Hiram brought his car to a smooth stop outside his newfound favorite bar. Inside, he pushed his way to his usual spot, strategically positioned in a dark corner, hidden from the eyeline of most. He caught sight of a familiar face at the other end of the counter pouring drinks into shot glasses, he raised his hand slightly and was lucky to catch her attention. A minute later, Klara was standing in front of him.
"Hey, you're back!" She commented. "Almost thought you had given up on this shithole." She teased.
He laughed. "No, certainly not." He told her. "I just happen to like this 'shithole.'"
"Well it's good to you." She went on. "What can I get you?"
"A chilled classic martini."
"Coming right up." She assured and disappeared to fetch his drink.
From his stool, Hiram watched her make him the cocktail, amazed by how quickly yet efficiently her hands worked. She poured the drink into a glass, handed it to the other attender and pointed it Hiram. He remembered her, he'd met her a couple of days back, had gifted her his Rolex.
"Hey," she greeted, casually placing the drink in front of him.
He replied with a slight nod, graced with a smile as he pulled his drink close.
"I never got your name." He pointed out before she could leave.
"That's probably because you never asked me what it is." She threw at him and the laughed softly.
"My fault." He admitted taking a sip of the martini.
"It's Ammika. Ammika Robinson. But my friends call me Ammie."
"Am I a friend or am I not?" He wanted to know.
"I don't know. Are you?" She asked looking into his eyes with a smile.
He had never really noticed her eyes. Those perfect Brown Hazel eyes, in her perfect dark face.
"You have very pretty eyes." He suddenly said and watched as his compliment threw her off balance. She found herself smiling.
"Umm, thank you." She said in a whisper looking away as her face turned red with blush. "I should go help Klara out." She added and quickly walked away. Had Hiram Michaelson just told her she has pretty eyes? Had that been real?
***
The Michaelson family was at their dining table by the pool in the backyard having lunch. Hiram's mom, Carol, had mentioned that it had been ages since they had a meal as a family and made everyone clear their schedules for that late Sunday afternoon.
"Son," Hiram's dad called. "I think you should come to the office more often." He paused, setting his cutlery down. "You should familiarize yourself with ho things run."
Hiram exhaled audibly. "Haven't we had this conversation before dad? I have other priorities right now and not to be rude but the company is not one of them."
"Is your future not a priority to you son?"
"Of course, it is!" He answered sharply.
"The company is your future Hiram, the sooner you see that the better for you."
"There is a lot going on right now dad, I am not willing to throw all that away for your company." Hiram shot.
"Our company, not mine." Darius corrected. "I'm not asking you to throw anything away, all I'm saying is make effort to be more involved in the company."
Hiram sighed. "I have tried so hard to explain to you that the company can wait but you don't seem to get that. I can't do this anymore dad. I give up!"
He shot up from his chair and walked way without another word. His sister Callie got to her feet wanting to go after him. "Don't." Her mother told her. "He will come around eventually. He just needs time to process all this and figure out his life." She went on.
Callie turned her father. "You know he has a point dad." She said. "With everything going on do you think it's wise to add matters of the company to his plate?"
"They are right Darius," their mother agreed. "Maybe we should press pause in trying to bring him into the company matters. At least until he is done with his studies."
Darius didn't respond to any of the two women in front of him. He sighed heavily and turned to his food though deep down he was fully aware that they had a point.
After the exchange with his father, Hiram felt like his head was gonna explode. He needed a drink.
At the bar's parking lot, he picked up his jacket at the co-driver's seat and walked in. The place was packed as usual, he had to push his way through a sea of sweaty people dancing their hearts out holding bottles or glasses of their favorite drinks.
"Hey you." A familiar female voice greeted him as he sat on his favorite stool.
He looked up and met her eyes. "Hey Ammika." He returned setting himself on the stool. His eyes fell on her hand noticing his watch on her wrist. "It looks good on you." He told her with a smile.
She looked at her wrist, as if she had no idea what he was talking about. "You really think so? Thank you." She told him with a smile before taking his order.
She came back with a glass and a bottle, poured some of the contents into the glass and started to walk away but he requested her to leave the bottle. She did.
"I know it's none of my business and I shouldn't be asking this but what's always stressing you?" She inquired.
"Why would you assume something is stressing me?" He finally spoke after taking his first sip.
"Come on now, I have encountered enough clients to know when one is stressed, so once again, what's always stressing you Hiram Michaelson?"
He found himself smiling again. He liked how she said his name. Of course hundreds if not thousands of people had said it but no one had ever said it like she did.
"Lots of people in my life have very high expectations from me and I try so hard to meet them. Honestly, it's exhausting." He paused for another sip. "I have school that is already filling my plate and then there's my father who wants me to join him in the family business and…" he broke of, having wanted to add something but thought better of it.
"And what?" Ammika asked, very invested in all of it.
He eyed her curiously, thought for a moment, contemplated whether to share or not. "I umm, recently broke up with my girlfriend soo there's that too."
"Oh, I'm sorry for-" He cut in.
"Don't be. It's a decision I made, it's just that sometimes I ask myself if it was the right one." There was a trace of sadness in his voice. He loved Trisha, he honestly did, he was happy with her but shit happens.
"Can I ask a personal question?"
"Go ahead." She confirmed emptying his glass. He picked up the bottle and started pouring.
"Do you still love her?"
He froze with his glass half filled. Looked at her then filled the glass.
"I don't know how I feel about her." He confessed. "But I'd like to believe it's for the best." He was about to continue but a certain gentleman, possibly 25 walked in behind her and tickled her, making her jump as she turned to face him. His hands rested on her waist and pulled her in so that their bodies touched.
"Hey babe," he started giving her a quick kiss on her lips.