Velour & Oak
1170 Words
One week had passed. Vanessa laid curled up on the bed, completely wrapped in a thick blanket, Her hair was tied up in a careless, messy bun, loose strands escaping to fall across her face, brushing her cheeks, a few wisps of hair framed her forehead, casting faint shadows over her tired eyes.
Adeline walks in on her. “Don’t tell me you are still sulking over Henry.”
“I actually don’t expect you to understand, Adeline.” Vanessa said as she pulled the blanket tighter around herself.
“You know I was going to get married to Henry right? I was in love with him. I had picked my wedding dress, my cake, my rings—everything.”
“But you were already in your process of healing, I don’t want you to allow this to slow that process.” Adeline said softly.
“It’s not that easy” Vanessa said, covering herself more with the blanket.
Excitement crept into Adeline’s voice as she straightened, pulling down the blanket. “You know what?” she asked, a sudden spark lighting her eyes. “Let me make this easy for you.”
Vanessa lifted her head, frowning slightly as she studied Adeline’s face, confusion written plainly across her features.
“It’s Sandy’s birthday this weekend. I want you to come with me.” Adeline said.
“Why would you even suggest that to me?” Vanessa asked, as she pushed herself upright on the bed, the blanket slipping to her waist.
“Do I look like I am in the mood?”
“You don’t have to be in the mood.” Adeline said,
"What you need to do is to get out of this depressing state.” She gestured lightly around Vanessa’s dim room
Adeline’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “You know how extra Sandy can be.” Adeline added.
Vanessa held her gaze for a moment, trying to resist. Their eyes met, A soft laugh escaped Vanessa before she could stop it, and Adeline joined in.
Vanessa exhaled, sinking back slightly, shaking her head.
“Fine,” she mumbled.
…
At the entrance of the bar, Adeline and Vanessa were led inside by a waiter. Low light pooled across the room, warm and deliberate, catching on glass and leather. Rows of pendant lights hung from the dark ceiling like suspended embers, reflecting faintly on polished tabletops, turning each surface into a quiet mirror.
This was Velour & Oak, where the one percent of Marbleton partied.
The waiter went on and ushered them upstairs to the vip section.
“I will be right back.” Vanessa whispered into Adeline’s ear.
“Are you okay?” Adeline asked, her glass stalled midair as she tried to read Vanessa’s face in the dark room.
“Yeah, I just need some air.”
On the balcony, Vanessa rested her arms against the railing, closed her eyes as the night’s cold breeze brushed over her perfectly dolled face. All she could hear was the distant thrum of music drifting up from the bar.
“Penny for your thoughts?” A guttural voice crawled through the silence, snapping her eyes open.
Her eyes caught on a pair of golden-brown eyes. Slowly, her gaze slid downward—over thin, firm lips and along the hard lines of a chiseled jaw.
Vanessa was mesmerized by the man her eyes met. But then again, ‘was it worth the hassle?’ She thought. You get to know each other, you fall in love the very next minute you are at loggerheads with each other. ‘No, not doing this again’ she told herself.
Vanessa’s gaze lingered for a moment before she turned away, her eyes drifting toward the city lights below.
“I feel like we’ve met before,” the voice said again.
She turned back to him, her expression blank.
“No—wait, I know,” he hurried on, lifting his hands in a placating gesture. “I know it’s a terribly cheesy line, but I really do think we’ve met before.”
Vanessa cleared her throat and sniffed lightly. “First of all, we have not met before. Your cologne is just familiar, that's it.” Her voice was flat.
“I am Oscar by the way.” He extended his hand towards Vanessa.
Vanessa glanced at his hand, exhaled slowly and turned away without taking it.
“Look, I appreciate you walking up to me.” She said evenly. “But I really want to be left alone.”
“I can see that.” Oscar leaned back against the cold railing, his posture loose. “It's clear you are having a bad night.”
Vanessa’s fingers curled tighter around the metal bar, the chill biting into her skin. ” Even worse,” she muttered beneath her breath.
“For the record, you don’t look like someone having a bad night. Oscar said.“More like someone who survived one and didn’t get the credit.”
Vanessa didn’t respond, but something in her expression shifted.
Oscar glanced at her hand. “Your glass is empty.” He pointed casually, then reached for it. “Let me fix that.”
Before she could protest, he took the glass from her fingers and turned back toward the bar.
Vanessa watched him go, a faint smile tugging at her lips—one she tried, unsuccessfully, to suppress.
He had caught her off guard, disarming her with ease. The night air felt a little less heavy as she leaned against the railing, eyes following his retreating figure until it melted into the warm glow of the bar.
Only then did she realize she was still smiling.
She told herself it was nothing. Just a stranger. Just a moment.
Yet her eyes kept drifting toward the doorway Oscar had disappeared through.
…
A burst of laughter floated up from the stairs—Adeline again, followed by footsteps growing louder.
“Is that a smile I see on your face?” Adeline asked, lips curving with knowing amusement. “You’re having fun, aren’t you?” She reached out and poked Vanessa playfully.
“Gosh, Adeline, stop,” Vanessa teased, swatting her hand away gently.
Adeline only grinned wider. “I passed a guy on my way up. Couldn’t see his face clearly, but now I come out here and you’re alone—smiling at nothing.” She tilted her head. “Who was that guy?”
Vanessa hesitated. “He said his name was Oscar. He just went—”
“Wait.” Adeline stiffened. “Oscar?” Her voice sharpened. “You mean Oscar Fernandez?”
Vanessa frowned. “You know him?”
Adeline’s playful expression vanished. Her gaze slid past Vanessa, sharp and calculating.
Oscar stepped onto the balcony again, drink in hand, posture relaxed. “Did I miss something?”
Adeline straightened slowly. “No,” she said, forcing a smile. “Just realizing we’ve met.”
Oscar’s brow lifted. “Have we?”
- Writer
