The Bar 3

In the midst of fun, a towering shadow of figure darkened the vision Alistair and Kanlaa. Upon looking, Alistair welcomed the person, "Mr. Stewart,"

He just nod with amuse on his face to acknowledge him and added, "Just Kein please. I saw you and Kanalaa here, I thought I'd say hi but it seems she's already drunk." looking at Kanalaa who's also looking at him with her drunk features.

Aware for the fact that their ending and last intimate meet ended in a bitter note, he can't just let go of the fact that they once shared a happy fleeting moment. He liked her genuinely and crossed his boundary for her while knowing she can't reciprocate. Kanalaa once made him less miserable and hoping she can still do it in the future, waiting on the sideline without informing her. He knows in due time, his time will come.

"Yeah, she's been drinking for hours."

"Wha– what are you doing here, following me?" She asked, slurring her words.

Kein chuckled knowing her rude antics when drunk, "No, I had a business trip."

"Go away," she shooed away and back on snuggled back on Alistair's warmth.

Kein felt a pang but accept it anyway. He knows what's coming on his way in this scenario he created himself. His self-awareness is so in-game it never let him be delusional.

By this time, most of the people who were left on the table are looking at them, curious who's the new person. They do no longer wonder on Kanalaa's acts for she used to do this but only to Jean. They figured out that acting as such is normal when she's drunk but only to people she's comfortable and very close with.

Alistair looked at him apologetically, "I'm sorry about that."

"It's okay, I know how she's like when drunk. I'll go ahead. Take care of her," he answered lightly, not taking to his heart Kanalaa's impolite remark.

Alistair just nodded in acknowledgement then, Kein left. He knows no resentment towards him despite his and Kanalaa's past because Alistair knows what kind of relationship they have had and it's not something to be jealous about. He might not be friends with him but he can say they are casual and civil. Unless Kein will act indecent towards Kanalaa can only be the reason for his hostility against him. After all, he's still his client.

"Love, let's go," Alistair muttered as Kanalaa shows no sign of stopping from drinking. Although he knew Kanalaa once lived like this during her academic years, she stopped when she started practicing law and never once witness this side of her. She gets tipsy but that's it. There's more to Kanalaa that he have yet to witness. Hence, the stirred feelings when Chandler asked him the question.

Kanalaa shook her head like a kid and downed another drink. Alistair can simply take away the glass from her but he doesn't want to appear as controlling despite his good intention. Thus, the only way is to look after her attentively and talk to her to go home. Putting force onto Kanalaa results to mo good and he knows that.

"Don't be a hard headed," he firmly said, still trying to convince her to stop.

Kanalaa put down the glass and looked at him looking pity and answered, "I want to spend more time with Jean," she pouted.

"If you want that, call her tomorrow and go out with her. You're already drunk," he suggested once more.

Finally, Kanalaa listened to him and gathered her things even with swirling vision and unstable movement. Alistair didn't watch her struggle and helped her instead. After, Kanalaa finally stood from her sit with Alistair supporting her balance and weight.

Confident that Kanalaa's friends will take care of one another, he didn't bother to bid their goodbyes to the ones who's not on the table. His sole concern is to get Kanalaa out and let her sleep already for she's already too drunk. Despite of being aware of her surrounding, she's lacking control of herself. Therefore, it is only right to get her home and stop her from drinking anymore.

"Be careful," Alistair caution when she stumbled on a table. However, Kanalaa just giggled not feeling the pain caused by the bumped.

They are almost at the exit of the bar when Kanalaa raised her hand and pointed at someone none other than Chandler who's in their close proximity.

"You! Tell him not to come and ever see me. If he wants to, meet me professionally!" She screamed but her words didn't come across as steady as it should be but it was still understood by the people who heard it.

Alistair on the side, put her hand down and tried to shush her down. When Kanalaa listened to him, he gently started to escort her again out of the bar.

Lacking of personal car on the island, Alistair didn't have a choice but to hail a cab. Whilst the desire to book a car he simply can't for Kanalaa is too much to handle. She's been playful and alluring him while she fights other people just like what she did to Kein and Chandler.

In their waiting, a car suddenly stopped, rolled the window down and it showed Kein.

"Hop in," he invited, cocking his head on the back seat.

"Is it okay to disturb you?" Alistair inquired. The lack of cab and the concern of making Kanalaa settle and rest on the bed got the best of him resulting to this decision.

"Sure,"

"Then, I won't decline."

Kanalaa on his arm didn't utter any other word and is just leaning on him the whole time. It shows that she's already resting, letting all her weight on Alistair. With that, he carried her in bridal style to get in the car immediately.

"I offered you a ride and you made me your driver," Kein snorted bitterly.

Alistair on the back chuckled on his remark not taking it seriously, "I'm sorry, I can't put her down."

Kein then asked about the location where they stay and drove silently. Kanalaa on the other hand was just in the warm comfort of the man she loves, worried free of the consequences of her heavy drinking.

In the silence, Kein's word resonated inside the care, "Take care of her. I don't intend to cut ties with your firm but don't bring her with our meetings anymore and disengage her with any transaction we will have in the future."

Alistair looked at him on the mirror and simply said, "You're affecting her work." Knowing Kanalaa doesn't like her delegated work to be altered because of petty personal reasons.

"I'm pretty much sure you don't want someone bothering your girlfriend, don't you? I'm much still invested on her given the fact of pur history."

"I'm not threatened but considering this favor you gave, I'll grant your request," with those words, Alistair departed the car with Kanalaa on his arms, in deep slumber.