Bittersweet

MARGAUX

"Ah, dang it," Mary muttered as she checked her phone. I was in the middle of drinking some water after our one on one, sweat was trickling down my back and my face.

"What is it?" She made a face as she looked up to catch my stare.

"I left a few things at the restaurant and Felix wanted me to get rid of them," I made a face as well, copying her.

"How important are they?" Mary shrugged.

"Not really," she said, gasping right after probably realizing that there was actually something of importance that she had left back at the employee locker in the restaurant.

I shook my head, mocking disapproval at her carelessness. She then pouted, her eyes looking at me pleadingly.

"Margie, please?" I chuckled.

"Of course, come on. Let's bid Olie goodbye and get your stuff," She threw herself towards me, jumping the two of us up and down.

"You are the best!" I laughed, swinging the duffel bag over my shoulders when she had finally let go.

"Hey, Olie!," I shouted.

"Yo!" came his quick response from his office. It was faint, but it was audible at least.

"We're leaving now. Arigatou, senpai!"

"You girls take care!"

"Bye Olie!" Mary and I said in unison, giggling right after as we made our way out.

Gratefully, the sun had already set by the time we had stepped out of Olie's boxing gym. The street lights were beginning to light up and the cold night air slowly sipped through my sweat tainted skin.

"I almost forgot," I remarked, letting my gaze wander in our surroundings. There were Christmas lights in some shops and a few Christmas trees and displays in others. The people seemed to be happy, the Christmas spirit was beginning to hang around the air.

"What?"

I linked my arms with Mary, pulling her close to me.

"Christmas is coming,"

"Oh, yeah and we ended up jobless. Talk about Christmas bonus," I laughed.

"Hey, we are not that broke, Mary. Come on,"

"I know, I was kidding," I shook my head.

"So, are you going to tell me what was the important thing you left behind that we find ourselves walking back to the place we just cursed earlier to never go back to?"

I gave Mary a sideways glance as she took her time to respond.

"My necklace," there was a brief moment of silence as I let her words sink in.

"Oh," was all I managed to say.

I know how important that necklace is to her. It was actually more like a locket. In it was a small picture of her family. She always wore it, especially at parties. She was lucky enough to have it with her during that eventful rainy night.

I, on the other hand, had no access to any photo of my family. The only times I ever do was through the media and the articles they had written regarding my family's death. My heart was too broken to endure that kind of torture.

I pulled her even closer, squeezing her hand right after.

"You remember last Christmas and the crazy night we had?" I said, shifting the topic before we both get too emotional remembering that tragic night and everything else that followed.

"Of course, it is imprinted inside my head like it only happened yesterday,"

"Dang," I chuckled, reminiscing the events that took place that night, feeling a little embarrassed at the things that I have done.

I was never a drinker. I'm still not. In fact, after that night, I made a vow never to indulge in any drinks ever again. Except for wines, which was inevitable due to the parties and events that usually involve the mafia, I avoid all forms of alcoholic drinks as much as possible.

"Too bad, I was not able to take a video. That would have been my source of laughs whenever I'm having a bad day,"

"Hey," I remarked which resulted in Mary letting out a chuckle. "Let me remind you that you were the one who got me drunk. If anything, you were the one to blame,"

"Hey," Mary stated, copying me. "I was not the one who chugged the drinks carelessly,"

I shook my head once more, the embarrassment I felt after I had sobered up and recollecting a few bits and pieces of what I had been doing while drunk finally coming back to me.

However, now that I thought about it, I was grateful for that crazy night. It was one of the best memories I have with Mary. Though I had to pay for the consequences of what went down that night, cue in my mother's non-stop nagging the following day when they had found out, I never regretted any of it.

"Ah, good 'ol memories," I sighed.

Seeing that we were coming close to our former workplace. I slowly let Mary go.

"I'll wait for you outside," I said not even needing to explain myself further than that.

"I'll be quick," she promised, winking my way before disappearing inside. I blew out another sigh as I waited.

I shivered a little as a gentle breeze blew by, the little piece of clothing I had was still partly soaked with my sweat. I probably smelled sour right now. I needed a shower as soon as possible.

I let my gaze wander around my surroundings once more. Christmas lights lined a few trees scattered around. People were milling about, a few passing by me, their faces were filled with smiles, and waves of laughter could be heard from some.

Looking at all of the other people around me, I suddenly felt envious. They seemed happy. Lucky them, they had every reason to be able to enjoy the upcoming holiday.

Although I know someone would contradict and say that I have no idea what each of these individuals had undergone, all I could think of was that I wish I could have that kind of happiness once more. The kind of mirth which Takahashi Ryuji had killed when he had fired that gun that instantly killed my father and my brother.

I shook the thoughts away. I did not want to start crying in the middle of the street all of a sudden. That would probably earn me a few odd stares from passersby. But that was the last thing I needed. Right now, I need to keep my focus on the present. Right now, I just need Mary to come back out so we can finally head back to the apartment, shower, eat and then catch some sleep.

Just the mere thought of sleeping made me yawn as I turned to face the restaurant. I was holding a hand over my mouth when the door finally opened. However, it was not Mary who came out but someone familiar instead.

"Rose," Kevin stated. "I have finally found you."