THE SEASON I NEVER LOVED

Familiar stranger

“Please, do you have a spot where I can charge my phone?” I asked the bartender of the small pub called ‘Vince,’ as I pulled my luggage to a stop beside one of the stools at the bar and sat down.

Why did I end up at a pub, you might ask? Well, of all the cars that drove by, only a delivery truck driver who knew Lucas was kind enough to agree to give me a free ride into town, but he was only kind enough to drive me to the outskirts of town, where the pub, his delivery was for, would be.

Of course, Lucas agreed on my behalf, as I didn’t even know how far this outskirt of town was from the actual town, and if I could charge my phone there.

Anyways, before I knew it, I was crammed up in the tight front seat of the large truck with my luggage, headed for the town, having nothing to do but swear under my breath at how unbearably unlucky my day was going.

An hour later, here I was, getting off at an unknown bar in a stranger town, Racheal’s hometown, I presumed, because I didn’t even know the way there as my phone was dead and I could only work with what the driver told me.

I was just glad that the driver, who had a scary scar across his face, didn’t have any scary thoughts towards me. In fact, he was a gentle truck driver who happened to be delivering expensive liquor to this popular pub on the outskirts of the town. He assured me that, going in, I could have my phone charged, and here I was.

“Sure, would you like anything to drink while you’re at it?” The old bartender asked with a polite smile as he collected my phone and the charger I handed to him.

“Maybe a cocktail? If there is one,” I replied, wondering if it was too strong a drink to take this early.

I'm not actually a drinker, nor am I one who goes to places like pubs or clubs. Actually, this is my second time in a place like this. The first time I went to a club filled with the strong smell of alcohol and cigarettes, Racheal had dragged me over, and I had been offered a cocktail then. And now, the second time. I am also here because of Racheal.

If I had parents, religious ones, I’m sure they would tell me Racheal was a bad influence on me.

The bartender smiled in response, which I assume means. The drink was available and wasn’t too strong to be drunk in the afternoon.

“Give me a few minutes.” He told me as he waved my charger at me.

Making it obvious he was going to charge my phone first before coming back to serve the cocktail.

“Oh, you can give me the cocktail first, then go charge the phone,” I told him politely, which surprised him, but there was no way I was making it obvious that the only reason I was here was to charge my phone. That would be rude, especially since this was a business center, right?

“Okay, ma’am.” He answered politely and served me the cocktail, which I immediately took a sip of. Again, I wasn’t so thirsty, just wanted to show that I was here for the drink.

That was how I ended up drinking half the glass.

He glanced at the cocktail glass in surprise, then at me, who already had a flushed cheek, and sighed. “I’d go plug in your phone now.” It was obvious he had seen a lot of senseless drunks like me before.

“Okay, thanks.” I nodded in response but also took the opportunity to observe my surroundings.

The pub had a typical club setting; it was small but looked luxurious for one located on the outskirts of town. There were very few guests at the pub, which was acceptable, especially since this was the festive season. It was one season where people drank less at pubs and spent more time with family. Even if there were people who were so addicted or didn’t care for the festivity like me, they wouldn’t be here this afternoon.

So there were a few customers scattered at different tables with bar staff attending to them. At the far end of the pub, there was a door which seemed to lead to the bathroom, and in the middle of the pub was an empty space most likely for dancing, as a raised stage was just beside it. This alone told me just how lively this bar could get at night.

“If only there were a motel around here, I would have hung around till later tonight to check out the nightlife here,” I murmured, feeling a little dizzy.

“Right? I also thought it was a shame that the owner of this pub never thought of building a motel beside it.” A man’s husky voice responded beside me, jolting me out of my thought.

I looked to my right almost immediately to meet dark grey eyes, staring back into mine.

‘When did he get here?’ I wondered.

'At least the moment I sat down, I never saw anyone at the bar who looked this handsome.' I thought, my eyes widening as I sized him up.

He has perfectly permed hair, a well-sculptured face, and his eyes.... those dreamy eyes. I almost found myself lost in them, or was it the way he looked at me?

“Is it your first time around here?” He asked with a smile, “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”

I snapped out of my thoughts, but I still gawked at his deep voice and the smell of male hormones that filled the entire atmosphere, or was it me that was intoxicated because I felt drunk at this moment?

It’s either I was losing my mind, or I was already into this guy, because the first thing that came out of my mouth was, “So you come here often? Didn’t take you for an alcoholic.”

He laughed in response, and a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I loved the way he laughed.

“I’m a local. I meant seeing you in town generally.”

“So you know everyone in town?” I asked again, as I found myself resting my chin on my palm, leaning a little close to him. Now giving him my undivided attention.

“Well, at least the few who look like this.” His eyes hungrily ran across my body, and I felt excited, strangely excited. I wanted to know more.

“Looks like what?” I asked.

“Like you.” He said, this time his eyes roaming my face as I raised a brow.

“What do I look like?” I asked, and he leaned close to my ear, his lips brushing across my earlobes, making me shiver.

“Very pretty.” He whispered, and I burst into laughter at that, feeling extremely happy, or was it giddy?

“You’re such a flirt,” I said as I rested back in my seat, only to notice that the bartender was back. I shook my empty glass at him, as I had now downed the last bit of alcohol in the glass. He wasted no time in serving me another glass.

“Funny, no one has ever said that to me.” The new guy told me, eyes still focused on mine, and the way this man looked at me…, like all that mattered at this moment was me..., like all there was to see in the world was me..., like every other thing was a waste of time...., his gaze was messing with my head.

I have never been one to be involved in a romantic entanglement. In fact, to be precise, I have never dated anyone, and the only romantic entanglement I have ever had was that crazy night one year ago with a stranger. One I could never forget, and the stranger, I couldn't even remember if I came across.

I was not one of those who dreamt of falling in love and getting married and having a warm family. Not when I had watched firsthand how much those fantasies could become the biggest joke in one’s life. I have never been one to be interested in a few flirts with men, never even met a guy I liked, other than that one night a year ago, when I ended up giving my body and virginity to a stranger.

This was the second time I met someone who interests me.

‘I wasn’t going to fall in love, but a little fling here and there wouldn’t hurt, right?’ I thought as I took a sip of my now refilled cocktail.

At this time, the bartender returned with a bottle of scotch and began to serve this guy, who hadn’t even placed an order, after nodding a greeting to him. I dropped my glass and looked at him with curiosity. “I did say you were a regular here, even the bartender knows your taste.”

“I come here once in a while to clear my head.” He replied as he took a sip of the strong drink.

“Oh, see. So you love to clear your head often, then?” I asked, obviously still flirting.

“Yeah,” His soulful eyes staring deep into mine as he took another sip of his drink. “I do.”

I also swallowed and forced myself to take my eyes off his Adam's apple, which bobbed as he swallowed. ‘Why didn’t I know men had fatal temptation?’ I wondered as I began to down the second glass of my alcohol.

“So who are you?” I finally asked.

“I thought you wouldn’t ask?” He smiled as he stretched his hand to me for a handshake, “I’m Isaac. A local.”

But damn, my eyes followed his rippling muscles underneath that white shirt, and I swallowed, feeling thirsty despite having just drunk alcohol, “I’m Carla.” I introduced, placing my hand on his strong and firm one.

“Nice to meet you, Carla. “ He responded softly, then bowed his head and pressed a kiss on the back of my hands.

A jolt of electricity rushed through my skin from the point where his lips pressed on my skin, and I gasped in surprise, immediately snatching my hands from his. All he did was smile in response, saying nothing to my reaction, and I swallowed.

‘I must be crazy, I must be going really crazy.’ I sang in my head to myself.

“So, are you new in town?” He asked as he swirled the scotch in the glass, his captivating eyes never leaving mine.

‘I must be crazy, otherwise, why did this man feel like a wolf who wanted to eat me up, and worse still, I liked it. Every part of me seems to be anticipating it.

“Yeah, came to spend the holiday with a friend,” I whispered.

“Oh, really. Looks like I’m lucky.” He murmured, but I caught it.

“Lucky how?” I smiled.

“I wouldn’t have met you otherwise.”

“You wouldn’t grow two heads if you don’t flirt. You know.” I rolled my eyes at him.

Obviously a little drunk because tell me why I’m playing along with a flirting stranger in the middle of nowhere? Not scared of getting kidnapped? Even wanting him to take whatever this is to another level. I felt impatient that he was busy talking when we could be doing other things.