Sophia wiped her hands on the worn-out apron tied around her waist as she finished serving another drink. The dim lighting of the bar cast long shadows, reflecting the weariness that seemed to have taken permanent residence in her soul. The hum of conversations, clinking glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter filled the air, but to Sophia, it was just white noise, something she had learned to tune out over the years.
The bar was her second home, though not by choice. It was the place she came to after long hours of lectures and study sessions at college. The only way she could afford her education was by working these late shifts, serving drinks to people who seemed to live lives far removed from her own. She often wondered what it would be like to have a normal life, one where she didn’t have to worry about making ends meet or about the weight of the world resting on her shoulders.
Her mother, Amelia, had always done her best, but Sophia knew from a young age that they were different from other families. Amelia had worked tirelessly, taking on multiple jobs just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. She had been a ghost in Sophia’s childhood, always too busy or too exhausted to be truly present. And then there was her father, a man Sophia had never met but hated with a passion that surprised even herself.
He had been the love of Amelia’s life, or so her mother said. But to Sophia, he was nothing more than a coward who had abandoned them both. He had left town before Sophia was even born, leaving Amelia to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams. The only thing Sophia knew about him was his name, and even that was a bitter taste on her tongue.
As the night dragged on, Sophia’s thoughts drifted to her college classes. She was studying psychology, a subject she had chosen because she wanted to understand why people did the things they did. Perhaps, on some level, she was trying to understand herself, her mother, and the man who had left them both behind. But understanding people didn’t come easily; it required time, patience, and a willingness to dig deep into the messiness of human emotions—things Sophia wasn’t sure she had the energy for anymore.
The clock ticked closer to midnight, and Sophia’s shift was nearing its end. She was tired, her feet aching from hours of standing, but she couldn’t afford to cut back on her hours. The money she made at the bar was barely enough to cover her rent, tuition, and the little bit of food she allowed herself. She had learned to live on the bare minimum, something she had grown accustomed to over the years.
As she wiped down the counter, preparing for the final rush before closing, she heard the door open behind her. The cool night air swept in, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. Sophia didn’t bother looking up; she had long since stopped being curious about the patrons who came in during the late hours. They were usually the same—a mix of regulars and strangers looking for a drink to wash away their worries.
But this time, something felt different. There was a presence in the room that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She glanced up from the counter and saw a man standing at the entrance, his eyes scanning the room until they locked onto hers. He was tall, with broad shoulders and an air of confidence that was almost unsettling. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his eyes—were they green or hazel?—seemed to pierce right through her.
Sophia quickly looked away, focusing on the glass she was cleaning. She didn’t need any more complications in her life, especially not from a man who looked like he had the potential to turn her world upside down. But she could feel his gaze lingering on her, and it made her skin prickle with unease.
The man approached the bar and took a seat directly in front of her. “Whiskey, neat,” he said, his voice deep and smooth.
Sophia nodded, reaching for the bottle. She poured the drink and slid it across the counter to him, avoiding eye contact. She hoped he would take his drink and leave her alone, but instead, he continued to watch her, a small smile playing on his lips.
“What’s your name?” he asked, his tone casual but with an underlying intensity that made Sophia’s heart race.
“Sophia,” she replied curtly, not offering any more information than necessary.
“I’m Ethan,” he said, as if they were having a normal conversation. But there was something about the way he said it, as if his name carried weight, as if it was supposed to mean something to her.
Sophia simply nodded and went back to cleaning the counter, hoping he would take the hint and stop talking. But Ethan didn’t seem the type to give up easily.
“I haven’t seen you here before,” he continued, taking a sip of his whiskey.
“I’ve been here for a while,” Sophia said, still not looking at him.
“Maybe I just didn’t notice until now,” Ethan mused, his voice low and thoughtful.
Sophia couldn’t help the small scoff that escaped her lips. “I’m not exactly hard to miss,” she muttered under her breath.
Ethan chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “No, you’re not,” he agreed, his eyes never leaving her.
Sophia felt a surge of irritation. She didn’t have time for games, especially not with a man who seemed to think he could charm his way into her life. She had enough on her plate without adding a complicated relationship to the mix.
“Look,” she said, finally meeting his gaze, “I’m just here to do my job. If you need anything else, let me know, but I’m not interested in small talk.”
Ethan’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of curiosity. “You’re different,” he said, more to himself than to her. “Most people would jump at the chance to make a connection.”
“Maybe I’m not most people,” Sophia replied, turning away to grab another glass.
“No, you’re not,” Ethan said, and there was something in his voice that made Sophia pause. “But that’s what makes you interesting.”
Sophia didn’t respond. She couldn’t afford to get involved with someone like Ethan, someone who seemed too good to be true. She had spent her entire life trying to stay out of trouble, to avoid the pitfalls that had ensnared her mother. And yet, there was something about Ethan that made her want to take a step closer, to see what it would be like to let someone in.
But she couldn’t. Not now. Not ever.
As the night drew to a close, Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was about to change. She didn’t know how or why, but something about Ethan’s presence made her uneasy. She had always prided herself on being strong, on being able to handle whatever life threw at her. But this—this was different.
As she locked up the bar and headed out into the cool night air, she couldn’t help but glance back at the door. Ethan was still inside, watching her through the glass. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Sophia quickly turned away and walked down the empty street, her mind racing. She didn’t know what it was about Ethan that unnerved her, but she knew one thing for certain—she needed to stay far away from him.
But deep down, a small voice whispered that it might already be too late.