[Los Angeles, CA. 1982.]
- ... And, if I'm not mistaken, you actually owe me a drink.
A blank stare is all she got from him, hunched over the counter holding his glass.
- You don't remember. - She smiled, one elbow on the counter and the other over the backrest of the wooden stool. - Back at that hotel? You were at the bar, and I offered to share a few shots...
And as his face showed no sign of recollection, she turned her upper body towards the counter, her dark gaze returning to her half-empty glass. - It's not surprising, though. It happened... two years ago?
- Yeah... '79, right?
- Hmm-mmm...
- But I do recall that we were at the bar at night. I just don't remember your offer...
- So it seems like you'll have to take my word for it.
- So it seems. - Why he couldn't remember, he didn't know, though he had his suspicions: her arrogant demeanor at the time or her tendency to make excessive drama over generally trivial matters. However, given what he knew about her extroverted behavior and inflated ego, the offer was probably made. - Did I refuse at the time?
- You did.
"Figures", Kyle thought, taking another sip of his drink.
- But now here we are again, be it by fortune or just by coincidence, whatever you believe in.
- Yeah... I was actually surprised to see you in a place like this. - He gestured slowly with his finger, indicating the dimly lit and tobacco-scented pub.
- And why is that? - A soft laugh escaped her lips as she took a sip of her stirred drink, those dark eyes staring back at him with a glint.
- You just don't look like the usual clientele. - Though her surprisingly simple clothing didn't make her stand out in the environment, her previous attitude towards creepy people trying to approach her (though he doubted it actually happened before) would surely be one good reason to make her stay as far away from this kind of place as possible.
- I will take that as a compliment, so thank you.
Kyle shrugged.
- But I came here a few times before tonight because the music is as good as the drinks. - She pointed to the jukebox in the far corner that was playing a soft piano music that Kyle happened to know. - Though there is this one cozy café I used to go to whenever I was in town. - She took a napkin and cleaned up the smudge her lipstick left on the cup. - It was not a particularly fancy place, but the customer service was excellent. The waitress there was such a lovely and cheery kid. - She folded the napkin and placed it near the bottom of the cup. - Besides, they had a fantastic iced tea recipe that complemented almost all of the desserts on their menu.
- Seems like a nice place to go.
- It is. - Her lips formed a tiny smile. - I haven't been there in ages, but I'm certain you would enjoy it as well.
- Perhaps. What's the name?
- Hmm... - She pondered, looking down and twitching the corner of her mouth. - It's on the tip of my tongue, but I know it had something to do with fortune.
- "Fortunately".
- No.
- "Unfortunately".
Her lips parted in a light-hearted laugh. - No.
- "The Woolery Café".
She laughed louder. - No. - A loose strand of hair was fixed swiftly with her fingers. - I haven't watched the show in quite a while.
- It's the same as always. Although he quit last year.
- Really? Why?
Kyle shrugged. - Probably something to do with money, as it usually is.
- And who's in his place?
Kyle grimaced. - Souljack-something. I forgot.
Her eyes blinked twice. - S-A-J-A-K? As in Pat Sajak?
- I guess it is.
- Oh! He was the weatherman at KNBC.
- His face seemed familiar.
- I take it that you have a preference for the radio, then.
- All the way. - He took another sip of his strong drink. - Back to the café...
- Of course. Fortune... Destiny... Soul-mate. Luck- She gasped, and her eyes grew bigger. - Oh! It's Lucky Café! - Her satisfied grin revealed her teeth once again as she clenched her hand in one fist and brought it up under her chin.
Kyle almost chuckled at her enthusiastic reaction and grinned along with her. Wait.
- Lucky Café?
- It is worth the visit. Although you may not enjoy iced tea, this place serves excellent coffee and their desserts are simply oust-
- Was there a hotel nearby?
- Oh... - She blinked again. - I think so.
Sometimes life would play tricks on him: one day it'd all feel as if the world had colossal proportions, inhabited by anonymous creatures of the human race, and the other day it seemed like the planet boiled down to L.A.
- Don't tell me you went there...
- Claire is the waitress.
- Claire! - She laughed. - That lovely kid. And the owner was also really polite.
- Sidney.
- That is right. How are they doing?
- I haven't been there in a while, but last time I checked, business was booming.
- One more reason for me to return soon. I bet the cinnamon cake is better than ever. - She took another sip as Kyle nodded his head in agreement. - How come I never saw you there?
- Either because we attended at different hours or because we just didn't acknowledge each other's presence.
- At which time did you usually go?
- It'd depend on the situation, but breakfast was almost an everyday certainty. And dinner too.
- Oh, I'd also go by the late afternoon sometimes... What a shame. I could've met you sooner if I had only paid a little more attention. - Her slender fingers grabbed the napkin and, again, cleaned up the smudge left on her cup.
- That's life, sis. - He sipped the drink and grimaced as the burning sensation trailed down his throat. - We're here now, though, so I guess things worked out in the end.
- They surely did. - Her cheekbones, he noticed, became more prominent in any and every smile her lips formed on her face, just like the one she sent him once again. - Well, it was nice meeting you again, Mr. Hyde, but the clock is telling me it's time to leave.
Kyle looked at the round object above the cupboard; 11:46 PM.
- Quite soon...
- I know my presence is very pleasant, thank you, but I need my beauty sleep. - She joked, smiling teasingly while standing up from the stool. - And I have some appointments tomorrow morning.
- Getting up early, huh?
- Yes. - She extended her hand to him, the thin bracelets on her wrists glistening and clinking with the movement. - We'll have to leave the drink for next time, then?
He looked at the smaller hand and took it in his, feeling the experienced formal grip she gave him. Probably had done that an absurd amount of times. - Sure. I show up here from time to time.
- Great. See you, then. - Putting her jacket over her bent arm, she turned to leave but stopped in her tracks, turning around again with a restrained energy in her movements that made it clear she either had a sudden idea or finally got the courage to speak what was already on her mind. - Though I guess it'd be easier to meet again if we could keep in contact. - And she smiled, the grimy lights from the ceiling reflecting in her eyes, making them look darker.
- Yeah?
- I guess...
- I thought you trusted my words, like you said earlier...
- Oh, I do trust your words. - The now dark-haired woman laid her free hand on the backrest of the stool she stood up from, shifting her weight to one of her legs. - But your memory, on the other hand...
- It was just one little fact I forgot earlier. - Kyle intertwined his fingers, hands and elbows still on the counter. - My memory is doing fine.
- Not to brag, but mine is in better shape. I could call your number to remind you.
- I don't know...
- Not even if I make you an offer?
- An offer?
- Correct. You see, I'm asking for personal information about you that I still don't yet know, so it's only fair if I give you an equivalent one in return, right?
He nodded.
- So what about... - She didn't avert her gaze while wondering. - What about my name?
- Pfff- Your name?
- Yes. You already know my artist name and the one I presented myself at the hotel... - She shifted her weight to the other leg. - But what about my real name? - Her eyebrows wiggled comically, tempting him to at least analyze the proposition.
Welp, it was a good trade indeed. Judging by that pesky attitude she had before, it was only natural to assume that girl wouldn't use her birth name with people she didn't trust, far less in a dead-beat hotel in the middle of nowhere. Not that he was ever curious since it didn't make a real difference at the time as it didn't now, but her offer was... interesting.
It wouldn't hurt, right?
- Alright.
- Nice! - She fished something inside her purse. - Let's make it like this: You write your number on this napkin here... - A pen was promptly handed to him. - And I will hand you my driver's licence. - The sleek document was being held between her index and middle fingers.
Sighing, he looked from her glistening eyes to the napkin on the counter and started to write his number, feeling deep down that it was a bad idea and maybe he shouldn't have drunk so much on that particular night.
- Here. - His open hand was covering what he wrote on the white paper. - Ready when you are.
- On the count of three?
He nodded.
- Very well... One, two, three.
Much to his surprise, he nearly snatched the document from her outstretched hand. Was he suspicious that she'd trick him? Or was he that curious? Either way, his eagerness brought a quick frown and a laugh from the charming woman, who read what was written on the paper with full attention as if to engrave it in her memory.
- Huh... Figures.
- Surprised? - Dark eyes went back to his face, having fun with his reaction.
- Your name is Iris. - He looked more resigned than upset, handing back the document to her, which she took with a wink.
- I never said it wasn't.
Touché.
- And what if I gave you a fake number?
- You did not.
- Are you sure?
- I trust your word on our deal. - She put the pen, her license, and the napkin back in her purse, never breaking eye contact. - And I fulfilled my end of it too, anyway.
- Indeed... - He finally turned his torso towards her, a small smile on his lips. - Ms. McRae.
She smiled again, her lipstick a tone darker due to the lights. - I will give you a call soon. See you! - And after a delicate wave she turned to leave.
- 'Till next time, then. - And his eyes watched her lean figure walk between the tables until the wooden door closed again. Kyle sighed and turned back to the counter for a few more shots.