A/N: I think it's impossible for me not to apologise every time I update a story. I'm sorry, you lovely people. Enjoy this chapter to the fullest because it may be a while until I update it again. However, I promise I WILL NOT STOP THIS FIC. I'll try to update every chance I get, so you will get your regular dose of Lovi! Also, this gets a bit more serious/dramatic at the end, but it wouldn't be a story if it didn't have any intrigue involved, right? I don't own hetalia and this is AU.
'The English Rose' was an old bar that had clearly seen better days. It looked pretty damn run down on the outside, with cracked windows and worn red bricks that had cross-hatched white scratches layered into them. Lovina recalled passing it on the journey to her new abode but didn't expect she would ever be forced to go inside the unspeakable hell hole. Who even dared go for a drink in such a pub? Probably only one handed pirates and other rough-and-ready characters you'd expect to see as villains in story books. She stared at the watering hole's exterior for quite some time before the others caught up with her.
"What are you waiting for Fräulein?" a cocky albino nudged her as he pushed open the bar's door, a timid Meg not far behind him. "It's perfectly safe. Or are you scared a nasty drunk man will hurt you?" He snickered his trade mark laugh and pushed Meg inside with him, leaving poor Lovi no time to think of a come back.
Still, that comment alone was enough to force her to barge straight into 'The English Rose', hands on hips and heels clacking against the tiled floor. Half way through her intimidating pursuit of Gilbert she slowed to a halt. Lovina Vargas looked around her, eyeing up her surroundings suspiciously and somehow feeling like someone had screwed her over. This place was nothing like its exterior. The bar counter was sleek and new and modern Ikea style branches of lights hung above their heads. There was a pool table situated on a raised area of the bar that was also home to several tables that people could gather around to enjoy their drinks at.
Although she was relieved to find a normal bar in her area, not some dump full of crazy people like her room mates, she couldn't help feeling pissed off at said men for letting her believe the place was- well, gross.
She spun on her heels to face the other two offenders, realising that they had only just arrived at the entrance. Francis and Antonio stood there panting and staring at her, not that she was particularly surprised.
You are probably wondering, dear reader, why these two are in such a state. An hour prior to their visit, Lovina decided to change into something more acceptable for going out in than grey jogger bottoms and a loose T-Shirt. She would never normally be responsible for such a serious fashion crime but the black out had forced her to escape the bathroom quickly by wearing whatever was to hand.
She had emerged from her room after a good forty five minutes of fussing, in a black denim mini skirt (designer of course), a pair of dark stilettos and her favourite red sleeveless shirt she had bought with her from the Italian Prada Boutique. She'd always liked that particular outfit; it had, lets say, a certain impact on the men around her. She felt like she needed to make an impact after the already countless times she had been caught off guard by her insufferable room mates.
After that, Antonio and Francis said nothing to her and decided to stay about three metres behind her at all times, watching intently, nit wanting to take their eyes off her. Gilbert hardly noticed her and kept up a constant, steady conversation with Meg until they reached their destination.
Wanting to waste no more time looking at the two perverted men gazing at her, Lovina helped herself to a glass of wine at the counter.
"Bloody hell, you're not with them are you? Don't tell me frog face has finally picked up a girl!" the bartender snorted as she popped open a bottle of red wine.
"Hell no! I'd rather scrape my eyes out with a rusty spoon than go out with that sleazy bastard!"
The bartender eased up after hearing the Italian's definitive reply. She leaned against the wall by the counter and looked at her new customer.
"Then you must be the new roommate they were so excited about getting." She paused to take her money. "You must be going through hell. Here, this one's on me." the blonde poured out a double measure of whiskey into a glass and pushed it towards Lovina.
"So you know these bastards then? I'm Lovina Vargas. And you are?"
"Alice. Alice Kirkland. My family owns this bar."
Alice Kirkland's glasses glinted in the light as she looked over Lovina's shoulder.
"Looks like you've got company. I'll leave you to it." she grinned again, a sarcastic look of slight amusement on her pale face. She seemed nice enough, but anyone with such a holier-than-though attitude was bound to annoy the hell out of this volatile Italian.
"H- hola Lovi... did I tell you that you look extremely hermoso (beautiful) this evening?"
Lovina grabbed her whiskey, getting the feeling that she was going to be drinking a lot this evening. "No."
She sensed the Spaniard next to her loosen up as he let out a breath next to her. She couldn't be sure, but she felt as though he had suddenly become extremely determined. His emerald eyes glinted as he looked up into her hazel-greens.
He smiled at her, seemingly caught up in some kind of thoughtful moment. He prepared to speak.
The doors of 'The English Rose' creaked upon and a rectangle of light cast shadows onto its checkered tile floor. The figure that emerged was one of a curvy, short woman with cropped, light hair. Expecting her to take a seat with the rest, Lovina turned her attention back to Antonio who was now contrastingly uninterested in her. His neck craned to the side and the slowly closing door allowed the midday sun to light up his cheeks and eyes and cast strangely enthralling angular shadows across his olive dark skin. He was staring at the girl and didn't try to hide it. Lovina swung back her glass and downed the bitter liquid, not minding the burning sensation that spread down her throat. It felt better than the one in her chest.
The woman stopped at Antonio's bar stool and lightly caressed his back, becoming his attention and smiling at him in a way that made Lovina's stomach turn.
"Toni. It's been a long time." the blonde smiled. "Do you mind if we talk?" The brunette complied and made for the back exit that lead onto a veranda, leaving a slightly tipsy and confused Italian to wonder what the hell just happened.
A/N: so, what did you think of the drama? Please please let me know so I can improve this story for you guys. Who do you think this mystery woman is? Who is she to Antonio? Is there a spark between Lovi and Toni? So many questions, and they will be answered in due time! Ciao for now, my lovely followers!