**PRESENT**

The bar was quiet, dimly lit, and smelled of rich leather and cigarette smoke. The smoker’s section was on the ground floor, but the smoke always wafted back into the upper part. I sat in a leather cushioned seat, a short round table that held a glass of red wine. I was a few seats back from the stage as soft jazz played from a very talented young lady. Saxophone, piano, bass and drums drifted into the open air.

I didn’t really feel like coming out, but I also didn’t feel like staying in either. A friend called me, asked me to meet them at the open top bar and catch up. This bar is well known, and rather extravegant, so I was forced to look the part.

Dressed in a long sleeve black dress with a chain of diamonds sewed through the slit, it was tight fitted and complimented my curves. I wore a waist trainer to make my stomach appear more flat than it was. The dress only went down to the top of my knees, but while sitting it rides up to about half way up my thigh. I fitted this dress with a pair of black velvet stillettos that would make anyone wince just by looking at them.

My hair was curled and flopped about, it’ll eventually annoy me to the point where I put it up in a ponytail with a silk scrunchy. And my makeup was only fitting that of what I was drinking. Smokey pink nude eye shadow with deep red matte lip stick. I knew that I drew attention to myself, I just thought other wise to avoid any incidents from happening. Not with what happened with Jesse.

I shake my head, whipping my hair violently, taking the wine glass and dowing the rest. A rather handsome waiter came by and replaced the empty glass with a new one. I gave him a wink just as the song ended.

“We’ll be taking a short break, make sure you tip your bartenders and the band!” More low and slow music came over the speakers as the beand members deserted the stage.

“The band is good tonight.” A deep voice appeared beside me. A tall man stood to the right of me, dressed in a dark navy suit without a tie. The jacket was open exposing a cream under shirt that was 3 bottoms opened from the top revealing the defined collar bone and a small tattoo.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I take my glass and sip from it.

“May I join you for a bit? I’m waiting on a friend that said they’re running late.” As I set the glass down, the man was already taking the seat on the other side of the table.

“I don’t see why not, I also have a friend running late.” I flag over the handsome waiter who now has a minor annoyed look on his face compared to the smile he gave me earlier.

“You’ve been waiting long?” his voice was warm and smooth like whiskey, the man orders and turns to meet my stare.

“This is my third glass, what do you think?” I wince at the bite in my tone, it wasnt meant for him and he didnt deserve it.

“My you’re fiesty, that or you’re trying to heal a broken heart.” I divert my eyes away from his piercing gaze. “Broken heart it is then, who did it?”

“Maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” I take my glass and rise from the chair, ready to move to a different seat. “It was a pleasure, have a nice night.” My hand is wrapped in a comforting heat, rough calluses press into my fingers.

“Now please, I dont mean any harm, just offering a listening ear.” My eye fixated on his hand and the overwhelming size as my hand is swallowed in his. The warmth soaking into my skin reminds me of the many mornings I spent wrapped in silk and Jesse’s arms. The pecks that trailed my shoulder and back, his hand sliding across my hip and thigh just before we engaged in crazy morning sex.

I always enjoyed our time before the sun rose and just after it set. We spent most of our time away at work, but everything inbetween felt like a bad dream.

I could feel my body tense and then relax as he had coerced me to sit back down. Just before I lowered to the seat, I caught the waiter’s eyes on me, worry etched in his face. I gave him the same kind smile I always did, letting him know that everything is ok. His shoulders ease and returned to his duties. I ease myself into the seat, hand still held by this strange man.

“I guess you could say that…” after another sip of wine, I place it back on the table just as he began to rub his thumb to soothe me more. How could a stranger bring a raging storm to a sudden hault? Just as I felt comfortable, the waiter delivers the man’s drink, and without asking I knew it was top shelf whiskey neat.

“What’s troubling you, dear?” He sips at the glass, taking his hand from mine. Just as I was about to speak up, the low jazz playing faded and movement from the stage caught my attention. The band rejoins, each one going to their respected places, the woman with the sax welcomes everyone back and those just joining, giving them direction to just sit back and enjoy.

“It happened not too long ago.” My eyes focussed on the band as they started playing. I never use to like coming here, but Jesse dragged me here enough times for it to grow on me. The memories at this place were move bad than good, I dont even know why I agreed to meet here.

“Tell me.” Air filled my lungs as I pushed myself to relive the last 3yrs of my life with the person I had thought was the love of my life.

“Well, it all started three winters ago, I had met him at a coffee house while I wrote there.” I down the rest of my wine just in time for my sweet waiter to replace the glass once again. And that’s when I started.

**THREE YEARS AGO******

****

I had a major migraine when I enter the coffee shop, completely drained of caffeine and food. I placed my order and went and sat in the window seat, my normal spot for this coffee shop. The manuscript was due in four days and I hadn’t even reached the halfway point. In no time, my order was brought to me, my eyes focussed on the screen, shooting every couple of words to ensure that i am typing the right words.

The coffee was sweet like a cinnamon roll, but i could still taste the warm bitterness of the espresso. I had lost track of time as i sat there, putting away hundreds of words. It was when the sun was at the highest point in te sky that I stretched backwards in my chair. I felt someone right behind me, and then with a huge clang of chairs, the room fell silent.

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!” I raced to help him up. He was tall, fit, and had messy brown hair. “Are you ok?”

“I’ll live, my coffee on the other hand,” I look to the ground and see a broken cappuchino cup and golden liquid strewed across the floor. “Not so much.”

“Oh Lord, let me buy you a new one, and pay for the cup too.” Staff came over wth a broom and mop. The man stood well above me in my flat coverse, maybe a littleover six-foot, his eyes locked with mine. They were a light brown like the coffee in my cup, but there was this shine in them…something tranquil. And then he smiled.

“Don’t worry about my coffee, but let me treat you.” His eyes wonder over my features, taking every exhausted wrinkle etched in my face like stone. Then suddenly, the room became brighter, colors appeared more vibrant. And the air around me became cleaner to breathe, his scent was subtle and warm.

“No, no, I insist. I’ve already had four cold brews all with 2 extra shots.” We laugh, his a mid range pitch, it made my heart flutter slightly.

We make our way over to the counter and make an order, where I pay for the broken cup and another coffee for the man I knocked over. I invited him to sit with me, I could’ve used the break from my writing and refresh my brain. We sat laughing and enjoying the comapny of a stranger, letting the stress of our everyday lives roll off our shoulders. It was like the cover has been removed, one that weighed me down for the longest time.

“Who are you?” The sun has set, the sky now a pallet of pinks and dark blue with stars filing into place. I had packed up my laptop and now stood next to the busy street with the gentleman whom I failed to get his name a few hours earlier.

“I’m Jesse Delaney.”

“Really?” I playfully question him, his eye brows shoot up.

“Wow! Do I not look like a ‘Jesse’?” He laughs at the thought.

“No, I just didn’t expect it. You look more like an Auston.” Our laughs bleed together, the infectious sounds making others smile as they walk past us.

“And your name my dear?” My cheeks flush a baby pink.

“You’re gonna laugh,” A nervous giggle escapes my lips as I turned away. His hand stopped me, turning me back to meet his stare.

“Tell me, love.” My heart warmed at how he looked at me, spoke to me, urging me to tell him.

“Aquila Ives is who I am.” His hand cupping my cheek heating the skin.

“Such a beautiful name, is it from the constellation?”

“The Eagle that retrieves Zeus’s thunderbolts. Not a lot of people know that.” he kind smile as my ride pulled up. We exchanged numbers, and it wasnt a second more after I left the sidewalk that my phone went off. From that day on I knew everytime my phone lit up it was him.

After a year, we moved in together to a rather large aparment. It had enough space for both of us and our work, mine mostly due to the manuscripts. But it felt like I was living in a dream, that my life somehow turned into one of those you would see on social media. Everything was more vibrant, my body felt like it was floating. I was in love. With my life, with myself, with everything. But I was naive.

After Valentine’s Day of the second year was when Jesse started to act different. He appeared more distant from me and what was going on at home. Spending more at work, with his friends, if he was at home his face would be glued to his phone. I knew what was going on, I just needed to confirm it.

It wouldnt be until our third year that I couldn’t take it anymore. I loved Jesse, but i hated that i was living in a completely one sided relationship. I had my friends follow him around during the day while I stayed at home getting my work done. But i couldnt stay focussed, my nerves were all over the place, waiting for the phone call from Georgia to tell me what they found out. It was a few hours into the afternoon when a text from Jesse came through.

**Jesse: **_Staying late again, all of Jeffery’s reports need to be redone._

__

I didn’t bother replying, but instead sending a screenshot to Georgia. It wasn’t much longer after that my phone started buzzing. It was the call that I was worried about. Hesitantly, I answered and the line was quiet. Every thought ran across my mind, good and bad, of what Jesse was up to. But I could almost feel heartbreak as I kept thinking that he was cheating on me.

“Aquila….I’m sorry.” Georgia’s southern accent came through the phone soft, carefully talking to me even though i knew the truth.

“Who is he with?” I had no thoughts, my concious started dissociating from reality. There were a handful of woman that came to mind, but I knew Jesse could get any girl he wanted.

“It’s…Aquila, it’s your sister, Andromeda.” Any woman is what he could get. His secretary, a co-worker, a stranger from a bar. But it felt like I was body slammed by a bus when Georgia said my twin sister’s name.

“Come over, I have some packing to do.” Without another word, the line went dead. I knew she was going to be here in ten minutes, and during that time I cried. My life for the last three years just came to an earth shattering hault. I walked over to the picture that hung on the wall of Jesse and I, we went to the Bahamas…..I remember being happy. But it was shortly after we got back did he start becoming distant. In the reflection of the glass, my eyes were pouring with tears, the light has been gone for quite a long while now.

I stood there staring at the picture frame, tears streaming down my face staining my skin. I don’t know when it happened, but my broken heart turned into anger. In a split second I ripped the frame from the wall and demolished it. Taking a shard of glass in my hand and stabbing the picture, screaming incoherently.

“Aqu…ila...” Her voice was distant, “Aquila!” My arms stopped mid swing, shaking violently. Georgia’s sweet honey scent engulfed me, I just wailed, dropping the glass shard and letting my body go limp in her embrace. “I’m so sorry.” She soothes me. She picked me up, taking me to the bathroom to bandage my hands, telling me that I can stay at her place until I feel better.

PRESENT

“It took me another month after finding out about him cheating on me to get the rest of my things. I had to have police there to make sure I grabbed all my things and he didn’t try anything.” I sipped my wine, now on my fourth and starting to feel tipsy. This strange man still had my hand wrapped in his, the light rubbing of his thumb kept my mind calm as I told my sad story. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. I remember how in love I was with Jesse, that’s what hurt me so bad.

“He seriously messed up with such a gorgeous woman.” His tone low, I knew he was staring at me, but my stare was fixated on the band as they played.

“Makes sense since someone else shares my face.” My tone bitter when thinking of my sister.

“I think you’re gorgeous inside and out. Your sister, and I mean this respectfully, sounds like a stuck up bitch.” I give a laugh, he joins in by adding a low breathy laugh.

“She really is.” we each take a sip of our drinks, enjoying the company and the music as the sax did a solo. “I don’t think you’ve mentioned your name.”

“Why ruin something so nice with a silly name?” We locked eyes, the dim lighting made his appear dark, but I could sense a warm light deep inside.

“Because I would like to know the man who holds my hand so sweetly.” Something told me not to read into what’s going on between us, that this was just a friendly gesture.

“Touché.” His gives another raspy laugh, “It’s Jupiter.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jupiter.” With my drink raised, “I’m Aquila.”