Hi Everyone
To make up for the late upload last time, I'm uploading a day early.
So here's Chapter 8, as always any feedback you can give is appreciated but not expected.
Anyway I hope you enjoy xx
Chapter 3
When he woke up, for the first time he could recall, he cursed the ingrained ability to wake up after 6 hours of sleep. Normally he didn't mind but he'd been enjoying his dream and wanted to enjoy it a little longer. But instead he was likely to be on edge all day. Thankfully the building had a fully stocked gym he could abuse. He ran a hand through his hair as his mind went back to last night. He wondered if Liana had managed to sleep well after he and Ray had left last night. When she'd spoken in her sleep, she had sounded almost broken, a contradiction to the strong personality he'd witnessed so far. It made him curious about what had caused it.
With a sigh, he threw the duvet off and put on some sweats before heading down to the gym. He started on the treadmill but soon enough moved onto the next piece of equipment. By the time he was finished, it was several hours later and he'd used most of the equipment in the gym. Once he was back upstairs in his apartment, he found Ray making coffee in the kitchen.
"You're dripping over the floor," Ray noted, "How long have you been down in the gym?"
"Several hours," Kai answered, "I'm going to head up for a shower."
"Tyson called while you were in the gym. He wanted to know if we want to go Elements with him and Max tonight," Ray called out as Kai headed for the stairs.
"I'll think about it," Kai called back.
He stripped as he walked through his room into his en-suite, standing under the spray of the shower immediately after he turned it on letting the cold water hit his back mostly. The hours he'd spent in the gym had relaxed him but not enough to take the edge off like he had hoped it would. Which meant he needed a distraction to keep himself from thinking about it. Maybe going to Elements wasn't a bad idea after all.
By the time he came out of the shower and got dressed, Max and Tyson had arrived. They'd had the brilliant idea o starting early. Unfortunately, they didn't think it through very well and didn't bring any drinks with them. In the end, they ordered takeaway and put on a movie before changing and heading out. They stopped off at a few bars on the way, getting a few drinks in. By the time they made it to Elements, the queue was still quite small. Rather than attempt to bypass the line, they joined the queue only for one of the bouncers checking through the line to signal them to move forward.
"Who the fuck do you think you are to tell me I can't go in?" a woman screeched.
Curious, they did as the bouncer signalled them to do, to see who was at the door and taking the abuse. When they got to the doors, they found it was Liana manning the door with a clipboard in hand, 2 bouncers either side of her and an unimpressed look on her face.
"I'm the one with the list of name and photo's of people banned from entering," Liana stated bluntly, "Now leave before I call the police, you're stopping others from enjoying their night."
"You can't do this, I'm a paying customer!" the blonde woman yelled.
"Miss Ross, you would need to have entered the premises first to be considered a customer and purchase a drink to be considered a paying customer. You are neither and since you were banned last week for a grand total of 6 months, I most certainly can refuse you entry," Liana informed coldly, "If you don't understand that, I'll be more than happy to draw you a diagram so the people who can enter and are patiently waiting to enter get a free show of how to handle an idiot as a reward for putting up with your bullshit."
That had earned a few laughs but the blonde didn't find it amusing as everyone else, she bristled at the insult.
"I want to speak to your manager this instant," the blond demanded, "You're acting above your pay grade. I'm surprised you even have customers with that nasty attitude of yours."
"Sweetheart, you're already speaking to the manager," one of the bouncers advised, " And she saves this 'attitude' for those who don't listen to reason."
"You don't get paid enough to stand their and lie," the blond spat out, "I know for a fact the manager is a man."
"That would be the owner you're thinking of," Liana advised, "Can you get him Les?"
"Sure thing boss," one of the bouncers answered before heading in.
"Now, I'm going to ask you one last time to leave," Liana stated.
"Fuck you!" the blond hissed.
"I don't swing that way and even if I did, you're too stupid for me," she smirked evilly, " Sorry folks."
"We can wait," the queue called out as Alastair walked out.
"What's the problem here?" he asked monotonously.
"This bitch is masquerading as a manager and refusing me entry," the blond stated.
"This bitch as you so elegantly called her is one of 2 managers of my establishment Miss Ross. She handles my affairs in my place and has several qualifications in business management," Alastair explained making the blond freeze, "And as the manager she is within her rights to refuse entry at her discretion. However, on this occasion she is following my instructions since banning entry is at my discretion as the owner. In other words, since I banned you for 6 months following your abusive behaviour to my staff as the manager she is doing as she's been asked. Now do I need to call the police or will you be leaving without embarrassing yourself further or do I need to ask my niece here to draw you a diagram on how to do that?"
When the blond turned the crowd cheered, and to make it that little bit worse, Liana followed her apologising to everyone in the queue as she stormed off. Meanwhile, Alastair turned to the boys with a smirk.
"Back again I see," Alastair smirked.
"Our idea, we just dragged them along," Max and Tyson grinned.
"Well follow me boys, we'll get you set up in VIP again. Though I doubt the music will compare to the show you just witnessed."
Like the night before, they were led upstairs and had her own barmaid. They were only up there 5 minutes when Alyssa came up to join them.
"Hey, decided to come back for round 2?" she asked.
"We thought we'd have a lads weekend," Max answered.
"Well I can't promise you'll see Liana much tonight," Alyssa advised, " She's not in the friendliest of moods today."
"That's putting it lightly," Alastair scoffed.
"Uncle," Alyssa chided.
"What?! She made Minami cry. The girl has been looking for a fight all day."
"She's only been in 2 today and she didn't go looking for them. She just doesn't have any patience today."
"And that is why always put her on the door when she's like this," Alastair stated before walking down to the main floor.
"Is Liana ok?" Ray asked curiously.
"She's fine or at least she will be. She just gets like this when she dreams about our families," Alyssa answered.
"Wouldn't dreaming of family make you a little sad or happy?" Tyson asked.
"Not for us I'm afraid," Alyssa stated, "Now I need to check on the bars. Just signal if you need me."
She walked off down the stairs and once she was out of sight, Kai and Ray slapped Tyson around the back of the head.
"Ouch, what was that for?" Tyson whined.
"You don't just asked questions like that Ty," Ray stated, "You don't know how they lost their families."
"And judging by Alyssa's reaction, whatever happened was traumatic for the pair of them," Max added.
Kai couldn't help but think that was a slight understatement. It was most definitely traumatic, but it was the nature and circumstance of it that was in question. Whilst the others drank and enjoyed themselves, Kai took to watching the people on the amin floor. He spotted a few shady people and signalled to the bouncers. However, he must have done it a few too many times because Alastair came up and stood with him.
"I've got Liana outside and you in here," he commented, "I'm thinking if I put you in a room and cross my fingers, you'll sort each other out."
"Or we'd team up," Kai quipped.
"Someone up there is playing a joke on me I swear," Alastair smirked, "Go talk to her and bring her in."
Kai smirked and headed down to the entrance. He watched as Liana went through the line before she noticed him.
"Les, you mind taking over for me?" Liana asked.
"Sure," he answered as she walked over to stand in front of Kai.
"Why aren't you inside enjoying yourself?" she asked.
"Your uncle. Apparently, I spotted one too many assholes inside," Kai stated.
"Let me guess, he gave you the 'Someone up there is playing a joke' line?"
"Something like that. What's got you on edge?"
"Something I need to distract myself from," she stated, "Thanks for carrying me home last night. I owe you one."
"You could buy me a drink."
She laughed and gestured to him to follow her inside. He watched as she greeted people with a smile as they headed to the bar. She had a much lighter atmosphere now than when he'd arrived. And it seemed it was here to stay. When she wasn't on stage, she went between sitting upstairs with them, mingling downstairs and helping on the bars. Alyssa actually hugged him when she thanked him for getting Liana out of her mood, which seemed mutual given that Liana got a hug from all the boys for taking him out of his supposed mood. Alyssa and Alastair outrighted laughed at Liana for how awkward she looked in a group hug.
It was a good night despite the rocky start. Tyson and Max had even watched how much they were drinking this time, leaving them still fairly sober by the end when Alastair had invited them to stay behind. They came down to the main floor once the crowds had left and the staff were cleaning up, though they ended up helping so the staff could get home sooner. Alyssa and Liana disappeared and Alastair guided them all out.
"Thanks for coming boys," Alastair said.
"No problem, we like it here," Tyson stated.
"You boys should get home."
"We'll wait and walk the girls home," Max stated.
"We can take care of ourselves."
They turned to see Liana and Alyssa walk out, but Liana was carrying a sleeping child wrapped in a blanket.
"Is that Kiyoko?" Ray asked.
"Yeah. She's been up in Alastair's apartment all night," Liana answered, "But we need to get her home before she freezes."
Kai walked over as he took off his scarf and wrapped it around Kiyoko's neck, with Liana's help.
"Should help keep her warm until you're home," Kai stated.
"Thanks," Liana said, "She's going to be so mad she missed meeting you."
"And that we walked you home," Ray quipped.
"I'm pretty sure I told you we could take care of ourselves," Alyssa stated.
"Except you have Kiyoko with you," Alastair quipped.
"They do say there's safety in numbers," Liana added.
"You're siding with Alastair?" Alyssa questioned sceptically.
"Here we go," Alastair and Liana sighed in unison making the boys laugh.
"You? The Queen of Stubbornness and Defiance? You're siding with Alastair about letting others walk us home?"
"Just start walking Alyssa," Liana ordered exasperated.
"But you never agree, with anyone!"
"Ray, you mind pushing her home or we'll be here all night?" Liana asked.
They boys chuckled as Alyssa carried on whilst being pushed to walk out the alleyway. Though 10 minutes later she finally stopped obsessing over Liana agreeing with their uncle and started joining in with a normal conversation. Liana on the other hand had to stop a few times to readjust Kiyoko, leaving her to lag behind them all quietly. When she had to stop again, Kai decided to wait and let the others walk ahead.
"Let me take her for a bit," Kai offered.
"It's fine. She's just fidgety tonight," Liana answered.
"Your arms will tire out if that's the case. I don't mind taking her," Kai informed.
"Well if you insist."
Carefully she passed Kiyoko to Kai. He balanced Kiyoko on one arm, with her head in the rook of his shoulder whilst Liana adjusted the blanket and scarf around her again. Once they were done, they started walking again.
"Thank you," Liana said.
"You're welcome," Kai responded, "How long has it been just the 3 of you?"
"7 years. Kiyoko was 1 when we lost our parents," Liana answered, "Alyssa helps a lot but soon I'm hoping to give her, her life back."
"What if that isn't what she wants?"
"Then we'll figure it out but she can't keep holding back from having a life to help me and Kiyoko forever."
"Sometime family is all you need."
He saw her smile out of the corner of his eye and lift her head a little higher. He couldn't help but smile himself, seeing as she obviously agreed with the sentiment. But what he couldn't tell is if was because all she had for 7 years were 3 or 4 family member, or because she genuinely believed in it.
When they caught up with the others, they were all already inside the house and Alyssa was making coffee for everyone. Liana took Kiyoko and carried her upstairs returning a few moments later.
"I tired to get your scarf back, but she wasn't letting that go for anything," Liana advised as Alyssa passed Kai a coffee.
"It's fine, she can keep it for a while," Kai stated, " Just tell her to take special care of it."
"She's going to treat it like the world's greatest treasure," Alyssa commented.
"Is Kiyoko a fan of Kai's?" Tyson asked.
"Kai is her favourite but she's a fan of the team," Liana answered as she curled up in an armchair," She's already building her own Beyblade."
"How old is she?"
"8. She's been beyblading since she was 4 though," Alyssa explained, Liana taught her to bargain a little to young, so we had to trade lessons in exchange for her eating her vegetables."
"I didn't teach her," Liana quipped, "She got that from watching you. You should have known she'd pick up on it pretty quickly."
"She wouldn't have learnt if I didn't have to bargain with you to take time off!"
"We needed the money," Liana mumbled as she rested her chin on the knee she pulled up, "You wanted to do that course."
"What course?" Max asked.
"Coaching course."
"Wouldn't you have still been in school then?" Ray asked.
"We were too advanced for a normal school and went through the curriculum too quickly, so we were home schooled," Alyssa explained as she spotted Kai looking at a dozing Liana, "If you want, you can move her in 5 minutes. She won't wake up then."
"We should be going soon anyway," Kai answered.
"We should all meet up during the week sometime though," Tyson suggested.
"Well let me give you all my number and we'll arrange something."
Kai watched as they all exchanged numbers before looking down at Liana again. She was sleeping peacefully this time compared to last night. His attention as pulled away when Alyssa stood in front of him with a card.
"I doubt you want my number so this is Liana's. She doesn't tend to answer texts too often but she'll answer calls if she isn't busy."
So that's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.
For anyone who's an Escaflowne Fan, please check out my story Return to Gaea.
As always, any feedback is great feedback, but it's not expected.
I'll be uploading the next chapter on 22nd October.
Until next time xx