Chasing Imperfection (Chasing 2)

“Whoa, why in the world would I change my mind about picking you up? We’re all in this together. Don’t forget that okay? Drill it in your beautiful head that we are not going away because the going gets tough. So, just stop it with the pity party because you’re stuck with me for the next few days.”

Looking radiant, he grabbed my arm and we exited the building. Robert awaited us and graciously opened the door. “Good day sire, I’m Robert. Mr. Knightly instructed me to take you back to your flat and drive you both to Gatwick.”

“Hello Robert, I’m Chad. It’s great to meet you,” he acknowledged as we both slid into the awaiting Bentley and into the cool confines of soft black leather seats.

“Isn’t Blake the best babygirl? I mean hell look at what he’s doing for me? He’s been so, so good. I feel like I’m going to cry every time I think about what he’s done so far. Who would’ve thought the man has a heart of pure gold? You’d think with all that wealth and aristocratic handsomeness that he would be a twit deep down but lo and behold, the man surpasses everything beyond belief.”

I sighed. He was right, but I didn’t feel like agreeing and gushing about the great Blake Knightly.

“Silence is golden they say….but aren’t you a wee bit regretful turning him down? I mean—come on—Blake proposed and you don’t look bothered at all.” My friend kept ranting on.

Great, why don’t we swap sex stories right where dear old Robert can hear you loud and clear Chad? I wanted to yell but held my tongue.

I don’t look bothered, seriously? What the hell was I supposed to do when you find out the man you fell for lied and never once uttered a word about being betrothed? I couldn’t just put that aside because I was deeply hurt. We needed time apart and see if being together was something I—we—wanted.

“That’s water under the bridge babe. It is what it is.” Chad would be appalled how things unfolded after he got admitted in the hospital. But I was saving that overloaded chitchat for when he’s settled and happy.

“Seriously, Sienna… I love you but you can be really dumb and stupid sometimes.”

What the f**k? Did he really just say that? Grrrr….

“Excuse me?” I glared at his serious expression.

“I do love you babygirl, but this man seriously loved you and you let him go. You’re going to cry foul when he finds happiness elsewhere. When you realize how much you need him, he’ll be the one to dump your nicely shaped, beautiful ass.”

“What do you think, Robert?” Chad asked Blake’s driver. I wanted to kick his scrotum sack right then and there.

“Err pardon but were you asking my opinion of Ms. Sienna’s bottom, sire?” Hell is a bitch they say. I am beyond red with embarrassment.

“That too—but her turning down your handsome boss like Blake Knightly didn’t matter.”

Blake mattered, damn it. Chad just doesn’t get it. But I didn’t want to get riled up when my dear friend is starting to live again. If he thinks my love life is something to be ridiculed at the moment—which it surely is—then I’ll let him have a ball with it. I gave up glaring at Chad!

“My sire is a lovely chap. You must be a very special woman if the young sire chose you, Ms. Sienna.”

“Uh…thank you,” I murmured, mortified.

The trip to Chad’s studio was quick. He basically threw everything in his luggage without bother. It was either he doesn’t care about packing properly or he wants to immediately leave. I’m assuming it’s the latter. Too many ghosts lying around London that he hasn’t exorcised yet.

When we met the trio at Gatwick, they were rather gloomy and dismal except for Luke. He and Chad got on instantly. They looked like they knew each other for a long time. I’m sure Blake briefed him about Chad and what’s happened. I hoped Luke can talk to him about what he’s going through and can shed a different light on our disheartened man.

Do all g*ys go through the same situation about coming out and coming to terms with their sexual identity? I mean it’s hard enough to go through life itself, but add another problem with your sexuality being shunned by your family? That’s a lot to take. I know that parents influence their children from the very start and we, us kids, strive hard to please and make our parents proud of us. Their opinion and approval matter. I suppose some parents are understanding and give their full love and support to those who come out of the closet. But if you come across with parents who are like Chad’s, how can one survive without stripping yourself bare with hurt, pain and rejection?

We were ushered to a private departure area and boarded Blake’s Gulfstream jet. I took in the luxurious soft-hued interior and was overwhelmed by the blatant opulence of my surroundings.

Blake certainly rotates in another orbit. I mean there are people who are living comfortably (me) and then there are people who live with all the comfort that wealth can offer (Blake), the great divide. It must be nice to have a private jet at your beck and call.

I sat next to the glum looking Toby who looked worse for wear. Across from me sat Luke and Chad. Blake was situated on the other opposite side of the plane going through papers and barking out orders on his phone.

A giggly stewardess greeted Toby and I looked up to check who it was. Well, surprise surprise, if it isn’t the infamous Ivanna—dressed to the nines with what looked like a stewardess uniform and an Hermes scarf stylishly wrapped around her neck.

“Ivanna, we meet again. What a lovely surprise,” Toby drawled (he sounded so fake).

“Yes, good to see you too and you as well Sienna.” I gave her a frown/smile. I don’t what that must’ve looked like but that’s what it felt like. When she moved past us and went over to Blake’s, I looked away.

“You and Luce looked like shit,” Chad observed.

I glanced over to his poor state. The boyish easy charm was gone. He looked utterly haunted.

“She broke up with me and I couldn’t do much about it,” Toby quietly admitted with grief.

“Shut the front door!” Chad exclaimed. “You guys didn’t! I saw her yesterday and she didn’t say a word. What the hell you guys! No one tells me any juice anymore.” Chad pouted and was about to sulk but snapped out of it. He reached for Toby’s hand, “Whatever Lucy’s on, she’ll come out of it soon enough. She loves you hun.”

“I doubt that, my family did a superb job in slashing my love life to shreds,” he said and focused on work once his laptop came to life.