This is a start to a story that I've been holding onto for a long time, but haven't been able to put it down in writing. I finally decided to tackle it and give it a try. I would love to continue this saga, if it's worth pursuing. I'd love to hear your thoughts and constructive criticism!
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Natalia strides to her car in her office's parking garage, a somber purpose in each step. She stares straight forward stoically, tuning out the muffled discussions of her coworkers around her. Everyone was always off at the same time, and most walked back together, gossiping about their plans for the rest of the week.
Not Natalia. She always separated herself from the others; not due to irritation, shyness, or annoyance. She simply had absolutely no interest in any social interaction. Not their kind, anyway.
She feels the prying eyes of the others as her swift pace surpasses everyone, her purse on one shoulder, and her jacket draped over her free arm. She knew what they called her; the Ice Queen. Her demeanor and cold disposition was unsettling to their fragile personalities. Everyone respected her work ethic on a professional level, but her icy demeanor made her the pariah of her work community.
And that was exactly how she needed it. Natalia simply had no desire to waste time with pointless fraternization; her goals were different. More primal. More ... significant.
She reaches her car, briskly stepping into the driver seat and backing out of the parking spot. Pausing to input an address into her GPS, she drives off to her destination.
She remains silent for the half an hour drive, solely intent on reaching tonight's location. Only the soft, elegant melodies of classical music play as she makes her way through the busy metropolitan freeways, until finally arriving. As she parks, she adjusts her mirror to check her appearance.
Natalia always had an otherworldly, ethereal beauty about her. Her platinum blonde hair framed her angelic and angular face, and that alone would be enough to turn heads.
But it was her eyes that stole the show. They almost glowed a mystic glacial blue, and they drew the attention of all who interacted with her - men or women. They were so intense, that those making eye contact with her often stumbled over their words ... that is, if they even had the confidence to approach her.
Satisfied with her appearance, Natalia steps out of her car, taking her purse as her pristine white heels met the dirty sidewalk. She adjusts her professional yet sexually appealing outfit, and then strides quickly to the bar in front of her. Her long legs, well exposed by her skirt, draws the attention of passing men, but she ignores them as they all remain silent, enraptured by her tall, elegantly slender form.
Natalia steps into the dive bar and instantly begins scanning the scene in front of her.
*Two men, late forties, playing pool in the corner* she muses in her thoughts, quickly looking them up and down. They pause their game and look back, amused that such a classy, delicate woman would enter a dirty establishment such as this. *Overweight. Bikers.* She dismisses them as her gaze continues to dart across the room.
*One man. Late sixties. Working professional. All business.* She moves on as the man pours dutifully over spreadsheets.
She glances to the opposite end of the room, eyeing a younger man visually undressing her.
*Early thirties. In shape. Looks easy. Maybe... wait. No.* Her eyes look away in disinterest as a woman of same age steps to the table, eyeing her man with disgust as he tries to disguise his obvious fantasy of Natalia. She shifts her gaze to a man sitting at the corner of the bar, dejectedly nursing what appears to be a jack and coke.
*Early forties, decent shape ...* She notices him twirling a ring around his finger on his left hand. A small and strangely predatory smile forms at the corner of Natalia's mouth. *Marital problems. He'll do.*
With her goal identified, she strides to the bar, sitting with only one stool between them. Natalia continues to assess the man with intent, not hiding her stare. He takes notice, tilts his head quizzically and says, "Hi!"
Natalia's stoic face vanishes as an attractive, oddly pleasant smile takes its place. She playfully traces her nail over her ear, replacing a strand of hair. "Hey there." She responds, with a flirtatious tinge in her voice. "You seem like you could use some company."
"Oh, no, I ..." his voice trails off as he catches her piercing blue eyes. "I mean, yes, of course. Thank you." His gaze darts down, taking in the sight of her feminine assets as they ashamedly shoot back up. Natalia drifts her eyes down in a similar manner, lingering long enough to send a subliminal message ... and she brings her eyes back up in a much slower, less guilty way.
"Can I get you anything to drink, Mrs..."
She laughs and leans forward, touching his hand ever so slightly. "Natalia. No Mrs. And yes, I'll have a martini. However the house makes it." He raises his hand and places her order to the bartender.
"My name's Jim. Nice to meet you, Natalia." They cheers as her drink arrives. The bartender gives her a quizzical look, as if he remembered her from somewhere, and then continues his work. She refocuses in on her new companion, staring with intent and a hint of sensuality.
"So," he states, trying to quell his nervousness with conversation. "What brings you here?"