Several years later found the same man tucked away in a corner booth with his best friend, nursing a glass of water. The two were hidden from the world and while the pair had been known to have several men and women surrounding them, trying to win their favor, no one had been seen since that night years ago.
"Come on, amigo," the one with curly brown hair said, trying to cheer him up. "It has been four years since Arturo did that awful thing to you. You need to get over him."
The blond man shook his head, eyes red and filled with tears. "No. I can never get over him. I gave him my heart and for nearly eleven years he treasured it, treated it as delicately as if it was made of the finest china, then smashed it to dust for a reason he would not tell me and kept the pieces for himself. He did not even give me a single shard back. I originally gave it to him but then he stole it." Taking a sip of his water, the man stared at the rough wood of the table; it was littered with pockmarks and rings left from glasses but he couldn't tear his eyes away from it while his mind was filled with thoughts of his beloved who didn't love him anymore.
"Amigo, we have been here for hours. Agua is not going to help your heartache just like it hasn't for the last four years." A dark bottle of Francis' favorite wine was slid toward him. "Just this once, por favor? It will help."
The dusty old bottle was pushed back across the table with a shake of the head.
"No. I cannot. He said that my drinking drove him away. If I keep it away maybe he will come back�" The red eyes had a small spark of hope in them for just a moment before fading away again. "What am I thinking? He does not care. He does not know. He probably thinks that I am an alcoholic now and laughs about it."
More tears ran down his face and his friend decided that it was time to leave.
"Come now, amigo. It is late." Helping the other to his feet, he led him out of the bar. "I will take you home."
AN: Chapter 2! Yay!
So! Four years has passed since the last chapter and Francis is miserable. He's lonely and still heartbroken and four years sober. That's a long time for him! But he thinks that it will make Arthur come back because he loves him so much.
This story is going to be composed of short chapters, much like 'My Family', to keep up suspense but I'm going to try and post more often to make up for it. (NO PROMISES!)
See ya next time!
