Chapter 184 Albert's Recent Troubles
Albert jolted awake, his heart pounding like crazy in the pitch-black room. He was soaked in sweat.
Wiping his forehead, he felt like he had a rock stuck in his throat, making him feel sick. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and called Victor. "Get out."
Albert's rough voice startled Victor. "Get out for what?" Victor asked.
Albert was on edge. "Let's grab a drink."
"You wanna drink? Come over, me and Steve are having some beers." Victor gave him the address. "I just broke up, and I know you've been stressed, so I didn't wanna bug you. I asked Steve to hang instead."
"Alright." Albert got dressed. "I'll be there soon."
The bar was dim, with a red glow that made it feel kinda steamy. As soon as he walked in, Albert got hit with the thick smell of smoke and booze.
Albert looked serious, and a waiter quickly came over. "What can I help you?"
Albert gave the room number and followed the waiter inside.
Seeing Albert, Victor checked his watch, surprised. "Albert, you flew here! A half-hour drive in just over ten minutes?"
Albert sat down, grabbed an empty glass, filled it with ice, poured some liquor, and downed it in one go.
The liquor barely touched the ice, making it taste harsh. Albert frowned, feeling the burn from his tongue to his throat and down to his stomach.
Albert pressed his lips together, ignoring Victor's question. Steve chimed in, "Hey, Albert, you just gonna sit there and chug all night?"
Albert glanced at him. "Nothing to say."
Steve nodded. "Victor, take notes."
Victor, who had been venting all night, glared at Steve. "You think I'm a chatterbox?"
Steve shrugged. Victor shook his glass, the ice clinking, and looked at Albert. "Albert, how's your grandpa? I saw North Airlines is getting a new boss. Is that true?"
Albert picked up a pack of cigarettes and lit one. "Not good," he said, taking a deep drag. "It's almost time."
Hayden's health had been failing, and the media had speculated about North Airlines getting a new boss. Victor, thinking it was just another rumor, was surprised. "Is he really that bad this time?"
"Yeah."
Steve blinked, confused, listening to their conversation before it clicked. Steve's mouth hung open. "Wait, Albert's grandpa is Hayden Valdemar?"
Victor gave him a look. "You've been Albert's co-pilot for so long, and you're just finding out? You could've asked around at North Airlines!"
"I really didn't know." Steve straightened up, grinning as he leaned closer to Albert. "Albert, if you take over North Airlines, don't forget me. I've had your back for years. Don't leave me hanging."
Steve quickly pledged his loyalty, "When you become the boss, just promote me. I'll keep working for you just like now, doing whatever you need. You can totally count on me!"
Victor felt contempt for Steve's fawning behavior and kicked him. "Get out of here!"
Victor cleared his throat, saying, "You should get in line behind me."
Albert just sat there, listening to their back-and-forth, too lazy to even chime in. His mind kept drifting back to Yvette's face in his dream and the image of David with her.
Albert's heart tightened, and he stubbed out his cigarette, holding a glass in one hand and a bottle in the other, drinking and refilling continuously.
He drank so fiercely that it scared Victor and Steve. "Albert, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Albert said, putting down the empty bottle. "You guys go buy more liquor."
Victor and Steve exchanged glances. With the task of buying liquor, Victor and Steve left the room.
Steve, still shaken, looked at Victor. "What's up with Albert? Is he bummed out because we talked about his grandpa's health? Maybe it got to him."
Victor rubbed his chin, thinking and saying, "That might be part of it, but Hayden's health has been bad for a long time, so Albert should be mentally prepared. The main reason must be something else."
Victor patted Steve's shoulder, jokingly saying, "Your way of sucking up was all wrong."
"I know I used the wrong approach!" Steve nodded. "That's why I'm asking you, what's his deal? I need to know what's bugging him so I can figure out how to cheer him up."
"You're pretty sharp!" Victor laughed, then said meaningfully to Steve, "Albert is getting a divorce from his wife."
Steve suddenly understood and nodded. "Got it!"
On the other side, Yvette stood at the elevator, thinking for a long time, but ultimately decided not to go upstairs to give David his phone.
When David called again, Yvette said softly, "I'm not coming up. I'm at the elevator on the first floor; you can come down and get it."
Yvette's mood was low, and David noticed. He paused for two seconds, saying, "It's okay, I'm almost done here. I'll come down and take you to the hospital."
"Okay." Back at the hospital, Yvette took care of everything and followed the doctor's advice to go home and rest.
Lassie's condition was stable, and staying at the hospital was pointless. It was better to go home, rest well, and gather strength to take care of Lassie when she moved to a regular ward.
By the time she got home, it was past three in the morning. Yvette dragged her tired body to take a shower and prepared to sleep.
This terrible day had left her physically and mentally exhausted. Fortunately, everything was getting better.
Yvette closed her eyes and fell asleep almost instantly. But the next second, the vibration of her phone woke her up.
Yvette was startled, fearing it was news from the hospital. But when she looked, it was Albert.
The screen was practically blinding, and Yvette squinted, her vision still blurry. She rubbed her eyes.
Albert: [After the cooling-off period, let's get the papers.]
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