Chapter 589
Halfway through his cigarette, Tarquin was starting to feel on edge, his mind crowded with thoughts of Elysia.
What could she possibly be doing right now? Did his outburst scare her? Did he make her cry with his harsh words? And was she, at this very moment, thinking of him too?
The more he pondered, the heavier his chest felt. He didn’t think he was in the wrong today, but he couldn’t help but reflect. Was he too harsh? Elysia was always timid by nature, and his aggression must have frightened her! The image of her with teary eyes, looking so utterly distressed, made Tarquin feel even worse.
But it was her fault today! He wouldn’t be the one to make the first move to apologize. It wasn’t just about who was right or wrong; it was a matter of pride! Sure, he liked her, but he had his ego to consider, didn’t he? Apologize when he wasn’t at fault? That was something he couldn’t bring himself to do. Unless she reached out first, even a simple text would do, he’d go back in a heartbeat!
Tarquin flicked the ash off his cigarette and reached for his phone on the coffee table to check for any messages. Nothing. Not a single message from Elysia. No texts, no calls.
Biting the inside of his cheek in frustration, he felt his anger rising again. She didn’t even seem to want to reach out! Did she not realize how mad he was? Or did she simply not acknowledge her mistake?
With a scowl, Tarquin tossed his phone back on the table, feeling irritated. “Get Tristan and the guys over for some poker!” he barked.
Keaton, with a sly grin and a twinkle in his eye, understood all too well. This was Tarquin trying to distract himself, unable to find a way back to Elysia without swallowing his pride. A classic case of a man suffering for the sake of his ego.
With a chuckle, Keaton teased, “How about I give Elysia a call, see if she can make the first move, ‘beg’ you to come back p>
“Get lost p>
“Ungrateful, I’m just trying to help you out p>
Tarquin, still scowling, flicked his cigarette ash again. “You looking to get buried today? Just say the word, and it’s done p>
Keaton couldn’t help but laugh, not expecting Tarquin’s love life to become this entertaining so quickly. The prideful man in love was always the most amusing spectacle.
But Keaton’s laughter soon faded as the night progressed. After Tristan and the others arrived, they switched to playing poker, initially filling the room with lively chatter and jokes to cheer Tarquin up. However, the room quieted down as hunger set in.
These sons of fortune, accustomed to lives of luxury, were held captive by Tarquin from noon till evening, missing lunch and heading straight into dinner without a bite. Their stomachs growled in unison, craving something as simple as a dozen bagels each.
They all started giving Keaton desperate looks, hoping he could come up with a solution. Starving himself, Keaton played another hand before suggesting, “Tarquin, how about we change the scene? There’s this new place that opened up in the west suburbs, heard their signature dish is out of this world. Let’s give it a try, my treat p>
The others looked at Tarquin with hopeful eyes, silently praying he’d agree.
Tarquin glanced at his phone lying on the corner of the table, its screen dark, with no signs of Elysia reaching out. Feeling both frustrated and restless after all this time without a word from her, he thought, has she already forgotten about me?
“Tarquin?” Keaton called out cautiously.
With clenched teeth and a voice as cold as ice, Tarquin replied, “Not hungry p>