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His heart raced every time he saw her. He couldn’t stop it. The way his chest tightened and his mind blurred, he thought he’d ran a fever the first few times. He’d never forget the first time he saw her, bloody and beaten in an alleyway. His luck was a blessing and curse, he’d win riches gambling but usually pissed off the wrong guy, landing himself in this position at least twice a week. The beating this time was worse than usual though. A glass was shattered against his skull, a chair broken over his back, and he was thrown out, onto the piles of trash in that alleyway. His head spun as a loud ringing flooded his ears. He could barely see three feet in front of him, his vision blurring in and out. He groaned as he shut his eyes, planning on staying the night there as the rain beat down on him.
The jabs to his face abruptly stopped, and he tried to look up. He saw the blurred figure of a woman holding an umbrella over him. She said something, but he couldn’t hear her. He squinted at her as she let herself get drenched. She leaned in a little closer, her voice cutting through the rain and ringing, “Are you ok?” It was soft, gentle, and filled with genuine concern. No one had ever spoken to him like that before. He remembered he'd tried to smile at her reassuringly, but wasn't sure whether or not he actually did. What he does remember is waking up the next morning in the hospital, his head bandaged and her umbrella left by his bed.
He didn’t know what she looked like, but her voice remained in his thoughts. He had been the type to sleep around, most of his friends were too, but in the months after being saved by her, he’d stopped. He’d still frequent his usual clubs, most notably the Chat Noir, but wouldn’t flirt with women as much as he used to.
He stood at a table with Eric, talking about something he could barely remember now, when the band picked up. Normally they’d play loud and rhythmically, a distinct bounce to every note, but as Koji’s trumpet sung out the first few notes of this song, slow, melodic, his ear perked up. He didn’t look to the stage, still talking to Eric, but he was listening intently, as Louis and his band had never played anything like this before. That was until he heard a voice, soft and melodic.
It pierced his ears, jabbed his heart, and he turned to face it. It wasn’t Louis. Before him stood a tanned woman in a long black dress, her auburn hair short and wavy, and a mole right by her lower lip. “Who’s that,” he’d said, without turning away.
“Oh her? She’s a new hire. Dad wanted to cash in on the female singer market and she seemed to have the credentials for it. Think her name’s Amber, not sure though,” Eric took a sip of his drink. He tried to guide the conversation back to what they were originally talking about, but Seven interrupted him mid-sentence.
“Sorry Eric, I- give me a sec, I’ll be right back.” He pushed through the crowd, trying to get closer to her. He had to know. As he made it to the front, the song picked up speed, the bouncy rhythm that The Alley Cats were known for was back in full swing. Her voice followed the rhythm, swaying with each note. His heart was practically beating out of his chest as he looked up at her, the way the lights bounced off her made her look radiant and her voice- it was the same from that night. This was the woman who saved him. His angel.
His face turned red with the thought, embarrassed by how incredibly corny it was. He turned away from her and put his hands on his cheeks, his cold fingers slowly warmed by them. He looked back up at her as the song concluded and he could’ve sworn their eyes met. Though the second they did, Seven practically ran back to his table with Eric. He leaned against it, hands still on his cheeks as he contemplated.
Eric took another sip of his drink, eyebrow raised. Seven mumbled under his breath for a bit, though Eric didn’t catch any of it, and frankly, he didn’t care. He got up and went to refill his drink, Seven hadn’t noticed him leaving.
The chatter in the Chat Noir was loud, incredibly so, making it difficult to even think, but despite that, he still heard her voice. It cut through the crowd like a knife. He turned towards it and saw her sitting at the bar, talking with Louis. He couldn’t make out what she was saying, but the tone of her voice was as sweet as honey and as gentle as the breeze. It captivated him. He swallowed, hard, and tried to think of how he could talk to her. He didn’t even know what to say. Usually, he was so good at this, but his mind was blank. He tried listening closer, trying to pick up on their conversation, but just as he began, Louis started laughing. It was loud, practically shook the room. Seven scowled as his laughter invaded the room.
Who the fuck was he to be talking to her like that, to be close to her like that, to laugh that loud, making everyone aware of you and her and how you’re together… they’re together… Seven’s hand rose to cover his mouth, he looked down the the ground as he gripped the table with his free hand, trying to regain his balance. No, surely not… They can’t be… Seven knew Louis was divorced, but knew nothing of his dating life. He’d never asked and, up until this point, he’d never cared. He looked back up to them, watching Louis leave her side.
Seven practically scrambled to take the seat next to her, trying to slow himself as he got closer, he didn’t want to scare her after all. He shakily sat down, not even looking at her, his eyes fixated forward. His hands gripped in tight balls as he took a deep breath in. He gingerly raises a hand to the bartender, asking for a whisky sour before turning to her, he smiles his usual smile, “D’you want anything?” Amber was taken aback. She looked around for a second before Seven giggled, drawing her attention back to him, “Yeah, I’m askin’ you.”
“Umm, I’m sorry, have we met before?” she pushed her hair behind her ear.
Seven paused… “Nah, but you’re new here, ain’t ya? Consider it a welcome gift.”
Amber smiled, “A Maiden’s Prayer then.”
“A what??”
“You’ve never had one? It’s lovely, you should try it !!”
Seven raised an eyebrow at her before ordering two Maiden’s Prayers. The drinks came quick, orange and served in cocktail glasses. They cheersed and both took a sip. It was actually good, the gin paired with the citrus juices coupled for an amazing flavor. The shock must’ve been splattered on Seven’s face as Amber laughed to herself, “Told you it was good.”
Seven felt his face get hot. He rushed to finish the rest of the drink before taking a breath and turning to her. “What’s your name?”
“Amber,” she smiled, raising her glass, “and yours?”
“Seven.”
“No way,” she laughed, “I’m serious, what’s your name?” Seven grabbed at his wallet, pulling out his driver’s license, handing it to her. “OH MY GOD!!!” she started laughing harder, “YOUR PARENTS MUST’VE HATED YOU !!!”
Seven laughed under his breath, “Satisfied?”
Amber calmed herself down and handed Seven his ID back, “Very. It’s nice to meet you, Seven Narcyz.”
“Likewise Amber…”
“Wright.”
Seven smiled, “Likewise, Amber Wright.”