The meeting
The neon sign creaked in the wind, casting uneven shadows across the dimly lit parking lot. Tarek pushed open the door, a bell above it ringing as he stepped into the bar's warmth. The place pulsed with a Friday night buzz music thumped, glasses clanged and laughter cut through it all.
Conversations paused, eyes flicked to him, then back to their drinks. He was a stranger here, and everyone knew it. Tarek scanned the room, landing on a figure at the bar Ava, spinning on her stool, caught between the beat and a stranger's gaze.
Ava, nursing a drink nearby, noticed Tarek's hesitation. She swirled the ice in her glass. The bartender, familiar with her routine, refilled her glass without asking.
Ava raised her beer, locking eyes with the stranger who'd caught her attention, Tarek, it seemed. She studied the silhouette of a man who had just walked in.
She was a vision of elegance, with raven-black hair cascading down her back like a midnight waterfall. Her eyes, a deep, piercing green, sparkled with a hint of mischie and her full lips curved into a subtle, enigmatic smile that seemed to invite you in. Her skin had the warm, golden glow of sun-kissed silk,and her slender figure moved with the effortless grace of a ballerina, leaving a trail of subtle, intoxicating scent in her wake. She was a true beauty, the kind that stopped conversations and turned heads, but it was her inner spark a fire that burned bright and fierce, that truly made her shine.
He stood tall, his broad shoulders filling the doorway as he entered the room. His chiseled features seemed to be carved from marble, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that led down to a firm chin. His piercing blue eyes sparkled with warmth and intelligence, tiny freckles appearing at the corners as he smiled.
His dark hair was neatly trimmed, with a hint of a wave that added to his rugged charm. A small scar above his left eyebrow hinted at a life well lived, and his full lips curved into a smile that could disarm even the toughest of critics.
He wore a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal toned forearms and a fitted suit that accentuated his athletic build. His presence was commanding, yet approachable, drawing people in with an air of quiet confidence. She then looked back at her drink and took a sip.
"I'll have a bottle of whiskey please and something for the lady too," a husky voice startled her. She looked up and saw Mr. Silhouette sat a stool away from her. It was then that she realized her glass was almost empty. From up close, he looked like a Greek god. He smiled at her and she smiled back but her smile faded quickly.
"Mind if I join you?" Tarek asked as he moved a stool closer to Ava. She raised an eyebrow and nodded as she swirled her glass one more time. This time, she asked the bartender to refill her glass with a cranberry.
"You are the kind of trouble I'm willing to get into" he said smirking. "Trouble sounds just like plan tonight" Ava said as she placed her glass on the wooden table. Their knees brushed and for some reason, everything blurred around them. "My bad, I'm Tarek"
"Ava"
The night was still young and more people are getting into the bar. There was a mixed smell of cigarettes and beer, not the most aromatic smell. Conversations were loud but the music was louder. There was a round table at the center. A group or rather, crowd, gathered around there watching what seemed to be poker. In the small town there are only a few of these bars, maybe three.
"Let me take you out, Tarek's way. This can't be our last time"
"And what's 'Tarek's way' Ava said in between laughs. The night had been great better than any other. They both had not realized how fast time had flown. "I'll let you be the judge of that. Dinner tomorrow 8pm, I'm gonna pick you up." Tarek answered as he put his digits in Ava's phone.
She checked her phone and saw seven missed calls from Derek. She was definitely not going to call back. There was no point of. She sighed as she removed the calls from the notification bar. "Okay, tomorrow I'll be the judge, let's see how impressive you are." They walked out and bid goodbye.
