A Change of Heart

Chapter 30

As expected, Joanna looks breathtaking. She's wearing a fitted sage dress with a slit. Her heels are silver, shining in the moonlight. Her necklace has an emerald, complementing her partially exposed chest. I notice she looks much stiffer, like her usual boss self. I get into the car and drive. 

"Howard, what even made you think of going to a karaoke bar as a date?" Joanna asks.

"When we went bowling, and you let loose, you became much softer and more expressive. So, I chose something that forces you to let loose," I answer. Joanna goes silent for a moment. 

"I better not end up looking stupid because of you," Joanna says. I can feel the seriousness in her tone. I think I just screwed up this entire date. 

I park in front of the bar. Becky found it for me. She said it's the most sophisticated karaoke bar she's seen, if that means much. 

The place is very big and has lots of windows. There's a faint smell of alcohol and perfume. The lights are dim, making the place feel darker.

The silence is deafening. Nobody's there except for the staff. Where is everybody? 

"I knew you would pick this karaoke bar, so I rented it out for the night so no one else would be here. You didn't think I'd actually let people see you acting a fool as my date, did you? It's important that the lower class see you as they should, respectful and superior," Joanna explains. If only she knew what the lower class says about rich snobs.

"Well then, would you like to get a drink before you start?" I ask.

"Yes," she answers. We walk over to the bar and sit on the stools.

"What will it be?" the bartender asks.

"Two martinis with an extra shot of vodka in both," Joanna says. Is she ordering for both of us?

"Uhm, I don't really drink," I tell her.

"They're both for me," Joanna says. What does she want that much alcohol for?

"Oh, then I'll take a virgin bloody mary," I tell the bartender. He turns around to make the drink.

"Do you think you should be drinking that much?" I ask.

"My alcohol consumption is none of your business," Joanna says sternly. I want to argue, but this is definitely not the same Joanna from bowling. 

Once we get our drinks, Joanna downs the glasses like they're shots.

"Joanna, are you ok?" I ask, concerned.

"Another two glasses," she tells the bartender. He goes and makes another.

"Look, I know I'm your employee. But I'm practically your boyfriend now, aren't I? What's wrong?" I ask. Joanna gulps one of the glasses. She coughs before she can speak again.

"I'm gonna have to get really drunk if you expect to see me vulnerable," Joanna hisses. I grab the last glass from her before she drinks it.

"What are you doing Howard?" Joanna says.

"You've had more than enough alcohol in 5 minutes. It's not healthy," I stand my ground. For the first time in what I think is forever, Joanna crumbles. Tears, real tears are rolling down her eyes. She's doing everything in her power not to completely break down.

"You wanna know what my problem is?" Joanna asks. Her voice is so soft, but already breaking. I mixed with utter shock and complete empathy.

"I'm tired," Joanna says. She wipes her tears as new ones flow down. This cry is clearly long due. She walks to the bathroom. My brain is still processing what just happened.

Joanna's... crying? She's the last person I ever expected to cry. Her walls seemed far too strong to break. Yet, they finally crumbled. But, why? Why is she crying? What happened that she felt the need to cry now? 

She comes back after 10 minutes. She looks like a mess, yet everything seems fine with her. Her makeup looks the same, her hair has not a strand out of place. But her puffy eyes and the way she's tripping over her feet tell me everything. 

I walk her over to the lounge, and ask the man standing there to move away. If I'm going to attempt to make her open up to me, we need to be alone.

"Howard, let's just continue the... date," she looks like she's about to hurl.

"I'm not going to pretend like you weren't crying a few minutes ago," I say.

"Howard. We may be dating, but I'm still your boss. If I say there's nothing to speak about, there's nothing to speak about. Now, I'm getting another martini," Joanna says. She walks back to the bar.

It doesn't take long before she gets drunk. I'm thankful that I could finally get her to stop drinking. Though as much as I hate to admit it, the date was still fun. Joanna sang her heart out during karaoke, and we danced until our sides felt sore. If she wasn't singing (which she is not very good at, but it's not like I'm much better either) then she was laughing. 

After the date, I drive her back to her house. I hold her so that she can scan her eye at the retinal scan. The gate automatically opens. We get back in the car and I park it inside the garage.

It's a huge, one floor white room filled with cars. There's a small black door on the left wall. I park in an empty part, and stop the car.

"Howard! Come *hiccup* inside," Joanna smiles.

"I should head home, I'm only getting a few hours of sleep," I answer.

"Why... do you need to leave now?" Joanna pouts. 

"I have work tomorrow, and you do too," I say. Joanna giggles.

"Just a *hiccup* few more minutes," she says. She's still stubborn when she's drunk. I follow her into her house. At least it will be easier for me to leave if things escalate.