Paul stepped out of his car, he was parked a good block or so far from his flat, but he didn’t mind the exercise. He rarely ever got out to the gym anymore, and he was considering ending the hole in his wallet. It was relatively dark out, but the streetlights weren’t on yet. He sighed and grabbed his briefcase out of the passenger seat, and started his way down the pavement.

Halfway there, he saw the shadow of a woman come out of the alley. She was dressed up like a college girl fresh from a club, but she was older, around Paul’s age. She flung her raven hair over her shoulder, seeing her face made Paul realize she looked familiar to him in a strange way, he supposed it was the makeup.

She walked over to him on impossible heels, and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, she flicked the name tag on his button up and leaned in close to his face.

Her breath was wretched and hot on his cheek, “Hey Mr. Duke, you happen to have a smoke?~”

He wordlessly reached into his back pocket and fished out one. She perked up intern grappling for the cigarette, pulling a lighter from her bra, and lighting it, sighing out the smoke.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Thanks Mista’” Her accent drawled, “What’s your name?~” She was clearly intoxicated.

“Paul, Paul Duke.”

Her face lit up, and she bounced on her feet, very intoxicated. He noted,

“No way, you're bullshitting. Did you go to Thornburn University?”

Paul opened his mouth to respond, but couldn’t come up with anything to say.

The woman noticed and continued, “I remember you! Man, how you have changed!”

He raised his eyebrows and admitted, “I knew you looked familiar. What is your name? I am sorry I never asked.”

She took another drag of her cigarette, “My name is Clair, Clair Vassal.”

She offered her hand, but he didn’t take it. It was Her after all this time.

Clair started again,“Where yins heading?”

He peered into her eyes for a moment.“My flat, you could join me if you would like?”

“Of course~” she breathed. Her long curls reaching out for him in the wind.