Seventeen
752 Words
FLAVIAN
I arrived at the bar later than planned, the last call of the day still echoing in my head. My assistant had insisted I show my face—good optics, she said.
But business had nothing to do with why I was here.
I stepped inside, noise and laughter crashing over me, but my focus narrowed instantly.
Her.
Fiona stood near the edge of the room, microphone in hand, laughing as she tried to keep up with the karaoke lyrics. She wasn’t polished or trying to impress anyone and somehow, that made her impossible to look away from.
The outfit she wore hugged her frame just enough to be distracting without trying to be. She moved easily, confidently, like she belonged anywhere she stood. When she laughed at something someone said, the sound cut through the music and chatter and landed straight in my chest.
I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed seeing her smile.
I stayed back, drink in hand, watching until she finished. She stepped down, cheeks flushed, heading toward the bar.
That was as much distance as I could manage.
“Didn’t peg you for a singer,” I said.
She jumped slightly before turning. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”
“I was held back,” I replied. “But I wouldn’t miss it.”
Her gaze lingered a second too long. There was something guarded there. Something unsettled.
“I hope you like it,” she said. “I planned everything.”
“A party planner and a singer,” I said, smirking. “Impressive.”
She laughed, genuinely as we locked gazes again, there was a look in her eyes i couldnt decipher.
“I need some air. Just a minute.”
She slipped through the crowd toward the exit.
i waited just a little while but Something in her tone made me follow shortly after.
The night air outside was cooler, quieter. I stepped around the corner—
and froze.
Fiona stood a few feet away with a man. Her body language was wrong. Shoulders tight. Arms close, Not relaxed.
Cornered.
My jaw locked.
“Is he bothering you?” I asked, stepping between them.
She didn’t answer immediately, and that told me everything.
The man gave me a slow once-over. “Mind your business. We’re talking.”
“She doesn’t look like she wants to,” I said evenly. “Walk away.”
He smirked. “Don’t tell me you never mentioned me, Fiona.”
He took a step toward her.
I blocked him. “Try that again and you’ll regret it.”
“Call off your guard dog, Fi” he said with a low laugh, eyes still on me. “I’ll be seeing you around.”
He backed away, then turned and disappeared down the street.
I didn’t move until he was gone.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She nodded, but her face had gone pale.
“Who was that?”
She hesitated.
“my child's father”
The words hit harder than I expected.
“I thought he wasn’t in the picture.”
“He isn’t,” she said quickly. “I haven’t seen him since before my son was born. He just—showed up.”
Then her expression changed.
“What?”
“Last week… I got a text. A picture of my son at school. It said He’s grown. I thought it was a prank.”
It wasn’t.
“What does he want?” I asked.
She rubbed her temples. “I don’t know.”
She swayed slightly.
Right. She’d been drinking.
“We’re leaving, i'm taking you home” I said.
I helped her to the car. She didn’t argue. i'll have your car back at your house by morning.
She gave the driver her address, then went quiet, eyes drifting shut during the ride.
When we arrived, I gently shook her awake.
“We’re here.”
She blinked up at me, soft, vulnerable. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Can I call you later?” I asked before I could stop myself. “To check on you.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
She walked inside, and I didn’t let the car move until her door shut behind her.
Only then did I lean back, jaw tight.
Business problems could be negotiated.
This?
This was different.
Because whoever that man was—
he hadn’t come back for a courtesy visit.
And something told me this was only the beginning.
- Writer
