Our First Conversation

"This really sucks," Angie muttered.

Angie still could not accept that she was unemployed now. Not completely unemployed, actually. She still had her personal news blog that had enough visitors to make her money. Actually, even without her working for one of the newspaper publishers, she could still support herself through that personal blog as well as some other side jobs with her journalistic skills. Angie just felt unsatisfied if she did not have a definite goal every day. Unfortunately, her free spirit and eagerness to expose every evil in the world is not in line with where she works. They were too afraid to reveal the facts to the point of firing Angie, who was desperate to publish the evidence she found.

Angie took her cell phone from her jacket pocket and searched for Rai's number. One call went unanswered. Angie grunted and tried to contact him again. Until the 4th call, Rai did not answer. A few seconds later, Rai sent a message saying that he could not answer the call because he was on an important assignment.

"Damn, so I have to cheer myself up alone, huh?"

Angie quickly stuffed her cell phone back into her jacket and walked with stomping steps. She returned to the nightclub she always went to with Rai just to talk about random things. The difference was, this time she came alone. Come to think of it, this was her first time going to that place alone.

"Never mind, I just want to relax."

When Angie arrived at the place, the hostess who always served her immediately greeted her kindly. The blonde and beautiful woman was Rai's choice. Angie did not really care. The important thing was that she could serve the customers well. Who would have thought that in the end they would become friends because Angie and Rai came here so often?

"Are you alone, Miss?"

Angie nodded. "Rai is away on some important business. Ah, damn. He's not around when I need someone to talk to."

The hostess laughed softly. "I'll keep you company, Miss. Or, if you need someone else, there are plenty of other good-looking hosts to catch your eye."

Angie chuckled. "Like I'm comfortable talking to strangers. Of course not."

The hostess led Angie to her usual table. She excused herself to get Angie's favorite drink. After the hostess left, Angie was alone at the table and sighed repeatedly.

"Ah, if only I-" Angie's speech stopped when she saw a figure she recognized very well. Well, technically, she didn't know him, but she knew who he was.

A broad grin was etched on her lips. "Good, looks like I found another more enjoyable distraction," she muttered.

The tattooed man she saw the night before was also in this place. Just like before, he was alone with the hostess pouring his drinks. This was a good opportunity. Angie left her seat and sat directly on the man's chair.

He turned his head with a cold expression. He did not say a word, but the look in his eyes told Angie that he did not like her coming.

"I saw you a while ago. You're always alone, hm? I happen to be alone today too. Wouldn't it be great if we were together?"

The man turned his face away and stayed focused on downing his own drink. He was in no mood to engage in Angie's conversation.

"What's your name?" Angie asked.

The man was silent.

Angie was a little annoyed, but she knew this guy's response would definitely not be very good, so she was not surprised.

"Hey, do you live nearby?" Angie asked again.

And just like before, he was reluctant to answer.

A few moments later, the hostess who had gotten Angie's drink arrived. She was surprised to see that Angie had moved to sit in someone else's seat.

"Miss Angie, I've brought your drinks. Let's go back to your table."

Angie shook her head and picked up her glass. "It's no fun drinking alone. He's alone, isn't he? Wouldn't it be better if we were together?"

Angie quickly downed her drink with a cheerful expression. The first glass, second glass, third glass and Angie were no longer counted. The alcohol in her body started to react and made Angie's consciousness start to blur. She kept talking to the man, but he did not respond at all.

"Hey, come on, why are you silent? Are you mute?"

Angie plastered the man. Her head was starting to feel dizzy, so she leaned into the man's shoulder. Angie's physical contact made the man uncomfortable. Suddenly, he slammed his own glass on the table, spilling the drink inside.

"You're wearing out my patience," he said with emphasis.

Angie blinked, stunned by the man. "Oh, so you can talk. That's great, you have a great voice."

The man gave a long sigh and stood up. He passed the hostess who was serving him and was about to leave, but a half-drunk Angie was desperate to hold the man's arm.

"Don't go. I'm here to keep you company. Come on, let's have a drink together."

The man pulled her arm forcefully. Angie, whose head was already starting to spin, staggered a little from the tug. Her body tripped over a table leg and fell onto the man's body. Their misfortune did not stop there. As a result of Angie's and the man's bodies falling and hitting the table, the three bottles of alcoholic beverages on the table toppled over and shattered on Angie's back.

"Fuck!"

Angie groaned softly. Her back was sore and cold from being hit by the broken glass bottles. Not to mention the liquid that had spilled on her. Because of the cold, Angie's faint consciousness suddenly returned fully. She was a little surprised when she saw her position on top of the man's body.

"Hey, I'm sorry. My head is spinning so I..."

"Move aside." The man roughly pushed Angie's body.

Angie swayed a little from being pushed so suddenly that her palms reflexively held onto whatever was around her. After managing to get up, the man glanced at Angie once more. Without saying anything, he quickly walked away, leaving Angie still glued in a sitting position.

"Miss Angie, let me help you."

Angie chuckled softly at the man's back that disappeared towards the exit. "Interesting."

Angie tried to stand up with the help of the hostess. When she raised her hand, she winced when she felt a foreign object in her grasp.

"Huh? What's this?"

Angie frowned as she noticed a small gold-colored round pin with a three-scratch claw symbol in the center.

"This doesn't look like a piece of jewelry. Uh, wait a minute..." Angie looked back toward the exit. The symbol looked suspicious, or maybe Angie was just too curious.

"Whatever, I'll find out about you." She muttered under her breath.

***