Too Much To Bear My Love

“Oscar Clinton, how shameless can you be?” Carter sarcastically asked.

“What is causing you such great angst, Mr. Scott? Sex between a married couple can’t possibly be called shameful, can it? Don’t tell me a grown man like you is still a virgin!” Oscar teased.

Carter took a sip of alcohol to mask his sorrow.

“Mr. Scott, this bar is famous for its beauties. All it takes is a snap of your fingers, and they will flock to you.” Oscar continued to push him.

Carter just quietly drank his liquor, lost in thoughts.

Oscar lifted his glass and started drinking too. For a rare moment, a sense of peace prevailed.

Finally, Carter broke the silence. “Mr. Clinton, please treat Amelia well. She had a hard life. Outwardly, she may seem to be fearless, but she has a really kind and gentle soul. If you are the one she loves, I am willing to retreat and watch over her from a distance.”

Oscar was tickled. “Mr. Scott, are you playing the role of a melodramatic second male lead?”

Carter was not disturbed by Oscar’s comment. “The male lead usually has affairs with different women while the second male lead is destined to watch over the heroine. If Amelia is meant to be the female lead of this drama, then I will willingly take the supporting role. I will do anything so long as she can be happy.”

Oscar laughed out loud. “What a passionate man you are, Mr. Scott. Unfortunately, this act does not sit well with me. You should be grateful I am not bashing you up for eyeing my woman.”

Carter can only put on a miserable smile. He composed himself and said, “Mr. Clinton, how about we reconcile and enjoy a drink together?”

“Reconcile? Were we ever in conflict, Mr. Scott?” Oscar questioned.

Carter was caught off guard. “No. No conflict at all. Everything happens for a reason. Let’s drink to our acquaintance!” He laughed it off.

Oscar summoned the servers and asked for the best booze they have. He mixed the different booze, creating a potent cocktail. “The whole idea of drinking is to get high. You wouldn’t mind this, would you?” He challenged Carter.

One can never show any sign of weakness in the face of their competitor. Carter took a glass of the cocktail and downed it. “Impressive! Come, have another,” Oscar urged.

“Shouldn’t Mr. Clinton have one yourself?” Carter countered.

Oscar took a glass and did a bottoms-up too.

“Well done, Mr. Clinton,” Carter reciprocated.

glass after glass and finished the few bottles in no time.

Scott, you sure can hold your

yourself.”

do an all-nighter,

glasses to toast, Oscar’s phone rang. He picked the call, but before he can utter a word, Cassie can be heard beseeching, “Oz, I miss you. Our baby misses you too.

I can’t hear you well. Can you repeat that?” The room was too

where are you? Why is there so much noise in

in a bar,” Oscar replied

miss you. Would you come by to spend time with us?” Cassie

getting late. Don’t wait up. I will visit you

I got pregnant, you said you will treat me well. No matter where you are, you will come running to me when I need you. Now you use work as an excuse

on him. “Cassie, stop this fuss and go

went silent for a moment, then she sobbed, “Oz, you don’t love

me from work, would you?” Oscar tried to keep his cool and

still the love of your

to sweet-talk Cassie. “Of course I still

at Carter as he wiped his face dry. “You better have a

think you deserved that,” Carter responded

yes. But who are you to

loves Amelia and would not want to see

face. Carter was taken aback momentarily but recovered swiftly and fought back with a vengeance. The bar’s security staff struggled to separate the two furious men. The fight ended with a trip to the police

things difficult for them. They were allowed to summon their lawyers to assist

policewoman, who informed

pregnant Amelia came to the police station. She was surprised to see Oscar and Carter together. She could not figure out how the paths of these two men crossed and why they ended up injured

for these two men. “The two of you fought?” she asked, looking

complained, “Your husband was bashed. Can’t you

gently examining the wound on his

only had eyes for Oscar. “I am sorry, Amelia. I was too

then that Amelia became aware of Carter’s injuries. They were as bad, if not worse, than Oscar’s. She frowned slightly as she looked over his bruises.

no big deal,” he assured