Then I Met You.

Chapter 1

Even though it's only 7.20 p.m., my feet are already aching. In just 10 minutes, I'll be able to make my way upstairs and finally put my feet up and read my book after working at the bar all day with just David and one other colleague, Clare. It was meant to be my day off, so I said I'd help out for a bit and get an early night. As I was checking the fridge to see if anything needed replenishing, a voice said, 'Excuse me.' Turning around, I looked up to find a woman standing there.

How may I assist you? I ask her.
"Could you kindly ask them to tone it down? They are laughing and chatting so loudly as if they own the place, and I just came in for a quiet drink. "Sure, I'll go talk to them, "I inform her.

I turn to face them and notice that there are four of them—two men and two women. Normally, I wouldn't do this, but since they are speaking too loudly, I will. I start to feel a little anxious as I go closer to the table where they are seated, so I take a deep breath.

''Hi Excuse me, Could you please keep the noise down a little?''
''Why, What's your problem with us?'' one of the women at the table rudely asks.
''No problem at all, A customer has complained about the noise so I said I would come and speak to you that's all."
''If some busybody doesn't like the amount of noise we are making then maybe they should just leave." ''I would like all my customers to be happy while they are drinking here."
The dark-haired man, who looks as hot as hell, glances in my direction and apologizes. "We'll try to keep it down," he says, offering me a warm smile. My cheeks flush as I thank him and turn away.

I'm back behind the bar and the woman who rudely spoke to me isn't looking too pleased with the man. She's bawling at him, "Why in the world did you do that? If I want to talk loud I shall!" I struggle to make out what he replies but it's clear she's very angry. She seems so familiar like I've seen her somewhere before. The pub is starting to empty out and I was just about to call it an early night and finish the book I've been reading, but I'm drawn to the drama of this woman and the dark-haired man.

The dark-haired guy from the table approaches me when I'm about to sit down and asks, "Can I buy you a drink?" He then adds, "To apologize for earlier when we were being noisy."
I nod and say, "Sure, I'll have a large red, please."
"Alright then, a large red for you, and I'll also get four double whiskies for my table," he replies.

Before leaving after paying for his drinks, the man says, "By the way, I'm Sebastion," holding out his hand. "Alexis," I reply while putting my hand in his.
He gently but firmly grasps it, shakes it a little, and grinned while saying, "Nice name."
I turn around to see the woman he was sitting with is not there as he picks up his drinks and makes his way back to his table.
She wouldn't likely be pleased with Sebastion buying me a drink or even shaking my hand.

To pass the time, I down the drink Sebastian bought me before pouring myself another red and doing the same thing with it.
I'd do anything to forget the past six months.
All I want is for the pain to stop.
I need to leave this bar for a bit. I tell David I'm going to pop out back for a while.
To allow myself some time to think things through, I go outside and sit at the bottom of the steps with my head in my hands.

Behind me, Sebastion appears and asks, "Can we talk in private?" Why has he followed me out here?
"I tell him, "Ok, but not here," and I invite him to come with me further into the garden. We are positioned next to the alley's wall. "Are you alright?" He asks.
I'm Ok, Ish. Why do you want to know? I respond, "I noticed you necking down your drinks,  you appeared unhappy and teary."
What does this have to do with you? I ask him.

'"I'm simply trying to be nice and make sure everything is okay with you."
I resist laughter and retort, "Nice?, Men only pretend to be nice."
"So you don't think I'm a nice guy then, I guess?" He asks.
I gaze down after shrugging my shoulders. "Don't be like this." Sebastion murmurs as he places his mouth next to mine.
The same chills that I felt when he shook my hand return.
Why not? I ask him.
Because I might have to...
You might have to what? I ask.