Chapter Text
- Hello sexy.
I heard a low voice behind me. This was the twenty-ninth time I heard this cheesy pick up line from older men since my shift started. Some time ago I started counting and writing it down after every evening I worked at Simmons Bar on Wardour St. So far the record is fifty-eight.
- What can I get for you today, sir? - I forced a smile at the client, my voice polite.
- Your number perhaps? - he raised an eyebrow.
- Something from the menu, sir.
Over the past few months as a bartender I’ve learned how to handle people like him. Polite smile, focus on manipulating and getting money from rich, white men.
- Vodka with coke.
I nodded respectfully and started preparing his order. I felt his gaze on my neckline. All I wanted was to roll my eyes and tell him that he’s a jerk but I stay professional until the end of our interaction. I gave him a glass of vodka with coke, he paid and left to finally sit back with his friends.
I checked the clock. 3:30 a.m. Half an hour until my shift ends. There were few people left at the bar and all were served, so I could start polishing glasses for the next day.
I heard the door opening again. A mature woman with unusually beautiful brown hair entered the bar wearing a black dress, a long coat, platform shoes and sunglasses even though the room was dimmed. She immediately caught my eye. There was something mysterious but also very familiar about her. She came up to the bar and sat exactly in front of me on the other side. She looked up from her phone at me and pushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
- Hello, what will be for you tonight? - I ask nicely and she takes off her sunglasses.
- Um, just a glass of red wine, please, dear - her voice is low and nonchalant.
- Sweet or dry? - I want to keep it professional as usual with my clients but there is something intriguing about her. Little sparks appeared in my eyes. She immediately noticed and smirked softly before answering.
- A dry red, please. And maybe whisky with ice on the side.
- Of course, I’ll do it right away - I can’t help but send her a seductive smile before I prepare her order, occasionally glancing towards her in a flirty way. I can feel that she checks me up, looking me up and down a few times.
- Here you go - I place the drinks in front of her and lock my gaze with hers - Anything else I can do for you? - I watch as she takes a small sip of wine and then runs her fingers over the rim of her glass.
- A little company would be nice. How much until your shift ends, sweetheart?
- Half an hour and I’m free. Why do you ask? - I started slowly polishing glasses after washing them.
- Well… I just thought perhaps I could spend some time with you after your shift? If you’re interested of course, sweetheart.
- I don’t even know your name yet - I lean closer, resting my elbows on the bar so we look directly into each other’s eyes and she chuckled.
- I suppose I should properly introduce myself. I’m Helena.
- Raya, nice to meet you - I bite my lip slightly.
- The pleasure is all mine, Raya… - She runs one of her fingers over my arm, making my skin shiver.
I smile gently at her subtle gesture, thrilled she made the first move. I turned away but only for a moment. I poured another glass of dry red wine and placed it right in front of her.
- You’re lucky. It’s happy hour now, so this one is on the house - Of course I lied but I planned on paying myself for the drink later. Helena arched her eyebrow slightly and smiled at my behaviour, looking slightly amused.
- Oh… You spoil me darling, you really shouldn't have. But I won’t argue with “happy hour" rules.
My co-worker had to leave work early, so I was left alone for closing time. As the last guests left the bar I started cleaning after them and preparing for the opening in the evening. As I circled between tables collecting dirty dishes, I could feel her gaze, now obviously checking me out.
- You were quite popular tonight. I think almost every person in here had a tab at least once. You must get good tips, huh?
- It all depends on how you treat a client. If you say things they want to hear, you get a high tip - I said playfully.
- Oh yes, I’ve heard that being a charmer pays off and you surely are one, aren’t you, sweet one? - She paused for a moment to make eye contact with me and lean closer - But tell me… Do you only say these things to get more money?
- Hmm… Usually yes but… Sometimes there are some attractive clients and then I’m nice not just for the tip but because I find them intriguing - My tone becomes even more flirty, knowing what game we’re playing. The tension between us was obvious now that we were alone in the room.
- Ah, I see… And that doesn’t happen often? Finding a client who’s worth more than a tip? - She took another sip of her red wine.
- That’s true. I rarely have clients like this. Most people are just dull and all the same - I finished cleaning and started counting money from the day, discreetly paying for the glass of wine I poured Helena “on the house”.
- Is that so? Sounds like a bit of a shame… I imagine it’s terribly boring after a while, hearing the same pick up lines over and over again?
I was called “sexy” and “baby” 29 times today and asked 3 times if I fell from heaven because I must be an angel - I chuckled at the memory - So yes, it gets boring after a while.
Helena laughed and shook her head, clearly amused by my bartender experience.
- Yeah, sounds about right… God, they all use the same bloody lines, don’t they? - She finished her second glass of wine - So how many times have I called you “sweetheart” at this point today?
- Only two but I have a strong feeling that this number will rise up by the end of the night - I can’t help but glance at her full, burgundy lips, feeling my heart flutter at the sight.
- Well, you’re probably right sweetheart, as I have a feeling that I will keep saying it tonight. But what if I were to call you something else? Something a little more, let’s say… Intimate?
I go around the bar to stand right next to her, sliding between her knees, my hands gently caressing her waist and hips, my gaze wandering over her body. Her breath hitches and a small smile of satisfaction tugs at the corner of my lips.
- It depends what you have in mind…
- Oh, honey… You are a bold one, aren’t you? - she paused - Or I could call you something dirtier… more sinful… if you’re into that.
- Now I’m interested… - My voice becomes low and flirty as I slowly brush over her lips and chin with my thumb, making her gasp. In return she placed her hands on my hips, pulling me closer with a firm grip. Surprisingly, I felt like our bodies mold perfectly together, like they were made for each other.
There were only a few lights turned on in the bar, including one behind the bar that cast a red glow over the room. Music playing in the background only added to the passionate mood. It's been a long time since anyone's presence had excited me so much. There were only inches between our lips. Our hot breaths mingled together.
- I know you are, baby. Otherwise you’d go straight home after your shift ended. Tell me what you want… - She whispered to my ear and looked deeply into my eyes.
- Please, shut up and kiss me already…
- Since you asked so nicely…
She leaned closer, our lips barely touching at first but then finally meeting in a passionate kiss. Her lips tasted like the wine I recently served her. I wasn't a fan of said dry red wine, but after tasting it from her soft lips, I think I'll give it a second chance. She tasted unbelievably fucking good. At this moment I didn’t even want to take a break to breathe. Our bodies press tightly together, trying to be as close as physically possible. I felt a strong, unexplainable need to explore every single inch of her, my hands already roaming over her sides and back to feel even more. My mind’s completely foggy with desire. Like nothing else exists tonight, except us. I slowly started moving lower to her jaw and neck, leaving a trail of wet kisses, sucking gently at her skin to mark my presence. I didn’t have to wait long before she started digging her nails in my back and for her breath to turn into shallow gasps.
- Mhm… Keep going… - She whispered and I smiled against her neck.
I could feel her body squirming under my touch and her knees parting involuntarily. Eager to please her I started roaming over her thighs, more firmly. The sounds escaping her lips were like music to my ears.
Suddenly, I heard loud, male voices outside of the bar. I immediately turned around just to see paparazzi with their cameras on the other side of the windows. I immediately connected the dots. They’re here for Helena.
- Fuck, they found me… - she said with unconcealed annoyance and a hint of panic in her tone.
- You need to trust me now, okay?
She gave me a nod. I had to get her out of the building without anyone noticing. I made up a plan and started implementing it. We both quickly gathered our belongings. I grabbed her hand tightly and guided us behind one of the columns, then behind the bar. We had to do some real stretching before we managed to reach the break room with a back exit from the building. I quickly locked the door behind us.
We were now alone in a small room. Thanks to the better lighting, I had an opportunity to take a better look at Helena. Her beauty was truly extraordinary. I found myself staring at every inch of her face and body, especially her lips. The urge to touch and feel her again was overwhelming, but I managed to resist it. I reached for my phone and ordered her an Uber with a few clicks.
- Thank you, dear - Helena broke the silence.
My gaze returned to her. She was smiling warmly at me. She took a step toward me to place a soft kiss on my lips. I couldn’t help but lean into the kiss, deepening it. The sound of the Uber app’s notification broke our moment. I checked the screen to see the driver accepted my request.
- Your Uber will be here in five - I quickly put my leather jacket and motorcycle gloves on, take my stuff and grab her hand firmly, intertwining our fingers, guiding her to the back exit leading onto a fairly narrow street.
We went outside. The cool morning air immediately enveloped our bodies. The sun rising over the London horizon caressed our cheeks with its gentle rays. Only now I could see Helena’s dark alluring gaze, the complete opposite of my bright blue eyes. Without a word I went over to my motorcycle, which had been parked there since last night, to put on my helmet.
- Wait - I heard her quiet, slightly embarrassed voice, definitely less confident in the light of day - Will I ever see you again?
I put the helmet back on the motorcycle, took a pen from my bag, and walked closer to the woman, now standing a few feet away from me. I caught her wrist and wrote down my phone number, initials and a little heart. Then I kissed her, pulling her close to me around the waist.
- Only if you want to - I whispered after I reluctantly pulled back.
With a steady step, I walked away, put on the helmet and got on the motorcycle. I winked at her before I covered the visor of my helmet. I drove off with screeching tires, my long black hair fluttering in the wind, leaving Helena stunned, with her lips still slightly parted from our kiss.
Driving through the streets of Camden, I was consumed by thoughts. I finally realised who she is and why she seemed familiar.
Did I just make out with Helena Bonham Carter or was it just a dream?