ONE

"More sake, Jonny?" Erica asked him. Moving slightly in the bar stool, Jonny nodded. It was late into the night, and the only other people in Stray Sheep were Boss and two men at the corner booth. It's pouring outside and he didn't feel like coming home just yet.

Putting sake bottle and cup in front of him, Erica said, "Did something happen? You're awfully quiet today. Also, it's weird that everyone else's gone home and you're still here."

"Thanks," he murmured and pour his drink. "Nothing happened." And that's exactly what's wrong, he added in his mind. He felt like his life had been very boring recently. It was the same routine over and over again. He woke up in the morning - alone, went to work, Stray Sheep afterwards with his friends, and went home. That was it.

His phone chirped and he took it out. An e-mail from an address he didn't recognize.

Hi, Jonny! It's me, Alli. Thanks for your help selling my father's car the other day 3 I have another one in my garage. But it won't even start, so you think you can drop by tomorrow to check it out?

Jonny knit his brows. Which one was Alli again? Ah, that red-headed college girl who was a big fan of clothes too small for her. Now where the hell could she get his e-mail address? His mind instantly flew to Toby. That kid, he thought to himself, sighing heavily. He put down his cigarette and started typing.

I'll have one of the guys to come over. What time do you want it to be checked?

Aww :( Can't YOU come instead? Around 10am? Please?

He let out a sigh. He had a feeling this wouldn't be just about the car. But she was a customer and damn it if he lost one because of things like this.

Okay, 10 AM.

Erica approached him again after serving drinks to corner booth men. Sitting on another bar stool, she eyed him. "You can talk to me if you have problems, you know. Or is it about one of the guys? I swear I won't say anything to them," she made a gesture as if to lock her lips and threw away the key."

"That's not it," he put out his cigarette and reached into his jacket pocket for another one. "My life has been very boring is all. We're nearly 33 and we're not moving anywhere at all, Erica."

"Hmm? What's that?" Erica tilted her head, her red hair waving slightly at the movement. "Are you saying that we should date, Jonny?"

"Yeah, right," he snorted. "And then the next day we will find Toby's dead body hanging from the ceiling in his bedroom."

"Hah, that's not gonna happen," She tilted her head. "I don't get it, Jonny. You're gonna die alone waiting for The One to magically appear in your life. You're a nice guy, that sort of fate doesn't suit you. Why don't you just find someone pretty and get married already?"

"I'm not just waiting around," Jonny secretly hoped Erica didn't notice the defensive tone. Truth to be told, he hadn't been particularly interested in looking for someone for nearly a year.

Since the day Katherine became Mrs. Brooks. But Erica certainly didn't need to know that.

"Well, I don't see you trying either."

"Exactly. You don't see me trying. Because I never do it in front of you."

"Why don't you? We have some female customers everyday here but I have never seen you hit on anybody."

He blew out smoke from between his lips. Erica had a point. He had never spoken to any woman here besides her.

And she's not even a real woman.

Seeing him not answering, Erica grinned. "See?" She waved at the entrance. Who knows, maybe someday your future wife just happen to walk in through that door!"