Chapter 5

Eric's pov

Your lucky hour hadn’t been fully credited on the net because the place was more than packed. The ambience was soft, yet something about it gave it this energy that I could almost taste if I stuck my tongue out in the air. The brown wooden walls, the mixed tone lights, the bar standing proudly in the middle of the room, and the large stage with instruments on. This place was a place for people of all worlds. There was a massive brown brick wall by the right where people were sticking printed pictures taken at the bar. I even spotted some hand written poetry stuck to the wall. I looked up and saw the wall was named ‘Wall of stories’.

Fascinated, I walked without thinking of where I was going, my eyes taking in everywhere at once. Luckily, a stool was evacuated close to me so I quickly perched my butt on it before it was taken away by one of the many standing nearby. A bartender whose blond hair was neatly packed in a bun, wearing a black t-shirt that had ‘Winky’ written in pink colors on her large breast, attended to me almost immediately. I asked for a gin and tonic, which she handed me with lightening speed before welcoming me to the bar with a nice smile while telling me to have fun and come around soon. She proceeded to the next person. Color me impressed.

A loud soon from the speaker nearby had me and many turning towards the formerly empty stage. A tall guy with a bulky frame was holding the mic. He had various exotic tats on his biceps exposed by his armless shirt. The guy looked really formidable like Damon, father's assistant, but he had a kind smile. A welcoming smile.

“Since you lily-livered, chicken hearted, scardypants, pisspants, yellow backs, sissys —all synonyms of coward, by the way— refused to go first, my home girl and someday wife—” the crowd jeered loudly with laughter erupting from the regulars whom, I guessed, knew who he was talking about. “Yeah, that sweet babe. All you doubters would eat your butts once I announce our wedding anytime soon.” They cackled again, some hitting their tables in their merriment. “Without further ado, I welcome to winky lucky’s famous, star producing stage, Light!” The bright lights went out, and the steady smoke from the smoke machine created this air of mystery that caused everywhere to grow silent.

 Someone climbed the stage before proceeding slowly to the mic. We watched as she held the mic, waiting with bated breaths for something, anything. And then we heard the sweetest low voice in the history of low voices. The strum of the guitar sounded softly before a red spot light settled on her face. Her violet eyes were the first thing that grabbed me. Just like the first time, I couldn't look away even if I wanted to. It was magnet. As she sang, those beautiful pupils painted every emotion for each line, taking us on a journey of no return. We were all spell bound. She sang of two lovers, destined for love, but couldn't be together because their love was poisoning others around them. 

I willed her to look my way as she scanned the crowd, searching for something that I knew I had the answer to. When it seemed like it wouldn't find me, it did and it never left. It was like we were the two lovers, destined never to be together. On the last line, tears dropped from her face as she repeatedly sang goodbye, maybe in another life.

Once the guitar and the voice ceased as if in tandem, the crowd, having to shake off the prison the ballad casted them in, rose up to clap and cheer. In the midst of it all, Light’s eyes never left mine and I didn't want it to be any other way. 

~

Nadia

That couldn't have been real.

I tried to steady my breath as it came out choppy and short. My skin tingled and the hairs on their end stood up like I was experiencing intense cold. I looked myself in the mirror one more time and saw nothing I wanted to fix. As soon as I finished singing, I ran to the changing area as fast as my legs could carry me, needing to put space between us so I could regain my composure. If someone told me I would feel something this strong for a man, I would have denied it. I carried my purse and Jamie's make up bag and left the room. On my way to the bar, I kept receiving greetings from people; some I answered, some I ignored. When I got to the bar, Jamie gave me a high five before yelling my stage night.

“Light!” She yelled and a bunch of patrons close by chorused. After a few yells, they went back to whatever they were doing before she yelled. “You killed it, mehn.” she told me. I nodded distractedly, turning my head to find the face that I held captive while singing. My heart fell when I realized that he must have left the bar. Disappointed, I dropped my hand on the table and rested my chin on it, the excitement from some seconds ago fading away fast. I tried to ask Jamie if she had seen him when she moved to answer another client.

“Looking for someone?” I heard his voice from behind me. I twirled around to face him, my spirit rising instantly. My eyes were wide open as I took him in. His hair was brown, but the lights in the room gave the tips a reddish hue. His icy grey eyes gazed into mine the same electric way it did when we first met. He was wearing the same clothes he had on when he gave me his jacket. 

“Yes...” Was my breatheless answer before I awkwardly struck out my hand with a wide smile on my face. He chuckled, his baritone voice rolling over my skin and setting my heart on a marathon race before he took my hand. The way he closed his hand around mine made me feel like I was protected.

“Nice to meet you, Light.” He said. I wanted to correct him, to tell him my real name and all my deepest secret, but I kept quiet, enjoying the mystery the name created. “The name suits you.” 

“Now that you know my name, would I not get yours in return?” I asked, tilting my head to the side as I waited for him to tell me his name. 

“Jason. My name is Jason.” He answered then took my hand, which was still in his, and led me to a two person table. He drew a stool out for me and I sat down. He sat down in front of me and raised a hand to signal a waiter. Smart, a Mexican immigrant who was been sheltered by Jospeh, came to our table. 

“Yo, princess! You sang beautifully up there.” He said before giving me a friendly wink. “When will you stop stealing hearts with your smile, eyes and voice....let's not forget, that hawt body.” He shook his index finger in the air like he touched something hot.

I used my hand to cover my mouth, trying not to look Jason's way as I laughed. “Thanks, Smart.” I replied.

“So, what would you guys like to have?” He asked us, his eyes studiously fastened on Jason. I told him I wanted a cocktail and Jason told him he would like a refill of his gin and tonic. With our orders taken, he left us alone to get our drinks.

“I can see I am not the only one captivated by you.” He teased with a hand on his chest as if he were hurt. I rolled my eyes before shaking my head. 

“You are not serious. Smart is just a friend.” I looked to the stage and saw two ladies singing their version of the walking dead’s hold on. 

“I know.” He replied. I squeezed my lips together, waiting for him to say more. Since I was totally without experience, I didn't know what to say. Should I say something interesting? Should I tell a joke? Wait, shouldn't we get to know each other first? Is this a date? 

The wheels in my head were turning so fast I wass coming down with a headache.

“You don't have to say anything, you know. I'm just a normal guy like Smart and the guy you sang with. There's no pressure.” 

“But we can't just sit like this without saying anything. Wouldn't you get bored?” I blurted without thinking about how that question made me seem insecure.

He smirked, his icy stares doing the opposite of making me cold, “Light, it's not your duty to keep me interested in you or to keep me from getting bored. Don't pressure yourself that way. If you go out on a date with a guy who makes you feel like you're boring is a narcissistic, self-absorbed jerk.” 

I smiled at his kind words that made me feel totally calm. “So, this is a date?”

“Yes. I'm sitting directly in front of the most beautiful girl in the bar, about to have a delightful conversation and a drink. What else would it be if not a date?” Joseph chose that moment to arrive with our drinks in hand and a fearsome frown on his face.