The Wish You Left Behind

Chapter 15: Cat Got Your Tongue?

"I believe we're all in denial about the people we love." — David Geffen

YOKO

When a staff member opens the door for her, Yoko thanks the woman. She must be new, but then again, it's been months since her last visit that Yoko cannot tell for sure.

Despite the time passing like the wind, nothing much has changed in the bar. Its black interior remains as gloomy as before, highlighted by a few streaks of red here and there. Overhead lamps hang above the tables, flooding the cozy interior with warm lights. A few patrons huddle on the table and are already occupying half of the seats.

Yoko takes the seat behind the main bar where two men are mixing drinks.

"Good evening, miss. What can I make for you?" Ask the lanky one.

"Ummm." Yoko looks around, searching for a familiar face. Seems like they changed staff a few months back and she hardly knows anyone.

"Is your boss around?"

"Ms. Jo?"

"The younger one. Prettier. Sexier?"

"Hey," a familiar voice greeted her from behind.

Yoko addresses the newcomer with a smile. "There you are."

Just like the others, she's dressed in white, with long sleeves topped with a black vest. She has her hair brushed up like she just took a shower.

The woman taps the bartender's shoulder. "I got this." And to Yoko she asks, "Your usual drink? Pina Collada, right?"

"Wait," Yoko said a little hastily when the woman turned one of the hanging glasses upside down. "Anything but that, Night."

She's in there to forget a mistake she made after all. And a drink that Faye made for her back then won't help that agenda.

Night raises one of her perfect eyebrows. "Got a new taste?"

She rested a hand on her chin before shrugging. "Just — surprise me," she said with a wink.

Night chuckles, shaking her head before preparing a drink. "Got it. Now, stop flirting."

Yoko huffs. "I'm not."

"Right. I forgot how natural of a flirt you are."

Exactly! She almost exclaims.

She's a flirt who can have anyone she wants! Why be bothered by her bodyguard?

Yoko smiles proudly. "I'll take that as a compliment."

She watches in awe as Night prepares a martini for her. "So — anything new with you?"

It might have been a year when Yoko stumbles at the cozy bar in the neighborhood. She actually mistook it for one of the houses. And despite Night's indifferent demeanor at first, Yoko comes by whenever she can.

Night slides her drink with a timid smile. "Nah. Same old."

"Really?"

Yoko squeezes the lemon peel and drinks.

Oh, that's good!

"You made a drink like this and no one's hitting on you?"

Night chuckles, revealing a deep set of dimples. Even dimples remind Yoko of someone.

What's wrong with her?

She averted her eyes and played with the rim of the glass.

"No one. Just drunk patrons, alright. Besides, I'm always busy at the bar."