2 Chapter 2

After a bit of contemplation about what to wear, I settled with a comfortable looking long-sleeved white crop top, it looks really decent in the front but the back would be something I would get whacked in the head if my mother sees me in it (being the conservative woman, she is.)

The back of the top is held together by a thin leather string in a crisscross pattern. Paired then with slightly faded denim jeans, skin-tight with little rips on places, an article of clothing that heavily opposes the formal slacks and wide pants I always wear at work. I then put a light make-up, just to look presentable but utterly effortless, a pair of small earrings and I'm ready to go.

Grabbing my dark chocolate-colored coat and high heels, I went outside to find Nieth already opening the door of my apartment to get me (she lives next door, but generally spends her free time curled up on my couch).

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After 10 minutes of the car ride, we arrived at the inconspicuous-looking double doors of Rover.

The Rover is a famous bar that only caters to society's working class, it has an age restriction and can only be accessed if a member consents, meaning this can be accessed through invitation, so we are not worried that our students might see us.

Since this is an unplanned night, we do not have an invitation so I had Nieth called Lisa o fetch us outside, she and the other professors are members of this place and she asked me and Nieth on several occasions to apply for this establishment's membership, but we politely declined with the excuse of not having the time go, until now.

We were waiting for Lisa to go out in Nieth's car, refusing to join the small crowd outside the club's entrance.

I was looking at the place and I can't help but to be awed by the façade of the place, for the untrained eye, Rover would look like an antique shop where musty cabinets of vintage finds would be sitting around unnoticed by the general public (because that's what I first thought when I saw this place for the first time)

Lisa immediately waved at us when she spotted us.

"I'm so glad you guys can make it; I was half expecting that you would turn us down again" she gushed after hugging the hell out of both me and Nieth (she loves hugging everyone, and a crushingly tight hug at that, everyone calls her a hug bear for that).

"Someone's broken-hearted, so here we are" Nieth sheepishly looked at me after saying that which I returned with a glare.

"Oh, really?" Lisa looked curious now while looking at me, an indication that she would hound us for the back story later. "In that case, I'm going to introduce you to someone I know!" she declared.

I groaned inwardly at her proclamation, already imagining her pestering me day by day to go to blind dates, as what I witnessed with our other co-workers (who are also close friends), claiming herself to be the best match-maker in the world.

I gave another scathing glare in Nieth's direction and immediately lured Lisa away from the topic by pointing out that we need to go inside already, or she might plan my whole dating life in that instant. But I know she would get back to that later, knowing how persistent she is.

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When I said 'later' I did not mean 20 minutes after arriving at the bar, but Lisa has a different idea, she went out of her way just to invite the stranger to our table.

She told me that he's one of the owners of this bar. I was surprised. After all, I did not think that the owner would be this young because young people tend to like wild parties and loud ear-shattering music as opposed to the pleasant atmosphere inside the bar even if the music is loud, but yeah, people are full of surprises.

Lisa, the traitor, discreetly left us after a brief introduction of our names to each other, again the traitor. She knows I hate meeting new people lest being alone with one, since most of our co-workers are already everywhere since we were very late to arrive, I haven't even had the chance to greet Lenny because she's nowhere to be found like she just 'disappeared in the wind', Lisa's words, not mine.

Anyway, I learned that the man's name was Jay, and that's it.

"Hi" he first said, voice deep and sexy.

"Uh- hi" I answered back. Feeling awkward with the atmosphere.

"Shall we take a seat?" I added, noticing how weird our positions are while standing.

"On yeah, we should" him with that voice again.

When we were properly seated, and for the first time, I had a full view of his face. He was handsome, I agree, with a sharp jaw, high nose bridge, and piercing grey eyes. He seems like, but I don't think I want to get involved with him romantically.

I made sure to draw the line immediately, for instance, the distance from which we are seated.

But I immediately warmed up to his presence after finding out that he knows my favorite fantasy genre author and claiming that he's the best there is, (I know pathetic but I have a soft spot for his books, as my anchor in the world of literature).

I also found out that he is an artist, which wowed me to no end. You can't blame me for this because I do not have any artist friends and all of my friends cannot even draw a proper stick figure to save their lives. He even promised me that he would show me his paintings sometimes, which I immediately agreed, hence giving him my number, a good strategy for his part in getting my number, by the way.

"We should dance," he told me after some time.

I don't know how to tell him creatively how my feet are all left and seeing me dance is a disaster he should not subject himself into, but settled for the simple; "Thank you, but I'm okay here, I'll just watch over you if you really want to, though."

I know! It's an utter vibe killer but what can I do? I can't dance shit, I'm terrible at it, and thinking about my university days where everyone is required to dance still makes me cringe, so no thanks, I won't subject myself to the same mental torture again. I mean, I do not hate dancing, as long as I'm not the one doing it.

"Why not?" he looked puzzled by my response, it is clear on his expression, "dancing is really fun, he added.

"I know, it's stupid not to dance while we are in a club" I murmured, avoiding his gaze. "It's just that, I don't really enjoy doing it," which is not a total lie, and it would be rude to tell him that I'd rather fall down a flight of stairs than dance.

"It's okay," he said, "you shouldn't force yourself if you don't really want to. Let's just stay here and chat" then gave me a warm smile.

Well, that was new, most people would pry, and force me to relieve that very embarrassing story of myself but I appreciate that he seems to have sensed a deeper meaning of my refusal.

He waved for the waiter to give us drinks. I just drank beer because, I would be the one driving us home later, knowing full well that Nieth would be drunk later, I just hope they don't drink much because we still have work tomorrow, and it would be irresponsible.

We talked throughout the night, settling into a comfortable pace, talking about just everything but not indulging in more private details. He's really fun to talk to, and I must say, I did not have a more meaningful conversation for a long time (except for Nieth, who almost always wants to talk about politics).

It was around 2 a.m. when we decided to call it a night and went our separate ways, but I know for sure that after this encounter, I have gained a reliable friend.