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Deciding to spend the night at the hotel where your date stood you up was not one of your brightest ideas. But hey, the bar was indeed insane, as he had mentioned, and the view from the roof garden was stunning.
Although the hotel was located in the centre of the city, its various floors provided the most beautiful overview of the city and the nearby port. Maybe having a drink on your own wasn’t so bad after all. You placed your arms on the edge of the railing, balancing your self as you took in your surroundings. The place was bustling with people but it didn’t really bother you. You looked around, lazily, trying to forget the fiasco that was your date.
That was until you noticed them.
They were sat on one of the plush bamboo couches, a glass held in both of their hands, as they stared at it intently. They didn’t seem to be having a blast, that was for sure. But were they a sight! From the way their hands held onto the glass to the unique bridge of their noise…
Suddenly, the city view wasn’t half as beautiful.
You hesitantly walked over to them, mentally reminding yourself to be cautious. They didn’t look too happy. Quite the contrary if you were being honest.
“Hey! Mind if I sit here?”
You said and pointed to the couch right opposite from them. Their head jolted up, seeing you for the first time.
“What for?”
Ouch.
“I’m just gonna say be honest, cause you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. I’d like to have a chat, if that’s alright?”
They placed their glass on the table, folding their arms over their chest.
“This… Isn’t a good time for me. Can you just go?”
You frowned and nodded at them. What was it with your dates today? What the fuck? Did you smell bad or something?
“Got it! Sorry for bothering you!”
You said and walked away, hoping nobody had had the time to take over your previous spot on the edge of the roof garden. Miraculously, it was still unoccupied, so you took your seat back on the stool, enjoying the view and occasionally checking on your social media. A couple of times, some men interrupted your quite time by asking to keep you company, but you politely brushed them off. So, back to square one. Having a drink on your own in a busy hotel bar, wasn’t ideal.
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
You turned your head and saw them, standing mere inches from you, their drink still in their hand.
“Mind if I sit?”
You scooted over, stepping off your stool and pushing it a bit further away, so they’d have space to pull in theirs. They set their drink on the mantel on the rail and hopped onto the stool.
“I’m Zoe.”
“I’m y/n.”
They nodded, alternating their gaze from your eyes to their hands.
“What caused the change of heart?”
You asked as you leaned into the mantel and reached for your own drink, taking a sip.
“I wasn’t… It was rude of me. I snapped at you. I’m having a difficult time, that’s all.”
You nodded in acknowledgement as you set your drink back down. You had a feeling that you shouldn’t push it any further. The fact that they sought company was an indicator that they might be feeling lonely. If they wanted to engage further, you wouldn’t object.
“Lovely view, huh?"
“It is quite lovely.”
Of course, they wouldn’t notice you looking at them.
Why are you acting twelve all of a sudden?
“Mind if I ask what’s troubling you? I don’t mean to pry, but if you need to talk, I can lend an ear.”
They sighed, rearranging themselves on their stool, slightly turning to face away from you. They took a look of the city, stalling as their gaze passed over some of the tallest buildings around.
“I uh… I was here with my partner. For the weekend. We live on the outskirts of town, so we do this a lot. We visit the city, spend a couple of nights on the weekends and then go back to reality.
Pause. Inhale. Exhale. A sip of their drink. Another exhale.
“So yeah, anyway. I wanted this weekend to be special. A few months ago, we exchanged promise rings. See?”
They reached inside their trousers pocket and revealed a small, silver band, only decorated with an emerald gem. It was really elegant.
“But it’s in your pocket.”
You couldn’t help but notice how they didn’t show you their hand. The ring was off.
“Yeah… I… Brought up how it’s been almost a year since that day. Said how we should consider marriage for real this once. I was about to propose when...”
A sob escaped their lips as they stuffed the ring back in the depths of their pocket. You didn’t speak, giving them space to express themselves as they saw fit.
“Well. She said she wasn’t ready for this. That she isn’t sure about us. Can you believe it? We’ve been together for almost three years. But she isn’t ready for it, she isn’t sure about us! My ass! Then, she took her ring off. So I did the same.”
“Where is she now?”
“Probably on the way back home. I told her to pack her bags and leave as soon as possible. I don’t think I can see her yet. Not this soon at least.”
You extended your hand and placed it on their shoulder. They almost flinched at the touch, probably not expecting it at all. If it bothered them, they didn’t say.
“I’m sorry you had to go through this. It sounds bad, I won’t sugarcoat it. I know it doesn’t matter right now, but life does go on. And it will get easier. With time.”
They placed their hand on top of yours, giving it a firm squeeze.
“It really doesn’t make sense right now.”
They sniffed noisily and half giggled at their own comment. Not too cheerfully, of course. You searched in your purse for a tissue and you handed them the package. They removed one and blew their nose. They still sounded stuffy, but it was better than having a running nose.
“Enough about me. What brings you here?”
“Funny story. I was to meet someone here, but they never came. I didn’t know what to do, but this guy had said that the bar is amazing. So here I am, having a drink with you.”
You grabbed your glass and raised it to their direction as they quickly followed suit and your glasses clang with each other before you took your respective sips.
“Sounds like we’re both out of luck then.”
“I wouldn’t say that for myself.”
“Didn’t you just say your date stood you up?”
“I did. But I also said I’m having a drink with you.”
And so it registered.
“Listen, y/n, this really isn’t the time to-”
“What are two pretty ladies doing here on their own? I’m sure you’d love some company, right girls?”
Zoe’s sentence was cut short by two tall men approaching you, drinks in hands and everything. Normally, you’d feel quite flattered, just as you had before. But now they mostly annoying, a noise.
“We’re doing great on our own fellas. We have each other’s company. See ya!”
You said and gave them a wave of your hand, shooing them away. They back walked awkwardly and they were out of sight before you even knew it.
“Do you get this a lot?”
“People approaching me? Not really, but we’re looking dope and we’re ‘alone’ at a hotel bar. Go figure!”
They nodded and frowned, but soon remembered they’d started to tell you something.
“Anyway, y/n, I’m not really in the mood for flirting or anything. I just had a major break up. Don’t get me wrong, you’re really pretty and I liked how you brushed off those guys, but I don’t think it can work between us at the moment. I’m sorry.”
They said and picked up their drink to leave, but you stopped them, placing a soft hand on their arm.
“I won’t do anything unless you want me to, Zoe. We were having a nice conversation. I’d like for it to go on. If you want it too, of course. No pressure. And no hard feelings!”
They considered this, finally taking their seat next to you.
“Mine’s empty. Let’s get one more? On me!”
They said and lifted their hand in the air, signalling for a wait person to come take your next order.
The conversation with Zoe flew more and more easily as you warmed up to each other. Slowly, you both opened up more. Zoe told you more about their partner, of course, but also about their occupation and hobbies. You did the same and, luckily, you found some common ground. Apparently, you both got a kick for galleries and museums. You noticed Zoe was slowly forgetting about their break up, steadily talking louder and laughing more. They seemed to be having a blast, if anything!
You were – again – interrupted by a suitor, who came for Zoe this time. They gave you a mischievous look before they brushed him completely off with a playful punchline.
“Y/n, I’m just gonna say it, so don’t take it the wrong way, alright?”
T heir serious tone made you sit straight up.
“Why are you so serious all of a sudden?”
“Okay, so, it’s kind of annoying that all these people keep coming for us, you know?”
“It is, but why would I take this the wrong way?”
You said and lifted your glass to have a sip.
“Wanna come up to my room? We can order a final round and continue with our chat. What you say? I mean, the room’s been paid for anyway. And I ain’t going home tonight.”
You almost spat your drink out of your nose with their declaration. Wasn’t it a while ago that they said they didn’t want any flirting business? But now they’re inviting you to their room?
Oh, what the hell. Do it for the plot!
“Sure, I don’t see why not. Let’s get room service!”
“No way! He really said that?”
You managed to say between laughter as Zoe told you a funny story about their friend. Your glasses had been refilled at least twice, even though you were only supposed to have one final drink. Zoe seemed to be having the time of their laughing, amused by their own story.
“I don’t think I’ll last much longer, y/n. I’m about to pass out.”
They kept on giggling, their glass still in their hand. They slowly moved their hand to reach their night stand and laid the glass on top of it.
You watched them as they moved, feeling way too drunk yourself. It was better if you put your glass down. Your eyes were heavy, but your body vibrated with the booze and laughter. Zoe soon disappeared from your point of view as the room darkened around you and you fell asleep.
You woke up and didn’t recognise where you were. It took you a few seconds before you realised you were in a hotel room. You took a look around you. You were covered with a blanket, but you don’t remember doing it yourself. To be precise, you don’t even remember feeling cold at all.
You stretched your arms and got out of bed, soon going to the bathroom to wash yourself. The cold water helped shake the sleep away and refreshed you.
Still, where was Zoe? They were nowhere in the room, and they certainly weren’t in the bathroom. You walked around the room for a bit, then opened the balcony door, but it was locked. They couldn’t have been outside. Yet, you checked, just in case.
You exhaled, quite disappointed with their disappearance. Although nothing more happened, you though you’d had a great time last night. It was a shame that they’d leave you like this.
You made yourself look a little bit more presentable, fixing your clothes and hair and putting your shoes back on. You walked towards the exit and took a look at yourself in the mirror. Judging by how you’d spent the entire night drinking and slept in your night outfit, you were looking quite alright. Time to go then.
Wait.
There’s an envelope, sticking on the side of the mirror. You quickly took it out and opened it. Inside there was a single note in handwriting.
“Whoops, I forgot my ring! Dang it! Bring it back? 1234567890
-Zoe x”