I sat at the bar, waiting for the bartender that evening. When he asked me what I wanted, I simply told him "anything". It didn't matter, as long as I could relieve myself with it. I had already packed my things and went home first. And though I tried to sit back at home and manage myself in the confused state I was in, I just couldn't help getting back outside that evening. Sometimes, when things like this happen, I simply let loose and my body begins to move on its own. And if I had any vice or anything around me that could keep me from feeling that way, I would indulge myself.
I sighed again. My head was bent forward, resting on the table atop my right forearm. The bartender looked like he understood what it was that was over me. I trusted that whatever he would give me would be the best prescription for the moment. Soon enough, he dropped a cup before me, filled with liquor. I looked at it. A glass cup filled with some golden liquid with white foam atop and a few ice cubes inside. It certainly looked inviting.
I placed my hand on the cup which was chill to the touch.
"Fuck" I swore for no apparent reason. Back then, I really felt good about what I had done in Mr Pushc's office. I would do it again if I could. But then, after all that, what next was I to do? That question left an empty vibe within me. Although my job back there had been really stressful but the pay was enough for me to save and survive on. And finding another job like that around here would be difficult.
'I gotta leave this city' I thought to myself. To do that, I'd need enough money to move into a new apartment in a different city. And enough money also to survive on for a few weeks at least while I searched for something. At this moment, it all looked complicated and I just wanted to pass out and wake up in a clearer state of mind.
"Cheers to you, Mr Pushc, Mr Ash" I muttered in spite. Just then, someone came and took the empty seat closest to me. Of course, I could care less about that. I grabbed the chilled cup and drew it close, raising my head as I lifted the cup as well to my mouth.
Anon, before I could place it on my lips and gulp it down, the person who had just sat beside me spoke.
"You seem quite down from today. Are you okay?"
I didn't look at the speaker straightaway. I just paused for a moment wondering what he meant by 'from today' as if he knew what had happened to me. Whatever. I began pouring the liquid into my mouth.
"I really didn't take you for the drinking type. Can you really handle yourself if you get drunk here" the stranger said again. At that, I was forced to glance at him.
I hadn't heard him speak before, that was why I couldn't recognise him through his voice. Immediately I saw him, spat out all the liquor.
"What the...!" I nearly shouted, shifting away from him. Long, grey mustache and beards, with long hair all dressed backwards neatly. He wore more casual clothes, something I didn't know business men like him did.
"Mr Ash?" I said flustered.
"Don't make a fuss, young man" Mr Ash said, calm and collected as ever.
The bartender then came around and he placed his order.
As soon as the bartender left, an awkward silence between us followed. I felt a mix of awe and repulsion, wondering if this was just a coincidence. Well, it had to be. Perhaps, he usually visited this bar. That wasn't something a new drinker like me would know.
I searched for words but what could I possibly tell him right now apart from 'piss off'?
The waiter soon returned with his order and placed it very gently and courteously before Mr Ash. He smiled a bit then, picked his cup and held it before me.
"Well then, cheers Mr Gardell" he said in such a cool tone and manner. I cleaned my mouth and calmed my impulses. This man meant nothing to me right now. I mean, what was the worst that could happen if I reviled him here.
"Hmph" I uttered, shaking my head slightly. I wanted to ignore him but somehow, I ended up jamming my cup gently with his. I couldn't understand just why I did it at that moment. I was supposed to hate this man and his entirety. Especially the way he had looked at me back then. But right now, he seemed like a very different person. There was meaning in his gaze now and it was much warmer unlike his coldness earlier today. I wasn't someone who held on tightly to grudges. I still disliked him but not enough to ignore him there.
But then, I thought it was really cool though. Having my first drink with the CEO of a big business in this city the same day I was kicked out of his firm. It felt kind of ironic.
But then, whatever it was, it shouldn't mean anything to me. At this moment, I had no ties with him so he was more like any other person to me. Any other rich person out there, that is.
"Do you visit here often, Mr Gardell" he asked.
"My name is Alex. Just call me Alex" I said detesting his formal address to me. "And no, I don't". My answers were straight and bold, like I didn't care that he was influential. The last thing I wanted to do was suck up to him. My pride couldn't allow it. Not after all I said in Mr Pushc's office.
"I see. It's not a bad choice for a spot to cool off" Mr Ash said.
I didn't reply, still in awe of him. And I paid no attention to the liquor I passed into my system also. More like I couldn't feel it. There was supposed to be some kind of sensation but I couldn't feel any effects of the alcohol. Perhaps, beers were overrated. And also, for some strange reason, my guard was up the whole time. Like I could feel a mysterious vibe from Mr Ash. A vibe that I had only just noticed he had when he came to sit with me.
"You don't seem to have a lot of friends. It's usually better with close associates around" he said, taking a sip from his cup.
"I haven't had the time to make friends" I replied in a surly manner. Of course, I referred to the fact that his firm was so occupying that I couldn't make any close friends since I arrived in this city.
"I see. Well, don't you have any family or relatives around..."
"Mr Ash" I said, cutting him off. "You can't ask me about things like that so casually. You had them kick me out of your firm today, remember?" I said straightforwardly.
"Ohh. That..."
"And I really don't get it. I thought you found it repulsive to hang around lower lifeforms like me. You've had that kind of vibe ever since I've known you"
Mr Ash laughed softly. Then took another sip.
"Hmph. While your behaviour today was truly uncalled for, I had no hand in kicking you out. I simply stood there watching all that time"
"Tch" I muttered. 'So you're playing like that, huh' I thought to myself.
"And for my bearing, it is true I have zero interest in things of no worth to me but I do not regard people as 'lower lifeforms' if that is what you mean"
I scoffed at his answer. So, was he genuinely talking to me as a human would to another human? Well, I really couldn't care. Whatever it was, the worst had already happened. But then, he did say he had zero interest in things that weren't of any worth to him. Was what he was doing right now of any worth to him? Perhaps, he needed a drinking partner since he had no friends as well.
"Pfft" I scoffed inaudibly.
"Although, the vice manager has no direct right to fire employees. The only reason he was able to do so today was because I gave him the right to"
I looked at him side-eyed. My grip on my cup tightened.
"You just said you had no hand in what happened. Are you old geezers also horrible liars as well?"
He laughed softly again.
"You don't seem to have any regard for your elders, young man. But that's okay" he said with a smile as he took another sip again.
I had to let it go again. Of course, that was the case. It didn't make things any different.
"You should sit elsewhere, Mr Ash. I'm pretty sure I don't have anything of worth to you so don't waste your time on me" I said more calmly now.
Mr Ash laughed softly again.
"I meant what I said, Alex. I really do have zero interest in things of no worth to me"
"I know. That's why I said you should scram, old man"
"Hmph. You should be getting the gist of it by now Alex. I may have allowed the vice manager to fire you today, but here I am, having a talk with you"
My ears tingled a bit. What was he implying now?
"Why don't you have a walk with me, young man. I have a lot to discuss with you. Something that will definitely be of interest to both of us"
He then stood up.
"There's no need to pay. I own this bar"