The Beautiful & Damned

02 - Connection

connection - /kəˈnɛkʃ(ə)n/
a relationship in which a person or thing is linked or associated with something else

"There you go Harvard." Jose put my drink on the counter. I thanked him and nodded, taking a 20 dollar bill and sliding it towards him. Before I pulled my hand back, the guy sitting next to me gently put his hand on mine, sliding it back in my direction.

"Your money's no good here." He winked at me. I chuckled and thought, Jesus, is he for real?
"Let me." He added. Jose was standing there, just looking and grinning at us.

"G, have you met Harvard here?" I smiled and shook my head as he paid for my drink and ordered a Stillhouse martini.

"Nah, haven't had the pleasure yet." He was smooth, I'll give him that. "Gerald." He stuck his hand out. I shook it and smiled at him.

"Nice to meet you Gerald, I'm Ashley Diana." I introduced myself.

"Nice to meet you too, that's a cute name." He replied, chuckling. I mean yeah, he was hot as hell, but I imagined this wasn't his first rodeo, or second... or third. Or fifthieth for that matter.

"Well, thank you... and for the drink. You really didn't have to." I said.

"But I wanted to. And you're welcome." He smiled.

"Careful with this one, she'll eat you alive before you even know what hit you." Jose chuckled and winked at us before going to the other side of the bar to take orders.

"You as dangerous as he says?" He asked me. The look in his eyes was pretty intense, I didn't even know how to answer that.

"Well, I guess only when there's a good reason for it." I took a sip of my drink. I have to say, when it comes to cocktails, Jose really takes the cake, they're excellent.

"Noted. So why Harvard, you studying there?" He asked.

I smiled and looked at him.
"Not anymore, graduated 2 years ago." I explained. "I work at a law firm downtown."

"Yeah? Cute and educated, I guess it's my lucky night." He took a sip of his martini that Jose put on the counter. "Thanks J." He said to him.

"So, Gerald, what do you do?" I asked him.

"I actually own a small studio a few blocks away, I produce music, help artists achieve greatness." He almost bragged.

"That's really sweet of you." I replied.

And now, ladies and gentlemen; please welcome one of the exotic flowers, performing Blue Velvet... miss Lana! Take it away Lana Banana.

DJ finally announced Lana's performance. I grabbed my drink and got up.

"It was very nice meeting you Gerald, my friend is about to perform, excuse me." I said and started walking down to the stage.

"Wait!" He yelled after me. I turned around with a sour smile.

"Thanks for the drink!" I yelled back!

I felt a bit bad for just leaving like that but Lana was already on stage and the song started playing.
She was absolutely beautiful, most she's ever been; the night was magical and I was only hoping that someone would notice her and that beautiful voice she can produce.