Need To Chill
Need To Chill
IT was eight in the evening when Zoe decided to take a chill in the nearby bar, located just a few blocks from their apartment. While her mother has work to do. They both decided that they would leave Manhattan on Friday. Since she was alone, she just sat at the bar counter while ordering some drinks—just the mild ones. She will not taste any mixtures like Sex on the beach again. “Alone?” the bartender asked while doing her drinks which made Zoe to rolled her eyes. “Did you see any accompany?” she asked sarcastically, making the bartender shake his head and smile. “I never saw you before—” “I’m not in the mood to talk.” The bartender let out a soft chuckle as he pushed her glass in front of her. “Feisty, huh? Since you’re new here, your drinks are on me,” he said. Zoe arched her brow and stared at the guy. “Are you hitting on me?” she asked straightforwardly, making the man laugh once again. Zoe picked up her glass and was about to sip on it when the man spoke again. “You can tell. Anyway, I’m Grant, the owner of this bar,” he said. “I’m not asking,” she replied and drank into her glass. Zoe cursed inside her mind. She doesn’t care if he’s the boss. It’s just that she’s not in the mood to talk and play games with no one. The loud, swaying music boomed inside the bar, and Zoe watched the night people dancing at the center. It was still early, but the club was already occupied. She sipped in her glass again and was about to order when she frowned as she saw the man named Grant walking near her. The man sat next to her and raised his glass. “You can order anything you want, my treat,” he said. Zoe doesn’t know if the man is really serious about hitting her, but his looks and smiles say he’s just making fun.
‘Fine, this is what you wanted, huh?’ she thought. She smiled and nodded. “All right. Thank you…” Grant smiled, but it disappeared upon hearing Zoe’s last words. “—but no thanks.” Grant’s laughter blended into the loud music, making Zoe frown. “What the hell do you want from me? Why are you pestering me?” Grant drank into his glass and put it down. He called the other bartender. Well, Zoe thought Grant was just a regular employee. So, what if he’s the boss? “One beer for this lady and for me,” Grant said to the waiter before turning back to face her. “So… do you know me?” Zoe frowned. “What kind of question is that?” ‘Is he insane?’ she pondered. Grant smiled. “I’m Grant Lincoln.” Lincoln? Hearing that name makes Zoe’s heart thumping fast. “What do you want from me?” she asked courageously. Grant shook his head. “Nothing.” She arched her brow. “How are you related to Helios Lincoln?” Zoe doesn’t know why she asked for that, but she was just curious. Grant’s forehead knitted. “How do you know about him?” “Is that important?” Grant let out a soft chuckle. “I see. He’s my cousin,” he said, making Zoe’s eyes widen when she saw the beer on her side. She took it and drank it straight. Grant was amazed by it and couldn’t help but part his lips and give a faint ‘O’. “Are you Helios’s ex?” Zoe glared at her. “Are you crazy? He’s my boss….” “I see…”
“But I filed my resignation early this morning,” she replied. Grant moved forward. “Why?” “I am leaving Manhattan,” she replied and ordered another beer. Grant keeps on talking, but Zoe’s ears are not open for him. She couldn’t even understand a thing about his story. She just kept drinking and drinking until she felt a little dizzy. “You drank a lot. Are you sure you can do more?” Grant asked. Zoe met his gaze and nodded. However, Grant has a feeling that Zoe is already drunk. Her face is already red, and her eyes—at any moment, she will fall asleep. “Did you come here alone?” Grant asked. Zoe let out a soft chuckle and even pointed her index finger at him. “Are you blind?” Grant smiled. “Great,” he mumbled. “Can you manage to go home? I’ll send you if—” Zoe waved her hand in front of Grant’s face. “No, thanks,” she replied. Grant sighed and was about to hold her when he saw the man who was walking toward them. “Helios…” Helios didn’t bother to greet his cousin. His eyes were fixed on Zoe, who was now resting her head on the countertop. “What happened?” Helios’s voice lingered inside Grant’s ear. “I don’t know. But she keeps on drinking straight since eight and….” Grant glanced at his wristwatch, “—it’s already ten. I offer her a ride, but she declines.” Helios didn’t respond and just looked at Zoe. Grant frowned. “Anyway, she asked me about you. Do you know her?” Helios nodded. “She’s Zoe.” Grant’s eyes widened upon hearing that name. Helios mentioned to him that he loves someone and her name is Zoe. But Grant was in Spain when they talked about her. So, she’s Zoe. Grant now wonders what happened between them. The woman seems depressed.
“She seems broken, dude. What happened?” Grant asked. Helios heaved a deep sigh. “Dad.” One word, but Grant already understood it. “Chloe is in the city, and I heard about your engagement in a few days. Is this one of the reasons?” Helios simply nodded. “And Zoe ended it?” “I will take her home, Grant. Thanks for accompanying her,” Helios said and moved closer to Zoe. “Zoe…” he said. Zoe suddenly raised her head when she heard that voice. She laughed when she met Helios’s eyes. “Am I… hallucinating? Even here, I can see… his face,” she said and was about to stand up, yet she almost swayed to the right. “Easy there,” Grant said and chuckled. “Guess she badly needed to go home, dude.” Helios nodded and encircled his arm into her waist as he guided her towards the exit. “Don’t do something stupid, Helios. I know you’re craving—” “Shut the fuck up!” Helios yelled, but it only blended into the loud music. Grant burst into laughter as he watched Helios and Zoe leave his bar. He shook his head. ‘Helios got pvssy-whipped,’ he thought.This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.