not."
"What the f. Why does everyone know I'm not 18." He gawked at me, gritting with such frustration.
"With that kind of face? Even when you turn 25, they'd still be asking for your age."
"Jayler!" A young woman screamed, and the guy I'm talking to turned his head to look at her.
"What?" He spat.
"Come over here," The woman said, and if I'm not mistaken, she's getting flirty.
"Is that your girl?" I asked Jayler.
"Nah, she's clearly not my type. I'm just flirting with her because my friends think she's bomb." Jayler replied and then left.
I took a puff and carefully observed how Jayler approached the girl, quickly managing to snake his arms around her waist. This guy is a natural playboy, and I suddenly saw my old self in him. I immediately thought he's just digging his own grave. I stood there for a while, and in my head, I debated if I should approach this young guy and give him some advice or just let him learn his lesson on his own. I turned around and chose the latter.
I went back to my car, and after drinking all of the beer, I was already feeling the heat of alcohol dancing its way inside my bloodstream. I tossed the case filled with empty cans back inside my car and decided to drive towards Dominic's house. I love Dominic, I know it's probably too late for that, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to get him.
It was already midnight when I got to Dominic's house. All of the lights were off, and I thought I don't want to disturb his mother or even his sister. I sat at their front porch and dialed Dominic's phone number, but all I got was the operator telling me that his phone is out of the coverage area. He most probably turned it off to limit me from reaching him. I didn't know I fell asleep on the porch until Mrs. Warren woke me up.
"What are you doing here Valentine?" She was already dressed up for work. "Did you fell asleep here?"
"I'm sorry Mrs. Warren. I just took a nap." I lied. I stood up and fixed myself.
"Hmm. How strange. Let me guess, you're looking for Nick?"
"Right. I need to talk to him about something so important."
"Yeah but Nick didn't come home last night. I don't know where that boy went but he's not home yet."
"Is that so?" I was so disappointed to hear what Mrs. Warren said. "Well, thank you Mrs. Warren."
"You can come back later if you want to,"
"Yeah, I will."
If Dominic didn't go home, then he's probably with that guy who punched me. I didn't know what to feel other than disappointment. I went back to my car and drove home, still keeping in mind that I have to find Dominic as soon as possible.