Boulevardier

☾︎✯☽︎

I sighed for the umpteenth time as I stared exasperatedly at my phone screen. I had gotten off work not too long and had yet to have an Uber to pick me up and take me home. The damn Uber app kept searching for drivers nearby for the past thirty minutes. To make matters worse, there weren't any buses that went by my area. I didn't want to inconvenience Christian and Chaerin to come pick me up from work at three in the morning.

I should have just sucked up my pride and come with my car. I thought. Fuck how I felt about driving my car after what in my car with Lisa.

I suddenly frowned at the image of what I saw in the VIP room resurfacing in my head. How Lisa looked uncomfortable with the man she was with. How she looked embarrassed when I saw her with him. The way that man had his arm around her. How she smiled, reassuring me that she was going to be okay.

But if I'm going to be honest, I didn't feel reassured – not even the slightest. If anything, I was angry at the situation. I was angry at the man for making her uncomfortable. I was angry at Lisa for entertaining that man at her own expense. I was angry for leaving her alone with him and not checking on her just because I wanted to adhere to my rules and keep my distance.

"Hey."

I looked up and saw Lisa. She had a motorbike parked right where I was standing, holding her helmet in her hands.

"Hi," I greeted back. "How long were you standing there?"

"Not long," she answered. "I was just about to head to my res until I saw you. So, I thought I could stop by."

She tilted her head to the side, "I see you don't have your car with you."

"Oh, yeah. It's at a repair shop. It's been having some problems that need to be fixed." I lied, scratching my head.

She hummed. "Need a lift?"

I arched an eyebrow. "You're offering me a ride on your bike?"

"No, I'm offering a ride on my Porsche."

I rolled my eyes at her sarcastic remark and sighed. "You don't have to. I was just about to call an Uber."

"Come on, Ollie. You offered me a ride before. So, it's only fair that I return the favour." She said. "We're co-workers and we help our own right?"

"Right," I nodded my head slowly.

"So is that a "yes"?"

I slumped my shoulders and sighed. I still felt a little iffy around her after our last encounter. But at the same time, I wanted to go home. I didn't want to keep requesting an Uber until my phone battery died.

Just swallow your pride and take the offer. "Fine," I relented. I hopped on behind her while she put on her helmet and wrapped my arms around her waist.

"So where are we heading?" she switched on and revved the engine.

"Bluff hill street. It's right across the Avenues."

"Got it. Also, you may need to hold on tighter than that. I drive really fast. And I do mean really fast."

I arched an eyebrow. "Why would you be driving fast in the first place?"

She shrugged. "I like the thrill and the rush."

"Should I be concerned for my life?"

"Whichever you prefer."

"So concerned it is."

She chuckled and closed the visor on her helmet. "Suit yourself, big boy. You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be – whoa!" I exclaimed the moment the bike took off without warning. She wasn't kidding about driving fast. I was holding on for dear life. I could feel and smell everything; the wind, the exhaust and the engine, the temperature, the moisture in the air, you name it. I could also feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins and my heart thumping in my ears. It was a juxtaposition of fear and peace. It was both freeing and liberating, but life-threatening at the same time.

"You okay back there?!" she yelled.

"Yeah, just trying not to die here!" I yelled back with my eyes tightly closed.

She laughed at my response. This girl is going to be the death of me.

Finally, the ride came to an end when Lisa parked her bike right in front of my apartment complex. My legs felt like jelly when I got off the bike. I could have fallen if Lisa hadn't caught me in time.

"You okay?" She asked, half amused, and half concerned.

"Peachy." I deadpanned sarcastically. "Remind me to never accept rides from you ever again."

"You know I can just drop you, right?"

I rolled my eyes.

Here, let me take you to your apartment." She threw my arm over her shoulder and placed her arm behind my lower back.

"You really don't have to," I told her. 

"I insist," she smiled at me. "I'm a strong girl. I can handle you."

"Home, sweet home," I said as I opened the door to my studio apartment and switched on the light. My apartment had a small living room, kitchen and bedroom fitted into one room with an ensuite. It also had a glass slide door that led to the balcony. Two paintings hung on the grey-painted walls – one just above the couch in the living room area and another just above the bed in the bedroom area. The floor was fitted with wooden tiles.

"Nice place," Lisa commented as she walked around the room. "Simple but nice, nonetheless."

"Fancy isn't really my forte," I sat down on the couch.

"You have plants?" she inquired, pointing at the four flowerpots with plants that were at the top of the shelf in the kitchen area.

"One of my friends insisted to have plants to "add more life in the room"," I rolled my eyes.

She cackled. "Your friend has the right idea."

"Well, they're fake. With how busy I get these days; I don't have the time to take care of plants."

She hummed and turned to leave. "Well, I better get going then."

"Wait," I blurted out, suddenly standing up.