Chapter 1: Introduction
Under the orange neon sign that spelled out "Bar 32", the door swung open as if on duty, releasing a gush of cold autumn air. Exhaling a soft white puff as I stepped inside, I couldn't help but notice the bar was filled to the brim tonight—it was Friday after all. I spotted a newly vacated stool at the far end of the bar and wedged myself between it and a group of guys who apparently mistook jovial conversation with shouting.
Squinting through the dim light, I spotted someone else sitting alone at the other end of the bar. A delicate femur peeked out from under a silky, black dress, sending my heart racing for no apparent reason. It was Jessica.
She was the first woman who ever made me feel such an intense and inexplicable attraction. Her style was casual and contemporary, not too flashy but just luxurious enough to add a touch of glamour.
Golden locks the color of sun-kissed cornfields gleamed in a sea of dim light, swishing back and forth as she tilted her head to the rhythm of the buzzing around us. Her eyes were like diamonds set in alabaster, sparkling with an air of confidence that was undeniably captivating.
As I watched her, I knew that she was unlike anyone I had ever met before. She was a goddess, untouchable and unattainable — or so it seemed.
Ever since I laid eyes on Jessica a few months ago, I couldn't shake this sudden fascination with her. I wondered if her smile was as bright as it seemed, if the lines on her face revealed a strength of spirit as deep as that which I sensed in her presence. I imagined the secrets that hid within her — secrets that I longed to release.
But I couldn't. I was no one to her, merely an unremarkable face in the crowd. She would never give me the time of day.
And she didn't. Not the first few times we crossed paths anyways. I would watch her from afar, my heart rushing with every brief interaction; but her eyes would never meet mine, and the slight curve of her lips as she dismissed me only fueled my intrigue.
"Jason! Over here!"
The shout reverberated through the bar, shattering the silence that hovered between the strangers mingling in the dimly lit room.
Jessica's eyes flicked up and I watched the corners of her eyes crinkle in what could only be barely concealed annoyance. I waved at her, my heart aching from the distance between us. It wasn't just physical of course – she was only sitting ten feet away, but I felt worlds apart from her.
"Hey!" I greeted her, doing my best to sound casual as I slid onto the stool next to hers. "Mind if I join you? It's awfully busy tonight."
She turned to me, eyes narrowing as she assessed my presence.
I couldn't blame her—I was no Channing Tatum, that's for sure. I carried my extra weight with unease and lacked the social grace to put her at ease. I was the definition of a hopeless romantic.
Before she could open her mouth to reject me, I spoke up quickly, "I couldn't help but notice your gorgeous dress—it really catches the light. I'm Jason, by the way." I extended a clammy hand in her direction, hoping she wouldn't notice.
"I'm a photographer. I do portraits on the side."
Her lips twisted into a scowl, clearly uninterested. "It's also pretty quiet here, isn't it?" She glanced around before focusing her attention back on me. "I rather like the quiet."
I nodded, grateful for the reprieve from her skepticism. "I do too, sometimes."
A moment of silence stretched out between us, filling the distance that separated us both.
I searched for something more to say, suddenly aware that I had very little idea on how to connect with someone so far out of my league.
I glanced over at her and saw that Jessica had taken a long sip of her cocktail, eyes closed as if savoring each drop that touched her lips. As discreetly as possible, I stole a moment to really appreciate her, almost as if seeing her for the first time.
"Are you a model or something?" The words left my mouth before I could stop them, instantly regretting the cliché that slipped out.
I attempted to recover, and quickly added, "I don't mean to be rude, you just seem like, well, you stand out here."
Jessica opened her eyes, studying me as she twirled the cocktail straw between her fingers. "I'm a model, but not the world-famous type, if that's what you're thinking."
She spoke without pretense, or a forced sense of grandeur – something rare in my experience. Perhaps it was the fact that she didn't need to; her confidence already emanated from within.
But as I waited for her response, I found myself drowning in her attention.
"I need money," she said plainly, breaking the silence. "If you want me to pose for you, I need five hundred dollars."
I felt as if I had been slapped in the face. "Five hundred dollars? That's insane!"
Jessica let out a breath, as if she had been expecting my reaction. "I know," she said, "but that's how much I need.
Take it or leave it."
Her voice was firm, but not unkind. I could sense the desperation behind her words. I studied her delicate features, the curve of her cheekbones, the way her lips parted slightly as she spoke. I could see now that this wasn't just about the money. There was a vulnerability to her that I hadn't noticed before.
"Okay," I said, surprising myself. "I'll pay you five hundred dollars to take some pictures."
Her eyes widened in shock, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Fine,” she said, looking at me through her long lashes. “What’s the address?”
We left the bustling bar and stepped out into the cool evening air. I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of triumph as I walked next to her. I couldn’t believe my luck – I had finally managed to score a date with the one woman who had captivated my attention for so long.
“I live here,” I said, gesturing to a large, looming building with a wrought iron gate.
“I’ve got a studio set up in the basement.”
She exchanged a dubious look, but didn't say anything. "I'll be right here when you're done," she said, pointing at the building as we passed through the gate.
Walking through the dimly lit hallway, I felt a strange sense of anticipation but also dread. What if this was all a terrible mistake? What if I couldn't make her see me the way I wanted her to?
As I led her down to my studio, I made sure to show her off.
Her golden hair cascaded down her shoulders and I admired the way her dress hugged her curves. It was a nice surprise to see her in real life and not just a picture someone took at an event. She was even more stunning up close.
We reached the studio and I opened the door. The room was bathed in soft red light, giving it a warm ambience. There were various lighting sets and props placed around the room. Jessica's eyes widened as she took in the room.
"Are you ready to start?" I asked her, trying to hide my nerves.