Tequila

☾︎✯☽︎

It was three in the morning. A bit late for my liking and I had pretty much overstayed my welcome in a stranger's home especially after having sex with said stranger, who was sound asleep naked as I dressed up preparing for my departure. We both got what we wanted, so I had no reason to stick around longer than I wanted to.

I felt a pair of arms circle around my waist followed by a pair of lips pressed against the crook of my neck. I internally cussed exasperated knowing exactly what she was doing and why she was doing it.

"Leaving already?" I could feel the smile on her lips as she whispered in my ear.

"I have no business staying here," I answered curtly, untangling her arms from my waist. I tried getting up, but I got pulled back.

"Stay." She whined, her lips almost wavering.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes and released a sigh. It wasn't the first time a woman I slept with asked me to stay and insinuated the idea of wanting to pursue a relationship with me despite expressing my disinterest in such. I was used to it, but I never like it either.

"I already made it clear that it was going to be just sex and nothing more," I reminded her.

"I'm not asking for a relationship. I'm just asking you to stay a little longer. The night is still young."

"You're not the first woman who's said that, and you certainly won't be the last." I finally got out of her clutches and grabbed what was left of my belonging and made my way towards the door.

"Will I see you again?"

I looked at her and forced a smile and said, "It's better if you don't." before leaving.

Relationships were never part of my agenda. I had never been in a relationship let alone dated anyone ever since I hit puberty. The closest thing I had to a relationship was with this girl from my class back when I was around eleven or twelve years old.

I had no idea that she liked me like that. I didn't even know that we were in a relationship until she addressed me as her boyfriend in front of her friends and I had to explain to her that I wasn't interested in her nor did I even want to be in a relationship with her.

I went back home with a red handprint on my cheek that day and went straight into the shower so I could wash the milkshake out of my hair.

I rested my chin on my fist, staring at the amber-lit streets. 'Leave Before You Love Me' by Marshmello and the Jonas brothers was playing on the radio as I drove myself home.

People have asked me why I haven't pursued any relationships and settled down, especially at my age and I had entertained the thought. Relationships come with a lot of expectations and sacrifices; things I doubt I would have the time and energy for, and it all seemed pointless to me.

I love my individuality and independence. I love living free, working hard towards my goals and being in control of my life. I also love having a good time and living in the moment even when it comes to sex. But all good things have to come to an end before they get out of control and for that reason, I have set rules and boundaries for myself.

Rule one: Always distance yourself from the people you sleep with. Don't exchange names, numbers, social media et cetera.

Rule two: Avoid any hook-up arrangements.

Rule three: Always communicate and make your intentions clear to avoid any misunderstandings.

Rule four: Never mix work/business with pleasure. Sleeping with co-workers, bosses or anyone involved in your work life is strictly prohibited.

☾︎✯☽︎

"Can I have two vodka and cokes, please?"

"Sure," I quickly made the cocktail and poured it into the two red solo cups, before passing them to the person who requested them.

"Thanks." He grabbed them and left.

Not a minute passed and another one came by the bar - a girl this time.

"Can you pour me some gin?" She asked.

I observed her closely. Judging from the slight flush on her cheeks and the slight slur in her speech, she must have been tipsy. Probably had about two or three cups of alcohol in.

"Sure," I answered grabbing a bottle of gin and a solo cup.

"No!" she stopped me. "Pour it here." She points to her mouth.

I arched an eyebrow at the request.

"I'm waiting." She opened her mouth wide.

The host better be paying me handsomely. I stifled a sigh and poured the gin into her mouth as per request. She closed her mouth, swallowed and wiped the access alcohol leaking from the corners of her mouth before screaming with enthusiasm and running straight to the pool, jumping inside.

I've bartended at many venues and events. I've bartended at birthday parties, engagement parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, and high-class fancy social events, but never college/university parties.

It was pretty packed. The music was blasting so loud I'm surprised the police hadn't shown up yet. If you were one of the people who loved music and dancing their asses off, you'd find them on the dancefloor near the DJ's booth. Video games and party games were played along with other unholy things people do when they're high on hormones (which I had the fortune to not have to see).

Introverts were found either in the corners or at the bar quietly observing or waiting for their extroverted friends (who probably forced or dragged them out of their dorms), while I watched and observed the party as I wiped the counter.

"Ollie!"

My eyes shifted from the party and saw Chaeyoung making her way towards the bar with a very familiar friend of hers. One I never thought I would see again until I started officially started my first shift at the bar.

"Fancy seeing you here." Chaeyoung smiled.

"I could say the same about you," I replied before turning my eyes to her friend briefly. "And your friend."

She laughed before turning to her friend. "This is Ollie. He's the new bartender I've been telling you about." She turned to me. "You already know Lisa."

"Nice to meet you," she bowed her head slightly with a smile.

"Likewise," I answered with a nod. "What can I get you, ladies?"

"I'm fine. I already had a drink before coming here." Chaeyoung declined with a dismissive wave.

"Tequila on the rocks," Lisa replied.

"Coming right up," I said.

"So, what brings you here?" Chaeyoung asked as she and Lisa sat down on the stools. "Aren't you too old to be hanging around at university house parties?"

I rolled my eyes at her comment. "I was bribed with a handsome amount of many to offer my services. I couldn't resist." I put the ice in the glass and poured the tequila inside before sliding it to Lisa.

"Bambam hired you?" Lisa asked.

"You know him?" I arched an eyebrow.

"A childhood friend of mine." She answered vaguely, sipping from her cup.

"And he was named after a Flintstones character."

"Most Thai names are long. Not a lot of foreigners would be able to pronounce our full names without butchering them and not many people will remember them. Bambam doesn't even remember his own brother's full name."

"Wow," Chaeyoung commented while my eyebrows flew up amused by her friend's story.

"That's why we have nicknames. Sometimes from the last letters of our full names. Sometimes given to us by family and friends." She shrugged. "It's in our culture."

"What about you, Ollie?" Chaeyoung turned to me. "Any interesting names?"

"Well, I used to go by Bolin before switching to my English name when I entered high school," I answered.

"You're named after an Avatar: Legend of Korra character?"

"Please," I rolled my eyes. "I've had this name long before that two-dimensional drawing ever existed, but somehow that never stopped my best friend from poking fun at the idea. I never really liked people nicknaming me Bobo or Bawling Pin either."

They both burst into laughter.

"Not gonna lie, that's actually a very creative and puny nickname. Maybe I should bring back that nickname." Chaeyoung teased.

"Oh, the nostalgia," I answered sarcastically.

Suddenly, Chaeyoung's phone started ringing. She sighed as she pulled it out of her purse and checked her screen. "I gotta take this."

She hopped off the stool and went off somewhere to take her call, leaving me alone with Lisa.

The silence wasn't awkward, but I couldn't decide whether or not I should continue conversing with her or just go about my business. I know as a bartender, I should be more sociable and engaging with my patrons and customers, but I prefer it to be more natural than forced.

"Didn't think I'd see you again," she broke the silence.

"It's a small world we live in," I said. "We were bound to see each other one way or the other since we both work at the same bar."

"But why work there when you've pretty much established your own business as a freelance bartender?"

"As liberating as it is being independent and being your own boss, I still need a job with a stable income. Freelancing can only do so much and get you so far. Besides, it's always good to have a backup plan to fall on in case it doesn't work out."

She gave me a tight lip smile and hummed in concession to my statement.

"I take it you are a university student seeing you at a place like this," I commented.

"Unfortunately." She answered.

"What are you studying?"

"I'm doing an Honours Degree in Hospitality. Currently in my last semester."

My eyebrows quirked up at this information. I'm not one to judge or assume, but for some reason, I just couldn't see her as someone who would want to pursue that kind of field or profession, especially after I saw the way she danced when I first laid eyes on her. She seemed more of a Performing Arts type of person. Or at the very least someone who has dreams of being a K-Pop artist.

"What's with that look?" she giggled amused.

"It's nothing," I answered, mentally shaking off my thoughts.

We went silent again. She pushed her empty glass towards me and her head towards it, silently asking for a refill.

"They say that people who drink tequila are the type who enjoy life and live in the moment," I said, refilling her glass. "Very plain and straightforward individuals and risk takers."

She quirked an eyebrow intrigued and leaned forward, tilting her head slightly. "Is that what you think of me?"

"I wouldn't know," I shrugged, "I'm just quoting what I've heard from other bartenders and thought I could share."

"And what if I was that kind of person," she contested. "One who likes taking risks and living in the moment."

"Then I'd tell you to be careful," I told her. "Your type tends to get caught up in the moment and get into a lot of trouble because of it."

"I like a little trouble. Life is more interesting and exciting that way." She smirked.

We silently stared at each other, never breaking eye contact. In this silence, I took the time to drink in her appearance. Her raven bob-cut with a blonde underlayer and bangs covering her forehead. Her round but proportionate doll-like face. Her slightly wide. Her soft and slightly plumb tan lips. The white fur coat covered her slim body but exposed her creamy shoulders. The mischief and playfulness that glinted in her almond-like brown eyes.

"Sorry, that took so long." Chaeyoung's voice broke me out of my trance, making me clear my throat awkwardly. "What did I miss?"

Lisa smiled assuredly. "Not much. Just banter among colleagues." She offered me a peculiar glance and she sipped from her glass.

"Yeah, what she said," I replied.