Whiskey and Regrets
The bar door swung open, and the doorman stepped out with a friendly grin on his face.
I stepped inside the bar, its warmth hit me, the music played softly in the background, the far chuckles, the chatter, and the clinking glasses.
“Miss, what do you care for tonight?” the bartender asked
“Something strong please, make it very strong” I replied as I sat down on the barstool in front of the counter.
I remembered I was not in any situation to spend even an extra cent.
But I'd trade anything to forget the pain I feel for a second.
I glanced around, the bar was filled with farrago of people; couples arguing, friends laughing loudly and a desperate guy trying to impress a girl with his terrible karaoke. I shook my head, chuckling to myself, what a real talent show going on in here.
People entering and going out, the scent of cheap perfume and the desperation on their faces, the dim lights flickering above like they couldn’t decide where to go, perfect, just like my day.
“Here you go miss”
The glass hit the counter in front of me and the bartender poured the drink into the glass
I took a long sip of the whiskey, the burn swept down my throat like liquid fire.
“Not his responsibility anymore?, something must've gone wrong with Father”
I muttered as I continued to sip from the glass. My father's cold words replayed in my head like a bad song on repeat. I felt a sting of tears but I swallowed them down with a gulp of whiskey.
The trust fund he’s talking about has already been used, doesn't he get it? How can a person be so strong-hearted, especially to someone you once loved?
I’m even in huge debt as I've taken out loans just to take care of the series of medical checkups and treatments, I'm on the edge of giving up. Even the caregiving department is refusing to give me extra advance payments.
I was deep in thought when I suddenly realized I'd finished another glass.
“Another one” I pushed the glass to the bartender’s side, and he poured another drink pushing it to my side.
I continued sipping from the glass, someone slid onto the seat next to me, I didn't need to look because I knew someone was next to me, I could feel the weight of his gaze, it was almost suffocating me.
But I didn’t care as I was not here to exchange pleasantries or talk to anyone, I didn’t bother looking at him, but from the scent of his perfume, I knew he wasn’t an average man.
“Rough day?” a low smooth voice drawled, at the same time dripping with arrogance.
At this point, the least I need right now is to hold a conversation with someone, which I ignored as I signaled for another glass.
“You don't have to be rude,” he commented after giving him a silent reply.
“I’m not interested” I didn’t bother to look at him
“You’re not interested in what?” he asked with that cocky grin you could practically hear.
“Not interested in me or the conversation?”
I inclined my head catching the smug smile of a man who looked like he just got out of a magazine. His dark shiny hair styled into perfection, his sharp jawline and his piercing blue eyes that could convince anyone of anything. But not me, not tonight.
“Both” I said flatly and turned back to my drink, which was already feeling like a dangerous friend.
“feisty, I like it” he laughed hard, then leaning forward to me
“But i disagree, you look like you actually need a company”
“I’m okay…i said I'm fine” i gave a hard fake smile as I continued
“You know why I love alcohol?....it makes you forget your worries…well, until you wake up the next day”
“But at the end of the day, your worries will be there waiting for you” he lectured
“I’m fantastic” I proclaimed, though the words came out like a drunken croak “you can go now, go on, leave me”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Because it looks like the alcohol is winning,” he smirked, resting one of his arms on the counter, smiling and laughing at me like I'm his personal entertainment.
“No no no, not another one” he held my glass as I was about taking another sip
“I don’t think you can stand on your feet with the state you’re in now” he remarked
“What could make a pretty girl like you be out here, alone, drinking”
As I raised my head to reply to him, I realized how drunk I was. I could barely see clearly, the bar was spinning and tilting to one side, My vision was fading.
It was time to go I thought, I blindly found my bag and stood to my feet holding the wall of the counter. I was determined to walk away like a dignified princess until my legs betrayed me, before I could know it, I felt myself falling.
“Whoa whoa” his arms wrapped around just in time, pulling me close.
“Let me go!”
“Dang, I should’ve let you fall,” he said. I quickly slid myself off his arms, trying to find my balance.
All I needed was to find where I could rest my head, I wouldn’t mind falling on the floor and sleeping there, I just needed to lie down somewhere.
Everywhere around me was spinning, the floor was tilting from one side and to another side,
“I’m fine, I’m fine” I muttered, assuring myself, blinking hard to see clearly and keep the world from spinning.
But my body had other plans, I took a step forward, my legs buckled beneath me. Strong arms caught me just before I hit the floor.
I looked up into those blue eyes now filled with concern.
He muttered something, but his voice was softer now, it was too late to hear anything as everything faded into black.
****
I woke up to the luxurious smell of riches. The softness beneath me, this wasn’t the hard bed I’m used to.
I quickly opened my eyes to the sunlight that streamed in through the massive windows casting an expensive glow on me.
Where am I?
I sat up too fast, the silk sheets sliding off me, I glanced around in panic, my world spinned for a second. A ridiculously huge luxurious bedroom, and a view that belonged to a penthouse and not a hotel.
Oh no no no
I threw off the blanket, heaved a heavy sigh as I saw I was dressed in a different clothing from the one I wore yesterday. I tried to get off from the bed when I heard a voice laughing,
“You wish” he smirked
