Scarlett OHara felt the weight of betrayal heavy on her heart as she sat at the bar of The Blue Jay, her vision blurred from the drinks she had consumed. The phone call she had received earlier seemed insignificant now, compared to the reality of Tom Joads infidelity.
She had dismissed the call initially, confident in the love Tom had for her. But the videos and messages that followed had shattered her trust. The text that led her to the apartment complex had been the final blow.
Now, with each sip of her drink, she tried to forget the pain that throbbed with every beat of her heart.
"Another bottle," she said to the bartender, her voice firm despite the alcohol.
The bartender glanced towards a booth in the corner, receiving a subtle nod from a man before preparing another fruity cocktail for Scarlett.
But when she took a sip, she frowned. "I asked for liquor, not a juice," she complained, her words slurring slightly.
"It is liquor," a clear voice interjected. A handsome figure sat down beside her, his suit impeccable, his manners refined. "You can taste it again if you dont believe me."
Scarlett, her senses dulled by the alcohol, looked at the man through half-closed eyes. She took another sip, still tasting only sweetness.
"Liar," she muttered, a hint of accusation in her voice.
The man chuckled, a rich sound that seemed to warm the cool air of the bar. "I never lie. I never have to you."
Never lie?
Scarletts face twisted into a bitter smile. "Do all you men like to say that? Do you think that by saying I never lie to you, women will just foolishly believe you?"
The mans eyes darkened for a moment, but his voice remained steady. "Are you thinking of someone else?"
Scarlett downed the rest of her drink, her words coming out more forcefully. "You all say you love us, but why can you say you love us and yet sleep with other women? Can you men separate love and lust so easily? Or is it that youre used to playing games?"
The mans gaze on her deepened, his voice low and magnetic. "No, the one I love, the one I like, has always been just one person."
Scarlett clearly didnt believe him. "If you love her so much, why are you here?"
The man smiled, his expression not changing. "Because the girl I love has forgotten me."
"Then youre pitiful."
"Not pitiful at all," the man said with a pleasant smile.
He never planned to let the girl he loved go to anyone. Forgetting was okay; they could get to know each other again.
Scarlett suddenly leaned towards him, pulling his collar. "Am I pretty?"
The man was taken aback for a moment, but his smile remained gentle. "Beautiful."
"Then would you sleep with me?" she asked bluntly, her words clear despite her drunkenness.
The man was clearly stunned.
Seeing no reaction from the man, Scarlett let go of him. "If you dont want to, forget it."
The mans gaze dropped, his voice dangerously low. "Do you know what youre saying?"
"Of course."
"No regrets?" the man asked.
"Whoever regrets it is a dog," she declared, determined to give her first time to a stranger before giving it to Tom Joad.
"Alright," the man suddenly grasped her hand, his palm hot.
For a moment, Scarlett was scared, "What are we doing?"
The man just smiled at her, "Checking into a room."