Chapter 36: I Have Every Right to Be Jealous

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: I Have Every Right to Be Jealous

A wave of relief washed over him. This was perfect. He could go with Eloise and find an opportunity to slip away from her and her friends, then make his way to Elisha before he did anything reckless.

The driver pulled away from the curb and headed toward the lounge while Eloise stayed close beside Henry, completely unaware of what was going through his mind.

The journey didn’t take long. Soon, the car slowed and pulled up outside the upscale lounge. The driver stepped out and opened the rear door for them. Henry stepped onto the pavement and waited for Eloise before offering her his arm.

She slipped her arm through his, and together they walked toward the entrance. The driver remained with the car as Henry and Eloise passed through the glass doors and entered the lively lounge.

Inside, music played softly in the background as Eloise looked around the dimly lit room. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to her friends, asking where they were sitting. They replied almost immediately, giving her the booth number. Eloise glanced around the room, found their booth near the back, and lightly tugged on Henry’s arm.

"There they are," she said, pointing toward the group.

Henry followed her through the lounge, glancing around as they made their way toward the back. He was already thinking about how he could find an excuse to slip away from Eloise and her friends so he could look for Elisha.

Then, just as they were nearing the booth, Henry caught sight of someone across the aisle.

He stopped for a moment.

Elisha was sitting alone in a high-backed leather booth, a glass of amber liquor in his hand. His head was lowered as he stared into the glass, his expression dark and withdrawn.

He hadn’t noticed Henry yet. His attention remained fixed on the drink in his hand.

Henry quickly composed himself and continued following Eloise toward the booth. He was only a few steps away when one of the women looked up. The moment she recognized him, her eyes widened with excitement.

"Oh my God, Eloise! You brought your boyfriend? Wait—this is actually Henry Griffin!"

Her voice immediately drew the attention of the others. The group turned toward Henry, and excited chatter broke out around the table.

"You two are actually together? You finally brought him out with you!"

"He’s even more handsome in person!"

"Eloise, you’ve been keeping him all to yourself!"

Eloise laughed at their teasing, while Henry gave them a polite smile. He barely had time to respond before the noise from the group carried across the lounge.

The sound caught Elisha’s attention.

He slowly lifted his head and glanced across the room. His eyes moved through the crowd until they landed on Henry.

For a moment, neither of them looked away.

Henry’s heart skipped a beat.

Then Elisha’s expression hardened. He broke eye contact and turned his attention back to his drink, deliberately acting as though Henry wasn’t even there.

Henry watched him for a moment before one of Eloise’s friends suddenly spoke up, her eyes lighting up as she pointed across the room.

"Today is truly a blessing!" she exclaimed. "Not only did you finally bring your boyfriend out, but Elisha is here too!"

She pointed toward the booth across the room.

"Look at him. He’s so hot, and he’s sitting there all alone. Do you know how many women have already tried to sit with him tonight? He chased every single one of them away!"

The others immediately turned to look, some of them giggling and whispering among themselves.

"You know, he and Henry are practically inseparable," another friend added. "They have such a huge following online because of how close they are."

Henry noticed the irritation that flashed across Elisha’s face before he looked away again.

Seeing his chance while the others were still talking about Elisha, Henry turned toward Eloise.

"Babe, that’s Elisha over there. Let me go say hello to my friend. I’ll be back soon."

Eloise looked across the room, then back at Henry. She immediately slipped her arm through his.

"I’ll come with you. How come you never told me how close you two are?"

Henry gave her a small, slightly awkward smile.

"We’re always busy with work."

One of Eloise’s friends waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, let him go alone, El. Besides, you should invite Elisha to join us. Who knows? Maybe he’ll find one of us attractive and finally settle down. He’d make a great husband for someone."

Eloise giggled. "Alright, go on then. Just don’t take too long, babe."

Henry stood up immediately. "I won’t be long."

He gave Eloise a reassuring smile before turning away and crossing the short distance toward Elisha’s booth.

Elisha kept his face turned away, staring down at the fresh drink in his hand. He knew Henry was approaching, but he refused to acknowledge him.

Henry reached the booth and slid into the leather seat beside him. He glanced at the empty bottles scattered across the table before turning to Elisha.

"Hey, Eli."

Elisha didn’t respond.

Henry looked at the glass in his hand and sighed softly. "You should stop drinking, Eli," he said, lowering his voice so only Elisha could hear.

Elisha let out a bitter laugh and finally turned to glare at him. "Why are you telling me to stop drinking? Did we come here together? Or do I look like your girlfriend?"

Henry winced at the venom in his voice. "I’m just trying to look out for you. Come on, why don’t you join us at our table?"

"I’m fine right here," Elisha snapped, swirling the liquor around his glass. "And I’m leaving soon anyway."

Henry frowned, studying him. "You’ve already had enough. Let me at least make sure you get home safely."

"I have a driver," Elisha replied coldly. "I don’t need you babysitting me."

Across the room, Eloise noticed that Henry was taking longer than expected. She glanced toward the booth and saw him sitting beside Elisha. Growing impatient, she pushed herself to her feet.

"I’ll go see what’s taking him so long," she murmured to her friends.

She made her way across the lounge and stopped beside the booth. Without thinking much of it, she slipped her hand around Henry’s arm.

"Babe, is everything okay."

She leaned down and pressed a quick, affectionate kiss to his cheek.

Elisha gave a low, mocking chuckle.

Henry immediately looked at him and caught the unmistakable jealousy in his eyes.

Eloise blinked, then turned toward Elisha with a polite smile.

"Hello. I’m Eloise, Henry’s—"

Elisha deliberately turned his face away, completely ignoring her.

Eloise’s smile faltered. The obvious snub left her standing there awkwardly, her cheeks warming with embarrassment.

Henry’s expression tightened. He immediately stood and placed a reassuring hand on Eloise’s shoulder.

"Eli’s had a little too much to drink tonight," he said calmly. "Let me help him out to his car so his driver can take him home safely."

"I’ll come with you," Eloise offered quickly, still visibly embarrassed.

"You don’t have to worry about me," Elisha spat, his voice sharp and thick with alcohol. "Go back to your precious girlfriend, Henry. I can manage on my own."

Henry heard the hurt beneath Elisha’s anger and immediately understood that he didn’t want Eloise around him right now.

"You know what, babe?" Henry said, turning back to Eloise with a reassuring smile. "Go stay with your friends. I’ll be right back. Let me get him to his car, and then I’ll rejoin you."

Eloise hesitated, glancing between the two men before finally nodding. "Alright. Don’t take too long."

"I won’t."

Henry quickly flagged down a server and settled Elisha’s tab before returning to the booth.

"Come on, Eli," he said softly. "Let me help you up."

Elisha hesitated, but the alcohol had clearly taken its toll. He finally reached for Henry’s arm and allowed him to help him to his feet.

Elisha swayed as they made their way through the lounge. Henry kept a steady hand around his arm, guiding him toward the exit and down to the underground parking area.

Their driver spotted them approaching and immediately stepped out of the car, opening the rear passenger door.

Henry carefully helped Elisha into the back seat and made sure he was settled before stepping back.

"I should go back inside," Henry said.

Before he could take another step, Elisha reached out and caught his wrist.

"I should go back inside," Henry said.

Before he could take another step, Elisha reached out and caught his wrist.

"Don’t go," he whispered, his voice suddenly breaking. "Please... stay with me."

Henry stopped and looked back at him. "Eli, I have to—"

Before Henry could finish, Elisha looked past him toward the front of the car. "Give us space," he ordered the driver, his voice cold and commanding.

"Yes, sir," the driver replied instantly, stepping away and walking out of earshot to give them privacy.

The moment the driver moved away, Elisha yanked hard on Henry’s wrist, pulling him bodily into the back of the car. He slammed the heavy door shut, plunging the interior into a private, suffocating silence.

Henry turned back to Elisha. "What’s wrong with you tonight?"

Elisha looked at him, his eyes glassy with alcohol and emotion. "You really were going to leave me and go back to her?"

Henry’s expression softened. "Eli..."

Before Henry could say another word, Elisha threw his arms around Henry’s neck and crashed his lips against his.

A hot tear spilled over Elisha’s lashes, tracking down his cheek to mix with their desperate kiss. He pulled back just a fraction, his chest heaving.

"Scold me if you want to... tell me I’m pathetic," Elisha choked out, his fingers already fumbling frantically with the buttons of Henry’s suit jacket, unbuttoning them one by one with trembling hands. "But I have every right to be jealous..."

Henry didn’t try to stop him. Instead, a low groan broke from his throat as he grabbed the back of Elisha’s head, kissing him deeper, harder, swallowing his tears and surrendering completely to...