He ran his hand through his hair wearily before turning his head to my direction. “Coming to your question— Yes, I can make things much better with my future and I will, but for now, I want more. It's been better now.”
“Everyone wants to live off a high, including me. It's natural. But you're fooling yourself if you think these part shit jobs upgrade your financial status. It's like trying to break a freaking window with a pencil.” 
“Of course I'm aware of that. This is just a cover up.”
“Huh?” My brows knitted together. Just then I recalled him counting the money notes earlier. Something didn't add up. When he remained silent, I asked again. “What's that supposed to mean?”
He chuckled before turning to me, then leaned his head closer, forcing me to look at him, too. I drank the sight of his sheepish eyes and his lips that were a shade of red. “I'm drunk, not dumb, Natasha. Doesn't mean I'll spit out everything you ask me to.”
“You...” I drew out slowly, inching more closer and watched as his gaze flickered to my lips, “have a point. I shouldn't be asking. What you do doesn't matter to me.”
The air seemed a lot more charged all of a sudden. Everything came to a standstill except the sound of our breaths and the plummeting in my chest. It sounded deafening to my ears. I swallowed that air, waiting in anticipation. 
“Good,” he whispered. Then he smiled— That same heartthrobing smile he wore at the bar last year and just like that, I knew his answer. He put a good amount of distance between us and got up, stretching his arms. “It's getting late. Shall I drop you or—”
“I love a good challenge,” I blurted out, cutting him off mid- way. He raised a brow, regarding me with puzzlement. I got up as well and smoothed out the back of my jeans. I strutted my way towards him and waved him goodbye. “I'll go by myself. Thanks for asking. Bye then.” 
*
It was minute but there seemed to be a change in his attitude when I visited him, a week after. Not sure if it was a positive one. Sure, he still seemed friendly and all but there was something off about him. Like he was aloof and distracted. It wasn't sexual distraction either. More like frustration. I didn't get why. He only talked about money and financial status of his family. It wasn't supposed to be a big deal, was it? I simply overlooked that change, trying to be as chatty as I could, though I couldn't help but feel defeated. 
However things took a one eighty degree turn when I visited him next time. 
He was with a girl. 
And he wasn't just with the girl, talking to her like a bartender would. They were laughing and smirking amongst themselves as if sharing a dirty little secret while their fingers intertwined in a sensuous manner. The girl was dark skinned with long straight hair tied to a clutch. Her modest attire fitted well with her skin and her slim figure brought the smartness in her. I could hardly make out their voices but they were definitely flirting. Now that I think about it, I hardly knew anything about Rithik's love life. I never asked him whether he was single or not. I already assumed he was, since I never spotted him getting cozy with a woman until today. What if the girl next to him was his girlfriend or a potential one? Was that why he wasn't making a move on me? I would just be an imposter then. There was only one way to find out. I approached him casually and tapped my fingers against the bar slab to get his attention. 
“The usual one please,” I spoke when Rithik averted his eyes from the girl to meet mine. Will he pretend not to know me or introduce me? 
“Oh, hey. Nice to see you.” He said, cheerfully, although it seemed forced rather than genuine. His eyes quickly assessed me from my skin colored top to my brown capri before returning to my face. “How was your day?”