𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐎 much memory of the night prior. Let's just say only a few fragments of what may happened. She had never drunk the way she did on the last night. She remembers venturing to the bar with Araceli, but only after that, her mind is just a blur. Today, she feels like she is dying, her head throbbing. She was rubbing her temples and she grunted, and her body leaned on the counter… But a vision of a man somehow clicked in her brain. If she remembers well… He was in the bar where she 'crowd surf' when she was drunk. Her pale skin now became one unique color. CRIMSON. She leaned entirely, until she was in 'four' on the floor, crawling hiding from the man. Blonde strands fall in her eyes, trying to not look so suspicious. ❛ Don't be suspicious, don't be suspicious, don't be suspicious! ❜ She muttered as if she was chanting a mantra to herself.

Anjali stands on Simon’s feet. Her hands wrap around three of his fingers. As the song plays on the loud speakers, he dips Anjali from one side, then the other. He pulls her into the air and sets her back on the ground and pokes her in her sides until she giggles more than she dances. He wouldn’t dare to enter the dance floor on his own, but his love for his daughter overshadows his dislike of public spectacle.

When the song ends, Simon leans down to her ear and points out where the cake and other sweets have been put out. “Why don’t you see if there are any brownies or cupcakes over there? We can sneak out some to have later on,” As she skips across the hall to the table, Simon’s eyes never leave her side. However, he does take the opportunity to get a drink for himself ( just water, nothing alcoholic for the time being -- he isn’t that bad of a role model to cause a scene at someone else’s wedding ). At thirty-seven, dancing with a four-year-old takes its toll. But not so much that he keeps all his judgements to himself. He bears witness to a younger man who seemed make a creative...attempt at formal attire, except the color of his coat didn’t match the pants, the bowtie hadn’t been properly knotted, and even from a distance, Simon could tell that everything was about three sizes too big.

“Did he get dressed in a dark closet?” His mutters are meant for himself alone...until he turns and sees Aish at his side also getting a beverage. He doesn’t have to question if she shares his thoughts. “You know, I do know how to listen,” He teases just before taking a sip of his water. “I’m obviously far from a fashion expert, but I do know a bad look when I see one. Who do you think the worst dressed one is here? The woman with the bright yellow dress that looks like a banana? Or the man who can’t tell the difference between black and navy blue?”

“Well good evening, Miss Muhn - I hope you dressed warmly,” Simon stands just outside of Aish’s apartment, despite having spent the previous night and all day there himself, he excused himself outside just before their date, long enough for him to brush his hair to the side and ensure that none of his lunch still stuck to his teeth. Despite having already seen her just five minutes prior, Simon smiles with introduction regardless. “Are you ready to go? Or do you need a few more minutes?”

He remembers the agenizing times he had to wait for her to finish getting ready before they went out anywhere. She already looks amazing, why does she need to spend three hours putting products in her hair? But he’s determined to not fuck up his relationship a second time. He’s not in his twenties anymore, he can’t blame his own naivety. Instead, he offers his arm for her to take. “We can go down to the car, if you are. Or I can wait inside, if you need more time. And there’s no reason to worry about either of our kids tonight - I’ve already called a babysitter,” Of course, by their kids he means the singular child they share and the babysitter that Aish had called. “Don’t forget a coat - it is cold out there, and we will be spending most of our evening outside. But that’s the only hint you’ll be getting.”