BLOODSUCKER

deux

present day.

The bar erupted in to an applause. Maeve face turned into a small smile and she awkwardly took a bow before stepping off the stage and heading over to deliver the next round of drinks to a table. This table was full of 'very big spenders.' Big spenders Maeves managers eyes were very important guests.

She placed the pints of beer into the middle of the table and asked the group of gentlemen if they required anything else. 'You've got an amazing voice.' One of the men spoke up to her as Maeve was about to leave.

'Thank you Sir. Can I get you anything else?' She smiled at him as she pulled her pencil from hind her ear.

'What's your name?' The stranger proceeded with a smile. Maeve instantly noticed his deep dimples when he smiled.

'Maeve.' She spoke firmly when she said her name, although her surname remains a mystery as her family is mocked for poverty in this town.

'Charles.' He spoke as he extended his hand to shake Maeves tiny, childlike hand. 'Have you ever thought of doing this professionally?'

Maeve hesitated. She didn't like to open up to people but at the end of the day this Charles guy was just a stranger. What was the likelihood of her seeing him again? 'I would love too but it's just hard to get into. I love singing here as they had great equipment and for me to purchase it my self would put me out of pocket. I guess my future consists of serving pints to the locals and singing on a Thursday night.'

'Can I offer you some advice Maeve?' Charles asked and Maeve just nodded. 'You control your future. What you want to do and achieve is up to you. Nobody else is responsible for aspirations expect from you.' His voice was firm when he spoke. He was starting slur his words at the end of his sentences indicating Charles had too much to drink.

'Thank you for that pep talk, Charles.' Maeve spoke as she began to collect the empty glasses from the table in front of her.

'You've got a talent Maeve, don't let it go to waste.' Charles placed his thumbs up at her making her chuckle to her selves.

'Can we get some more shot please?' One of the guys with Charles asked Maeve, she was sure his name was Carlos, she somehow knew his name. Maeve walked back over to the bar to get some shots from the group of big spenders.

'Are you guys celebrating?' Maeve asked as she placed a shot in front of each man, there were 6 guys in total.

'Charles here is getting married tomorrow.' Carlos patted Charles shoulder almost making Charles spit his shot back out. Part of Maeve felt deflated that this handsome man wasn't single, of course he wasn't single, he was one of the most attractive men Maeve had ever seen.

'Well congratulations.' Maeve spoke with a large smile covering her disappointment. 'These are on me!'

'Thank Maeve!' Charles spoke as Maeve placed another round of shots of the table.

'I have to say, if my husband turned up our wedding and I found out he had been drinking the night before, I don't think I would be too happy.' Maeve chuckled softly.

'It's okay.' Carlos shrugged his shoulders. 'Charles doesn't even know the woman he is marrying.' Carlos's straight face turned into a fit of laughter. He clearly found the situation hilarious.

Maeve was in disbelief, she didn't know how to come back from that and she was pretty sure she had pried into some personal information. 'Shit. Sorry.' Is what she opted to say instead of making things even more awkward. 'Well enjoy married life, I'm sure you'd love it!'

'Are you married Maeve?' Charles question Maeve, he felt a sense of maturity from her that he hadn't seen in a woman in a long time.

'No.' She scoffed at the question like it was the most ridiculous question ever. 'I watched my parents marriage fall apart, I don't think I'll ever marry, and if I did it wouldn't be my choice.' Maeve laughed but then instantly regretted opening her mouth because she had just realised what she had said. 'I am so sorry! I didn't mean it like.' She apologised again and again.

'It's fine Maeve.' Charles smiled up to her, he liked the way the lights reflected in her eyes. 'Use that talent, you've got potential, I hope one day to hear your song in the radio in my car.'

'Don't you want your change?' Maeve asked as she realised they had left way more than necessary on the table.

'It's your tip.' Charles shrugged his shoulders

'This is double the amount of the Bill!' Maeve said awe at the amount of money in her hand.

'I know!' Charles smirked before he headed off out of the door with his 6 friends.

Little did Maeve know that Charles was about to become a big part of her life.