A Billion Dollar Kiss

The night at the Sunshine Bar was one of those rare evenings when everything felt alive. Soft music drifted through the air while the faint glow of warm lights reflected off bottles lined neatly behind the counter. The atmosphere buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and overlapping conversations. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Some people sat near the television, loudly arguing over a football match playing on the screen. Others gathered around small tables, playing games and teasing each other over drinks. A few couples occupied the darker corners of the bar, lost in their own worlds, whispering and occasionally stealing kisses. Meanwhile, a handful of quiet guests simply sat alone, enjoying their drinks and the calm of the night. Behind the counter, Luca moved with quiet efficiency, cleaning glasses and attending to customers. It was just another night of work for him. Then the door of the Sunshine Bar opened. Four people walked in with loud laughter and confident energy that instantly drew attention. They were Luca’s old college mates. Three guys—Ethan, Marcus, and Adrian—and a lady named Katy. All of them wore wild smiles on their faces as they strolled toward the counter like they owned the place. Adrian slammed his hand lightly on the counter and shouted, “Let’s get drunk! All the drinks on me!” His friends immediately erupted in cheers. Adrian began passing shots around to them while Luca silently prepared the drinks. As Luca glanced at their faces, recognition slowly settled in. He remembered them clearly from college. But he didn’t say anything. Back then, they were known as the rich kids—the high-class group everyone stayed clear of. The kind of people whose lives seemed to run on money, influence, and arrogance. They hadn’t recognized him. And Luca preferred it that way. Moments later, Katy suddenly stopped laughing. Her eyes settled on Luca as he placed a drink in front of her. She stared at him for a moment, studying his face carefully. “You have a very familiar face,” she said slowly. “Do you know me, or do we know each other from somewhere?” Before Luca could respond, Marcus interrupted with a smirk. “He has one of those familiar faces.” Ethan leaned back in his chair and laughed. “Or he’s one of the guys you’ve slept with,” he joked. The table burst into laughter. Adrian raised his empty glass and shouted toward Luca again. “Keep them coming!” Luca nodded quietly and continued serving them. They ordered noodles and kept drinking. One hour passed. Then two. By that time, their table had turned into a battlefield of empty bottles and half-finished glasses scattered everywhere. Their voices had grown louder, their laughter wilder. They were completely drunk. Luca glanced at the wall clock. It was almost closing time. Quietly, he began clearing their table, picking up empty bottles and wiping the sticky surface. Once he finished cleaning, he gently tapped Adrian on the shoulder. “Sir, it’s time to settle up,” Luca said calmly. “We’re about to close.” Adrian barely looked up, clearly drunk. At that moment, Katy lifted her head and stared at Luca again. Her eyes narrowed as if her memory was finally catching up with her drunken mind. Then suddenly it hit her. She pointed at him. “I now recognize you!” Marcus blinked at her. “What do you mean you recognize him?” Katy laughed loudly. “That’s the poor artist… the jack-of-all-trades guy!” “Ohhh!” Ethan shouted. “The guy that did assignments for money!” Marcus leaned forward in shock. “No way… this is him? Oh my God!” Adrian squinted at Luca before bursting into mocking laughter. “Damn, bro. So after making all those art pieces, studying so hard, and being the best in business school… you’re still poor?” He shook his head dramatically. “You must be cursed.” Luca stood there silently as their laughter filled the bar. He didn’t react. Didn’t argue. Didn’t defend himself. Just stood there. The manager of the bar, who had been listening from a distance, finally stepped forward. He had heard enough. “Hey,” the manager said firmly. “I need you all to just pay and leave now. We’re about to close.” Then he turned toward Luca. “Luca, go back to the bar and wait there. I’ll handle this.” Luca nodded quietly and walked back behind the counter. Adrian eventually pulled out his card and made the payment. The group struggled to stand, holding onto each other to keep from falling over as they staggered toward the door. As they passed the bar counter, Katy turned toward Luca one last time. Her drunken eyes glimmered with cruel amusement. “I sure wouldn’t want to be you in the next life,” she said. Then she laughed and nudged Adrian. “You’re so lucky, Adrian. He just closed a deal and has a promotion in line.” The group laughed loudly as they stumbled out of the Sunshine Bar and disappeared into the night. Silence slowly returned to the bar. But the laughter they left behind did not. Luca stood still behind the counter, his hands resting on the polished wood, while something heavy and familiar settled quietly inside his chest. And for the first time that night, the surrounding noise no longer felt alive. It felt lonely.