ENTRAPPED

“I'M A BARTENDER.”

It was around 10 pm that night when all my creditors came after me one by one. I was drowned in frustration and just hanging on a thread.

I tossed from side to side on my bed longing for sleep but it was far away from me. And just trying to hang on, I picked up my nude kimono jacket and car key and left the house as Natalie wasn't coming home that night.

I drove around the streets hoping that somehow I was going to find a place to cool off but then it wasn't the case. After thirty minutes of driving around, I cited a club and decided to stop by and cool off at the bar while looking around.

I struggled to get past the crowd as I searched for the bar, and made my way to the bar, looking so distorted.

I placed an order for a glass of martini garnished with olives as I looked around, trying to take my mind off my frustration. I mean hopefully, I could come across a friend somewhere around.

After a few minutes of not seeing anyone, I decided to just focus on myself as I waited for my glass.

“Here,” the bartender said as he dropped my glass gently, what seemed skilful as his hand movement and placement of the glass was so intriguing to watch, putting a smile on my face.

“Thank you,” I said as I picked up my glass.

“You're so good with glasses” I said as I looked at him with a smile on my face hoping I didn't sound sarcastic.

“Of course, that's my signature you know” he replied as he smiled broadly from ear to ear. I could tell my words got to him, in a good way though.

“So, you good?” He asked as I was taking a sip of my cocktail which made me choke on my drink.

“Yes, I…am”, I stuttered as I tried to figure out what would make him ask me such a question. Anyway, I don't like being curious, or should I say, I don't like staying curious especially when I can just ask questions to ease it off.

“Why did you ask?” I proceeded to ask him, as I tilted my head a little to the right, blinking my eyes multiple times in a second while looking at him intently, dying to get an answer.

His chuckle made me lean backwards as I didn't understand why he reacted that way.

“What's funny? I just asked a question” I said as I shrugged my shoulders, and folded my arms, waiting for his response.

“Okay, first I think you should relax, it's not that serious queen” he replied as he smiled or I could say laughed while watching me who seemed even more lost with his reactions.

“Okay, so why are you laughing now, and why did you ask?” I asked him as I drank my cocktail to sort of ease up the tension that was building up in my stomach.

“I saw you walk in and you seemed exhausted, like with a lot on your mind and even when you got close, common anyone would have noticed” he calmly said as he leaned forward towards me.

“Uhmm…oh, yeah, I guess you're right. I'm just dealing with a lot right now and it's stressing me out” I said as I looked at him.

“Well, thank you for noticing and even going on to ask, I appreciate it,” I said as I picked up my olive from my glass and put it in my mouth.

“It's fine, queen. You're strong. I'm sure you'll get over it.” he replied as he looked at me with so much confidence like he was so sure of what he said.

My heart melted as tears swelled up in my eyes. Like how could a stranger sound so convincing that I wanted to badly believe in his words? I didn't even pay attention to the environment anymore, I mean not like I did before but somehow I was gone.

I only saw him and heard him repeating those same words to me and I didn't even notice when I had started crying.

“Hey, hey, hey, what's going on? You're crying” his calm but deep voice brought me back to consciousness.

“Oh my God, I'm fine. I'm…good, I think something got into my eyes” I said as I quickly wiped my tears and gave him a fake smile to prove I was okay as I claimed.

“I know we just met and I'm a bartender but I can be a good friend. You look bothered and I just wanna help but it's fine if you don't wanna talk” he replied as he held my hand and gently caressed it as he tried comforting me.

The truth is I felt comforted. I felt comforted by his words all along. I don't know why, I mean it's unlike me but I never wanted him to stop talking.

I smiled as I looked at him and let out a little laugh I looked at him, hoping to see through him.

“Thank you…oh yeah, I don't know your name,” I said as we both let out a little laugh.

“Donald,” he replied with a smile.

“How about you? I don't know your name either queen” he asked as he gave a sweet smile and stared at me intently.

“Sophie” I replied with a smile as I took the last bit of my cocktail.

“Nice to meet you, Sophie,” he said as he stretched out his hand for a handshake.

“Same here, Donald” I responded while exchanging a handshake with him.

“Welcome Sir” he immediately said as I turned to see who he greeted so firmly.

He was a fine young man. He was tall, dark and a damn handsome man. Anyone could tell that a man with such a build was a playboy.

“What are you doing here, Donald?” the young man replied as he took a seat beside me.

“Covering up for a friend, he'll be here shortly though” he replied. “Oh, he's here now” he added as he took off the apron and made his way out.

So, he wasn't a bartender but was covering up for a friend, I thought as I watched him come out. He also greeted the young man beside me as “Sir”. Was he his boss?

“Welcome Sir” another guy greeted, the supposed friend of the man I thought was a bartender.

“Sir, the VVIP lounge is ready” he added as he stood straight expecting a response from the young man.

“Hey, I'm sorry about this, can we meet and I'll explain everything later over a glass of martini” Donald said to me as he held my hand and gave me a gloomy face.

Damn! He was cute. I couldn't resist.

“Yes, we can” I responded with a smile as I watched him exclaim “Yes!” like he won a lottery.

“So, can I get your number, my queen?” he asked as he brought out his phone.

I gave him my number and we both hugged and I didn't want it to end. I was so glad I stepped out that night.

“Hey bro, put her will on my tab” he said to his friend and gave me the sign not to resist so I didn't even bother to.

I watched him and his “Sir” take the stairs to where I believed was the VVIP lounge as they followed the original bartender.

Just as I was about to make my way back to my seat, I saw a wallet on the floor which I believed had to be for either one of them.

I picked it up and decided to go give the bartender up there to give to the original owner. Little did I know that I was about to ruin my entire night or should I say life.