Chapter 0398
DENNIS
I watched as her chest rose and fell, a smile on her lips
She had refused to lay down unless I did with her. I knew she was tired but she waited till I was done doing the dishes and together we came upstairs.
I had just successfully extracted myself from her loose grip without waking her.
I sighed as I sat at the foot of the bed. Now that she was asleep and her bubbly energy and presence was at bay, I felt that sinking feeling creep back in.
I tried to think back to all the fun times we've had in the past and the ones we had this afternoon as I cooked and while we ate, the ones I've had with Amie but it persisted. Without any rational thought, I grabbed my car keys and headed downstairs.
I'd just go for a drive... something to calm me.
As I made my way to the car, I stumbled a couple of times. I frowned as I looked at the floor both times, there was nothing there.
What's wrong with me? I thought as I got into the car. As I aimlessly drove around for a while, I watched my hands tremble on the steering wheel, my heartbeats coming faster.
I tried to focus on Amie's smile and Ana's ever adorable pout. I tried to fill my head with their delightful voices. I worked on fixing my focus on the road but nothing seemed to be working. My thoughts were in total chaos, dragging me farther down.
"I need a drink," I murmured as I swerved into a random bar's parking lot.
Outside the car, I gripped the door to steady myself for a while. I watched my hands tremble, and every noise in the background seemed to increase by the second; the sound of my own heartbeat, the sound of shuffling feet and quiet laughter; I could hear them like they were in my head.
I took a deep breath, pushed away from the car and made my way to the bar.
How had it gotten so bad? I'd been fine-no, I'd thought I'd be fine. I mean Ana and I were good again. But now, it felt like everything was slipping from my grip, my mental health and happiness, and I couldn't stop it."
As I plonked into one of the cushioned seats in the bar, I felt exhausted both physically and mentally. Everything felt exhausting. My thoughts, my body, everything.
One of the bar boys walked up to me, "What would you like, sir?"
"Anything. I rasped. Anything strong. Anything to keep me grounded."
I felt like I was falling into a bottomless pit, going deeper with each second. The world around me began to fade into shadows. No matter how hard I tried to climb, I only sank deeper and it was as if I was allowing myself to get swallowed by the dark. And I couldn't let that happen.
I remembered the promise I made to the doctor; "I'll make sure she's always at her best."
I can't do that when I'm this way.
I need to get back in control.
I took another gulp of the drink the bar boy brought and reached for my phone in my pocket. My fingers swiftly scrolled through my contacts until I stopped on the phone number I needed.
I dialed it and the callee picked up almost immediately.
"Hello, sir."
"Come show me the way you talked about," I murmured into the phone, then took another gulp from the bottle.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
"Sir?" Tabitha quipped.
I swallowed. "I'll send you the address, come over."
"Okay, boss."
I ended the call and struggled with my keyboard fir a while. But I finally sent her the address of the bar I was in.
Maybe time had slowed down or I had dozed off but it felt like Tabitha arrived in five minutes.
I blinked at her as she stood before me, her usual polite smile on her unusually red lips.
She was clad in a short sleek black
dress that clung to her curves, the fabric hugging her like a second skin. The neckline dipped low,
revealing way more than a hint of et
cleavage, while thin straps held up the dress on her bare shoulders, leaving her collarbones exposed. The dress ended high on her thigh, showing off long, toned legs that seemed to go on forever... or maybe it was just the drink I had.
"Have as seat," I drawled as my gaze settled on the strappy heels that had added to her height. The glint of silver jewelry that sat on the wrists that she placed on her bare thighs repeatedly beckoned on my attention. Everything about her this night was impossible to ignore, and it made me wonder where she had been when I called her.
"So you said spiritual cleansing?" I asked, slightly disoriented as I glanced at her... to be more specific, at her cleavage
I think she nodded, then I heard her say, "Yes."
I looked away, nodding. "So tell me, how will that help me get back my money?"
"First of all, your loss of money has ignited some unwanted feelings, right? Feelings of despair and the like, right?"
I refused to acknowledge her question.
She continued. "At my church-"
I turned to face her. My eyes searched her face for any hint of humor. I chuckled. "Did you just say church?" She nodded.
I chuckled again, "If it's one of those, then you should just leave."
She sighed but she didn't leave.
"My church isn't like any of the others. It's different. It's The Church of Harmony, it helps people feel
better mentally and emotionally.net ́
When you're emotionally and
mentally grounded, you'd get back your money in no time.
"At The church of Harmony, we believe that finding balance in the mind, body, and spirit is important for inner peace. A core practice is the MMM Method, which combines medicine to calm the mind, positive O
se
thinking exercises to focusitive
intentions, and massages to release physical tension."
I sighed. "Will all of these really help?"
"Definitely. It teaches acceptance, compassion, and letting go of negative emotions. We also gather regularly for group activities and rituals led by spiritual guides.
"You guys gather? Like you come together? Look, I'm not about to join a cult-"
"It's a church, not a cult."
"Whatever you call it. I'm not interested in any weird regular activities led by spiritual guides."
"Of course not. They're not weird activities but healing ones."