The Proverbial Mr. Universe (5 page)

J
essica, Olivia’s friend, picked her up twenty minutes later. They decided to go somewhere Dario wouldn’t be able to find her and chose some random bar on Saint-Denis Street. The place was like every other bar in Montreal on a Friday night, overcrowded and energetic. It was relatively newly renovated. Even with the lights dimmed, it had a modern chic decor with tables scattered everywhere. A vast canvas on the far wall caught Olivia’s eyes. The subject was a girl walking away from the viewer, her red scarf blowing in the wind. She had time to take another quick glance before Jessica called for her.

“There are two seats at the end of the bar,” Jessica said over the loud music.

“Why don’t we sit in the booths at the back?” Olivia suggested.

Jessica shook her head, making her red ringlets bounce wildly around her face. “Ah … no. All the action is at the bar.”

Olivia winced as she followed Jessica.

“Don’t be such a downer, woman! I didn’t agree to come out with you so that you can cry and be miserable about Dario.”

Surprisingly, Olivia hadn’t done either. She was actually relieved. Three bartenders were working behind the bar, and the shortest of the three took their order.

“So, now what are you going to do?” Jessica brought a martini glass to her lips. Olivia knew it was over. It had been for the longest time, but she just didn’t know how to let go.

“I only wish I was there to see his face when you told him to move out.”

“I think he still believes we can work things out,” Olivia said.

“You have to be straight with him. Don’t give him any hope. I swear, if you even think about going back to him, I will never speak to you again!”

“No, worries there.”

“I always hated that asshole,” Jessica said.

Olivia had met Jessica six years ago when they both enrolled in the same fashion design program. By definition, Jessica wasn’t beautiful: thin lips, long nose and thick, tight curly red hair. It was her charm and confidence that made guys want to hover around her. She was fun to be around, never cared about what other people thought of her, and Olivia found that refreshing. She genuinely liked Jessica, even though sometimes she was self-absorbed. Dario, on the other hand, couldn’t understand why Olivia bothered with her because it was clear to anyone who saw them together they were complete opposites.

Olivia was the first person Jessica thought of when a position opened up at her company, D.S. Designs. Although it wasn’t Olivia’s dream job, she took it with the hopes of one day being promoted to a designer position with her own label as promised by her boss, Jack.

“You know what I don’t understand? How your dad doesn’t see right through him,” Jessica said. “I mean, he must see him at work. He can’t possibly be that good at hiding it?”

“My father is rarely at the office, and when he is, Dario is probably on his best behavior.” Olivia sighed. “I don’t know how I’m going to break it to my parents.”

“Sometimes you got to suck it up and do what you got to do.” Jessica paused. “I’m sure they will be heartbroken, but they’ll get over it. It’s your life after all.” She waved her hand at her. “Speaking about your dad, how are things with him?”

Olivia shrugged. “He doesn’t tell me anything. When I ask, all he says is not to worry. I know he’s in some sort of trouble, and now with his diagnosis I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”

Olivia glanced up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. The hand belonged to a slightly attractive man wearing a blue T-shirt two sizes too small.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked.

“Yes, sorry. I’m waiting for my boyfriend,” Olivia said as the guy gave her apologetic smile and walked away toward better prospects.

Jessica laughed. “My gosh, Olivia! What am I going to do with you?”

“What?”

“What’s the matter with you? He was gorgeous. You should have let him sit next to you.”

“I’m not in the mood to flirt with some random guy. Not tonight.”

“You know what they say: the best way to get over someone is to get under—”

“That’s so absurd!”

“I’m just saying, you should go out and meet people. Figure out what you want.”

“I been single for a little over an hour. What I need now is to be on my own.”

Jessica laughed. “For God’s sake, don’t be such a nun. I’m not telling you to go out and marry the next guy you run into. I’m telling you to go out and loosen up a little.” She started to swing her shoulders with the music.

Olivia opened her mouth then bit her bottom lip. What she really wanted to say was she wasn’t like Jessica. The only real reason Jessica had bad luck when it came to men was because she didn’t value herself as a person. Olivia didn’t have much experience when it came to men—actually, Dario was very much it—but she always thought a man should earn a woman’s time and affection. She shouldn’t have to run to bed with every guy just because he thinks she’s pretty. And Jessica’s track record regarding that was platinum gold. Olivia wondered how an intelligent woman like Jessica could not come to that realization on her own. Maybe Olivia’s hadn’t been any better. She only been with Dario and look how that turned out.

“Alright, I give up.” Jessica slightly put her hands up in defeat. “You’re missing out.” Jessica smiled.

“Well then, too bad for me.”

“Yup, it’s too bad.” Jessica sighed. “Especially for that guy down there who’s been checking you out since we arrived.”

“Jesus, do you have a built-in radar or something?”

“I’m a woman of many talents. What can I say?”

“So who is it? The guy with the checkered shirt?”

“No, darling, that guy is checking me out,” Jessica smiled wickedly. “I’m talking about the bartender standing in front of the man in the checkered shirt.”

Olivia tried discreetly to glance back. Her eyes widened with wonder. Something about his face tickled the back of her mind. Where had she seen that face before? He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, tall, slim built, with straight light brown hair. His hair was a little longer on top, and some stray strands would trickle in front of his bright eyes every so often. He wore a loose T-shirt with a pair of poorly fitted jeans. Oh … and he had another attribute that Olivia hated.

He was unshaven.

He wasn’t hideous; he just wasn’t what she wanted in a significant other, not by a long shot. Olivia never thought herself to be shallow, but she generally liked guys who took their appearance seriously. His eyes met hers and she shyly glanced away.

“Oh, that guy …”

“Yeah, that guy.”

“Jess, none of these guys in this room are my type.”

Jessica turned and gave her a surprising expression. “Seriously? Because they are not wearing a Hugo Boss suit? Sometimes I swear you’re such a snob, Olivia.” She laughed. “Do you even know what your type is? And don’t describe to me what your father’s type is. We both know how that worked out for you.”

“Well … a guy who parties all night and is always broke is certainly not my type,” Olivia said. “So I’m going to save myself some trouble and pass.”

Jessica started to laugh. “You’re so bad.”

“My point is I’m looking … I mean, if I were looking … I’d want someone more sophisticated looking. Someone who has a profession.”

“You don’t even realize it, do you? I think you just described Dario.” Jessica laughed louder this time.

Olivia bit her lower lip. Jessica had a point. “I am looking for someone who’s successful like him but less of a flirt and more honest, more heart …”

“I wish you luck on that one.” Jessica brought her glass to her lips.

“Can you tell me why I came out with you tonight?”

“You came out with me so I can shake some sense into you. Make you open your eyes. Have fun, Liv, you only got one life. You have been living someone else’s dream for far too long. Dario is your father’s dream, but what’s yours?”

Olivia didn’t know what she wanted anymore. She’d been trying so hard to please her father for so long, now she was about to disappoint him once again.

T
he unshaven bartender appeared right before Olivia. She didn’t know why his gaze made her so uncomfortable.

“Hi, ladies.” He turned to Jessica. “The guy with the green checkered shirt sent you this.” He placed another apple martini in front of Jessica.

“Well, thank you. I think my night just got interesting.” She gave Olivia a side glance. “Sorry, hon, no offense.”

“None taken.”

Jessica turned in her seat and waved flirtatiously at the guy down the bar.

“Do you mind?” She nodded toward the direction where the cute stranger sat.

“I thought you came out to console me?” Olivia frowned.

“Yes and I did.”

“Alright, go. I’ll be fine. I’ll just sit here all by myself.”

“You’re not alone! You got this charming man in front of you.” Jessica looked up at the bartender, who was smiling.

“Go easy on her. She’s going through a tough time…” Jessica sympathetically placed her hand on Olivia’s shoulder “…she just broke up with her fiancé.”

Did a shadow of surprise cross the stranger’s face?

“Jessica!”

Olivia considered herself a private person and hated to reveal any parts of herself, especially to strangers.

Jessica leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Olivia, try to be nice.”

She walked away leaving Olivia and the bartender. Now looking at him carefully, she definitely saw him before, but wasn’t sure where. An awkward moment passed as they both searched for something to say.

“Rough night. It seems your friend left you too …”

Her head snapped right up. Did he assume she was the one dumped?

“I wasn’t dumped.”

He frowned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to …”

She stared at him for a moment until she felt her phone buzzing from within her leather handbag. After several seconds, Olivia finally got to her phone buried underneath receipts, gum wrappers, and now a substantial collection of notes from Mr. Universe.

“What?” What was he looking at?

He smiled. “Need any help?”

“I’m good, thanks.” She smirked sarcastically, waving her phone in the air.

She had fifteen missed calls, all from Dario. There was no way she was going to call him back. What was there left to say? She thought about her father and how this would play out. It would be another blow, and he’d be crushed when he learns his future son-in-law was a narcissistic cheat.

No, tonight she didn’t want to think about it. She didn’t wish to think about anything.

God, she needed a cigarette.

“What do you have in there?” He made an attempt to peek inside, but Olivia pulled her bag away.

She dropped her phone back into the oblivion. “None of your business.”

“So, what’s your story?”

Olivia frowned. “Believe me; you don’t want to know.”

“Try me?”

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re going to have to tell me something better if you want to keep me interested.” He smiled gallantly.

“O … okay …” She glanced up at him. “How about … none of your business!” She flashed him a sweet, innocent smile, twirling a strand of hair that came undone from her bun.

“Ouch! Aren’t you a chatty one?”

“Sorry, I don’t want to seem rude but—”

“Too late for that, darling.” He frowned.

She glared at him. “Did you just call me darling? Please don’t call me that.”

Another buzzing sound came from her bag. This time, it was her mom. Olivia cringed, knowing Dario had been calling around looking for her. She wasn’t ready to face reality and placed her phone on the counter. Her eyes veered up at the bartender’s amused face.

Yes, that’s right, funny guy. My life’s a mess.

Olivia had a talent for keeping things together, bottling up her emotions for no one to witness. Now she was losing control, and the thread kept unraveling. Olivia wasn’t even sure if there would be anything left of her once the mess she had created was cleaned up. Her heart pretended not to imagine how it was going to end, so now she found herself at the mercy of the stranger’s soulful eyes. For a moment, Olivia thought she might cry.

“Listen,” His eyes softened. “If you need someone to talk to …”