-56-
Rafael
The evening air was cool as I exited my car onto the bustling city sidewalk. The neon lights of the bar flickered invitingly, but I had no interest in the crowd tonight. I was here for a specific reason, and I didn’t want any distractions. Ignoring the admiring glances and flirtatious smiles from the women loitering near the entrance, I pushed open the door and walked in.
The bar was alive with energy. Laughter, chatter, and the clinking of glasses filled the air. But I tuned it all out, focusing on my destination: the VIP section at the back. Roman and Khalid were already there, lounging comfortably on the plush leather seats, their expressions brightening as they saw me approach.
"Rafael! About time you got here," Roman greeted me warmly, standing up to grab my hand and pull me over. Khalid followed suit, pulling me into a brief, brotherly hug.
"Good to see you guys," I replied, smiling. I waved over to the VIP bartender and ordered a whiskey neat. I needed something strong tonight.
"So, how's Yasmin holding up?" Khalid asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Especially with the trial just two days away."
I took a slow sip of my drink, savoring the warmth of the whiskey as it slid down my throat. "She's doing great. She's better than I expected her to be. She's been so happy and positive lately. I think she's looking forward to seeing Ethan get what he deserves."
Roman raised an eyebrow. "You're not worried at all?"
I shook my head. "Not in the slightest. Yasmin's ready for this. She’s been through so much, and this trial is another step in putting it all behind her. Plus, she’s got the best legal team money can buy. Ethan doesn’t stand a chance."
Khalid chuckled. "She is tougher than most people give her credit for."
"You have no idea," I said, a proud smile spreading across my face. "She’s been amazing. Besides, she’s not alone in this. She has all of us supporting her."
Roman nodded thoughtfully. "It's good to hear that. Ethan's a real piece of work. I'm glad Yasmin is ready to see him go down."
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, each lost in our thoughts. The bartender brought another round of drinks, and we toasted Yasmin's strength and resilience.
"So, how are you handling all of this?" Roman asked, breaking the silence. "It can't be easy, seeing her go through something like this."
I shrugged, taking another sip of my whiskey. "It’s tough, sure. But Yasmin’s my world. Seeing her happy and confident makes it all worth it. And I know this trial is important for her which makes it important to me. Once it’s over, we can finally move on without that bastard hanging over our heads."
Khalid leaned back, his expression serious. "You’re a good man, Rafael. Yasmin’s lucky to have you."
I smiled. "Thanks, Khalid. But honestly, I’m the lucky one."
"I've got some interesting news," Roman changed the topic effortlessly.
Khalid, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "Interesting how?"
Roman took a measured sip before continuing. "I heard Cheryl and Ava helped the other shareholders buy out Ethan. They're about to appoint someone else as CEO, but it's all hush-hush until the trial's over."
The statement hung in the air, heavy with implications. Ethan had always been a thorn in our side, his reckless ambition matched his lack of foresight. The thought of him being ousted was almost too good to be true.
I leaned forward, my interest piqued. "So, they're finally getting rid of him?"
Roman nodded. "That's the word on the street. Cheryl and Ava must have had enough of his antics. They're smart; they know his downfall is inevitable, and they don't want to go down with him."
Khalid let out a low whistle. "That's quite a move. Do we know who they're considering for the new CEO?"
Roman shook his head. "No names yet. It's all being kept under wraps. They probably don't want to tip their hand until Ethan is out of the picture for good."
I took another sip of my drink, considering the possibilities. "It'll be interesting to see who they bring to take over. The company needs a steady hand to steer it out of the mess Ethan created."
Khalid nodded in agreement. "Whoever it is, they'll have their work cut out for them. The company's reputation has taken a hit thanks to Ethan's behavior."
Roman smirked. "True, but a fresh start might be exactly what they need. A new CEO could turn things around, especially if they distance themselves from Ethan's scandals."
The thought of Ethan being replaced brought a sense of satisfaction. He had caused Yasmin and our family so much pain, and the idea of him losing everything was a small but significant victory.
There was a comfortable silence between us, a rare moment where none of us felt the need to fill the air with words. We were all lost in our thoughts, I got another drink just before the silence was broken.
"So," Khalid began. "I need your advice on something."
I raised an eyebrow and took another sip. "Shoot."
Khalid hesitated, glancing at Roman, who gave him an encouraging nod. "How do I get everyone to stop thinking I'm dating Seraphina Sinclair?"
Roman let out a snicker, causing Khalid to glare at him. "What's so funny?"
Roman shrugged, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Nothing. It's just, I went through the same thing with Emily."
I turned to Khalid, genuinely confused. "Wait, hold up. Why does everyone think you're dating her?"
Khalid sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because we've been seen together a lot lately. She’s great I guess, but that’s all there is to it. Everyone assumes there's something more."
Roman leaned forward, clearly enjoying this. "Dude, I know exactly what you're going through. Rafael, do you remember when everyone thought Emily and I were a thing? We were just friends, but no one believed it. Now, well... I'm thinking of proposing to her."
My eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously? That's fantastic news, Roman!"
Roman's grin broadened. "Thanks, man."
Khalid, on the other hand, sighed in defeat. "Congratulations, Roman. Really," he added, though his tone was begrudging.