Midnight Meet

“Alright, please wait for me in the parking lot, I’ll be there in a minute,” Sabine ended the phone call, hiding it in her purse afterwards.

She had just met with a close friend for a date night, an opportunity she rarely had the time for after blowing up because of her latest work. Despite being physically exhausted, she was in high spirits. She left a tip on the leather folio before making her way out.

A few meters away from the door, a woman in a red dress suddenly surpassed her. She must be in haste, Sabine thought to herself. She paid it no more attention and carefully walked down the stairs, however, an abrupt pull on her waist stopped her motion.

“I take it back,” the man whispered behind her. She knew it wasn’t meant for her, but only stutters left her mouth, unable to speak. Sabine held the arm embracing her, attempting to remove it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I don’t need anything else. I don’t care if no one knows–just… just stay with me, please?” 

The moment his voice broke, his grip on her only tightened. She could only swallow the lump in her throat, eyes wide, heart thrumming against her chest. At the same time, she felt his tears on the nape of her neck as he pulled her closer. 

A few moments passed with Sabine only holding her breath. It somehow felt wrong to take away her shoulder from someone who seemed to be on the brink of falling apart. The vibration of her phone brought her back to reality.

“Um- it seems you got the wrong person. I apologize, I wasn’t supposed to hear that.”

His hold on her finally loosened. She turned around to face him. 

“Are you okay?”

The little pout in his lips, pink tint in his cheeks, and the slow shake of his head from left to right indicating a no, starkly contrasted to his built figure evident on the sleek navy blue suit he was wearing.

Her phone incessantly rang so she decided to answer it first. Eyes not leaving the man in front of her, worried about his unstable state.

“Hi! I’m sorry, I know I said I’ll be there in a minute, but can you please wait a little longer? I’m just caught up with something at the moment.” She said her goodbye to the driver on the call and caught the man just in time when his body wobbled forward.

Oh, it seems like it’s going to be a long night. Sabine thought to herself once again. 

She took his arm and placed it over her shoulder, guiding him a step lower to sit on the stairs. 

“Alright, I don’t think you’re okay. Do you have your phone with you? Is there anyone I can call?” It didn’t seem like he was going to answer her but she asked anyway.

He didn’t have any accessories that is why she directed her attention toward his pockets. Nothing appeared to be on there so she looked on the inside of his suit instead. She finally found what she was looking for. 

She quickly scanned his contacts. There were only less than ten people, but it came as though her safest choice was his secretary so she gave it a try. It was already answered on her first attempt.

“Good evening. Is this Mr. Lewis, the secretary?”

“Ah, yes I am. May I ask why you have my employer’s phone?”

The employer in question leaned his head on her shoulder, mumbling some incoherent phrases.

“Actually, I just happened to stumble upon him. He’s… quite drunk. I don’t think he’s capable of going home on his own so I took the liberty of calling you. Can you please fetch him?”

“Oh, of course! Thank you for looking after him. If it isn’t too much trouble, can I ask you to stay with him? If you could also stay somewhere away from people that’ll be immensely helpful.”

Sabine glanced at the man’s figure back to hers.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to go someplace else, but no worries, there aren't many people around this time anyway. Just please be quick.”

“Alright, thank you so much once again! I’ll be there in a few.”

She let out a sigh of relief. Stared ahead, and spaced out. Meanwhile, the man she was with snuggled further against her, his head now nestled on the crook of her neck. His arm snaked over her waist.

The faint scent of his mild perfume was overpowered by the alcohol he drank. He surely exceeded his limits. No wonder he mistook her from the woman who was wearing the same shade of red she had.

His hiccup made her look at him once more. She met his eyes.

“Wh-why… is it easy for you to leave… me?” 

Sabine tilted her head towards the night sky. The yellow lamp posts lined down the staircase were incomparable to the natural light that the stars emit. They were shining so brightly. 

A sigh escaped her lips. She didn’t have an answer to his question. It wasn’t for her anyway, but she patted the top of his head.

It was quarter to 11 when a few people slowly came out of the restaurant and walked past the both of them. When some who made it down the stairs looked up, she saw a hint of recognition on their faces. Some discreetly took out their phones and pointed it at them. She lowered her head and used her hands to shield the face of the man leaning on her shoulders.

Thankfully, it seems like the man's secretary finally arrived. He was looking around, scrutinising them from afar. The guy took out his phone and made a call. She answered it.

“Hi! I was the one who called you.”

“Ms. Sabine Aria? Is it really you?” There was awe in his voice but was followed by a muffled comment that made her chuckle. “Good heavens! What is this man doing?”

He reached the point where they were seated. If she remembered it right, it was Lewis the secretary. He immediately bowed at a ninety degree angle. She fervently waved her hand.

“Oh, no worries. It’s fine. I have to go though, so I’ll leave him to you.” 

She held the man’s shoulder and guided him to sit up straight. Lewis was quick to assist her.

“Of course, of course! I deeply apologize for this incident. Thank you so much for staying by his side. My boss can really be a handful at times. Thank you, Ms. Sabine!”

She waved him goodbye, hurrying down the stairs towards the parking lot. 

She accomplished a good deed today. Surely, the world will look upon her kindly as well. Won't it?