Chapter 3- Rich Sexy Stranger

The bar was practically empty.

Apart from the same old damaged man who sits in the corner drowning his sorrows in pints of beer and shots of vodka, he did a little singing every so often. The middle age lady who sat swirling her wine around her glass for two hours, just staring into space. The bar was mostly silent- thank god.

The manager Steve had decided that taking a lengthy visit to a popular sex club on a thursday night was better than watching my every move, thank the fucking lord. But nevertheless he had left me alone to close up at midnight, something I didn’t want to do.

“ No fucking on the counter.” Was the last thing he said to me until bolting out into the night. I had to roll my eyes. Who on earth would even think about doing it in a place like this?

Only two hours in and I was already bored out of my mind. This is the emptiest I had ever seen a bar in my entire life. It was a nice change, maybe all the regulars have finally found some taste and fucked off elsewhere. I was leaning against the counter twirling my hair round and round hoping that looking at the same spot on the wall would help time move a little faster. I wonder how far away Emma is. I know that her boss is really demanding, it means she always has to work late nights, but I really hope she would get here soon.

I tap my fingers on the counter, I really want to rant to somebody. I am so scared, I needed a new day job stat, in my dream world one that would fix all my problems. But it wasn’t gonna be that easy. I sigh running my hands through my hair. I was not in a good place right now, my mum needs this. So tomorrow i will go all out but tonight i need to lose myself to the freedom that drinking gives me. I don’t do it often so when I do text Emma to meet me at a bar she knows it’s super serious-

Ding! My head whips towards the door expecting to see my best friend bouncing through the bar entrance. Only a man in a long black coat and an expensive looking suit walks in. I tried not to let my disappointment show. I took another look at the man, I had admit that he was undeniably handsome.

His chocolate brown hair is perfectly messy, a light stubble dots his chin. He had smooth, tan skin which seemed so soft. His eyes dart around the place, assesing. 

I watch him, his face staying cold and icy- his poker face is so perfect i bet he even does it in his sleep. What’s somebody like him doing in a place like this? Maybe I’m not the only person using this shithole to avoid the media.

I wonder if he’ll get me to wipe the chair down for him, it would be an exciting addition to my evening. He looks young maybe a few years older than me. He looks so familiar, something about his face, his aroma just feels so... unique. But I feel like I had met him before. His eyes connect with mine and i find myself getting lost in the icy blue i find there. That colour, It was so bright… it was almost silver…

I take a deep breath trying to calm the chaos of butterflies that were currently beating against my stomach. I could only pray he didn’t know who I was. But he doesn’t say anything on the matter, instead his eyes generously rake my figure in a slow manner before finally settling for my own eyes. I didn’t feel self conscious, angry or dirty when he did it. Strange. It was almost like I could see something flickering behind that icy stare, it made my heart beat faster in my chest. The butterflies beat against my chest steadily and I flashed him a small smile.

He walked over to the counter and sat down at the far end. I slowly trailed him until i stood in front of him. For some reason my legs were shaking, is that normal?

“ I’ll have a gin and tonic.”

His voice was deep and calm, filling up the silence in the bar. I could feel his word humming through me and I had to hold back a gasp. He sounded like he fucking owned the place, the nerve of the man. Who begins to narrow his eyes at me as I stay rooted to the spot. That’s one thing I don’t miss about my old life, the people.

Those people who act like their fucking kings and queens, like their so much better. I mentally throw up. It’s a wicked sickening game they all play, their cold masks and their cruel smiles, tounges so sharp they can cut you in am instant. It’s a pathetic mind game these people play. I bite my lip trying to stop myself from saying something I’ll regret. I could feel the fire burning within me and it was begging me to let it out.

“Please?” The sharp word flies out of my mouth. I don’t regret it though, not at all. I glare at the man who looks quite shocked. A small part of me, the part who was still a frightened little girl screamed inside my mind, scared for her life. I ignore her.

I watch as the mans expression shifted from shocked to amused, he chuckles at my little outburst. Somehow that aggravates me more. I was seconds away from giving him a piece of my mind when the doorbell dings.

“Arghhh! Mia!” I abandon the strange man pushing it all towards the back of my mind and turned my head to see my best friend screaming in the doorway. Her navy blue coat was wrapped firmly around her. Those chocolate eyes dazzling with excitement and finally her long blond hair that was pulled back into a ponytail.

" Emmie!” I run up and hug her tight. I’ve missed her so much, we hardly get to see each other now days because she’s so busy. We have been best friends for as long as i can remember, she’s been with me through everything and I can’t thank her enough, she is one of those people who doesn’t give a shit about the fame or the money that my last name brought me, or the devastation. She and her family are amazing, absolute life savers.

" Its been way too long Mia! How is everything? How’s your mother? Is she coping okay? Oh my gosh what about you! You look really stressed, is everything alright?” She rambled energetically, I just flicked her a small smile.

Emma’s always been the one who is full of energy, its one of the reasons were such good friends. She can make any awkward situation very entertaining by completely dominating the conversation with her positive vibes. “ I’m just fine Emmie, everything is just so bloody fine.” I grumble walking back behind the counter.

" So why am I here? Not that I don’t love seeing you.. however you hate sitting in bars let alone working here.” She asks plonking herself down on one of the bar stools.

" I was fired again.”

Emma’s face dropped ” Oh Mia i’m so sorry...”

She cut off half way through, she knew the circumstances well enough and that I didn’t need to hear her sympathy it only makes me feel more pathetic.

" Your boss was horrible Mia.” Emma’s voice was sharp and I could bet everybody in the bar could hear her, or at the very least the handsome strange man at the other end of the counter. I bury my face in my hands. Why does my life always have to fall to shit? Ever since that day nothing has ever been the same. “I just really need a job Emmie… do you think your work is hiring?” I ask her, I tired not to sound too desperate. She holds her breath looking up at the ceiling, it’s a sure sign that she’s thinking hard. I know she doesn’t want me in the position that she is. An entrance into the world I willingly left behind, she’s my best friend in the entire world and I know that she is scared that I’m going to get hurt again.

I find my eyes sliding over to the man again, he was looking at me. It was like he was trying to figure me out…. or maybe he just wanted his booze. Hesitantly, Emma started rambling about a PA position with her boss may be available, but highly recommending I don’t take it, as I mixed the sexy rich guy’s drink.

I keep peering over at him. It’s been a while since I had seen somebody like him in this sort of neighbourhood, it’s more surprising than you will ever know. People like him go to big popular bars or use their hotels bar to entertain them, not a poor lower class bar like this filled with depressed alcoholics. Who is this man? “ um just gimme a second Emma, I’ll be right back in a sec.” I tell her walking towards the other end of the counter.

“Your Gin and Tonic...sir.” I place his highness’s drink down in front of him, then did a very dramatic curtsy. I think the couple of shots of vodka i took a while ago were finally catching up to me. I didn’t even let myself see his reaction and instead sashayed right outta there. Not getting involved Mia! No matter how handsome the rich guy is I give myself a little pep talk, guys like him don’t do real, healthy relationships and that’s what you need.

“What is he doing here?” Emma whispered. Her face looked a deadly white as I finally stood back in front of her. “ Who? Mr Rich?” I reply “ Honestly I have no clue maybe he just lost his way.” Emma swallowed, plain fear was etched across her face as she stared at the strange man. “ yeah maybe your right….” her voice sounded tight and strange. She knew the strange man, I could tell. But I didn’t want to push her. Emma knows just as much about that world as I do, she works in it.

I sat down next to her and we just talked about anything and everything, like we always do. It could go on for hours upon hours. It always has been like this. I met Emma when I was in school. She was the scholarship girl and I was the rich popular girl, an unlikely friendship. I took a liking to the sweet nerd who didn’t care about my last name. Ever since the day I lost all money to my name I learnt who my true friends were and I never had doubted her for a second. She was after all my best friend. She keep me stable and sane, but most of all was always there when i needed her and well, vice versa.

" Hey how come Leo isn’t here?” Emma asks breaking my train of thought.

Leo was my other best friend. The number three in our little trio. Me, him and Emma had all had our first jobs at a cute little cafe in the middle of the city. We all got on like a house on fire and ever since that day it’s been us three.

" Oh he had to cancel early something about a date....”

" Ah that sounds right.” her voice was slightly strained, she had a pained look on her face. I sigh, giving her a hug.

" Leo has always been a playboy Emmie, you cant change that.” I remind her.

We spent a while talking and eventually I had to start closing up. I look over at where the handsome man had been sitting, but he was gone. In a flash, probably has some super important work emergency or something, because he didn’t say goodbye. Or maybe he’s just not a talker, or very rude.

I eventually ruled the rude excuse out when I saw his massive tip. In fact I nearly fainted.

One thousand dollars.

All for one very crappy gin and tonic.

After everybody was gone I decided to drink a crap ton of alcohol. However what was upsetting is that Emma decided to haul my ass back to my house before the fun really began. I really wanted to go clubbing, that strange man’s image was too fresh in my mind and I had to erase him while I still can, however I never quite got the chance. I complained quite a lot. In the long run i was really glad Emma stayed sober.

As we were about to pull out of the car park I suddenly felt very sleepy, maybe it was the alcohol or maybe the lack of sleep but I couldn’t wait till we got home. I stretched laying back against the seat. My eyes seemed to want to close. I turned to face the window only to see the strange man from the bar my gaze followed him as he walked along the footpath on the other side of the road. I then watched him stop in front of a young girl, homeless who was sitting down against the wall of the Jazz club. She had a hair as black as midnight but her eyes... were much like my own, a bright green. Those eyes stared up at the man who handed her some money. The girl smiled and thanked him. He then stood up and turned round. Emma was starting the car and in seconds we were driving away.