EVE'S POV

Feeling dejected was an understatement to explain how I was feeling.

Why did this have to happen when I was just getting my life together? Oh heavens. I sobbed quietly as I dragged my feet across the street of New York City.

What a life!

If only I hadn't had an aunt that wicked that would delay me on a day like this.

I needed to drown my sorrows, and fast. I wandered down the street, my mind was a fog of disappointment and self-pity. I knew I had lost the job, but right now, all I wanted was to disappear. This felt like a punch to my gut.

The world felt like it was spinning around me as I stumbled into a small, dimly lit bar, and ordered a shot of whatever they had on hand.

"Here," The shop owner brought a bottle and a cup then said, "It seems like the day is not bright this morning."

"Yeah," I rolled my eyes in a shrug and just opened the bottle, "Thanks."

I took a mouthful, and it was gross… it tasted like poison, but I didn't care. I needed something to numb the pain. As I sat there, nursing my drink, I couldn't help but feel more sorry for myself. I was a complete and utter failure. I couldn't even manage to get to a job interview on time.

"More bottles, please." I shouted across the shop and the woman brought two more bottles.

"Are you sure you'd be able to handle more?" She questioned, "You looked like you could pass out from just one bottle."

I snatched the bottles from her and retorted, "Just give the damn bottles to me, woman, that shouldn't be any of your business." My voice was husky, and I couldn't even believe I was the one talking.

As the hours passed, I lost track of how many drinks I'd had. My head was spinning, and my vision was blurred.

"Moo… more!" I grunted, and the woman came again, I lifted my head sluggishly, and even with a blurry vision, I knew she wasn't carrying anything.

"Why?" My tongue dragged.

"You've taken enough, lady. Just pay me my money and leave my shop." The woman frowned and added, "It's late, by the way. You've been here for the past six hours."

I didn't do a calculation of time but six hours it's been long enough. "Just… get me some damn more dr… drinks!!" I slurred my words and stumbled around like a drunkard.

I could feel from the woman that she was frustrated with seeing me and just hissed and packed her bottles while I still continued begging for more drinks, "Just give me more, pleeease."

The bartender finally had enough of me and kicked me out, accusing me of not paying but I wasn't hearing any of that.

I didn't bother to argue. I just stumbled down the busy street with cars buzzing around, my mind was blank. But… I wasn't satisfied. I needed another drink, a stronger one.

I found a fancy new bar and managed to stagger inside. The place was packed, and the music was blaring.

I felt satisfied within myself already, "This is a far better place." I screamed, "Where have you been all these while, baby." It felt wonderful, unlike the other bars.

I found my way towards the stand and sat down, ready to order a drink, when a voice came on behind me.

"You look like you could use a drink."

It was a deep masculine voice that I found interesting at that moment. I looked up to see a man sitting at the bar next to me. He had a kind face and a gentle smile.

"Yeah, I could," I replied, my voice was barely a whisper.

He ordered a drink for himself and slid it over to me, "Here's to drowning your sorrows," he said.

I raised my glass sluggishly and clicked it against his, "To that," I replied. And somehow, I felt comfortable having a company around me.

Everyone was having fun around me, most were men, and just a few ladies were rocking their asses on their laps.

"I guess that's a fun life for them or they had no choice," I muttered as I took a shot of whiskey, neat. It burned my throat but I didn't care. That made me feel much better.

"What did you say?" The man beside me asked but I just shoved it off.

"Nevermind. It's nothing."

As I watched the people around me, a strange idea popped into my head. I could sing. I could sing and make some money. I needed money the most and after all, there's nothing I could do even if I get ten rejections in a day.

I got up on a stool and stood in the middle of the bar while everyone looked at me strangely.

"What does she think she's going? Someone should get her down before she injures herself." I heard some people murmur, but I didn't care about that.

"Hii everyone," I screamed and I could see some ladies moving backwards.

Was I really acting like some lunatic? I wondered, looking at the way everyone was trying to run away from me.

I announced, "Let's have more fun tonight while I sing for you. Whatcha think?"

I could see their face lit up hearing that idea and someone screamed from the crowd, "You sure that'd be good? Bring it on, bitch."

And that was it. It was a permission for me to display more and earn more. Some others looked at me with a mixture of amusement and confusion, but I didn't care. I started singing, my voice a raspy, off-key mess.

When I finished, the crowd erupted in laughter. I didn't mind. I was already drunk, and I couldn't feel anything. The laughter faded as the world around me blurred.

I'd been drinking for hours, and finally, I felt pressed and in a desperate need to relieve myself, and I stumbled towards what I thought was the women's restroom. As I got closer, I realized my mistake. It was the men's room.

Ignoring the disgusted stares, I pushed open the door and stumbled inside. The air was thick with the smell of stale beer and sweat. I made my way to a stall, relieved to be finally alone. As I sat down, I caught a glimpse of a man in the mirror.

He was absolutely stunning. His hair was dark and tousled, his eyes a piercing brown and beautiful. He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. I couldn't believe my luck.

I was so drunk, I didn't even realize that I was drooling. I wiped my mouth and stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. There was no way this could be real. He was too perfect to be human.

But then I noticed something strange about him. There was a coldness in his eyes and a darkness that seemed to seep from his very pores. It made me uncomfortable but I couldn't look away.

I was about to leave when he spoke, "Come back here, girl," he said, his voice low and commanding.

I felt a strange thrill run through me. I closed the door and walked towards him, my legs feeling like jelly. I didn't know what was happening, but I couldn't resist.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer. His lips brushed against mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity course through my body. I kissed him back, lost in the moment.