Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Elysia frowned, "I haven't been in touch, what's happened to him?"

Keaton's voice was heavy, "He's gone off the radar. Disappeared after leaving the pub and no one knows where to. We've all been looking for him, checked everywhere possible, but there's no sign of him."

Elysia began to worry, "Have you tried calling him?"

"Yeah, tried that. He's not picking up, no replies to texts either. He was in a bad mood today, we're all a bit concerned. Could you try reaching out to him?"

"...Alright, I'll let you know if I hear anything."

After hanging up, Elysia hurriedly dialed Tarquin's number, not even upset with him anymore.

After several unanswered calls, she sent him a message,

[Where are you?]

[Keaton and the others are looking for you, worried sick. Reply when you see this.]novelbin

After a long wait without a reply from Tarquin, she couldn't help but say,

[I don't have feelings for Keith, not one bit! Don't be upset over him!]

With no response, she continued to send messages,

[Don't frighten everyone. They're worried about you, and so am I. Let's pretend whatever happened at the pub tonight never did. Get in touch as soon as you see this.]

[...]

Elysia sent many messages, all sinking without a trace!

She clutched her phone, waiting until well past midnight.

Still no word from Tarquin, she was too anxious to sleep, her mind racing with all sorts of dreadful scenarios.

At one moment, she feared he might have encountered some trouble, or worse, been kidnapped.

Then she worried, with his mood so off, if he might have considered harming himself.

The more she thought, the more terrified she became, eventually calling Keaton to suggest involving the police.

Keaton reassured her, "You don't have to worry about that. There's no way he's been kidnapped or would harm himself."

Who'd dare kidnap him, are they looking for trouble?

And who could possibly manage to kidnap him?

Harming himself is even less likely; he would never abandon Elijah like that!

Keaton said, "He's just in a bad mood, I'm worried he's slipping into depression, that's why we need to find him fast! He's been emotionally off lately, ecstatic one day and as depressed as if he's been through a breakup the next. Very fragile, huge swings in mood."

Elysia: "..

Keaton tentatively mentioned, "He seems to really care about that Keith guy."

After a pause, Elysia explained,

"Keith is ElliotEvan Emmett's teacher, lives right across from us. I don't like Keith, but he always overthinks."

Happy she was willing to chat, Keaton then said,

"It's because he likes you, that he overthinks. Tarin likes you, you do know that, right?"

Elysia's lips moved, silently agreeing.

Keaton continued,

"The more he likes you, the more he's bothered by other men around you. Keith is like a thorn in his side; he's very sensitive about Keith. Even normal interaction makes him jealous, especially since Keith isn't exactly easygoing.

Elysia, hear me out, if you like him too, you guys should clear the air soon. Don't let others affect what you have.

It's a rare blessing in life to have mutual feelings with someone you like. If you're lucky enough to find it, don't let it slip away! Love is supposed to be beautiful. You should be enjoying the sweetness of love, not its bitterness. Life is short, you've got to seize the moment, enjoy and cherish."

Elysia, blushing, stammered, "He... he never said he liked me."

He had never confessed his feelings to her.

Keaton bluntly said, "He's scared."

"Huh?"

"He was afraid because you didn't like him back before, scared he'd frighten you by confessing. Now, he's unsure how deep your feelings are for him, afraid he'll scare you off by confessing. He likes you, very cautiously so."