Not Very Colorful [Fiction]

His favourite chill spot was Quan Li's, a dying Chinese divebar downtown. The walls were dull and stained, paints peeling in tired strips. Tables and chairs creaked and wobbled; not very colorful, especially for someone like Rick Khabra to drink and relax.

Nightlife was just starting. The servers, all women, moved around in skimpy wears. A few young people hunched over their meals, their eyes glued to their phones. Others lounged at the bar, gulping tequilas while heavy metal music blasted from the DJ's dark corner. No one was dancing yet.

I sat in a far corner, pretending to sip a cheap cocktail. No one paid me any attention.

Then Rick Khabra walked in, looking every bit the shy nerd he was. I tapped the top button on my shirt, a faint click sounded.

He nudged his thick glasses up his nose and waved at a server, grinning. She blew him a kiss in return. A pretty redhead that would make any man forget himself.

He pulled out a chair, tested if it would hold his plump six-foot-one frame and sat down.

The server approached, her hand brushing his neck before sliding down to his chest. A warm flush crept up his neck and I nearly laughed. This kid was adorable. No wonder his wealthy father wanted his only heir protected.

The divebar grew crowded. Rick sipped the same cocktail I'd ordered and lit a cigarette. The server came up behind him. He glanced back just as she leaned across, subtly pouring some powder into his drink. Then she kissed his cheek and slipped away just as he reached out trying to catch her hands.

I stood, crossed the room to his table and yanked him up by the arm. Shock had not settled on his face when I dragged him outside with me. He struggled and I let go. He staggered, almost falling.

“What do you want, man?” He yelled.

I smirked and turned my wrist so he could see the video on my wrist display. His drink was poisoned right under his nose. His mouth fell open. “Who are you?” He asked again.

I pulled out a cigarette from my pocket. “Someone paid to watch your back. Maybe it's time you stopped coming to this place.”

His gaze dropped. “You don't understand…no one knows me here. It's easy to hide, to enjoy myself.”

“Well, it looks like that lady might know who you are. Now, run along and go home. I need to have a talk with her.”

“Uh…you won't hurt her, will you?” He hesitated.

“No,” I said quickly, my hands raised while fighting to hide my smile. “Just a few questions.”

I watched him start his car and drive off, my wrist display tracking him home. I rubbed my hands together and lit the cigarette. Just as I exhaled, the redhead rushed out of the divebar, scanning the street.

“Hello, love,” I said, smiling warmly as I rested my hand on the gun at my belt.

I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "not very colorful".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

^{_{Image credit: Geralt}}