Jemmy sat peacefully at the bar, sipping her drink, as dim lighting cast long shadows and hip hop rage music softly played in the background. She picked out her preferred location, a corner from which she could quietly watch without standing out. Nothing much happened until Julian arrived in the evening. His gaze roamed the room until it settled on Jemmy, and he headed straight towards her, with a blend of frustration and concern showing on his face.
"Jemmy," Julian started, his voice tight as he sat on the stool beside her. "I've been listening to rumors and gossip. There are claims that you've been spotted with a mysterious man who is not local. What is happening?"
Jemmy hesitated before making eye contact, pausing to take a leisurely sip of her drink. "Julian, what is the reason for your concern? It's none of your business who I spend time with."
Anger flashed in his eyes as his brow furrowed. "You belong to me! I have been acquainted with you for many years, Jemmy. You can't simply dismiss me in this manner. People speak, and it's making me appear foolish."
"Is it making you appear foolish?" Jemmy laughed contemptuously, then eventually turned to confront him. "Julian, this is not related to you. You do not belong to me and I do not belong to anyone. I have the ability to do anything I desire with anyone I choose.
The tension grew stronger between them, and Julian's hand turned into a fist on the bar. "You are correct, you do not belong to me, but gosh, Jemmy, I adore you. The idea of you being with someone else is unbearable to me. Can I just have a small amount of respect?"
Jemmy's eyes became narrower as her temper started to rise. "Is it all about respect for you? Do not mention respect to me while attempting to dictate my interactions and actions. If you truly loved me, you wouldn't attempt to confine me."
Julian forcefully hit the table, making their drinks rattle. "I adore you, Jemmy, and I can't stand the thought of you being with someone else!"
Jemmy stayed calm as the bar fell silent upon hearing his echoing voice. She observed Julian briefly, her face inscrutable, then drank her drink slowly and thoughtfully. Julian felt frustrated as he eagerly waited for her answer, but Jemmy simply shook her head with a smirk on her lips.
"You're incredibly easy to predict, Julian," she whispered, placing her glass on the table, making a soft thud. "You can shout as much as you like, but I'm finished talking."
After fixing her jacket, she stood and left the bar without looking back, leaving Julian in a rage.
Jemmy! Hey Jemmy! Hey! Julian shouted for her to return as she exited the bar, insisting that she wasn't finished speaking.
As Jemmy angrily left the bar, Julian sensed the intensity of the other customers' gazes. His anger escalated further as he yelled, "Why are all of you staring at me…. huh?" The room grew quiet as the bartender, an elderly man with a grizzled beard and weary eyes, walked over to him carefully.
"I wouldn't go after her now if I were you, there's nothing more dangerous than an angry woman," the bartender said, speaking in a calm and quiet tone.
Julian, overwhelmed by frustration, took a whiskey glass and threw it at the wall, breaking it into fragments. The sound echoed in the bar, causing more nervous looks.
Julian was an impressive sight, towering at 6'7", with piercing dark blue eyes and glossy dark hair that shimmered in the dim light of the bar. He possessed the gift of clairvoyance. Despite his typically dark clothing, his fair complexion stood out strikingly and his physique, while not very muscular, was definitely appealing, something he knew very well. Even though he seemed strong, there was a sense of weakness around him, particularly concerning Jemmy.
The bartender remained calm despite the anger, leaning against the bar, he asked "Why are you still interested in her, Julian? Haven't you caused enough pain for both her and yourself?
Julian chose to disregard the question and instead concentrated on the harm he had done. "Can you tell me the amount I need to pay for this glass?"
The bartender shook his head, realizing that Julian was not going to let go of the topic that easily. "It's not the glass that matters, young one. For months, you have been visiting this place, feeling sorry for yourself and getting drunk because of Jemmy. She has clearly indicated her position. Why are you unable to release it?"
Julian's jaw tightened as he met the bartender's gaze at last. "It's not as easy as you think. I have strong feelings for her. Seeing her with another person...it crushes me."
"Is it love or obsession?" inquired the bartender with a pointed tone. "You must understand the distinction. From my perspective, you're making yourself crazy about something beyond your control."
Julian was offended by the words, yet he recognized a hint of truth in them. He whispered, his voice tense, saying "it's more than just that. I simply can't get her off my mind. I can't help but imagine her with someone else, constantly in my thoughts. It's agony."
The bartender let out a sigh while cleaning the counter with a rag. "Julian, you are a great kid, but it is crucial for you to understand when to leave a situation. Jemmy is determined and unpredictable, and she won't allow herself to be influenced or manipulated by others. Especially not by a man attempting to assert ownership over her."
Julian tightened his fists, the strain in his shoulders visible. "You don't get it, I wasn't attempting to exercise power over her. I simply want her to realize that we are meant to be together."
The bartender offered him a sympathetic smile full of understanding. "Julian, you cannot make love happen by force. And if someone doesn't desire a future, you can't envision one with them. Release her, or you will ultimately ruin yourself in the process."
Julian's eyes showed a blend of pain and resolve as they quickly moved, yet he remained silent. Instead of that, he put his hand in his pocket, took out some money, and placed it on the counter.
"for the glass." He said abruptly as he prepared to leave the bar
The bartender accepted the money with a nod, choosing not to say anything else. Julian paused briefly, his thoughts conflicting, before leaving the b
ar, the bartender's words reverberating in his mind.