Call me Duchess

A drunken fool, tells no tale, right?

Several hours after school ends its time for the night out with bloomy. I make it a point to get home before Michael. I change and leave before he can see me. I'm almost excited to be going out, Ellen will be there, so it won't be completely awkward. She texts me around the time when she'll arrive to the bar, and I do my best to match her timing. I changed into a simple outfit, a long grey romper with a black bow around the center. Accented with a black scarf and pumps. I let my hair down and leave the glasses at home. Hopefully, I look a bit more relaxed on the outside than I feel on the inside. I head to the bar and arrive a few seconds after Ellen. She looks amazing as always, she is the epitome of "I woke up like this" as she literally barely changed her outfit from work.

"Hello beautiful" she greets me warmly with a smile, extending an arm to hug me. I smile and hug her back. "Hello, yourself" I respond. We head inside and the bar is nearly empty. There's a DJ on stage next to a projection screen and we quickly realize its karaoke night. Ellen laughs hysterically and my stomach is in knots. I shake my head and scan the room for bloomy. I notice maybe 7 other people in this entire establishment, including the bartender and host. I spot an exhausted brunette woman at the bar, sipping whiskey and looking though a folder full of documents. I also notice the large law enforcement badge and handcuffs on her waistband. I note her, then look further down the bar I see bloomy. She's alone, she has a rather large margarita glass, and next to her another equally as large. I quickly realize this was a one-on-one thing. Where is everyone else? I think to myself for a moment and decide to ask Ellen her opinion on this matter. "Looks like it was only meant to be the two of us." I say as Ellen looks over at bloomy. She smiles and nods her head. "Well, good. I didn't want to be here anyway. You two kids have fun" she says with a laugh and pats my shoulder before leaving me high and dry." I sigh and watch her leave then make my way toward the bar.

I can help but notice the officer looking a bit stressed out. I make it a point to nearly brush against her, slightly. Leaving my scent to distract her from her work and forcing her to watch me walk by. I tuck a hair behind my ear and glance over my shoulder to catch her gaze. She smiles and nods, then quickly returns to her work. I nod back then smile toward bloomy. She sees me and immediately lights up.

"You came!" she shouts, the intense aroma of tequila hits me hard as she wraps her arms around me. I'm nearly off balance as I struggle hugging her back. She finally releases me and fixes her hair before gesturing for me to sit with her.

"I guess I've got some catching up to do" I say with a laugh and slide the large glass closer to me. bloomy is grinning ear to ear at me. I decide to take advantage of her drunken state and say what I'm really thinking. "What is your infatuation with me, bloomy?" I say as I sip the margarita. She laughs hearing me call her the name I usually call her behind her back. "Bloomy? I like it. I don't know, you're just so perfect! And we're like the best of friends, I'm just glad we're finally hanging out!" she speaks a bit quicker than usual. Most definitely due to her drunkenness. Best of friends??? I struggle to hide my surprise hearing her say this about our relationship. I didn't realize she felt this way. She finishes her drink and waves to the bartender for another before continuing on. "I mean think about it. You're my boss, but I control your schedule, I know who you're meeting with, and how long and when you're going to take your breaks. I know your everyday routine. And I'm so so so glad that you trust me with your life!" she exclaims as she pats my back rather aggressively. I guess she has a point, but that hardly makes us friends. It's just work stuff, right?

"Well, I suppose" I respond and continue sipping. The bartender brings her another drink and she slides it to herself. She puts her lips around the straw taking a long and awkward gulp. I laugh a little and look around once more. "Hey so is anyone else coming, I was under the impression this was a group function?" I ask her. She spits the straw from her lips and turns to me. "I'm sorry. I thought if I told it would only be the two of us you wouldn't come. I don't really have any other friends." Her words are sad but not surprising. Honestly, she was right. I wouldn't have come. But I'm glad I did. I resolve to have a great night. Drink and watch her sing for a while. Hopefully dismiss the scene from my office earlier and prepare for a phone call to my husband in an hour or so.