“Mr. … Mr. Blackwood?” I muttered in shock, trying to confirm if it was really him or my eyes were playing games with me.
He stared at me with furrowed eyebrows, like he was also surprised to see me here and he needed to make sure that I was real. His eyes were dilated and a bit red, his hair was messed up and his black long sleeve shirt was half-unbuttoned, revealing his quite hairy chest.
“Anna? Am I imagining this?” he said soberly, it was like he had just come off a hangover but his breath still smells like bourbon.
“No, I am here. Is everything okay, Mr. Blackwood?” I asked with genuine concern. Honestly, he didn’t look okay to me and that would be the first time. “What are you doing here?” I added immediately.
He creased his eyebrows like I had just asked an irrelevant question. “What am I doing here?” he replied calmly. “Well, I own this place, Ann.”
“Oh,” I muttered as my jaws dropped. Of course, Billionaire playboy, how can it be complete if he didn’t own a nightclub?
“Yeah… I thought I should open a nightclub where I can come after work, you know… relax after a difficult day.”
“Why? Don’t you have a family to go back to?” I asked jokingly and smiled.
I guess he wasn’t having any of it as his face turned sour immediately. I knew I had overstepped my boundaries, I must have said something wrong.
“Forgive me,” I said in a whisper with appealing eyes. We might be at a nightclub, but he was still my boss.
“Whatever… What are you doing here, Ann?” he asked with a calm voice and a questioning eyes
“Oh… um… I… Yeah, I am here with a… with a friend,” I said amidst stuttering after hesitation, pointing back to the club.
“Oh,” he said softly with scrutinizing eyes, it was like he was just noticing my dressing as his eyes explored my entire body. “That kind of friend, huh?” he asked nonchalantly.
I opened my mouth to respond but no words came out, what should I even answer?
“It is… it's complicated,” I finally found the word.
“Hmm,” he hummed and then nodded his head. “Sure. Cool.” He said bluntly, trying to appear more lively than when I had first bumped into him.
“Well, thanks for patronizing Murphy’s spot, do have a nice evening.” He said with a little smile at the corner of his lips, and then he walked past me.
“Mr. Blackwood!” I turned around and called out to him immediately.
He paused with an obvious groan and turned to face me. “Yes, Miss Ann?”
“Are you sure that you are okay?” I asked again, he seemed deeply troubled and I could feel it.
He gave a brighter smile this time. “I guess.” He muttered and walked away.
I sighed and shook my head, this man is always mysterious, why am I even worried about him?
I turned back to the direction of the restroom and went in to use the ladies room. I found a clean towel in the room, it didn’t seem like anyone had used that restroom today. I immediately cleaned off the stain on my gown and got ready to return.
Just then, the thought of the letter crossed my mind. The letter!! How did I forget it? I rushed out of the bathroom but Mr. Blackwood was nowhere to be found. I ran down the hallway but all the doors were locked. There was one with the inscription of manager and I wondered if it was his office.
I pushed the door open and was shocked to find two people going hardcore on the table. I immediately closed the door before any of them could see me and I headed back to the bar. I had wanted to confront Mr. Blackwood over the message. Did he really send it to me or was it a mistake?
On a second thought, I chose to let it go. I was out here tonight with Jimmy, I should not be thinking of other men, not even Mr. Blackwood.
As I walked back to the club, I found Jimmy standing with a look of impatience on his face, he approached me the moment I got closer.
“Are you okay? you were taking so long and I was beginning to get worried.” He said as he extended his hand to me.
“Jim, I am fine, it was just taking a while to get the stain off.” I lied. I almost forgot how clingy he used to be.
We both got seated but I was no longer comfortable. I kept looking around to see if Mr. Blackwood was watching us but he was nowhere in sight. I doubt he wouldn’t be curious enough to come see who I was out with, I even had to check if there were security cameras in the corners.
Jimmy soon noticed from my body movement that I was not comfortable and asked to know what was wrong.
“You don’t seem okay,” he enunciated when I lied about being fine.
“I am good. So you were saying?” I asked with a smirk and crossed my legs, exposing my thighs from the slit line.
“Yeah, I was telling you how much I missed you and how much I want you back into my life, Ann. I miss the way you hold my hand, I miss the way you look into my eyes with your gorgeous eyes, I miss the way you felt for me, Ann. I miss it all.” He clearly exaggerated.
I giggled and shook my head. “You copied that somewhere, didn’t you?”
He laughed and rubbed his forehead, “ Okay, you have caught me. The words might not be mine but I mean every bit of it. I want you back, Ann. Please take me back.” He pleaded.
“Hmm…” I hummed nonchalantly and then I grabbed my bag. “Well, it is getting late and I need to go home, but I will think about it.” I replied.
He bit his lips while staring at me for reassurance and I couldn’t contain my giggle. “Don’t look at me like that, I need time to think about it, then I will give a response.”
“Okay, looking forward to a positive response because my life would lose its meaning without you in it, Ann.” He said and held my left hand.
I gently pulled my hand away from his and stood up. “Thanks for the drink, Jimmy.”
“Sure, let me drive you home.” he offered.
I couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by, so I immediately took out my car keys and jiggled them in the air. “I didn’t tell you, I have my own ride now.” I smiled.
“Oh,” he muttered with a look of surprise. “Okay… that is cool, congratulations.” He said, and I could sense the disappointment in his tone.
Perhaps he thought he would give me a ride home and then we spend the night together and tomorrow morning, our issues would have been resolved on the bed, but not so fast, I wasn’t going to let him have it that easy.
“Goodnight Jimmy.” I said and immediately headed for the exit, I knew he couldn’t follow because he was yet to settle the bills.
Even though I wore a confident face, my heart was in conflict between Jimmy and Mr. Blackwood. Whatever decisions I make now will have consequences sooner or later.