A/N: This update is sooner than I planned. In this chapter more is learned about Ana and her backstory. Thank you for the reviews, follows, and favorites. Enjoy!
A POV
"Hey. I thought I heard you in here", my best friend and roommate Kate Kavanagh says as she pads into the living room of our apartment.
"I didn't mean to wake you." She yawns and looks at the clock on the right wall. "I'm aware that it's after midnight."
"You left hours ago to pick up your uniform. Where you at the club the entire time?" I grab my black Delirium tee and black skirt and fold them, feeling her eyes on me.
"No. I stopped by Delirium and got my uniform and then went for a ride around the city." I glance up and see her nodding. "My grandmother always said she felt nighttime was the best time to think. There was something peaceful about being under the stars and moonlight." My heart squeezes at the memory of my Grandmother Elizabeth. Since her death four months ago my life has changed drastically. I graduated from WSU didn't go to work for my dad at his company Steele Inc. I chose to heed my grandmother's advice and enjoy life. My dad was a little upset with my decision to delay joining the company, yet he was also supportive. Lisa, his younger sister, was supportive as well and said I could work for her at Delirium if I needed a job so I took her up on the offer.
"Your grandmother was a very wise woman." The room goes silent and somber. "Are there any hot guys who work at Delirium?" Kate's question is an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.
"Kate, I'm there to work not meet guys."
"Who says you can't do both?" I roll my eyes and settle on the sofa. "One good way of enjoying life is by dating."
"I date", I counter.
"You haven't been on a date in ages. You've got to get out there and meet people." I stand and head towards my bedroom. "You're avoiding me."
"No. I'm going to bed, and you should do the same."
"Ana, you're early. We don't open until eight", Lisa tells me after opening the back door of Delirium Monday night. I follow her inside and wait for her to lock the door back.
"I guess I'm anxious to get started on my first night. I also wanted to talk to you about last night." She motions for me to follow her to her office. "You called me your niece."
"The last time I checked you were." She sits down behind her desk.
"You are. However, I don't want to be your niece here. I want to be your employee, meaning I want to be treated like everyone else."
"I understand and respect that. From the time your shift starts to the time it ends you'll simply be my employee. With that being said your shift hasn't started so I'm going to be your aunt for a while. I talked to your dad last night, and he expressed his concern about you working here. I assured him the customers are on their best behavior ninety-nine percent of the time. He was also worried with how late it'll be when your shift ends."
"I told him I'm going to be fine." Even though my dad was ok with my decision to hold off on working at his company he wasn't a hundred percent keen on me working at Delirium. "I'm sure he'll be fine soon. He's come around with me buying the motorcycle."
"I can understand where he's coming from. You're his only child who he loves. He and your mom would walk to the end of the earth for you." I finally sit down in one of the large plush chairs next to her desk.
"I know, and I love them so much too", I sigh. "Since we're being aunt and niece at the moment what's new in your life?" Lisa grabs pen and starts twirling it between her fingers.
"There's nothing really new in my life. Most of my time is either spent here or working on ideas for here. A couple of my friends have been harping on me to get out and start dating."
"They sound like Kate. She's doing the same with me." Lisa was married for seven years to Charlie, a guy who she dated in college. They were happy until they found themselves drifting apart. A year ago they mutually agreed to divorce. "The difference is you work way too much and don't take time for yourself."
"I take time for yourself", she scoffs as someone knocks on the office door. "Come in." Christian, the bartender, opens the door and immediately smiles when he sees me. I'm not going to lie. He's an attractive guy. Ok, he's a very attractive guy with his copper hair and gray eyes. By the way his shirt hugs his body he clearly works out. "Christian, did you need something?"
"I was just going to let you know that I'm here", he says, breaking his gaze off me only briefly. "Hi again."
"Hi."
"Ana, you're going to be working alongside Ellie tonight. She's been here since the beginning and is the best when it comes to training.", Lisa tells me.
"And if there's anything else you need...don't hesitate to come see me", Christian smirks.
"Ana, hi. I'm Ellie." I adjust my shirt and see a blonde with pink streaks in her hair. "Lisa said I'm going to be training you."
"Hi." I scan the club which will be opening soon. "How busy is it in here on Mondays?"
"It's not as busy as Friday or Saturday nights, but it's steady. There are a lot of people who come in to decompress after their Monday." We walk over to the left side of the club. "This is my area. The customers are usually pretty nice although there are the rare occasions in which they get a little too tipsy. The security guys have good eyes and are quick to resolve the situation." Ellie acts as if she's about to say something else, but she stops when she sees a spiky blonde haired guy walk into the club. He finishes talking to someone on his phone and smiles at Ellie and I.
"Ellie, good evening."
"Rocco", Ellie nods. I'm quick to notice her cheeks turn pink. "This is Ana. She's our new server."
"It's nice to meet you." Christian emerges from the back and joins us. "Christian, have you met Ana, our new server?"
"I have."
"I haven't had the pleasure." A young guy with red hair in a ponytail struts over. "I'm Jack."
"Last name Ass", Christian mumbles.
"Oh burn!", Rocco shouts. Jack shoots daggers at Christian, and it's already clear those two don't like each other.
"Ignore Christian. He's just pissed that he's shunned to the bar where as I'm the club's DJ and the one responsible for getting people dancing."
"Dude, you're in a dark corner of the club", Christian snorts. "How much more shunned can you get?"
"Be nice, kids", Lisa warns. "Maggie called in sick so I'll be helping out front tonight. That means I'll be watching and making sure certain ones are getting along." She zeroes in on Christian and Jack.
"Lisa, I promise Jack and I are going to get along. You have nothing to worry about. Isn't that right, Jack?"
"Sure", Jack answers.
"Can I get you guys something from the bar?", Ellie asks a table of four guys in their mid-thirties.
"We're going to have four Amaretto Sours", one of the guys replies. We're midway through the night, and so far things have been going well. I've managed to carry every drink tray without falling.
"Coming right up" Ellie turns back to me. "Do you want to get that order while I check on table seven?"
"Sure." I walk around the dance floor and to the bar. Roccos' waiting on a customer so I've got to hand the order to Christian. He leans on the bar and flashes a panty melting smile. "Table six needs four Amaretto Sours"
"Ok" He turns and starts working on the drinks. "How's it going so far?"
"Good. Not a single drink has been spilled. Yay me." I do two thumbs up.
"From my vantage point you're doing great." He glances over his shoulder and winks. Turning around and placing the drinks on my tray he shrugs. "I didn't mean for that to sound like I've been staring at you or anything. I'm just observant." Our eyes lock as "Mercy" by Shawn Mendes plays. I'm the one to break the contact. "I'd better get these to table six."
"Please have mercy on me", I hear him singing as I walk away.
"Ellie said you caught on fast", Lisa says at the end of the night. I grab my leather jacket from my locker. "She believes you'll be able to handle it on your own tomorrow night."
"I hope so", I murmur.
"I know so. I've got to go over the receipts before heading out, but you should get on home. That's from both your aunt and your boss."
"Goodnight." I pull my jacket on and let her open the back door for me. "Lock up behind me." The door closes, and I hear the lock click. I see Christian standing by my motorcycle. "I thought you had already left."
"I wanted to ask if you'd like to grab a bite to eat."
"Um..."
"It wouldn't be just the two of us. Rocco's going to be there. We usually head to Deena's Diner around the corner. It's a nice place to go to unwind after working." I mentally debate my decision.
"Maybe some other time." I grab my helmet and climb on the motorcycle.
"I'm going to hold you to that", he says. "And maybe some time I can take a spin on this." Heat radiates through my body as his eyes are glued to mine. I'm sure he meant he wants to take a ride on the motorcycle. Or not!
"I'd love to give you a ride", I tell him. "Goodnight."
"Night."