Going for a Drink

"So, you've ever been here before?" Cindy asked, placing her purse into the booth before sliding in herself. Viola imitated the same actions, feeling the coolness of the leather on her as she sat down.

"Can't say I have before. Place looks... nice?"

"It's sleazy I know, you don't have to pretend dear. I can handle the truth after all," she smiled, "I should, I am the two-faced call girl after all."

"Oh! Y-you heard that?" Vee mentioned, suddenly embarrassed to be sat in front of her, or in the same building with her.

Cindy laughed at the reaction and shook her head. "It's fine, I completely agree to that comment. I am two-faced and I accept that. I'm not mad at you so don't be so rash or nervous. I find that honesty is a rather rare thing to come across from most people."

"Huh... okay." Viola managed, sitting upright just as a waiter passed by with a tray in hand.

"Here you go miss, the usual snack. We'll have your drink right up, and for you miss?"

"Oh! Uhh..."

"She's having scotch on the rocks, thanks Eddy."

Eddy nodded and walked away leaving Viola with a rasied eyebrow. "So, come here often?"

"Well hehe, as you saw that would be a yes. I found myself attending here often after feeling quite knackered from work. And to think an office job would have you on your feet walking up and down the aisles, absolutely astounding. I'd be hesitant to believe it were I a few years younger. Some chips, dear?" She asked, offering her french fries.

"Oh, sure." She answered, taking up a fry herself and eating it whole. Crunchy.

"Now, let's cut the chatter and get to the goods. Tell me about this situation of yours." She asked with a sense of yearning in her voice and an eager smile. For a moment her face gave off the sense of a little girl dying to learn of a secret about her best friend. Seems close enough.

"My my, I must say Vee I was beginning to wonder why you were seeming to be dodgy these past few days. Lately your mind seemed to be somewhere else, I now know why that is." Cindy grinned, taking another drink of her scotch. "However, you are keeping bits from me, aren't you?""You think so?" Viola answered back, not wanting to say anymore to her coworker. It was true, she explained what had been going on with Robin, who he is and the events that occurred, though in her own censored format. Cindy is at the end of the day an acquaintance same as Stacy, and seeing how Stacy was quick to kiss and tell she was worried history would repeat with Cindy this time.

"I know so, call it a sixth sense but I have a knack on these things. However I understand, we don't talk much at all outside of work. Today is the first time we do so, at least not including the company parties." Placing her empty glass down, she wiped her mouth and sighed, contempt with her time. "Still, I do see it a privilege that you shared so much with me already. So whatever you wish to withhold, I'll respect it. It's your story after all, and a rather personal one at that. Charming, I did think at first that this neighbour of yours was going to come off as a tosser, but it appears that was not the case. So, do you fancy him?"

Viola coughed in her drink, spitting out a bit across the corners of her lips much to Cindy's amusement. "Too much dear?" She chortled.

"Fuck, ehhh!" She cleared her throat, reaching for a napkin to wipe her mouth and table. "Ahem! Sorry, **** isn't my thing."

"Oh you don't drink? My sincerest apologies, next time we can have more casual beverages if that suits you, a fountain drink perhaps?"

"Yea, sure." She muttered, wiping her shirt a bit from some scotch residue. God, that drink was burning her throat badly, maybe lay off the rest now that she knows she doesn't drink.

"Well then, back to it. Do you?"

"Hm?" Viola asked.

Cindy chuckled lightly. "Nevermind. Well either way it seems he fancies you, a neighbour seemingly a window apart from the kip. It does sound like a fantasy I do admit."

"Yea, I get that. What do you think I should do, I mean what would you do?"

"Me?" Cindy paused, resting her chin over her hand leaning on the table as she tapped her glass. "Hmm, nothing really. If I were you and, let's say I fancied him, then it sounds like we would both be in for a ride. The feelings appear mutual after all, but there is a matter of his partner as well."

"She uh, I think she is okay with us-it."

"Oh? An open relationship, you certainly know your onions. Tell me, is he dashy?"

"Dashy?"

"Hot, handsome, good looking!" Cindy started, her excitement growing further with each word. "From a ratio of 1 to 10, 10 being akin to David Beckham or Keanu Reeves, how would you describe him? Go!" She called, snapping her fingers.

"Uhhh, ummm, uhhhh-"

"Don't think about it, just say it!"

"9!"

Cindy gasped, leaning back in her booth cupping her mouth as Viola blushed furiously and looked away. "A 9? Oh dear, you have Keanu Reeves as your neighbour then!"

"I take it back, he's a 6."

"That's not what I heard."

"Well he is."

"Because instinctively a 9 for me is a 6 for you."

"No, just I wasn't thinking so-"

"So you said what you felt he was, and that was a 9! Viola deary, stop rationalizing! You're overthinking, just let it all play out. What's the worse that can come of it, he'll say no?"

"It's not-it's more complicated than that!"

"Honestly it sounds to me like you're making it complicated."

Viola's eyes opened wide, speechless before adjusting in her seat. A minute later she cleared her throat and looked down at her glass.

"I think we're done here."

"... I overstepped, I apologize. It wasn't my place to come out like that."

"Thank you for the drink, Cindy. I uh, well maybe next time." Viola stood up, grabbing her bag and leaving behind a five dollar bill. "How much for the drinks?"

"My treat. I... thank you for joining me, Vee."

Viola nodded. "I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"Yes, safe travels." She said back, still in her booth as Viola pushed out the door hearing the typical bar music fade away as she reached for her keys and went into her car.