"Is it always this lively here?" I asked, scanning the zone.
"Lively yes, but not always this much." he replied, showing me a sign slightly to the left of my position.
It was written Open mic night. Wednesday from 08:00 PM. But another part of the sign also caught my attention.
Buy three beers = Get one free.
"Seems like karaoke alone doesn’t draw them in." I concluded.
"What can I say? Men gather around alcohol." he responded with a nod, just as the chef brought out my order.
"Here you go, boss! Piping hot, just the way you like it!" the chef set the plate on the counter.
"Thanks, chef! Tell me, isn’t this the big fish that gave you a hard time this morning?" Cole asked, referring to the fish served alongside the rice.
"Yep, that’s the one! And you won’t believe it, even dead that little rascal still gave me trouble while I was scaling it. But I got my revenge - I turned it into my best dish. Enjoy your meal!" the chef responded proudly before leaving.
"Boss?" I remarked with an intrigued look.
"Rule number one: never take anyone in Chaston too seriously."
"Funny, you’ve taught me more things in just a few minutes here than all the history classes I had in school. What’s rule number two?"
"Eating the food while it’s still hot" Cole replied with a wink and a teasing smile which made my already bright face light up even more. I really was surprised by how effortlessly charming he was, both in his words and actions.
We spent the night talking more about Chaston, its local activities, usual points of interest - well, basically a mix of everything and nothing at the same time. Funny how spontaneous the flow has installed between us and it really was a pleasant feeling. As we kept on chatting, the room gradually emptied, leaving only a few people around until it was time for me to leave as well. I didn’t want to, but I was starting to feel tiredness getting over me.
"Well, I think I should get going too. Can I get the check, please?"
"Oh no, it’s on the house." he said, still wearing his smile, a signature of his.
This man’s professionalism and formal addresses were killing me and leaving me speechless – not to mention his charisma.
“No! I mean…that’s unfair. Listen, I’m just gonna pay…” I took out my pocket, ready to give him the money I owed.
"I really am serious. Rose will confirm and approve." he insisted, just as Rose happened to be walking toward us.
"Approve what?" Rose asked, unaware of our current conversation."Here, tables 01 and 03."
"A free meal for newcomers.” he replied as he took Rose’s checks.
"Oh, that! Yeah, it’s kind of a tradition. You know, some sort of Welcome to Chaston thing." she replied, turning to me before taking the cash he handed her. "Thanks, darling."
I was still confused and taken aback from that tradition. I hesitated, still debating inside whether I should be accepting such an offer or stubbornly insisting on paying. To put it lightly, I saw that offer as a kind of debt and I didn’t like being in debt. I don’t know, maybe I was thinking wrongly. Maybe I should start believing in people’s kindness and stop being mistrustful toward them. And his persistent and laid-back attitude throughout the evening made me reconsider my decision, but I still tried to find a compromise.
"At least let me pay for the bottle of water."
After a brief hesitation, he agreed but only on one condition. And he pointed the condition in question with his finger just a few meters away.
"No way. Absolutely not. Hm hm. You’re not making me sing."
"You're the one insisting on paying for the water."
"Give me something else! Anything but a microphone." I pleaded.
“Why so reluctant? A traumatic experience, perhaps?” I felt teasing in his voice.
“Bingo! And please don’t ask me what was it about."
"What was it about?" he asked, deliberately.
Oh Lord.
I sighed, hesitant before replying.
"…Well to put it simply, I had a karaoke night with friends. We had a few drinks, I sang terribly off-key and to top it all off, I slipped on stage. No, don’t laugh - it’s not funny. It’s actually really embarrassing. Very embarrassing." I avoided eye contact with his amused chuckles.
“I’m sorry. It’s just…I can hardly picture you drunk.”
"Correction, sir. I wasn’t drunk. I was just… dizzy."
"Well, lucky for you, a bottle of water won’t have the same effect. You’ll do just fine." he teased.
"You really are not going to give me any other option?"
"Nope. It’s the bottle of water for a song.”
"But there’s barely anyone left here." I tried to find excuses to avoid stepping onto that intimidating stage.
“Just sing for me then.” he softly stated.
YOU ARE READING
See You Again
ChickLitIt's an excerpt from Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables". He says: "The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have loo...
