Steve drained the last few drops of his White Russian from his glass and raised his hand, pointing to his glass to indicate he wanted another. Within moments, a fresh White Russian was placed on the bar in front of him. He nodded his thanks to the girl behind the bar. She was exceptionally beautiful, like all the other staff in the bar. Steve had noticed a short time ago that there didn't seem to me any male staff at all, just incredibly beautiful women. Well, he wasn't going to complain about that. It was just one more feature to recommend the bar he was sitting in.
'Aeaea', it was called. 'The Goddess's Isle', it said on the sign on the door, just beneath that. Steve had heard about the little bar, tucked away down a nondescript alley, from a series of rumours and had decided to go and check it out. Going out on a Friday night to check out a new bar had become something of a ritual for him. He had little time in his busy, stressful life for difficult hobbies or committed relationships, and he enjoyed the feeling of going out for a nice, relaxing drink at the end of the week. And even if he went alone, he didn't always go home alone. He was a couple of years past 30, but he still fancied himself handsome. He kept himself in good enough shape, he knew how to dress, and the curses of greyness and baldness had yet to touch his dirty blond hair. Quite often, he would find a pretty, intelligent woman to strike up a conversation with, and they would end up going home together to enjoy a night in each other's arms. It was never serious, but it was always a good time. Steve liked it that way. Or at least, he had until recently. In recent weeks, he'd started to wonder if maybe his life was missing something. He just wasn't sure what.
A sound, a change in the music, broke Steve's train of thought and drew his attention over to the stage. The bar had live music, played by a jazz bad - all women, of course - and Steve very much enjoyed the atmosphere their music created. Some nice, relaxing yet energetic jazz was perfect. It matched perfectly the bar's decor: a mix of wooden panelling and subtle gold detailing that really lent the place a sophisticated, cultured feel. Coupled with the high ceiling, the room felt more like a temple than a bar. Steve was surprised the prices weren't higher. He turned in his seat, and was immediately captivated by the sight of an unbelievably striking woman taking centre stage. A spotlight fell upon her, and within moments every pair of eyes in the bar was fixed solely on her. She grinned a predatory grin, clearly enjoying the attention. And then the music started.
It was another jazz number, just like before. Except this time, this strange, captivating woman was on stage. As the band started to play, she started to dance, at first just slightly swinging her hips in time with the music. That alone, was enough to rob Steve of his wits. The woman had beautiful, olive skin and was showing plenty of it on account of the glistening, gold, low-cut dress she was wearing. It was form-fitting, and perfectly accentuated the way she shifted her weight from side to side, highlighting her amazing body. And then she started to move her arms too, beginning a slow, entrancing dance. Steve found he couldn't take his eyes off her. Something about her presence, about the way she moved, was simply hypnotic. It was almost overwhelming. He just wanted to watch her move forever, drinking in her incredible, divine beauty. Part of him knew the thoughts he was having were ridiculous, but he didn't care. He just wanted her to keep dancing.
But all that was nothing compared to the moment she plucked the microphone from the stand and started to sing. Her sonorous, siren's voice rang out through the bar, drowning out every other sound and silencing what few whispers remained. It was the most amazing sound Steve had ever heard. Her voice was so incredibly rich and calming, and it felt like all his thoughts and worries were growing quiet as he listening to her sing. Between her singing and her wondrous dancing, she alone was taking up all of Steve's attention. She was at the centre of his world. There was no room for anything else in his head.
And then, before he knew it, the song was over. Steve blinked. He wasn't sure how long the entrancing woman had been on stage. It could have been seconds, it could have been hours. He had no idea. It was like she had put him in kind of trance. As some of his wits returned to him, he realised the people around him were applauding her enthusiastically. He quickly joined in the applause, clapping his hands together as loudly as he could to show his appreciation for her awe-inspiring performance. Then, to his immense surprise, her head turned towards him and he was struck with the feeling she was looking directly at him. Her gaze went right threw him, paralysing him, and he had the strange feeling that all his secrets were lade bare before her.
The moment quickly passed, however. She took a bow, and then strutted off the stage and out to the back of the bar. Steve was sorry to see her go. He turned back to his drink, unable to tear his thoughts away from her and her incredible singing and dancing. He had never seen anything like it. He found himself desperate to see her perform again. He would come here every night if he had to, if there was any chance of seeing her again. He considered asking the bartender for her name, or even maybe her phone number, but he knew that would only make him feel like a creep. Maybe he was a creep. Wasn't it a little crazy, to be having these thoughts just from seeing a woman dance?
"Hey there, stranger. Enjoying your drink?"
At the sound of the voice, Steve wheeled around so fast he made himself dizzy, and was confronted with the sight of her. The woman. The singer. Still in the same, low-cut gown, she stood before him with her hands on her hips and a cool, knowing smile on her face.
"I..." Steve spluttered. "Yes. Thank you." Now that she was so close to him, her beauty was all the more overwhelming. It took everything Steve had not to stare at her like an idiot. "I loved your performance. Really, really loved it. Just... wow."
She laughed good-naturedly, and Steve felt an incredible sense of warmth and relaxation washing over him at the rich, feminine sound. "Thank you. What's your name, stranger?"
"Steve." He answered at once, unable to hide his eagerness. "What's yours?"
"I am called Persa."
"Persa," Steve repeated, trying out the way her name felt in his mouth. It was an unusual name. Was she a foreigner? Her accent sounded exotic, but he couldn't quite place it.
"That's right." She smiled at him, and then gestured to the seat next to him. "Is this taken?"
"No, please, sit," Steve said very quickly. She nodded her thanks and sat down. To Steve, even that small, simple movement was a little performance he couldn't quite manage to take his eyes off of. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that some of the other bar patrons were staring at them, mutinously. They were jealous, of course, just like he would be in their position. He wasn't sure what he had done to earn Persa's attention, but he was incredibly glad he had.
"How's the drink?" she asked him.
"Perfect," Steve answered truthfully.
"Glad to hear it," Persa replied. She snapped her fingers, and in an instant a martini glass was in her hand, given to her by a bartender, who had dashed over to prepare her a drink the moment she sat down. She took an experimental sip, and then let out a sigh of satisfaction. "Thank you, Thesia," she said to the girl behind the bar, who was looking at her nervously.
"No, thank you, Goddess," the bar girl answered, blushing fiercely.
"Goddess?" Steve asked.
"Just... a little in-joke," Persa explained, with a strange glint in her mesmerising eyes. "You see, Aeaea is my bar. I own and manage it."
"Wow," Steve breathed. He was truly impressed. To think that a performer of such talent also ran the whole place! Clearly, she was an incredible woman. "Well, you're doing an amazing job. I really love it here."
"Thank you very much, Steve." Steve felt a sudden rush of elation at her thanks. He realised he wanted nothing more than to earn her approval. There was just something about her. Something magical. Something divine. Her sheer presence was intoxicating. Steve blinked a few times, as if trying to shake off the effect, but when he opened his eyes properly again she was still there, smiling at him, and he fell under her spell anew. Not that it was unpleasant. Quite the opposite in fact.
"So what brings you to Aeaea, Steve?" Persa asked, leaning in. Her attention was dazzling. Steve felt like he was at the centre of the world whenever she looked at him.
"Ummm... I guess I was just looking for a nice place to have a drink, and I wound up here." Steve wished he could think of something smooth or funny to say, but being this close to Persa was making it difficult to think. "I admit, I wasn't expecting such a wonderful performance."
