Chapter 11— The Encounter

Ryan drove around for some time and decided to park his car in front of Broadway Dive bar, it was around 5pm already. The agent locked his car and walked into the bar that lovely evening.

He had come here so many times to chill out the stress of daily life, to drink and have a good time, and today he had a lot on his mind— actually he had someone on his mind. He couldn't stop seeing Lara's face in his memory; her lips, her eyes, her hair everything about her made him more stressed.

He was stressed because he knew he tortured himself not to believe that he was attracted to her. She was a thief and a murderer, how could he be attracted to someone like that? He disguised the true nature of his feelings for Lara with the word Attraction, but deep down he hated to admit that he was crazy about her, he was in love with a criminal, someone whom he met just once and it wasn't in a friendly situation.

He wasn't sure if he actually wanted to catch her, arrest her and lock her up for her crimes or if he wanted her for himself.

"Shit!" He struck the bar table with a fist. Strange thoughts wandered through the predator's heart. "A bottle of bud light!" He called out to the waiter with his broad voice.

"Here you go Ryan!" The sexy bartender handed him a bottle of his request with smiling eyes. "What's that look on your face huh? Someone break your heart?"

"No I'm good Charlotte", he grinned and gulped down his beer.

"Still don't want go out with me?" She winked with a chuckle and chewed her gum like a slut.

"I'm sure some customers are over there are waiting for you to take their orders. I'd like to be left alone!" Ryan spoke out with a low deep voice trying to send her away.

She ignored him and walked away with a grin.

The bar looked cozy with dim lights that sent a sense of cool vibes to the soul. There was a live band playing nice jazz tunes in the background.

Televisions were put up to display news or sports channels for whoever cared to watch.

Drinks were well stacked and arranged on the cabinet, the scene looked clean and organized, it was Ryan's favourite spot!

Ryan gulped down another bottle of the beer, then requested for another round. He was stuck in between finding a criminal and not knowing what to do with her when he would find her. He wedged his elbow on the table and squeezed his temple with two of his fingers, while he drank with the other hand.

The door of the bar opened up and someone walked in, Ryan could hear the person's footsteps coming towards him but he didn't care enough to look. He knew it was a lady cause the sound of her heels gave her away.

As she came closer, Ryan perceived her perfume and it smelt familiar. It was cherry again, just like Lara's! Immediately Ryan turned his neck sideways to see if it was who he hoped it would be— but it wasn't.

This lady was different, but she was pretty. Her legs were slender and firm, she stepped in those heels boldly towards Ryan, she wore a hot red sleeveless dress and black high heeled shoes.

Her white skin was greatly exposed and it was flawless. He could see the upper part of her breasts inside the gown, her thick black hair bounced steadily as she moved, she was graceful in everything and Ryan couldn't take his eyes off of her and so were the other people in the room.

"Hi!" The lady sat beside Ryan and greeted the bartender. "I'll have what he's having!" She pointed at Ryan's beer with a smile.

The bartender quickly served her a bottle and left. The red dress lady began to sip her alcohol whilst she searched through her phone.

After a few minutes, the lady's purse fell from her hand and landed on the floor.

"Oh!" She reacted and tried to reach down for the purse, but Ryan beat her to it.

"Here you go miss!" He handed the purse over to her.

"Oh thank you!" She took the purse from him shyly and made sure her fingers brushed his skin softly. She cleared her throat, "Hi I'm La– I'm Eleanor, but my friends call me Elle!" She extended a hand to Ryan.

"My name's Ryan, it nice to meet you!" He returned the hand shake and placed a soft kiss on her hand.

"Nice to meet you too!" She smiled broadly.

Soon enough they began to enjoy each other's company and discussed for hours over a lot of little things, and for that moment in time she made him forget his worries.