Strangers encountered

Amid the dimly lit ambiance of the bar, Ethel moved with practiced grace behind the counter, expertly mixing drinks for the lively crowd. The air was thick with the mingling scents of various spirits, laughter, and the distant beat of music. As the night unfolded, the bar became a sanctuary for those seeking a temporary escape from reality.

In the midst of the energetic chatter and clinking glasses, the door swung open, and a figure stepped in from the cold night. The door chimed, announcing the entrance of a new customer. Ethel glanced up, momentarily diverting her attention from the cocktail shaker in her hands. Her eyes met those of a solitary man who seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. She narrowed her eyes as she remembered that man, it was the man who bumped at her; the rude man.

The man, oblivious to the recognition in Ethel's eyes, scanned the bar before making his way to an empty stool. He took a seat, his gaze fixed on the assortment of liquor bottles