The Officer and the Orphan

Chapter Three

Located a could of blocks from the university, the bar exuded a vibrant energy that echoed the youthful spirit of both students and locals alike. Its façade, adorned with neon lights, beckoned passersby into a world of lively conversations.

As Emily and Ava stepped inside, the ambient hum of laughter and music enveloped them.

The interior boasted a cozy yet dynamic atmosphere, with a mix of wooden furnishings and eclectic decor creating an inviting setting. The patrons, a diverse blend of university students and locals, filled the space with animated discussions and the occasional burst of laughter. The air was infused with the aroma of brewing coffee and the anticipation of the night unfolding.

Groups gathered around tables, some engrossed in lively debates, others engrossed in the rhythm of the music.

"This is perfect," Ava said dragging Emily into the bar. "I used to sneak out and visit pubs back in London. My parents didn't like it but I had nothing else to do than find ways to cause trouble."

They soon found a vacant table and a waitress was with them in a few minutes. Ava scanned the menu and they settled for the Pina Colada.

"Never taken alcohol before," Emily confessed.

"There's always a first time," Ava beamed. "Your first day in a university, your first alcoholic drink. A first of many things for you."

"I guess so," Emily replied.

The music in the bar pulsated through the air, a lively cacophony that enveloped the patrons in a rhythmic embrace. The beats reverberated, creating a vibrant atmosphere that mingled with the animated chatter of the crowd. Bass notes thumped with a palpable energy, inviting spontaneous movements from those who succumbed to the infectious rhythm.

As conversations competed with the music, the volume seemed to transcend the mere auditory, becoming a tangible force that resonated with the spirit of revelry. Each note carried with it a symphony of emotions, adding an auditory backdrop to the shared experiences within the bustling confines of the bar.

With a tray in hand, the waitress efficiently delivered their order, leaving the young women to savor the moment in the lively ambiance of the bar. As they clinked glasses and took their first sips, a symphony of flavors danced across their palates.

A local approached their table a few minutes later while they were halfway through their drink.

"You ladies care for some company?" he asked. A had a glass of something in his hand and seemed to rock slightly from side to side indicative of somebody who have had more than a few to drink.

"That won't be necessary," Ava replied firmly. "We're fine on our own."

"But that would be rude of me to abandon such pretty ladies as yourself drinking all alone," the local pressed. "I'll just take a seat right next to you and keep you company."

"I won't advice you do that," a voice stopped the man and drew the attention of the ladies.

The young man, handsome and well-built, exuded a casual yet confident aura in his ensemble of blue jeans and a fitted black T-shirt. The denim accentuated his athletic frame, while the sleek, black fabric of the T-shirt hinted at a sense of modern style. With each step, his movements showcased a blend of ease and strength, and the simplicity of his attire only accentuated the natural charm that radiated from his demeanor.

He stopped directly behind the obviously drunk local. "I believe the ladies told you they wanted to be left alone, Chad."

"Yeah, right," the local named Chad waved a hand at them and walked away.

"Sorry for the disturbance ladies," he said as he walked away from their table.

Emily found out from the waitress that he was a bouncer hired by the bar owner recently, to keep people like Chad who had a habit of harassing female patrons and staff in check.

"He's doing a good job too," the waitress said. "Fools like Chad would grab your behind when they have one too many to drink. He's put a stop to two fights since he got here."

"And he's got his eyes all over you," Ava whispered to Emily.

"What?"

As Emily glanced up, her eyes unexpectedly met the gaze of the bouncer. In that fleeting moment, an unspoken connection lingered between them, a subtle acknowledgment of awareness within the vibrant backdrop of the bar. The encounter, though brief, carried a sense of shared understanding, as if both recognized the unspoken currents of the environment they inhabited. The music, the laughter, and the lively atmosphere seemed to momentarily fade, leaving only the exchanged glance as a silent thread connecting their worlds.

"You see what I mean," Ava laughed. "And I see you're also interested in him."

"No," Emily stammered. "I'm not. What you said just took me by surprise."

"And that explains the way you two looked at each other just now I believe?" Ava laughed. "I wasn't born yesterday you know and I know when two people like each other. Love at first sight sort of thing and I seem to be seeing something like that right now."

Blushing, Emily diverted her gaze and took a sip of her Pina Colada, attempting to immerse herself in the tropical flavors and momentarily escape the awareness of the bouncer's lingering eyes. Despite her efforts to focus on the drink, she couldn't shake the subtle awareness that his gaze seemed to trace the contours of her presence.

"Do you have a boyfriend back home?" Ava asked. "Somebody waiting for you?"

"No," Emily replied. "Nobody. I didn't keep that too many friends and never cared about the boys back at High School. I was too busy study hard to get the scholarship to care about boys."

"I probably left one or two brokenhearted young men back in London," Ava replied. "Stringed them along but never really letting them in but giving them hope that they'll have me. It was fun. You should try it."

"No I don't think that would work for me," Emily replied. "Anybody I eventually date, I think I'll be very serious with him."

"That's if he'll be serious with you," Ava pointed out. "A lot of the guys just want a girl to shag. There's also the good ones though but you'll have to be extremely careful to be able to find them. Let's dance."

Emily swallowed the last of the Pina Colada and followed Ava to the already crowded dance floor. The pulsating beats of the music enveloped them as they seamlessly melded into the energetic rhythm of the crowd.

Despite the lively dance floor and the infectious beats, Emily couldn't shake the lingering sensation of the bouncer's gaze.

Each sway and twirl seemed to carry the weight of his watchful eyes, creating a subtle undercurrent beneath the pulsating music.

Even in the midst of the vibrant dance, the awareness of his presence added a layer of complexity to the rhythmic movements, leaving Emily in a dance that intertwined with the silent acknowledgment of the bouncer's unseen gaze.

After a few exhilarating minutes on the dance floor, the ladies gracefully made their way back to their table. The beats of a new song, less suited for dancing, had shifted the tempo of the night. As they settled into their seats, the lively chatter of the bar and the distant echoes of music continued to provide a vibrant backdrop for the ongoing chapter of their evening.

"s**t," Emily looked at her watch. "I have a full day tomorrow and I'll really want to wake up early."

"Well this is enough enjoyment for one night," Ava said. "We'll pick it up during the weekend."

As Ava settled the tab, the ladies gracefully rose from their seats and made their way towards the exit. However, as they walked out, Emily couldn't escape the sensation that the bouncer's eyes were once again fixed upon her. The awareness of his watchful gaze lingered, creating an enigmatic aura that accompanied them into the night beyond the lively confines of the bar.

"He really has the hots for you," Ava said as they got back to the campus. "We'll probably that when next we go there."

"Probably," Emily said.