Chapter 7

Deep in the club, it was slightly quieter than the other parts, so it was possible to have a conversation. Holden had already had quite a few drinks and had spent a large chunk of his paycheck. Sophie brought over another round of cocktails, sat down, and wrapped her arm around Holden's.

"Your eyes are so perceptive; you're like a wise man who's constantly studying the world. You must have done well in school and university," Sophie gracefully took her cocktail and looked at her companion in admiration.

Holden laughed, briefly covering his eyes with his hand. Sophie continued:"And your hands, so strong, yet at the same time gentle. A man with such hands can both protect a woman and make her happy," she looked at him flirtatiously. Sophie's smile was casual and charming. Holden felt he was at the centre of her attention.

"What inspires you, Holden?" she asked, looking him straight in the eye. "What makes your heart beat faster?"

Holden tried to gather his thoughts, navigating through the alcoholic fog that had enveloped his mind. He focused his gaze on the girl and said:

"You. You inspire me. You make my heart beat faster. When you're around, I feel alive. I hadn't felt like that for a long time before I met you," Holden was good at keeping his wits about him even under large amounts of alcohol, so he lied easily. In reality, the flirtation with Sophie was a continuation of his amazing ability to destroy everything around him and push away anyone who cared about him even a little bit.

However, Sophie was indeed something new and unusual for him. She spiced up his life with lightness and whimsy. Reminded him of school days when there was no tomorrow and yesterday was forgotten. When time flowed more slowly, life seemed more saturated.

The piercing gaze hit Holden like a splash of ice water. He even sobered up a little. The stranger in a suit was standing across from him again. Suddenly, a petite hand turned him towards the captivating eyes.

"Don't get distracted!" she said sweetly but menacingly. "You were telling me how good you feel when I'm around. I want to hear more; I like it when you talk. It's always so poetic!" her eyes sparkled, making Holden smile.

Suddenly a fortune teller appeared in front of the couple. She stood out among the clubgoers: sunken eyes, thin lips, wrinkles. Grey, long hair tied back with a scarf. A long dark dress adorned with antique charms and amulets.

"Hello, wanderers. Would you like to uncover the answers the universe holds? Allow the cards to reveal your destinies. But remember, they only show possible paths; the choice always remains with you."

"But how we are wanderers? We're not moving."

"We are all wanderers on the road of life. Whether we sit or stand, roam the world or circle a familiar range of places. Every day is a step into the unknown; every moment is a new path."

"Oh, how interesting! Tell our fortunes! Tell us when we will get married and how many children we will have!" Sophie clapped her hands, but the fortune teller just shook her head.

"My art transcends the trifles of life," said the fortune teller. "I read symbols and unravel signs. My cards speak of what is hidden deep in the heart, about relationships between people that are concealed beneath infinite layers of masks, about their fears and secret desires."

A distant expression appeared in her eyes as if she saw something others couldn't. Then she looked at Sophie.

"Your lives are interconnected by many threads, but these threads are only beginning to form, thus they are as delicate as crystal. Perhaps, if you learn about the future, you could strengthen them. Just remember - you are the waves of the river of life, not rafts drifting with the current."Sophie squealed and began shaking Holden, persuading him to agree.

"Alright-alright," he pulled out five dollars and handed them to the fortune teller. She snorted but took the money and spread out the cards."First for you, then for the lady," she said, licking her lips. "Payment is separate for each," she whispered, leaning towards Holden, who only cast a pitiful look at Sophie.