The Taste of Seduction

Diana sighed as the ringtone of her phone brought her back from reverie, she knew she would have to find the answers on her own as she swiped the answer button on her phone to answer Tania\'s call.

"Hey" came the lively voice of her friend on the other end of the line, quite opposite to her own dull voice. She tried clearing her throat to sound normal before speaking, "Hi, Tania. What\'s up?"

"I am great, Dania, but I do not think I can say the same for you though. Are you ok, babe?" Tania asked, effortlessly discovering her fake attempts of sounding normal.

"I am fine, Tania. Work has been too much and I just need to rest, that\'s all." Diana said, hoping her excuse sounds acceptable enough for Tania to put her off from asking further questions, one she was sure she would not be able to provide answers to.

"You know what you need is a good time. Ever since you went off for a while and came back, you have immersed yourself in your work and you have forgotten how to enjoy a good time. Let\'s go out tonight." Tania suggested excitedly

"I don\'t think that\'s a great idea Tania. I have some work to do at home as well." Diana said already cancelling out the idea of going out.

"You should know how this will end, Diana. All you do is work, work, work, ask Marcus to help you out. You guys work in the same place, besides you owe me a night out." Tania said, unaware of the silent person on the other end of the line.

Diana stood still at the mention of Marcus\' name, it was like someone poured cold water on her and woke her to her reality. "Marcus" she muttered his name so quietly like a whisper that it was impossible for any other person to hear.

"Diana, Diana, are you still there?" Tania asked when she could not hear anything from her.

"Yes, I am, Tania. I was just thinking about it. Let\'s just go to a bar and have a drink instead, that\'s all I can offer." Diana said, coming back from her long thoughts.

"Ohk. I will only allow that only because you sound tired, I will text you the address. See you soon." Tania said before hanging up.

Diana sighed and looked at her watch, checking to see her impending meeting with her friend is in the next two hours. She focused on completing her task for the day and not think about he who would not be mentioned.

Soon Diana finished and left to join Tania at the bar. As soon as she entered the bar, she spotted Tania flirting with a guy at the bar. "Hmm, hmm, there you are." Diana said as she stood beside her friend, staring up at her and the guy who did not even seem to notice her.

"Woahhh, you are here" Tania hollered as soon as she saw Diana completely forgetting about the guy she was flirting with earlier. Neglected, the guy left the two of them and went his way.

"I can see you have already started having fun without me." Diana said, smiling at her friend. The only time in a long time she could say she genuinely smiled and not just the normal courteous smile she offered to her clients at work.

"Not yet though, you already killed my fun. A club would have been better but I am going to manage this for now, it\'s good to see your face." Tania said, already calling the bartender\'s attention. "Two shots of tequila here, pls." she ordered for the two of them.

Diana and Tania sat at the bar, enjoying each other\'s company and the lively atmosphere around them. The dim lights, the sound of laughter, and the music created the perfect ambiance for a relaxing evening.

They sipped on their drinks, chatting. Diana couldn\'t help but smile as she watched Tania animatedly share her stories . It was a much-needed break from the intensity of her thoughts about Marcus and his revelation.

As the night wore on, Diana felt a mixture of emotions bubbling within her. The alcohol loosened her inhibitions, making her thoughts drift back to Marcus. She had tried to put him out of her mind for a while, but being at the bar, looking at couples enjoying their time together, even Tania got herself hooked up, all these brought back memories she couldn\'t ignore.

Diana\'s mind wandered to the first time they had met, the instant connection she felt with him, even though she was irritated at the same time. Her heart ached with the realization that she had pushed him away when he needed her the most, but it was necessary for her to figure it out her feelings on her own without his influence.

Amidst the laughter and clinking glasses, a wave of sadness washed over her. She excused herself from the table, telling Tania she needed some fresh air. As she made her way outside, the cool night breeze kissed her cheeks, momentarily soothing her troubled mind.

Diana stood there, leaning against the wall of the bar, taking deep breaths to steady her thoughts. She knew she needed to confront her feelings for Marcus, to understand if she could accept his true nature and the challenges that came with it.