The Name of Red

by Beena Khan

  Kabir looked taken back. “You serious? Now?”

  She nodded in confirmation.

  Kabir wasn’t sure about that idea. He took in Elif’s appearance and clothing. She looked tipsy, but she wasn’t drunk yet. Her dress ended at her ankles, and the black neckline was plunging with her cleavage threatening to spill out. He forced his gaze back to her face.

  “Your dress, Red,” he softly said.

  She looked at him in surprise, and then she noticed what he meant. She glanced down and saw her neckline. She looked up and shook her head, “It's just clothes.”

  “It’s too... low,” he said in a low voice.

  She looked at him amused, resting an elbow on the table and her hand on her head. Kabir’s eyes were drawn to the color of her nails, which were painted a pale, brown color.

  “After the incident with Faizan, I’m cautious. I feel someone would take advantage of you,” he continued.

  She shook her head at him. “What’s your point?”

  “Think of it this way. You know self-defense, but self-defense won’t help if you’re drunk...I know how men think. I’m a man myself. I would trust Aryan to take you home, but I wouldn’t trust Samar,” he said.

  “You don’t think as a woman I’m capable of taking care of myself?” she asked, jokingly. Her voice was filled with amusement and disbelief.

  He shook his head. “It’s not about your gender. It’s because half of the time you’re crashing to the ground and can’t walk.”

  She lost her smile immediately. He heard her suck in a breath as her eyes narrowed in slits. She opened her mouth to speak or retaliate but he cut her, “Red, you can kick ass, and you know how to defend yourself. I know you’re strong, and you can take care of yourself, but it’s about your bad habits. Your drunkenness. Alcohol makes you stand out. It draws people in. Imagine a man in an Armani suit walking into the bar alone wanting to get drunk, and there’s a guy waiting for him to leave the bar alone late at night to rob him. They see you as prey, as weak. I don’t want anyone to hurt you, not when I could have prevented it in my bar.”

  Elif looked up at him in fascination, carefully taking his wise words in. He felt like a science experiment under her gaze.

  He tried not to let his confidence waver and finished speaking, “We’re not going to another bar.”

  She pouted and leaned down, clasping her hands in front of her which pushed her breasts upward.

  Kabir noticed, and it was so hard not to.

  He looked away and focused on her pretty, pouty face. His eyes were drawn to her perfect, full mouth which was even more distracting. He was frustrated and didn’t know where to look, so he focused on Aryan instead who was watching the scene unfold with fascination.

  Does he think we’re entertainment?

  He’s only missing the popcorn now.

  Kabir sighed and turned his face back toward Elif again.

  “You don’t like my dress?” she teased him.

  I love this dress on you and all of your dresses, he thought. He was afraid that he would react irrationally if someone harassed her in a different place.

  “I like it,” he admitted.

  She flashed him a toothy smile. “Then, let’s go, pretty please.” She bowed her hands in front of her, and he didn’t know how to say no to her.

  With a defeated sigh, he simply nodded.

  Elif shrieked in joy. She leaned up and wrapped her arms around him. Kabir was surprised by her sudden movement and he slowly blinked, taking it in, taking her in. He felt her chest pressed against his, her softness against his hardness. He felt flustered, feelings of anxiety spiked through him.

  With the corner of his eye, he saw Aryan grinning at him. He flashed a thumbs up to him before turning away and serving a customer. The moment with Elif was over too soon, and she pulled away as quickly as she had hugged him.

  “Let’s go!” she said grabbing her purse and tugging him outside.

  “I need my jacket, Red,” he said softly and stopped mid-tracks.

  She let go of his hand, almost shyly as if she realized she had grabbed it. She looked up at him. “Oh... get it then. I'll wait here.”

  Kabir turned around to get his black leather jacket and his hoodie. Elif smiled at him when he returned. They went outside and toward the car. Kabir started the car and waited for it to start.

  “Okay, ground rules. If someone is harassing you, let me know or you kick them where it hurts,” he said.

  Elif laughed at his words. “You mean balls?”

  Kabir blushed hearing her crass language. “Yeah.”

  “Say it.”

  He looked at her, bewildered, “No.”

  “You’re so shy, it’s refreshing,” she said.

  “You’re so bold, it’s kinda refreshing,” he countered.

  Opposites.

  “Kinda?” she teased him.

  He grinned at her. They drove to a competitors’ bar. They arrived at Laila, a restaurant with a bar.

  “Okay, second ground rule.” He took a deep breath and said, “You have to pretend you’re my girl in there.”

  Elif looked at him in fascination.

  “Why so, mister?” she asked, putting her finger on her chin, observing him.

  “I’ll probably beat someone up.”

  Elif laughed abruptly, Kabir didn’t join in with her laughter. He noticed Elif realized he was serious, and she stopped laughing.

  “We’re going to be spies and a couple?” she asked in excitement, clapping her hands.

  “It bothers me when people look at you the wrong way...” he admitted, his voice trailing off. It didn’t affect him that men stared at her in appraisal, but he thought it was degrading when men leered at her as if she’s an object for taking. She was more than her beauty and body. That was an honest truth he hadn’t revealed earlier. His cheeks blossomed into a light, pink color. He saw she looked surprised, and her eyes widened.

  Shit, I slipped.

  He quickly backtracked, “I care about you. We’re friends.”

  Elif’s shoulders relaxed, and she blew out a sigh. “Okay fine, we’re pretend dating. Now let’s go.” She grinned at him and exited the car door.

  He met her at the entrance.

  “Do we hold hands?” Elif asked Kabir.

  Kabir looked at her. “It would be more believable.”

  Elif smiled and hesitantly, offered her small hand to him. He looked down at the hand she extended toward him. He wanted to take that hand and hold it forever. Shaking off his thoughts, he took her small hand in his larger one, enveloping it. He felt her fingers curled and entwined in his. He glanced down at her, but she was looking at the bar.

  When they entered the premises, he saw heads turned toward them.

  Elif had a strong presence when she came in front of a crowd. People automatically looked at her, and she became the center of attention. He wanted to growl at them, his fingers tightened his hold on Elif’s hand and drew her closer to him. He stared down at the men who were eyeing her until they looked away. He noticed Elif watching him with mischievousness.

  “What are you up to?” he asked, as they took a seat at the bar.

  “Nothing,” she replied in a singing voice.

  Kabir gazed around the bar. It was noisy, and the music was too loud, almost like club music. His ears were already hurting from the noise. The bar was painted red and black. The color scheme was nice and he appreciated that. The bartender was female, a pretty one.

  Elif saw him observing the bar and asked, “So, what do you think?” She almost had to shout at him.

  “It’s too loud,” Kabir replied, grimacing. Elif laughed at his facial expression. She ordered wine, and Kabir ordered a virgin margarita.

  She leaned in close to him and whispered, “They have a female as a bartender here.” Her voice was low, and he had to strain himself to hear her voice. He realized she didn’t want the bartender to hear.

  “I always told you to hire me,” she w
hispered angrily.

  He shook his head no. “You secretly would steal booze,” he said jokingly. “I’m not using you to gain customers. Aryan is the best I have.”

  She frowned at him.

  “You seriously want to bartend at my bar?” he asked.

  She grinned. “Not really, I’m just kidding,”

  A figure came and loomed in front of Kabir.

  Kabir recognized Samuel, the owner of the restaurant.

  They weren't friends but good acquaintances since they were in the same business. Samuel wasn’t a jackass, but Kabir knew he was flirty and smooth at talking with women. He was aware of his infamous reputation of one-night stands. He was older and more experienced than Kabir. He had jet-black hair and hazel eyes that drew women in, and Kabir was afraid Elif would be his target.

  “Hey Kabir, long time. What brings you here?” Samuel asked.

  “I’m visiting,” Kabir replied.

  Samuel turned toward Elif. Kabir watched as Samuel noticed her. He saw his eyes take her in—from her hair, to her face, and her plunging cleavage. Samuel stared at her chest the most and coyly smiled at her.

  “And who’s this beautiful lady?”

  “I’m Elif.”

  “Lovely name for a lovely lady,” Samuel replied.

  “She’s mine, Sam. Back off,” Kabir almost roared at him. Elif looked at Kabir, hiding a smile with her hand.

  Samuel turned back toward Kabir in surprise. “I was just making conversation.”

  “Right,” Kabir dismissed him shortly.

  Samuel shrugged. “Well, enjoy then,” he said before walking away.

  “Hey, wait—” Elif called out suddenly to Samuel who stopped and turned to look at her in surprise. Kabir glanced sharply at Elif who had a mischievous look on her face again.

  Oh, she’s definitely planning something, he thought grimly.

  “How long have you been in business?” she asked

  Samuel raised an eyebrow at her, “Six years.” He glanced down at her cleavage.

  She snapped two fingers at him, “My eyes are up here.”

  Kabir was baffled at her words. He glanced at Samuel’s expression and he wanted to laugh.

  Guess he’s not used to someone like her.

  Kabir leaned against the table, his arm rested on the table as he watched the scene in amusement now.

  Samuel regained control by saying, “It’s hard not to look when it’s in your face.”

  Elif observed him. “Close your eyes then.”

  Kabir choked on his drink, laughing at Samuel’s crestfallen expression who opened his mouth to speak before shutting it again.

  “So, anyway, Kabir and I wanted to do a theme for the lounge. Do you have any ideas? Your place is...nice,” she said gazing around. Kabir admired her, she was actually doing what they came here to do.

  “You can do a winter masquerade theme,” Samuel offered.

  Elif’s eyes glowed at the idea. She turned toward him. “That’s a neat idea, what do you think of it, Kabir?”

  He shrugged in reply. “I don’t like it that much. I like your idea better.” He liked her vision for the lounge, and he couldn’t wait to incorporate it.

  Someone said Samuel’s name, and he turned to leave. “You should put a leash on her before someone else takes her away,” he said grinning at Kabir before looking at Elif again.

  “Like I said. Back. Off.” Kabir clenched his teeth as he spoke. Samuel smiled at Elif before leaving.

  Kabir was angry at his comment. “What does he mean I should put you on a leash? It’s not his place.” He felt a gaze on him, and she saw her watching him.

  “What?” he questioned.

  “That was a pretty hostile reaction,” she replied, taking a sip of her drink.

  “That was the deal. You’re mine in here.”

  I wish you were.

  She grinned and raised her hands up. “You’re being possessive.”

  “I’m your boyfriend,” he said.

  “Pretend boyfriend,” she corrected him.

  He was silent. Then he said, “I’m sorry.”

  Elif didn't say anything as she studied him with curiosity.

  “Your dress is too low though,” he whispered.

  She shrugged. “Should I take it off then?” she asked.

  Kabir looked up at her in mild shock. She caught him off guard. An image of her moving her hands upward to take off her black dress came into his mind, her full breasts coming into view and—

  He shook his head at these thoughts.

  “Did you just imagine me naked?” Elif interrupted his thoughts. He turned flaming red under her amused gaze.

  “You gave me a visual,” he admitted softly. “It’s not my fault.”

  She laughed at him. Kabir sighed as he began to fidget with his hands. She made him anxious. She was dangerous.

  “I didn’t mean literally take it off. I meant I don’t have a spare to change into,” Elif corrected herself.

  “I’m not going to talk to you,” Kabir said as he faced the wall in front of him.

  “Hey, why?!” she exclaimed, her lips pausing at her drink.

  Kabir remained silent as he sipped her drink. He felt her edge closer to him, dragging her bar stool. She put her hand on his arm. His eyes dropped automatically to her touch.

  “Hey, I’m sorry,” Elif said softly. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just don’t know how to shut up sometimes.”

  His gaze returned to her face. “It’s okay,” he whispered.

  Elif grinned. “You know, almost every girl is eyeing you. If it helps maybe, I feel a teeny bit jealous too because you’re my boyfriend,” she said teasingly, her eyes wrinkling.

  Kabir gave her a smile, and he looked around the restaurant. He noticed what she had noticed. Some women gave him sultry smiles, and others watched him with no expression. He returned his focus on the woman in front of him.

  “You’re the best girlfriend,” he replied.

  Elif laughed, reaching out to rumple his hair playfully.

  “Can we go to a restaurant next time, only a restaurant?”

  He looked at her and shrugged. “Sure.” She was always up to some adventure lately.

  “Imagine if I came into this place and not yours. It’s only five minutes away from yours,” she said.

  “Then, we would have never met, and Samuel would have come to my restaurant with you as underground spies,” Kabir replied in a small voice.

  She laughed at him. “You’re kinda cute.” She rested her head on his arm that was laid out on the table.

  “No, I wouldn’t have gotten close to him like I’ve gotten close to you. You don’t look at me like everyone else. You look at me... like I’m a person. Like I matter to you.”

  Elif gazed up at Kabir.

  He felt his heart skip a beat when he saw the brightness in her eyes that wasn't there when he first met her had returned.

  Chapter 17

  A week later

  Kabir asked Elif, “Do you want to go to a restaurant tomorrow?

  “Can we go today?” she asked in return.

  He stared at her. “You expect me to drop everything and go spying with you?”

  She laughed at him.

  “We can go tomorrow. I’m not dressed for the occasion.”

  “You look fine,” she replied taking his dark jeans and white shirt in.

  “You look great, but I don’t,” he protested after looking at her clothes. As usual, she was wearing a dress. It was a pastel, yellow color today that ended at her knees.

  “I have to be the perfect undercover spy,” he added stubbornly.

  She rolled her eyes in returned and gave in. “Fine, we can go tomorrow.”

  He grinned at her and the plan he had for her.

  ❖

  Kabir came to the restaurant at eight and called Elif on her cellphone. He knew she was inside, and he hoped she would answer.

  “Hello, mister,” he hear
d her say on the other end.

  He smiled hearing her voice. He was happy that she wasn’t drunk and slurring yet.

  “Come outside,” he said.

  She paused. “Where are you?” she asked. He imagined she was glancing around her surroundings trying to find him.

  “Just come outside,” he said urgently again.

  “Why aren’t you coming inside?” she asked.

  He sighed. “I feel shy,” he admitted. He heard a laugh on the other end of the phone. Kabir felt a smile form on his face.

  “We’re going to a restaurant?” she asked, hopefully.

  “Yeah,” he answered.

  “Okay, I’m coming out,” she said happily. He hung up the phone and waited for her to come out. A few minutes later, the passenger door to the right opened. He glanced at the movement and saw Elif.

  He noticed her first, she looked beautiful as always. She curled her hair today, and she was wearing red lipstick.

  No red dress though, he thought.

  She was wearing a long-sleeve, cotton white dress that ended at her ankles. A thin brown belt cinched her waist in. She glanced up at him, and he took her reaction in.

  Holy moly, she thought.

  “Shit, a suit?!” she asked in mild shock, her mouth dropping. Then, she grinned at him. Her red painted lips stretching across her face.

  “What toothpaste do you use?” Kabir asked, noticing her straight teeth.

  She was caught off guard, her eyebrows furrowing. She looked at him, “Crest, like half of the world,” she replied.

  He nodded in response.

  She took him in. He was wearing a classic black suit with a white button down shirt and a black vest underneath.

  A three piece suit, she thought.

  She noticed how the vest fit his stomach. Her eyes were glued to his hidden abs. Her eyes moved upward to his face. Gone was his stubble. His hair was styled upward, and he smelled like cologne and aftershave. He had one arm on the steering wheel and the other on his chin as he gouged her reaction. His eyes sparkled, and his cheeks pinkened under her gaze.

  “You look...” She bit her lip. “Like a Christian Grey,” she finished.

  Kabir lost the sparkle in his eyes automatically. “What?!” he asked angrily, leaning backward. His confident posture dropped.