3.

Silver, her bar, usually opens at 6:00 p.m. and by 9:00 p.m. business was in full swing. It was an intimate place. Not too big, with regular and loyal clientele. Workers from the office complexes around, some doctors from the hospital looking for a place to rest before their next shift, some college students and those who simply came for the ambience. It closed at 03:30 a.m., by then all the patrons would have left the bar. With her two chefs, three permanent waiting staff and her one part-timer, managing the bar was not a problem. With her bartending licence and her degree in business administration & management, it was mostly smooth sailing for her. Working such irregular hours did not bother her much, after all, this bar was her dream.

Argen stood behind the counter mixing a mock tail for her business partner and best friend of 17 years, listening to her chatter on about her day.

“...he really gave me a key to a hotel room and said to meet him there.”

“Really?” Argen replied, absent minded.

“Yes, so I picked up my purse and wham, right across his face.” She said with a childish and proud grin on her face. Argen offered her the mock tail.

“Raine, did you just say that you smacked your immediate supervisor with your purse.”

“Yes.” She nodded as she sipped on her drink. “Not just that, as he began to protest, I punched him. I mean I may lose my job but it was definitely worth it.”

Raine had always been impulsive.

“Look Raine, you are a doctor, it doesn’t really help your reputation if you act without the consequences.”

“Well, Gen, this and that are totally different things you know, he asked me to sleep with him so I could get a good review in the coming evaluation. I know I don’t suck at my job like he does but thanks but no thanks.”

“There are other ways to have handled this you know-” she stopped short as her phone screen lit up. It showed a number she knew by heart, like she knew her name. Curious about what would stop her friend from giving her an hour lecture, Raine leaned over the counter to take a look at the phone then her friend’s expressionless face.

“Oh. I heard he was back. Why didn’t you block him?”

Argen didn’t offer a reply.

“You should totally cut the call or ignore him.” She said as she sat back on her chair.

Argen looked at her and with a small smile she picked up her phone and connected the call. Walking into the back room as she held the device to her ear.

“Hello?”

Silence. Neither spoke for a while.

“I have to talk to you.” Casper’s husky voice came through. “Are you busy at the moment, I will come to you right now.”

“I’m busy.”

“Then, when would you be available. I could-”

“Anytime tomorrow morning.” She interrupted. “I’ll send an address.” With that she ended the call. She had tried her best to keep recent events out of her mind. Caper’s arrival almost had her spiralling into an abyss of misery. Everything about him. His voice. The sight of him. His smell... she felt as if she was strolling along the path of insanity.

“Should I leave this city? I really can’t handle this.” She walked back to the counter where Raine was waiting for her with sharp inquisitive eyes,

“I guess things have been difficult for both of us lately.” She said as she placed her chin on the counter .

Raine always understood. Without any words, she could tell what was on my mind. Always. With the feeling of gratitude welling within her, she patted her friend’s head gently.

“Shall, we go on a trip? Perhaps to a place where no one knows us?”

“That would be nice. Especially, since I would be out of a job soon.”

“We both need a break.”

It was a little past 9 now, the bar had become lively and Raine had to go to the hospital. Lately she had been placed on night shift, probably as a result of offending someone. She pushed aside her troubles and wholeheartedly invested herself in her bar till morning came.

Being unable to sleep she had decided to go for a run, just enough to exhaust herself. She had gone round the block twice and decided to return. Right in front of her store stood Casper looking up at the sign. She stooped in her tracks.

He noticed her and turned to face her.

“I got your address from Secretary Dawson.” He began to explain. “You never messaged me so I came to find you.” He looked really haggard.

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