LUNA APOLLO

The Rooftop Bar

I got my degree in creative writing, but I was jobless for 6 months. Thank god, my housemate Kerry was such a sweet and kind hearted person. She did not mind me living with her until I get a proper job.

So, that Friday morning I got a phone call from a magazine company called Daily Dose. Sound a bit off for me at first, but who cares about the name if they offered me a job as a part time writer – so I said yes. They interviewed me through the phone and finally they said I can come to work on Monday and I will be under supervision for three months. It was funny for me because I don’t remember applying job from them.

“Kerry, I got a job!”

“Are you serious? Just like that, skipping the interviewing part?”

“They did it through the phone actually, said it was an urgent vacant… guess what, I’ll start right away next Monday.”

“Finally Luna..I’m so happy for you. Let’s celebrate…tonight – at the Rooftop Bar?” Kerry suggested.

“Why not?“I replied with a grin.

We arrived at the Rooftop Bar around 8.00 pm. We had dinner first then we had red wine. After that we ordered long island iced tea. Unfortunately around midnight my head started feeling dizzy, so did Kerry – her head was spinning around.

“Kerry, can you drive like this?”

She just nodded and smiled. So we decided to go home, but the moment I stood up, I feel like I was going to throw up, so I went off to the washroom as fast as I could. As I was rushing, I got myself bumped into a tall dark haired guy and I almost fell on the floor. He quickly held me up and right at that moment I puked up on his shirt. He peered at me.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry..” I said. My voice was trembling.

He hesitated.

“It’s okay don’t worry, not a big deal..” He said.

My left hand covered my mouth, meanwhile the other hand was holding my head. I was struggling to stay sober.

“Are you okay Miss?” He axamined me.

I just nodded and ran to the washroom. I got myself cleaned and I looked at the mirror. Then, I repeatedly sprinkled water on my face. I was about to get freshen up a bit when a ginger haired lady stormed in. I look at my phone, almost 1.00 am. The lady stood beside me and licked her messy red lips. She wiped the remained red spots around her mouth. It was more like a blood-stained.

Suddenly she frowned, and then turned around. She looked at me.

“What are you looking at? Do you have a problem?”

“No..no..” I said, then I quickly walked away.

I was just a few feet away outside the washroom and was about to go to Kerry when the ginger haired lady suddenly blocked my way. She touched my shoulder.

“Do you like to join our party?” She suddenly asked.

“I – can’t. I’m in a hurry, my friend is waiting for me.”

“Oh come on..bring along your friend..I promise you it will be fun, you’ll never forget it for the rest of your life.”

“Sorry I don’t mean to be rude, but – no.”

She pulled my hand.

“Please..let me go.” I begged.

“No.” She said, pulling my hand harder than before.

“Ouch! You’re hurting me!”

She did not listen to me.

“Let her go, Betty..”

We both turned around upon hearing a deep, strong, masculine voice. It came from the tall dark haired guy that I bumped into earlier. So the ginger haired lady’s name is Betty.

“Veader, stay away..this is none of your business...” Betty said.

“She’s with me.” The guy named Veader said.

He pulled me closer to him. I looked at him puzzled, then I looked at his shirt – he already got it changed.

“Let’s go..” He said to me and tagging me along with him.

I led Veader to our table, but Kerry was not there.

“So where’s your friend?” Veader asked.

“She suppose to wait for me here.” I said – worried.

“Why don’t you call her.” He suggested.

I dialed Kerry’s number five times but she did not pick it up.

Suddenly Veader snapped his finger aloud and one of the male bar workers went nearer.

“Yes, Mr. Baylor?”

“Chase, do you know where the girl at this table goes?” Veader asked.

“How does she look like?” He asked.

Veader looked at me.

“Blonde – curly long hair, taller and bigger than me..she’s wearing a blue dress.” I said.

Chase was trying to remember something. Finally he spoke up.

“Well, almost an hour ago, there was a drunken blond haired lady wearing a dark blue dress – she was crying out loud. Gina tried to soothe her but then she passed out. I guess Gina drove her home.”

Then he looked at me.

“If she’s your friend - you should warn her next time not to drink too much alcohol.”

“Thanks Chase.” Veader said.

“Anytime Mr.Baylor.” He said then walked away.

I saw Veader dialed a number.

“Gina..where are you? I heard you helped a passed out lady.”

He listened carefully.

“Do you know what’s her name?”

“Good. Thank you Gina.”

He put down his phone and looked at me.

“Your friend is safe and sound. Gina even make sure she went to bed safely.”

“Don’t worry.” He said.

“But how did she know where we live?” I asked.

“You live together with Kerry?”

Instead of answering me, he questioned me back. I nodded.

“She’s my house mate.”

“I See…well, Gina said your friend tell her where she lives.”

Eventhough I know it was wrong to tell stranger our home address, but at the same time I was relief to know that she's fine.

“How did you two come here anyway?” He asked.

I looked at him – puzzled by his question.

"To celebrate-"

“No, I mean did you come here by taxi or…” He cut my words.

“Kerry’s car.” I said.

There were a moment of silence.

“So now you don't have a transport to go back home.” He said.

"Worry less, I'll get you a taxi." He continued.

While waiting for the taxi to arrive, Veader asked me why the ginger haired lady disturbed me.

“Well, I thought I saw her licking blood stains on her lips – but I know I was imagining it – since I was quite drunk myself. I even threw up on you.” I blushed.

“I don’t really suggest you ladies to stay up late at a place like this, especially Rooftop Bar – it’s quite dangerous here.”

Soon the taxi came.

As soon as I get inside the taxi I heard he muttered something.

“Hope you never come back here again.”