Zailah and her father were literally entertaining the young man with jokes and food and they were all enjoying the cold night.
"I think I've got a name for you." Zailah said smiling.
"Really? Please tell me, I'm fed up of being called young man."
Zailah and her father laughed. "You have a striking resemblance to Shawn mendes, the popular singer. Just that you have different hair colour."
The young man thought about it for a while. "Shawn? I think I like it."
"So, we can call you Shawn?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes please, I'd be delighted."
"Perfect, I'll get more drinks to celebrate." She quickly stood up and left.
"I haven't seen my daughter this happy in years, she likes you a lot." Mr Audrey said immediately she was out of earshot.
"Me? Really?"
"Huh–huh. Just promise me you'd take care of her. She said you two are leaving tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, Mr. Audrey. She wants to take me to the hospital for proper tests and brain scan."
"That's good anyway, I'll miss having you around.... Shawn"
"Me too. You're a very funny man and I love your jokes."
"Zailah says so herself. Ever since her mother died in a fire accident she has vowed to never let someone die the same way. And each time, I've learned so many jokes in order to keep her company but since she had grown up she hardly visits but thanks to you she spent more than 3 years with me, thank you so much."
"I'm meant to be thanking you Mr Audrey, Thank you so much for caring for me these past years.
"It's all Zailah's doing and you're like family now, Shawn."
♧♧♧♧♧♧
[VIRGINIA CITY]
Shawn decided to walk around his neighborhood for a change, ever since he came to Virginia Zailah had not let him go out.
She was afraid of him missing his way back home, but she wasn't around and Shawn took the opportunity to go to a bar a little bit far from the house.
Immediately he entered the bar that look looked like a nightclub, it was crowded with people and filled with loud music but somehow he liked the place and sat on the bar counter.
He turned to his left and saw a lovely lady seated next to him, and she looked kind of pale and unhappy and he wondered what could trouble her that much.
"I'm no doctor, but I think drinking that much would do you no good." He said leaning close to her ear so she could hear him.
"I know that. I'm just too broken to think properly." She replied loudly taking another shot.
"And drinking would solve it?" He asked.
"I hope so." She looked at him properly, as if analysing him. He was undeniably handsome.
"I'm Catherine and you?" She shouted above the high music so he could hear.
"Shawn!" He replied and she chuckled.
"What's funny?" He asked confused.
"Apologies, I'm sorry for your loss."
"It's fine! It's been so long, want a drink?."
"I don't think I have money to buy one!"
"Never mind! Bill is on me." She turned to the waiter. "Two shots of tequila"
"Thanks."
"Never mind. So Shawn tell me about yourself, are you single?" She asked.
"I guess so." He replied as the waiter dropped their drinks.
Um, that's interesting."
"Are you sure you'd be fine?" He asked looking at her clumsy state.
"I'll manage." She replied, eyes closed.
"If you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you." He said sincerely.
"Let's go into one of the rooms, I really want to talk." She said with a smirk.
"Okay, sure. I'll—I'll just help you stand up." He said and stood immediately to assist her.
"There's money in my purse, pay him." She pointed clumsily.
He took the purse and opened it, there were lots of cash in it
"Um, how much do I—?"
He hadn't finished speaking when she grabbed some cash and toss it to the bar attendant. He smiled and quickly took it.
"Let's go." She said to him and he helped her following whatever direction she was headed.
Immediately they got to the room she pointed at, he opened it and closed it once they were inside. He helped her sit on the bed but she fell on it instead.
"You wanted to talk?" He asked wondering why someone as beautiful as her could be so helplessly drunk. What was eating her up?
"Yea, I'm really sad...and guilty. I've done things I shouldn't, and I'm so ashamed. I need someone to lean on." She said and broke down in tears
He went close, crouching down beside her.
"What could an harmless lady like yourself do? I'm sure it's not that bad."
She moved away from him and took the bottle of vodka sitting on the table and gulped it.
"Hey, that's enough drink for today. Please don't harm yourself."
He pleaded but she ignored him and almost finished the bottle before he quickly snatch it.
"Just let me drink please." She yelled crying.
"Hey" He called softly raising her chin, so she could look at him in the eye.
"You don't have to do this please." He pleaded.
Probably it was the effect of the alcohol, but his eyes were piercing through her soul. She stared into his eyes — and for one terrifying moment, she saw her husband.
Before she could stop herself, her fingers gripped his shirt and she crashed her lips against his.