34 Poison Beauty!

In the current year 20XX, the old Charleston Bay pier and the district surrounding it that had once been the South Market district wasn't exactly a place that would stir much conversation and was in fact on the decline; so much so that when Isabel drove Davina's black Audi through the streets at barely six o'clock on a Saturday evening, the whole place was like a ghost town with the countless buildings all having their doors closed, rolling metal doors pulled down and others even covered in newspaper from the inside, deserted. The entire place was out of operation.

At present, the few businesses still operating in the south market only ran during morning hours and they usually only had specific regular customers due to building a reputation over the years, but by the evening they would close up and the owners would head home.

However, coming from the future, Isabel knew that this once dead South Market would become the bright and booming 'South Pier' in a few years, coming back to life as the entertainment paradise of Metropolis with countless clubs, bars, casinos and party boats docked at the wharf, sailing every night until sunrise. No one would be able to resist the allure of those flashing neon lights and Isabel was no exception.

A few years from now she would come across a quaint little place that although, was nestled at the very center of that bustling city of lights, was relatively unknown to the public and hardly had any costumers, however, that didn't mean that it wasn't popular.

By then, Kiss of Death was a place that served members only, and not a single one of them wasn't a giant figure in Metropolis or even A Country as a whole.

So, you ask, how did Isabel manage to integrate herself in a place such as that? It was because the place was owned by that bastard 'Tom' and after having her as a customer for a long time and supplying her with information, he coughed up a low rank, silver membership card for her, calling her a 'stressed old lady who needed to let off some steam'. Isabel's teeth still itched whenever she thought back to his flat, monotonous voice calling her like that, but at the same time, she was grateful because that place became her asylum with everything that was going on in her life at that time.

From listening in on the conversations of the other costumers, Isabel came to know that Kiss of Death had been open even when 'South Pier' was still the old 'South Market'. She came here today hoping that she hadn't slipped too far into the past to be able to enjoy her favorite drink.

Parking at a rather obscure street corner, Isabel left the car and walked towards a narrow, out of the way alley and without hesitation, she walked down the path that was slightly dark with only the glow of sunset spilling over her shoulders to light the way.

The alley was only about three meters wide and after the first meter of asphalt, the rest of the path was paved wall to wall with cobblestone. As she walked, the crisp sound of her heels echoing off the walls, Isabel could see that the ground was free of garbage and clean just like she remembered it; she was relieved, this meant that the clean freak, 'Tom', had already started operating his business here.

Five meters into the alley, there was door on the right hand side that if no one was aware or knew what they were looking for, they would walk right past it. The alley walls were made of black brick and the door was of the same black color and in the dark alley, it was a negligible existence and easy to miss.

Coming to a stop before the door, Isabel looked at the metal letters that looked old and rusty, as though they had weathered a long time, but she knew it was just the style of design: Kiss of Death is what it read.

Placing her hand on the door, Isabel pushed it open before slipping in silently. Standing in the doorway, she looked around, surprised that it was just as she recalled it ten years to come.

For a bar, the size of the Kiss of Death was relatively big, around fifty square meters with a second floor balcony hanging over the room. The ground was raised at three levels; upon entering, the first level measured about ten meters into the room then the second level took up another ten and the last level which also held the bar at the back of the room took up the last thirty meters.

The first level was where Isabel usually sat to have her drinks since her silver membership card only allowed for that much. The second level was for gold card members while the third level was for platinum card members, as for the stools around the counter, only the black card members could sit there and the tables on the second floor, as Isabel remembered, were for rent. Yes, rent.

The Kiss of Death was a bar, a place where people congregated, however, due to the identities of the members there would inevitably be times when privacy was needed so the tables on the second floor were rented out for such times at highly ridiculous prices like a thousand dollars per half an hour.

It was surprising for Isabel that even long before the bar's membership system was implemented it had this same layout design and setup and she couldn't help but wonder if 'Tom' had always held the long term vision of handing out memberships. It was really something to ponder about, because of the answer was 'yes' then the level of business vision that he had would really be nothing to scoff at.

There wasn't anything like a bell on the front door, so Isabel's entry went completely unnoticed, not that there was anyone there to notice anyway; besides the bartender cleaning glasses behind the counter at the back of the room, the place was completely empty, something Isabel wasn't used to.

Usually, whenever she came to the Kiss of Death, even if the place wasn't full there would still be people sitting at the tables around the room, drinking while listening to the mellow music in the background. It was Saturday today, so a classical piece filled the atmosphere and although she was a tad bit of a classical fan and even enjoyed playing the piano herself, Isabel couldn't tell whose performance it was, but it certainly was soothing.

Granted that it was ten years in the past and the membership system had yet to be implemented... Isabel's sight zeroed in on the bar stools around the counter and her eyes sparkled like looking at something delicious and even her mouth watered. She swallowed; it should be fine for her to go sit there, right?

Fidgeting in place for a short while, Isabel then took even steps that were neither too quick nor too slow up to the second level, then the third and approached one of the sleek, black leather stools.

Cool and calm and even with a touch of graceful elegance, she slid onto the stool and placed her elbow on the counter, propping her cheek in her palm, looking completely nonchalant but in her heart Isabel was bursting fireworks.

"Wahahahah! I'm sitting in the black seat! Hohoho!"

Contrary to her inner state, Isabel's features were the picture of calm and the bartender behind the counter couldn't help being stunned when he finally took notice of her; this was truly a beauty ah.

He had never felt so grateful for working in this dead, empty place before like he did right now. He originally became a bartender to meet beautiful women, yet even after working here for several months, not a single woman had come through those doors, just a bunch of eccentric old farts.

His friends had told him before that it was bound to be a bust since the place was located at the old South Market, who didn't know that place was deserted, but the pay was too tempting; who could pass up earning a thousand bucks a week? However, even though his pockets were full, his eyes were empty, but this beauty here was certainly an eyeful ah!

Ambition and scenes of a beautiful spring blossomed in his mind as he moved forward to take her order.

"Good evening, what can I get you?"

Looking up at the bartender with a service smile plastered on his face who was dressed in standard black and white uniform, Isabel couldn't help but arch her brow. Who was this pervert? Were was 'Tom'? Usually that guy manned the counter himself, was he not here today or was him tending the bar only an arrangement for the future?

Well, regardless, it didn't really matter, for now she just wanted a drink. But, just as she was about to say the name of the drink she wanted, Isabel paused.

This was ten years in the past, who knew if the drink she wanted or even half of the bar's special blends that she knew of even existed yet. She suddenly felt a headache.

Argh! The only reason she even came all the way here instead of returning home to be with her babies was because she felt that she desperately needed a kiss; not an actual kiss, but a 'Poison Kiss', it was the name of the bar's signature drink and the love of Isabel's beer belly. Ah, she really hoped that her poison beauty was already born in this year.

Taking a minute to think of how to reply, Isabel then sighed and said, "I'll take your signature."

Even if what came out wasn't her poison beauty, it should at least be its predecessor and shouldn't be too far behind in taste and class, at least she hoped. Suddenly Isabel felt heavily fatigued and she inwardly prayed to the god of wine that she got a satisfactory drink because she would certainly cry.

Hearing the beauty's words the bartender's heart leaped in his chest and even though he only nodded his head and smiled, in his mind he had already stripped his shirt and was waving it above his head in celebration.

It was a good thing that the boss was a demon trainer and taught him how to make all of the bar's specialties properly, now he could show off and gain some points in this beauty's heart.

Unknown to this poor single dog, the beauty he was set on impressing already thought of him as a pervert and was just hoping he didn't make a crappy drink to bring down her already bad mood or else she would certainly curse him and his eighteen generations.

Going towards the liquor case the bartender grabbed everything he would need to make the shop's signature drink and brought them back to the counter. It was Isabel's first time sitting at the counter in Kiss of Death, so she sat up and payed special attention to what it was the bartender was doing, making the man's heart bloom in happiness from how fixated she was looking at him, little did he know, she was only looking at the bottles in his hands.

Looking at the bottles of red and clear liquor in the bartender's hands, Isabel felt her heart beat with expectancy as she could almost see her most beloved poison beauty take form and sure enough, a minute later, a glass carrying a two color drink was set in front of her. Isabel almost cried tears of joy.

This was the 'Poison Kiss', the signature drink and most popular beverage at Kiss of Death. The top of the glass was filled with a clear liquor and it gradually bled into a bloody red that congealed thickly at the bottom. The clear liquor on top had slightly tangy, bitter flavor and the red at the bottom was very, very sweet; like the venomous kiss of your favorite person, difficult to bear but yet, still so sweets you can't help wanting more.

"Beauty~, I've missed you!"

Calling out in her heart, Isabel picked up the glass of pure addiction and brought it to her lips, the bitter taste spreading on her tongue.

For anyone who wasn't used to it, that sharp, bitter taste would be a turn off, but Isabel knew that the bitterness of the clear liquor was to prepare for the sweetness of the red one yet to come. Once the taste of the liquors mixed on her tongue, she was certain she would be sent to heaven.

The bartender was standing by on the side expectantly, waiting to see the beauty scrunch her cute nose in distaste then complain about the drink, then he could display his understanding, charisma and charm by explaining the complexity of the drink to her, gaining her favor, but who knew that even from the first taste the beauty looked as though she had taken a sip of hot cocoa on a cold winter day and was enjoying it very much. He couldn't understand ah.

Squinting her eyes in a smile, Isabel held up the colorful glass to the light, watching as it shone through the bloody red and she was just about to bring it to her lips for another sip when a door off to the side of the room which led to the toilet was slammed open and a man wearing a highly ruffled suit with hair in complete disarray came storming out, a dark aura that would terrify any normal person swirling around him turbulently.

He marched over and came to sit on the stool directly next to Isabel, both his elbows propped on the counter as he raked his dark hair violently, frustration evident on his handsome features and his brows drew together tightly.

"Scotch on the rocks, and make it a double."

Archer didn't know what it was about today that just seemed to want to rend his flesh and break his bones, everyone and everything just seemed to be out to get him. From the scare at the hospital to the sudden unplanned board meeting at the company and the huge deficit in their recent project.

After eating shit all day, he came to his cousin's bar in the hope of unwinding before going home to face his nephew, but he instead got a call from Uncle Sam telling him that the old bag from the Vince family had come to take Zac, actually wanting to pressure him into marrying or giving up legal custody of his brother's child.

Archer's eyes turned red as he recalled the words Uncle Sam had just said to him over the phone and he clutched his hair even tighter.

No. No one was taking Zac from him. His brother was in the hospital, whether he would continue to live or die at any moment was obscure and the only precious thing he still had in his life to keep him sane was his nephew. Trooper had given him full guardianship over Zac in the case that anything would happen to him or Sarah and he had promised his brother that he would take care of his son, so he was keeping him.

"Rough day?"

Suddenly, a calm and mellow voice broke through his chaotic thoughts and when he turned towards the source, Archer felt as though he had seen an angel. There were women this beautiful in the world?

Although he had seen may beautiful women in his life, Archer felt that before the woman next to him, they would all pale in comparison, especially that pair of golden eyes that were like the sun, warm, calming and full of energy.

"Want to talk about it?"

On any other day, Archer would definitely not just casually accept an invitation to drink with a woman, especially with so many people trying to stuff their daughters, nieces and young female cousins into his bed since he took over Reign, but right now he was tired beyond hope and he felt that he could really just talk to someone.

Seeing the man stare at her so fixedly with his smoldering grey eyes, Isabel unexpectedly felt herself blush; this guy was really handsome, his goods were better than Brycen's by far and he was taller too, plus that melancholy look in his eyes made his large frame unexpectedly seem like a lost child, her motherly instincts were stirred.

"I'm Ruby."

Although she felt pity for this man, Isabel didn't know who he was, so she didn't give her name directly, but instead introduced herself with her middle name while lifting her glass in a gesture of goodwill and as the bartender delivered his own drink, Archer took the cup and brought it up to touch hers, their fingers slightly brushing against each other in the contact, causing him to shudder for no real reason at all.

Sizing up the woman across from him who was wearing a pair of skinny jeans, and an off the shoulder black top with long sleeves and high heels, her golden eyes clear of any hidden intentions, he somehow couldn't bring himself to put up a guard against her, her aura was so clean and innocent, yet he still couldn't trust her fully.

"I'm Sage."