Christine's mind was in turmoil after Lara's sudden arrival and the heated conversation that followed. Trying to escape the chaos, she decided to accept Robert's invitation to his private concert at a bar in Ann Arbor. The idea of hearing him perform seemed like a welcome distraction.

At the bar, Christine found a quiet spot near the counter and ordered an orange juice. She sipped it slowly, trying to calm her nerves. She had never tried alcohol before, so when a man approached her and offered a drink, she politely declined. Undeterred, he later had a waiter bring her a glass of lemon juice mixed with vodka. The waiter mentioned that someone had sent it to her. Seeing Robert from across the room smiling at her, Christine assumed it was from him and decided to try it.

The vodka hit her harder than she anticipated. As the night wore on, Christine found herself feeling increasingly disoriented. She was struggling to stay awake, her head resting on the table as the vodka began to take its toll. She had been trying to enjoy herself, but the alcohol had left her feeling disoriented and vulnerable. The man who had previously offered her a drink approached her again, his intentions unclear and potentially threatening.

Kate, a law student known for her commanding presence and fierce loyalty, was nearby. She had seen Christine's state and noticed the man's increasingly invasive behavior. She knew her as Robert's rumoured girlfriend from the university student page. Without hesitation, Kate strode over to Christine's table, her steps purposeful and confident.

"Hey!" Kate's voice cut through the noise of the bar. "What do you think you're doing?"

The man, momentarily startled, looked up at Kate with a smirk. "Just trying to get to know her better."

Kate's eyes flashed with anger. "This isn't a pickup joint. You're harassing her. Now, leave. Before I make you regret it."

The man's smirk faltered, but he tried to brush off Kate's words. "I didn't do anything wrong."

Kate's face hardened, her gaze unwavering. "You don't get to decide that. And if you don't leave now, I'm calling the police."

With a scowl, the man stood up and began to walk away, but not before Kate grabbed his arm, giving him a final shove towards the door. "And if I see you again around here, you better hope I'm in a good mood," she warned, her voice dripping with menace. "Now get out."

The man, now thoroughly chastened, stumbled out of the bar, his pride wounded more than his body. Kate watched him go, her expression a mixture of satisfaction and concern. She then turned her attention back to Christine, who was still slumped over the table. Without hesitation, she sat down across from her, determined to stay by her side until Robert returned.

______________________________

Meanwhile, Alex had been visiting Michigan to see his cousin but found himself drawn to the bar where Christine had gone. He had spotted her from a distance and, driven by a mixture of curiosity and concern, entered the bar. His heart nearly stopped when he saw her slumped over the table, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders. He couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she looked, even in her current state. The delicate curve of her eyelashes and the soft glow of her hair seemed to amplify his emotions.

Alex approached her slowly, his breath catching in his throat. He had missed her more than he realized, and seeing her like this was both a joy and a heartache. His hand reached out to gently touch her shoulder, but before he could, Kate intervened.

"Any issues?" Kate's voice was sharp, her hand grabbing his wrist with a firm grip.

Alex looked at her, his emotions swirling. "I just wanted to talk to her."

Kate's eyes narrowed as she nodded toward the stage. "Her boyfriend might not like that for sure."

The words hit Alex like a physical blow. The realization that Christine had a boyfriend-left him feeling hollow. His heart sank, the weight of the truth crashing down on him. The song Robert was singing, "What If I Told You That I Love You" by Ali Gatie, filled the bar with a poignant melody. The lyrics, filled with longing and vulnerability, seemed to mirror Alex's own feelings.

(You would enjoy reading while listening to the song mentioned)

The song's lyrics were:

"What if I told you that I loved you?

Would you tell me that you love me back?

If I told you that I miss you?

Would you tell me that you miss me back?"

Just a minute ago Alex felt as if fresh oxygen is filling up his lungs. At the sight of Christine he felt like his heart started beating again. He was just coming back to life and then all of it disappeared.

Christine was soo near to him yet too far. He should not have seen all this. She is with someone else now. Earlier there was a physical distance between both of them and he thought he can reach out to her one day as their hearts were united. But now her heart belongs to someone else and so does she.

He wished he had told her before, about his love for her, about her feelings, but it's too late now....

"I wish I told you that I loved you

Now it's too late, you have someone new

I hope he loves you like I do

Do you love the way he's treating you?

What if I told you that I loved you?

Would you tell me that you love me back?

If I told you that I miss you?

Would you tell me that you miss me back?

What if I told you that I need you?

Would you tell me that you need me, yeah?

If I tell you all my feelings

Would you believe me, yeah?"

Each line felt like it was reaching out to Alex, voicing the emotions he had kept hidden. The realization that Christine was no longer available to him, and that someone else had the chance to make her happy, left him devastated. The song, with its heartfelt lyrics, seemed to echo his own unspoken feelings, making his heart ache even more.

As the song played on, Alex felt a deep sorrow wash over him. He watched Christine, who was still sleeping peacefully, and a tear slipped down his cheek. The pain of knowing he had missed his chance with her was almost unbearable. He took one last, lingering look at Christine, then turned and walked out of the bar, each step heavy with resignation and heartbreak.

The night air felt colder as he left, his heart a heavy weight in his chest. The dream of a future with Christine seemed to slip further away, leaving him to grapple with the sharp sting of unfulfilled longing.