The past: Scene 1

{Note: This is a special chapter. It portrays Steve's life prior to the events of that take place in the novel. There will be chapters like this in the future. Although not being part of the main story they are important for the plot and add depth to the story}

At a certain district on the planet, there was a bar that didn't stand out from the rest. But, it was a popular spot for students for its cheap prices and the lack of any rich second gens visiting this place. And as such the students felt most comfortable to hang out and enjoy at this place.

Although, the bar had nothing extraordinary sounds of laughter dominated the air. Laughs that resonated with each other. That was the only jewelry this bar was known for.

Everyone giggled with their friends and danced to the beat. There was but one man who was sitting alone in front of the bartender. He shook his drink before gulping it in one shot.

"Seconds," the man said pointing his glass to the bartender. The bartender shrugged and filled his glass as instructed. If one was observant, they would realize that the bartender wasn't very welcoming to him.

If someone saw the man from afar, they would judge him to be a heavy drinker. As he gulped drink after drink while looking sober. He gave the impression that he can handle his alcohol. But, the spectators couldn't be more wrong. For the man was drinking water.

From time to time the man swept his gaze across the room as if searching for something as he shook his drink.

Sometime later a girl walked towards the bartender.

The girl appeared to be in her early twenties. She had short shoulder-length hair. A small red chain found its way around her neck complementing her plain white top. Her face seemed to have its own layer of noticeable makeup which his her imperfections. She wore a bodycon skirt that went well with her somewhat frilly heels.

"Pass me three beers, will you?" the girl instructed the bartender. This girl wanted them for her and her friends.

The bartender ducked to pull out three cans of beers from the freezer. He was about to present them to the girl when he heard the man's voice.

"You have quite some energy to be hopping with your girlfriends like that," the man said. The man pushed a wine glass in front of the girl and poured some into it. "Here, it is on me," said the man. Throughout the process, the boy didn't even bat an eyelid towards the girl.

It was as if the man had kept the wine for the girl cause he was gulping plain water.

This caused the bartender to put the beer cans back into the freezer as he knew too well what would follow.

The girl for some reason deduced from his tone that he was referring to her even though he didn't even saw at her face.

Feeling a bit intrigued the girl sat beside him as she picked up the glass.

"That distinctive peach brown color... Are you from Bostov?"

"No, I am from Godwin," the girl replied.

"Is that so?" The man smirked. "My mum used to tell me the girls from Godwin look innocent when you meet them but after the Sun sets they get crazy!" The man had a bewildered look to his face to complement his words.

"Haha..." the girl chuckled, "You bet!"

The guy opened his mouth to continue but got cut off between.

"And where you might be from?" the girl inquired.

"Why don't you make a guess?" the guy replied as he winked.

"Let's see... broad and tall, brown skin on the darker shade", the girl's eyes traveled on top of the man. But, for some reason, it stopped at his jeans.

"Why are you carrying peacock feathers on you, isn't it weird?" the girl said. Indeed as she said a peacock feather was tucked in the man's jeans.

The man swept his gaze to his waist to confirm what she meant, "This! It's a lucky charm," the guy smirked, "Meant to draw the attention of crazy girls like you."

The girl chuckled as she took the last sip of her wine. The man as if to reciprocate that gulped his glass of water in one shot. He then went ahead and poured wine first in his glass followed by the girl.

Although the girl brushed off his statement as a joke the man was speaking the truth. The feather had done its job of drawing the girl's attention as heaven itself has witnessed.

Then they went on discussing mundane things like the girl's hobbies and her favorites. The girl had failed to notice that she had been the only topic of discussion. The man didn't discuss anything related to him. He replied from time to time to build the rapport as the girl went on rambling about herself.

As the rapport built up and time went by the girl realized that they had yet to exchange names. Turns out the girl's name was Becky while the man was called Steve.

Quite some time passed as they conversed.

"Haha, you have a great sense of humor," beamed the girl.

"Well I would have been delighted if that were the case, but praises coming from a lovestruck girl don't count!" Steve smirked as if challenging the girl.

The girl pouted and hit the man on his shoulder. But, he was unfazed by the weak hit.

Then the man laughed followed by the girl.

"It was so much fun..." the girl pondered.

"It would have been much more fun if we weren't in this place," the man said annoyed as he pointed to the floor of the room, "So noisy!"

"Then where do you suppose we should go?" the girl said as she parted her lips. The initiated would know at once what she means. Steve was no different.

"I know a place, let's go" the guy stood up with a jolt and extended his hand to gesture to the girl to follow him.

The girl took his hand and rose. The two of them left the bar only to get into a car parked outside. The guy entered into the driving seat.

"Where are we going?" Becky inquired.

"You wanted to know where I am from don't you? Well, I am from this very district. We are going to my place" said the guy as he pushed the key into the keyhole. The car's front light lit up as it was ready to run through the streets.

The girl chuckled inwardly. She knew what would happen tonight too well.

"What are we going to do at your place?" the girl asked teasingly.

The man smiled. "We are going to watch the cat ponce on the little dog only to get caught by the dog as he gets hold of her tail!"