The night air was crisp as Zara strode confidently to the corner bar, her heels clicking against the pavement like a metronome. The little jazz haven wasnโt extravagant, but it was perfect. Its worn brick exterior, the faint sound of chatter leaking through its cracked door, felt warm against the chill.
Pushing inside, the dimly-lit space embraced her like an old friend. Smoky, intimate, and alive with quiet energy, it was everything she thrived on. Her kaleidoscopic eyes landed on the tiny stage, but her smirk faltered. The equipment was missingโno mic, no setup. Not ideal for a jazz singer.
"Ah, of course. Guess Iโm supposed to belt out my songs into thin air tonight?" Zara muttered, her fingers tracing the piano by the stage.
Before she could brainstorm a plan, she spotted movement through the crowdโa figure approaching with purpose. Her lips quirked as she shifted her stance, one hand on her hip, nails gleaming under the faint light.
"Let me guess," her rich voice teased, eyes sharp and playful. "Youโre about to tell me thereโs been a tiny mix-up, huh? Equipmentโs gone walkabout?" She cocked her head, eyes locking on the stranger. "Well, sugar, you better hope your excuse is good enough. 'Cause if not, youโll be making it up to me with a double shot of your finest whiskey." Her smirk deepened as the figure got closer. "Now, come on. Impress me."
โI'll be honest, our sound guy got high and doesn't communicate much now. Unfortunately, we apologize for this inconvenience" I half-bow "Of course there will be whiskey and we will pay you as if the performance took place normally. Please forgive me for this omission"
Ah, the trials of working with unreliable people. "It's a shame," she sighed dramatically, crossing her arms over her chest, nails digging into the soft skin of her inner forearm. "But I suppose if you promise to take good care of me next time..." Her eyes trailed up from beneath lowered lashes as she considered him. "I'd be willing to help you make it up tonight." There was an unspoken threat in the words, but her lips curved into a teasing smile regardless.
She leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on the piano keys beside her. "How about I just use my voice and improvise?" Her gaze drifted back to the stranger, challenging him with her own mischief-laced brand of charm. "That is," she added, grin widening, "if you're game enough for that."
โIf you had played so raw, we would have been in debt. I'd pay you double your rate" looks at her "I'm Toji, the owner of the bar. Will you need anything else? I will do everything to make it as good as possible"
Zara tilted her head, a hint of amusement still playing around her lips. "Double the rate? Now that's a bold offer, Toji," she purred. "And one I may just take you up on... But first, let's have ourselves a drink." Her tone made it clear there was no room for negotiation. "Scotch?" She glanced around casually, as if deciding his preference would make or break the whole encounter. "Or bourbon? Or maybe even some good old rye?"
Her gaze flickered back to him, waiting for a response before she continued. "But yes, aside from that..." She paused dramatically, tilting her head to one side as she ran an imaginary finger over the worn keys beside her. "...if you'd like me to improvise, I suppose we'll need some basic instruments. Something with bass notes and a little bite." Her voice took on a more demanding tone now, yet still managed to maintain that underlying hint of playfulness.
"And," she added, her lips curving into a mischievous smile once more, "I'm going to need your help getting them set up. It's not every day I get the chance to push my limits like this."
"It my bar and i would give you your drink" i go behind the var and fecht her a glass of our finest whiskey "I would prepare everything you asked we got instruments backstage" i look at her and smile innocent
"Oh, don't be shy about it," Zara chided gently, taking the glass of whiskey and raising it to her lips. The amber liquid flowed down her throat like silk, leaving a pleasant warmth spreading across her chest. "I appreciate your hospitality." She paused for a moment before turning her attention back to him. "Now, about those instruments..."
She took a step closer, pressing one hand against the stage so she could look down at him through her lashes. "I trust you know what I need. You've heard my voice; you understand its demands." Her tone was confident yet not arrogant; it almost felt as if she were coaxing something deeper out of him with each word.
"And when I sing tonight," she continued, her gaze boring into his, "I want to feel the power of my voice rippling through this room. So make sure everything's in its place, and that it sounds as good as it can." The challenge was clear; there would be no backing out now. Not if she wanted him to respect her... or herself.
"Of course i would do everything for you to perform it. most suitable your environment" i smile and go preparing necessary things for her Few hour later she sitting at the bar and i give her drink after her amazing performance in unusal enviorment without soud guy but with only her voice and instruments "You want the payout in vash or on account?"
Zara accepted the drink with a nod of thanks, her gaze flickering between Toji and the glass before she took a sip. "On account," she said finally, setting it down on the bar. "I've got some time off coming up; we can settle up then." Her voice was smooth as silk, but there was an underlying steel to it that hinted at her determination and independence.
She reached out, shaking his hand firmly before straightening back up. "Thank you for giving me the chance to perform tonight," she said sincerely. "I hope I didn't let you down." The look she gave him could have been challenging or appreciative; it was hard to tell which. Either way, there was a spark of something between them that hinted at the possibility of further encounters... in both their futures.
โIt was really amazing. You outdid yourself even after the hardware problems that were my fault. That apaokizgie againโ I look at her and smile โI should fire this sound guy and look for a new one, but it can wait. Thank you for accepting the invitation to our bar despite living such a star life."
Zara couldn't help but laugh, a warm sound that seemed to fill the bar with its melody. "Oh, please," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "It was nothing compared to what you did for me tonight. Besides," she added mischievously, "I do enjoy shaking things up every now and then." Her eyes flickered to his lips before returning to his gaze. There was a challenge in that look, as if daring him to respond.
"You never know," she purred, "maybe we'll run into each other again sometime." The words were lighthearted enough, but there was an undertone of promise in them; the hint of something more... complicated. Something deep and lasting, wrapped up in jazz and late-night whispers.
โSo I'm looking forward to itโ I smiled innocently. At this point, Zara realized that the bar was already closed, and the last people left in the bar were only herself and the owner, Toji, standing in front of her. They are in a place where no one would disturb them in any way
A slow, teasing smile curved her lips at Toji's words. "Oh really?" she drawled, tilting her head slightly to one side as she regarded him over the rim of her glass. Her gaze trailed down his body before rising again, lingering on his lips for a beat too long.
She took a step closer, the air between them suddenly charged with anticipation. "Well then," she whispered, her voice soft and husky, "I suppose we should... find something to do about that." One hand came up, sliding over his chest and pulling him closer still, their bodies just inches apart.
Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, pressing their bodies flush against each other as she leaned in further. "Don't you think it's time we started this... affair?" Her lips parted, hovering inches from his, her breath warm and sweet against his skin. "What do you say, Toji?"