Page 96 of Stars At Dusk

Someone was calling out her name. She turned to see a blonde-haired man weaving through the bar tables behind her, heading in her direction.

‘Oh, hello,’ Harlow said, recognising Ruben with mixed feelings.

A big smile was plastered across his face. ‘Why do I keep bumping into you like this? It must be kismet.’

‘Is that right?’ she murmured, the high from her mango daiquiri dissipating somewhat.

‘What are you having? Can I get you another?’

She lifted her glass. ‘Still half full, so no thanks, I’m OK.’

Ruben settled into the bar seat next to hers. ‘What brings you here?’

‘What brings anyone here?’ Harlow said, in no mood to be magnanimous.

Ruben clutched at his heart dramatically. ‘Don’t break me, Harlow. I just want to spend some time with a clever, interesting woman for a few minutes. Is that acceptable?’

Harlow considered him for a moment. ‘Fine. But as soon as my drink is gone, I’m out.’

‘Sounds like a good deal.’

Harlow watched noncommittally as Ruben ordered a Strong Island Ice Tea.

‘Pour it heavy,’ he instructed the barman, barely looking at him, his gaze fixed instead on Harlow’s cleavage.

Harlow spotted the imperceptible curl of annoyance on the barman’s mouth and raised her brows. The barman flicked a glance at her, and they both smiled.

She decided to engage him.

‘What’s your story, Jarok?’ she asked, identifying him from his name badge.

The barman started. ‘My story?’

‘Yes. What’s a fascinating man like you doing in a bar like this?’

The older man was flattered. He laughed, then winked, catching on to what Harlow was trying to do: deflect attention away from Ruben.

Her colleague, on the other hand, looked mystified. ‘I’ve been wanting to catch up with you on -.’

Harlow cut Ruben short. ‘I asked Jarok a question. I’d like to hear his story, if you don’t mind.

She sensed Ruben smoulder with annoyance beside her, but she ignored him.

Jarok grinned, eager to help a pretty woman out. ‘I fled my homeland, Alloria, during the Allorian Conquest Wars.’

‘I know of them,’ Harlow said, not giving away that she, too, was a refugee of the same planet despite being a long-term resident of Dunia.

‘Many Allorians came to Eden II to escape war and persecution. I left behind my family and friends, and arrived on the rock with nothing but the clothes on my back. It was a struggle to make a new life and being a foreigner, I was sometimes treated with suspicion. Without any knowledge of Standard, I struggled to overcome the language and cultural barriers I faced.’

‘But The Sable Group was very kind to hire and train me to work here. So over time, this place became my second home away from home. I worked hard and saved my money, and eventually, I was able to bring my family here to join me.’

‘Now, I put my heart and soul into this place to provide a safe and welcoming space for our customers, as The Sable Group did for me.’

Harlow smiled. It was the good news story she’d needed after the train wreck of an evening that she’d had. Jarok seemed to be a man of honour who’d persevered and never lost his determination and spirit. He worked hard, and it was clear he served his customers with kindness and generosity. And in the end, his hard work and his dedication paid off. He was quietly proud of what he’d achieved. He had come to the new country as a refugee, but he had built a new life for himself and found success and happiness in his adopted home.

If only her father had embodied a smidgen of what this humble barman did.

‘Thank you, Jarok, for sharing your journey with us,’ she said softly. ‘I wish you well in all you do.’

---