Andre drank his gin, sitting at his desk. The bartender was busy preparing his drinks for his customers. Andre, in his seat, contemplated about his next move.
Many companies rejecting his application but he could not blame them. They say it was difficult to become an SynthMech pilot. Becoming a SynthMech pilot required discipline, skill, and both physical and mental strength..
His last hope was the dubious text message he received. He wanted to believe it was a legitimate offer. Thinking that it may be legit, he worried that the company may be shady.
"Can I sit next to you?" A woman speaking with a familiar Slavic accent suddenly caught Andre's attention. Looking at the woman on his left, it was Sasha. She wore a figure-hugging red dress, a string of pearls resting above her exposed cleavage The blonde woman's looks captivated Andre, and he couldn't help but be fascinated.
"Dressed to kill, eh? I wonder what is the occasion." Andre replied, comparing himself wearing an opened collar coat and slacks.
"Nothing, just want to check a friend out. I haven't been out since our last job. I heard you quit the company…" Sasha said.
"No… they ended my contract. I am looking for new gigs and whatever I could find." Andre replied, gulping another glass of gin.
"I see…" Sasha replied and ordered a drink. "She smiled at Andre, her eyes lingering on him just a little longer, dropping a subtle hint. Her playful glance and the way she leaned toward him gave away her intentions, and Andre picked up on it instantlyAndre caught the playful glint in her eyes as she leaned closer. 'I like that side of you,' he said, his voice low
"What?" Sasha suddenly laughed.
"What's so funny about it?" Andre replied to her.
"No-thing!" Sasha replied playfully.
A memory of his last battle surfaced, unbidden, casting a shadow over his thoughts. The change in his expression didn't go unnoticed. Sasha noticed the change on Andre's face, asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's about the last time. I wondered if I were one of those SynthMech pilots. Could I have made a difference?" Andre said.
"What are you...?" Sasha asked, but Andre interjected.
I want to be an SynthMech pilot," Andre said, his voice steady with conviction. "I can't keep going into battle like this—just flesh and bone. I want to make a real difference.
Sasha, hearing this, felt Andre's guilt in his words. She tried to comfort Andre and said, "It's not your fault, Andre… It may not be easy, but every battle you fought. It could be them or you…"
"I know… but this time, I have decided. I will pilot an SynthMech no matter the cost!" Andre replied.
"I'll support you, Andre. But promise me... no matter what happens, you'll take care of yourself. Don't get yourself killed," she said, her voice trembling just slightly.
"I could not promise that, but I will promise that I will succeed in my goal." Andre replied to her.
Andre drank another glass of gin, making it the third glass he drank that night. Sasha, looking at Andre, could only support her friend. With Mikhail gone, and several of their friends shared the same fate after the ambush. She knew that he is one of her close friends.The next day, Andre woke up inside Sasha's room. The distinct of her and her fragrances from her perfumes was the first thing he smelled when he woke up. Sasha was beside of Andre with her. Andre barely remembered what happened last night.
Feeling the slight hangover, Andre rose from his bed and draped a towel covering his lower torso to his knees. He went to the bathroom and looked himself at the mirror. He washed his face with water and sighed.
"Will I even make it?" He thought, doubting of his chances of joining a well-known company.
After washing his face, Andre returned to the bedroom to see Sasha still at her bed. He searched for his phone inside his pocket and saw near the bed. As he navigated through the phone, he had no new text messages, just texts from his friends and some contacts.
He kept from scrolling until he saw the same number from a unknown sender.
"+888547776541"
"How in the world did this number know of my information?" Andre thought, looking and composed a text message in reply.
"To: +888547776541
Good day, I appreciate your offer. However, I do not remember in sending you my information or resume to join your company. I would like to ask more about you to confirm the legitimacy of your offer.
Thank you!"
After sending the message, Andre slipped his phone back into his trousers. 'Andre…' Sasha called from the bed, her voice soft.
"Sorry, I was looking at my phone." Andre replied to Sasha, who was in her bed.
Sasha turned on the lights inside her room, exposing well arranged cabinets and furniture. The cabinets and furniture in Sasha's room were well arranged, and the room had a pink paint. Several posters of male bands and artists were also in her room.
"I see…" Sasha replied, covering her chest with the bed sheets.
Her gaze lingered on Andre's sculpted form, the towel barely clinging to his hips. 'You're not going to leave me waiting, are you?' she teased, her voice low and inviting
Andre replied with a smirk on his face and said, "I will…"
Andre returned to her bed, his smirk answering her invitation. As the morning sunlight crept through the curtains, they continued where they had left off the night before, Sasha's giggles filling the quiet room.